In these past few weeks I've been seeing some friends, with all the safety measures but it is so heartwarming to be connecting in person again with everyone. Most of my friends that live here, don't love Musical Theatre, or musicals in general haha, so I wanted to talk about that today because even if we are different, I get to spread the passion that I have for musicals in an organic way.

It is now crunch time; I go back to school on Friday and have an audition on Monday. Obviously, I haven't been in school so I couldn't take advantage of the resources that I normally have there. I have my own process for learning songs at home and I think it is important for everyone to have their own as well.

Whether you’re one of the many LaDuca-clad bodies swirling through Pearl Studios or a shaking fifteen-year-old in a community theatre lobby (or even a high-school hallway, watching the athletes barrel past as you sit on the floor outside the auditorium), the words “audition” and “callback” certainly trigger plenty of stress within you. You think of the roles you’re aiming for, or the spot you’re competing for, and your eyes turn towards the other actors waiting with you, all of whom are experiencing equal levels of stress, and the sense of competition is palpable. You forget that these people are your friends- you probably got coffee with a few of them yesterday, or even have plans with them afterwards. But in the waiting room, all camaraderie is lost. It’s an “every man for himself” environment.

I’m packing up to move back to campus for the senior year of my BFA Musical Theatre program. Here are ten items from my must-have list for Theatre/Music/Musical Theatre Students. 1. An online document organization system. Scan sheet music or sides with your phone and upload them to an online platform. I use Google Drive, which allows me to log in from any computer and access my files! A digital copy is always available and ready for printing. Other things to add to your online database include resumes, headshots, and accompaniment recordings.

Inspired by the UMich MT senior entrance presentation, my class decided to make our own version. Including music from Merrily We Roll Along, Hairspray, Heathers and Wicked, I’ll share my experience putting it together, and read on to watch the video!

The show could've been a disaster if they didn't do two things right: choose the right people and decide that the only point of the story would be to make you laugh, and thank god they made good choices. Since the first time I watched the trailer, I was so excited about the cast, I mean we got Kristin Chenoweth, Dove Cameron, Aaron Tveit, Jane Krakowski, Ariana DeBose, Jaime Camil, Ann Harada and more together! And even though I love everyone, my favorite characters were Melissa (Cecily) and Emma (Ariana).

I honestly, don't know how my writing would be affected if I haven't been single for so long. I think that being single meant to me that I must write. I must use this love that I am ready to share and put it into my writing. To be completely honest, I don't think I would have acknowledged my deep love for writing if I had experienced love.

'My college experience so far has not been easy, but I know that I have grown in the best possible ways because of it. So, I'm going to give some of my best tips and tricks to hopefully help you become comfortable at college.'

So...I could be totally wrong with this forecast, but I think self-tapes will be a permanent staple in this industry for years to come. For your Summer Stock search, it's highly likely that you'll have to complete at least one self-tape...so let's master it in just 3 steps: 1. Gather your Equipment 2. Prepare your Material 3. Execute Efficiently

I am moving to New York City in less than a week. I am moving to New York City in less than a week. I am moving. To the NEW YORK CITY. IN LESS THAN A WEEK. This is something that I have been dreaming about for easily 5 years, and it is finally happening. I cannot believe that it is finally happening. Everything is pretty much packed, so now I am just counting down the days and tying up loose ends. The only thing is, it doesn't feel real.

Hello Broadway lovers, theatre students, and artistic creators around the world! Welcome to the blog as we pass through August. Yes, eager blog-readers, after a long, pandemic-driven wait, I will be back at school before this month ends. Wow. I reached out to some exceptionally talented people and asked: what's the best piece of advice you've received in your artistic career? I guarantee you that their answers will move you- whether or not you work in the theatre. Read on for a dose of happiness, motivation, and reminder to continue embracing the unexpected.

'Going in, I didn’t know what to expect. I was very nervous that I was not going to be able to make much progress in such a short time. However, I was able to learn about my voice and how to take care of it. This has allowed me to be way more confident in my voice.'

