The first musical I ever saw was Wicked when I was in the fifth grade. Ever since then I have loved musicals and living in Chicago allowed me to have access to more musicals. Since seeing Wicked, I have seen musicals ranging from The Lion King to Phantom of the Opera, and so many others in between. But I have never seen a musical on Broadway, until the last few weeks when I got surprised for my birthday with a trip to New York. When I found out about this surprise, there were two musicals that I knew, without a doubt, I wanted to see: Hadestown and Hamilton.

It's the end of January, which means everyone is making their way back to college. I've been back on campus for almost a week now and it's just a very strange time, on-campus and off. So, I've decided to give some hopefully helpful advice about this semester and just share what I'm up to!

Our student bloggers write about how they're coping with the current global health crisis, give insight on their school's performing arts programs, share their opinions on the latest theater news, and so much more. Takeaways from a first semester at college, preparing for a new role, a look into the music of tick, tick... BOOM! and more-- read the latest from our college student bloggers!

'I've always wanted to be an actress,' Racks Nieto tells me. She's 6 hours ahead of me. She's in London and I'm in Costa Rica. But not even the Atlantic Ocean can get between our friendship. She remembers a documentary she watched recently, because a dancer is asked the same question. 'She thought it was a weird question because it was like asking her why she breathes. She just does it. And I know what she means. I feel the same way about acting. It's always been a part of me. I just do it.'

Like many other theatre kids, the release of tick, tick... BOOM! was ground breaking and epiphanic. Seeing one of the most beautiful stories ever be translated on to film with such grace and poetry was such a turning point in my life. Not only has Lin-Manuel Miranda proven his excellence in directing but he has given humanity one of the most emotive and inspiring stories. Maybe it's because we're in year three of a pandemic, maybe it's because my degree will be complete in ten months but there's something about this movie, the narrative, the theme, the message and even the soundtrack that just sparks inspiration.

The actor's preparatory work is a testament to their discipline and professionalism. There is so much growth that happens during the process but I believe that it is important to start with a strong foundation. Confidence in the beginning allows for great discoveries throughout the process. I urge you to find what works to help you meet your new character, and commit to a discipline within the process for the most meaningful experience.

The biggest lesson I have learned from my first semester at college is that college is what you make of it. If you're going to college just to get a degree, spend all your time studying. If you want to get a degree plus some friends and lifelong memories, find a good work-life balance that works for you.

During my winter break, I had the opportunity to perform in an original immersive theatre production at the Tilles Center called Branching Out! But how is an immersive production doable during a pandemic? Read to find out!

In light of the recent surges of public appreciation for standbys, understudies, and swings on Broadway, plenty of theatre artists have discussed their vital importance in a show (I mean, shows can't happen without them), but not many have discussed why it's important to quash the idea of these performers being 'less than' the performers in principal roles and why there is no reason to be comparing a swing, understudy, or standby to the performer for whom they're covering.

Calling all theatre-loving college kids! Share your knowledge, recommendations, and school tips in blogs for BroadwayWorld. Find out more about how you can blog for us! All applicants should have excellent writing skills and an enthusiasm for sharing their educational experience with BroadwayWorld.com - the largest theater site on the net! This is the perfect opportunity to show off your school's program and highlight what makes it unique.

Hola! Happy New Year, my favorite time of the year has come. Checking in here with you fills me with passion and joy. One year ago, I started writing here and it's been a journey, huh? I've written from Canada, Mexico in times of uncertainty, in times where I am doing everything and hoping it goes according to its plan, in rehearsals, in opening and closing nights. I've shared new things that I've been discovering, things that I go back to that have been part of who I am since my passion for Musical Theatre started... and today, in the first month of the year, I feel accomplished and more alive than ever.

Our student bloggers write about how they're coping with the current global health crisis, give insight on their school's performing arts programs, share their opinions on the latest theater news, and so much more. The Prom in Mexico, surviving winter break, and more-- read the latest from our college student bloggers!

