Theatre "Influencers"
Theatre "Influencers"
hearthemsing22
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
#1Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 11:39am
I have to rant about something that has been nagging me for quite some time.
There are certain people who are considered influencers in the theater, and it truly bothers me when they ask for free tickets or free things from productions. They sometimes wait outside theatres begging for invitations for things like opening nights. They already get invited to performances, events, have access to performers with the interviews they do. Does this rub anyone else the wrong way? It's so obnoxious.
#2Theatre
Posted: 5/1/24 at 11:45am
I haven't witnessed any of that begging, but anyone with actual clout doesn't beg. "Influencer" is such a nebulous term with such a low barrier to entry that anybody can claim it and many just want the free stuff.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Updated On: 5/1/24 at 11:45 AM
#3Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 11:46am
Yes, I meant to start a thread on them actually. They’re absolutely awful. Literally nobody is buying tickets because of their stupid little video clips and posts. They just want the free sh*t and to feel like they’re a part of the industry and insiders, when in reality they’re annoying fangirls. Time for producers to ban them. Times up
#4Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 11:48am
All “real” social media influencers would be working directly with shows and their marketing teams. I wouldn’t qualify who you are referring to as influencers. Even if they have large social media followings.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
Theatrefan2
Understudy Joined: 3/27/22
#5Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 11:59am
Yes they're nearly all awful, same with the youtube 'reviewers'. They also can be incredibly rude to people they consider lesser than them. And when they get called out they usually pull an excuse like social anxiety and it's like no, you're just an entitled rude person who has behaved badly. At the end of the day these people don't have any more knowledge or insight than you or I, and sometimes much less.
I exclude channels like Wait In The Wings who do well researched and presented video essays (although they do sadly bring in occasional guest 'influencers' which makes that video unwatchable)
#7Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 12:15pm
We need these content creators to help spread awareness to far and wide audiences outside our community. I have respect for these influences, some of whom are friends of mine.
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
BoringBoredBoard40
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/27/21
#9Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 12:27pm
Look, if any influencer dressed up in Patti lupone drag and said to me at the box office “I’m offer only” with their hand extended like a queen id hand a ticket over.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#10Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 12:28pm
I know a few (stressing “few”) legitimate theatre social media creators, but I truly don’t feel like they do anything more than preaching to the choir - they tend to focus on the shows they hype more than the pick-me crowd. The rest are all just a collective of bite-sized TikTok reviewers focused on getting clicks and attention.
Being someone who has been deeply involved as a theatre patron and having friends who are performers, I’ve had people suggest I do a blog or a podcast or channel - and it’s because of toxic influencer culture that I don’t. I’m just happy and humbled to be in the room - I don’t need to monetize, exploit, or make a job out of something I love.
Check out my eBay page for sales on Playbills!!
www.ebay.com/usr/missvirginiahamm
Huss417
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#11Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 12:37pm
BoringBoredBoard40 said: "this thread needs to be deleted"
For What Reason?
"I hope your Fanny is bigger than my Peter."
Mary Martin to Ezio Pinza opening night of Fanny.
#12Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 12:56pm
Nothing on this thread warrants deleting
I think, like a lot of things, influencers operate on a spectrum. Are they the theater lover who happens to be able to put together some engaging and informative internet content? Amazing, but unfortunately, those seem to be few and far between. The moment you start receiving complimentary tickets to events without working for a recognized publication, where is the line between being critical and being a shill? Do influencers truly help spread the word? There is a major gay influencer in Lempika right now; is his following translating to ticket sales? It does not seem like it. This is not a criticism of the content he makes, but I believe there still isn't a magic formula where followers directly equate to ticket sales. The recent survey showing that people are interested in Broadway but find it too expensive, while they're willing to spend hundreds of dollars to be in the back row of an arena concert, should be eye-opening. However, I don't see much connection right now between the influencer economy and Broadway. Then there is the gossip side of influencing as well. People will literally just make things up for likes, follows, and clicks.
quizking brings up a great point to not everything we love needs the goal of minimization.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#13Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 12:59pm
I despise the whole influencer culture. But I'm old, what do I know?
