In an era when “entertainment” often means an evening spent sofa-bound in front of some illicitly downloaded BitTorrent blockbuster, Boston’s performing arts scene finds itself struggling to fill seats, fighting against a collective couch potato epidemic and an economy that’s left many would-be patrons strapped for extracurricular cash. But the city still teems with stellar talent, and the standouts of the local sphere aren’t necessarily those with the most well-known names; they’re the risk takers, the workhorses, the young visionaries who straddle the chasm that separates neophyte from superstar and who are fated for a life in the limelight. Boston is blessed by its diverse community of comedians and actors, dancers and musicians — performers of all crafts, all shapes and sizes, and all permutations of artistic perspective. We’ve selected a few of our favorites, not only because they serve as representatives of the creative masses who expand the minds and satisfy the souls of this city, but because we truly believe that these artists are the ones to watch, the ones who are primed for professional lift-off. Though we know they have many more ahead of them, we’re thrilled to give them this well-deserved moment in the spotlight.
BY SARA FAITH ALTERMAN, CHRIS FARAONE, JACQUELINE HOUTON, ERIN SOUZA, AND LIZA WEISSTUCH. PHOTOS BY IAN BARNARD.
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