Hell yes! Also, bring Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" to Broadway! I saw it at La Jolla Playhouse and it was AMAZING, the perfect blend of the novel (yes, they added back in more of the adult, darker elements from the book) and the brilliance of Menken/Schwartz's songs.
I understand not being able listening to musicals, when I started school I started drifting away from musicals. Now I can only listen to a few (and taylor swift, welcome to the swifties). Also my theatre/acting teacher played your video in class the other day
I actually had a very opposite reaction, I listened to SO many new musicals! Anastasia, Lightning Thief, Matilda, Annie, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, Black Friday, Firebringer, Trail to Oregon, AND two of the Very Potter Musicals. It really sucks that everything happened last year Edit: and Bare: a Pop Opera!
Same! I discovered so many musicals over 2020 like all the starkid ones, waitress, great comet, ruthless, hadestown, funny girl, Oklahoma, and so many more!
I've learned and watched SO many musicals since 2020! And I finally watched the starkid Harry Potter musicals 3 weeks ago. Also, hello my starkid friends 💖
My parents just told me I couldn't audition for my school production of Little Women because my grades were too bad and now I'm depressed so this made me feel better
Awe man, that’s gotta suck. But idk if this would help, but over quarantine I would pick a musical and I would pick a character and sing and dance all the songs they were in.
Girl(I say that to everyone sorry if that’s like not your pronoun) I am so sorry. I found out my schools show got canceled and cried in the middle of cross country practice so I totally get how you feel
that "I love you so, so much, break a leg" really hit different this time around. partially because I have my first musical audition on sunday, and partially because WE love YOU so so much. you have done so much to keep us theatre kids happy during this weird, theatre-less time, and i think i speak for the whole musical theatre internet cult when i say we are eternally grateful for that. and you are just such a kind, wonderful human being (and a great cult leader). we love you too kat :)
Here's mine: Something Rotten Gentleman's Guide Something Rotten Gentleman's Guide Mean girls (I am sobbing from closing ahhhh) Gentleman's guide something rotten gentlemans guide into the woods cabaret hello dolly she loves me gentleman's guide and finally something rotten
@@Lisa-pg9ej mine rn: The Prom Ratatouille Newsies The Prom Phantom of the Opera Hamilton Newsies The Prom Ratatouille The Prom Newsies Hamilton Hamilton
i’m the opposite! i was never really into broadway but when quarantine hit I got super super into it and constantly listened to showtunes and now i love it! I can’t wait for theaters to open again :)
S a m e . I was not as big of a theatre person before March 2020, but I wanted to do it so badly before that. Then, around July 2020, I got OBSESSED!! Now I listen to stuff everyday edit: nOW~ I'm waiting for broadway to open again, cause I wanna see so many shows in person :)
I had the exact same reaction! I completely stopped listening to musicals and reading plays at the start of the quarantine - they would always make me so sad and I couldn't focus on it. In replacement I listened to a lot of my nostalgic emo and punk music which made it easier to come back to showtunes just a few weeks ago. Thank you for sharing, it makes me feel less weird since many of my theatre friends went in the complete opposite direction.
Yep, same. I felt a bit emotionally drained and musicals just weren't doing the right thing for me - I felt a bit overloaded with them. I turned to different hobbies for a short while. Glad to say that I did get back to enjoying musicals pretty quickly, though.
I feel so lost right now. I used to love theatre. It was what I wanted to do with my life ever since I was four. I feel so blessed to be in a place where theatre has opened back up (safely of course), but now every time I get up on stage I don’t feel it. I can’t describe it other than I just don’t feel it anymore. To me theatre is about connecting and I can’t connect anymore. I miss it so much I can’t explain it. All I want is for that feeling back and I feel lost and stuck.
I'm soo sorry Maybe look at other creative things that can connect you with people, write/perform short video films/stories or even have someone perform it. Make something else that you'll know will connect with people in these circumstances. Maybe seeing someone else performing your work being with the connection between you and your views will reinvigorate you I think, sorry for the TED talk and if I'm wrong. Hope you find your fire but know you'll never lose your spark
I haven't been able to listen to musicals for a while because it's made me so depressed. I've been hating my voice lately and hearing people doing what I love but so much better hurt. I'm trying to get back into it though because I really love it and there is nothing better than acting out a sad song when you're having a bad day!
i started watching the shows in like deep quarantine and now i’m a HUGE fan i’ve seen almost all of them and didn’t have the willpower not to buy tix for both nightmare times and the christmas carol!!! i’ve also watched the tcb shows and listened to starry nonstop for the past 2 months 😂
“Setting yourself on fire to keep others warm”. Wow Kat that was deep and made me think. Except my problem is that I used to set myself on fire until I finally threw water on myself, but now I feel like I can’t ever light up again. It’s been about 10 years and I seriously don’t know how to be happy and hopeful again. I’m so glad you’re doing better but I really love that you shared with us that your life is not rainbows and sunshine. It makes me feel less alone, and I’ve been alone for much too long 💜 On a happier note, I think I had a better music year than I’ve ever had (minus the lack of concerts). I discovered so many new artists and musicals during my lockdown when I moved to Oregon last year. I’m back home in Utah now but now when I listen to those songs I get attached memories of Oregon and how much I loved my independence 🙌🏼🎶.
I remember what I was told about Broadway: it was an escapism from life’s hardships. Having NO Broadway shows at all meant facing the reality I lived in, and coping with COVID-19 alone. I ended up not making any content for my UA-cam channel at all since the pandemic began. I was just too sad to sing theatre knowing it was shutdown. But my love of Broadway renewed when I realized I wasn’t alone in missing theatre. My voice teacher definitely helped me with keeping my voice in shape and now I’ve found a new love for singing theatre again 💚
For a long time, I didn't listen to musicals during the pandemic because I felt so scared about everything. I felt totally out of control, and being out of control is one of the things that makes me feel worse than anything. I couldn't do anything about the situation I was in other than stay home and hope. In musicals, a common theme is fighting. Hope, even. Some of my favorite characters have their entire arcs focused around breaking away from awful situations and winning, through sheer force of will and some deus ex machinas. But I didn't feel like having hope. There was no old love interest sweeping in at the worst point of my life to save me, to have a whole song about how incredible we are together. I was quite literally alone, with nothing there. I didn't *want* to hope. It didn't seem like it would help me. It felt mocking- like they said, "We can do this, but you can't. Why aren't you doing anything?" But then recently, I got my friends back. The vaccine came out. There was a light at the end of the tunnel again. I can hope now. Musicals are back in my life, and I really hope that they don't have cause to leave again. Thanks for this video, Kat.
I watched Guys and Dolls when I was six and LOVED IT. I used to sing it all the time but no one would talk about it so I just fell out of love with it. Hamilton also helped me rediscover my love for musical theater! I’m glad your feeling better ❤️
Honestly 2020 was a really hard year on everyone, I know of soooo many actors who would do anything right now to be able to use their craft. This time has been so hard on all of us, whether we are actors, casual theater goers, or just someone who enjoys a song here and there. Thanks for sharing this with us Kat, because I dunno, makes me feel like I'm not alone in this struggle.
The week lockdown began, I was supposed to be performing with my chorus with a whole Motown show. It was our BIG show in the theater, and I was gonna be dancing in the encore to I Wanna Dance With Somebody. It was postponed then ultimately cancelled, which broke my heart. The same week, I got a free ticket from a friend to see Spongebob the musical. I went in completely blind, and it was magical. I listened to the soundtrack a lot afterwards. Best Day Ever is kinda the new affirmation song for this year, coming out of the garbage fire of 2020.
Kat yall gonna make me cry! This hits deep... I'm so happy your getting better, 2020 I think was a horrid year for all of us and I'm so sorry this happened to you...
HEY KAT I LUV U AHHH, and I’ve grown through a similar thing with theater honestly, I’ve started again with just my favorite shows (great comet, 35mm), and I actually just got home from my first audition since November last year, and it feels so good to be back in the theater.
@@gelleries omg yes same! My friend introduced it to me while I was out at a little reclusive restaurant and I listened to the entire thing straight through, and every time I’ve listened to it since then it’s just gotten better, and that barely ever happens
@@sophiehatrick8269 omg Idk if I can pick- weirdly enough I rlly like the transitions and immaculate deception, but ofc like I love leave luanne, crazytown, and the ballad of sara berry. But I think my favorite song out of the lesser known ones is the party goes with you. That was probably like the worst answer ever and completely nonspecific but hey I can’t make decisions-
can we pls applaud this queen pls bc not only did she continue to make us videos amongst the struggling mental health and a crappy year !? she rediscovered herself and she’s taking care of herself !? Kat i’m so proud of you 💖 i love uuuu and pls keep taking care of yourself srsly ! even if that means a break from the channel, we care abt u ! 🤗🤗🤗
Honstly how I discovered my love for broadway again is just watching your videos and starting my own theatre youtube and watching backstage vlogs. I cant wait till Broadway reopens cause I'll be getting to go to Newyork with college choir and we plan on seeing a broadway show while down there.
