About Backstage Utah

About Backstage Utah

If you're a serious practitioner, or even the occasional hobbyist in the Theatre Arts, we have Audition notices, upcoming shows, and theatrical resources that will hopefully help you. If you'd like to be a part of the wonderful and diverse community that was once PA, you can find us in The Green Room. If you're a Producer or Director, looking to get the word out for an upcoming performance or audition, we offer both free postings in The Green Room as well as inexpensive Advertising that can put your announcement in the bar at the right, as well as in a prominent position at the top of the appropriate page.

Many of the same individuals that made PA what it was are still here, and will likely carry on the proud traditions and social activities PA became famous for (as well as carry on many of the other behaviors PA became infamous for). So check back often!

A History

Players Anonymous Documentary


Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4

Players Anonymous 2000 - 2010

The lovely and talented Miriam Latour started an email newsletter called "Utah Theater News" in January of 2000 with seven people, hoping to provide a service of audition information. By March of the same year there were well over 300 people on her list (by word of mouth) and she decided to start a website for theater addicts called Players Anonymous. Miriam's husband and best friend (and the computer brains behind Players Anonymous), David, supported her with money and time for this little endeavor. What happened next was something nobody could have planned for. Miriam's little anonymous, local theatre site became an online community.

Long before there was Facebook or even Myspace, Utah Theatre addicts had one place they could convene online, learn about upcoming theatrical events, bond as stronger friends and colleagues, and yes, bitch about the practices and behaviors of the local theaters, producers, directors, and other performers.

As Miriam, herself, said: "Close friends sip tea while discussing books in a coffee shop, sing karaoke to pounding music and the smell of cigarette smoke, dress foolishly to a theme while singing with hand puppets or dancing with santa hats, play baseball in true White Trash fashion, hike straight down a mountain of shale rock in 100º heat, watch enigmatic films all night, drink cocktails attired in fancy dress, do the congo and argue fiercely over political views only to kiss each other Bugs Bunny style on the lips when it's said and done. Friends who would never have known each other on this level if they hadn't met on Players Anonymous."

The PA community continued to grow over the decad and PA's fame, infamy, and influence spread well beyond Utah. The community was national. Global. And it reached out to that world with charity-minded individuals leading the charge. PA sponsored or facilitated many local charity drives and events, making PA more than just a place to hang, it was a place that made a difference.

But ten years is a long time to run and maintain such a diverse and active community, so after a decade of service Miriam and David decided to finally end it.

Backstage Utah is Born

Long-time PA member JC "Swami" Carter saw the hole PA's departure would leave in the theatre community. For a long time, PA unintentionally fought for a sort of legitimacy in Utah theatre. Now that it had found its place and had made its mark, JC knew its departure would be too greatly felt. And that just couldn't be allowed, not when he could do something about it...

JC asked the Latours if he could take up the torch, perhaps in a new and different way, and Backstage Utah was born. The Latours permitted him to redirect the playersanonymous.org domain name, and even carry over the posting boards, to his new site (which is possibly how you found this site). Yes, it's new and different, but in many ways it's the same as it ever was.

Backstage Utah went live on January 4 2010, and had an immediate response from the PA regulars. In addition to the site, a Facebook Fan Page was setup, as well as a Twitter account. Both the fan page and the Twitter account receive regular updates for auditions and other Backstage Utah information.