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| Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre | |
| Posted by: goodfriendnj 12:52 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| I think it would be interesting to start hearing what people are thinking about in terms of how live theatre is going to look as we bravely move forward. I'm not anticipating nor expecting specifics, but rather just what are you general thoughts about "how it might look." I think it would be interesting to hear from historians, perhaps such as Boze Hadleigh, Ethan Morrden, Jack Viertel, etc. (These are just a few examples, I realize there are many more. Seth Rudetsky, perhaps?) I propose we don't look at the doom and gloom. Yes, that's a part of it, and quite possibly a reality. But, if we approach it from a "we will get through this, but how" standpoint, this discussion could be interesting and possibly enlightening. I'll start by saying things are going to look vastly different: Smaller shows, distance seating, face masks and ushers taking temperatures. Who knows. One thing is for sure: the finances are going to radically change. And by that I mean to say: No one is going to make the same kind of money they used to make -- and that goes for producers, talent, union crews and staff. Shows will likely need to scale down, at least for awhile, and ticket prices will need to come down, at least to encourage people to walk into a theatre again, if nothing else. The capital consumptive nature of theatre has to change in order to survive. Is something akin to the Federal Theatre Project a possible, perhaps only, solution, at least for a period of time? Please, let's not turn this into a right/left, or liberal/conservative debate nor argument. I propose this to be CONSTRUCTIVE, INFORMATIVE and INSPIRATIONAL. Yes, I have hope, and I hope you do, too. But it's going to take some deep soul searching, and lots of forward thinking. There will be plenty of time to second guess the past and cajole us with your stories of the past. But what is 2021 going to look like? Thoughts? |
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| re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre | |
| Posted by: MattPhilly 05:29 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| In reply to: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre - goodfriendnj 12:52 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| Let me preface this post with the fact that I am very much an optimist and that hasn't changed in the face of Covid... First, theatre has survived for thousands of years and there is no doubt that it will survive this. Now, theatre has also changed dramatically over that time, and I am sure it will change now. Is that a bad thing? Not really. Change is good. I am hoping that this change will ultimately be a positive one. In fact, I think that our entire will change, and again, I hope (think) it will be in a positive way. Regional theatre will come back more quickly than commercial Broadway. It might look different, perhaps with shorter seasons for a couple of years, and smaller scale productions. However, I follow many of these companies and artists on social media, and they are all working away, perfecting their art, creating in their own ways. Think of some of the heavenly art we will see when people emerge from quarantine. Broadway will likely be different. Sadly, several shows will not return, and there will likely be a good number of dark theatres for awhile. If Broadway returns this fall (I am optimistic!) there will likely be very few, if any new productions, save the Music Man and shows that were meant to open this spring. Broadway productions may well be geared towards local audiences rather than tourists for awhile. Producers, companies, and actors seem optimistic. Fall seasons have been announced for many regionals, opera companies, symphonies, ballet companies. Sure, that can change, but its hope. For so many of us, theatre is our happy place, our hope. I am going to continue to hold out hope for a swift return to our happy place! |
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| re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 05:41 am EDT 04/23/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre - MattPhilly 05:29 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| There's a theory that if we have a very hot spring/summer, the virus will completely die (or more likely hibernate), new case infections will cease, and deaths will stop. If there are 2 straight months of no new cases and no deaths, I can see small regional theaters starting up again in September. Unfortunately, Broadway is another matter. New York City is densely populated and undoubtedly has thousands and thousands of people who are particularly vulnerable to this virus. Dr. Fauci and the CDC are predicting a very strong 2nd wave for the fall and winter months that may be worse than what we are currently facing. Other countries like China, South Korea, and Germany (to name a few) have put in place comprehensive mass testing procedures that seem to be working in containing the virus. They literally test more than 100 times the number of people every day than we do in the United States. Sadly the sharp political divide between left and right in our country currently makes such an approach impossible right now. Although I prefer to be an optimist, I'm afraid we are going to pay a terrible price for our stubbornness and ignorance of science. |
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| re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre | |
| Posted by: NewsGuy 03:17 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| In reply to: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre - goodfriendnj 12:52 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| Is there a worry or concern that all of this may have caused a bit of a "brain drain" when it comes to talent in New York City and perhaps some other areas?....as in people leaving town and headed back home with the family to get their bearings straight or go into another career altogether and leaving the industry, per se, etc. etc. etc.? | |
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| re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre | |
| Posted by: mattyp4 03:16 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| In reply to: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre - goodfriendnj 12:52 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| I don't mean to be a pessimist but I don't see theater (or concerts or sporting events, etc) coming back until there's a vaccine... which could mean next spring. But I kind of think it's a nonstarter to think about theater returning before then. I know it's devastating but I can't really see it any other way. Even with antibody testing, you can't really put on shows with just a certain amount of people (with confirmed covid antibodies). I think for the next year we just have to figure out ways to support performing artists & institutions that don't require mass gatherings. I don't know how far the stimulus packages & fundraisers are going to go, but one thing I thought of was some sort of paid livestream of shows, both new & old. I wonder if they are able to use the NYPL Performing Arts recordings? I know there are a slew of union rules they'd have to sort out but what better time to figure that out than now! Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures. |
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| re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre | |
| Posted by: JAllenC3 02:39 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| In reply to: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre - goodfriendnj 12:52 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| I think it'll be less about when people are ready to go back to the theater and more when the actors feel comfortable being in them. Musicals especially are petri dishes when it comes to the actors. You cannot socially distance while singing All I Ask of You for example. And would Equity really allow for less pay for the actors whose risk factor would still be high? I also think live theater will be looking closely at what happens in movie theaters which are far less financially dependent on selling out an entire theater for every showtime to see how audiences respond. |
