Actors Deserve a timely “Yes or a No” from Casting Directors

Have you ever waited weeks, sometimes months after an audition to hear if you have been cast or not? Cringing by the phone, frantically checking your email every two minutes, even going through your spam and text messages to see if a Casting Director has contacted you about that latest audition. You’re stressed out because you have not heard one peep, and you’re not sure if you should audition for other theaters and gigs. You really have your heart set on that one role, company and show and may be going out of town for a long run, or on the road, or cruise ship and you don’t want to lead other casting directors or companies on by attending other auditions!

Editorial, New YorkChristopher PetersonMay 12, 2024Liz Turner

How Actors Can Build an Acting Business Plan in 5 Steps.

So dark you can’t even see your hand in front of your face. It happened in an instant with just a slight popping sound. 10 seconds ago you had the lights on and Netflix running the Office for the 30th time and then SNAP! No power. Now as your fan slowly turns to a stop, there is complete silence.

Is it even safe to get up and go check the fuse box? Where the hell IS the fuse box? You’ve got to do something and soon because all this darkness means no lights, no fridge, no phone, no internet.

The Acting LifeChristopher PetersonDecember 30, 2022Mike Moreno

I Will Keep ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ In My Mind ‘For Forever’

“Like Evan, I also struggled with chronic social anxiety in high school and still continue to work through it each day. It was comforting to see a representation of another anxious high school student.”

BroadwayChristopher PetersonSeptember 13, 2022Jenna Clark

What Does Your Favorite Musical Theatre Couple Says About You

It’s almost Valentine’s Day! The season of love filled with chocolates, flowers, hearts, teddy bears, and gooey romance. It’s time for me to put on my comfiest pajamas, grab my most fattening snacks, and overanalyze couples from musical theatre productions instead of forming any sort of real relationship. What does your favorite musical theatre couple say about you?

BroadwayChristopher PetersonJuly 9, 2022Irene Martinko, Staff Writer

Advice on Dealing with Rejection

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 with that?

Auditions, The Acting Life, United KingdomChristopher PetersonJuly 9, 2022Shilo Nelson

My Five Tips for Community Theatre Auditions

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 perspective as an actor, especially when it came to auditioning.

Auditions, The Acting LifeChristopher PetersonMay 31, 2022Julie Jordan

5 Reasons Why We Love Understudies

Perhaps our understudies are underappreciated, and it's time we shouted from the rooftops about the amazing amount of time and effort they put in to these roles without the payoff of audience feedback.

The Acting LifeChristopher PetersonMay 25, 2022Holly Lucas

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.

EditorialChristopher PetersonApril 13, 2022auditions, Musical theatre

Yes! You Should Audition with a Reprise and Here are 10 Good Ones

Auditioning with a reprise is a fantastic choice of material. Typically they are already short cuts, contain some great performance moments and can even show off your acting range. I’m honestly shocked I don’t hear more of them in auditions.

AuditionsChristopher PetersonApril 5, 2022Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

The Do's and Don'ts When Looking for a Voice Teacher

No matter if you are going into musical theatre, classical music, or even pop music, a strong and solid vocal foundation is where everything begins. But how to begin? Its a big old world out there, even bigger now that the internet has made everything available at the touch of our fingertips. A word of caution as you take this very crucial first step; not everyone is what they seem. It used to be that snake oil salesmen the like of Pirelli were found only at the circus; now they can be found in the pages of well-known industry magazines, on YouTube, and from self-professed ‘coaches’. So how can a young singer take the first steps?

The Acting LifeChristopher PetersonMarch 25, 2022Kelli Butler, Guest Editorial

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