Author / graceubben

by graceubben

Opening the Doors for Diversity in American Theater

New leadership roles are popping up at theaters across the country. Many of the longtime artistic directors that have served their communities for the past 50 to 60 years are beginning to retire. It’s important to note that most of these directors are white men. Many of them are stepping down to retire, while a few of them are getting the boot after sexual misconduct and workplace harassment allegations. This has created the opportunity for greater diversity in leadership positions within the theater.

In the latest edition of The New York Times, theater reporter, Michael Paulson, writes about this major leadership transition and how it has led to a total transformation within the American theater. According to Paulson, the role of the artistic director is not only to choose the show lineup and oversee its production, but also to serve as the face of the theater, forming relationships with patrons and getting new community members into the audience.  

As many of these artistic directors are stepping down from their roles, more and more are being replaced by women and people of color. A study done by two Bay Area directors, Rebecca Novick and Evren Odcikin, looked at 85 artistic director jobs around the U.S. and found that since 2015, 41 percent of those jobs have been filled by women and 26 percent by people of color.

Paulson suggests that although this leadership transition is a huge step forward in terms of representation and diversity in the theater community, this is still an uneven demographic change. Women are still less likely to get hired over men, and women of color are even less likely to get hired.

“Theater leadership is still not broadly reflective of the nation’s demographics.”

Additionally, once these directors step into their new roles, it is a delicate balancing act to find the right amount of change and continuity. According to Paulson, it’s crucially important that they think strategically about how to lure in new audiences. They should not be so quick to make changes that they distance the theater’s current patrons as a result.

It’s going to take time before theater leadership is fully representative of the demographics of the nation. In the meantime, the small steps towards inclusivity are changing preconceived notions and creating a more welcoming theater experience for everyone.

For more on this, check out, Michael Paulson’s “The Theater, Transformed,” The New York Times (Mar. 20, 2019): C1

by graceubben

Vegan Beauty Is All the Buzz. But Is This Just A Fad?

Veganism has grown in popularity over the last several years as more and more people are choosing to give up meat, dairy, eggs, and other animal products. Some are making the change for health reasons, some for environmental reasons, and others for ethical reasons. This trend is not only happening in the food industry, but it has also begun to spark change in the beauty industry.

In the latest edition of The New York Times, fashion writer and editor, Andrea Cheng, writes about vegan beauty, what it means, and how this will affect the future of the beauty industry. There are several disturbing traces of animal found in everyday skincare and makeup products, including cow urine, cow and pig bones, sheep organs, and even whale vomit. Nobody thinks about the fact that they are smearing these animal parts onto their face when they put moisturizer on before bed, but many people just don’t realize that vegan options exist.


“This demand for all things vegan has made industries take notice, especially beauty.”

But what exactly does vegan beauty mean? According to Cheng, it means that a product is free of any animal ingredients. However, this is not to be confused being with “cruelty-free,” which just means that a product has not been tested on animals. As this becomes more popular, it will be crucial that brands do a better job of labeling to make it easier to differentiate vegan beauty products from non-vegan ones. We have seen this with vegan food products as the vegan diet has grown in popularity.

Cheng suggests that consumers start carefully reading labels and looking for natural ingredients. It’s helpful to do some research to see what brands and products are out there. She urges consumers to know how to assess the ingredients and question what they are buying. Plus, vegan beauty brands have exploded. There are many convenient and inexpensive options on the market. You can find vegan beauty products at the drugstore for a very affordable price, including the brands Pacifica and Derma E for skincare and Wet n Wild and e.l.f. for makeup.

According to Cheng, consumer demand has been the driving force behind this sudden growth in the vegan beauty industry. Consumers, specifically Millennial’s and Gen Z’s are fighting for big companies to make changes regarding the ethical and environmental impacts of their products. These consumers only want to support companies that align with their values. This has forced big companies to change their ways, empowering consumers to continue pushing for change.

For more on this, check out, Andrea Cheng’s “Taking Animals Out Of The Makeup Aisle,” The New York Time (Feb. 26, 2019): D4

by graceubben

Broadway Hit ‘Waitress’ Is Baked To Perfection

Order Up!

The delicious new musical “Waitress” is the sweetest smash hit to grace the Great White Way. It tells the heartbreaking story of a young woman named Jenna Hunterson, who is silently suffering in an abusive marriage. Jenna spends her days as a waitress and gifted pie-connoisseur at Joe’s Diner, where she creates delectable pies and dreams of a way out of her unhappy situation. This show tugs at your heartstrings and takes you along for the ride as Jenna experiences some of life’s most sweet and sour moments.

The story opens up with a peek into the diner as Jenna is faced with the shocking news that she is pregnant. Devastated, she looks for a way out and sets her eyes on the Springfield Pie Contest. Winning the contest would provide her with the funds to start her new life. Throughout her pregnancy, Jenna becomes inspired by her circumstances. She creates new pies, each with a unique name, including the “I Don’t Want Earl’s Baby Pie” and the “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.”

Things get even more complicated when Jenna begrudgingly heads to the doctor to check up on the baby. It’s here that she finds out that her longtime doctor has retired, and she’ll have to settle for the handsome new gynecologist, Dr. Pomatter. As the two are making their introductions, Jenna offers him the “Marshmallow Mermaid Pie” she brought with her. As soon as he has a taste of the pie, a budding relationship begins to form between the two of them. This encounter inspires the “I Wanna Play Doctor With My Gynecologist Pie.”

Along the way, Jenna is confronted with some conflicting recipes for achieving happiness. She has to face some harsh realities and decide for herself what she wants to make of her one, precious life. This show is heartbreaking, empowering and beautiful. You will laugh, cry, and leave wanting a second helping. Fortunately, fresh, warm pies are baked during each show, so you can enjoy a delicious taste of pie as you experience this show for yourself.

