Industry Pro Newsletter: The Obies Announce Jury, Fallout in the UK from Computer Crash at Arts Council England

Broadway enthusiasts got into the Halloween spirit with show-inspired costumes, while BroadwayWorld expanded its reach with new WhatsApp Channels for international readers. Onstage and behind the scenes, the American Theatre Wing named the jury for the 70th Obie Awards, and Actors’ Equity ratified a new contract with The Broadway League, marking an important step for performer benefits and producer relations. Regionally, Center Theatre Group unveiled its 2025/26 LA Writers’ Workshop and Artist Residencies, and Albuquerque Little Theatre welcomed a new executive director. Internationally, the fallout from Arts Council England’s portal crash continues to leave arts groups in uncertainty—underscoring the ongoing challenges of supporting creativity worldwide.

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Employment Opportunity

Assistant Technical Director - The Old Globe Theatre

The Old Globe, San Diego’s largest regional theatre, seeks candidates for an Assistant Technical Director. The Old Globe produces more than 14-productions each year in three theatres, which typically include two enhanced pre-Broadway musicals. The scene shop is a fully equipped 14,000-square foot facility with CNC router and extensive metal-working capacity. This position is an excellent opportunity to practice technical production at the highest level in regional theatre.

Industry Trends

Photos: Broadway Halloween Costumes Shared By BroadwayWorld Readers

Theatre fans shared their Halloween costumes inspired by Broadway shows via the hashtag #BWWHalloween. Highlights included outfits drawn from productions such as Death Becomes Her, Wicked and Sunset Boulevard. 

Subscribe to BroadwayWorld on WhatsApp

BroadwayWorld announced that its content is now available via official WhatsApp Channels for the U.S., UK and various European countries. Readers can receive top theatre headlines, breaking news and exclusive coverage tailored for their region.

Broadway/New York

The American Theatre Wing Reveals 70th Annual Obie Awards Jury and Eligibility Details

The American Theatre Wing announced the jury for the 70th annual Obie Awards, including co-chairs Taylor Reynolds and Heather Alicia Simms plus eight other industry figures. The eligibility period covers in-person Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway productions opening between Sept 1 2025 and Aug 31 2026, and the awards maintain informal category structures and multiple special citations.

Actors Equity Ratifies New Production Contract with The Broadway League

The Actors’ Equity Association has ratified a new Production Contract with the Broadway League that governs Broadway shows through September 2028. Equity members voted to approve the deal, which follows negotiations and is described by League President Jason Laks as addressing core producer concerns. The new contract includes an increase in health contributions for AEA members, a core sticking point in the negotiations.

Regional

Center Theatre Group Reveals 2025/26 LA Writers’ Workshop and LA Artist Residencies

Center Theatre Group (CTG) announced its 2025/26 cohort for the LA Writers’ Workshop and LA Artist Residencies. The Writers’ Workshop marks its 20th anniversary and includes playwrights such as Bernardo Cubría, Christina Pumariega, Erika Sheffer, Keiko Green, Kevin Douglas and Maddox Pennington. The Artist Residencies include companies such as Ammunition Theatre Company and Four Larks.

Albuquerque Little Theatre Welcomes New Executive Director, Jon Montgomery

The Albuquerque Little Theatre (ALT) announced the appointment of Jon Montgomery as its new Executive Director, responsible for operations, development, and strategic vision. ALT’s Board President Katie Snapp expressed enthusiasm about his leadership and experience. Montgomery brings a strong background in nonprofit arts organizations, community engagement, theatre education, and artistic operations. He has held leadership roles with institutions such as HITS Theatre, Basin Theatre Works, The Depot Theater, and The Alley Theatre, and served as a theatre instructor and board member in multiple arts contexts.

International

The Guardian: Arts Organisations Still in Funding Limbo After Crash of Arts Council England Online Portal

Many arts organisations in England remain without confirmed funding after the Arts Council England’s online portal crashed during a major grant application window. The outage disrupted thousands of applicants’ ability to submit materials, leaving a backlog and prompting calls for clarity and reform in the grant-making process.

Missed our last few newsletters?

October 27, 2025 - We’re Getting New Deals on Broadway, and TodayTix is Acquired by MARI

On Broadway, both actors and musicians move closer to new contracts, with tentative deals heading to their respective unions for ratification. Beyond New York, the spotlight turns to growth and innovation — from Shakespeare & Company’s upcoming intensive for mid-career professionals in the Berkshires to The Shubert Organization’s landmark partnership in London. Meanwhile, TodayTix joins Ari Emanuel’s expanding live-events empire, and BroadwayWorld’s own Next On Stage competition returns for its sixth season, celebrating the next generation of musical theatre talent.

October 20, 2025 - Ireland Makes Basic Income for Artists Permanent, A Tentative Agreement Between the Broadway League and AEA

The week begins with the news that the Broadway League and AEA completed a marathon negotiation session that has resulted in a tentative agreement - meaning that one side of the potential strike equation is solved pending ratification. Negotiations with Local 802 are still ongoing. We also have a piece that looks at the compensation differences for performers for shows that originate on Broadway and those that stop on Broadway as part of an ongoing tour. A new report out of Chicago shows that arts and culture related foot traffic is back to pre-pandemic levels in downtown, an encouraging sign for arts related recoveries across the country.

October 14, 2025 - Is AI a Threat to Broadway's Newest Shows?

This week, we're exploring the forces shaping the future of the theatre industry, from technological disruption to fundamental questions about its workforce and leadership. On Broadway, the rise of AI is changing how audiences discover new shows, even as looming labor negotiations, which have drawn the attention of Congress, threaten to halt current ones. At the same time, we're seeing innovative solutions to talent pipeline challenges emerge overseas, while also celebrating the creators and leaders steering the art form forward, from a key artistic appointment in the regional sector to a major international award for a Tony-winning writing team.

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

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