Have you ever stumbled on a Hamilton animatic? A clip of a girl belting in her stairwell? How about a TikTok edit of Aaron Tveit? You have been exposed to the theatre fandom, much more commonly known as TheatreTok.
TheatreTok is a TikTok-based community that is obsessed with all things theater. Think of musicals like Beetlejuice, Heathers, and Moulin Rogue. Despite the positive attitude the community tries to peddle, TheatreTok and the theatre community as a whole constantly find themselves in controversy. Notably, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers was subjected to racism after being cast as Juliet in a production of Romeo and Juliet debuting on the West End alongside Tom Holland. In addition, theatre and film producing titan Scott Rudin has multiple abuse allegations from his staff members under his belt that were so heinous that A24 has terminated their work relationship…but not for Broadway.
On the surface, TheatreTok looks like a mishmash of positive reviews and ideas clashing with bullying, harassment, and controversy at odds with one another. The chaos of the community is only the beginning. There’s so much more to this seemingly small subculture than what meets the eye. Despite the sometimes cringy content and troubling controversies, TheatreTok acts as a focal point for theatre fans to gush about their special interests.
The origins of theatre on the internet
Before TheatreTok ever existed, the theater internet space was a close-knit community. Theater fans ran to Reddit groups such as ‘r/broadway,’ ‘ r/musicals,’ and ‘The Broadway World Forums.’ Which then evolved into various Tumblr pages dedicated to Hamilton AUs and the thriving slime tutorial community on YouTube (slime tutorial means a show bootleg). While TheatreTok is a more recent platform, online spaces for theater have been around for a long time.
@once.upon.a.tory A Broadway SIX Queen for a night! 🥹💚 @SIX on Broadway you have my HEART! #sixbroadway #sixthemusical #broadway #musicaltheatre #theatrekid #fyp ♬ original sound – Tory Vagasy 👑
When Facebook became the most popular social media platform, theater fans flocked to the site to network and interact with their favorite performers. As new social media sites such as Instagram and Vine, kept popping up, the fandom followed. Now, the theatre internet is a thriving hub with roots set on YouTube, Instagram, Tumblr, Reddit, and, most importantly, TikTok.
TheatreTok has always been lurking around but didn’t gain mainstream popularity until 2020. TikTok theatre creators such as Tory Vargasy, Molly Kavanaugh, JJ Niemann, and Cara Rose DiPietro have risen the ranks and have helped bring theatre to the mainstream. Once Broadway reopened back in 2021, TheatreTok has become a thriving hub for creators, artists, and fans alike to interact, share their opinions, and get their work seen by millions.
The good side of TheatreTok
Chlöe Wendler, also known as “chloewiththefancye” on TikTok, is a proud up-and-coming TheatreTok creator. Her videos often showcase singing videos, funny story times from her experience in her BFA, and show vlogs. Chlöe sees Theatretok as a way to connect with fellow creatives. For Chlöe, TheatreTok is a harbor of creativity and community as:
The only reason that I’ve gotten so many opportunities is because I’ve been able to be on the theatre side of TikTok and have been able to interact with professionals in that way. It does an awesome job of networking. It can be fun networking, and then it can also be professional networking. For example, if I know like there’s this five foot four, brunette, curly hair girl, that would be great in this cabaret that I have going on. I could search that up on TikTok. I can find a bunch of people underneath that category. And that works for anything.
Chlöe Wendler
@chloewiththefancye the way I JUMPEDDDD infront of my ring light #musicaltheatre #theatretok #theatreinfluencer #musicaltheatrepeople #professionalactor #nycactor #beetlejuicebway #beetlejuice #lydiadeetz #opencalls ♬ Dead Mom – Sophia Anne Caruso & Beetlejuice Original Broadway Cast Recording Ensemble
Networking is how you truly make it in the entertainment industry. However, Chlöe also uses TheatreTok to make real-life friends. While there are still collaborations, it provides an opportunity for friends to enjoy theatre together and make art. Just like most TikTok sub-communities, people learn, interact, and grow. For Chlöe, it’s not just people on the internet making videos:
I like seeing a lot of people on TheatreTok, collaborating with each other, and seeing them in person. I think one of my favorite examples is Tory Vargasy and Molly Kavanaugh belting in subway stations. I think that’s hilarious. They’re amazing singers. But, I think the concept is so cool. I just think that it’s fun that a social media platform can bring together a lot of people with very similar interests and open collaborations with them.
