Theatre Betterment

[HBP]

Posted: 6/1/20 at 8:51am

Some industries are using this extended pause in the time of Covid-19 to reflect on their practices and to build a better future. Id like to take this opportunity to present the higher-ups in the theatre community with two challenges:

1. Update Your Facilities

Theatre owners: consider providing better accessibility for theatregoers with disabilities. Most Broadway theatres were built in a time when the needs of patrons were not taken into consideration during construction. From narrow aisles and stairways to few or nearly inaccessible restrooms, many establishments could use an update during this closure. @Nederlander, Shubert, Jujamcyn.

2. Build More Inclusive Teams

Broadway producers: commit to building more inclusive casts and creative teams. Many shows in the past decade have made enormous strides in casting actors of color and lifting the voices of writers of color. Many shows have a long way to go in the casting department. Our next step is to build significantly more diverse creative teams. If you are a producer who greenlit a Black Lives Matter hashtag for your show’s social media posts in the last 48 hours, consider the real steps you can take the next time you are building a team to launch a new show. Maybe even commit to making this a priority, right now and out loud, to show your solidarity with the movement.

Maybe when we reopen, we can reopen to a better Broadway. What’s on your wishlist?

Updated On: 6/1/20 at 08:51 AM

[sparksatmidnight]

Posted: 6/1/20 at 11:28am

You do realize that theatres are closed because it's dangerous for people to be together right now, right? And that construction workers are also people?

[HBP]

Posted: 6/1/20 at 11:33am

Yes of course. During the phased reopening, there might be a period time some construction work can safely resume while productions remain closed for several months after. Just a thought. 

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Posted: 6/1/20 at 12:02pm

HBP said: "Some industries are using this extended pause in the time of Covid-19 to reflect on their practices and to build a better future. Id like to take this opportunity to present the higher-ups in the theatre community with two challenges:

1. Update Your Facilities

Theatre owners: consider providing better accessibility for theatregoers with disabilities. Most Broadway theatres were built in a time when the needs of patrons were not taken into consideration during construction. From narrow aisles and stairways to few or nearly inaccessible restrooms, many establishments could use an update during this closure. @Nederlander, Shubert, Jujamcyn.

2. Build More Inclusive Teams

Broadway producers: commit to building more inclusive casts and creative teams. Many shows in the past decade have made enormous strides in casting actors of color and lifting the voices of writers of color. Many shows have a long way to go in the casting department. Our next step is to build significantly more diverse creative teams. If you are a producer who greenlit a Black Lives Matter hashtag for your show’ssocial media posts in the last 48 hours, consider the real steps you can take the next time you are building a team to launch a new show.

Maybe when we reopen, we can reopen to a better Broadway.What’son your wishlist?"

#1 likely won't happen because renovations are very expensive, especially in a Broadway house where you have to use union labor for several aspects of the renovation, and they have no revenue coming in. I expect the opposite: for existing capital improvement projects to be postponed. 

 

#2 absolutely needs to happen, and this is relatively easy and no reason not to do it. I've seen several shows with all-white creative and producing teams posting about Black Lives Matters. If those producers keep up those hiring practices going forward, I hope they very publicly get called out for it.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 6/3/20 at 9:34pm

itsjustmejonhotmailcom said: "#1 likely won't happen because renovations are very expensive, especially in a Broadway house where you have to use union labor for several aspects of the renovation, and they have no revenue coming in. I expect the opposite: for existing capital improvement projects to be postponed."

They have a surcharge on all tickets for theater restoration,  so there should be money available for this.
 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 6/3/20 at 9:34pm

itsjustmejonhotmailcom said: "#1 likely won't happen because renovations are very expensive, especially in a Broadway house where you have to use union labor for several aspects of the renovation, and they have no revenue coming in. I expect the opposite: for existing capital improvement projects to be postponed."

They have a surcharge on all tickets for theater restoration,  so there should be money available for this.
 

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 6/4/20 at 6:48am

Nederlander, Shubert and Jujamcyn couldn't update their theatres for those with disabilities regardless of whether or not it is affordable to them or not. 

They are all under landmark status. Meaning that even if they wanted to update them for people with disabilities sometimes their hands are tied. Hell, that status has made it difficult for theatres to do general refurbishment too at times, depending on what they are trying to do. 

And, yes, when they renovated the Longacre, they put an elevator in it. But, not all theatres are the same so just because they could do it with one they can' with another. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/4/20 at 8:30pm

There shouldn't be any excuse to why they can't make theaters more wheelchair friendly. They have tons of money, and landmark status aside, people should be able to enjoy a show from any level they wish, like everyone else can. My cousin wanted to see Moulin Rouge! from the mezzanine so badly, but could not because she is in wheelchair. They were wonderful and kind at the theater, but I wondered what the view would have been like for her where she actually wanted to be. 

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 6/4/20 at 10:15pm

Sutton Ross said: "There shouldn't be any excuse to why they can't make theaters more wheelchair friendly. They have tons of money, and landmark status aside, people should be able to enjoy a show from any level they wish, like everyone else can.My cousin wanted to see Moulin Rouge! from the mezzanine so badly, but could not because she is in wheelchair. They were wonderful and kind at the theater, but I wondered what the view would have been like for her where she actually wanted to be."

Look, I am not saying I agree with my initial post. I was simply stating facts. Personally, I think it sucks when the crew has to physically remove a seat to allow for a wheelchair to be there. But, the sad truth is that, if a Shubert house wanted to, let's say, refurbish an entire theatre to spruce it up and also allow more accessibility options for those with physical disabilities. They would have to run everything by the landmark commission. And, if they say that Shubert can't do it for whatever reason, then Shubert can't do it. There's nothing more to it. Their hands are tied.

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Posted: 6/4/20 at 10:28pm

Islander_fan said: "Nederlander, Shubert andJujamcyn couldn't update their theatres for those with disabilities regardless of whether or not it is affordable to them or not.

They are all under landmark status. Meaning that even if theywantedto update them for people with disabilities sometimes their hands are tied. Hell, that status has made it difficult for theatres to do general refurbishment too at times, depending on what they are trying to do.

And, yes, when they renovated the Longacre, they put an elevator in it. But, not all theatres are the same so just because they could do it with one they can' with another."

That's not true. They can renovate to make them ADA compliant. The issue is if you do "major" work, for instance putting in an elevator, you then have to make the entire building ADA compliant, eg also the bathrooms, a temp at the entrance, ADA seats on all levels etc. And the theater owners are trying to avoid that expense.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/4/20 at 10:32pm

"Personally, I think it sucks when the crew has to physically remove a seat to allow for a wheelchair to be there."

Jesus Christ. I'm so sorry that's such an inconvenience for you. Wow.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 6/4/20 at 10:36pm

Sutton Ross said: ""Personally, I think it sucks when the crew has to physically remove a seat to allow for a wheelchair to be there."

Jesus Christ. I'm so sorry that's such an inconvenience for you. Wow."

A I'm front of house not crew. B, I was trying to say that it sucks when the crew has to do that just to accommodate a wheel chair patron due to that being the only option for seating for them. And, what's even worse for them is that in many theatres that I've worked at, they tend to be towards the back off the side aisle. Meaning, that, depending on the show it's not always the best view. They don't deserve that. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/4/20 at 11:00pm

I apologize for interpreting it wrong, I really appreciate you saying that.