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Musicals

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A PASSION FOR THEATER

Pete Kramer's coverage has celebrated high school theater in the Lower Hudson Valley for the better part of 20 years, capturing the excitement of the season. In fact, his coverage makes it a season, with photo galleries, videos, articles, and insight only he can deliver. His wall-to-wall coverage, now on substack, Instagram and his new Lights Up podcast, are a must-follow for musical fans.
And his new gear shop will have theater kids looking the part.

PETE'S LATEST SUBSTACK

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A Must-Follow

A MUST-FOLLOW

Pete's a must-follow as he follows theater kids.
In 2026 alone, he:

Visited 85 schools

Wrote 105 articles about school plays and musicals

Created 194 Instagram reels

Published 2,797 photos

Generated 1 million+ video views

THEATER KID TURNED THEATER DIRECTOR Stacey Tirro is in her 31st and final year teaching at Spring Valley High School. She joins me on Lights Up this week to talk about how the arts build accountability, her connection to her students and time Aida collapsed at the end of Act 1 and had to be replaced at intermission. #theater #artseducation

SOMETHING ABOUT MARY: In this Building Character reel, Edgemont junior Margot Elkins talks about playing Mary, the manipulative student in “The Children’s Hour,” and how Spotify playlists help put her in the right/wrong frame of mind. #buildingcharacter #theater #acting

A new school year brings a new video series, Building Character, in which I talk shop with actors about taking a role from the page to the stage. First up: Mamaroneck’s Anna Cukier as Meg in Kate Hamill’s adaptation of “Little Women,” running Oct. 14-17. #buildingcharacter #highschooltheater #acting

Tony-winner Ken Davenport realized he found his tribe when he quit his high school basketball team and went out for the musical. He joins me on Lights Up: The High School Theater Podcast this week. Bonus: Familiar theater-kid faces you might recognize. #theaterkid #podcast

TONIGHT IN NYACK: Looking forward to seeing @artsrockland reading of THE EXONERATED at @angel_nyack tonight at 7:30, and the unveiling of the venue’s new stage and lighting. Bonus: Tony-winner @dannybur and @theadamgoldberg and @elliott.forrest #theater #rocklandcounty #nyack

BREAKING NEWS: Big changes afoot at Hudson Valley Shakespeare.

SOMETHING COOL THAT HAPPENED: Sat in the dark with strangers. And then with John Cusack. @thechrisgoor @johncusack

ONE LESSON I WISH I’D LEARNED EARLIER: Even though I am a journalist, I never got in the habit of journaling — until recently. And a really good pen (with actual ink) is a must. @parkerpen #lifelesson #journaling #couchtocreator

Read my interview with these Hudson Valley Shakespeare “Mis” kids, and their remarkable director Jenn Thompson, at petekramer.substack.com #theater #hudsonvalley #summershakespeare

See you in Peekskill on Sept. 18 for a special night with John Cusack and a screening of “Say Anything.” #thingstodoinwestchester #couchtocreator #80sfilms

Back for a second straight night at @hvshakespeare — this time for AS YOU LIKE IT. What do I think of the place? #theater #summershakespeare #hudsonvalleyny

This summer, I’m mentoring a group of NYC high school seniors, showing them the ropes of arts journalism. One of their assignments: cover a live talent competition. This week, we caught the Junior Stardusters contest at @ellensstardust and one of my students, Athena Caasi, captured this jaw-dropping performance by @margotsings_ , a 12-year-old from Seattle, absolutely crushing “Independently Owned” from the musical “Shucked.” Another student, Crystal Diaz, collaborated with me to write a feature on Margot and her mom, an interview that touched on Broadway, jaywalking and NYC’s myriad gluten-free options. Read it — and more — at www.thebroadwaybanner.com. #artsjournalism #broadway #carryingthebanner

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'LIGHTS UP' PODCAST

Essential conversations with theater makers

For whatever success I might be lucky enough to achieve within the acting industry, I wonder if any publicity or article will ever feel as special to me as what you have written. Thank you for shining a light on my journey. On behalf of myself and my peers, your dedication to sharing the stories of young artists never goes unnoticed.

K.S.

OUT & ABOUT

Pedro's Open Mic 2026

"Cell Block Tango" with Merry Murderesses from seven of the region's eight productions of "Chicago: Teen Edition," at Blind Brook, Port Chester, Edgemont, Sleepy Hollow, Carmel, Somers and Horace Greeley. See the full 2026 gallery of photos by Karin Shook Photography

Pedro's Musical Reveal Party

Hosting a kick-off event for the 2026 musical season, a night of music, games and theater-kid camaraderie at Sleepy Hollow High School.

A group of dozens of kids pose for a photo in front of a high school stage

Metro Awards

With some of the cast of Brewster's 2026 "Cinderella."

Two high school students, one of whom is future film and stage star Rachel Zegler, speak with a tuxedoed reporter

With future Broadway and film star Rachel Zegler (Immaculate Conception HS) and her friend Alex Birchwale (St. Joseph).

With Rye Neck's Jian Kawai and Brewster's Emiko Dunn in 2026.

Your coverage has encouraged these kids to get out of their own towns and find each other across communities. They connect across high schools, towns and grade levels, and stay connected long after the curtains fall on their high school careers.

E.G.