Art in the Arts: Lights of Broadway Show Cards

A few of my faves.  You can't tell, but the Times Square card is gold embossed - so shiny!

One of the best things about the arts community, is that there are so many creative pursuits within it.  Each artist has their own specialty, so there really is no limit to the art these people can create.  Basically, art begets art, which is a fabulous prospect in today's less-than-beautiful times.  

One of these pursuits is the Lights of Broadway show cards, created by Squigs Robertson.  These trading cards are basically baseball cards for theatre nerds, however the design of each is about 100 times better than any old-fashioned baseball card.  Squigs designs and illustrates each of these works of art by hand.  If his whimsical artwork looks familiar, it's because you may have seen his designs around online.  For each new show that opens, Squigs lovingly creates a one of a kind design in his own style. These illustrations of shows, as well as his drawings of artists, arts journalists, production people, and beyond, together make up the individual sets of Lights of Broadway cards. 

A whole set dedicated to Dear Evan Hansen.

The cards started selling in 2015, and really hit their stride in 2016 at BroadwayCon.  For the event, Squigs created a few Con-exclusives, which made the Light-Catchers (what we collectors are lovingly called - seriously, have you ever heard a cooler fan name?!) very, very happy. 

Squigs!  The artist himself at BroadwayCon

The cards are sold in packs of 5 and each new season brings a new release.  I was intrigued by the idea at first, but wasn't sure there was a need.  However, after buying one set, I was hooked on trying to collect as many as I could.  In one instance, I was told by a cashier at Theater Circle that there was a way to cheat.  In other words, I could see what was in the package before buying it.  After thinking about it, I decided that's so not the point. When you were 6 years old, the fun of opening a box of cereal was always seeing what surprise was hidden inside.  That's exactly the case with these trading cards.  Unwrapping and exploring what you've just bought is the fun part.

For theatre nerds, these cards present a way to share their love for artists or specific shows with their friends and family.  And for artists, this venture shows that there's always a different way to go about art.  If you're interested in the theatre, but have no musical talent, that's fine.  You can bring something else to the community you love.  As long as you're passionate about your ideas, there will always be a place for you in the arts.

Editor's Note: 
Some of you may be wondering what  to do with these cards once you've purchased them. Well in that instance, Squigs' team has you covered.  On the Lights of Broadway website, you can find an official binder to keep the cards safe, as well as other fun add ons for your cards.  Another fun idea I've noticed is having artists sign their cards at the stage door.  I haven't tried this yet, but what an awesome keepsake to celebrate a show or artist you love.

Both this card, and the Falsettos one below were BroadwayCon exclusives.  Aren't they fun!?

And lastly, since I'm a Project Lifer and a Scrapbooker, I just need to say that the cards make the perfect addition to albums when you're documenting trips to New York or to the theatre. That's my favorite thing to do with them.  These cards are sprinkled throughout my albums. When you have such great art, you just need to display it somewhere that everyone can see!

Lights of Broadway Show Cards can be purchased online or in New York at Theatre Circle and One Shubert Alley.