We've all given up so much in the last year and a half and I want to go back to Broadway, but I think the hesitation of it all is going to last a very long time. I also believe that the way we all act in the next few weeks are going to be crucial to the survival of Broadway.

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to attend Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical and review it for BroadwayWorld. Recently, I also had the chance to speak with Nick Flatto, the director of Stranger Sings. We talked about the show, the effects of the pandemic, and even TikTok. So without further ado, let’s get into it!

I know all of us take countless classes, read plenty of articles, and listen to endless interviews about what makes a great audition 'in the room.' So, to not waste your time, I will not be discussing how to audition in-person, but rather the digital Summer Stock audition process. After you've created all your audition cuts, there are essentially 2 methods of auditioning: 1. Self-Submissions 2. Audition Conferences

As early as my sophomore year in college, I began to itemize a list of possible topics for my thesis. I was not looking forward to the whole thesis writing bit. However, things lightened up a bit as soon as I started to think of titles which I felt would excite me the most and therefore make my work easier. I came up with color-blind casting.

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. Letters to incoming freshmen, words of advice, a philosophy on dream roles, book recommendations, and more-- read the latest from our college student bloggers!

This past summer, I enjoyed the sunshine and warm weather with some theatre books. Some were plays, some were memoirs of actors and some were theory or history books. I wanted to share some of my favorites from the past couple of months as we move into the back-to-school spirit. 

I recently saw Pass Over in previews on Broadway, and I am so glad I was able to experience the energy of live theater again! Pass Over was written by Antoinette Chinoye Nwandu in 2018 and took inspiration from Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. Two young men perform in a cycle passing the time and hoping things could be different until a stranger wanders in to disrupt their pattern. Overall, the play follows the theme of making your way out through profanity and slang terms warped into poetic philosophical questions.

While debating over which sweatshirts or sneakers to bring you also have to decide what a theater major needs for a semester of performance. Thankfully, here is a list of what I consider to be some of the most important items to pack for your time in the theater. With an unprecedented year of experience, from acting classes in masks and performing in boxes, I have whittled down the necessities to what can fit in my shoebox size room.

This year, I'm a senior which means it's my last year in college. That fact is both equally thrilling and terrifying. In less than twelve months, I'll be a college graduate with a degree that will be with me as I'm out in the world working and taking on life without any fear. All of my hard work over the past four years will finally amount to something great. But this is my last first day of school, opening the door for all the big moments that will also be my last. My last move in day, last homecoming, last finals week (which I won't miss), last time spending everyday with the people who mean everything to me.

When I heard about this Funny Girl revival, my first thought was, “Oh my god, I hope it’s real this time… and I hope whoever is cast as Fanny Brice is Jewish.” Beanie Feldstein is a powerful choice for Fanny Brice not only because she is truly Jewish, but also because of all the ways in which she veers from the “traditional” Broadway leading lady.

Choosing classes for college is always difficult experience. I was able to start the process all the way back in March to be able to take the classes I want this fall. And with more in person classes than last year, I am ecstatic to learn as many new things as I can. So, with that, these are 3 out of my 5 classes that I am most excited to take.

What really strikes me about Climate Follies is the use of Brechtian-style theatre to create the atmosphere of the play as a whole. Brecht’s style, also known as Epic Theatre, relies on the Estrangement Effect. Through various tech and acting techniques, the audience remains very aware that they’re watching a play. They are not allowed to fall into the reality of the play.

Today I moved into college. Did I think it was going to be stressful. Yes 100%. Was I at all prepped for the chaos that ensued? No. I had everything packed a week in advance. Did as much research as I could. Chatted with the roommates. Still nothing could prepare me for actually moving into college. I woke up and got ready. The move in appointment was at one in the afternoon, but my anxious self needed to be there at least thirty minutes early. I finished packing, put everything in the car, had dinner with the family, and then we were off. My mother was also doing some research of her own. She knew, kind of, where the dropoff point was.

