Category: theatre

Some representatives believe that, even after social distancing measures fade, schools will begin to incorporate video into at least part of their showcase models. On-demand video allows agents and managers to avoid the hassle of attending a live event, to choose the time when they view the showcase, to take meetings with students over a longer period and to see actors who they are considering for television or film projects onscreen. – The Hollywood Reporter

Charlotte St. Martin said that in the last ten weeks Broadway has been losing an average of $35 million a week; this will remain so for however long Broadway remains closed. If this continues to January, that means a total loss of around $1.5 billion—with the sum heading towards $2 billion if the closure continues into next spring. – The Daily Beast

Most theatres and show producers have been sold expensive “business interruption” policies to cover closure as a result of events outside their control. But believe it or not, according to the insurers Covid-19 does not count. I repeat, the closure of every theatre in the country by the pandemic does not meet the insurers’ idea of business interruption. – The Times (UK)

How many climate-themed works have been presented in the theaters of America, one of the major energy-gouging countries in the world — particularly in our large, well-funded stages? It is any surprise that, given the economic stakes, that it is pretty well nada? – Arts Fuse

Rachel Burttram Powers, co-founder and co-star (with husband Brendan) of Tiny_Theatre: “I started cleaning out a back closet because I thought, ‘What would happen if you made a theatre at home?’ We knew everyone was self-isolating. We both have a passion for new plays, and we have a lot of playwright friends who are very well established, and I just thought, ‘Let me just send an email to see if people would be game to play with us.'” Since March 21, they’ve appeared three days a week on Facebook Live, performing work by more than 20 playwrights. – American Theatre

“Without an urgent government rescue package, 70% of our performing arts companies will be out of business before the end of this year,” she wrote. “More than 1,000 theatres around the country will be insolvent and might shut down for good.” The producer said the loss would be “irrecoverable” and said that without intervention the country would watch as over the next six months “our arts and cultural organisations will have to spend their reserves until there is nothing left”. – The Guardian

“Even before the pandemic, the sprawling company was struggling with bloat and creative fatigue after a consortium led by an American private equity firm acquired it in 2015, and accelerated a debt-fueled global expansion spree.” Meanwhile, the performers face ever more uncertainty; as one put it, “There aren’t a lot of LinkedIn listings for unemployed contortionists.” – The New York Times

Charles McNulty: “While no virus can defeat this art form, the theater will have to change to meet the challenges of a transformed world. While we’re mourning the loss of playgoing among the myriad other losses exacted by this pandemic, I’ve asked artists to imagine the future. How might we rethink basic structures (economic, architectural, aesthetic) in this period of forced reprieve? How might fresh vision transform crisis into opportunity?” – Los Angeles Times

“[A new course at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts] pairs students with professional technologists and artists to explore questions about the future of live performance and technology. Along the way, they collaborate on real-world projects that incorporate virtual and augmented reality, 360-degree capture, and more. … And all of this happens remotely, with the entire class taught in VR using Oculus Quest headsets.” – American Theatre

Theater owners are the most eager to get Broadway back in gear; top producers are more cautious, since they are the ones who lose their shirts over diminished demand. All acknowledge that the Broadway inventory will have to be smaller and leaner to survive. That’s why Disney Theatrical pulled the plug on “Frozen” on Thursday; they would rather try and sell two family shows in this environment than three. More producers will do the same. – Chicago Tribune