Industry Pro Newsletter: Vaccine News Continues to Drive Audience Confidence Up

December 7, 2020 -

The vaccine news continues to be promising, and every day a new understanding of the timeline to a return to "normal" comes out - as you'll see below, Dr. Anthony Fauci thinks that normal could be as early as Late Summer/Early Fall, and that would be a situation where audiences aren't required to be masked or socially distanced. As the vaccine is deployed, it will become increasingly safer to welcome people into our venues in ways that still require some form of limited seating or related safety measures, but the real question as we head into 2021 is when will audiences feel safe returning. Data from the UK suggests that it may be sooner rather than later - we've got that article in this week's edition of the newsletter as well. As we close out 2020, an unexpected year of transformation, we are also getting ready for 2021, a year where we know things are going to transform once again - and where do these new digital offerings fit in to our planning? Variety catalogued that very question. Finally, if Remy is the rat of all your dreams, we've got you covered as we unveiled the Stage Mag for the TikTok sensation, Ratatouille the Musical last week.

Fauci: With a "full-court press" on Vaccination, a Return to Normal by Late Summer/Early Fall

As the first waves of vaccinations begin to be deployed in the UK and the United States, theatres are looking further down the line of when the vaccine will be out in the wider population, and when that means our business models can settle into the new normal with audiences packed back together in seats. From an epidemiological perspective, that could be as soon late Summer or Early Fall in 2021 where additional measures may not be necessary for the health and safety of audiences, though they may still be advisable for the comfort of audiences.

Shakespeare and Co to Build Outdoor Space on Campus

In a move prompted by the pandemic and audience comfort at returning to indoor theatre afterwards, Shakespeare and Company is taking the steps to build an outdoor theater on their property in the Berkshires. While the space is to be permanent and will be used long term, this will offer the company great flexibility in their programming beginning in 2021.

Expanding Beyond Your Geographic Limits: Virtual Theater in the Pandemic and Beyond

Nancy Bishop of Third Coast Review takes a look at ways Chicago theatre companies have been able to expand their profile beyond the city limits in the era of digital programming.

Variety on the Digital Transformation

Variety catalogues the way in which theatre has transformed as an art form during the pandemic - and what that means for theatre past, present, and future. As we get ready for a vaccine, how do the digital experiments continue and expand as audiences return to the seats in our venues?

Encouraging Survey Data out of the UK

Among the findings from the survey of cultural audiences in the UK were that nearly half of those surveyed planned to book tickets for a cultural experience (with musical theatre being their top choice) in the next six months, and only 1 in 10 respondents had an expectation that digital offerings be free.

James Dacre: Theatre Needs Consistency in Policy to Survive Pandemic

Writing in The Stage, Royal and Durngate Artistic Director James Dacre discusses the fact that theatre's need consistency in policy to aid in future planning, recovery, and how we interact with our audiences.

As restrictions lift in Ireland, Frustration Grows in the Theatre Sector

Theatres were among the few industries left out of the reduced restrictions in Ireland, being forced to stay closed even as other ventures with similar risk profiles are allowed to re-open. Critics of the government call the planning "inconsistent and illogical".

The "Black Version of Lincoln Center" coming to Chicago's South Side

Actor Harry Lenix has already purchased the site that would house multiple theatres as well as a museum cataloguing the vast and diverse Black contributions to the performing arts in fields like theatre, film, dance, and more.

Check out the Stage Mag for Ratatouille the Musical!

If you or your teen at home have gotten into theatre TikTok during the pandemic, you certainly haven't been able to avoid the sensation that has been Ratatouille the Musical. In order to show off everything you can do with our new Stage Mag platform, our team built out the Stage Mag for the musical.

Are You Streaming Content?

The BroadwayWorld Streaming Calendar 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!

Need a digital program for your audiences?

Then check out Stage Mag from BroadwayWorld! This modern, fully interactive show program comes with an easy-to-use interface for building your program. Check it out at stagemag.broadwayworld.com.

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.

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