Boston Theatre Review employs a number of reviewers with a strong background in a variety of technical areas.  Some biographical information is available for three of our most regular reviewers below. Inquiries for biographical information for additional members of the team, as well as general inquiries about inviting BTR to one of your productions can be directed to smr@bostontheatrereview.com

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Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa has been putting her pencil to paper since kindergarten, where she rocked the classroom with her premiere piece, “These Things Start With ‘A’”.  She has done a lot of writing since then, covering a wide assortment of topics: from the alphabet, where she was considerably successful with the letters “J” and “K”, to her latest pursuit, a full-length novel on domestic violence.  Ms. Rosa was honored to receive the Mabry Award for Excellence in Writing upon completion of high school, which only further strengthened her desire to write.  She obtained a bachelor’s degree in English, and a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from Stonehill College in 2004 where she acted in ten STCo. productions, earning her The American College Theatre Festival’s Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship nomination in 2003 for her portrayal of Mrs. Zero in The Adding Machine. Shannon went on to earn her master’s degree in Theatre Education (Community Outreach) from Emerson College in 2006, where her master’s thesis, Waiting to be Seen, a song cycle about adoption stories met with great acclaim. Her first opera, The Year of the Serpent, a kung-fu comedy, was given its Boston debut in 2009 with Juventas New Music Ensemble.  Ms. Rosa also had the pleasure of serving as the Director of Communications for The F.U.D.G.E. Theatre Company from 2003-2009. Throughout her time with F.U.D.G.E. she worked on over 15 productions earning a nomination for best supporting actress as Mrs. Willard in Dedication, or the Stuff of Dreams from the Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatres in 2006.
Ms. Rosa has seen hundreds of productions in her life, more productions than she could ever hope to remember- and has had the pleasure of knowing what gets put into a production from all aspects- from acting to stage managing to costume, set, props, lighting and marketing.  Her time, talent, and dedication has led her to pursue this website, a place where she can offer reasonable, thoughtful reviews of Boston area entertainment.

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Feature Contributors:

J. Jacob Krause

J. Jacob Krause, stage director, singer, theatrical designer and critic hails from Detroit, Michigan where the study of music and theater motivated him from a young age. He was the recipient of a Bachelors Degree in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan where he not only studied the art and techniques of singing but the dramatic and directorial techniques of the art form. These skills coupled with his instrumental skills, primarily in piano and trumpet led him to pursue stage direction. Jacob has studied theatre technique at The Wheelock Family Theater, opera in Florence and Israel and has done Schubert Art Song Tours through the Rhein River Valley of Germany. He has performed with the Michigan Opera Theater, New England Light Opera, Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, OperaHub and is currently the Assistant Director of Music at Arlington Street Church. In addition to his performance credits, Jacob has also founded OperaHub, an opera company devoted to creating accessible opera for all. He has staged successful productions of Idomeneo, Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore, and cabaret shows as well as designing an operatic fashion show.  Jacob has also stage directed for Juventas New Music Ensemble (Tramps, Emails and Hemlock, Jabberwocky, and The Year of the Serpent). He looks forward to being able to offer his expertise for classical and operatic works to the Boston Theatre Review team.

Christopher M. Smith

Christopher M. Smith has always known that theatre would play a large role in his life, ever since his first moment on stage as “The Pink Fish” in Under the Sea, an inspiring musical number in his elementary school’s annual revue, Foster’s Follies.  With such a successful production under his belt, Christopher continued building a resume in performing, production and technical roles throughout his adolescence and adulthood.  Christopher most recently worked as the Technical Director for the F.UD.G.E. Theatre Company’s 2007 – 2008 season.  Christopher had also served on the company’s executive board and as Box Office and Front of House Manager for the company. Favorite theatrical experiences include: A Christmas Carol – (Jacob Marley) – The Company Theater, House of Blue Leaves – (Artie Shaugnessy) – The F.U.D.G.E. Theatre Company, Steel Magnolias – (Director) – Winthrop Playmakers, Footloose - (Bickle) – Seacoast Repertory Theater, Fuddy Meers!– (Technical Director) – The F.U.D.G.E. Theatre Company.  Christopher is honored and delighted to be joining the writing staff at Boston Theatre Review.  Christopher, a native Bostonian, has worked with companies in and around Boston all his life.  He is delighted to see such a thriving industry in his hometown and hopes to contribute to its success in some small way in his work with Boston Theatre Review.  He has an immeasurable respect and love for live performance, performers and countless (and often thankless) technical and creative contributors who formulate, form and fashion the theatrical illusion.   This reverence for the full theatre experience will guide him in his work as a theatrical reviewer.

Mary ElizaBeth Peters

Beth’s first speaking role in the theatre was named Jade, a servant at the palace of the Wizard of Oz. Since that first emerald pinafore with layered green crinolines beneath, she has been dedicated to a zany life in the theatre. In adulthood, Beth turned her theatrical passions to directing and teaching.  She currently serves as a consultant and drama specialist to Wheelock Family Theatre, having taken on various jobs there since 2006.  Beth also directs and teaches drama for Watertown High School, where she has led the drama programming since 2005.  Hailing from Chicago, Beth has worked professionally as a stage manager, administrator, director and educator since earning her B.F.A. in Performance Studies from University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) and subsequent M.A. from Emerson College in Theatre Education. Beth was grateful to be welcomed with open arms in schools and theatres throughout Boston including the F.U.D.G.E. Theatre Company, Watertown Children’s Theatre, the Belmont Hill School, and The Learning Center for Deaf Children, among others. Beth is thrilled to be joining the team at Boston Theatre Review, and she greatly respects its mission to not only review performance, but enliven deeper arts discussion inside and outside of the Boston theatre community. BethPeters.org