In the Spring of 2022, an unofficial musical adaption of the popular Netflix series Bridgerton won a Grammy. The award for Best Musical Theater Album went to Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. Known professionally as Barlow and Bear, the duo were the category's youngest nominees, beating out industry stalwarts like Andrew Lloyd Webber. But even more surprising was where their album found its fans: not on a theatrical stage, but on TikTok.

While TikTok plays a part, it's not the only source of DIY crowdsourced creativity. To get the attention of their industry's big players, performers have also turned to Zoom, YouTube Live, and Instagram. And unlike those that came before them, they're not afraid to throw out the old playbooks and make up their own rules-rather than wait for industry veterans to give their stamp of approval. Quoting Brendon Henderson, creator and host of the popular musical documentary and YouTube channel Wait in the Wings. "When Broadway won't let you in the room, digital theater is a good way to break that door down."