Last Friday, the first two episodes of the new musical comedy television series 'Schmigadoon' aired - and I think I've found my new favorite thing. The comedy stars Cecily Strong and Keegan Michael Key as Melissa and Josh, two Doctors who've sought couples' counseling after recent struggles in their relationship. On a counseling retreat, they stray from the rest of the couples and suddenly find themselves in a town called 'Schmigadoon' where life is one big musical. Dove Cameron, Kristin Chenoweth, Aaron Tveit, Ariana DeBose and Alan Cumming also star.

James Pratt, award-winning actor, director, and film-maker, found his love for making movies in the most unexpected of places: the Australian Outback. Pratt performed in the occasional play, but as was common in Australia for high school, the main emphasis for James was on surfing and sport. After completing his required education, he studied film acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Kensington.

As much as the industry preaches health and caring for the body and the whole “eight shows a week is no joke” mentality, performers’ bodies are expected to be thin. In reality, thinness hardly equals health- in my case, my “good body” at that audition was a body that had been victimized by self-induced starvation, self-harm, and overwork, and it hardly got me through a one-hour dance call. At this point, it’s a commonly known fact among performing arts students that this industry is a hotbed for disordered eating and body dysmorphia, which is a far cry from being healthy, so why do casting directors still standardize on thin bodies?

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. Summer movie recommendations, a celebration of differences, the importance of taking care of your body and more-- read the latest from our college student bloggers!

I am totally new to this, but I think crystals are for everyone. To heck with the gatekeeping of spirituality and abundance! There is so much information out there, and I am so excited to keep educating myself and incorporating what I learn into my creative process as an artist. I think that they're a great tool to focus your energy which is why crystals are perfect for the performer.

We want to make tickets more accessible for everyone else and we want everyone to be able to enjoy theatre. There are economical issues with every part of the theatre industry, but we should all be able to enjoy a Broadway show without breaking the bank.

My experience as a TKWCS showed me that unintended results aren't always bad, and they certainly don't indicate failure. I didn't fail at theater. I discovered different parts of myself and my abilities and learned to be resilient. I made a little space for myself and allowed myself to explore, try new things, and enjoy them. Carve out your own niche, in whatever field you choose, and then milk it for all its worth.

I would have never known a world of online summative assessments if it weren't for the pandemic. Hopefully, the pandemic will teach universities that being timed does not work. I will say, degrees such as medicine, pharmacy and accounting. I get the testing their knowledge. They need to actually know specific things. BUT Humanities?

I never thought that Frozen Kids Jr would mark my return to live theatre. But that's exactly where I found myself last Friday. This summer, I'm working at Imagination Stage (a local children's theatre) as a summer camp counselor. I help out in the Musical Production Camp, groups of determined 6-10 year olds putting on a new musical every two weeks. Last week featured the ever popular Frozen and twenty (very excited) theatre kids.

In whatever order you've listed out these Venues on whichever preferred note taking app you've used, go ahead and comb through your list by looking up each Venue's website and searching for these 2 pieces of critical information: - Their Season - Their Audition Information/Procedure

Everyone who loves theatre remembers that first show they saw that really solidified their passion, or the first time they stepped out onto the stage themselves. Whether it’s a physical collection of Playbills or simply memories to be cherished forever, it’s important to reflect and look back on those important moments

Recognizing the massive crossover, overlap, and connections between the dance and theatre worlds, I’m reflecting on the way the emotional demands of ballet have shaped my own journey, the way those demands can manifest in a theatre setting, and the work we can do to prioritize healthier theatrical experiences as live theatre returns.

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.

In the grand scheme of things, you are the most important. Taking care of yourself should always be the top priority, no matter what. Whether it's going to therapy, setting aside time to do things that make you feel good or even journaling, doing what's best for you is only going to make you feel better going forward.

Let’s face it- most parents aren’t too pleased when their child says they want to pursue theatre in college. The usual concerns arise: will you have a job? What if you never “make it?” What “backup plan” do you have? How will you make your own money? And while these are valid concerns, there is much more to a theatre degree, whether it be performance or production, than meets the eye. Theatre degrees (and the process of pursuing them) are helpful in a myriad of ways, and those are not all based on Stanislavsky and stage combat.

At one point in my life, all of my classmates wanted to go live in the US. We were fascinated by this country where everything looks oversized and straight out of a movie. Living in a small village in Europe, my friends and I often found ourselves dreaming of tall buildings and endless crowds instead of our usual cows and mountains.

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. Trans representation in theater, summer podcast recommendations, and more-- read the latest from our college student bloggers!

As I approach Junior year, I have no idea what lies in my path-- but that doesn't mean there aren't a million question marks that lie ahead of me. I would be lying if I said I wasn't anxious about what is to come, but if it's anything like the last two years, I'm in for a fantastic wild ride.

That’s what family means to me: just being yourself and having a bond that is beyond words and actions. I don’t have to prove myself to my family; I don’t have to do things to make them like me. I just have to be myself. I am lucky since I also have this kind of a bond with my parents, but having a family in addition to my real family is one of the best things in life. 

We need to encourage dancers to take breaks and create a culture where self care is praised as well as taking well deserved breaks when needed. I promise you will be a lot happier, healthier and a stronger, more mindful dancer when you listen to your body and give it what it needs.

Though new fresh takes on movies can be uplifting and eye opening in terms of theme or message, there are some stories that I believe should never be remade. The possibility of remakes ruining classics is something to think about as the movie industry struggles to find new plot lines for people to enjoy for many years to come.

With the pandemic (hopefully) coming to an end and a recent loss in my family, here is a reflection upon how life can be taken away in an instant. You should always live in the moment because life can and will pass you by before you can even blink.

'The reason live theatre is amazing is because it’s never the same. If people wanted to see the exact same thing every time, they would watch a movie. Everyone has their own strengths and life experiences that will make their portrayal of a character different than someone else’s.'

In honor of the long-awaited return of Broadway, I wanted to focus on a fairly new musical: Moulin Rouge! In this post, I want to explore what about the original movie makes this tale ideal inspiration for an innovative and entertaining musical adaptation.

In my personal experience, organization guides and advice have always been phrased as a way for you to mimic the success of someone else, rather than explore your own path and needs. Everyone goes through life with different perspectives and experiences, therefore everyone should find organization strategies that compliment their own lifestyles.