What We're Doing For Love

I recently came across an article that discusses statistics for compensation of people who major in certain areas. Of course, not surprising is the inclusion of theatre in the "bottom 10 majors", saying the starting median salary of someone studying drama is $35,000 and the mid-career median salary being $55,000.

As a recent college graduate, I must say that the first figure seems pretty ridiculous. I would be ecstatic to hold a job in the theatre right now that starts with a $35,000 yearly salary. Unfortunately, it has become tougher for people my age to get these kinds of jobs because theaters (rightfully so) have other priorities when it comes to staffing. My fear is that because there is a shortage of theatre jobs that pay a suitable wage, more or more wonderful theatre artists will gravitate towards television and/or film to make ends meat.

That being said, I hope that anyone who's in a similar situation to this remembers this struggle when/if they "make it" so we can all do something about this! In the meantime, reading statistics like this reminds me how much I love what I do and I will do what is necessary to be a part of the theatre community and expand the possibilities of our form.

Top 50 (or 55) Musical Theater Songs of the Decade

For my first installment of musical theatre related lists, I decided to make a list of my favorite musical theatre songs from the past decade. This was inspired by the New Voices concert I'm working on at Paper Mill Playhouse.

Here were some of my guidelines for my selections:
1. No Jukebox Musicals Allowed - songs needed to be written specifically for the stage.
2. The list is a mixture of my favorite songs and songs I think are perfect for the moments they were written for.
3. The songs had to be from shows that were produced from 2000-2009.
4. They are in alphabetical order (any other order would take me days to complete)

Enjoy the list and make sure to comment with songs you think that need to be on this list or voice your disagreement!

1. A Man of No Importance - The Streets of Dublin

2. Altar Boyz – Something About You

3. Altar Boyz - We Are the Altar Boyz

4. Avenue Q - Purpose

5. Bat Boy – Inside Your Heart

6. Bombay Dreams - The Journey Home

7. Caroline, or Change – Lot’s Wife

8. Dance of the Vampires - For Sarah

9. Drowsy Chaperone, The - Accident Waiting to Happen

10. Drowsy Chaperone, The - Show Off

11. Elegies: A Song Cycle - Anytime

12. Frogs, The – Ariadne

13. Full Monty, The – Michael Jordan’s Ball

14. Full Monty, The - You Walk With Me

15. Hairspray - Nicest Kids In Town

16. Hairspray - Welcome to the 60s

17. Hairspray - Without Love

18. In the Heights - 96,000

19. In the Heights – It Won’t Be Long Now

20. In the Heights - When You’re Home

21. Last 5 Years, The - If I Didn’t Believe In You

22. Last 5 Years, The - Moving Too Fast

23. Light in the Piazza, The - Love to Me

24. Light in the Piazza, The - Say It Somehow

25. Light in the Piazza, The - The Beauty Is

26. Little Fish - Remember Me

27. Little Women - Some Things Are Meant to Be

28. Next To Normal – I Am the One

29. Next To Normal – Superboy and the Invisible Girl

30. Passing Strange – Come Down Now

31. Producers, The - We Can Do It

32. Roadshow – Talent

33. See What I Wanna See – Central Park

34. See What I Wanna See - Coffee

35. See What I Wanna See - Gloryday

36. See What I Wanna See - There Will Be A Miracle

37. Seussical - Alone in the Universe

38. Shrek The Musical - I Know It’s Today

39. Shrek The Musical - Who I’d Be

40. Spamalot - The Song That Goes Like This

41. Spring Awakening - The Bitch of Living

42. Spring Awakening – The Guilty Ones

43. Sweet Smell of Success – Welcome to the Night

44. Taboo - Out of Fashion

45. Taboo - Stranger In This World

46. Thoroughly Modern Millie - What Do I Need With Love

47. title of show - Two Nobodies In New York

48. Toxic Avenger, The - Hot Toxic Love

49. Urinetown - Run, Freedom Run

50. Wedding Singer, The - It’s Your Wedding Day

51. Wild Party, The - People Like Us

52. Wild Party, The - Queenie Was A Blonde

53. Witches of Eastwick, The - Dance With the Devil

54. Witches of Eastwick, The - Something

55. Zanna Don’t – I Think We Got Love

I'm Back and Ready to Write!

Hello Readers!

I'm officially back from my time at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center and am looking forward to giving you all some great pieces over the the coming weeks. Some things to look forward to include:

-My first book review for Mainly On Directing by Arthur Laurents.
-Talk about some readings and new musicals being workshopped this summer.
-New Top 10 lists.

And much, MUCH, more. Thanks for allowing me a hiatus and look forward to hearing your comments!