Industry Pro Newsletter: Shucked's Journey to Broadway, A Complete Awards Season Calendar

Actors' Equity Association has threatened to strike over touring contracts. The union opposes proposed changes to contracts by the Broadway League that would reduce pay for actors and stage managers on national tours. SHUCKED, a musical that debuted in Utah, has raised questions about the use of non-profit venues for regional tryouts, which allow producers to develop shows with less media attention and at lower costs. The Tank, a non-profit arts organization in New York City, has launched a new producers cohort program to provide mentorship to producers from underrepresented communities. Harold Steward has been named the new Executive Director of the New England Foundation for the Arts, while Kimberly E. Douglas has been named the new Managing Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company.

SUBSCRIBE NOW - Want this newsletter delivered to your inbox every Monday? Make sure and subscribe using the form at the top or bottom of this page to join the Industry Pro mailing list.

Employment Opportunity

Senior Manager, Marketing - George Street Playhouse

The Senior Manager, Marketing is responsible for assisting in the development and execution of marketing strategies for George Street Playhouse, its mainstage productions, educational programming and special events. This position is responsible for the monitoring and supervision of work-for-hire entities when applicable, specifically including but not limited to firms engaged to manage digital marketing, creative, and public relations. Click here to learn more...

Industry Trends

AEA Threatens Strike Over Touring Contracts

The Actors' Equity Association (AEA) has threatened a strike over touring contracts. The union is in disagreement with the Broadway League over proposed changes to contracts that would reduce pay for actors and stage managers on national tours. Click here to read more....

Broadway/New York

Should SHUCKED's Unusual Path to Broadway Be Replicated? By Cara Joy David

When SHUCKED opened on Broadway last week, it marked the first time a musical that tried out solely in Utah made it to the big time. We hear a lot about the more mainstream regional tryout venues--La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, 5th Avenue Theatre--but very few producers utilize lesser-known non-profits to try out their shows.

"Pioneer Theatre ticked off a lot of boxes for us," SHUCKED lead producer Mike Bosner said. "It was kind of this hybrid version of a workshop and a big out-of-town production. We got two and a half weeks in front of an audience, which is not a typical run that you would get at La Jolla or anywhere like that. It didn't cost nearly as much as whatever that would have cost, or a workshop would have cost, and it allowed us the opportunity to not be under the microscope like you are at those other theaters."

Since the rise of social media, producers have been grumbling about the amount of attention they receive during out-of-town tryouts. It feels impossible to develop a show under the radar if known talent is involved. The exceptions seem to be when the shows are at less high-profile theaters.

Mega-producer Daryl Roth developed her musical version of the Jodi Picoult-Samantha van Leer novel BETWEEN THE LINES--which hit off-Broadway last season--at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

"When looking for an out-of-town theater, it's important to find a safe harbor where there will be dramaturgical support, a receptive audience, and a good working environment for the creative team," Roth stated. "The artistic director [at KC Rep] at the time was someone I knew and admired for his dramaturgical skills, and I loved that the theater was on a university campus... Also, the cultural community in Kansas City is very strong and supportive of new theater."

While in development, BETWEEN THE LINES escaped much of the press attention it would have received if it had been presented on a coast. Of course, there is a flip side to that. Some producers seek out higher-profile engagements for multiple reasons. One is, given the importance of critical reception in New York, some are of the belief that tougher critics (and audiences) out-of-town are more helpful in developing a piece. Another is artistic staff support--the theory goes that theaters more used to dealing with tryouts are better at it. And then there is location: it's often easier to sell San Diego than Salt Lake City to artists.

Still, there is a lot to be said for utilizing more of the country. Not only will you be able to leave less of a footprint, there is also cost to consider. Bosner explained the SHUCKED stint at the Pioneer was half of what a workshop in New York would have been and considerably less than half of what a full tryout at a major regional would have been.

"They paid for almost everything," Bosner said. "Where I would be enhancing is to bring out our creative team, and, they are able to use a certain amount of non-equity actors, but we paid to have additional equity actors. Small things."

