M.S. Greene's Blog: Backstage Mysteries Blog

I spent the last (long) weekend helping to run YESfest, a student play festival in New York for an organization I love called Opening Act. We provide after-school theatre programs to schools that don't have them, and the work is SO gratifying. And exhausting.

Anyone who has spent ANY amount of time around teenagers recently knows how much energy it takes to keep up with them. (Or, depending on the teenager, to get them to keep up with YOU!) But anyone who has attempted to wrangle a few dozen theatre kids through the process of rehearsals, tech, and performances has truly earned a gold star in my book.

For the uninitiated, theatre kids are a breed that can be spotted outside their natural habitat if you know what to look for...

Theatre kids are loudly, proudly themselves when they're with their "tribe," and often shy and withdrawn when they're not.

Theatre kids are known to spontaneously launch into British accents.

Theatre kids will take over the local Denny's, Applebee's, TGIFridays, or similar restaurant in full makeup after a successful performance.

Theatre kids wear merch from their favorite shows like other kids might wear t-shirts from their favorite bands - the more obscure the better.

Theatre kids often know EXACTLY how much their school allocates to the football team...and how little they give the drama club.

Theatre kids may seem to be talking to themselves, but they are most likely running lines. If they ARE talking to themselves, they might want to consider a career in playwriting.

Theatre kids may not know the latest hits, but they're always ready to rock the "Kimberly Akimbo" or "Be More Chill" cast recordings.

Theatre kids will NOT let it slide if you goof up and call those "soundtracks." (Those are for movies.)

Theatre kids are excellent at spelling, as long as the word in question is in a lyric from "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

Theatre kids are glad I'm spelling the word the way I am, since "theatre" is an art form and "theater" is a building.

And when you get enough of them together, prepare for NOISE, for DRAMA, and for MAGIC that can only be accomplished when an adolescent kiddo rediscovers the art of play. Life tends to beat the creativity out of us, but theatre kids discover at a crucial age that they don't have to let go of make believe.

There's something transformative about telling an awkward, insecure, unsure young person that they deserve to stand in a spotlight. That's what happened to me. And that's what I spent last weekend trying to spark for the next generation.

Did I miss anything about theatre kids? Let me know in the comments!

And don't forget to pre-order There's No Murder Like Show Murder

Well, as you can probably tell from the title, I've got two things on my mind. First, I just spent a fantastic weekend at my first ever Malice Domestic conference, the meeting place for writers and readers of cozy and traditional mysteries. And second, the nominations for the Tony Awards were announced today. And, you guessed it, I have some thoughts.

Malice first. I always find conferences a little overwhelming (Fellow introverts, do you feel me?) This was the 36th annual Malice Domestic, and the community there is TIGHT. I was surrounded by joyful reunions, inside jokes, and friend groups that had bonded over a mutual love of books. All great things! But as a newcomer, it took me a minute to find my footing. Don't get me wrong, everyone was friendly, warm, and welcoming. Any time I approached a fellow conference-goer or (gulp) a group, they could not have been more lovely. As everyone kept repeating, "Don't be afraid to strike up conversation with anyone." Easier said than done, sure, but once I pushed myself out of my comfort zone (and found a "wing woman" in fellow newbie Lauren Maturo) I made some great connections! It truly is a fantastic gathering of like-minded bookworms, and I came away from the weekend full of new ideas!

As for the Tony nominations...there weren't a LOT of surprises in there. I'm so happy to see so many nominations for "The Outsiders," my favorite new musical of the season, and am rooting for Maleah Joji Moon for Leading Actress. Otherwise, it was great to see the vast majority of directing nominations go to women! (Take note, Oscars!) I'm seeing "Stereophonic" tomorrow night, and I'm guessing it'll be a pretty electric performance based on all the nominations they got!

Pre-orders for THERE'S NO MURDER LIKE SHOW MURDER have been going well, too! If you haven't pre-ordered your copy yet, get one at this link and post in the comments below!