Well, it’s 2019. Unlike the majority of people seem to feel, 2018 was one of the better years in my life. I did a lot of little things like getting a tattoo, graduating from college, starting a full time job, etc. It’s been a lot. Needless to say, I’m ready to relax and really enjoy my life in 2019. I’m here to have fun and get creative.

I’m not normally a resolutions kind of gal, but I do like to think about things that I would like to do or work toward in the upcoming year (reading that back, it seems like I am a resolutions kind of gal. Oops). I have been sitting on this particular concept for a month or so now. I talk big talk about loving theatre, live performances, etc., but I don’t actually see that many things. Living in Chicago provides the opportunity to see so many different kinds of art, music, theatre, and comedy and I experience probably 1/100th of what is out there. I haven’t really prioritized going to see live theatre, even though it is my top hobby and makes me my happiest and best self. I haven’t even been that good at seeing the major touring productions & Pre-Broadway tryouts that exist here, it feels BAD. Thus, my 2019 Theatre Bingo idea was born.

Here I have listed 25 different types of shows and theatre/performance experiences I’d like to accomplish in 2019. They range from incredibly easy/simple goals (your generic musical, play, comedy, etc.) to goals that require a little more planning and thought (see a show on Broadway or see a Shakespeare play, which is not usually my cup of tea). That’s kind of the point, I want to actively see things that I wouldn’t normally go for. Some of my best theatre experiences have been when I have little to no expectations for what I’m going to see and I step outside of my personal preference bubble.

I don’t expect that I’ll be able to black out this board completely, but I’ll try my best! I am going to report back here on a semi-regular basis to update y’all on what I’ve seen. I haven’t decided if I want to do this by covering a single show at a time or do a monthly update. I guess it will depend on how much I have to say about the shows themselves, but any tips and feedback from anyone reading would be greatly appreciated!

For now, I will leave you will this photo of my Bingo board and my excitement to start digging into this! I have no idea where I’m going to start, but that’s half the fun! Let me know if you have any theatre related goals for the New Year & feel free to join me on this specific challenge, I’d love to hear about what you have seen! My Twitter and Instagram handles are at the end of this post.

Happy 2019!

— Taylor

Twitter: @tlcollins402

Instagram: taylorlyncol