Now, Bosner treated the Pioneer as a quasi-workshop, in the sense that the intention was to run through the show, not to get the entire physical production down. (SHUCKED already had its money, so selling a final product was not a factor.) Part of the reason runs at major regionals cost millions is because much of the physical production is built and tested (which then saves some money later if a transfer happens). But it is well known that more well-known theaters are also simply requiring more enhancement money than ever before. Commercial producers are footing the bill for almost everything. That might be worth it in some cases, but not always.

The Tank Launches Producers Cohort

The Tank, a non-profit arts organization in New York City, has launched a new producers cohort program. The initiative aims to provide training and mentorship to producers from underrepresented communities who have traditionally been excluded from producing opportunities. Click here to read more...

BroadwayWorld's Complete Guide to the 2023 Awards Season

A complete calendar of the 2023 Broadway Awards season has been released. The list includes dates for the Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and other major theatrical awards ceremonies. Click here to read more...

Regional

In Dallas, 70 is the New 100

Dallas arts organizations are facing a post-pandemic reality where 70% capacity is the new 100%. The article discusses the challenges that performing arts organizations are facing in terms of budgeting and programming in a post-pandemic world. Click here to read more...

Harold Steward New Executive Director of NEFA

Harold Steward has been named the new Executive Director of the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA). Steward is a respected arts leader with experience in community engagement and artist support programs. Click here to read more...

Woolly Mammoth Names Kimberly E. Douglas Managing Director

Kimberly E. Douglas has been named the new Managing Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, DC. Douglas brings extensive experience in arts management to her new role. Click here to read more...

International

Stratford Festival Posts a Surplus

The Stratford Festival in Canada has posted a moderate surplus in its first fully indoor festival since 2020. The festival featured a mix of classic and contemporary works, including several new Canadian plays. Click here to read more...

Shortcomings in Diversity Efforts in the UK

An article in The Conversation discusses the shortcomings of diversity tactics in the creative industries. The author argues that current efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in the arts are not sufficient and suggests alternative approaches to addressing the issue. Click here to read more...

Missed our last few newsletters?

April 3, 2023 - AEA Forms a PAC, Visa Fees for Artists on the Rise, Winners of the Oliviers

AEA has created a Political Action Committee that will help advance the interests of its members through political advocacy, lobbying, and electoral support. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is considering increasing visa fees for International Artists and entertainers traveling to the US. The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, which recognizes outstanding plays written by women, has been won by playwright Sarah Mantell for their play "In the Amazon Warehouse Parking Lot". Finally, the Lucille Lortel Theatre, a well-known rental venue in New York City, is expanding its footprint and has purchased a new building in Chelsea to develop new works, with playwright Caridad Svich as Artistic Director of New Play Development and Michael Heitzman as Artistic Director of New Musical Development. Click here to read more...

March 27, 2023 - Six Recoups, Government Funding Shifts in Australia and Canada

Governmental funding shifts continue around the globe as governments reveal their latest budget proposals - often with some form of a decrease of support for the creative economy as these countries wind down the support they offered at the height of the pandemic. In Australia, that is threatening the future of Arts Center Melbourne, in Canada it is taking the form of a reduction in one-time grants for organizations. Click here to read more...

March 20, 2023 - UK Extends Tax Relief, Room Won't Come to Broadway

While the UK grapples with unruly audiences (not an issue unique to the West End by any means), one critic makes the case that the way we are discussing unruly audiences doesn't have the best interest of the art form in mind - that it gives it a sense of snobbishness that doesn't invite more audiences in to enjoy a show. Also in the UK, some of the tax relief given to the sector during the pandemic has been extended, and Cara Joy David explores the challenges faced by mid-career playwrights. Click here to 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 A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and for The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)! 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

Want this newsletter in your inbox every week? Subscribe here.

Want more information about marketing options with BroadwayWorld? Request a media kit here and a member of our sales and marketing team will reach out promptly.

To post a comment, you must register and login.