Industry Pro Newsletter: Tony Awards Calendar Shifts, A Brooklyn Theater Tries a Netflix Model
And Gregory Doran steps down from the RSC
By: Alex Freeman Apr. 25, 2022
The rising costs of production are putting a squeeze on many theatres - from Long Wharf to the Edinburgh fringe. While some of these costs are inflation related and are sure to come back down in the long term, it does leave the question of what theatres and producers can do as they try and recover from the past two years of challenges. Other stories in this week's newsletter take a look at the major cultural issues that existed at Break the Floor Productions, and the shifting calendar for awards season.
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Industry Trends
'A Culture of Sex and Silence' at Break the Floor Productions
Dance mega-company Break the Floor Productions is dealing with new allegations of sexual misconduct and a culture of sex and silence, as reported by the Associated Press and The Toronto Star. As the investigation was getting underway, company founder Gil Stroming announced that he had sold the company and was stepping down. New ownership insists that they have been cleaning house related to these allegations. Read more...
New Mexico's Occupational Health and Safety Bureau Issues Fine in Rust Shooting
The Bureau found that the production failed to adhere to industry standard safety protocols that would have prevented the tragic shooting of Halyna Hutchins. This incident serves as a stark reminder of why these safety protocols exist for stage and screen performance at all levels. Read more...
Dave Malloy Seeks Arbitration Over Royalty Dispute
The dispute comes with producer Howard Kagan over international productions of The Great Comet. Read more...
Library of Congress Acquires Neil Simon Papers
More than 7,700 documents were donated by the late playwright's widow - among the surprising discoveries are the many drawings done by the artist, as well as unfinished works and material that was left out of some of his most celebrated works. Read more...
Broadway/New York
Tony Awards Nominations Announcement Moved to May 9
Citing the myriad challenges faced by Broadway shows in April, the Tony Awards have moved the nomination announcement date to May 9th, and the eligibility cut off date to Wednesday, May 4th. The date of the ceremony remains unchanged. Read more...
Drama Desk Award Nominations To Be Announced May 2
The cutoff for eligibility is Sunday, May 1 and the nominees will be announced on Monday, May 2. Read more...
Complete 2022 Awards Season Calendar
Keeping track of cutoff dates, nomination announcements, and more can be a challenge during Awards Season. BroadwayWorld has gathered all of that information into one spot for you. Read more...
Super Secret Arts Borrows the Netflix Model for Theater
The new venue in Brooklyn is aiming to offer memberships with a single monthly fee that allows members access to any of the content in the space that they want. While there are a limited number of tickets for each event, all members would have to do is sign up for open spots. Read more...
American Theater Wing Gala Returns In-Person
This year's event, scheduled for September 2022, will honor the legacy of Antoinette Perry and aims to raise an additional $500,000 for the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative, which aims to bolster opportunities for underrepresented artists and staff members. Read more...
Regional
Long Wharf Theatre is Transforming Their Business Model to Survive
Looking at years of deficit operations and a declining endowment, leadership at Long Wharf Theatre are working to transform the business model of the major regional theatre to better match the financial realities of the current theatre industry. Read more...
Lennix Secures $26 Million in Funding for 'Black Version of Lincoln Center'
The Lillian Marcie Center for the Performing Arts will be the home to two performance spaces and a museum dedicated to African American Performing Arts history. The project is spearheaded by actor Harry Lennix and aims to revitalize the south side of Chicago. Currently, opening is planned for summer or fall of 2024. Read more...
Adam Karstan to Lead Coachella Valley Rep
Karstan will take over the role of Executive Artistic Director from the theatre's founder Ron Celona on July 1. Read more...
International
The RSC Posts Open Call for Directors
Writing for The Stage, Lyn Gardner outlines why the Royal Shakespeare Company's open call for directors could be game changing. The company utilized a job board in the UK to put out an open call for a director for one show in their next season - potentially opening a new method for directors to gain work on some of the biggest stages. Read more...
Rising Cost of Accommodation Threatens Edinburgh Fringe
The cost of accommodations in Edinburgh are putting increased financial pressure on producers looking to show their work at the renowned fringe festival. In some cases, costs are up as much as 50% from their pre-pandemic levels, adding thousands of pounds of additional expense. Read more...
More than 400 Italian Theatres Are Falling Into Disuse
Of the historic theatres, more than half are owned by the Italian government. While the government has been making investments in restoration for some of the theatres, there is still great risk for these historic sites. Read more...
Gregory Doran Steps Down as RSC Artistic Director
After ten years at the helm, Gregory Doran has stepped down as the Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He will remain with the company through 2023 as the Artistic Director Emeritus, and will direct his 50th production for the company in that year, helping to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first folio. Read more...
Missed our last few newsletters?
At the end of a busy April on Broadway, the vaccine check mandate is now scheduled to end for Broadway shows. While all Broadway theatres will still require strict audience masking through at least the end of May, many will stop checking audience members vaccination status on April 30th. The move is a continued nod not only to a desired return to pre-pandemic normalcy, but as New York's tourism industry continues to bounce back in a big way, many of those tourists either don't have a vaccine, or don't have a vaccine that is on the approved list of acceptable vaccines. Regionally, there is exciting news about new businesses and new performance spaces for companies, and on Broadway, Disney Theatrical brings a new wrinkle to the theatrical ticketing world. Read more...
April 11 - Olivier Awards Last Night in London, Broadway's April Gets More Chaotic
The press releases are beginning to feel familiar again, with Broadway companies announcing show cancellations and short temporary layoffs as they deal with a new COVID surge within the theatre industry. What this will ultimately mean as we approach the Tony eligibility cutoff date remains to be seen, but there is a tension in the air as many shows work hard to get open and protect their stars from catching the virus. Gross information shows that attendance is uneven as more shows join Broadway, but as the City of New York continues to work to increase tourism, there are hopes that a return to a more normal Tony season and an influx of tourists can help stabilize the industry. Read more...
April 4 - 'Keep the Requirements' say DC Theatregoers, April's Top Ten off-Broadway Shows
Survey data suggest that theatregoers want to see mitigation measures - such as vaccination requirements and masked audiences - remain in place for the foreseeable future. This survey data specifically comes from DC, but the Broadway League is also taking notice and currently mulling their own plan on whether or not to extend these requirements past April 30th. The data seems pretty straightforward that these measures are working in protecting audience members and staff members alike - and based on the Broadway League's gross reporting, they also don't seem to be hurting attendance at shows. While one does anticipate that at least some of these requirements will eventually return, landing in a new state of normal will require deep listening to the science and to audiences about what helps them remain comfortable sitting in theatre seats. 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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