Kath, I was in the same boat as you between 2015 and 2018. I fell out of love with theater for that entire period. I didn't listen to any cast recordings. It was much more not knowing what I wanted to do in theatre. But I have found what I wanted to do with my life in theatre. I didn't go through what you did, but I understand a bit of what you went through.
Hey Kat- Loved your video. I understand completely. When quarantine hit, I couldn’t listen to musicals. It reminded me of the happiness I used to have and I couldn’t understand that happiness and feeling of being free that showtunes gave me. Over the summer, I began my full transition from female to male, but still feeling trapped. Theatre has always been a form of expression for me. I was finally getting the body that I needed, I had gotten the support I had needed from my chosen family, but I wasn’t listening to the music that made me feel more free as myself. I finally started listening to musicals at the beginning of August, and I was able to finally be my full self. It made me stronger. Listening to Company and Carousel and Sundays in the Park with George were what allowed me to be safer, happier, and allowed me to complete my personal self acceptance. Now, in 2021, I am the lead in a show, I am finally my true self, and I have joined the musical theatre internet cult. Hey I have just opened myself up in a way that I probably shouldn’t have been on the internet but I felt inspired by Kat so please don’t be mean.
I can’t wait to go to concerts too!! I became such a big swiftie in 2020 (this is an understatement). It’s really nice to still have a community where everyone understands each other. You’re right-theater is a family; and I just want to say thank you so much for your content, and for sharing this. I’m so happy to hear that you were able to go back into your passions despite this crazy, unexpected time where anything goes (teehee). Love you Kat!! Sorry for spamming comments I’m very emotional rn😭😭
This is EXACTLY what is happening to me right now. I can’t even begin to tell you how comforted I feel knowing someone is going through the exact thing.
When quarantine started, I felt quite sad and sort of lonely, not being able to go out to the theatre and feel that excitement and joy. The thing that really helped was when I first watched Newsies on Disney +(I'm so thankful for that😂) It gave me back all these feelings, reminding me of why I love Musicals so much👏🏼If anyone hasn't watched or listened to Newsies, I highly recommend it☺️Thank you Katherine for sharing this with us❤️
TW: Hate on a beloved character Don't hate me, but Peggy is a useless character. She had about 5 lines, and died before act two. She was only there for comedic relief, but it wasn't even very funny.
I saw my first two Broadway shows in January and February before the shutdown and had such an amazing time. Then when corona hit I decided to expand my theatre knowledge because I was still very new to theatre and decided to listen to more musicals like Rent, Amelie, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, Falsettos, Six, Hadestown and a lot more really good ones that made fall in love with Broadway/Theatre even more. I still don’t know a lot about theatre but it’s something I genuinely really love and when it’s safe I wanna take singing lessons cause hopefully I can become a Broadway actress one day.
Over quarantine I also stopped listening to them just because I just forgot why I liked musicals in the first place and then out of no where I decided to listen to Hamilton again and all of my love for theatre just kind of came surging back and now I’ve re fallen in love with all of my favorite musicals
I'm so glad I'm not alone in this. I also stopped listening to showtunes until Hamilton. Then, I discovered Hadestown, and those 2 shows and Next to Normal got me through the rest of the year. Outside of those 3, I haven't really had it in me to discover or listen to any more shows. Thanks for opening up and helping me not feel alone. Love you!
I hear you, there. I stopped listening to musical theatre. Right before quarantine hit, I was able to go to New York for the first time in my life and see two Broadway shows. I want to be a Broadway Actor and it really just fueled my love for it. When quarantine hit, I feel like I just got lost. I didn't get back into musical theatre until Hamilton. Hamilton has always been super emotional for me, but after essentially mourning theatre for months, Hamilton really hit me hard. Even now, I still have trouble listening to musical theatre but after listening, I always find myself feeling free and longing for theatre. Sending love. Thank you for your massive vulnerability. It means a lot to those of us who are looking for their community when it's kind of disappeared. Take care of yourself!
Really appreciate the personal video kat! I felt this way also for a while. But musicals are the thing that help me disconnect from the real world when theres so much going on, but they can make me sad sometimes (esp with mean girls closing :( )
I did the exact same thing and so many people asked me periodically if I'd started singing again yet. Julie and the Phantoms was my big musical revelation that just got me back into performing in general?
ah! I felt this so much! for some reason, I went from being in my schools production of legally blonde as serena, to just not listening to musicals all together. I wanted nothing to do with musical theatre and everytime I tried to listen to some of my favourite soundtracks I just gave up. it actually also wasn't until I saw hamilton also when I got back the love again. yet, I watched it almost two months after it came out because I tried to avoid musical theatre at all costs. I was going through some stuff in my life with losing friends that I just needed a break. and I finally watched hamilton. it was what I needed to get back the love of musical theatre and I'm really glad I watched it when I did. I think it's important to not force yourself into things you are not in the mind set of doing, and to take your time getting back into it. once you find yourself, I think it's when you can start to love the things that you used to, and grow.
I know how you feel. 2020 started off with amazing theater for me: I auditioned for and participated in the inaugural class of Access Acting Academy, a several-week-long training program designed specifically for actors who are blind or, like me, visually impaired. It was fantastic. Unlike other programs which can assume people with disabilities take up acting as just a hobby to get them out of the house or develop social skills, AAA treated us as actors who were serious about our work. We figured out ways to make performing accessible for us, we had meetings with industry people who maybe had never worked with people like us, we talked about how frustrating it is to constantly have able-bodied actors cast in roles we could just as easily play if not better, etc. The program culminated with a public performance for industry people and families, showing what we'd learned and what we had to teach them. We were all ready to go back to our respective homes and bring theater to our local communities. And the program ended in February of 2020, just as COVID was arriving in the States and everything was going into lock-down. So, yeah, that was a total monkey wrench I wasn't expecting at all. On top of everything going on with the pandemic, some of my family members had personal medical issues to deal with which were made even harder by the bigger picture, myself included. I'd had a cataract growing on my one good eye (I'm completely blind in my left) and had put off the surgery to remove it for years because, as you can imagine, operating on my only working eye would be risky. But in December, I finally had it done and the procedure went great! And now that I finally have that dark cloud removed from over my head, I'm like, ". . . Now what?" I'm slowly getting back into theater, though. Working on a script, my play adaptation of Victor Hugo's "The Man Who Laughs". It's the story of a disfigured clown who learns he's the long-lost son of a nobleman and he has to face the political callousness and corruption which literally scarred him. And he has a girlfriend who's blind. :) It feels great to be getting back into the swing of things.
Last year, I had completely lost the desire to listen to musicals or operas, and eventually lost interest in singing altogether. The only thing that kept me productive was preparing for a handful of very tentative auditions. After that was done, I had no desire to touch music or theatre because it just felt pointless. With the infinite digital content that is being offered, I found myself only wanting to watch my comfort shows. I didn’t want to watch anything new, except The Prom, but that’s only because my family picked it and we watched it together. I think this is a coping mechanism for anxiety. If we watch stuff we’ve seen, we already know what happens and there’s no anxiety about the unknown or unfamiliar of the story, a feeling we are associating with the shut down of the entire performance industry. A little psychology for ya. 😅 I’ve gotten to the point where I will only sing or watch something when I truly feel like it because other than that, it’s torture. Luckily, my teachers are very understanding. (They also had COVID and several injuries which halted lessons and made my empathic self even more on edge.) Be kind to yourselves, Theatre Cult Fam!
Release an Audio-Book!!! We deserve it 💖💖💖 And can’t wait for the podcast...btw LY Kat ❤️ Thank you 🙏 for being an escape from this cruel world and your bravery to open up...which is never easy & maybe the hardest...but we’re proud of you and love ❤️ you 💗💗💗
I had a similar sensation this year with both theatre and classical music (my major). I ended up following a ton of musicians and actors on social media and watching for their fundraising events- listening to them working to keep the industry alive really helped give me hope and now I can listen again.
Im currently in that phase right now. I don’t know when I’ll be able to get back into the habit of listening to musicals again, but I hope it will be soon! I feel so happy when I listen to them but then I feel those same emotions like you have. Wish me luck!
@@manuelorozco7760 awesome! I just watched the Netflix adaptation and I thought it was pretty sweet! I should definitely listen to the original soundtrack. Thanks for the suggestion!
it’s been so so hard this year, especially for broadway. I’ve been heartbroken about shows closing and suffering. broadway will hopefully be back soon and we all will head to the theater again! ❤️
For me it was the opposite. Without quarantine I probably wouldn't have been on the internet so much and discovered musical fandoms or even this channel! But I did and now I'm gonna become a whole-ass theater kid!!! I got so into it that I wanna do theater for the rest of my life and that wouldn't have happened if not for you sticking it out through this quarantine. IDK if you'l see this but Kat, but because of you I have a new passion and I've never felt stronger about anything else. Thank you so much.
