Graduates approach stage curtain. (Illustration by MUTI)
Snow crocuses are popping up in Brooklyn, and a high school musical is on my calendar for next weekend—it must be spring! As winter finally begins to thaw (hopefully for good), I want to highlight American Theatre’s Winter Issuededicated to arts education and now available online in full.
For the feature I contributed to this issueI took a nostalgic journey back to my ramen days, reflecting on the early years after college when I was first finding my footing in New york city. By some grace,the city is still my home 15 years later,and I remain happily tangled up in this wonderful theatre community. Actually, my office has recently relocated just a stone’s throw from my old stomping grounds at Pace University, and I frequently enough take the long way down Fulton Street to pass the performing arts building—dancers stretching before rehearsal, actors rushing to class, musical theatre students singing as they walk. It feels both like yesterday and a lifetime ago that I was part of that swirl.
To catch a glimpse of recent graduates’ lives today, I spoke with five members of the class of 2024 from diffrent disciplines and institutions about their first year out of school and what it’s been like to find their footing. I was struck by their fortitude: founding theatre companies, traveling abroad, juggling spreadsheets of monthly expenses, learning how to stay healthy on tour—all while keeping their creative dreams front and center.I can’t wait to see where these talented theatre makers are another year from now.
If you haven’t had a chance to read the issue yet, I encourage you to check it out. It includes a pulse check on MFA programsa survey on season selection in colleges and universities, and a complete list of opportunities for high school theatre students, among much more.
A few weeks ago, I also got to connect with a college student attending the American College Theatre Festival regional conference in Texas for theatre criticism and dramaturgy.During a break from the programming schedule, she called me to workshop a few pitches over the phone. Hearing the excitement in her voice and her genuine curiosity about pursuing arts journalism absolutely made my day.
May these young folks continue to receive the support, training, and encouragement they need as they find their paths.
✏️ Around the Web✏️