Undoubtedly, Waitress is a story of female empowerment. This show takes us through Jenna’s pregnancy and her journey to leave her abusive husband to start a new life for herself and her newborn daughter. Her two fellow waitresses, Becky and Dawn, not only support and uplift her along the way — they also become her family. This show is about friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a delicious piece of pie. Waitress is baked to perfection by an incredible group of women. The music and lyrics are by Sara Bareilles; the book is by Jessie Nelson; the show is directed by Diane Paulus, and the choreography is by Lorin Latarro. Waitress stands out as the first musical in Broadway history to have an all-female creative team.

Waitress is currently running on Broadway, and a national tour of the production is making its way across the United States. The West End production of Waitress also just opened in London. For more information or to purchase tickets visit Ticketmaster.com or Waitressonstage.com.

by graceubben

Is Life Without Plastic Actually a Possibility?

Plastic has taken over our lives. Without thinking about it, we use plastic every single day of our lives. It isn’t until you begin trying to cut out plastic that you realize how difficult it is to live without it. Cloth bags and stainless-steel reusable straws are growing in popularity in an attempt to reduce plastic waste, but what happens when you give plastic up completely?

In the latest edition of The New York Times, reporter, Steven Kurutz, writes about the recent plastic free movement in which many consumers are attempting to completely eliminate plastic from their lifestyle. In her article, “Life Without Plastic Is Possible. It’s Just Very Hard,” Kurutz discusses that while it is honorable to have the goal of living without plastic, cutting out plastic completely may not be possible.

According to Kurutz, the problem is everywhere, and once you are made aware of the plastic problem, you can’t help but see it everywhere you look. Plastic is on everything we consume, from the container of fruits, or bag of vegetables, to the jar of peanut butter and even the tube of toothpaste. Plastic is in the lids of cups at every fast food restaurant and most wrappers or packaging. The largest contributor to the plastic waste problem is these single-use plastics.


“Given that single-use disposable plastics are at the heart of the plastic pollution problem, if you do these simple things, you could potentially reduce your plastic consumption by 80 percent or maybe even more.”

– Jay Sinha, owner of the store Life Without Plastic

Kurutz suggests that consumers avoid single-use plastics by having an “eco-survival kit” that allows them to still maintain their lifestyle without giving in to the consumption of plastic. This would include a stainless-steel cup, bamboo or metal utensils, reusable straw, and a reusable bag.

While many consumers have committed to purging plastic and found success with this lifestyle change, many admit that sometimes there are situations where the use of plastic is simply unavoidable. Regardless of whether or not it is possible to completely eliminate plastic, small steps over time can make an impact and significantly reduce the amount of waste.

For more on this, check out, Steven Kurutz’ “Lose the Plastic,” The New York Times (Feb. 17, 2019): ST1

by graceubben

Will E-Programs Drive Playbills to Extinction?

Image Courtesy of Playbill Inc.

Programs are a quintessential part of the theater-going experience. As patrons are ushered in to see a Broadway show, they are greeted and offered a playbill at the door. This small program serves many purposes, allowing spectators to read the bios of the actors, a letter from the director, an outline and description of the show, as well as ads for upcoming productions. Many theatre-goers hold on to their playbills to reference after the show, and some even have collections acquired over many years. Playbills are the first interaction an audience has with a production, and they are an important part of a show’s history.

But Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway shows are beginning to ditch the physical playbill in favor of a digital version.

In the latest edition of The New York Times, theatre critic, Laura Collins-Hughes, writes about the recent rise of digital playbills in her article, “I Want My Playbill! Why Programs Are No Mere Extra.” According to Collins-Hughes, while this move to online programs is a money saver, it has its implications for audiences and performers alike.

This not only takes away convenience for the audience, it also adds a level of frustration. By choosing not to print out paper playbills, it means that only the few very dedicated and exceptionally curious members of the audience will take the time to access and read through the online program.

According to Collins-Hughes, “When a theater bypasses paper playbills, it is outsourcing a job to its audience members – saying that if they want to know more, that’s on them. Why do that to people who’ve already proven their curiosity by their presence?”

This is equally frustrating for the actors, directors, musicians, and other creatives involved in the production because it radically diminishes the chances that they will receive the recognition that they deserve.

Collins-Hughes suggests that theaters not offer digital playbills instead of paper playbills, but rather offer the choice of either one. That way the eco-friendly theatergoer can enjoy their e-playbill and the old school theatergoer can still conveniently peruse their paper copy.

For more on this, check out, Laura Collins-Hughes’ “I Want My Playbill! Why Programs Are No Mere Extra,” The New York Times, (Jan 29, 2019): C2.

by graceubben

This is me.

The Palace Theatre in New York City, NY

Hello, I’m Grace – former thespian, now full-time ad major. I’m a passionate UF student pursuing a degree in advertising with a minor in digital design. I love good branding, storytelling and content creation – from beautifully designed static posts to compelling video.

My interests include digital design, blogging, and stakeholder engagement. I love creating content and pairing words with visuals that are compelling and aesthetically pleasing. At the same time, I understand that behind every beautiful, engaging Instagram post is a well thought out strategy and data to back up each decision and detail.

My heart belongs in New York City, specifically on a little block known as Broadway. I am passionate about musical theater and advertising, so I hope to one day blend my two passions by working in the marketing and advertising field with a focus on performing arts promotion.

One of my biggest goals is to graduate college and move to New York to work in advertising for Broadway shows. I would love to run the social media pages for live-entertainment brands and promote the latest smash hits. My goal is to serve as a creative director for a New York ad agency that specializes in arts entertainment and culture.