Notes From the Green Room

This week, special guest Scott Urie joins us in the green room to talk script analysis: character clues, subtext, objectives, and whether stage directions are actually law—or merely a starting point. As always, we've got some feelings!

We’re back again. This time, we’re talking tech week survival and self-care. From late nights to the stress of putting on a show, we’re sharing tips, tricks, and a little theatre wisdom to help you survive tech week without losing your mind—or your friends.

In this episode, Candice, Chris, and Marie are mixing things up! Instead of focusing on one specific theater topic, we decided to put each other in the hot seat with questions about all things theater.

No script. No prepared answers. Just three theater people asking questions, sharing stories, and learning a little more about each other along the way.

Pull up a chair, step into the green room, and join Candice, Chris, and Marie for a fun conversation about the things we love, question, and occasionally disagree about in theater.

We're back after some technical difficulties! This episode was recorded last week. We discussed Marie performing, Chris gave us some information about stage lights and we dived further into a previously discussed topic of Junior Shows. We share newly announced junior and school editions shows and whether or not every musical should have a junior version. We share our thoughts and contradictions on the topic.

This week, we pay tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of Dolly Parton. For more than six decades, she’s captivated audiences with her larger-than-life persona; remaining one of the most authentic and relatable storytellers in entertainment.Join us as we share our love for her music, humor, heart, and unmistakable stage presence; and of course discuss how her legacy of generosity and giving will continue to live on in the hearts and lives of countless people worldwide. Pour yourself a cup of ambition and settle in.

We're back with Part Two of our series on live music vs. tracks! This time, we have special guest JD Robison joining us to share a musician’s perspective.Join us as we dive a little deeper into the nitty-gritty of the wonderful—and sometimes challenging—world of pit orchestras and stage bands. Is live music a more viable option for community theatre than we think? Let's talk about it.

This week, we discuss some of the latest apps available in our theatre world. Join us as we talk tools for memorizing lines, learning blocking, programming lights, mastering choreography, and generally making theatre life a little less “where did I put that script?” From rehearsal helpers to clever lighting tech, we’re also asking: what’s new, what’s useful, and what affordable tech is out there for community theatre?

Today we begin a two-part series exploring one of the practical—and occasionally complicated—questions in musical theatre: Live or digital sounds coming from 'the pit'? We’ll look at tracks, live musicians, and even the in between. What’s realistic? What do performers and directors prefer? And why is live music so uncommon in community theatre?

Intermission's over. Hope you grabbed your concessions and made a quick trip to the loo.We're back, catching up on what's been keeping us entertained over the break before diving into one of theatre's favourite hot topics: what's actually fair? From nepotism and favouritism to pre-casting and a little high school debate—do you choose a show for the actors you have, or based on who's been around the longest? We're sharing a few opinions (and probably stirring the pot a little). No definitive answers, but plenty of theatre chat as we get back into the swing of things.

Welcome back to Episode 25 of Notes from the Green Room.This week, we're catching up on what's been keeping us entertained lately, then taking a lap around Utah's summer theatre scene; there's no shortage of stages (and other local arts) worth supporting.We're taking a brief intermission for a few weeks, but we'll be back in August. Until then, go buy a ticket, be kind to your castmates, thank your crew, and don't forget to leave the ghost light on. You’ve always got a place in our Green Room, see you at places.