Alice by heart was my most listened to album during 2020. I will never get over it I am absolutely in love I really hope it gets to Broadway eventually :,)
I listen to b'way/musical theater recordings sporadically, and always have. You can't enjoy things if you hear them every single day, even great things require a break every so often.
i stopped listening to musicals for a while after a breakup (theatre relationship check!!) and this hit so hard. rediscovering my love after all the pain i associated w it was so wonderful
Hey Kat your what helped me rediscover my love for Broadway and made me as a 12 year old decide to do theater as a career and I even decided to get the confidence to start vocal lessons and my vocal coach said I have a amazingly beautiful voice and I could make it big in theater which boosted my confidence and now I practice singing, dancing, and acting everyday and also listening to show tunes all the time. And I wanted to thank you because I feel that you started this cycle for me and I wanted you to know I love you kat 🥰❤️
Thank you for being so relatable. I have been dealing with a similar situation. I have been doing theatre since 5th grade and went on to get my BFA in musical theatre in 17. I immediately moved down to Florida to work for Disney as an internship and haven’t gotten a chance to do theatre since. It’s been killing me and I stopped listening to shows and auditioning in general. I found your channel last year and honestly you have made me want to get back into theatre and made me truly think about how much I miss it. Thank you for all that you do.
Luckily, I got to do two shows before quarantine. I stage managered a one act called Love/Sick and I acted as Sketch in Hairspray, (yes, he’s a male, I got him because the original person had to drop out so I went from being in 2 dance numbers to 11). Those memories are what kept me happy
i went through the same thing, i also became a swiftie! i also started listening to mother mother, marina, lorde, ricky montgomery, and more that i cant think of. the musical that got me back into broadway was starry, i hadn’t felt the way listening to that show made me feel in a long time. and recently, i was cast as amy march in my school’s production of little women, and i’m so excited to be back at it. i’m working to make sure i won’t burn myself out again as well
I was supposed to go to New York and see two Broadway shows, plus workshops with the actors. Instead, I sat in my room, listening to Come From Away and crying because it hit me right in the feels, mostly because I really related to the feeling of loss, but also uplifted by it's message of hope and fellowship amid chaos. Long story shory Come From Away helped me through quarentine.
It’s so heartwarming to hear you’re feeling joyful and lively again. I just entered the musical theatre community in 2020 and unfortunately living halfway across the world doesn’t give me many access to it. However, it’s all thanks to you that now I get to know more about the musical theatre world, find myself a new interest, and as you said, a “family”. I don’t know for sure but I think being an influencer who always bring such inspiration and energy can be exhausting sometimes. So please take care of yourself because you’re important to us and you deserve every best things in the world. I hope all of us can always be happy and healthy ❤️❤️❤️
These last few weeks have been really hard on me. What kept me going was your channel, I’m not kidding. This past weekend, my HS got to stream our fall play we recorded over Zoom. Watching that show and all the people I love so doing what we love to do so much brought tears to my eyes. Keep going friends, theatre is slowing coming back
Kath, i just want to say one thing, thank you, I am having that crisis right now and this helped me a lot, it’s pretty hard to be confident again when most of your personality is musical theatre
I went through something really similar this past year. Much like you, I could not - and didn't want to - listen to any musicals, at all, after quarantine hit. I would either cry, panic, or both. And, much like you, it didn't just come from that. I also had a huge crisis that peaked around Christmas 2019, and was still struggling into March. I had been involved in a show over the holidays, and it was HORRIBLE for me. I was doing 4 or 5 people's jobs every night, on top of the massive crisis I was already having. I was having panic attacks in the dressing rooms in between running quick changes, moving set pieces, and having people mad at me for doing my job while they didn't do theirs. Every night. It absolutely made things worse, and was the worst show experience I have ever had. To make things worse, it was at my home theatre, with lots of people I love, and who love me. I have had so many good experiences there, but I had just spent several months doing a show that made that theatre both my favorite place to be, and the worst place I could be at all. So, when auditions came for Fun Home, what was supposed to be our summer musical for 2020, I was eager to have a GOOD show. Fun Home hits so close to home, for lots of reasons, and I was really excited. Auditions were right at the end of February, and the cast list went up about a week before COVID really hit. We only had two rehearsals, none of which I got to attend. I was set to crew, but we never got anywhere near that. One of our shows got canceled during tech week. That was when I stopped listening to musicals. Listening to musicals reminded me of everything I couldn't have, and everyone who was hurting. After that crisis, and after that horrible show, I was really longing to do a show, at my home theatre, with all my friends, as me. Not as what I had been trying to be for my whole life, not as the facade I put up during my crises. As me. I didn't get that chance. I still haven't. That theatre is the only place that truly feels like home to me, and the place I want most to be. And right now, I can't. So, that was that for a while. I didn't listen to shows. I hardly talked to any of my theatre friends. We weren't the best at communicating outside of shows before all this, and we've only gotten worse since this whole mess. That was it. Until the night Fun Home would've opened. That night, I curled up at showtime. I got my headphones. I drew the shades. I put on the Broadway cast recording. And I imagined what we could've been. I drew glorious pictures in my mind. I blocked scenes, and imagined our choreography. I imagined the backstage shenanigans we would've gotten up to. And I cried. I sobbed for the memories we should've made, but couldn't. I would remember that the stage was not filled with joy and dancing, but with the set of a show that never made it past tech week, and racks of abandoned costumes. And it felt right. It felt like I honored what should've been, while leaving space for what will be in the future. I can't say I immediately got back into shows; I didn't. I watched Hamilton a few weeks after it's release. I only cried at the credits a little. I've listened to shows a few times since. I still can't enjoy them like I once did, and will again. I can't listen to my very favorites. But I can listen to shows. I still don't gravitate to them the way I used to. I don't put them on while I iron, or do laundry, or cook. I sometimes cry remembering what prepping for a show felt like. I certainly miss the family I have there, that I don't really have right now. I'm still longing to do a show as me, with all my favorite people. I still miss their hugs, the backstage shenanigans. I miss holding each other through the late-night tears. I miss call, and signing in. I miss it badly. But, I'm not so devastated by its absence anymore. I was incredibly sick over the summer. Both with The Plague, and with a severe chronic illness flare-up. I couldn't stand much at all for almost two months. At that point, musicals felt a world away. Even without the plague, how could I have done anything near theatre when walking down the hall to the kitchen took me half an hour? So, I fell into movies. I watched the same few over and over again. Moana. The Nightmare Before Christmas. Aladdin. And I watched shows I never got to as a kid, but always wanted to, like Doc McStuffins. All musicals, as it happpens. Movie musicals that have never been staged. Singing kid's TV shows. That was how I could enjoy musicals. Eventually, I got up to more. Beauty and the Beast live action. Frozen 2, and occasionally Frozen. The Greatest Showman. The original Mulan. The old Newsies movie. (Maybe I'll do the new one soon.) It felt good. A lot of those first few have similar plot themes, which I'm realizing now. Being stuck. Wanting to be something your world won't let you be. Finding a way to be yourself anyway, and do what must be done. It's interesting, looking back. This fall was chaos for me. We had a big family emergency which flipped our family upside down for the majority of the fall, and put a lot more weight on my shoulders. It's all settling out now, and everyone is okay, but it was a lot. I watched more comedies. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. Deadpool. Monty Python. (Ah, yet another show we had to cancel due to plague: Spamalot.) Rocky Horror. Nothing that felt real. And recently, Avatar: The Last Airbender. All of it's escapism, absolutely, but it feels really good. I've settled into movies and TV more now than I ever have before, and it feels good. It's not theatre, but it doesn't need to be. I'm enjoying it for what it is. It's giving me some of the escape that showtunes used to, without so much of the heartache they bring right now. I still won't watch anything set in the real world, and certainly no dramas, but I'm doing better. And I know I'm gonna be okay. So, yeah. That's my tale of showtunes and plague. I knew it would be long, but this turned out absolutely ridiculously lengthy. And yet, I think I needed this. So thank you, Kat, for giving me somewhere I can vent like this, and be understood, and thank you for giving me doses of theatre, even still. Your videos have gotten me through previous hard times without theatre, and they're still helping now. So thank you. And thank you for sharing your story, too. It means the world.
I really get what you mean with like at first not wanting to listen to show tunes without crying. The day before everything really went down, my boyfriend surprised me with 2nd row seats to SIX in Chicago. The next month, I was just super sad. I couldn’t listen to anything except like really sad songs that weren’t in musicals. But then you know which musical really got me through 2020, Come From Away, a show about people coming together in a dark time. It gives me so much hope!