Chlöe Wendler
The bad side of TheatreTok
It’s no secret that Broadway fans can be problematic. Theater has a rich history of racism, sexism, and abuse tied to it. Johnathan Lewis, also known as “The Sweaty Oracle” on TikTok, tries to use their platform to address the misdoings of Broadway and supply the internet with “Broadway tea.” In their mind, TheatreTok tries to avoid negativity as much as it can; yet they also comment on how:
I don’t think theatre internet like addresses anything controversial or even a tiny bit controversial. Well, I remember when they cast was their name Brittany, the first like black. Glinda and there were multiple threads on Broadway World about how a black woman wouldn’t be a socialite in that time period.
Johnathan Lewis
@sweatyoracle BROADWAY/THEATRE CASTING 101: COLOR BLIND V CONSCIOUS CASTING #broadway #broadwaynews #entertainmentnews #broadwayisback #broadwaymusicals #broadwaytok #broadwaytiktok #musicaltheatre #theatrenews #theatre #theatrekid #theatrekids #theatretiktok #theatretok #foryou #foryoupage #foryourpage #fy #fyp #fypage #rumors #deuxmoi #blinditems ♬ Disco-style 21 in the 70 '~ 80's – New Air
According to Johnathan, there is a prevalent racism and abuse problem within Broadway and the theatre community as a whole. The entire industry is built on blackface and minstrel shows. These awful practices have continued, but under different branding until 2020. White performers played roles such as Eva Peron and Anita until very recently. The internet violently bullied Francesca Amewudah-Rivers for being cast as Juliet. Abusers, like Scott Rudin, are still able to hold positions of power. Even with their cynicism about the state of the arts, Johnathan is hopeful for a change, as they explain:
I think it’s getting better. More and more victims of atrocities happening in the theater community are feeling emboldened to speak up on their own. Even if a publication won’t talk to them, or if the bosses of the perpetrator won’t talk to them or the production while talking to them, they can still share the story themselves. Which I think is one of the better things about where theatre internet is at right now.
Johnathan Lewis
A glimmer of hope
Despite the controversy and toxic positivity that can be found in this community, there still is hope for TheatreTok. Joseph Thor, also known as”jtcambria” on TikTok, sees the good within the community. In his eyes, there seems to be a newfound obsession with followers, especially when it comes to modern musicals. Joseph Thor outlines how:
First I think it’s interesting because having internet clout can help you, which I always think is weird. I think about SIX. All the girls at SIX and how they are asked about their following. I know it matters for the image. I think that allows for some intrigue. I also think it’s cool because it allows people like the girl in The Wiz who is playing Dorothy. They found her on TikTok. I think that’s the coolest thing. The business is getting that from this online community. I also think it’s cool because it’s branching out theater and making it a little more accessible.
Joseph Thor
Accessibility is a hot topic in TheatreTok, especially with the rising prices of shows on Broadway and touring productions. So, creating a free way to digest content makes people interested in listening to cast albums, seeing shows, or getting involved in theatre. You can even share your costume designs, performances, and songs with the masses. You may also get discovered via social media, just like Nichelle Lewis, who made her Broadway debut as Dorothy in The Wiz this year after gaining traction on TikTok. Joseph also sees it as a way to make a name for yourself as well since:
You have people whose whole thing is making theater accessible. You also have ensemble members of shows being able to shine because people know them through TikTok. Say JJ Niemann. JJ Niemann was a vacation swing for Book of Mormon. But now he’s JJ Niemann. I think that inspires people to know a little more about theater and know a little more about who you are.
Joseph Thor
The need to recognize the bad to improve
There is no denying that TheatreTok has had its fair share of controversies. From bullying people of color to forgiving abusers, Broadway has many issues that need to be resolved. There’s no denying that the fans are pushing for a more inclusive space.
An abundance of support was given to the victims of Scott Rudin’s abuse. Famous performers such as Lin-Manuel Miranda, Viola Davis, and Sandra Oh reached out to Francesca Amewudah-Rivers and shared their experiences of racism in theatre. Slowly but surely, the tides are changing.
People like Chlöe, Johnathan, and Joseph are working to make the theatre community on TikTok a safe, fun place for all. By being aware of the community and industry’s missteps, theatre fans can truly understand their fandom’s flaws. With that knowledge, they will be able to make theatre a safe haven for the creation groundbreaking art.
