Industry Pro Newsletter: New Webinar Wednesday, Save our Stages, and More!

October 5, 2020 -

As we enter the final quarter of 2020, it brings a sense of reflection about how long of a journey we've been on this year. As most years do, this one started with great promise for our industry - and then in March everything changed. Now, more than 6 months into this extended intermission, we've arrived back at bright promises for the future. Though there are still deep concerns about the future of many individual institutions, we are starting to see movement towards a new version of our industry. Digital and streamed content continues to improve, attendance caps continue to rise for both indoor and outdoor performance, and more and more companies and industry groups are producing actionable plans to deal with issues of equity and diversity.

This isn't written to diminish any of the dark and scary issues in the industry and world that can keep administrators, staff members, and contractors at all levels up at night. It is written to point out that even in the darkness, the ghost light continues to burn bright.

New Webinar: Bringing Live Capture Productions To Your Audience with Broadway Booking Office

Broadway Booking Office and BY Experience recently announced a program to bring live capture productions to your stage in an effort to offer live audiences an opportunity to get back into your (socially distanced) seats. With significantly lower overhead costs, see how this exciting programming (including productions like Kinky Boots, One Man, Two Guv'nors with James Corden, and 42nd Street) can serve as a bridge between audiences being allowed back and when we can safely produce theatre on a large scale again. We'll be joined by Kent McIngvale and Jenny Bates of Broadway Booking Office to learn more about how this program works and how you can bring it to your venue!

Join us October 7th at 4pm Eastern!

Data Suggests Access Hurdles Impacting Attendance

As performing arts organizations look at all of their policies and procedures pre-pandemic and what they'll look like after, paying attention to access hurdles is an important part of that planning - and a recent post from Colleen Dilenschneider and IMPACTS examines the top 5 challenges faced by audiences today as compared to this time last year.

Audience Caps Easing in the Berkshires

In Massachusetts, Governor Baker announced that starting October 5th, indoor venues can increase their capacity to 50%, capping at 250 individuals while allowing outdoor venues to also increase their capacity to this same limit. This is a 5-fold increase in potential audience members as outdoor productions in the area this summer proceeded with audiences capped at 50 people.

DC Venues Starting to Reopen as Part of Pilot Program

A pilot program in Washington, DC is offering venues the opportunity to reopen under new safety guidelines. The 6 venues participating in the month-long program include multiple performing arts organizations - and their success in this program could pave a way for a return to work on DC's stages.

Large Venues Potential Targets for Acquisition

Forbes reports that smaller and regional venues that are currently independent may be acquisition targets for well-capitalized companies looking to take advantage of the extended pause to expand their portfolio of venues. While this could be good or bad depending on your perspective, it does offer an encouraging signal that the value of venues is positive in the long term.

Is this time different for Chicago theatres seeking equity and inclusion?

For better or worse, the Chicago theatre scene is regularly at the forefront of industry wide conversations - the 'Not in Our House' movement that began in Chicago was an important first step to dealing with sexual harassment in the theatrical workplace (though that conversation is far from over) - and the current conversation about equity and racism is no different. The Chicago Tribune caught up with some longtime Chicago theatre makers to discuss why this time might be different in the Chicago theatre scene.

Michael J Bobbit on NECN discussing Anti-Racist Theatre and Responding to the Pandemic

Michael J Bobbit, the Artistic Director of New Repertory Theatre was interviewed recently by NECN's This Week in Business feature about the way in which New Rep is responding both to the pandemic and to issues of equity, inclusion, and racism within the theatre industry. Check out that interview at the link above, and revisit our own, extended conversation with Mr. Bobbitt here.

House Democrats Include #SaveOurStages Funding in Latest Coronavirus Relief Package

Including $10 billion in potential funding via loans and grants to live event venues, this was included in the latest version of Coronavirus relief to pass the Democratic controlled House of Representatives last week. The Senate has yet to consider the legislation.

TheatreMakers Summit Goes Virtual; Speakers Announced

The fourth annual event from producer Ken Davenport will feature speakers such as Christopher Jackson, Alan Menken, Charlotte St. Martin, and more. The TheatreMakers Summit will take place online November 14-15.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Provides Most Grants in History in Fiscal 2020

Last week, the fiscal year came to an end for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and despite losing the in person version of their largest annual fundraiser, they were still able to provide over $18 million in grants - the largest amount in the organization's history.

Are You Streaming Content?

Then we want it on our Streaming Calendar! The BroadwayWorld Streaming Calendar is the most in depth, comprehensive, and most-used streaming calendar on the web. It is the go-to resource for theatre audiences looking for a theatrical experience in their own living room. The best part? Listings are completely free of charge (with paid boosting options available). Add your streaming content today!

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