Arts & Theater
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An Open Letter to Tech Week — OnStage Blog
I’m writing this letter from the battlefield. It’s Wednesday—well, early Thursday now—of Tech week, and the show I’m working on opens Friday. I’ve slept 8 hours in the past 3 days. The paint in my hair is at least a couple of days old and I haven’t changed my clothes in a week. I can’t remember the last time I…
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“Center Stage” Deserves More Credit — OnStage Blog
I love Center Stage. There I said it. And I’m not ashamed to admit it either. It is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. If I pass it on TV, I can’t stop watching it until I see everyone clapping around Jody to the piano version of “We’re Dancing.” I can’t explain why I love this movie as much as…
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The Do’s and Don’ts When Looking for a Voice Teacher — OnStage Blog
So, you want to be a singer; you’ve got stars in your eyes, and your feet pointed towards that Great White Way! You’ve thought about it long and hard, and you just know that onstage performing is where you belong. You just need to take that first critical step to lay the foundation for a long and successful career. Head-shot?…
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Yes! You Should Audition with a Reprise and Here are 10 Good Ones — OnStage Blog
I have to give 100% credit to my friend Kevin Winebold for giving me this idea. A couple years ago at a holiday party, he told me that more people should audition with reprises. Given that the man is brilliant, I agreed and have been meaning to write about this for some time. Auditioning with a reprise is a fantastic…
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Want Great Friends? Join a Theatre Group — OnStage Blog
Dear 15-year-old me choosing an extra-curricular activity, It’s difficult to choose an activity, isn’t it? Of course, you want to enjoy what you’ll be doing, but at the same time, (friend) politics gets in the way. When you’re new to the school, you want to make sure you’re in the ‘right’ friend group. You want to find your people. I…
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10 Songs I Never Mind Hearing At Auditions : Part 2
There are so many lists warning you what songs you shouldn’t audition with, I thought I’d switch things up and list a few that I’m always glad to hear. Songs not to avoid. But this is just to get your mind going. The best audition song highlights the things you do best, better than others. That’s going to be different…
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5 Reasons Why We Love Understudies — OnStage Blog
Being offered the part of an understudy can sometimes be a disappointment when your heart was set on something bigger. Sometimes it’s hard to see past the rejection and understand what you might get out of understudying a bigger role. Aside from being listed in the programme, the audience will likely never get to see you perform that part, so…
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My Five Tips for Community Theatre Auditions — OnStage Blog
Julie H. Jordan A number of years ago, I decided to try my hand at directing. I had been involved in community theater for several years as an actor and felt I wanted to experience the dramatic arts from another angle. I expected there to be learning curve (which there was). What I didn’t expect was how directing changed my…
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Advice on Dealing with Rejection — OnStage Blog
Let’s face it: you’ve chosen a tough business. The competition is fierce, and people can be ruthless at times. Chances are you are doing musical theatre because you are passionate. You can’t imagine doing anything else. This is what you want more than anything, so it hurts that much more when things don’t work out. So how do you deal…
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“Why aren’t you on Broadway? Don’t you even want to try?” — OnStage Blog
How many of you have ever heard these questions? Now that I am approaching my 40’s, I am pained each time someone asks those questions. I studied musical theatre at a wonderful university, performed my entire life theatre has been what I’ve eaten, breathed, and dreamt about for as long as I can remember. I can go on for…
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