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.

Sometimes getting sick is just inevitable but there are things you can do to combat the inevitable sickness or at least mitigate the effects, because getting sick is never fun, and as a BFA MT student, I really just don’t have the time for it.

We’ve hit that period in the semester where it feels like you’ve been back at school for forever, and spring break ALSO feels like it’s forever away. When the light at the end of the tunnel feels so far away, it’s nearly impossible to find motivation to do…literally anything at all. But here I am, continuing to attend classes, not just because I have to, but because I want to. Why? Simple. I’m learning about the coolest stuff there is possibly to learn about in college: theater.

One year ago, I published my first article with BroadwayWorld without fully understanding what that small act would come to mean to me.

After 4 months, it is time for me to finalize my final Broadway World Blog. When thinking about what I wanted my final topic to be, I realized that I just wanted to talk about my experience and what this opportunity has taught me. When I was sent the application from my supervisor, I was hesitant. I am not a blogger, but rather an academic writer, so I was extremely worried that I would not be able to produce quality content. On top of my busy schedule, shows, and classes, finding the time to write these blogs was also tough. Sometimes I was able to get these blogs done a week in advance, and other times I was racing against the clock. After sitting down and writing my first blog, I realized that I was going to get out of this experience what I put in it. What I mean by that is, if I want to have a stress-free experience, I can’t let the articles stress me out. Sitting down and writing these articles provided much-needed grounding and tranquility after really stressful days. Instead of stressing out about completing another project, I used these blogs as a reward for getting stuff done, which made this whole process feel so whimsical and fun.

I have always been passionate about theatre, but I have recently discovered that being off stage brings me just as much joy as being on. Learn about some specific ways that I have been involved recently!

Actor vs techie – I’ve done both. And I have to say, the skills from each are very transferable to life and other disciplines within the theatre world. This blog is going to talk about the differences and how to utilize your skill set both on and offstage.

Settting longlasting, beneficial New Years resolutions is so important, especially as a busy college student. Learn how to create your own habits so that 2026 is the best year possible.

You sit in your seat. The quiet anticipation of the audience lingers around you. The house lights dim. The actors make their entrances. The show begins.

It’s time for the curtain to rise on 2026 and make my grand entrance into the new year. For me, 2026 is the year I’ve been looking forward to the most for a long time. So let’s reflect on the past, and jump into the future!

I love to dance! A day of rest please…

When I first heard the term “academic integrity,” I’ll admit, I didn’t really think much of it. Rules, citations, and avoiding plagiarism…boring stuff. It sounded like a checklist, not something meaningful. But over time, I realized it’s really about honesty. Being honest with yourself, with your work, and with the people whose ideas or efforts you rely on. For me, academic integrity isn’t just about following rules; it’s about showing up fully and truthfully, even when it’s hard.

As seen in my last blog, I’ve been thinking a lot about self-care and how that can mean different things for different artists. Finding footing at the beginning of a new semester can be difficult, but I’m extremely lucky to be surrounded by such incredible humans whom I can turn to for guidance.

As actors, sometimes we can take our art too far. It can become too real and make us feel too much. I am no expert on this, nor do I have any mental or physical health credentials.

Every December, the question of resolutions resurfaces. Resolutions often call for drastic habit changes or lofty goals, and instead of feeling exciting, more often they just are unrealistic. The idea that on January 1st we’re supposed to suddenly overhaul our lives has never sat right with me. So this year I’m focusing on small, manageable changes!