Lights Up: The High School Theater Podcast

Pete Kramer
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A veteran NY journalist shining a spotlight on high school theater and the people who make it, from theater kids to the professionals who teach them. petekramer.substack.com

  1. Jul 11

    Not all 'Heathers' and 'Hamilton': Putting students on the selection committee

    When Christina Baurle asked her theater students at Port Chester High School which show they should do next, their suggestions were wildly off the mark. Shows that weren’t available for license, shows that were in no way suited to a school setting and shows that didn’t fit the available talent. Her kids should know better, she thought. Then, in a lightbulb moment, she decided that this could be a teaching opportunity. Why not gather a group of trusted students and teach them the process of choosing a show? “Not only does that help them become better leaders and feel like they can advocate for a show and have voice in the production and what’s chosen, but it also takes a lot of the pressure off of me, because then if anyone has an issue with it — which there’s always someone — I could say a group of people chose this, and not only that, but it was a group your peers as well. Students had a say in what was chosen.” Win. Win. Win. How does Baurle know the selection committee is making a difference? “I no longer get, not as often anyway, I no long get bizarre show suggestions,” she says. “I think somehow it’s just kind of gone through the student ranks and they’ve realized, ‘OK, there’s a lot more to this process than we realized at first.’” On this episode of "Lights Up: The High School Theater Podcast," Baurle talks about her takeaways from the process -- for those who might be considering it. We also talked about her formative time at Commack High School on Long Island, and Curly's poor horse in their production of "Oklahoma!" (Her director insisted on using live animals.) We talked about how teaching theater in Brooklyn is different. And the two musicals her students say they will NEVER want to do. Get full access to Pete Kramer at petekramer.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Jun 12

    '26 Metros Special: Leading actors on their craft

    Getting into the wonderful theater weeds with the leading actor Metro nominees Liam Weill from Northern Valley Demarest, Luciano Guidetti from Paramus, Derek Bedell from St. Joseph Regional, Donovan Russell from Woodlands Middle High School and Jian Kawai from Rye Neck. Watch the reactions when Donovan begins listing the roles he has played in the last year. The other guys go nuts. Get full access to Pete Kramer at petekramer.substack.com/subscribe

    '26 Metros Special: Leading actors on their craft

  3. Jun 11

    '26 Metros Special: Leading actresses talk shop

    Four high school actresses, nominated for leading actress at the 2026 Metro Awards on June 15, joined Pete on a special episode of "Lights Up: The High School Theater Podcast" to talk about medleys, revisiting their characters, acting in musicals and being theater kids. Get full access to Pete Kramer at petekramer.substack.com/subscribe

  4. Jun 9

    Podcast: Turning the page with Allison Parsley

    Allison Parsley, choreographer, director and dance teacher at Mamaroneck High School in Westchester County, New York, talks about helping her students navigate the turning of the page from one musical to the next and the emotions when seniors prepare to graduate. Get full access to Pete Kramer at petekramer.substack.com/subscribe

  5. May 8

    She's an insider on the Jimmys and on the Rees Awards (which she won). She has thoughts.

    Director-choreographer Halle Mastroberardino joins Pete to share her unique perspective on the Roger Rees Awards and the Jimmy Awards. Halle won the Rees Award (when it was The Gershwin) and participated in the Jimmys. Now, she's on the team teaching choreography at both awards programs. She has thoughts about auditions, pressure and how parents can help. Get full access to Pete Kramer at petekramer.substack.com/subscribe

  6. Apr 26

    Podcast: When a 16-year-old Stephen Ferri saved 'Aida,' and his theater career since

    I was so happy to welcome Stephen Ferri, executive producer of White Plains Performing Arts Center, to the “Lights Up: High School Theater Podcast” this week to talk about Broadway, studying at Purchase College, running a regional theater and the time when he was a sophomore in high school and saved "Aida" by stepping in to conduct the all-pro orchestra. At age 16. Get full access to Pete Kramer at petekramer.substack.com/subscribe

  7. Apr 3

    Amid musical season, an event honoring non-musicals

    Cyndi Feinman, the theater director at Rye Neck High School in Westchester County, New York, joins Pete to talk about the Eastern Student Artist Guild Awards, honoring high school students for their work on non-musical productions. The third annual ESAG Awards will be bestowed on April 20, 2026, at Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, New York. Details at www.easternstudentartistguild.org Get full access to Pete Kramer at petekramer.substack.com/subscribe

  8. Mar 25

    Lights Up podcast: What theater kids have taught their directors

    Directors Nadia Rizzo of Pleasantville High School and Christina Colangelo of Blind Brook High School join Pete to talk about what they've learned from their theater kids over the course of their careers. Get full access to Pete Kramer at petekramer.substack.com/subscribe

    Lights Up podcast: What theater kids have taught their directors
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A veteran NY journalist shining a spotlight on high school theater and the people who make it, from theater kids to the professionals who teach them. petekramer.substack.com

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