Arts & Theater
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What Makes a Perfect Opening Number? — OnStage Blog
What makes these songs unforgettable is not only their music but their confidence. They know exactly what they need to do, and they do it without apology. They do not waste time. They do not hesitate. They tell us: this is the story we are telling, and this is how we are telling it. When an opening number falters, the…
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How Actors Can Build an Acting Business Plan in 5 Steps. — OnStage Blog
— The 5 Day/5 Month Planner is a fast and furious guide to getting you motivated, confident and moving towards your acting goals without waiting for any permission or “the right time. ” This is your career, and you’re in control. You’ll have 5 days to put together your 5-month plan. Each day will have 5 action items related to…
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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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Bootlegs, Boundaries, and the Curious Case of “Heathers” — OnStage Blog
by Chris Peterson Last week, the team behind Heathers the Musical issued a firm statement: Stop bootlegging our show. They called it a “major no-no,” comparing it to “cheating on a quiz,” and made it clear that filming live performances is not only illegal but also disrespectful to the cast, crew, and creative team. And they’re right. Recording a live…
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Dear Broadway Influencers, I’m Sorry I Didn’t Save Your Favorite Show. I couldn’t afford a Ticket. — OnStage Blog
Dear Esteemed Broadway Influencers, I write today with a heavy heart and a light wallet. I’ve seen posts and Tiktoks from some of you angry that not more true fans bought tickets to Broadway shows that have since announced their closings. Please accept my sincerest apologies for not single-handedly keeping your favorite Broadway show open. I now realize that by…
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New “Heathers” Revival Is a Hit. But What Story Is It Telling? — OnStage Blog
by Chris Peterson Warning: Spoilers ahead I haven’t seen the new revival of Heathers: The Musical at New World Stages, but I’ve been paying attention to the reviews, the audience reactions, and the growing conversation around it. And whether you’re a longtime fan of the original film or discovering the story for the first time, there’s no denying that this…
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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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Why Do We Clap for That? The Strange, Wonderful Things Theatre Audiences Will Always Applaud — OnStage Blog
by Chris Peterson Theatre audiences are a curious species. We pride ourselves on our refined tastes and critical instincts. We dissect performances, praise nuance, and discuss dramaturgy like sommeliers at a wine tasting. But then someone does a high kick, and we absolutely lose our minds. Seriously, why do we clap for that? There’s a long-standing, unspoken agreement among theatre-goers…
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What Do You Want in a Revival? Reinvention or a Redo? — OnStage Blog
by Chris Peterson Let’s ask the question: What do you actually want out of a revival? Do you want a mirror held up to a production you already loved, almost note for note, light cue for light cue? Or do you want something new, even if it means shattering the very thing that made you fall for the show in…
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The Time Has Come for a Broadway Revival of ‘Rags’ — OnStage Blog
The story centers on Rebecca Hershkowitz, a Jewish immigrant who arrives in New York at the turn of the twentieth century with her son and a sense of hope. What she finds instead is exploitation, discrimination, and the messy contradictions of the American dream. Rebecca finds work in a Lower East Side sweatshop. She finds her voice in a labor…
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