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| re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre | |
| Posted by: BillEadie 04:32 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre - JAllenC3 02:39 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| I received today a season announcement from one major regional theatre here, with performances beginning in September. Same is true for another major theatre, which announced new dates for its postponed productions, again beginning in September. Of course, both companies qualified these announcements saying that these dates were contingent on official rulings on gatherings. San Diego is doing reasonably well, in terms of flattening the curve, but everything that involves crowds of any size this summer has been canceled, including ComicCon. Bill, in San Diego |
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| re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre | |
| Posted by: caps17 02:01 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| In reply to: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre - goodfriendnj 12:52 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| There are recent surveys that show only about 30% of theatergoers are very likely to return immediately and almost as many who are very unlikely. The data also show that almost 1 in 2 will wait several moths or more before returning. On top of the survey data, there is increased talk about wave two of the virus in the fall or winter. This suggests theater audiences will be down. The poor economy is a supporting reason people won't pay to go to the theater. The leading one is concerns about their health. To go back, the survey says, most would wait for a vaccine. But there are things the data suggest that could impact the decision including disinfecting theaters before each performance, having hand sanitizers available, socially distanced seating, and masks available. While socially distanced seating (say, every other seat) seems financially not possible, if only about half the usual size audience returns, it could be possible initially (more so at non-profits than Broadway). Despite the health risks, the data also say that price could get people out, so I agree that "welcome back to the theater" pricing might be necessary. While we all know the joys of live performance, I think theaters are going to have to reinvent themselves, possibly selling filmed versions of the shows they would typically produce for a live audience. Maybe just in the short time but maybe longer, who knows at this point. | |
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| re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre | |
| Posted by: caps17 02:03 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre - caps17 02:01 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| By the way, the data in the previous post is from a survey in the DC area. Many think there would not be significant differences across the country, although Broadway is a different animal. There are surveys running now to look at a national response to these same questions as well as a NY/Broadway response. | |
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| re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre | |
| Posted by: finally 01:27 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| In reply to: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre - goodfriendnj 12:52 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| I think everyone knows "we will get through this" but there is still way too much unknown for constructive discussion to occur. The whole situation evolves day by day. Also, you cannot propose a Federal Theatre Project without the right/left or liberal/conservative debate since one side of that equation is dead-set against public funding for the arts. |
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| re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre | |
| Posted by: goodfriendnj 03:23 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre - finally 01:27 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| As one would expect from this erudite group, everything being said is profound and accurate. Yet speaking of the finances in particular, and not wanting to go down a rabbit hole... does anyone really think that ALL the various entities could ever be willing to take the income cuts that are likely going to become vital and necessary for survival? Will the unions, for example, concede that their pay structures and long-fought demands are possibly unsustainable? (Please note: I am not a union member, nor am I anti-unions... I prefer to think of myself as a realist.) Will stars realize that asking for, and getting, $10,000 or $50,000 per week (or whatever is over minimum) may not be possible, for quite some time? Will they just hole up, go home and wait for things to improve? My thought, perhaps very naive thought, is that it's better to work for far less, and still work, than get nothing and sit at home. More thoughts? (And thank you, again.) |
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| at This point you can’t predict more than a few weeks out. | |
| Last Edit: dramedy 01:17 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| Posted by: dramedy 01:16 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| In reply to: Starting a (civil) discussion on the new world of theatre - goodfriendnj 12:52 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| You don’t know what the antibody results since we don’t have an accurate test yet. And that will really tell how infectious and how deadly this really is. Most likely a lot more have been exposed than previously predicted and most did not have symptoms before generating immunity. Many on this board argue that theaters won’t open until a vaccine is made. I doubt that. Look at protests now to go back to normal across the country. I think that will roll over into theater. People will take the risk to go to movies and theater and sporting event. I will. The question is how many will do that and is that big enough group to sustain the events. I think if it opens, the landscape will be different. The tourist shows might not survive especially the foreign tourist attended shows. Tourism will be one of the last sectors to come back. So broadway might be more new shows that close early since locals saw it and there aren’t tourists to keep it going. |
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| re: at This point you can’t predict more than a few weeks out. | |
| Posted by: finally 01:33 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| In reply to: at This point you can’t predict more than a few weeks out. - dramedy 01:16 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| The protests are a tiny minority of the population so I don't think that really points to anything significant. That is being engineered by the usual suspects. Public opinion polls certainly do not support them. Too much uncertainty and a vast majority are still risk averse. There are lots of people with chronic conditions terrified of being killed by the virus. | |
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| re: at This point you can’t predict more than a few weeks out. | |
| Posted by: mikem 01:53 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
| In reply to: re: at This point you can’t predict more than a few weeks out. - finally 01:33 pm EDT 04/22/20 | |
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| I think there's a big difference between what happens on Broadway, which is a largely tourist-driven industry with large financial outlays, and what will happen with local, regional theaters. I think that there will be some regional theaters returning, with small casts minimally interacting (or shows with actors who are spouses in real life) and social distancing seating, maybe even having shows outdoors, several months before Broadway is back. | |
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