At Lighthouse Plays, we believe deeply in the integrity of theatre — not just as art, but as an educational and community experience that teaches responsibility, collaboration, and respect for creativity. Recently, Christopher Peterson from OnStage Blog wrote a powerful piece titled “To the Teacher Whose Show Got Canceled Because They Didn’t Pay for Licensing…” that serves as a pointed reminder of why licensing matters in school and community productions. In his article, Peterson underscores that licensing isn’t optional — it’s a fundamental part of honoring the creators behind the work you want to bring to life onstage. He reflects on a hypothetical cancellation that crushed students’ hopes when rights hadn’t been secured, and stresses that producing a show without permission isn’t just a technical issue — it’s about respecting the art and the people who made it.

Collaboration is at the heart of great theatre. A set designer is far more than someone who builds the scenery—they’re architects of mood, atmosphere, and narrative context. As Christopher Peterson reminds us, the most valuable collaborator is not the one who nods in agreement, but the one who challenges you with better questions . Below are ten questions every director should ask—not just to guide the process, but to unlock richer storytelling.

Let’s face it: Theater can’t thrive on nostalgia alone. Reviving classics without reinterpretation risks turning them into museum pieces rather than dynamic works of art. Adaptations breathe life into these stories, allowing them to evolve and surprise us. They give artists the freedom to experiment with form, language, and design, often leading to groundbreaking performances that push the boundaries of what theater can do.