The use of deaf talent, and hearing actors passing on the roles that have them portraying someone with a cultural background they do not have experience with, is vital when telling stories about deaf culture and in general. Storytelling is vital to the Deaf community and to ignore their contributions and damper the current stunning group of talent would be to the detriment of the theatre community as a whole.
Read MoreWhen on stage or waiting in the wings, it’s business time. But what about backstage in the green room or dressing room? These areas occupy an uncertain space between the world of performing and simply existing as people. Everyone prepares for a show differently, but here are a few general guidelines for establishing a positive green room atmosphere.
Read MoreSo I wanted to do something I've never done before. Something original but also more honest than I've been in the past. I wanted to share the following experience because I believe I'm not the only one who has ever gone through it, and I want people to know how it ends. Spoiler alert: it ends pretty well. The following is what was originally a secret series of blogs that I wrote to document how I dealt with receiving the part in a musical I didn't want. As a disclaimer, I should say first that the following is a process, detailing how my thoughts and feelings change, and that no personal offense should be taken on behalf of those involved. However, I have edited this so that no specifics are mentioned (which means you'll see quite a few 'my character's etc.). I hope this provides supportive, inspiring, or even just interesting reading.
Read MoreI spent my freshman year after high school in a BA program. I loved the school and the people, but it just wasn’t the right program or intensity for me. I wanted to pursue a BFA but I didn’t know where to begin. Most of my friends used MTCA or similar services as audition help, and I was doing this completely on my own.
Since many friends have come to me this year for help with transferring to another theatre program, specifically for BFA MT programs, I decided to put together this list of some tips/tricks I picked up along the way.
Read MoreTheatre goers - question for ya, “Why do you care what people wear?”
Let’s set the scene. I was scouring the deep webs of the Theatre Twitterverse at Grand Central Station before my train took off and I lost all cell reception until 33rd St. Right when the 6 train left the station, I stumbled across an article bemoaning the lost sense of propriety, the lack of respect for today’s performers and Broadway’s legacy - all because some audience members wore flip-flops to a show.
Really. Ok.
Read MoreAdam Da Ros is an award winning music director and is a stage director. Trained at the University of British Columbia, Adam has a diverse range of talents from both the world of opera and musical theatre.
On a day to day he serves as an artistic associate for the prestigious Vancouver Opera Company and is the stage director for Opera Mariposa/Heroic Opera's production of Un ballo in maschera.
Read MoreA couple of years ago, I had the chance to work on a project with a local news anchor. It involved several meetings with her. What struck me before, during and after these meetings was her behavior. Rather being a polite, gracious and a cooperative colleague, she was rude, constantly late and displayed "diva-ish" behavior. Instead of a local news anchor, it felt like we were working with a world touring singer. I found her behavior both annoying and silly. Because as a local celebrity she might be well known in her own town, but the moment she goes elsewhere, no one knows about her status and no one cares.
Read MoreThis past weekend, I was fortunate enough to attend the annual Texas Thespians Festival in Dallas, TX. Beyond the sheer size of the program, over 7,000 students, I was blown away by the talent and knowledge they displayed as well. It made me swell with pride that the future generation of theatre performers, designers, directors and writers is in safe hands. However one area had me concerned.
I had the chance to speak with a number of students whose goal wasn't necessarily to be on stage or behind it, but rather teach it. I was taken aback by the number of students who wanted to become theatre educators. You don't usually find that at a thespian festival.
Read MoreIt happens every year. With budget constrictions and rising costs, schools all over the country will be forced to value how much a theatre program is worth to their students. Sadly, more often than not, these programs aren't valued enough and are eliminated.
However, during my time working in higher education, I've had the chance to speak with countless school administrators, teachers and students. What has surprised me the most, is how quick many of these schools cut their programs without looking at a plethora of options beforehand.
Read MoreWith the college audition season just starting, thousands of high school seniors are going to be searching for the best material to show off their skills. It's easy to guess that right now Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's music would be a popular choice among this group, given the success of Dear Evan Hansen, Dogfight and La La Land. I'm also willing to be that we'll be seeing a ton of students audition with The Greatest Showman next year as well. So there's no fighting it. But I also wouldn't necessarily avoid using one of their pieces.
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