Musical-theatre karaoke draws everyone from Gen-Zs to Xers to belt out show tunes. Inside a bar in Toronto’s Little Italy, two singers belt out the ABBA anthem Super Trouper from jukebox musical Mamma Mia. Around them, 140 or so self-proclaimed theatre kids dance, jump and sing along, with some following the lyrics on a screen and others scream-singing every word by heart.

The BELT Experience: A Musical Theatre Karaoke Phenomenon

The crowd at BELT’s musical theatre karaoke nights is a mix of Gen Z, millennials, and a handful of Gen X. It’s not your typical karaoke experience where singers choose from a vast book of songs. At BELT’s events, one musical is featured each night, with participants signing up to perform their favorite numbers from prologue to curtain call. Held monthly at various bars in Toronto, these events have become a hit among musical theatre enthusiasts.

Image source: BELT

From Wicked to High School Musical, Six, Hamilton, and Rent, attendees often dress up according to the featured musical, acting out scenes and performing dance moves from the shows. Maya Santos, a regular attendee, shares her experience of finding a new group of friends through BELT, bonding over their shared love for musical theatre.

Maya Santos (in the brown T-shirt and heart-shaped sunglasses) has a whole new group of friends now, thanks to BELT.

The brains behind BELT are the three Toronto sisters, Sydney Hall, Jaimee Q. Vicente-Hall, and Sam Hall, who wanted to create a space for their inner theatre kids to thrive. The success of BELT’s karaoke nights has led to the expansion of the experience, with choir events and all-ages versions being introduced. The sisters have big dreams for BELT, aiming to create more community-driven events for theatre kids of all ages.

‘We want to make events by theatre kids for theatre kids,’ says Sam Hall.

With sold-out events and a growing social media following, BELT has become a beacon of inclusivity and passion for musical theatre enthusiasts like Megan Levine, who found a sense of community and friendship through the karaoke nights. The sisters are deliberate in their growth, ensuring that each event resonates with their audience and stays true to their vision of creating a welcoming space for theatre kids of all backgrounds.

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a first-time singer, BELT’s musical theatre karaoke nights offer a space to let your inner theatre kid shine. Join them at their upcoming events featuring the musical Rent in Toronto and New York for a night of belting out show tunes and making new friends in the process.

Ethan Radcliffe

Ethan Radcliffe is a senior reporter and digital editor at The Toronto Insider, specializing in Canadian federal policy, GTA urban development, and national economic trends. With over a decade of experience in North American journalism, Ethan focuses on translating complex legislative and economic developments into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian readers. Ethan’s work emphasizes policy analysis, government accountability, and data-driven reporting, with a strong focus on how federal and provincial decisions impact communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He has covered infrastructure planning, housing policy, fiscal strategy, and regulatory changes affecting Canadian households and businesses. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, Ethan brings expertise in investigative reporting, long-form analysis, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices. His reporting is guided by verifiable sources, public records, and transparent sourcing. In addition to reporting, Ethan has experience in newsroom editing, fact-checking workflows, SEO-informed journalism, and audience analytics, ensuring stories meet both editorial integrity standards and modern digital discoverability requirements. Ethan is committed to objective, fact-driven journalism and adheres to established ethical guidelines, prioritizing accuracy, clarity, and public trust in all reporting.

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