PINKALICIOUS: THE MUSICAL at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater is pinktastic! See my review of the show below.

On July 15th, 2016, I began writing the first piece of the first theatre project that would be performed outside my head. It wasn't until August 23rd that I decided to chronicle the building of what would become State Your Case.

This Friday, April 7, marks the beginning of 'UCF Celebrates the Arts,' a week-long showcase of student art and pieces that demonstrate the vital role of the arts. On Sunday, UCF faculty members will hold a female playwrights panel. I talked with two of the playwrights, Belinda (Be) Boyd and Sybil St. Claire, about their inspiration to become playwrights, their start in playwriting and what to expect at the panel. 

This is the sixth post in my series about Apples and Oranges Studios' THEatre ACCELERATOR. THEatre ACCELERATOR utilizes new technology to develop musicals in a unique way. For a full explanation of THEatre ACCELERATOR, see my first post here. 

One normal night is not what you'll get at Thornton Academy! I was invited to talk to the performers of THE ADDAMS FAMILY at the Thornton Academy Auditorium. I was able to speak with Zack LaChance and Braden Foley who play Gomez and Fester Addams, respectively.

The past two weeks have been nothing but rewarding for Cinderella at UHS! I am writing to you off of a successful opening weekend and could not be more appreciative. Since I have shared with you all last, we have added costumes, lights, sound and held several dress runs with all of the elements! 

It has been practically two months now and I am still suffering from Post BroadwayCon depression. For those who don't know, BroadwayCon was a convention held at the Javits center in New York City from January 27th to the 29th and I am not exaggerating when I say that it was one of the best weekends of my life. Honestly, I did not know what to expect going into it. It was only the second year that Playbill and Mischief Management teamed up to put this event on and last year's convention was visited by a giant blizzard. I had gone with my two best friends and even though this was our first year going, we went all out with a different cosplay each day. These consisted of The Schuyler Sisters, all three Heathers, and Danny, Sandy, and Rizzo from Grease. As soon as we stepped into the Javits center it was as if we were stepping into another world. A world where it was okay to burst out into showtunes, find a way to quote a musical to any conversation, and meet your favorite Broadway actors as they were just walking around. There were Glindas, newsies, and Hamilton's galore. 

This is the fifth post in my series about Apples and Oranges Studios' THEatre ACCELERATOR. THEatre ACCELERATOR utilizes new technology to develop musicals in a unique way. For a full explanation of THEatre ACCELERATOR, see my first post here. 

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of taking Fredi Walker-Browne's three day workshop at my school, the OCVTS: Performing Arts Academy. Being able to take such an informative class on the entertainment world was eye opening and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to take this class at my school as both a freshman and senior. When learning about show business and casting I found myself reflecting on how big the performance world is, and how thankful I am to be apart of such a crazy yet thrilling field.

Do you hear the students sing? The Brunswick High School Players are presenting LES MISÈRABLES SCHOOL EDITION under the direction of Pam Mutti.

There's a solid reason why the Sophomore One-Acts Festival at my school is called Short and Sweet. These little bites of theatre are a delight to watch, study, and perform.

Jess here.  I recently saw my first show at Cockroach Theatre, a well-established theatre company located here in Las Vegas.  SPINNING INTO BUTTER by Rebecca Gilman exposes current social issues through an honest story that could, in reality, have taken place in Anywhere, USA.  This play dealt with concepts not normally portrayed on a stage, and delivered a powerful punch that left the audience enlightened.  The story is set at fictional Belmont College in Vermont, and explores racial issues that college campuses sometimes face.  The show begins with Sarah Daniels, a Dean who is trying to get a student to lie about his ethnicity so he will be a stronger candidate for a scholarship.   She does this with the best intentions, but it's not taken well by the student, Patrick Chibas.  Meanwhile Simon (a character in name only), an African-American student attending the predominantly white Belmont College, reports a series of hate crimes being inflicted upon him.  Dean Daniels along with two other Deans struggle to fix the issue, yet against Dean Daniels' better judgment, decide that a campus-wide forum is the best way to remedy the situation.  Ultimately, the forum is a huge failure, and results in more of a divide than it began with.  Dean Daniels continues to try to do what's right, but struggles with the process due to her subconscious racism.  This story discusses the complexity of race and discrimination and how, despite the outlawing of segregation, America still struggles to treat all races equally.

The Woodruff School ACE Music Theater Program has its cast completed for their spring production of James and the Giant Peach JR

In January, I said goodbye to working on one of the plays I wrote in my junior year of high school, 'Supermarket of Lost,' which you can read about my experience here: http://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/BWW-Blog-Cassandra-Hsiao-Opening-Nights-and-Goodbyes-Looking-Back-on-SUPERMARKET-OF-LOST-20170123

Last week, Cinderella at UHS observed two snow days delaying our rehearsal process but allowing us time to individually delve into our material.  Watching videos, reviewing intentions and developing our characters are what will bring our magical performance together. Once the company was reunited, we made up for lost time with our scenic elements. As each stroke of the paint brush is completed, it is apparent in how gorgeous it will truly be. 

Bop to the top! HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL JR. is opening this weekend at Winslow Homer Center for the Arts. The middle school production of the cult classic is filled with clever sets, surprising dancing, and overall "cuteness."

Music Theatre International (MTI), the world's leading licensor of musical theatre has awarded the Courage In Theatre Award to Cherry Hill High School East for their current production of RAGTIME.

Jess here.  One of my favorite entertainment hotspots in Las Vegas is none other than The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.  March 10, 2017 marked their 5th Anniversary, and I was lucky enough to attend their 'Celebrating Five Years of Heart' concert last week.  Hosted by Betsy Wolfe and Adam Kantor (stars of the revival of THE LAST FIVE YEARS), this extravaganza included a variety of exciting performances, allowing audience members to experience the arts in a fashion that only the Smith Center can provide.  

'Can't Wait, Can't Wait Can't Wait for 13!' Yes! The  Drama Desk Award winning Musical by Jason Robert Brown- that was also the first all teen musical on Broadway is coming to The Richmond Hill Centre For The Performing Arts!

Surrounded by a barrage of local and regional media attention Cherry Hill East High School decides to 'Make Them Hear You'.

The Studio Theatre continues its inaugural season with Jason Robert Brown's THE LAST 5 YEARS. The musical follows the five-year relationship between Cathy and Jamie, from their first date to their divorce. I talked with Whitney Morse (Cathy) about the rehearsal process, her inspiration, and the challenges of telling a story backwards. 

Saturday competitions and the short film festival, I grabbed my friend Mady by the hand, rushed downstairs from our Troupe 5480 corner on the second floor, and asked as many New Jersey Thespians as I could the most polarizing question you could whip out on any East Coaster.

Little known facts are coming your way! For the first time ever, the Seaside Pavilion in Old Orchard Beach, is producing an in house musical!

Bye Bye Birdie is a Hit!BYE BYE BIRDIE hit the musical stage in the early 1960's. The story line was inspired by the popularity of Elvis Presley and his draft notice. BIRDIE is full of great tunes that most will recognize. 'How lovely to be a woman', 'Kids', 'The Telephone Hour' and 'Put on a Happy Face', made famous by Dick Van Dyke in the 1963 film adaptation.

Jess here.  I've been counting down the days to March 22nd.  You might be wondering what the significance of this date is, or if you are a musical theatre buff, you may already know.  March 22nd marks the 87th birthday of one of the greatest composer/lyricists of all time: Stephen Sondheim.