Same thing happened to me this year too. I then had phases where I would go in and out of listening to showtunes, but then not too long ago really my mom was listening to Still Hurting (she literally listens to it everyday since I introduced the show to her, and she relates to Still Hurting on a spiritual level so it makes sense), and hearing the intro to that song just for some reason clicked and I've been back to being the regular me since then. Ik I got deep there but Kats channel is my safe space so 😂 but yeah I ended up rewatching videos I would watch all the time when I was in shows and my passion almost instantly reignited. It was pretty amazing if I'm being completely honest
AWWW YAY KAT! I completely understand how you feel. I haven't listened to a cast album in full in a while and there's very few shows I've listened to songs of. I was supposed to do two shows in 2020 and one was cancelled (Heidi Chronicles) while the other is currently postponed (Spring Awakening). We're hoping to go up at the end of the summer. I personally kinda hit a speed bump as a writer this year too, and I haven't been able to come up with anything new whether it be for current works or new works I had in mind. As of now, I'm currently trying to edit a musical I've been working on since 2016 and I'm editing a self tape for a summer-stock season in NH. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for everything, but I have a good feeling about it. I have a concept playlist on Spotify and if you want to listen to it please let me know and I will send you the link.
I came here to hear about musicals, not to be personally attacked about my chronic people pleasing!! Jokes aside, I totally get where this comes from. I went the opposite way and probably listened to more musical theatre, as kind of a lifeline to what was waiting for us when normal life returns. But I can also understand the feeling of being cut off from that world, and wanting to almost protect yourself. I'm so glad you're rediscovering that love though PS while rediscovering the MT love, you should discover the UK recording of Amelie! They completely re-orchestrated and re-wrote huge parts of the show, and it's been my favourite thing to listen to throughout lockdown, it's wonderful!
I also had to do some work on letting people go and learning that giving all of your energy to someone isn't worth it, so proud of you that you've come out the other side of last year ready to face this new one :) Much love
This cheered me up ❤️ I quit my high school musical today because of a schedule conflict (the show got postponed) and I don’t know when (or if) I’ll be in a show again. TLDR: Thank you for keeping Broadway in my life Kat!
Thank you for this! I’ve had a similar experience myself. The past year or so I’ve been going through the motions of trying to work on Theatre, but literally three days ago I had a Theatre teacher that assigned us a simple assignment to make a personal statement of what defines me as an artist. After about 10 minutes I was literally in tears of joy. It felt like this core part of me which I had been numb to for so long was finally waking up. I’m so grateful to feel this passion for theatre in a whole new way, and I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who has had mixed feelings about theatre.
As someone who hasn't been able to be a part of theatre both from fear of a new environment as I hit college and with quarantine shutting everything down, this does make me feel better that even the leader of an internal theatre cult can lose her way sometimes too. Thank you for being this vulnerable, Kat.
i just got cast as edith in pirates of penzance. originally auditioned for mabel, but i’m super excited. i’m so lucky that i’ve still been able to to theatre for the most part, doing two shows in the fall. theatre is such a beautiful thing for me, and losing THAT during quarantine was rough for me. but things WILL get better someday. and musicals bring a light into this world, that stupid Mr Rona shouldn’t keep out. ❤️ ❤️
I feel this so hard even though my circumstances were a bit different. Dealing w/depression and the feeling of 'not being good enough' made me shy away from listening to musicals for a while until recently. I'm falling back in love with the art form now (partially thanks to watching your videos so thank you for that!), but for a while I couldn't listen to musicals without feeling really down about myself. Also great to see High Fidelity get some love! I saw it on Broadway and it was so much fun. Will Chase was just incredible and the set design was unbelievable. And that's not to mention the music-- I think if Tom Kitt had done it after Next to Normal instead of before it would have gotten a MUCH different reception.
agh i feel you kat at first (march-june), i listened to and/or watched 4 or 5 new musicals (and was MASSIVELY obsessed with falsettos, still love it) but afterward i didn't really listen to many musicals/showtunes for the rest of the year
Kath, that was beautiful. I cried in the end when you were talking about how theater brings people together and all. I have been binge watching your videos all quarantine, I am in Portugal and we are quarantined for the second time, it's been a month and 2 weeks and I just want to say thank you and I love you. Much love, Cat. 💛
Thank you for this, for being so open with us 🤗 I think my relationship with musicals has been similar over the last year. I was directing a play for the first time, to be on in March, and we know what happened there... It took months for me to rediscover the joy of musicals, it was finding Six that got me back to the Musical Theatre fam. Can't wait until it's safe to do theatre again, we will come back stronger than ever.
This was a great video! I definitely related to this a lot. I live in New York, so Broadway is literally my backyard (I'm not joking - I live on the same street as the Hirschfeld Theatre, where Moulin Rouge plays), but during the first few months of quarantine, I was super depressed and felt very detached from anything related to Broadway. So glad you've been discovering lots of musicals for the first time - glad you mentioned The Band's Visit, that is my favorite show. I believe the tour should be in LA and Costa Mesa next year. I hope you get to see it!
I very much relate to your experience of wanting to shed your old life and having triggers that hurt you while you do that. When I wasn’t accepted into teacher’s college I couldn’t watch teachertube content at all, it was like poking a vulnerable part of me over and over.
I actually did a similar thing in quarantine where while I did listen to musical theatre and tried to listen to some new musicals I made a point to try and listen to albums outside of cast recordings, like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, and I'm so happy I did because now I've started listening to so many new artists and songs that I most likely wouldn't have listened to before if I hadn't tried to expand my taste in music while in quarantine
Girl you had me crying, then laughing, then full on sobbing, then laughing again. Thank you so much for being so vulnerable! We've all been through it this year and all feelings are valid. Love ya ✨
Personally, I have only two words for my strategy of rediscovering my love of theatre (aka will to live): RENEÉ RAPP
YES
That’s my favourite strategy ngl
she is a goddess
@@Kath_Steele agreed
@@Kath_Steele well a lot of us think you’re a goddess- I mean you have your own cult!
exactly that’s why we should have a revival of Les Miserables because I feel like it really represents what’s going on in America right now
all I can say is
✨yes✨
Hell yes! Also, bring Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" to Broadway! I saw it at La Jolla Playhouse and it was AMAZING, the perfect blend of the novel (yes, they added back in more of the adult, darker elements from the book) and the brilliance of Menken/Schwartz's songs.
Yesss
@peacelovechocolate EXACTLYYYY
Ragtime would be more fitting though imo
I understand not being able listening to musicals, when I started school I started drifting away from musicals. Now I can only listen to a few (and taylor swift, welcome to the swifties). Also my theatre/acting teacher played your video in class the other day
Wait your teacher played her vids in class?! I want your teacher!
Which video did your teacher show?
Wow that’s so cool that your teacher showed this video!
hey mama welcome to the swifties!
The title is me entering the drama program after 3 years of not being in it
Yes another starkid fan
Me
1. jOrF bLoM
2. Haha I went 5 years without doing it so I'm ahead of you
2:50 i haven’t been ‘see you later barone’d in so long omg, that made me so happy
I actually had a very opposite reaction, I listened to SO many new musicals! Anastasia, Lightning Thief, Matilda, Annie, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, Black Friday, Firebringer, Trail to Oregon, AND two of the Very Potter Musicals. It really sucks that everything happened last year
Edit: and Bare: a Pop Opera!
Same! I discovered so many musicals over 2020 like all the starkid ones, waitress, great comet, ruthless, hadestown, funny girl, Oklahoma, and so many more!
I've learned and watched SO many musicals since 2020!
And I finally watched the starkid Harry Potter musicals 3 weeks ago.
Also, hello my starkid friends 💖
bare is so good. its kept me listening to show tunes.
Yesss, convert to the starkid cult. The duck is pleased with your musical decisions.
@@Lunatictia i dislike the word cult Gerald
, it’s a new exciting religion i started
My parents just told me I couldn't audition for my school production of Little Women because my grades were too bad and now I'm depressed so this made me feel better
Awe man, that’s gotta suck.
But idk if this would help, but over quarantine I would pick a musical and I would pick a character and sing and dance all the songs they were in.
@@chaoscrumb7591 I do the exact same thing all the time!
Girl(I say that to everyone sorry if that’s like not your pronoun) I am so sorry. I found out my schools show got canceled and cried in the middle of cross country practice so I totally get how you feel
@@faithhernandez764 (dw I'm a cis girl so I wouldn't even have questioned it anyway 😂) thx for the support
@@chaoscrumb7591 This has nothing to do with me, I know, but thanks. You gave me a great idea.
OH MY GOSH IM SO GLAD IM NOT THE ONLY ONE! I totally thought it was just because I was going slowly insane from quarantine lol.
For the sponsor thing: *you basically wanted to be the Kerry Butler in the friend group*
correction: I basically want to be Kerry Butler
@@Kath_Steele YES MOOD
I thought the same 😂
You rock the Elle Woods look. This video feels like the growth from Elle during the finale from Legally Blonde. Thank you for this.
