It’s times like these that I have to remind myself it is a privilege to create. I have built a life for myself at college where my extracurricular obligations include doing things I love, whether it be choreographing a line dance or making a promotional video for a musical. My busy schedule revolves around creating pieces and moments that will bring joy to others; how lucky am I?

“Just do it.” “Dream big.” “Trust the process.” We hear these mantras everywhere and all the time, so why not incorporate them into our daily lives as performing artists?

I'm reminding myself that it's always progress over perfection, and when something is meant for me, it won't pass me by. I’m sticking with my “the show must go on” mindset, pushing through the tough moments, and trusting that every step I take is part of the journey I’m meant to be on.

My name is Jess Pizzimenti, and this is my first blog post. I want to introduce myself to you through what motivates me to stay creative.

I’m not here to gush about myself though. I’m here to gush about Heathers. And this all leads to the grand question of why am I so obsessed with it? I don’t think I could pinpoint a single specific reason, but there’s one thing that resonates with me that is so deeply clear and important. And that is rooted in the very first lines of the show: “September 1st, 1989. Dear Diary, I think I’m a good person.”

It wasn’t so much the class work or the demands of a college musical theater program that were difficult, though that all kept me on my toes. It was dealing with surprising peer conflict that weighed on me like boulders in my backpack.

Growing up in the theatre community, it has always been important to me to have mentors to look up to that support and give constructive feedback - in fact, it has been vital to forming my love for this craft. And now as I begin my formal training in something that used to just be my hobby… having a guide to build my confidence has been invaluable.

Exploring the art and discipline of memorization, emphasizing that getting off-book is essential to fully embodying a character. Reflecting on preparing for a full-length play on a tight schedule, I share practical strategies like spaced repetition, cue-based flashcards, bedtime review, and breaking monologues into clear beats.

It’s important to consume the media, and not let it consume you.

Throughout my life, I consistently struggled in school. It did not matter the subject, I never seemed to grasp the information that was being taught. Tireless hours of being referred to tutors, psychologists, and therapists was exhausting.

As performers, there is an ever-lingering pressure to be constantly busy (I know I have fallen for this trap before!). Read BroadwayWorld's student blog here.

It is the spark that pulls you out of bed, the whisper that tells you to keep going, the fire that demands you create. When you watch a show and see actors take their bows, you see the lights, the applause, the culmination.

Committing myself fully to dance despite lack of experience has been a massive challenge. It’s difficult not to feel out of place in environments like this. I know I won’t be the best in the class, oftentimes I’m the worst, but I’ve taught myself to quite literally ‘trust the process’.

What does it mean to adapt Shakepspeare’s Julius Caesar for the 21st century? Well, here in Philadelphia, a local theatre company is answering that question with a captivating new adaption of this Shakespeare classic.

Student Blogger Brianna Arce interviews Dan Hodge about his work with Walnut Street Theatre, the cast and crew of Sherlock Holmes, and the broader Philly theatre community.

Hey, Broadway World! My name is Riley Moore and I am double majoring in Journalism and Theatre at West Virginia University. This semester has gotten off to a rough start, as we are still recovering from Winter Storm Fern around here.

We talk often about loving the arts, but far less about how that love is sustained over time. In conversations about theatre, devotion is usually framed through sacrifice: long hours, constant availability, the unspoken expectations.

When things get rough and a show is going off the rails I try to remember why I do all of it. I do theater because of the community, because I love creating something that brings so many people joy despite the chaos it takes to balance everything.

Self-doubt, burnout, and impostor syndrome snuck back into my dorm with me my second semester of theater school. This is how I’ve learned to navigate creative burnout with honesty and self-compassion. Caring deeply isn’t a weakness — it’s the reason I’m here.

You’ve probably heard of the Sunday scaries, but what about the February frights? As a college student, February marks the real start to the semester. Winter break is a thing of the past, I have settled into my new schedule, and midterms are creeping in. All the while, my brain is still stuck in December, and suddenly the shortest month of the year is half gone.

These years may not be easy, but they’re important, and your feelings and mental health are the most important of all.

Right now, us students have a lot on our plate. Whether that be finishing up midterms, finding ourselves in the thick of a rehearsal process, or managing extracurriculars, it can feel very intense, not to mention the additional weight of potential social or personal grievances that may arise. With all of these commitments that we make to meet the expectations of our teachers, castmates, and families, it’s very common that we will find ourselves feeling burnt out. In these moments it’s important to take a step back and utilize tools that can ease the pressure that we place on ourselves. Here’s some advice that I have for finding your spark during a burnout:

Even though hardship and failure may show up in different forms, I’ve proven to myself over the years that I have all of the tools to get through them. And every time, I’ve emerged on the other side, greeted by new opportunities that I never saw coming.

This time of the year can be tough for people, from audition season to adapting to a new semester. In this article I give a few of my personal tips to help maintain a solid balance between work and personal life, and prevent burnout throughout the season.

As performers, we must be loose but strong, locked in but calm, focused but nonchalant. It's a hard gig. I wouldn't trade it for any other journey, but it doesn't mean it's easy. They somtimes feel like juxtapositions, but performing and life are not mutually exclusive. Performing enhances my life, and my life enhances my performances.