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
hearthemsing22
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
#14Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 1:01pm
BoringBoredBoard40 said: "this thread needs to be deleted"
Why? Did I break a BWW message board rule?
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#15Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 1:40pm
You did nothing wrong.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
hearthemsing22
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
#16Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 2:17pm
dramamama611 said: "You did nothing wrong."
Thank you dramamama! I despise that culture too. I doubt you're old (unless you're 85+....)
#17Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 2:35pm
dramamama611 said: "I despise the whole influencer culture. But I'm old, what do I know?"
Yeah, I feel the same. All for clicks and likes and follows so someone can attempt to be slightly famous for 5 seconds.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#18Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 2:40pm
ACL2006 said: "dramamama611 said: "I despise the whole influencer culture. But I'm old, what do I know?"
Yeah, I feel the same. All for clicks and likes and follows so someone can attempt to be slightly famous for 5 seconds."
Not sure if they want to be famous but the clicks/subscribe/follow definitely helps with their paycheck.
I do think most preach to the choir since the majority of people following them are theater fans already.
hearthemsing22
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
#19Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 2:41pm
Wick3 said: "ACL2006 said: "dramamama611 said: "I despise the whole influencer culture. But I'm old, what do I know?"
Yeah, I feel the same. All for clicks and likes and follows so someone can attempt to be slightly famous for 5 seconds."
Not sure if they want to be famous but the clicks/subscribe/follow definitely helps with their paycheck.
I do think most preach to the choir since the majority of people following them are theater fans already.
"
Theater fans, yes. But we're not asking for free stuff or getting upset when we don't get free stuff like invitations to opening nights. They're already getting perks. They don't need to complain when they don't get more.
Zeppie2022
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/22
#20Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 3:31pm
"The recent survey showing that people are interested in Broadway but find it too expensive, while they're willing to spend hundreds of dollars to be in the back row of an arena concert, should be eye-opening."
Excellent point. Let me add that those same people shell out well over $100 to sit in sports stadium literally hundreds of yards from the stage and way higher up than any Broadway theater.
#21Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 3:40pm
I don’t think sports is an equivalent comparison. You can get the best view of a football game from your couch because they’re on tv. Of course it’s not like being there in person but football is never going to run the risk of losing fans because it’s “inaccessible” to people who can’t afford to go to games.
#22Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 3:42pm
Zeppie2022 said: ""The recent survey showing that people are interested in Broadway but find it too expensive, while they're willing to spend hundreds of dollars to be in the back row of an arena concert, should be eye-opening."
I find it hard to believe that a fair amount of Gen Zers are interested in Broadway.
Oh look, a bibu!
#23Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 3:44pm
Jordan Catalano said: "I don’t think sports is an equivalent comparison. You can get the best view of a football game from your couch because they’re on tv. Of course it’s not like being there in person but football is never going to run the risk of losing fans because it’s “inaccessible” to people who can’t afford to go to games."
Concerts aren’t a fair comparison either, as you can watch HD clips on YouTube and TikTok the day after the show occurs.
Oh look, a bibu!
GottaGetAGimmick420
Stand-by Joined: 12/9/23
#24Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 3:52pm
This is how I feel about that one influencer that works for Gatsby. I tried watching one of her YouTube videos once and had to shut it off because she didn’t know what she was talking about… just… nothing.
I feel like social media has led us to “monetize” everything, and people who are not “industry” see “influencing” as a way in to the industry… they are fans first and foremost.
“Content creator” is more akin to what I’d call others that work directly with shows. Broadway marketing really feels lost these days.
I'm just here so I don't get fined
hearthemsing22
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
#25Theatre "Influencers"
Posted: 5/1/24 at 3:55pm
GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "This is how I feel about that one influencer that works for Gatsby. I tried watching one of her YouTube videos once and had to shut it off because she didn’t know what she was talking about… just… nothing.
I feel like social media has led us to “monetize” everything, and people who are not “industry” see “influencing” as a way in to the industry… they are fans first and foremost.
“Content creator” is more akin to what I’d call others that work directly with shows. Broadway marketing really feels lost these days."
Theater "Content Creators"-- that's what I should have labeled this as. Yes. Thank you.
But they still bug the kjflksdjfasdf out of me.
