Banff laid off 75 percent of its staff members as classes closed, and the Stratford Festival (reported in a separate CBC story, here) “laid off 495 people Friday and says another 440 will have their contracts or seasonal employment delayed.” – CBC
Author: ArtsJournal2
One Of The Last Victims Of Hollywood’s Blacklist Recounts How She Fought For Her Career
Marsha Hunt, who “never wanted to do anything but act,” was on the list when the “Red Channels” were published, claiming she was a Communist or “fellow traveler.” Why? Because she had defended others’ right to be in any party they wanted to be in. She explains, “It was a time of hysteria and all of us who spoke out against blacklists were punished in some way or other. There was a very strong right wing in the movie business.” – BBC
The Night The Lights Went Off Off-Broadway
The sudden loss of community is especially marked in theatre. “As companies cancel productions that were months to years in the making for the sake of social distancing and self-quarantining, people whose work depends on bringing people together remain in a particularly precarious position. The whiplash of the moment is striking.” – American Theatre
Plácido Domingo Has Tested Positive For COVID-19
The singer “said that he is currently in good health but decided to get tested after experiencing ‘fever and cough symptoms.'” – CNN
The (Temporary?) End Of Box-Office Reporting
The Northridge Earthquake didn’t even stop box office reporting. But COVID-19 has, as almost all movie theatres have closed. – Los Angeles Times
Bill Smith, Master Of Two Musical Worlds, Has Died At 93
His double music life: “As William O. Smith, he pioneered unorthodox techniques for his instrument and developed ways to notate them for other players. Composers like Luigi Nono, Pauline Oliveros and Gunther Schuller fashioned works that took advantage of Mr. Smith’s uncommon virtuosity. His own compositions were performed and recorded by eminent artists like Mr. Schuller, André Previn and Marni Nixon. As Bill Smith, he enjoyed a lively career as a jazz clarinetist. He was admired for his bright tone and buoyant swing, most visibly in bands led by [Dave] Brubeck.” – The New York Times
Waterstones Boss Finally Admits Staff Are In Danger And Closes Bookstores
After days – and lots of angry tweets, posts, and other pushback from staff who said they had no masks, no gloves, no hand sanitizer, and were still being forced to take cash – and the CEO saying “his stores are ‘no different to a supermarket or a pharmacy’ as he vowed to keep the book chain open,” he has at last closed for the duration. – The Guardian (UK)
Actors And Others Read Us Sonnets Online
The Psychology Of Comfort TV
Says one professor of media psychology on why so many people are watching, say, “The Great British Baking Show” and other comfort watches or re-watches: “There’s a lot of comfort in knowing when something’s going to happen. You don’t have to exert a lot of cognitive energy, so it doesn’t feel taxing.” – The Atlantic
James Hatch, Archivist Of Black Theatre, Has Died At 91
Hatch and his wife, artist and filmmaker Camille Billops, “created a vast archive of interviews with black actors, singers, writers and artists. … He became an expert in the history of black theater, not only rediscovering overlooked works but also unearthing the black origins of elements that had been appropriated by white playwrights and entertainers.” – The New York Times