Industry Pro Newsletter: 4,000 Broadway Recordings Head to the Classroom
The NYPL makes its theatre archive available to students as the Edinburgh Fringe posts huge numbers. Also: Harry Potter is about to make Broadway history.
By: Alex Freeman Sep. 02, 2025
This week's newsletter explores the delicate balance between preserving theatre's past and navigating its present challenges and triumphs. We highlight two major archival initiatives from the Wait in the Wings foundation and the New York Public Library, both aimed at making theatrical history more accessible than ever. This theme of legacy is also present in stories of history being made, as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child prepares to break a significant Broadway record, and of history at risk, with a historic California theatre facing potential demolition. We'll also cover the immediate business of the stage, from a high-profile lawsuit and regional leadership changes to concerns that public transit cuts could hinder the industry's ongoing recovery.
SUBSCRIBE NOW - Want this newsletter delivered to your inbox every Monday? Make sure and subscribe using the form at the top or bottom of this page to join the Industry Pro mailing list.
Employment Opportunity
Marketing Manager - George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick, NJ
The Marketing Manager is responsible for planning, producing, and executing marketing initiatives that promote George Street Playhouse’s productions, programs, and events to achieve earned revenue goals. This position requires a hands-on marketer with strong skills in social media, content creation, and digital communications. The role works closely with the Sales & Audience Development Manager, Patron Services Manager, and other departments to ensure cohesive branding and audience engagement across all channels.
Industry Trends
Wait in the Wings Launches Nonprofit, Will Host First 'Broadway History Harvest'
The theatrical history organization Wait in the Wings has officially launched its nonprofit arm, the Archival Foundation. The foundation's first major event will be the "Broadway History Harvest," held at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts on September 27. The public is invited to bring personal Broadway memorabilia and ephemera for assessment by professional archivists. This initiative seeks to discover and digitize significant historical items held in private collections to preserve them for future generations.
Broadway/New York
TOFT Initiative Will Allow NYC Classrooms to Screen 4,000 Broadway Recordings
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is launching a new program to expand access to its archives. Through the Theatre on Film and Tape (TOFT) Archive, New York City public school classrooms will now be able to screen more than 4,000 recordings of live theatrical performances. This initiative removes the barrier of having to visit the library's Lincoln Center location in person. The program aims to make invaluable records of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional productions an accessible educational tool for students.
Ciara Renée Sues WANTED Producers After Being Cut from Broadway Cast
Actress Ciara Renée has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against the producers of the musical WANTED. The suit was filed after she was terminated from the lead role following the show's pre-Broadway production at Paper Mill Playhouse. Her contract allegedly guaranteed her the role for the subsequent Broadway run, and she is seeking $450,000, which she claims is the full salary from that guarantee.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD Becomes 3rd Longest-Running Play of All Time
The hit production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child achieved a major Broadway milestone on Monday, September 1, 2025. On that date, it played its 2,328th performance, officially surpassing the run of Abie's Irish Rose to become the third longest-running play in Broadway history.
Regional
MSN.com: Theater audiences are slowly coming back, but SEPTA cuts could change that
Leaders in Philadelphia's arts community are concerned about proposed service cuts by SEPTA, the city's transit authority. While theater attendance has been gradually recovering, arts executives worry that reduced evening and weekend public transportation options could hinder this progress and make it harder for patrons to attend shows. The potential service reduction stems from a looming budget deficit as federal pandemic relief funding expires.
Delaware Theatre Company Welcomes New Managing Director
The Delaware Theatre Company has announced the appointment of Candice Buchanan as its new Managing Director. Buchanan, who previously served as Chief Programs and Development Officer at YWCA Delaware, will lead the organization in partnership with Producing Artistic Director Mimi Warnick. This marks a return to a shared leadership model for the theater as it prepares for its upcoming season.
The city of San Diego has issued an ultimatum for the historic California Theatre on C Street, ordering the owners to either sell or demolish the 98-year-old building. The once-ornate theater has fallen into severe disrepair for years, creating a public safety risk in the downtown area. This "order to vacate" is the city's most forceful step yet to resolve the property's hazardous and blighted condition.
International
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Issues Over 2.6 Million Tickets Across 3,893 Shows
The 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe has concluded its successful run, having issued more than 2.6 million tickets for a total of 3,893 unique shows. The events were presented across hundreds of venues in the city, and the attendance figures reflect a strong audience demand and a continued rebound for the world's largest arts festival. The event provided a platform for performers from around the globe.
Missed our last few newsletters?
August 25, 2025 - Kennedy Center Cuts Staff; Chicago Theatres Fight for Tax Credit
This week, theaters are dealing with critical financial and leadership decisions across the board. We're covering the ongoing fight for a state tax credit in Chicago, staff cuts at the Kennedy Center, and leadership changes at both Trinity Rep and Opera Australia. In New York, the debate over the proposed Times Square casino continues. Alongside these challenges, we're also seeing positive steps for the industry's future, including the launch of a new national arts accessibility hub and the date being set for the 2026 Jimmy Awards.
This week's industry news paints a complex picture of resilience, challenge, and change across the theatrical landscape. While new data reveals a promising, though uneven, post-pandemic recovery in both New York City foot traffic and the Canadian arts economy, financial realities remain stark, highlighted by the unfortunate closure of Berkeley's Aurora Theatre. Yet, signs of forward momentum are clear, with new leadership at the SDC Foundation, significant NAMT grants fostering new work, and Ohio creating new tax incentives for touring productions.
In this week's newsletter, we're seeing the many ways the theatre industry is securing its future. From new partnerships like Caesars Palace and Wendell Pierce's initiative to support historic theaters of color, to crucial last-minute funding for a Charlotte arts group, the community is working to sustain its institutions. We also look at new leadership with the Seattle Children's Theatre naming its first woman of color as Artistic Director, and discuss the importance of new British musicals with director Alex Jackson. Plus, we'll cover the latest in Broadway legal disputes and award season triumphs, ensuring you're up-to-date on all the developments across the globe.
BroadwayWorld Resources
BroadwayWorld Stage Mag - A Fully Interactive Show Program
The digital solution to your show program needs - want to see what's possible? Check out the Stage Mag's for A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and for The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)! Then start building your own at stagemag.broadwayworld.com.
Add Your Show to our Regional Events Calendar
As audiences get set to return to in-person performances, and as your company works to market your own return to the stage, make sure you've got your upcoming shows in our regional events calendars. Listings are free of charge, with boosting options available. Get your show listed now
Want this newsletter in your inbox every week? Subscribe here.
Want more information about marketing options with BroadwayWorld? Request a media kit here and a member of our sales and marketing team will reach out promptly.
Videos