Christian Youth Theater Chicago should be barred from licensing shows over Anti-LGBTQIA+ employee policy

“For the past couple of years, staff and alumni at Christian Youth Theater have been asking the organization to affirm their support for the LGBTQIA+ community, especially given how many staff and alumni identify as such. Instead, rather, the organization decided to double down on their stance in the opposite direction and not only put out an anti-LGBTQIA+ statement but also plan to require staff to sign an agreement that will force them back into the closet if they choose to continue to work there.”

Youth TheatreChristopher PetersonJuly 12, 2021Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

Phylicia Rashad Needs to Resign from Howard University Immediately

“Phylicia Rashad’s tweet defending Bill Cosby was reckless, showed extremely poor judgement, two qualities no college dean should have. She should resign immediately.”

College TheatreOnStage Blog StaffJuly 1, 2021Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

Yale School of Drama Goes Tuition Free with $150 million gift from David Geffen

“Arguably the most prestigious drama school in the country is now going to be tuition-free for current and future students. Yale University’s drama school will no longer pay tuition, thanks to a landmark $150 million gift from entertainment executive and philanthropist David Geffen, the university announced today.”

College TheatreChristopher PetersonJune 30, 2021Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

If You're Pre-Casting a Show, Just Be Honest About It

“To be honest, I'm fine with pre-casting, as long as the theatre and director are upfront and honest about it at auditions.”

AuditionsChristopher PetersonJune 29, 2021Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

University Theatre cancels 'Chaplin: The Musical' over concerns about his conduct with young girls

“Last week, a university theatre club in New Zealand decided to cancel their upcoming production of Chaplin: The Musical after it had been discovered that the actor had a notorious past when it came to conduct with teenaged girls.”

College TheatreOnStage Blog StaffJune 27, 2021Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

Community Theatres Need to Stop Protecting Their Problematic Men

“Throughout my years of both being involved in community theatre and covering it, I’ve seen constant examples of theatre groups tolerating and ignoring the bad behavior of their male talent. This practice has led to serious issues such as sexual misconduct which could have been prevented if theatre officials took real action.”

How Can Non-Diverse Community Theatres Become More Diverse - Pt 1

In the past week, there has been a newfound call to arms for theatres across the globe to make their stages more diverse when they resume operations. However, not every community theatre can do this. Not every community is diverse enough or has the talent pool to produce heavily diverse shows. So what steps can they take to bring more performers of color to their stages?

ObservationsChristopher PetersonMay 31, 2021Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

UK Theatres commit to only cast trans actors in trans roles

“While powers behind industries such as Broadway have been slow to act on calls for change, thankfully, dozens of theatres in the UK are taking it upon themselves and committing to real action - starting by promising to cast trans actors in trans roles.”

United KingdomOnStage Blog StaffMay 27, 2021Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

It's time for the Tony Awards and CBS to part ways

“If this is how CBS values the Tony Awards, it may be time for the American Theatre Wing and the network to go their separate ways.”

BroadwayChristopher PetersonMay 27, 2021Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

Oklahoma theatre professor arrested for sexually abusing students

“A theatre professor at Northern Oklahoma College was arrested last week on charges of sexually abusing his students. The details of the allegations against him are disturbing, to say the least.”

Actors' Equity Convention ends with walkout by BIPOC delegates after failure to address "white supremacy culture"

“The final day of the Actors’ Equity Association’s(AEA) first-ever delegate convention featured a protest with many BIPOC delegates leaving the event in protest over the union’s failure to address racist actions that targeted a black delegate which had allowed “white supremacy culture” to create an unsafe space for other BIPOC delegates.”

IndustryChristopher PetersonApril 29, 2021Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

Big win for immigrant performers as Actors' Equity removes green card restrictions

“Actors’ Equity has removed a longstanding policy that prevented immigrant performers from working on union productions without a green ard of U.S. citizenship. Actress Jessica Wu spearheaded the change which is being described as ‘momentous’ by many in the community.”

IndustryChristopher PetersonApril 27, 2021Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

Subscribe