Dream Roles. Most every theatre lover has them. But why do we have them? What truly draws us to the characters we call our 'dream roles'? I sat down and thoughts through all my dream roles. I sat and tried to think of what really drew me to these roles beyond the standard performance aspect. Today, I'll talk you through my personal dream roles and the reasons I decided are why I truly want to play them.

Looking back four years later, I can say with confidence that the application/audition process for college theatre programs is probably the most difficult thing I have ever done. As I embark on my senior year in Northwestern University’s musical theatre program, I’m reflecting on what I wish I knew four years ago.

Carving out your niche as an artist is difficult. As I think ahead to my career post-college, I'm realizing that goes double for musical theatre writers. There's not a gigantic market for original musical theatre. Unless you're adapting a recognizable property, or centering a star, it's not the easiest thing to get a massive audience invested in your musical.

If you're anything like me, Broadway is a great source of comfort and solace during times of struggle and strife. There's often a song for almost every situation, and nothing is quite as cathartic as the fantasy of belting your favorite ballad as if your bed is the Gershwin stage. These are just a few of the songs that seem to best describe the experience of having a mental illness, because even the messy, difficult parts of being a human are worthy of the stage.

After my previous blog about how jukebox musicals should not be looked down upon in the theatre world, I got to thinking about which of my favorite artists would have the best jukebox musicals. Here are six female artists from the twenty-first century whom I believe should write a musical or have a jukebox musical.

But I knew back then, and know now, that my experiences in theatre have shaped me in endless ways. Therefore, I wrote that fated essay on how the basics of improvisation have taught me to remain as flexible and level-headed as possible in the face of adversity - and to make the best out of any situation. Below is one section of my college essay, which not only granted admission to some of the best and most formative years of my life, but also draws upon what could have been a terrible on-stage mishap if it weren't for mine and my cast's quick thinking and adaptability.

I'm hoping this year is off to a good start. Of course, you're gonna have first day jitters, like not knowing where your classes are and living in a new environment, but you got this. You'll make good friends in no time. Trust me, I've been in your position. The friends you make in these next few years will be around for a lifetime. They will hype you up when you need it and will be a shoulder to cry on when you need one of those.

In these past few weeks I've been seeing some friends, with all the safety measures but it is so heartwarming to be connecting in person again with everyone. Most of my friends that live here, don't love Musical Theatre, or musicals in general haha, so I wanted to talk about that today because even if we are different, I get to spread the passion that I have for musicals in an organic way.

It is now crunch time; I go back to school on Friday and have an audition on Monday. Obviously, I haven't been in school so I couldn't take advantage of the resources that I normally have there. I have my own process for learning songs at home and I think it is important for everyone to have their own as well.

Whether you’re one of the many LaDuca-clad bodies swirling through Pearl Studios or a shaking fifteen-year-old in a community theatre lobby (or even a high-school hallway, watching the athletes barrel past as you sit on the floor outside the auditorium), the words “audition” and “callback” certainly trigger plenty of stress within you. You think of the roles you’re aiming for, or the spot you’re competing for, and your eyes turn towards the other actors waiting with you, all of whom are experiencing equal levels of stress, and the sense of competition is palpable. You forget that these people are your friends- you probably got coffee with a few of them yesterday, or even have plans with them afterwards. But in the waiting room, all camaraderie is lost. It’s an “every man for himself” environment.

I’m packing up to move back to campus for the senior year of my BFA Musical Theatre program. Here are ten items from my must-have list for Theatre/Music/Musical Theatre Students. 1. An online document organization system. Scan sheet music or sides with your phone and upload them to an online platform. I use Google Drive, which allows me to log in from any computer and access my files! A digital copy is always available and ready for printing. Other things to add to your online database include resumes, headshots, and accompaniment recordings.

Inspired by the UMich MT senior entrance presentation, my class decided to make our own version. Including music from Merrily We Roll Along, Hairspray, Heathers and Wicked, I’ll share my experience putting it together, and read on to watch the video!