Indy Theatre Habit

About the reviewer

Indy Theatre Habit blogger Hope Baugh - photo by Julie Curry

Email:  amarylliswriter at gmail dot com

I have been interested in theatre ever since I was a member of my high school’s Thespian Troupe over 30 years ago.  However, I became passionate about writing about theatre in June of 2007.  I saw a Neil LaBute play called “Fat Pig” at the Phoenix Theatre here in Indianapolis.  I found myself wanting to write about it more publicly than in my own paper journal or on my family blog.

I saw on the Phoenix’ website a quote from a post on IndianaAuditions.com by Joe Boling.  I had never heard of IA, but when I went to that site and found the “You Review It” forum, my life changed.  I chose “Amaryllis Jones” as my pseudonym, and suddenly I was exploring all kinds of theatre in Indianapolis and writing about them.

I posted in the forums for a while, but then IA’s owner, Joe Urban, asked if I would join the official IA review team and help them cover the 2007 Indy Fringe Festival.   I was thrilled to receive my first media pass.  I almost killed myself trying to see and review all of the Fringe shows that week while still working 50 hours at my day job but again, my life changed for the better.

After that, I initiated relationships with several theatre marketing directors around town, and I made an effort to see shows at a wide variety of theatres, whether they were able to offer me media passes or not.  I fell into the pattern of seeing three-four shows each week.  I started learning as much as I could about theatre and about writing theatre reviews.  I look forward to continuing to learn about this for the rest of my life.

In January of 2008, the IA review team manager stepped down.  I volunteered for the job.  At first Joe Urban agreed to let me try it for six months, but then he told me that he thought he might have someone else he liked better.  I decided I was ready to try running my own theatre reviews blog instead.  I am grateful to my brother, Ned, for helping me figure out how to get “Indy Theatre Habit” started, and for introducing me to blogging in the first place.  I imagine I will be learning about blogging for the rest of my life, too.

But I still hang out on IA, and I encourage anyone who is interested in theatre to check it out.

I also encourage everyone to check out Lou Harry’s Arts and Entertainment blog.  It is part of the Indianapolis Business Journal and is easy to click on from the ibj home page.  He also writes theatre reviews for the ibj and offers a weekly “what to see” email.

I also enjoy reading Whitney Smith’s reviews for The Indianapolis Star when I can find them on the Indy.com website, as well as Lisa Gauthier’s, Josepha Baker’s, Rita Kohn’s, David Hoppe’s, C.G. Cristo’s, and other people’s reviews for Nuvo magazine. 

I like listening to “The Art of the Matter,” too.  It is a weekly WFYI radio program about the arts, hosted by Sharon Gamble, Matt Socey, and Travis DiNicola.  Tune in to 90.1 FM at 4:00 on Saturday afternoons.

I work part-time as a freelance storyteller and teacher, and fulltime as a department manager for a public library.  As an extension of my library work, I read and informally review more than 100 adult and young adult books a year.  Managing my own blog has to come on top of all that, but I am looking forward to trying it. 

I hope that my blog, “Indy Theatre Habit,” will encourage everyone in the Indianapolis area to make a habit out of going to the theatre.  Life is just better with a shot of theatre in it.

Hope Baugh

PS - Send me an email at amarylliswriter at gmail dot com or leave a comment here on Indy Theatre Habit.  Please be patient: I will be monitoring the comments until I can figure out how to add a spam-prevention widget, and I will probably only have time to check the comments once a day.  But I look forward to hearing from you!

PPS - I thank Michael Ries for helping me feel more comfortable getting my picture taken.  I thank Julie Curry for taking my most recent headshot, above, which I added to my blog on August 29, 2008.  I also thank my brother, Ned Baugh, for showing me how to re-size and upload photos to my blog in the first place!

Hope Baugh - www.IndyTheatreHabit.com

34 Responses to “About the reviewer”

  1. 1
    Mark Tumey Says:

    Hope,
    I like your site…and good for you!
    I am relatively new to theatre (2 years) and get on IA occassionaly. Now, late(r) in life (50’s) I regret that I didn’t get invovled earlier. But I am having a blast, now in the middle of my 8th show in those two years.
    I trust we get a chance to meet sometime. I enjoy reading your Blog!

