Wait in the Wings Announces New Documentaries and Online Theater Archive
Upcoming documentaries will focus on Dance of the Vampires, Raggedy Ann The Musical, and more.
Wait in the Wings, the community-funded documentary production company, has just announced upcoming projects, including a deep-dive on the impact of AIDS theater (examining the legacy of Larry Kramer and the three plays that commented on the AIDS epidemic at its peak), an exploration of Eiko Ishioka’s costumes for Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, a detailing of the journey of Raggedy Ann The Musical (in collaboration with RARE Theatrical), and a long-anticipated documentary on the legendary Dance of the Vampires.
Also announced was Archive in the Wings, a free-to-access online theater history archive featuring interviews and over 100 items from personal collections. Highlighted objects include the gloves worn by Chris Tierny during his infamous fall at Spider-Man, a poster from the (never happened) opening night of Rebecca, and Carol Channing’s eyelash case. All content featured in the inaugural collection was gathered from theater community members at the first ever Broadway History Harvest, held at the Laurie Beechman Theatre last fall.
“By [digitally] collecting and sharing these materials, we hope that this archive will not only be able to protect the past, but also inspire artists of the future. May it serve as a valuable resource for educators, students, theatre-makers, and theatre-lovers seeking to learn from and build upon what has come before,” shares The Friends of Wait in the Wings Preservation Committee & History Harvest Crew on the homepage welcoming visitors from around the globe—no need to travel to see this archives.
In the YouTube livestream last night, Wait in the Wings also recapped the three community-funded documentaries they’ve released in the last year. The projects preserved the puppetry of Wicked, told the true story of Annie Get Your Gun’s Annie Oakley, and gave the full history of Allegiance. The documentaries feature a range of interviews including Wicked author Gregory Maguire, leading Annie Oakley historian Shirl Casper, and actors George Takei and Lea Salonga.
Their annual Kickstarter fundraiser, launching on June 3, allows fans the opportunity to fund the next year of documentaries, expansion of the team, and additional preservation work—like additions to the free theater history archive. Supporters also get their own piece of theater history in the shape of a Broadway prop or costume piece, like a Kimberly Akimbo map or SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical Krabby Patty. All proceeds from the fundraiser support the 501(c)3 nonprofit Friends of Wait in the Wings.
“As many of our Kickstarter backers know, this past year has been really focused on building the foundation we need to get back to releasing videos on a once a month basis. After doing this for seven years, we’ve assembled the most talented and capable group of people to truly take this channel and these videos to the next level,” said Founder and Host Brendon Henderson. “Our commitment to theater history grows deeper with each year that passes and I can confidently say that the 2026-2027 season of Wait in the Wings is going to be unlike anything fans have seen before.”
For more information, visit tinyurl.com/witwtreasure and watch for free at youtube.com/waitinthewings.
About Wait in the Wings
Wait in the Wings is an organization dedicated to preserving Broadway’s overlooked and untold stories through free to access YouTube documentaries. By spotlighting the artists and productions that have shaped theatre history, the organization ensures that the legacy of Broadway continues to inspire future generations. Their 501(c)3 nonprofit Friends of Wait in the Wings helps make these films possible.
Videos
