Caden Marshall, TikTok’s resident musical dealer, is bringing new heights to the idea of accessible art. With carefully curated spreadsheets, a devoted following, and hundreds of show recommendations under his belt, he has harnessed the power of the digital algorithm to connect theatre fans with undersung shows, ranging from the forgotten hits of yesteryear to newly developed productions on the rise. His recommendations hold weight – one only has to glance at the comment section on any of his videos to see a vibrant, thriving community of theatre fans whose horizons broaden each time Marshall posts a video, both through his recommendations and the shared knowledge of his other devotees.
This past summer, I had the pleasure of speaking with Caden about TikTok, the burning curiosity of young theatre fans, and the importance of accessibility.