Just recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing editor Eric Litman about his newest series, The Hot Zone: Anthrax. Litman is best known for his work for Marvel on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as Black Sails, Magnum P.I., and Charmed. Currently Eric is an editor on Star Trek: Picard, a continuation of the series Star Trek: The Next Generation.

I loved The Prom and if I could, I would watch it again and again and again, because to bring this great story to life, they needed an exceptional company and they found it. Every time they were on stage, they gave everything and brought this magic that we can only see in the theater. I'm glad and proud that here in Mexico City, we have plays and musicals with this quality, made with effort, passion and love.

Where my last blog ended is where this current blog begins. Before officially starting my winter break from BU, I made a film... I mean, I was part of the making of a film... Being back on set was a slap in the face I desperately needed. I just hope it won't take another six years to come back...

This year, I'm going to my first real musical. Yes, I saw a couple in high school and performed in many in my children's choir at church, but I've never been to a professional performance. Thankfully, my mom gifted me (and herself) Hamilton tickets for when the U.S. tour stops in St. Louis.

Happy 2022 everyone! In my last article, I wrote about my favorite moments from 2021, and towards the end, I included some of the things I'm excited about for 2022. In this article, I am going to be diving in-depth into some of the things I talked about and also some things I forgot to mention in that article. The return of live theater is something I think we are all very excited about for 2022. While many shows made their return in 2021, there are many openings still to happen, on Broadway and around the world. While shows are currently being postponed or canceled due to the rise in Coronavirus cases, we can only hope that by the end of 2022 we will see pre-pandemic levels of theater engagement.

'You are everything.' is the line that touched me the most in Martha Gogakou's 16-minute short film, Dharmadhatu. I first saw the piece at the 2021 New Media Film Festival®, and I enjoyed speaking to its creator this past weekend. Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, Martha Gogakou has an impressive resumé. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from Kingston University of London Upon Thames, an MA in Audio and Visual Arts from Ionian University, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the Audio and Visual Arts department at Ionian University. She specializes in digital drawing, experimental video art, live cinema performance, and drawing in front of live audiences.

Whether it’s artsy-craftsy like my interests or something totally different (say, simply picking up a few new books to read), it’s important to find something stimulating for you to do in this time. Inactivity leads to boredom which leads to spiraling into your own thoughts and doom-scrolling.

Our student bloggers write about how they're coping with the current global health crisis, give insight on their school's performing arts programs, share their opinions on the latest theater news, and so much more. Monologue tips and tricks, seeing Come From Away on Broadway, a look back at the fall semester, theatre resolutions, and more-- read the latest from our college student bloggers!

I recently had the opportunity to ask McKenna Kerrigan a few questions on her teaching experience and career as well as some advice for young theatre professionals. Her responses remind us of the excitement we derive from the theatre and how all our experiences can teach us something.

The other day, I watched “Tick, Tick...BOOM” - one of the greatest pieces of art I’ve seen in a while.

Everything about Come From Away was stunning. From the music to the stage design, transition between scenes or characters and the heartwarming story, this show was beyond incredible. There was so much to love and I truly adored everything about this musical from the moment it began to the very end. I cried, laughed and realized how that terrible day in American history affected so many other people and how their stories are often forgotten. It's a show that's easy to fall in love with and should be seen by everyone because the emotions are raw, the talent is immense and it's a story that deserves to be told and change our lives as it did for those individuals twenty years ago.

I’m about to make a big change in my life, one that I have planned and dreamed about for as long as I can remember. In a little over a week, I’m moving to England for six months to study at a different university. I’m excited. I’m scared.

I want to celebrate all the accomplishments I've achieved this year. I am sure that every single individual in this world, was able to accomplish something big or small. These accomplishments might be getting a good grade, landing a job, waking up without feeling tired, eating that dessert you've wanted, facing a hard time, learning something new, and more. Why am I saying this? Well, because sometimes we downsize our accomplishments and we believe that fitting the norm, doing the norm, and being the norm is and should be easy. Following the norm as well as breaking the norm is hard. 2021, you were a big year for me. There are so many things I got to do and try out as well as so many moments I wished I could just lie in my bed and disappear from what was happening.