Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
Actor Says He Was Removed From CA Theatre’s ‘The Prince of Egypt’ After Raising Whitewashing Concerns
An actor from California Theatre’s recent production of The Prince of Egypt claims he was fired after speaking up about what he described as the alleged whitewashing of the cast.
‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Korean Production Prompts Debate Over Dreadlocks and Blackface Claims
The Korean production of Hell’s Kitchen is facing online criticism over one character’s styling, with some calling it blackface.
5 “Totally Normal” Reasons to Stage Dreamgirls With a Practically All-White Cast
A UK theatre group somehow cast Dreamgirls with a practically all-white cast, and yes, it is exactly as baffling as it sounds. So naturally, here are 5 totally reasonable, completely serious, not-at-all sarcastic reasons a theatre might choose to stage one of the most iconic Black musicals of all time with mostly white performers.
U.K. Theatre Group Somehow Casts ‘Dreamgirls’ With Practically All-White Cast…
A theatre group in the U.K. is facing criticism after announcing a Dreamgirls production with a practically all-white principal cast.
Laurie Metcalf’s Defense of Scott Rudin is Disappointing
Laurie Metcalf’s full-throated defense of Scott Rudin is disappointing, revealing, and exactly why Broadway’s accountability problem never seems to go away.
Michigan Theatre Board Resignations Mark a Necessary First Step
After months of turmoil at the Michigan Theatre in Jackson, the reported resignations of two board members feel like a necessary first step toward accountability.
Claybourne Elder’s ‘Company’ Story Is Exactly Why We Need to Get Serious About Work-Life Balance in Theatre
Claybourne Elder’s story about being pressured to perform Company on a scheduled night off should make the theatre industry sit with itself for a minute.
College Officials Allegedly Ordered Last-Minute Set Change Over Political Concerns
Officials at Cape Fear Community College reportedly told students to remove the words “No Kings” from the set of The Bacchae before opening night.
Why Two Strangers May Be Broadway’s Most Interesting Business Experiment
Broadway keeps chasing bigger budgets, bigger spectacles, and bigger risk. Meanwhile, Two Strangers is hanging around without blockbuster grosses or sky-high ticket prices. That may be more important than people realize.
No, Taking Photos During Curtain Call Is Not “Insulting”
Actor Lesley Manville says taking photos or video during curtain call is “insulting.” I disagree. There is plenty of audience behavior worth calling out right now, but this is not one of them.
Theater Critics Need to Stop Commenting on Performers’ Bodies
After reading a review of West Side Story, where a critic decided to comment on a performer’s body instead of simply reviewing the work onstage, we need to remind critics to stop treating performers’ bodies as fair game.
A Community Theatre Used AI on Its Cast. That Should Alarm Everyone.
A community theatre got backlash for using AI in promotional images, including altering an actress’s body. That crosses a line and community theatre, of all spaces, should know better.