Student Blogger: Blake Velick - Page 2

Need some help predicting the winners? I have attempted to predict about half of these categories (mainly the musical theatre categories since I was not able to see the majority of the plays in the 2019-2020 season), and have provided some rationale for each category. Of course, all the nominees deserve awards, but only one can win in each.

Putting on shoes for class felt strange yesterday. I am accustomed to rolling out of bed ten minutes before my first class and eating my breakfast while listening to a Zoom lecture. Beyond the strangeness of preparing for in-person classes, I have to prepare for in-person auditions and rehearsals.

The Wizard of Oz shows audiences that times may be tough, but love, friendship, and humanity can be fostered through hard work. Even though this fairy tale can be considered propaganda in the age of the Great Depression, it can still function as motivation for Americans to take risks and combat their struggles in troubled times.

According to a recent announcement from the Broadway League, all audiences, performers, crew members, and theatre staff must be vaccinated and audiences must wear masks. This does not bother me at all since I recognize the benefits of keeping everyone healthy and safe in exchange for incredible theatre.

Sunday in the Park with George illustrates the struggles of being an artist in two different centuries. Undoubtedly, these struggles continue to perpetuate in the contemporary art world and can be applied to Stephen Sondheim’s experience as a musical theatre composer and lyricist.

I was disappointed to find out that “Inútil” and “Everything I Know” were cut from the movie. These are two of my favorite songs from the musical and they are essential to the characterization of Kevin Rosario as well as his daughter Nina.

For her Broadway debut, Dana originated the role of the Girl Scout and she understudied Lydia. She has also been seen Off-Broadway in Avenue Q and in the first national tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Read on for some inspiration, advice, and hope for the future of the theatre industry!

The internship application process can be incredibly stressful with sending out multiple cover letters, participating in virtual interviews, and waiting weeks to hear back from companies. However, polishing your application materials and theatrical skills will have employers begging to have you join their teams.

The musical was a unique addition to the Broadway lineup since it effectively integrated social media and projection into theatre. There was always something to capture the eyes of audiences, and it offered new experiences for returning fans. However, I am curious how this will transfer to the screen.

Cameron Mackintosh and the producing team should reconsider their orchestral decision in order to benefit the growth of musicians in the theatre industry and conserve the splendor of The Phantom of the Opera's iconic music. Otherwise, Mackintosh may become the phantom of the orchestra.

There has been reopening success in Australia with Frozen: The Musical, but will Broadway and the West End be able to implement the same safety measures? Here are five questions for producers that audiences are begging to know the answers to regarding the reopening of theatre.

Penn student Bilal Morsi believes there is room to expand on public health in playwriting. He mentions that 'RENT focuses on a very specific intersection of society and health that artists haven’t had to confront in the same caliber until the current COVID-19 pandemic. How will the coronavirus story be told? I hope to be a part of that movement.'

Although this is certainly a time of celebration for Jagged Little Pill, it is not time to jump to conclusions regarding the 74th Tony Awards. The cognitive science of voter behavior and the breakdown of Jagged Little Pill's nomination reveals how the win could influence the outcome of the Tony Awards if voters are not well informed.

Since the end of my freshman year, I have been on the board of Quadramics Theatre Company which is known for its student directed fall play and spring musical. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Anika Dalvie, a senior studying Psychology, who is the Chair of Quadramics.

Here are 5 new categories that I insist the American Theatre Wing must consider adding to the Tony Awards. 

The 2020 West Side Story just adds another artform to the Shakespearean tragedy.

This is why some of your favorite Broadway musicals are closing.

The pandemic has not stopped theatre. Instead, it opened up new avenues for theatrical material to be presented across the globe.

To create great theatre, we must apply cognitive science and psychology. 

Remy may be the next Disney star to shine on Broadway, or at least on Tik Tok. For the past month, musical theatre fans have been collaborating on Tik Tok to compose and write a musical based on Disney Pixar’s Ratatouille.