Brooklyn Bowl Unionizes, West End Strike Averted + More
Industry News - July 20, 2026
Brooklyn Bowl stagehands vote to unionize with IATSE, Louisville Orchestra and Opera Carolina both name new leaders, and the West End avoids a strike after Equity reaches a new pay deal. Also this week: a look at AI's growing impersonation problem on streaming platforms, and a trip back to theater camp with some of Broadway's biggest names.
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The Social Report
Dolly climbed to the top of the leaderboard after announcing it will begin previews on Broadway in December. These are notable growth numbers for any Broadway announcement. Notably, the Dolly musical socials are being directed by Austin Spero (Oh, Mary!, Rocky Horror, John Proctor...)
Industry Trends
AI Musicians Are Impersonating Broadway Stars. Why Won't Streamers Fix It?
AI-generated tracks cost effectively nothing to produce and pennies to distribute; parked on a recognizable name, they skim streams - and royalties - from fans and algorithmic playlists alike. (Read more)
Before They Were Broadway Stars, This Is What Their Life Was Like at Theater Camp
Theater camps like Stagedoor Manor and French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts have some incredibly famous alumni. BroadwayWorld looks at a handful of former campers who eventually made their way to Broadway. (Read more)
Broadway/New York
Brooklyn Bowl Stagehands Unionize with IATSE
Production workers at Brooklyn Bowl's flagship Williamsburg location voted 15–1 to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 4. (Read more)
Does Broadway Have a Vampire Musical Curse?
Since The Lost Boys took Broadway by storm this spring, there has been much chatter about the “vampire curse” on Broadway being lifted. In the early 2000s, Broadway received a string of three vampire musicals, which all closed relatively quickly. Dance of the Vampires (2002), Dracula (2004), and Lestat (2006) each received attention in their own right, but they also received attention as a group, since it was remarkable that they came along in such quick succession. But the early 21st century wasn’t the first time vampires thirsted on Broadway. The play adaptation of Dracula was a hit all the way back in 1927 and an even bigger hit in a 1977 revival. And there have been vampires lurking in the theatre district in all sorts of other projects too… (Read more)
Regional
Louisville Orchestra Names Jude Vaclavik as New Chief Executive Officer
The Louisville Orchestra appointed Jude Vaclavik as CEO following a national search. Vaclavik brings experience from Universal Music Group, Houston Grand Opera, and The Juilliard School. (Read more)
Opera Carolina Appoints New General Director Stefano Vignati for 77th Season
Opera Carolina has named Maestro Stefano Vignati as General Director, leading the company into its 77th season with productions including Mozart's Requiem, Menotti's The Medium starring Denyce Graves, and Verdi's La Traviata. (Read more)
International
West End Strike Averted as Equity Reaches New Pay Deal
Equity and the Society of London Theatre reached a negotiated three-year deal on pay and conditions, with members voting on whether to accept an offer including at least 13.5% minimum rate increases. (Read more)
Francesca Moody Productions to Take Over The Other Palace for First Full Season
Francesca Moody Productions announced its first full season of work at London's The Other Palace, marking a significant expansion for the production company. (Read more)
Matt Eames Appointed Director of Theatre & Performance at Lowry
The Lowry in Salford has promoted Matt Eames, formerly Head of Theatre (Contemporary & Commissioning), to the newly created role of Director of Theatre & Performance, where he will lead long-term strategy for the venue's theatres. (Read more)
Missed Our Last Newsletters?
Broadway Cleaners Avert Strike + New Grants for Arts Tech
Broadway Cleaners Vote to Authorize Strike + Studio 54 Breaks Records
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