Alex Freeman - Page 2

This week's newsletter highlights pivotal moments and developments shaping the theatre world, from New York to Berlin. In academia, Professor Christian Parker redefines dramaturgy’s role at Columbia, while Broadway remembers the late Gavin Creel with a livestreamed memorial. Globally, J.P. Morgan’s NextList and Berlin’s proposed arts budget cuts spark reflections on the value of culture, as regional and international initiatives, including MTI’s support for disaster-stricken theatres and new leadership at The Old Vic, underscore the resilience and adaptability of the arts. Lastly, a troubling lawsuit involving Shen Yun Performing Arts raises questions about labor conditions in the performing arts.

Broadway embraces new platforms like Bluesky and Stage Mag, while regional developments include Massachusetts’ live theater tax credit and Portland’s push for funding transparency. Leadership changes at the Fountain Theatre and Birmingham Rep signal fresh directions for these institutions. Finally, celebrations and reflections, from Broadway’s marketing triumphs to the UK’s National Lottery milestone, emphasize the ongoing balance of creativity, recognition, and sustainability in the performing arts.

Colleen Dilenschneider emphasizes the transformative power of staff interactions in arts organizations. Key stories include legal and policy developments in New York, protests targeting tolerance-focused theatre in Michigan, and the financial struggles of Chicago’s Links Hall. Internationally, barriers for working-class creatives in the UK and the closure of Toronto’s Fleck Dance Theatre underscore critical concerns about accessibility and sustainability in the arts worldwide.

Rachel / Media has managed substantial advertising budgets, consistently achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive sustainable growth, conversions, and brand awareness. A highlight of their work includes the social media campaign for Elegies, which gained international traction through strategic celebrity engagement and account development, and the creation of the viral digital event Lightning Thief Appreciation Day for TheaterWorksUSA.

Groundbreaking research in London measures brain activity during live dance performances, hinting at the powerful, collective connection audiences feel. Meanwhile, financial pressures are prompting some theaters to close while others push for new ticketing and funding strategies to survive. Broadway faces calls for a more inclusive approach to honoring its artists, and discussions grow around adopting a four-day work week in the arts to combat burnout.

Highlights include the launch of BroadwayWorld’s 'Next On Stage' competition, offering young talent an online platform, and insights from the National Endowment for the Arts on how arts participation fosters social connectedness. ew studies reveal trends in censorship for educational theater, while new regulations challenge UK theaters.

Leadership changes are shaping Ensemble Studio Theatre and Amphibian Stage, while festivals like Breaking the Binary spotlight marginalized voices. Regional and international updates explore funding challenges, with new grant structures in Austin and evolving arts funding models in the UK.

From Toronto’s ambitious 10-year investment plan to the Garden Theatre’s abrupt closure in Florida, communities are focusing on accessibility and resilience. The NEA’s latest report sheds light on U.S. arts participation trends, while major honors like the National Medal of Arts celebrate individual contributions.

Angel Azzarra is a dedicated marketing professional and the Director of Marketing at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, where she focuses on building lasting, meaningful relationships with audiences. She blends visual storytelling with strategic audience engagement to create campaigns that inspire loyalty and enrich the theater experience.

Broadway Cares welcomes new trustees, while Black Theatre United raises significant funds for new initiatives. On the international front, the RSC appoints new writers in residence, and Stuttgart Opera's Sancta Susanna provokes strong audience reactions. The closure of California Shakespeare Theater underscores financial struggles in the industry.

In this week's newsletter, we highlight key developments across the theatre world, from financial challenges in arts funding to exciting leadership changes. TikTok continues to influence the stage, boosting the success of an immersive off-Broadway show, while Chicago’s small arts sector shows resilience despite pandemic setbacks.

Nataki Garrett’s appointment as Chair of Theatre Communications Group to a new report on gender disparities in ballet leadership, as well as the announcement of Roundabout’s New Artistic Director, and a transition at the Houston Ballet. Additionally, industry trends such as theater ticket insurance and dynamic pricing.

From the National Endowment for the Arts' report on theater resiliency to leadership transitions at LAByrinth Theater Company and Signature Theatre, the industry continues to adapt and thrive. Other stories include financial struggles at Virginia Rep, as well as an update on the ongoing University of the Arts closure.

From U.S. universities grappling with cuts to drama departments, to the financial troubles of regional arts organizations, funding concerns are a recurring theme. Meanwhile, Broadway gears up for a thrilling fall season, and new leadership emerges with Lear deBessonet at Lincoln Center Theater and Bradley Renner at Orlando Ballet.

Stories include the opening of nominations for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards and the donation from Ken Ludwig to save Hall’s Croft. Financial difficulties are impacting institutions like the University of the Arts and Seattle’s theater scene, prompting a rethinking of models and operations.

This edition of our newsletter brings a focus on leadership transitions and legal battles within the performing arts world. From the San Francisco Ballet facing serious lawsuits that challenge its treatment of dancers, to Anna Netrebko's narrowed but ongoing lawsuit against the Metropolitan Opera, the theme of accountability resonates throughout.

Andrea Newby joined TheatreSquared as Patron Loyalty Director in 2020 and Director of Marketing & Communications in 2022. As Director of Patron Loyalty for the North Carolina Symphony, she developed data-driven, patron-centric marketing and fundraising strategies over 13 years.

This week, we look at Richard Ridge’s upcoming discussion on Broadway poster art at the NYPL to NYC’s 2025 budget allocations. Regional and international stories highlight key initiatives and challenges, including Everyman Theatre’s efforts to enhance accessibility and Scotland’s funding crisis, which threatens the future of UK theater.

We have stories from the decline of intervals in London productions to significant organizational changes in regional and international theaters. Other stories include the financial challenges faced by Berkeley's Aurora Theatre, the preservation efforts for Washington's National Theatre, and the strategic rebranding of arts organizations.

In New York, leadership transitions at Lincoln Center signal a new chapter, while regional theaters like Timeline and Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival push forward with ambitious projects despite financial hurdles. Internationally, theaters like the Bristol Old Vic and the Old Vic in London grapple with ethical and economic dilemmas.