AD Eric Ting: “This may seem like an extraordinary decision, but taking into account the incredible uncertainty of this moment, the cost of producing a season at the Bruns, of which ticket sales only account for a third, the current and long-term disruption in fundraising, … we feel this is our best course of action.” No word on whether the four plays will be rescheduled in future seasons. – American Theatre
Author: ArtsJournal2
In Europe, Cinema Production Has Been Thrown Into Utter Crisis
Even before COVID-19 shut down production completely, three historic companies were in trouble – deep in debt to creditors, troubled by streaming, etc. Then seven feature films in Paris alone stopped dead, one leaving a street recreated in WWII-era styles. Some relief: “The National Cinema Center (CNC) plans to relieve the short-term cash flow of 1,200 arthouse cinemas and distributors. It also suspended payment of the ticket tax (TSA) in March and authorized the advance use of the support fund.” – Le Monde
How Can Visual Artists Survive?
Museums are silent, and the Tate Modern’s 20th anniversary celebration has gone mute. But the small galleries and artists of Britain are in much more dire circumstances. Says one close observer, “We might lose the really interesting emergent art, the stuff of the future, if we are not careful.” – The Observer (UK)
Sarasota Ballet Will Support Its Dancers Through The Original End Of The Season
The ballet says that, “We also recognized that while many of our dancers have made their homes here in Sarasota, and others would be able to easily return to their home states/countries, many of the Company were not going to be so lucky. With our dancers from countries like Italy, who are unable to return to their families, we have assured them that we will help in whatever ways we can.” They expect to lose around $800,000. – Ballet News
The Producers Of Dystopian Fiction Are Thinking Again
But it’s a complex consideration: “‘You do feel guilty about putting these anxieties in people’s minds,’ said Bruce Miller, the creator and showrunner of Hulu’s adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale. ‘There’s no way not to feel like you somehow wished things into being.'” – The New York Times
Is This A Craft Renaissance?
People in Britain – perhaps spurred on by Brexit fears, or perhaps it’s just a cyclical thing, this “return to traditional craft” – are learning everything from vase painting to making spinning wheels and clay pipes. – The Observer (UK)
When Your Book About Getting Through Hard Times Comes Out In The Middle Of A Pandemic
Carmen Esposito’s Save Yourself was meant to be released on a book tour that saw the comedian and podcaster performing in cities across the country. But then, COVID-19. In the book, she writes, “Humans are scared out of our minds and want to be saved. We want to know why we are here, what we are supposed to do, and how to protect ourselves.” – NPR
Arts Critics Reflect On Their Lives Before Social Isolation
The Observer‘s theatre critic, for instance: “‘I am a big believer in walking as writing (or vice versa),’ she says. ‘If I get stuck, I charge around the square and often find a sentence slips into place. I work out what I think more easily on the hoof – going to or from the theatre, or emptying the rubbish – than when stooped over my desk.'” – The Observer (UK)
One Art Form That Can Survive The Pandemic: Radio Productions
At least, once the show has caught up to where people are. “The BBC has revealed that its long-running BBC Radio 4 soap The Archers will have its first coronavirus-related storyline in early May. Recording is typically done weeks in advance of broadcast, meaning writers have so far been unable to reflect the rapidly evolving pandemic on the show. Producers said they wanted listeners to be able ‘to go to Ambridge in the usual way for as long as possible.'” – BBC
Zoom Isn’t Sending As Much Of Your Personal Data To Facebook Anymore
Since many of us are having to use Zoom for work and choosing to use it for seeing family and friends, that’s a good change. And we’ll take good news right now, honestly. – Vice