    Mark Tumey
    (MarkT in IA)
    Currently as the “Phantom” in Belfry’s “Phantom of the Country Opera”

  2. 2
    Hope Says:

    Thanks, Mark, for reading my blog and for leaving a comment! I have regrets, too, but have decided not to dwell on them. (laughing)

    Break a leg with “Phantom of the Country Opera!”

  3. 3
    Dane Says:

    Hi Hope!

    Just wanted you to know I really miss your reviews over at IA, but I’m so glad they’ve found this cozy little spot to nest in now. I hope its working out for you!

    Keep it up,
    Dane

    Oh, are you still coming to see “Six Degrees of Seperation”? Let me know so I don’t suck ;)

  4. 4
    Hope Says:

    Thanks, Dane, for reading my blog and for missing me. It’s all good: I am still on IA conversationally, but I also have, as you said, my own cozy little review nest here, which I love.

    I have a reservation to see “Six Degrees” on Friday night. Does the fact that I will be there mean that you WILL suck or that you won’t?

    (I am sure you won’t, either way.)

    Break a leg! And thanks again for visiting my blog.

  5. 5
    Mark Tumey Says:

    Hope,

    Sorry that I missed you Friday night at “ART”. Such great talent.
    It was nice to sit IN the audience and watch a show. After being in 3 in a row, I hadn’t had much of a chance to do that. Also went to Footlite on Sunday to see “Jane Eyre”. Good show with some good talent, but seemed a little long and I had a bit of trouble hearing from my seat. Fantastic costumes. Look forward to meeting you one of these times.
    Mark

  6. 6
    Amaryllis Says:

    I’m sorry I missed you, too, Mark! I’ll look forward to meeting you another time.

  7. 7
    John Hebel Says:

    I am trying to locate a Nils Nordell who worked for the New York Public Library in the 1960-1970 period. You mention a Nordell is a review. Could it be he? Can you reach him?

    John Hebel

  8. 8
    Hope Says:

    Hi, John. I think the actor in Footlite’s production of “Jane Eyre” is too young to be the person you seek, but I will see what I can find out for you.

  9. 9
    Nils Nordell Says:

    Hi, Hope,
    Thanks for thinking me “too young” but yes I did work for the New York Public Library in the last two years of the 60’s. And I know John Hebel but had lost track of him. I only saw this question because of an email from Susan who was also in “Jane Eyre.” Do you have an email to contact him?
    Thanks,
    Nils Nordell (Robert, the butler, “Jane Eyre”)

  10. 10
    Hope Says:

    Hurray! I love happy endings, especially when library staff is involved.

    Nils, I do have John’s email address. I will send it to you privately.

    Thanks, Susan and IA, for your help!

  11. 11
    Constance Macy Says:

    Hope, I always enjoy your heartfelt reviews. Your passion is inspiring. I am honored by your response to IRON KISSES, and was thrilled by your review of WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE although I didn’t know who Amaryllis was at that time — thanks for posting your picture on your blog!

    Constance Macy

  12. 12
    Hope Says:

    Thanks very much, Constance, for reading my blog and for leaving this kind comment here! And for your and ShadowApe’s passion, too!

  13. 13
    Austin Lugar Says:

    Hope, I’m continued to be amazed by you. This blog is very cool and I’ll definitely be reading this faithfully. I subscribed to the RSS feed and I look forward to your next review, especially after how much fun the Foreigner review was to read.

  14. 14
    Hope Says:

    Austin! I am delighted to hear from you here! Thank you very much for your kind encouragement!

    :-)

  15. 15
    Joseph Strange Says:

    Hi Hope.

    Just found your site. I am the Executive Producer of the Mystery Cafe. I have had experience with people who think “interactive theater” is not theater so I am not aware of your views on the subject. Would you be interested in two tickets to experience one of our productions?

    Joe

  16. 16
    Hope Says:

    Thanks for the offer, Joseph! I will email you soon.

