The STAGE Act of 2024, sponsored by three Senators and one Congresswoman (all Democrats), "would direct $1 billion annually to the struggling industry for five years. That money could be used for payroll and workforce development, as well as other expenses like rent, set-building and marketing." - The New York Times
“That era of celebrating acting ensembles—it’s rare, and it’s rare to find opportunities to try to do that. But in some ways, those are my favorite plays. Those are Chekhov plays, those are some of my favorite Ibsen plays. Those are what August Wilson was doing.” - American Theatre
Berkeley's Aurora Theatre Company, which just learned that a play it commissioned and incubated (Jonathan Spector's Eureka Day) is opening on Broadway in November, says it needs to raise $500,000 as soon as possible or it can't produce any shows next season. - San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)
Lea Salonga, on the song “The Worst Pies in London": "There are a whole lot of built-in reversals and crazy shifts. And I don’t mean vocal, but rather where she goes emotionally. It’s like this woman is the multitasking queen.” - Washington Post
"Musicals with such small casts are potentially big business, in part because it can be easier to recoup their streamlined production costs compared with a traditional stage extravaganza, with savings on actors’ salaries, costumes, sets, makeup and more." - Los Angeles Times
The theatre company said, "We are working with a remarkable group of artists. We insist that they are free to create work without facing online harassment.” - BBC
Figures from the political world getting involved in theatre makes a certain amount of sense, since producers and politicians both have to raise money from their social and professional circles. - The Stage
For several years, during The Speakeasy, the audience participation which immersive theater invites would regularly get out of hand. But there were no bouncers or others to help, and management did little to help the actors. Said one, "Strippers have more protection than we do out there." - San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)
"The Worst Cafe in the World, a new, creatively interactive Off-Broadway production, … actually gives audience members a menu of theatrical moments to choose from, and based on their selections, the cast will piece together the show." - Time Out New York
"Industry professionals say soaring ticket prices are due to various reasons, including rising production costs, a changing industry and the rise of celebrity headliners. Many of the shifts they cited have been in the making for decades, but have been exacerbated by the pandemic," - Gothamist
"The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is demanding an overhaul of how culture funding is allocated in Scotland after a bid to secure £155,000 to help artists appearing at the event was rejected" by Creative Scotland, the funding agency. - The Scotsman (MSN)
A whopping 67 percent of educators told EdTA they are weighing potential controversies when they make show selections—and with good reason. - American Theatre
"It’s a massive undertaking that, among other things, includes the public relations team finalizing (materials) for marketing and advertising, the box office setting ticket prices and rolling out a calendar for announcements and sales, and the production team planning when load-in can start and what rehearsal schedules will (be)." - Dance Magazine
"The post-pandemic picture is improving but from such a low that no one can feel confident about moving forward. Theater attendance hasn’t yet rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, production and administrative costs have skyrocketed with inflation, and donor fatigue has turned to exhaustion." - Los Angeles Times (MSN)
Amid these daunting financial and industry realities, what does forging a path in theatre criticism even look like these days? Where does one go to learn best practices? To learn how to craft an expert pitch? Is it all learning by doing? If so, how and where do you get started? - American Theatre