THANK YOU!! 💖💖 Truly the highest compliment
that "I love you so, so much, break a leg" really hit different this time around. partially because I have my first musical audition on sunday, and partially because WE love YOU so so much. you have done so much to keep us theatre kids happy during this weird, theatre-less time, and i think i speak for the whole musical theatre internet cult when i say we are eternally grateful for that. and you are just such a kind, wonderful human being (and a great cult leader). we love you too kat :)
What I listened to:
Parade
Parade
Parade
Parade
Heathers West end
Parade
Parade
Parade
^ this is a v solid playlist
@@Kath_Steele one time i got so bored i downloaded a pdf of the entire Newsies script just for fun
Here's mine:
Something Rotten
Gentleman's Guide
Something Rotten
Gentleman's Guide
Mean girls (I am sobbing from closing ahhhh)
Gentleman's guide
something rotten
gentlemans guide
into the woods
cabaret
hello dolly
she loves me
gentleman's guide
and finally
something rotten
@@Lisa-pg9ej mine rn:
The Prom
Ratatouille
Newsies
The Prom
Phantom of the Opera
Hamilton
Newsies
The Prom
Ratatouille
The Prom
Newsies
Hamilton
Hamilton
@@Lisa-pg9ej i LOVE gentlemen’s guide
i basically just listen to waitress, the prom, in the heights, and falsettos on repeat and those are my comfort musicals.🕺🥲
Would you possibly be interested in joining a Falsettos discord server?
@@fletcher.honorama sure!!
the prom (broadway) recently became a new comfort musical of mine. I'm so disappointed that I didn't give it a chance until recently : (
@@not.joeli15 ahh me too!! I fell in love in may, but i wish i’d listened before!!
falsettos is my one true love
“After everyone goes to bed, we can watch Derek Klena sing “Lost Boy” on repeat”
MEeEeEEEEEE but by myself
I felt so seen and called out at the same time 🤣🤣
I don’t know how I never knew this was a thing. I’m so mad at myself
i’m the opposite! i was never really into broadway but when quarantine hit I got super super into it and constantly listened to showtunes and now i love it! I can’t wait for theaters to open again :)
Same. I was a casual fan before but during quarantine I became obsessed. I’m like out of Broadway content at this point
Same! Hamilton coming onto Disney plus is definitely to blame for that!
S a m e .
I was not as big of a theatre person before March 2020, but I wanted to do it so badly before that. Then, around July 2020, I got OBSESSED!! Now I listen to stuff everyday
edit: nOW~ I'm waiting for broadway to open again, cause I wanna see so many shows in person :)
I had the exact same reaction! I completely stopped listening to musicals and reading plays at the start of the quarantine - they would always make me so sad and I couldn't focus on it. In replacement I listened to a lot of my nostalgic emo and punk music which made it easier to come back to showtunes just a few weeks ago. Thank you for sharing, it makes me feel less weird since many of my theatre friends went in the complete opposite direction.
Thank YOU Katelen! I was super nervous to share all of this because I felt so alone in it too. Good to know I’m not the only one ❤️
@@Kath_Steele 😭😭😭😭 this means a lot to me thank you ❤❤
Yep, same. I felt a bit emotionally drained and musicals just weren't doing the right thing for me - I felt a bit overloaded with them. I turned to different hobbies for a short while. Glad to say that I did get back to enjoying musicals pretty quickly, though.
No one:
Literally no one:
Not even Harry Styles:
Kat: a body swap... WITH A GOAT
It reminded me of that line in Joseph......
“It takes a man, who knows no fear! To wrestle.....with a goat........”
I feel so lost right now. I used to love theatre. It was what I wanted to do with my life ever since I was four. I feel so blessed to be in a place where theatre has opened back up (safely of course), but now every time I get up on stage I don’t feel it. I can’t describe it other than I just don’t feel it anymore. To me theatre is about connecting and I can’t connect anymore. I miss it so much I can’t explain it. All I want is for that feeling back and I feel lost and stuck.
Thank you for this video Kat! I really needed it❤️
I'm so sorry.... Just know if you dont feel it dont push it..
I'm soo sorry Maybe look at other creative things that can connect you with people, write/perform short video films/stories or even have someone perform it. Make something else that you'll know will connect with people in these circumstances. Maybe seeing someone else performing your work being with the connection between you and your views will reinvigorate you
I think, sorry for the TED talk and if I'm wrong.
Hope you find your fire but know you'll never lose your spark
She said first we take over Broadway then the world again!!!
I haven't been able to listen to musicals for a while because it's made me so depressed. I've been hating my voice lately and hearing people doing what I love but so much better hurt. I'm trying to get back into it though because I really love it and there is nothing better than acting out a sad song when you're having a bad day!
Hope everyone is doing well. If you’re reading or seeing this, you’re an amazing person who deserves so much love and positive things!❤️❤️
Thank you ❤️
Thank you
thank you❤️❤️❤️❤️
I needed this, thank you
uno reverse card
This is one reason why we Stan starkid. They kept me sane during this time
God, mood. I first got into Starkid because of quarantine
@@daliah8883 Me too! And TCB!
i started watching the shows in like deep quarantine and now i’m a HUGE fan i’ve seen almost all of them and didn’t have the willpower not to buy tix for both nightmare times and the christmas carol!!! i’ve also watched the tcb shows and listened to starry nonstop for the past 2 months 😂
@@hi_there1239 how were the other episodes of nightmare time?
@@daliah8883 SAME!
“Setting yourself on fire to keep others warm”. Wow Kat that was deep and made me think. Except my problem is that I used to set myself on fire until I finally threw water on myself, but now I feel like I can’t ever light up again. It’s been about 10 years and I seriously don’t know how to be happy and hopeful again. I’m so glad you’re doing better but I really love that you shared with us that your life is not rainbows and sunshine. It makes me feel less alone, and I’ve been alone for much too long 💜
On a happier note, I think I had a better music year than I’ve ever had (minus the lack of concerts). I discovered so many new artists and musicals during my lockdown when I moved to Oregon last year. I’m back home in Utah now but now when I listen to those songs I get attached memories of Oregon and how much I loved my independence 🙌🏼🎶.
I remember what I was told about Broadway: it was an escapism from life’s hardships. Having NO Broadway shows at all meant facing the reality I lived in, and coping with COVID-19 alone. I ended up not making any content for my UA-cam channel at all since the pandemic began. I was just too sad to sing theatre knowing it was shutdown. But my love of Broadway renewed when I realized I wasn’t alone in missing theatre. My voice teacher definitely helped me with keeping my voice in shape and now I’ve found a new love for singing theatre again 💚
For a long time, I didn't listen to musicals during the pandemic because I felt so scared about everything. I felt totally out of control, and being out of control is one of the things that makes me feel worse than anything. I couldn't do anything about the situation I was in other than stay home and hope.
In musicals, a common theme is fighting. Hope, even. Some of my favorite characters have their entire arcs focused around breaking away from awful situations and winning, through sheer force of will and some deus ex machinas. But I didn't feel like having hope. There was no old love interest sweeping in at the worst point of my life to save me, to have a whole song about how incredible we are together. I was quite literally alone, with nothing there.
I didn't *want* to hope. It didn't seem like it would help me. It felt mocking- like they said, "We can do this, but you can't. Why aren't you doing anything?"
But then recently, I got my friends back. The vaccine came out. There was a light at the end of the tunnel again. I can hope now. Musicals are back in my life, and I really hope that they don't have cause to leave again. Thanks for this video, Kat.
I watched Guys and Dolls when I was six and LOVED IT. I used to sing it all the time but no one would talk about it so I just fell out of love with it. Hamilton also helped me rediscover my love for musical theater! I’m glad your feeling better ❤️
I slowly became interested in musicals after seeing Guys and Dolls Jr as a field trip when I was 11.
Honestly 2020 was a really hard year on everyone, I know of soooo many actors who would do anything right now to be able to use their craft. This time has been so hard on all of us, whether we are actors, casual theater goers, or just someone who enjoys a song here and there.
Thanks for sharing this with us Kat, because I dunno, makes me feel like I'm not alone in this struggle.
The week lockdown began, I was supposed to be performing with my chorus with a whole Motown show. It was our BIG show in the theater, and I was gonna be dancing in the encore to I Wanna Dance With Somebody. It was postponed then ultimately cancelled, which broke my heart.
The same week, I got a free ticket from a friend to see Spongebob the musical. I went in completely blind, and it was magical. I listened to the soundtrack a lot afterwards. Best Day Ever is kinda the new affirmation song for this year, coming out of the garbage fire of 2020.
I cannot express how much love this video just gave me, thank you!
Kat yall gonna make me cry! This hits deep... I'm so happy your getting better, 2020 I think was a horrid year for all of us and I'm so sorry this happened to you...
(Ps the guy you dated that loved beetlejuice the musical is my spirit animal)
I’m so sad about the news about Mean Girls the musical😭😭I was hoping to see it one day and even be in it if I could but now I can’t😭
I’m hoping to see it this Fall when the tour comes to California
@@manuelorozco7760 I hope you get to
@@dorothymiskovic7202 Thank you Because I won’t mind wearing a mask if necessary
HEY KAT I LUV U AHHH, and I’ve grown through a similar thing with theater honestly, I’ve started again with just my favorite shows (great comet, 35mm), and I actually just got home from my first audition since November last year, and it feels so good to be back in the theater.
Also jeez I’m early-
Oh God yes a 35MM fan! I discovered it this quarantine and it's basically all I've listened to since last summer. I really love it!
omg yes i love 35mm so much but i never find anyone else who knows it, what songs are your faves?!!
