Industry Pro Newsletter: Dramatic Publishing Wins Arbitration, Regional Jimmy Awards Competitions Announced

February 14, 2022 -

It's Valentine's Day - and to celebrate, check out our list of the most romantic Broadway love songs of all time according to Broadway stars, along with some other fun and games on our social channels. Across the industry last week, two trends have begun to emerge more fully: the first being we continue to have more data on just how bleak things were for the industry over the past two years. The second is that more companies are ready to emerge from that darkness stronger than ever - with new spaces ready to open and new seasons being announced. While much of the last two years have been filled with programs designed to bridge the gap between pre and post pandemic, it feels more like the current bridges are now landing on the mainland, and not another island in the midst of an uncertain landscape.

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Industry Trends

BroadwayWorld Launches New Daily Word Game

Looking for a fun, Broadway themed way to start your day? Or a midday way to pass a little time? Check out BroadwayWorld's new daily word game - guess the Broadway related word or phrase by guessing letters one at a time. Then be sure and share your score with your friends! Play today's game...

Dramatic Publishing Wins Arbitration with Harper Lee Estate

In 2019, Dramatic Publishing and the Harper Lee Estate became locked in a legal battle over the rights to the adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird that they represented, stemming from actions taken by the Lee Estate and then-producer of To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway Scott Rudin, threatening the licensees of the older adaptation, and forcing the cancellation of multiple planned productions. That legal battle has concluded, and the arbiter has found in favor of Dramatic Publishing. Read more...

Broadway/New York

Music Man to Make 10,000 Tickets Available for $20 to NYC Students, Families, and Teachers

The producers of The Music Man announced the program last week, with the goal of increasing access to Broadway productions and to foster a love of the performing arts. The program was spearheaded by the productions Black Theatre Coalition fellow Amy Marie Haven. Read more...

Broadway League Confirms Mask Policy to Remain Until April 30

After New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced last week that the New York State indoor mask mandate would not be extended, Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin confirmed that the Broadway League would continue with their vaccination and mask policies through April 30 as previously announced. Read more...

Regional

Participating Regional Awards Programs Announced for The Jimmy Awards

The 13th Annual Jimmy Awards announced the 45 regional awards programs that will sponsor winners to participate in the competition this summer in NYC. The list of awards sponsors includes two brand new regional awards programs and covers 24 states and the District of Columbia. Read more...

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's New Home Nears Completion

The nearly $50 million project will open with A Chorus Line in the spring of 2023 - only a slight delay from the original Fall 2022 timeline. The new space is built with the same specifications as a Broadway stage, and the company hopes to attract out-of-town tryouts of new Broadway Bound Productions. Read more...

After 14 Years at the Helm, League of Chicago Theatres ED Deb Clapp Steps Down

Executive Director Deb Clapp announced that she will be leaving the League of Chicago Theatres where she has served in her role for fourteen years. Her last day will be June 30th of this year. Read more...

International

Royal Shakespeare Company Partners with TikTok to Offer Subsidized Seats

The RSC has committed to a partnership with TikTok that will see them creating more content for the platform, including behind the scenes looks at the productions. In addition, TikTok users will be able to book tickets for £10. Read more...

Commercial Theatre Companies Report Revenue Losses of 90%

Commercial theatre producers in the UK have reported losses due to the COVID pandemic of more than 90% year over year - mostly stemming from the closure of their venues for more than a full year. Read more...

Missed our last few newsletters?

February 7 - Shelly Lowe Confirmed as NEH Chair, Broadway Data Shows Reopening Did Not Go As Planned

While the data from the late fall and early winter show that Broadway's reopening didn't go as planned, and the usual January closing announcements were an emotional blow after the Omicron related surge, the slate of opening dates announced on Broadway for early to mid-April (to make the Tony eligibility cutoff), have many in the industry starting to feel optimistic that this time a corner has truly been turned. Add on that many states are continuing to scale back various restrictions, and the wider workplace is beginning to treat COVID as something endemic, as opposed to a pandemic. While this will bring with it a new set of challenges, and other industry concerns require a rethinking of what was once business as usual, the work of getting to the new normal may be starting to come with fewer external jolts to the system. Read more...

January 31 - Smaller Shows Feel the Squeeze, CTG Eyes Transformation

The virus related news is looking better this week, as New York's COVID positivity rate continues a rapid decline. However, that doesn't mean the wider theatre industry is out of the woods quite yet, as attention can once again shift to the other changes in artist and audience sentiment in the wider Cultural Industry. While we've thought we were looking at this turning point before, that doesn't change the fact that the work to bring further equity to the industry remains ongoing, and as companies continue to chart their paths forward, many are working to build that equity into their recovery. Read more...

January 24 - New Pay Equity Standards, Audiences Want Vaccine Mandates

Much of the industry felt a little bit on hold the last week, as public health officials began more open discussions that the latest wave of the coronavirus may be starting to trend downward in many places. While that still means some restrictions and caution across the globe, it does also mean that many companies that have been able to weather the storm are once again preparing to reopen - holding those plans as loosely as they are able. In New York, some governmental support may be renewed for the performing arts sector in the form of the New York City Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit. Meanwhile last week, members of the creative economy were in front of the House Small Business Committee to lobby for more support from a national level. Read more

BroadwayWorld Resources

BroadwayWorld Stage Mag - A Fully Interactive Show Program

The digital solution to your show program needs - want to see what's possible? Check out the Stage Mag's for off-Broadway's Blindness and for Next on Stage Season 3! Then start building your own at stagemag.broadwayworld.com.

Add Your Show to our Regional Events Calendar

As audiences get set to return to in-person performances, and as your company works to market your own return to the stage, make sure you've got your upcoming shows in our regional events calendars. Listings are free of charge, with boosting options available. Get your show listed now!

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