If the future is unclear for arts organizations, it’s even scarier for individual artists, backstage artisans and stage hands, many of whom survive job to job. Those who are union members may have access to specific emergency funds, but others are left adrift. – KUOW
Blog
‘You Know, It’s Going To Cost You Something’: Building A New Opera About The Police Shooting Of A Young Black Man
The quote is what composer Jeanine Tesori told bass Ken Kellogg about taking his role (the young man’s father, a police officer himself) in Blue, which Tesori wrote with librettist Tazewell Thompson for Glimmerglass Opera and Washington National Opera. Matthew Guerrieri meets Tesori, Thompson, and Kellogg at a rehearsal. – The Washington Post
Bill Smith And McCoy Tyner Are Gone
James Moody told me that his Georgia-born grandmother said one morning while looking through the newspaper, “Folks is dyin’ what ain’t never died befo’.” The trend continues, as it always has.” – Doug Ramsey
Broadway Closing – Also Met Opera, Museum, Etc. As NY Restricts Crowds
“There is no question that Broadway shows should be closed,” Racaniello said. “Any large gatherings of people, especially here in NYC where we know the virus is circulating, need to stop.” Joining Broadway, other New York City institutions that have closed because of the pandemic include the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. – HuffPost
Warning: US Theme Parks Will Likely Close
Amid the worries on Wall Street, stock prices have tumbled for Orlando-based SeaWorld Entertainment, which operates 12 theme parks across the country. The stock, previously trading above $35 per share for several days in February, fell to about $15 Wednesday before the market had closed. – Orlando Sentinel
Marcelo Gomes Gets First Full-Time Position Since Resigning From ABT
The Brazilian-born star will become, along with Sofiane Sylve of San Francisco Ballet, principal dancer and ballet master of the Semperoper Ballett in Dresden. In late 2017, Gomes was pressured to resign from ABT over what the board chairman called a “highly concerning” accusation of (unspecified) sexual misconduct in 2009 that was unconnected with the company or anyone in it; Gomes has since worked freelance as dancer and choreographer, most notably with former ABT colleague Julie Kent at The Washington Ballet. – Pointe Magazine
Theatres Need To Get Ahead Of This: Cancel Now
Apparently, the show must go on even if it kills us. While the country is staring down the barrel of a public health catastrophe, theaters are up against a different enemy: their ragged balance sheets. But by staying open, theaters are not just acting shortsightedly. They’re betraying their core constituency, older patrons, who are the group most vulnerable to coronavirus. – Los Angeles Times
Does Anyone Even Want The Job Of Running The BBC?
The deadline for submitting applications has just passed, reportedly with few candidates showing interest in a position seen as a “poisoned chalice.” Right now, a new BBC director general will have to deal with more than the usual number of headaches — and there’s a good chance of getting replaced within 18 months. – The Guardian
Rise Of The Internet Celebrity Talk Shows
The passive celebrity interview is over. Now celebrities must work for their press — or, at worst, they have to be interviewed by another celebrity. These practices makes sense in the social media era. Instagram, Twitter and other platforms are designed to let fans feel closer to celebrities than ever before, and have allowed those celebrities a control over their personas that they did not used to have. So, the new shows do what they can to soothe — or rattle — celebrities into a state resembling authenticity. – The New York Times
Germany Promises Help To Cultural Institutions For Virus Disruption
German Culture Minister Monika Grütters promised government financial help to cultural institutions and artists whose livelihoods are threatened by the coronavirus as theatres and concert halls close and dwindling numbers of people attend events and museums. – The Art Newspaper