I am very fortunate that my mother showed me movie musicals from a very young age. She didn't just show me the Disney musicals, like Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid. I was exposed to Julie Andrews's Maria and Brandy's Cinderella. I was mesmerized by all of these films. I loved the storytelling. I loved the music. I loved the romance. I wanted so badly to be just like the women I saw in those films, especially Julie Andrews It is what reminded me of what I loved about theatre. It reminded me of the joy you experience when the main couple meets. It reminded me how dance and song can tell a story like nothing else. It reminded me of how theatre allowed me to escape. It made me want to do theatre again forever.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to chat with Christopher Hargadon, a costume designer who has worked on TV shows like Hannibal and movies like Anon. He has just received a 2021 Emmy nomination for his work on The Umbrella Academy. 'Everything you do is with its own treasure, and I've worked with some wonderful people over time, both in front of the camera and behind the camera. I've got to say, the Umbrella Academy, it really is. It's so diverse and fun, and the audience is so diverse.'

Our student bloggers write about how they're coping with the current global health crisis, give insight on their school's performing arts programs, share their opinions on the latest theater news, and so much more. An interview with Loki composer Natalie Holt, looking forward to the fall semester, a playlist of showtunes for graduating seniors, and more-- read the latest from our college student bloggers!

Now that it's time to start my last year in college as a senior, I had a little time to think about what I would say to my high school self, who was eager to apply to colleges and change her life. It may be too early to call it a letter to my younger self, but that's what it is: a couple of things I learned in my last four years.

With theatre slowly returning back, I know I am not alone when I say I am extremely excited to be back in the rehearsal room for this upcoming school year. From first read-throughs to opening nights, nothing has truly been the same online. So, here are some tips that I am finding to be helpful as I am making the transition to in-person rehearsals.

Several years ago, Dance Lab New York pioneered its Broadway Choreography Intensive – a unique intensive for early-career choreographers to train specifically in theatrical choreography. As longtime fan of DLNY, I was thrilled to be accepted into the intensive myself, and I’m excited to take you into the studio with me.

I often think about neglecting all of my feelings. I find it easier to ignore my emotions and hide them rather than presenting them to even myself. And that is what I have done for a long while. Now, the thoughts have meandered their way up out of the trenches of my mind and will not go away. They appear like unknown creatures to my eye. New and exciting, but mysterious and vague filled with venom that is kryptonite to parts of my heart. It is hard to contain them anymore. I know I will capture them and learn what to do with them. I will hone my attention on them all. I know that this is All For the Best, but man it feels agonizing.

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.

Rewriting can sometimes be tedious and arduous. At times, it feels like the joy has been seeped from the creative process. A lot of the work is very technical. There's less spontaneity and opportunity to revel in creative joy. There's also a weight on your shoulders: you're so close to finishing. Finishing the song, the draft, the script. You know the pure euphoria you'll feel upon completion. You know that with a little more elbow grease, you can make a hat where there never was a hat.

A hopefully helpful list of some things I wish I knew before I began my journey to get an apartment in NYC. I just finished the long and difficult process of finding an apartment in NYC, and I want to share a few things that would have helped me out a lot, if I'd known them beforehand. For context, I have two roommates, and I did not have a very high budget.

It's that time of year again, the summer nights are quickly fading into crisp fall evenings, back to school supplies are flying off the shelves, and the nerve wracking college application season is here like it or not. With the competitive stakes higher than ever and with more and more students applying to top universities, you may feel like it's nearly impossible to get into the school of your choice, but I promise it's not.

As universities send out their Fall 21’ COVID plans and requirements, students across the country prepare for the new ultra-hybridized way of learning. As for me, this semester won’t be unlike the previous year – masks worn indoors on-campus and in classrooms, and minimal in-person contact. With as familiar as I am with this mode of education, you’d think I’d be less disappointed. 

As a college senior, I know this coming year is going to fly by. Before I know it, I'll be walking the stage and tossing my cap in the air in victory. I'll need show tunes to help me through it all. Since there's a musical for every situation, I've compiled a list of songs to describe the journey of senior year, whether you're in high school or college.