@@gelleries omg yes same! My friend introduced it to me while I was out at a little reclusive restaurant and I listened to the entire thing straight through, and every time I’ve listened to it since then it’s just gotten better, and that barely ever happens
@@sophiehatrick8269 omg Idk if I can pick- weirdly enough I rlly like the transitions and immaculate deception, but ofc like I love leave luanne, crazytown, and the ballad of sara berry. But I think my favorite song out of the lesser known ones is the party goes with you. That was probably like the worst answer ever and completely nonspecific but hey I can’t make decisions-
can we pls applaud this queen pls bc not only did she continue to make us videos amongst the struggling mental health and a crappy year !? she rediscovered herself and she’s taking care of herself !? Kat i’m so proud of you 💖 i love uuuu and pls keep taking care of yourself srsly ! even if that means a break from the channel, we care abt u ! 🤗🤗🤗
Honstly how I discovered my love for broadway again is just watching your videos and starting my own theatre youtube and watching backstage vlogs. I cant wait till Broadway reopens cause I'll be getting to go to Newyork with college choir and we plan on seeing a broadway show while down there.
Kath, I was in the same boat as you between 2015 and 2018. I fell out of love with theater for that entire period. I didn't listen to any cast recordings. It was much more not knowing what I wanted to do in theatre. But I have found what I wanted to do with my life in theatre. I didn't go through what you did, but I understand a bit of what you went through.
💜
💕
beetlejuice is what hit me back in to the musical theatre genre
Same-
@@Ashley-bt1dm I’m so sorry that happened!
@@Ashley-bt1dm I had tickets too; when were you supposed to see it?
Jagged Little Pill is my wife's favorite album as a teenager. She was planning to see it last summer and was so disappointed.
Hey Kat-
Loved your video. I understand completely. When quarantine hit, I couldn’t listen to musicals. It reminded me of the happiness I used to have and I couldn’t understand that happiness and feeling of being free that showtunes gave me. Over the summer, I began my full transition from female to male, but still feeling trapped. Theatre has always been a form of expression for me. I was finally getting the body that I needed, I had gotten the support I had needed from my chosen family, but I wasn’t listening to the music that made me feel more free as myself. I finally started listening to musicals at the beginning of August, and I was able to finally be my full self. It made me stronger. Listening to Company and Carousel and Sundays in the Park with George were what allowed me to be safer, happier, and allowed me to complete my personal self acceptance. Now, in 2021, I am the lead in a show, I am finally my true self, and I have joined the musical theatre internet cult.
Hey I have just opened myself up in a way that I probably shouldn’t have been on the internet but I felt inspired by Kat so please don’t be mean.
I Listened to Newsies a lot.
A
L o t
Like so much I did a Ben Cook Dance class. I got to meet him Virtually and it was the best moment of my life-
I can’t wait to go to concerts too!! I became such a big swiftie in 2020 (this is an understatement). It’s really nice to still have a community where everyone understands each other. You’re right-theater is a family; and I just want to say thank you so much for your content, and for sharing this. I’m so happy to hear that you were able to go back into your passions despite this crazy, unexpected time where anything goes (teehee). Love you Kat!! Sorry for spamming comments I’m very emotional rn😭😭
This is EXACTLY what is happening to me right now. I can’t even begin to tell you how comforted I feel knowing someone is going through the exact thing.
When quarantine started, I felt quite sad and sort of lonely, not being able to go out to the theatre and feel that excitement and joy. The thing that really helped was when I first watched Newsies on Disney +(I'm so thankful for that😂) It gave me back all these feelings, reminding me of why I love Musicals so much👏🏼If anyone hasn't watched or listened to Newsies, I highly recommend it☺️Thank you Katherine for sharing this with us❤️
Last time I as this early Peggy was in act two
YES
.......
She was...
@@rainybopz Only her actress
@@annabethchase8041 you dont know what I know
TW: Hate on a beloved character
Don't hate me, but Peggy is a useless character. She had about 5 lines, and died before act two. She was only there for comedic relief, but it wasn't even very funny.
I saw my first two Broadway shows in January and February before the shutdown and had such an amazing time. Then when corona hit I decided to expand my theatre knowledge because I was still very new to theatre and decided to listen to more musicals like Rent, Amelie, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, Falsettos, Six, Hadestown and a lot more really good ones that made fall in love with Broadway/Theatre even more. I still don’t know a lot about theatre but it’s something I genuinely really love and when it’s safe I wanna take singing lessons cause hopefully I can become a Broadway actress one day.
if you like TGWDLM you need to watch the other starkid stuff!!!
Over quarantine I also stopped listening to them just because I just forgot why I liked musicals in the first place and then out of no where I decided to listen to Hamilton again and all of my love for theatre just kind of came surging back and now I’ve re fallen in love with all of my favorite musicals
Ive been deciding on choosing a career in theatre but I fear I'd lose my passion all the way, this helps a lot. Ure the best Kat
I'm so glad I'm not alone in this. I also stopped listening to showtunes until Hamilton. Then, I discovered Hadestown, and those 2 shows and Next to Normal got me through the rest of the year. Outside of those 3, I haven't really had it in me to discover or listen to any more shows. Thanks for opening up and helping me not feel alone. Love you!
omg the same thing happened to me!! you’re definitely not alone ❤️
@@chelsea.1234 I'm sorry that it happened to you, too, but thanks for sharing!
I hear you, there. I stopped listening to musical theatre. Right before quarantine hit, I was able to go to New York for the first time in my life and see two Broadway shows. I want to be a Broadway Actor and it really just fueled my love for it. When quarantine hit, I feel like I just got lost. I didn't get back into musical theatre until Hamilton. Hamilton has always been super emotional for me, but after essentially mourning theatre for months, Hamilton really hit me hard. Even now, I still have trouble listening to musical theatre but after listening, I always find myself feeling free and longing for theatre. Sending love. Thank you for your massive vulnerability. It means a lot to those of us who are looking for their community when it's kind of disappeared. Take care of yourself!
Really appreciate the personal video kat! I felt this way also for a while. But musicals are the thing that help me disconnect from the real world when theres so much going on, but they can make me sad sometimes (esp with mean girls closing :( )
I did the exact same thing and so many people asked me periodically if I'd started singing again yet. Julie and the Phantoms was my big musical revelation that just got me back into performing in general?
ah! I felt this so much! for some reason, I went from being in my schools production of legally blonde as serena, to just not listening to musicals all together. I wanted nothing to do with musical theatre and everytime I tried to listen to some of my favourite soundtracks I just gave up. it actually also wasn't until I saw hamilton also when I got back the love again. yet, I watched it almost two months after it came out because I tried to avoid musical theatre at all costs. I was going through some stuff in my life with losing friends that I just needed a break. and I finally watched hamilton. it was what I needed to get back the love of musical theatre and I'm really glad I watched it when I did.
I think it's important to not force yourself into things you are not in the mind set of doing, and to take your time getting back into it. once you find yourself, I think it's when you can start to love the things that you used to, and grow.
I know how you feel. 2020 started off with amazing theater for me: I auditioned for and participated in the inaugural class of Access Acting Academy, a several-week-long training program designed specifically for actors who are blind or, like me, visually impaired. It was fantastic. Unlike other programs which can assume people with disabilities take up acting as just a hobby to get them out of the house or develop social skills, AAA treated us as actors who were serious about our work. We figured out ways to make performing accessible for us, we had meetings with industry people who maybe had never worked with people like us, we talked about how frustrating it is to constantly have able-bodied actors cast in roles we could just as easily play if not better, etc. The program culminated with a public performance for industry people and families, showing what we'd learned and what we had to teach them. We were all ready to go back to our respective homes and bring theater to our local communities. And the program ended in February of 2020, just as COVID was arriving in the States and everything was going into lock-down.
So, yeah, that was a total monkey wrench I wasn't expecting at all. On top of everything going on with the pandemic, some of my family members had personal medical issues to deal with which were made even harder by the bigger picture, myself included. I'd had a cataract growing on my one good eye (I'm completely blind in my left) and had put off the surgery to remove it for years because, as you can imagine, operating on my only working eye would be risky. But in December, I finally had it done and the procedure went great! And now that I finally have that dark cloud removed from over my head, I'm like, ". . . Now what?"
I'm slowly getting back into theater, though. Working on a script, my play adaptation of Victor Hugo's "The Man Who Laughs". It's the story of a disfigured clown who learns he's the long-lost son of a nobleman and he has to face the political callousness and corruption which literally scarred him. And he has a girlfriend who's blind. :) It feels great to be getting back into the swing of things.
