Welcome to Intermission: How I Got My Start as a Theater Writer
Wow. What a crazy time we live in. Who would’ve thought I’d be starting a theater website at a time when all of the world’s theater is shut down? But honestly, it felt like the right time. I have been a theater writer since 2016, and it was time to start my own publication.
Until March of 2020 (thanks COVID), I was a staff writer for The Writer’s Bloc, the University of Maryland’s primary publication for the arts on campus and in the Washington Metropolitan Area. I majored in journalism, but theater has always been in my blood, thanks to my starring role as Chip in a summer camp rendition of “Beauty and the Beast” at age four. In an effort to find my footing in those first few weeks of freshman year, I applied to work at The Writer’s Bloc. They were looking to hire new writers for the semester, and while I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to pursue, a fine arts publication seemed like a good place to start.
Almost right away, the editor-in-chief at the time asked if anyone knew anything about musical theater. Being the eager and desperate to prove myself young freshman that I was, I raised my hand, and effectively managed to change my life. She asked if I would be willing to write a review for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ production of “Into the Woods” in Washington DC. I hesitantly agreed, because although I’ll happily and unabashedly give my opinion when I walk out of a performance, writing it down was wildly unfamiliar territory.
The prospect of walking into a world-renowned theater and being seated next to seasoned reporters and critics was a daunting, yet exciting and humbling experience. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much fun I had writing about something I had been a part of for so long. On a whim, I decided to reach out to other large theaters in the area and see if they would be willing to grant me press tickets to continuing reviewing productions. Over the course of a few months, I found myself reviewing national tours of Broadway productions at the Kennedy Center, The National Theatre and The Hippodrome Theatre at the France- Merrick Performing Arts Center. I was invited to interview touring actors, as well as review new musicals at The National Theatre prior to their Broadway debut ("Mean Girls" and "Beetlejuice").
Four years later, I was getting ready to graduate and realized I was not ready to say goodbye to this amazing opportunity I worked so hard to keep. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I decided to use my newfound time to create my own platform and medium in which I could continue to write about theater. I enlisted the help of the brilliant and beautifully talented (and my longtime friend) Lauren Beckjord as my graphic designer, and she gracefully (and patiently) worked with me as she designed and created a logo that fit my vision for my new website. I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue writing what I'm passionate about, and hope I can bring a little light into these dark and unexpected days.
As theaters and productions across the world struggle with going dark, I hope to be able to highlight the performers, crew members and everyone else involved in this wonderfully weird and magical thing that can only be found on a stage. So now, I invite you to pause, and enjoy life’s Intermission with me.
Feature Photo: Me at "Into the Woods," full of giddy energy at the thought of reviewing my first show.