Industry Pro Newsletter: The Digital Pivot Continues
More theatres and events are going digital - and starting to find the traction with audiences to support the move.
By: Alex Freeman Oct. 27, 2020
October 26, 2020 -
The pivot continues. Over the course of the last week, we have continued to see more stories about theatres going digital, going outdoors, going to the postal service - all in the name of creating art in a world that we have not seen in our current collective experiences. Much of this pivoting is coming from a need to survive, but what is being discovered is deeply inspired, and likely to impact the form for decades to come. We've seen it ourselves through our BroadwayWorld events platform - what started as a small experiment has grown to sending nearly half a million dollars in ticket revenue to our partners, with thousands of new audience members connecting to these artists in a way we couldn't have predicted one year ago. Beyond the changing art, the industry is at a key moment in institutional evolution - make sure to check out the essay from the late Diane Rodriguez we link to later in the newsletter. But ultimately, artists make art, and we also have some highlights of artists at all points in their careers continuing to find ways to create even as the world we're used to endlessly shifts around us.
BroadwayWorld Events Brings Our Busy Virtual Stage to Your Living Room
Last night, LaChanze was the latest artist in the Seth Rudetsky concert series at home on BroadwayWorld Events (if you missed it, you can catch it again today at 3pm Eastern), but that's just the start to another full week of great events on the platform. Our Live from Birdland series will continue this week with Matt Baker & Nicole Zuraitis on the 27th, Michael West as Kenn Boisinger on the 29th, and Christina Bianco on the 30th. We're also thrilled to have Interrobang Theatre Project's The Spin opening their digital season on BroadwayWorld Events on October 30th as well!
There are more and more events launching on the platform every day, and we would be thrilled to have your company join us. If you'd like more information about streaming on the platform, don't hesitate to reach out to afreeman@broadwayworld.com - we can, and will, help you stream!
TedXBroadway Goes Virtual, Announces Speakers for November 17th Event
TedXBroadway, now in its 10th year, has moved to a digital format for their November 17th event. Tickets are currently on sale, and they are running a lottery for free tickets for those impacted by the pandemic. The recently announced lineup features LaChanze, Daniel J Watts, Stephanie Riggs, and more.
BroadwayWorld's Next on Stage Season 2 Continues
Last week, we announced the top ten in both our high school and college competitions. If you're looking for a quick dose of inspiration and hope for the future of the art, check out the videos of these awesome young performers! We've now received over 150,000 votes in this season of the competition.
The lawsuit alleges that the arts should be protected under the first amendment in the same way that religious gatherings are protected - meaning that as religious gatherings are allowed to proceed under health and safety guidelines from city and state officials, so should arts events.
Fringe in the Midst of a Pandemic - Melbourne Fringe Gets Set to Open
In putting together the Melbourne Fringe in the midst of the pandemic, festival organizers devised 14 different variants before arriving at the one that is set to open, mostly digitally, on November 12.
From the LA Times: SAG-AFTRA vs AEA - How Did We Get Here?
The LA Times offered a great explainer about the current clash between the two primary unions representing performers - SAG-AFTRA and AEA, not only examining what the current fight is about, but the road that led to the clash.
"But if our board structure and its values stay the same, we will be sadly left behind."
In late 2019, before the current movement for equity in the arts spearheaded by We See You White American Theater, the late Diane Rodriguez penned a powerful, poignant, and challenging essay about the deep need to diversify and restructure theatres boards of directors, and the way in which our institutions approach the creation of art and culture. This week, American Theatre published it to kick off their new series "What Is to be Done".
National New Play Network Announces Collaboration Grant and Producers in Residence Recipients
18 rising producers and 5 productions were announced this week as recipients of grants from the National New Play Network as part of two of their cornerstone programs. Learn more about the awardees, the productions, and the program at the link above.
BroadwayWorld Regional Awards 2020 - Best of the Decade - Nominations Now Open!
The nomination period is upon us for this year's edition of the BroadwayWorld Regional Awards, and this year, in acknowledgment of a deeply shortened theatre season, we're taking a look at and awarding the best of the decade in theatre in our regions across the world. Find your region at the link above and get the word out to your supporters that the time to nominate is now! Since nominations opened on October 1, we've already received over 80,000 nominations!
As Colleges and Universities feel the crunch, Theatre Programs Get the Ax
A troubling trend emerging in Australia, that we may start seeing elsewhere in the world, is that as colleges and universities start to feel the financial impact of the pandemic, more and more theatre and arts programs are finding themselves on the chopping block.
Boston Bands Together and Plays Wicked Hard
54 Boston Theatres have joined together to raise funds for the Theatre Community Benevolent Fund (TCBF), which helps theatre practitioners in times of need. To do so, they're selling "Boston Plays Wicked Hard" for $25 with 100% of the proceeds going to TCBF.
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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