Last year, I had completely lost the desire to listen to musicals or operas, and eventually lost interest in singing altogether. The only thing that kept me productive was preparing for a handful of very tentative auditions. After that was done, I had no desire to touch music or theatre because it just felt pointless. With the infinite digital content that is being offered, I found myself only wanting to watch my comfort shows. I didn’t want to watch anything new, except The Prom, but that’s only because my family picked it and we watched it together. I think this is a coping mechanism for anxiety. If we watch stuff we’ve seen, we already know what happens and there’s no anxiety about the unknown or unfamiliar of the story, a feeling we are associating with the shut down of the entire performance industry. A little psychology for ya. 😅
I’ve gotten to the point where I will only sing or watch something when I truly feel like it because other than that, it’s torture. Luckily, my teachers are very understanding. (They also had COVID and several injuries which halted lessons and made my empathic self even more on edge.) Be kind to yourselves, Theatre Cult Fam!
What did you think of the Prom?
@@manuelorozco7760 I enjoyed it. I had no prior knowledge of the show, so I watched with unbiased eyes.
@@jessicazeller8060 I'm happy you did
I’ve been really into pentatonix this year! And I’ve rediscovered into the woods soooo good
Release an Audio-Book!!!
We deserve it 💖💖💖
And can’t wait for the podcast...btw LY Kat ❤️
Thank you 🙏 for being an escape from this cruel world and your bravery to open up...which is never easy & maybe the hardest...but we’re proud of you and love ❤️ you 💗💗💗
So excited for your Swiftie 2nd channel video ;) And thanks for being so open & honest on the internet :) Helps the rest of us feel less alone ❤️
I had a similar sensation this year with both theatre and classical music (my major). I ended up following a ton of musicians and actors on social media and watching for their fundraising events- listening to them working to keep the industry alive really helped give me hope and now I can listen again.
needing to take a break from being you is so real and relatable...I felt it
Legend has it, Kat now sleeps with one eye open in fear of her sentient fake plant
Im currently in that phase right now. I don’t know when I’ll be able to get back into the habit of listening to musicals again, but I hope it will be soon! I feel so happy when I listen to them but then I feel those same emotions like you have. Wish me luck!
May I recommend a musical to listen to
@@manuelorozco7760 certainly! Go ahead!
@@owleybird2325 The Prom
@@manuelorozco7760 awesome! I just watched the Netflix adaptation and I thought it was pretty sweet! I should definitely listen to the original soundtrack. Thanks for the suggestion!
@@owleybird2325 Your welcome. I liked the movie but I expected a bit more
I’m so glad you’re doing ok now! I really enjoy your videos and I look up to you a lot :)
it’s been so so hard this year, especially for broadway. I’ve been heartbroken about shows closing and suffering. broadway will hopefully be back soon and we all will head to the theater again! ❤️
One new musical I want to see is Mrs Doubtfire
@@manuelorozco7760 ooo I love Rob McClure! I want to see Jagged Little Pill really badly when broadway reopens haha
@@delphia3303 Is it worth the hype?
For me it was the opposite. Without quarantine I probably wouldn't have been on the internet so much and discovered musical fandoms or even this channel! But I did and now I'm gonna become a whole-ass theater kid!!! I got so into it that I wanna do theater for the rest of my life and that wouldn't have happened if not for you sticking it out through this quarantine. IDK if you'l see this but Kat, but because of you I have a new passion and I've never felt stronger about anything else. Thank you so much.
Alice by heart was my most listened to album during 2020. I will never get over it I am absolutely in love I really hope it gets to Broadway eventually :,)
I listen to b'way/musical theater recordings sporadically, and always have. You can't enjoy things if you hear them every single day, even great things require a break every so often.
Wise words
Yesssss our queen posted
i stopped listening to musicals for a while after a breakup (theatre relationship check!!) and this hit so hard. rediscovering my love after all the pain i associated w it was so wonderful
Hey Kat your what helped me rediscover my love for Broadway and made me as a 12 year old decide to do theater as a career and I even decided to get the confidence to start vocal lessons and my vocal coach said I have a amazingly beautiful voice and I could make it big in theater which boosted my confidence and now I practice singing, dancing, and acting everyday and also listening to show tunes all the time. And I wanted to thank you because I feel that you started this cycle for me and I wanted you to know I love you kat 🥰❤️
Thank you for being so relatable. I have been dealing with a similar situation. I have been doing theatre since 5th grade and went on to get my BFA in musical theatre in 17. I immediately moved down to Florida to work for Disney as an internship and haven’t gotten a chance to do theatre since. It’s been killing me and I stopped listening to shows and auditioning in general. I found your channel last year and honestly you have made me want to get back into theatre and made me truly think about how much I miss it. Thank you for all that you do.
I love to see this human side of Kath it feels refreshing
Hey Kat! Glad to see you posted a new video! Can’t wait to watch it and see how you’ve been!
Luckily, I got to do two shows before quarantine. I stage managered a one act called Love/Sick and I acted as Sketch in Hairspray, (yes, he’s a male, I got him because the original person had to drop out so I went from being in 2 dance numbers to 11). Those memories are what kept me happy
i went through the same thing, i also became a swiftie! i also started listening to mother mother, marina, lorde, ricky montgomery, and more that i cant think of. the musical that got me back into broadway was starry, i hadn’t felt the way listening to that show made me feel in a long time. and recently, i was cast as amy march in my school’s production of little women, and i’m so excited to be back at it. i’m working to make sure i won’t burn myself out again as well
I was supposed to go to New York and see two Broadway shows, plus workshops with the actors.
Instead, I sat in my room, listening to Come From Away and crying because it hit me right in the feels, mostly because I really related to the feeling of loss, but also uplifted by it's message of hope and fellowship amid chaos.
Long story shory Come From Away helped me through quarentine.
It’s so heartwarming to hear you’re feeling joyful and lively again. I just entered the musical theatre community in 2020 and unfortunately living halfway across the world doesn’t give me many access to it. However, it’s all thanks to you that now I get to know more about the musical theatre world, find myself a new interest, and as you said, a “family”. I don’t know for sure but I think being an influencer who always bring such inspiration and energy can be exhausting sometimes. So please take care of yourself because you’re important to us and you deserve every best things in the world. I hope all of us can always be happy and healthy ❤️❤️❤️
These last few weeks have been really hard on me. What kept me going was your channel, I’m not kidding. This past weekend, my HS got to stream our fall play we recorded over Zoom. Watching that show and all the people I love so doing what we love to do so much brought tears to my eyes. Keep going friends, theatre is slowing coming back
Yayyyyyy, we love you, Kat!!!!❤❤
Kath, i just want to say one thing, thank you, I am having that crisis right now and this helped me a lot, it’s pretty hard to be confident again when most of your personality is musical theatre
I went through something really similar this past year. Much like you, I could not - and didn't want to - listen to any musicals, at all, after quarantine hit. I would either cry, panic, or both. And, much like you, it didn't just come from that. I also had a huge crisis that peaked around Christmas 2019, and was still struggling into March. I had been involved in a show over the holidays, and it was HORRIBLE for me. I was doing 4 or 5 people's jobs every night, on top of the massive crisis I was already having. I was having panic attacks in the dressing rooms in between running quick changes, moving set pieces, and having people mad at me for doing my job while they didn't do theirs. Every night. It absolutely made things worse, and was the worst show experience I have ever had. To make things worse, it was at my home theatre, with lots of people I love, and who love me. I have had so many good experiences there, but I had just spent several months doing a show that made that theatre both my favorite place to be, and the worst place I could be at all. So, when auditions came for Fun Home, what was supposed to be our summer musical for 2020, I was eager to have a GOOD show. Fun Home hits so close to home, for lots of reasons, and I was really excited. Auditions were right at the end of February, and the cast list went up about a week before COVID really hit. We only had two rehearsals, none of which I got to attend. I was set to crew, but we never got anywhere near that. One of our shows got canceled during tech week. That was when I stopped listening to musicals. Listening to musicals reminded me of everything I couldn't have, and everyone who was hurting. After that crisis, and after that horrible show, I was really longing to do a show, at my home theatre, with all my friends, as me. Not as what I had been trying to be for my whole life, not as the facade I put up during my crises. As me. I didn't get that chance. I still haven't. That theatre is the only place that truly feels like home to me, and the place I want most to be. And right now, I can't. So, that was that for a while. I didn't listen to shows. I hardly talked to any of my theatre friends. We weren't the best at communicating outside of shows before all this, and we've only gotten worse since this whole mess. That was it. Until the night Fun Home would've opened. That night, I curled up at showtime. I got my headphones. I drew the shades. I put on the Broadway cast recording. And I imagined what we could've been. I drew glorious pictures in my mind. I blocked scenes, and imagined our choreography. I imagined the backstage shenanigans we would've gotten up to. And I cried. I sobbed for the memories we should've made, but couldn't. I would remember that the stage was not filled with joy and dancing, but with the set of a show that never made it past tech week, and racks of abandoned costumes. And it felt right. It felt like I honored what should've been, while leaving space for what will be in the future. I can't say I immediately got back into shows; I didn't. I watched Hamilton a few weeks after it's release. I only cried at the credits a little. I've listened to shows a few times since. I still can't enjoy them like I once did, and will again. I can't listen to my very favorites. But I can listen to shows. I still don't gravitate to them the way I used to. I don't put them on while I iron, or do laundry, or cook. I sometimes cry remembering what prepping for a show felt like. I certainly miss the family I have there, that I don't really have right now. I'm still longing to do a show as me, with all my favorite people. I still miss their hugs, the backstage shenanigans. I miss holding each other through the late-night tears. I miss call, and signing in. I miss it badly. But, I'm not so devastated by its absence anymore.
