Notes From the Green Room

This week, we discuss sone of the superstitions, strange traditions, and backstage rituals that accompany theatre magic. Have you ever wondered why no one is saying “M******” (that scottish play that must not be named) or avoiding whistling backstage? We talk about the well-known and the lesser known, as well as explore some of the stories behind them.

Is there a theme? Sort of. Is there theatre? Always. Is anyone keeping us on topic? Absolutely not. This week, we go back to where our love of theatre began, take a detour, and somehow end up talking sportsball and brunch. It's a little nostalgia and a little nonsense. No script, no structure, just theatre people being theatre people.

It’s spooky season, and we’re celebrating all things mysterious and the macabre that is theatre! From Agatha Christie whodunits and Clue; to spooky themes like The Addams Family and Stranger Things; and on to the drama of haunting musical favorites like The Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll & Hyde, and Sweeney Todd there's plenty of stage favorites to choose from this time of year. So dim the l...

We kick things off with a little Jim Henson appreciation, dive into the fun and challenges of double-casting a show, and give some much-deserved love to the ensemble and the important role they play in bringing a production to life. Then, we turn our attention to the world of set design! What goes into creating a set that brings a story to life? We discuss the importance of reading the script, col...

This episode we look at another side of the villain arc. Every villain has a story. But what makes someone the villain, and are all villains created equal? This week, we're looking at the obvious and not so obvious bad guys. We're exploring theatre’s unconventional villains—the characters who don’t twirl their mustaches, cackle, or even realize they’re the problem. From good intentions gon...

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...

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 contradiction...

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 givi...

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 f...

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...

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...

Candice is still across the pond, (It's almost been a fortnight) Checking in from London with more Stories of her travels and the shows she's seeing at the West End. Then the Green Room Crew turns its attention to the three words every theatre artist knows: I've got notes. From actors to directors to production teams, we unpack the fine art of giving them, getting them, and living thro...

This week, we're trying something new. Candice is joining us from a hotel room in Scotland, dialing in from across the pond to share stories from her travels so far. Back on the home stage, we're tackling a topic every theatre lover should know: etiquette. When is it okay to cheer? When should you clap? When should you sit in reverent silence? Consider this the cliff notes for audience behavior. W...

This week, we put down the skull and pick up the textbooks. Join us as we explore mental health in Hamlet, from melancholy and grief to how Shakespeare reflected the ailments of his age, and why many of those challenges still resonate today.

We’re back in the greenroom for the 79th Annual Tony Awards with themed snacks, live reactions, and our thoughts on every major win of the night. We’re ready to cry, cheer, and become emotionally attached to people we’ve only seen for three minutes on television. Join us for Broadway's biggest night and as always, we have notes!

We’re back in the Green Room this week! First up: our thoughts on the new BBC series The Other Bennet Sister—what’s working, what may have missed, and what has us ready for the remaining episodes. Then it’s time for the Tony Awards’ Best Musical nominees. We’re talking vampires, cake, parodies, a little Oklahoma, and an award-winning iceberg (yes, really), among these wildly different shows compet...

More Tony Talk this week on Notes from the Green Room! We’re breaking down the nominees for Best Play, and this year’s lineup is varied. Expect strong opinions, the usual theatrical tangents, and at least one completely left-field prediction delivered with absolute confidence.

Today, we’re talking Tony nominees for Best Revival of a Musical. One show feels like the big favorite: Ragtime ‐- huge vocals, emotional storytelling, and the kind of musical that practically arrives carrying its own trophy. But two contenders zig where Ragtime zags: less self-serious and a different kind of fun. One of these things is not like the others. Still, it’s the Tonys — and any revival...

Welcome back! We start with a special visit from the actors behind Ben and Mal in Descendants: 45+, now playing at the Empress Theatre. We talk process, performance, and life inside the show. Then, it's the first episode in our Tony Series. We break down the newly announced nominees for Best Revival of a Play and make our picks for who takes home the trophy. Sharp opinions. Keep your Playbills...

In a galaxy not so far away… someone almost made it a musical. This May the 4th, we dig into the never-seen, unfinished Star Wars musical reportedly commissioned by George Lucas—and ask the question, could it actually work?we break down the pros, the cons, and pitch how we’d actually pull it off. From what’s been imagined to what’s actually stageable...Brilliant idea? or just another disturbance i...

Sun’s out, mics on. This week we take theatre outside—where the wind steals your lines, the lights fight the sunset, and the bugs get front-row seats. From acting under the elements to teching with extension cords and hope, we cover how to survive (and enjoy) outdoor theatre—onstage, backstage, and in the audience