Welcome to Beyond the Curtains! I’m Althea, and theater has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my dad and I’d go to shows together, and the next morning, we’d sit for hours discussing every detail, analyzing the performances, the set design, the emotions that lingered long after the curtain fell. Those conversations weren’t just about what happened on stage; they were about the magic of theater itself—the way it could make us feel, think, and question the world around us. That love for theater has only grown over the years.

Now, as a junior at Kennedy High School, I find myself more deeply immersed in the world of theater than ever before. I’m a stage manager, and I’m also an intern at Artistry Theater and Visual Arts in Bloomington, where I’m learning everyday. Being able to help create the magic I’ve always loved has been one of the most fulfilling experiences yet.

I know firsthand how intimidating and inaccessible theater can seem to people. It’s easy to look at the glitzy Broadway shows or even your local theater productions and think, “That’s not for me,” or “I can’t afford something like that.” I’ve heard it from so many friends and family members. But the truth is, theater is for everyone. There are so many opportunities to see theater for amazing prices (or even lack there of a price). The truth is, in this day and age, theaters are on your side, and they NEED you in their seats.

That’s one of the big reasons I started Beyond the Curtains—I want to break down the barriers and show people that theater isn’t some exclusive world reserved only for a select few. It’s a place where anyone can find a home, whether you’re passionate about the art itself or simply want to learn more about how it all comes together.

Through this blog, I hope to break down a wall for some of you and make theater feel more accessible to anyone who’s curious. I’ll share tips on how I find discounts, deals, and involvement opportunities from local community productions to larger regional companies.

Theater has a history of being a space where people come together to tell stories and connect. And though now it feels like you have to be a “obsessed theater kid” to go to a show, my goal is to help you see that you don’t have to be an expert or have years of experience to enjoy it, participate in it, or even pursue it as a career. There’s a place for everyone in the world of theater.

— Althea Forstner