I was incredibly sick over the summer. Both with The Plague, and with a severe chronic illness flare-up. I couldn't stand much at all for almost two months. At that point, musicals felt a world away. Even without the plague, how could I have done anything near theatre when walking down the hall to the kitchen took me half an hour? So, I fell into movies. I watched the same few over and over again. Moana. The Nightmare Before Christmas. Aladdin. And I watched shows I never got to as a kid, but always wanted to, like Doc McStuffins. All musicals, as it happpens. Movie musicals that have never been staged. Singing kid's TV shows. That was how I could enjoy musicals. Eventually, I got up to more. Beauty and the Beast live action. Frozen 2, and occasionally Frozen. The Greatest Showman. The original Mulan. The old Newsies movie. (Maybe I'll do the new one soon.) It felt good. A lot of those first few have similar plot themes, which I'm realizing now. Being stuck. Wanting to be something your world won't let you be. Finding a way to be yourself anyway, and do what must be done. It's interesting, looking back.
This fall was chaos for me. We had a big family emergency which flipped our family upside down for the majority of the fall, and put a lot more weight on my shoulders. It's all settling out now, and everyone is okay, but it was a lot. I watched more comedies. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. Deadpool. Monty Python. (Ah, yet another show we had to cancel due to plague: Spamalot.) Rocky Horror. Nothing that felt real. And recently, Avatar: The Last Airbender. All of it's escapism, absolutely, but it feels really good. I've settled into movies and TV more now than I ever have before, and it feels good. It's not theatre, but it doesn't need to be. I'm enjoying it for what it is. It's giving me some of the escape that showtunes used to, without so much of the heartache they bring right now. I still won't watch anything set in the real world, and certainly no dramas, but I'm doing better. And I know I'm gonna be okay.
So, yeah. That's my tale of showtunes and plague. I knew it would be long, but this turned out absolutely ridiculously lengthy. And yet, I think I needed this. So thank you, Kat, for giving me somewhere I can vent like this, and be understood, and thank you for giving me doses of theatre, even still. Your videos have gotten me through previous hard times without theatre, and they're still helping now. So thank you. And thank you for sharing your story, too. It means the world.
I really get what you mean with like at first not wanting to listen to show tunes without crying. The day before everything really went down, my boyfriend surprised me with 2nd row seats to SIX in Chicago. The next month, I was just super sad. I couldn’t listen to anything except like really sad songs that weren’t in musicals. But then you know which musical really got me through 2020, Come From Away, a show about people coming together in a dark time. It gives me so much hope!
I appreciate the little shop reference at the end so much ❤️🥺
Same thing happened to me this year too. I then had phases where I would go in and out of listening to showtunes, but then not too long ago really my mom was listening to Still Hurting (she literally listens to it everyday since I introduced the show to her, and she relates to Still Hurting on a spiritual level so it makes sense), and hearing the intro to that song just for some reason clicked and I've been back to being the regular me since then. Ik I got deep there but Kats channel is my safe space so 😂 but yeah I ended up rewatching videos I would watch all the time when I was in shows and my passion almost instantly reignited. It was pretty amazing if I'm being completely honest
AWWW YAY KAT! I completely understand how you feel. I haven't listened to a cast album in full in a while and there's very few shows I've listened to songs of. I was supposed to do two shows in 2020 and one was cancelled (Heidi Chronicles) while the other is currently postponed (Spring Awakening). We're hoping to go up at the end of the summer. I personally kinda hit a speed bump as a writer this year too, and I haven't been able to come up with anything new whether it be for current works or new works I had in mind. As of now, I'm currently trying to edit a musical I've been working on since 2016 and I'm editing a self tape for a summer-stock season in NH. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for everything, but I have a good feeling about it. I have a concept playlist on Spotify and if you want to listen to it please let me know and I will send you the link.
I also have to say, your vids have been one of the things in life that have been keeping me sane so I'm eternally grateful for that.
I came here to hear about musicals, not to be personally attacked about my chronic people pleasing!!
Jokes aside, I totally get where this comes from. I went the opposite way and probably listened to more musical theatre, as kind of a lifeline to what was waiting for us when normal life returns. But I can also understand the feeling of being cut off from that world, and wanting to almost protect yourself. I'm so glad you're rediscovering that love though
PS while rediscovering the MT love, you should discover the UK recording of Amelie! They completely re-orchestrated and re-wrote huge parts of the show, and it's been my favourite thing to listen to throughout lockdown, it's wonderful!
I also had to do some work on letting people go and learning that giving all of your energy to someone isn't worth it, so proud of you that you've come out the other side of last year ready to face this new one :) Much love
I'm so excited that Broadway is coming back and started selling tickets today!!!!!!!!!!!
This cheered me up ❤️ I quit my high school musical today because of a schedule conflict (the show got postponed) and I don’t know when (or if) I’ll be in a show again. TLDR: Thank you for keeping Broadway in my life Kat!
Thank you for this! I’ve had a similar experience myself. The past year or so I’ve been going through the motions of trying to work on Theatre, but literally three days ago I had a Theatre teacher that assigned us a simple assignment to make a personal statement of what defines me as an artist. After about 10 minutes I was literally in tears of joy. It felt like this core part of me which I had been numb to for so long was finally waking up. I’m so grateful to feel this passion for theatre in a whole new way, and I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who has had mixed feelings about theatre.
As someone who hasn't been able to be a part of theatre both from fear of a new environment as I hit college and with quarantine shutting everything down, this does make me feel better that even the leader of an internal theatre cult can lose her way sometimes too. Thank you for being this vulnerable, Kat.
i just got cast as edith in pirates of penzance. originally auditioned for mabel, but i’m super excited. i’m so lucky that i’ve still been able to to theatre for the most part, doing two shows in the fall. theatre is such a beautiful thing for me, and losing THAT during quarantine was rough for me. but things WILL get better someday. and musicals bring a light into this world, that stupid Mr Rona shouldn’t keep out. ❤️ ❤️
I feel this so hard even though my circumstances were a bit different. Dealing w/depression and the feeling of 'not being good enough' made me shy away from listening to musicals for a while until recently. I'm falling back in love with the art form now (partially thanks to watching your videos so thank you for that!), but for a while I couldn't listen to musicals without feeling really down about myself.
Also great to see High Fidelity get some love! I saw it on Broadway and it was so much fun. Will Chase was just incredible and the set design was unbelievable. And that's not to mention the music-- I think if Tom Kitt had done it after Next to Normal instead of before it would have gotten a MUCH different reception.
Kat I get to learn about theater in my language arts class! It’s the only class I’m enjoying right now 😌.
agh i feel you kat
at first (march-june), i listened to and/or watched 4 or 5 new musicals (and was MASSIVELY obsessed with falsettos, still love it) but afterward i didn't really listen to many musicals/showtunes for the rest of the year
I was legit listening to showtunes on my walk yesterday and started sobbing. I thought I could handle it but could nottttt
Kath, that was beautiful. I cried in the end when you were talking about how theater brings people together and all. I have been binge watching your videos all quarantine, I am in Portugal and we are quarantined for the second time, it's been a month and 2 weeks and I just want to say thank you and I love you. Much love, Cat. 💛
Thank you for this, for being so open with us 🤗
I think my relationship with musicals has been similar over the last year. I was directing a play for the first time, to be on in March, and we know what happened there... It took months for me to rediscover the joy of musicals, it was finding Six that got me back to the Musical Theatre fam. Can't wait until it's safe to do theatre again, we will come back stronger than ever.
This was a great video! I definitely related to this a lot. I live in New York, so Broadway is literally my backyard (I'm not joking - I live on the same street as the Hirschfeld Theatre, where Moulin Rouge plays), but during the first few months of quarantine, I was super depressed and felt very detached from anything related to Broadway. So glad you've been discovering lots of musicals for the first time - glad you mentioned The Band's Visit, that is my favorite show. I believe the tour should be in LA and Costa Mesa next year. I hope you get to see it!
I very much relate to your experience of wanting to shed your old life and having triggers that hurt you while you do that. When I wasn’t accepted into teacher’s college I couldn’t watch teachertube content at all, it was like poking a vulnerable part of me over and over.
I actually did a similar thing in quarantine where while I did listen to musical theatre and tried to listen to some new musicals I made a point to try and listen to albums outside of cast recordings, like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, and I'm so happy I did because now I've started listening to so many new artists and songs that I most likely wouldn't have listened to before if I hadn't tried to expand my taste in music while in quarantine
Girl you had me crying, then laughing, then full on sobbing, then laughing again. Thank you so much for being so vulnerable! We've all been through it this year and all feelings are valid. Love ya ✨