  17. 17
    Chuck Says:

    Hope you get to see THE FANTASTICKS!

  18. 18
    Hope Says:

    Actually, I saw it last Saturday night and am working on a blog post about it right now!

    (Short version: I liked it very much.) :-)

  19. 19
    Don Farrell Says:

    Dear Hope,

    Congratulations on the success of your blog and for all that you do to support the arts in Indiana! I hope that you will be able to check our current offering of THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND now playing at the Pike Performing Arts Center. It only plays till July 20th. If you would like fo me to set up some media tickets for you, just email me and I would be happy to!

    Best regards and keep up the great work you are doing!!!

    Don Farrell

  20. 20
    Hope Says:

    Thanks very much, Don! I sent you an email…

  21. 21
    Earl (YVAN from "Art") Says:

    Thanks (again) hope for coming out to support ART. I mean, you are seriously an ART Groupie now. Ha! Seeing it more than one time in its original run defines that! Ha! Your support of our show — and your insightful questions and insights at all the post-show discussions — and your passionate support of the area theatre sector — is truly a blessing — very encouraging for all of us — and we always enjoy hearing what you have to say! Thanks so much for your open spirit and enthusiasm! Enjoy your creative journey — and I HOPE to you see at the next show, Hope! Later alligator! ~ Earl

  22. 22
    Hope Says:

    Thank YOU, Earl, for reading my blog and leaving such an encouraging comment! And for being willing to take “Art” on the road. I loved seeing it a third time but in a new venue. I will post a review of the closing performance soon.

  23. 23
    Molly Bellner Says:

    Hi Hope! love your site. I think the idea of having a storytelling event titled, “Then a week before we opened…” is a GREAT idea!! =)

  24. 24
    Hope Says:

    Thanks very much, Molly, for reading my blog and for your kind comment.

    Maybe the new Spotlight space will be a good place to host such a swap!

  25. 25
    Annie Says:

    Are you planning to go to Theater on The Square to see “The Very Merry Unauthorized Childrens Scientology Pageant”? I am interested in your review of the show….

  26. 26
    Hope Says:

    Hi, Annie. Thanks for your interest! I am planning to see “The Very Merry…” but am not sure, yet, which performance.

    If you are involved with the show, break a leg!

  27. 27
    Julie Curry Says:

    Hope!

    What a pleasure working with you the other day! You are a delight.
    I am so glad your “voice” is out in the theatre community.
    It is greatly needed and appreciated!

    Thanks!
    Julie Curry

  28. 28
    Hope Says:

    Thank YOU, Julie! The photos you took of me are beautiful!

  29. 29
    Jared Says:

    THANK YOU!

    That was a very thoughtful an kind review of my show. I enjoyed reading your thoughts, and would love to have you at performances in the future if the opportunity presents itself!

    Kindest Regards,
    Jared

  30. 30
    Hope Says:

    Hey, you’re welcome, Jared. Thank YOU for a fun magic show! Feel free to put me on your mailing list for future shows: amarylliswriter at gmail dot come.

  31. 31
    Ashley Jackson Says:

    Hope - thank you so much for ALL the hard work you do seeing so many shows in Indy and reviewing them. I have found them to be a pleasure to read - insightful and honest. You are a terrific asset to our growing community!

    All the best.

  32. 32
    Hope Says:

    Thanks very much, Ashley! I really appreciate your kind words.

  33. 33
    Jack Gramling Says:

    Hi, Hope. I’m the guy you sat next to @ Myers Dinner Theater to see South Pacific. It was nice meeting you. And I’m intrigued by the website/blog. Hope to see more of it.

  34. 34
    Hope Says:

    Hi, Jack! It was nice meeting you, too.

    It will be a few days before I complete my post about “South Pacific” at Myers Dinner Theatre. It takes me a minimum of four hours to write each review, and I usually write them in the order that I saw the shows. I need to write about seeing “The Sound of Music” at Beef’n'Boards first, but after that I will write about seeing “South Pacific.”

    Thanks for reading my blog and for leaving a comment!

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