THE COMMUNITY OF THEATRE WRITERS
I dreamed of being a movie star until I saw my first stage play at the age of four or five. Then I knew I was destined to be an actress who performed live. I put n plays in the backyard and living room until I started school and immediately petitioned (successfully) for the role of "Narrator #3" in the kindergarten production of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff". School productions continued through elementary school, culminating with my passionate, growling, tween performance as Snug the Joiner in A Midsummer Nights Dream. In middle school I found music and began to sing everything from pop hits to Madrigals. High school found me combining my skills to perform in musicals like Guys & Dolls and The Music Man. I went to college on an acting scholarship.
Something changed. The thrill I felt onstage shifted quietly into fright. The butterflies in my stomach became nausea. The spotlight, once warm, felt harsh. I could no longer conceive how to overcome the pressure of remembering all of my lines. And worst of all, my ability to realistically emote evaporated. I was no longer a good actress, and I realized with surprise that I wasn't really a willing actress, either. After my second year, I dropped out of the acting program and instead took creative writing classes. There was no stage fright associated with writing, and I loved the ability to represent the voices of characters in a variety of ages, races, genders, and body types (an opportunity I never got to explore onstage). But I found the act of writing to be isolating, lonely. I didn't miss the spotlight, but I sure did miss the people. Theatre had been my community for nearly two decades. The five-hour holes in my evenings - where rehearsals used to be - felt gaping. I didn't know where I belonged.
Years went by. I graduated from college with a general Theatre Arts degree. I found hobbies and friends unassociated with the theatre, and still maintained relationships with the buddies from my acting days who found time between performances to get coffee. I continued to write, but (despite trying) my wheelhouse did not include creating plays. Short stories, autobiographical semi-fiction, and journalism were more my forte. Soon my only solid tie to the theatre was as a member of the audience: a crucial role, or course, but different. More like outside looking in; solitude where community once was.
Three years ago I started a twitter account on a whim. I blogged for a bit, writing journalistic anecdotes dealing solely with my love of New York theatre. The twitter account took off and BroadwayGirlNYC earned some notoriety. A year after my first blog post, I was offered my own column on BroadwayWorld.com.
Tweeting and writing about theatre has brought me back into the community I lost when I was in college. The solitary act of tweeting became a means to connect with thousands of theatre-lovers like me. As my list of readers grew longer, I also sought out other voices sharing their words & thoughts with the digital world. It has been a delight to join a community, not unlike the casts I knew in my acting days, of passionate consumers of theatre. I want to thank every person who has shared their fervor by way of written word.
I dream of a scenario in which 1,100 people exit a Broadway theatre and then every single one of them goes home and writes about it. Some might write reviews but there would also be anecdotes from intermission, descriptions of merchandise, recreations of conversations overheard in the bathroom line, and dream scenarios involving the leading man.
Will you write? Will you send me a story inspired by the next show you see? (You can email me at BroadwayGirlNYC@Gmail.com)
There is no such thing as too much love for Broadway (and Off-Broadway, Off-Off, International, Regional, Community, School and Amateur productions). You will never find me badmouthing another theatre writer or competing for readership; LOVE has propelled me from the beginning, and I am delighted that my words, thoughts & stories have found an audience. I hope yours do, too.
On the next page I leave you with a list of blogs recently tweeted to me. Please support them. Please RT them. Use the comments to include any & all that belong on the list. Then support those, too.
I'm a theatre-dork, actor, writer and grad student studying the intersection of Broadway and social media! @hilarysutton - Hilary Sutton (@hilarysutton) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC My blog is totally Broadway filled: imthemaadhatter.tumblr.com - Karen (@dreamscomekaren) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I post my stagedoor experiences & pics & reblog others' as well at stagedoorwhore.tumblr.com. - marqsish (@marqsish) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC my Broadway fashion blog is broadwaydressingroom.tumblr.com =]-Chrissy Jacobs(@ChrissyJacobs) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I write about everything theater - on Broadway and in the Midwest - at laurenrutlin.com!- Lauren Rutlin (@onelauren) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC sure do! fuckyeahheidiblickenstaff.tumblr.com :)- HBlix Fans (@HBlixFans) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC My blog is about theater in Boston and beyond: bit.ly/KaG3lA - Art Hennessey (@ArtHennessey) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I blog theatre in TN as well as NY. :-) countrygirltheatregeek.blogspot.com - Cara (@cgtheatregeek) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC aarontveitfans.tumblr.com this is my blog dedicated to the amazing Broadway actor Aaron Tveit! - mandy (@yaymandyy) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC My theatwitterings reflect my very eclectic tastes&my absolute love&passion for theater that I hope will encourage others!