Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
To the Folks Dismissing Community Theatre
Before dismissing community theatre, it helps to notice who’s in the room and why they’re there.
Donald Trump’s Name Does Not Belong on the Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center will be renamed after Donald Trump. A place built to honor the arts was just renamed for a man who never believed in what it stood for.
“Beaches”, Broadway, and the Power of Knowing Your Audience
Beaches is coming to Broadway, and honestly, it just makes sense. A movie that had an emotional choke hold on an entire generation is now landing squarely in front of the audience that’s been keeping Broadway alive for decades.
When Community Theatre Chooses Friends Instead of Actual Directors
I’ve watched great shows fall apart because the director was picked out of loyalty instead of ability. Community theatre can do better. And it’s not a hard fix.
Casting “Dear Evan Hansen” in Community Theatre and Schools
The rights to Dear Evan Hansen are finally available, which means a whole new generation gets to tell this story. There are no casting rules, no limitations. Let’s cast it with intention — diversely, thoughtfully, boldly.
Dear Community Theaters, Inviting a Critic Does Not GUARANTEE Praise
A local critic told me a community theatre will stop inviting them to shows after one negative review. Wild, right? If we send the invite, we have to be willing to hear the truth.
“Wicked: For Good” Proves You Can’t Stretch Act Two Into a Whole Movie
Wicked fans, we need to talk. I wrote about why Part Two didn’t hit the same highs for me, even though I went in hoping it would. All love, no snark. Just honesty.
Do We Really Need a Trigger Warning for Jesus Christ Superstar?
A theatre added a trigger warning to Jesus Christ Superstar because it shows the crucifixion. I’m all for content warnings when they’re needed, but this one had me blinking.
Did Kristin Chenoweth’s Charlie Kirk Comments Really Cause the Closing of The Queen of Versailles?
Did Kristin Chenoweth’s comments about Charlie Kirk quietly hurt The Queen of Versailles on Broadway? I don’t think they closed the show, but they definitely shaped the conversation around it.
Director Kept Actor in Cast Despite Complaints Before Child Sex Crime Arrest
A community theatre performer has been arrested for child sex crimes. Multiple cast members warned leadership months ago. Those warnings were ignored.
Kids Can Handle More Than You Think: Why Youth Actors Need Higher Standards
Young performers deserve the same respect and expectations that we have for the adults in these productions. This type of groundwork will set kids up for long-term success in theatre.
Did Parent Complaints Cause a High School to Change “She Kills Monsters” Without Permission?
High School officials in Iowa delayed a production of She Kills Monsters last week, saying “modifications” were needed after parents objected to its LGBTQ themes. Were those changes allowed under the script’s licensing?