Winner of the 2016 Nashville High School Musical Theatre Award (which in 2017 became known as The Spotlight Awards) as best actor in a musical, Ashton Harris is yet another starring light in Kristin Moon and Will Butler's company of outstanding young actors at Hillsboro High School.

The role of Coalhouse Walker Jr. in the Lynn Ahrens-Stephen Flaherty-Terrance McNally musical Ragtime is one coveted by actors of all ages - not the least of whom is Siegel High School student Caleb Mitchell, who took on the challenge of bringing the character to life in his school's production of the show earlier this spring. And for his efforts, Mitchell was one of three finalists for The Spotlight Award, the culmination of the 2016-17 Nashville High School Music Theatre Awards.

If the theater community had its own royal family and nobility, then it would make perfect sense that young Sevon Askew, recently awarded a Spotlight Award as best male soloist for his performance in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, would be a crown prince. The son of Susan Arnold Walsworth, who has appeared on numerous stages in the midstate, he's the nephew of David Arnold (perhaps best known for his portrayal of Shrek in the musical about the gentle green ogre - a role Sevon has played, as well) and Cat Arnold (who's currently onstage in ACT 1's Noises Off). Talent, it would seem, runs through certain families.

As the school year winds down, and students are scattered to the winds this summer, Davidson Academy's Alexandra Chopson closes out the year on a definite high: Last Saturday night, she was presented the Spotlight Award for best supporting actress in a musical at the Nashville High School Musical Theatre Awards for her performance as Wednesday Addams in her school's production of The Addams Family.

With support from the Public Citizens for Children's Picasso Project + Youth and the Curtis Institute of Music's ArtistYear Fellowship Program, South Philadelphia High School, in collaboration with the Curtis Institute of Music's ArtistYear program, presents The Wiz, the musical, on May 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. at South Philadelphia High School's own 1400-seat historic auditorium located at 2101 S. Broad St. Tickets are available at the door as pay-what-you-wish.

CHITA RIVERA AND SETH RUDETSKY TAKE THE STAGE AT THE SMITH CENTER LAS VEGAS

Almost every family and community has some sort of tradition that continues throughout the years, despite any changes the group goes through. This idea is reflected in the show Fiddler on the Roof, as many of the plot points in the show are based on traditions that the people of Anatevka don't remember the origins of. Inspired by the show, I decided to ask the cast and crew of Tyngsborough High School's production of Fiddler on the Roof what their favorite tradition has been throughout their Tyngsborough theatre career.

Most everyone knows the story of "The Princess and the Pea", but few know what actually happened. For instance, did you know that Princess Winnifred, from the Ragnarok Marsh Lilies, actually swam the moat to reach the castle? You'll learn about this and much more from Susquehanna Stage Company's next show, Once Upon a Mattress Jr.!

With the success of shows such as NEWSIES being filmed live onstage, it's proven that shows filmed live on stage are beneficial, so why aren't more shows doing it?

On Tuesday, April 25th the Greater Philadelphia Cappies released their list of Award Nominees for the 2016-2017 season.

OHP is burning up the quarter mile at Scarborough High School as opening night speeds towards them. The cast is hard at work polishing this iconic musical for the first performance on May 4th.

Hello, readers! It's been a long time since I've uploaded an article. My high school readers know that the January to April area is a particularly difficult one, especially with AP classes, senior events, and college decisions. I decided that this article should be an update on my past three months and a guide for future seniors who hit those college and future obstacles.

Take a trip back to the 1950's as the Acting Troupe of Lambert moves and grooves in Grease, the original high-school musical!

In the year 1935 times are hard for everyone, but especially for Girl, who-with no family of her own-gets passed around from household to household, until, following clues and whisperings of her heart, she encounters the eccentric Mother Hicks.

The calendar is fast approaching commencement season all over the country and seniors in high school theater programs are preparing for their final shows on their familiar stomping grounds - like Nashville's Franklin Road Academy senior Micah Frizzell. As he prepares to open tonight in director/educator Ross Bolen's musical update of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (he plays Don John), he's already looking ahead to next fall when he enrolls at Syracuse University as part of their group of 24 incoming freshmen for the BFA Musical Theater program.

On Wednesday, April 12, UCF students showcased their short films as part of "UCF Celebrates the Arts" at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. A brief Q&A session with the filmmakers followed the event.

Circle Theatre has announced the four finalists' and four semi-finalists' plays in the annual High School Playwriting Project.

This past Sunday, UCF faculty members Belinda (Be) Boyd, Cynthia White and Sybil St. Claire hosted a female playwrights panel as part of "UCF Celebrates the Arts." Boyd and St. Claire provided insight on playwriting, while White offered advice from the developmental perspective. 

PINKALICIOUS: THE MUSICAL at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater is pinktastic! See my review of the show below.

On July 15th, 2016, I began writing the first piece of the first theatre project that would be performed outside my head. It wasn't until August 23rd that I decided to chronicle the building of what would become State Your Case.

This Friday, April 7, marks the beginning of 'UCF Celebrates the Arts,' a week-long showcase of student art and pieces that demonstrate the vital role of the arts. On Sunday, UCF faculty members will hold a female playwrights panel. I talked with two of the playwrights, Belinda (Be) Boyd and Sybil St. Claire, about their inspiration to become playwrights, their start in playwriting and what to expect at the panel. 

This is the sixth post in my series about Apples and Oranges Studios' THEatre ACCELERATOR. THEatre ACCELERATOR utilizes new technology to develop musicals in a unique way. For a full explanation of THEatre ACCELERATOR, see my first post here. 

One normal night is not what you'll get at Thornton Academy! I was invited to talk to the performers of THE ADDAMS FAMILY at the Thornton Academy Auditorium. I was able to speak with Zack LaChance and Braden Foley who play Gomez and Fester Addams, respectively.

The past two weeks have been nothing but rewarding for Cinderella at UHS! I am writing to you off of a successful opening weekend and could not be more appreciative. Since I have shared with you all last, we have added costumes, lights, sound and held several dress runs with all of the elements! 

It has been practically two months now and I am still suffering from Post BroadwayCon depression. For those who don't know, BroadwayCon was a convention held at the Javits center in New York City from January 27th to the 29th and I am not exaggerating when I say that it was one of the best weekends of my life. Honestly, I did not know what to expect going into it. It was only the second year that Playbill and Mischief Management teamed up to put this event on and last year's convention was visited by a giant blizzard. I had gone with my two best friends and even though this was our first year going, we went all out with a different cosplay each day. These consisted of The Schuyler Sisters, all three Heathers, and Danny, Sandy, and Rizzo from Grease. As soon as we stepped into the Javits center it was as if we were stepping into another world. A world where it was okay to burst out into showtunes, find a way to quote a musical to any conversation, and meet your favorite Broadway actors as they were just walking around. There were Glindas, newsies, and Hamilton's galore.