- StageElf (@StageElf) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I write about Broadway/theatre for the culture blog The Talkies. the-talkies.tumblr.com - Andy Germuga (@andytgerm) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC My broadway blog is coreybroadwayryan.tumblr.com. I post wonderful pics and news all about Broadway shows! - Corey Ryan (@ChaoticCorey) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC hi I'm starting a new blog and trying to write about my geekiest about anything theater. My blog is certifiedtheatergeek.tumblr.com - TheaterGeekNYC (@theatergeeknyc) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC We thrive on the good, the bad, and the hilarious in the lives of us theatre dweebs. - TheatreProblems (@Theatreprobz0) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC My Broadway twitter can be found at twitter.com/atheaterlover :) - A Theater Lover (@ATheaterLover) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC This is our Broadway twitter! (Well, mostly Off-Broadway, as we're an Off-Broadway house, but we spread some bwy love too.) - Daryl Roth Theatre (@DRT_Venues) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I'm an New York Observer theater reporter who tweets about theater, sandwiches and the Mets. (And I dig Broadway Girl.) - William Akers (@ouijum) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC Representing the West End. scarecrowsdonttalk.blogspot.com - Lauren Winter (@lozwinter) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC my twitter! @Emmaloucbway ! And my tumblr is emmaloucbway.tumblr.com - Emma Citron (@Emmaloucbway) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC awesome! I write for greenroomblog.comWe are a bunch of artists in the industry. SMs designers equity actors non eq - Katelyn Collins (@KCinNYC) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC anitasreviews.weebly.com I'm a theatre geek teen and review show's I've seen!! - Anita Scorzo (@WickedGleek) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC my blog isn't necessarily Broadway-focused, but you do sort of get to follow a performer's life a bit. showgirlgodzilla.tumblr.com - Nikka Lanzarone (@nikkalanz) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC theculturemom.com For moms not ready to give up sushi for hot dogs.I do a lot of theatre reviews.- holly fink (@theculturemom) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I tweet about theatre and film constantly and encourage people to follow. I also link to extended reviews and commentary. - Ryan Haddad (@RyanJHaddad) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I'm a voice and musical theatre coach. I tweet and blog about all things voice related. Cindyshadrick.com - Cindy Shadrick (@cindyshadrick) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC We tweet and blog about Queens-based news and entertainment (incl. theatre!) on @queensbeat #NYC - The Queens Beat (@queensbeat) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I have a new blog; the latest entry is the scoop that #SlingsandArrows may live again newyorktheater.me - Jonathan Mandell (@NewYorkTheater) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I write about art & theater, but more importantly what wine to drink with them: artwineandwhimsy.com (updating very soon!) - Art, Wine, & Whimsy (@ArtWineWhimsy) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I have a producing blog! viewfromthemezzanine.com - Jason Epperson (@JEpperson1) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC live tweet rehearsals in several theatres and are always looking for submissions and new contributors DM us to get involved - George Spelvin (@RehearsalBanter) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC codyscottlancaster.com -my blog - Cody Scott Lancaster (@cody_lancaster) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I have a personal tumblr where I post Broadway stuff 24/7! Its jumpingmormons.tumblr.com :) - Samantha Grace (@Samanthatronn) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC My Broadway Blog is tumblr.com/blog/the8trtea... #SupportBwayBloggers - Dee Norman (@the8trteacher) June 5, 2012
Also @BroadwayGirlNYC ... @brittbar is another excellent theatre blogger. Buzzing around DC and NYC theatre. Singing acting etc - Katelyn Collins (@KCinNYC) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC TheaterAdvisorBlog.com Theater news, top tens, surveys; currently hosting Tony Award Poll w/ opportunity to win Bway tickets! - Loganne (@Loganne) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC My Broadway Twitter Account is @Broadway_Gracie! I would love the RT! :) - Gracie Lauren (@Broadway_Gracie) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I post playbill giveaways and all things Broadway! Victheradical.tumblr.com! - Victoria Slader (@VicSlader) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC We're following the development of 6 new shows at aracaproject.com (or follow us @thearacaproject)! #AracaProject2012 - The Araca Project (@thearacaproject) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I write occasional reviews of Broadway shows on my HuffPost page. Check out my archive here: huffingtonpost.com/danny-groner - Danny Groner (@DannyGroner) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC People should follow me because I am in a Broadway Show!! #PorgyandBess - NaTasha Y. Williams (@tatastar411) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC my blog @Upstage_Left is about theatres from high school to broadway! upstage-left.blogspot.com - Max Schwager (@mschwagr) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I am a contributor to @CampBroadway's blog! campbroadway.com/aboutus/our-bl...! - Tess Harkin (@Tess_Harkin) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I actually just started one! iamthepipwithpizazz.tumblr.com - Caroline Smith (@hellogorgeous93) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC broadwayjlm.blogspot.com - broadway show reviews - Jonathan J (@jonluvsmaddy) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYCFor the Love of Broadway.4theloveofbroadway.blogspot.com Its all about the love of theatre/ballet etc. - Christine Murphy (@Ct_Murphh) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC: I write study guides to help teachers work #Bway into their classrooms! #BwayLove4All - Show Studies (@ShowStudies) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC its "The Road To 1,000 shows" and i do Musical Mondays, Season Announcement Wednesdays and Reviewstumblr.com/blog/brotherma... - Marc Gonzalez (@brothermarc7) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC I write for crazytownblog.com w/a bunch of theatre artists. Also have emergingmt.blogspot.com on up & coming musicals - Kimberly Lew (@emergingmt) June 6, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC We are Julia Murney appreciation/promotion blog (& this is our affiliated twitter): juliaeffingmurney.tumblr.com- JEM_Tumblr (@JEM_Tumblr) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC My Broadway blog/twitter can be found at dailyactor.com I interview B'way actors, feature B'way news and more - Lance Carter (@DailyActor) June 5, 2012
@BroadwayGirlNYC We're an award-winning concert series (and twitter!) celebrating underappreciated musicals! IfItOnlyEvenRunsAMinute.com :-) - If It Only Even (@RunsAMinute) June 5, 2012
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