Industry Pro Newsletter: UK Theater System Faces Collapse, New Leadership at Theatre Philadelphia
We also look at wage theft at an artists colony in California, and the increase in corporate sponsorship dollars in the UK
By: Alex Freeman Aug. 28, 2023
In this week's newsletter, we delve into the challenges plaguing both American and UK theaters. As theater professionals often compare the two systems, we uncover striking similarities amid their struggles. From dwindling public funding and corporate sponsorship decline to artistic leaders leaving and a shrinking arts journalism landscape, both sides of the Atlantic are grappling with a crisis that transcends national boundaries. The spotlight is on the changing theater infrastructures and the critical need for sustained support to ensure the survival of these cultural bastions. Explore the latest updates on theater unionization, legal outcomes, leadership transitions, and more.
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Employment Opportunity
Assistant Manager - Drunk Shakespeare NYC - Bass Jar Productions LLC
The hit Off-Broadway comedy, Drunk Shakespeare, is seeking an Assistant Manager to join our leadership team! This position functions as the Manager on Duty when the General Manager is off, and otherwise supplements the operations team during performances. Click here to learn more…
Industry Trends
Industry Trends Weekly: It's Not Just America: UK's Theater System is Also Collapsing by Cara Joy David
“If America were only like the UK,” an Artistic Director of a prominent regional theater said to me earlier this year. She was referring to something many in the American theater community have thought: it’s easier to do theater overseas. We have long talked about how the UK has more of a theatergoing culture; how government support is greater there. This idea was only further solidified when the West End rebounded quicker than Broadway. But anyone actually looking closely knows UK theater is undergoing its own collapse, it is perhaps simply a step behind us. Public funding is down (with some major theaters losing the entirety of their Arts Council England grants), private giving and corporate sponsorship have declined, artistic leaders are leaving at a high rate, and the number of arts journalists has dwindled.
Earlier this month, Tarek Isklander, Artistic Director & CEO of Battersea Arts Centre in London, wrote a long thread on Twitter (yes, still calling it that) detailing the challenges of presenting theater in the post-pandemic world. Among the things Isklander listed were “a feeling that doing the right thing is ‘unrewarding,’” “lack of state support for artists when out of work,” “chronic poor pay,” “ticket prices that are too high,” “charitable board models that are not fit for purpose,” “sector allergy to IT, AI & anything digital that will improve efficiency,” “lack of collective investment in cultural journalism and reviewers,” a racist/ableist system, lack of support networks, reduced audience numbers, the horrible feeling associated with having to say “no” to more and more projects, and the belief theaters have to fill in cultural gaps in education. Other than mentions of Brexit and an Arts Council England initiative diverting funds away from London, his list reads like something a head of an American regional theater could have written. In fact, it had echoes for me of the essays in Single Carrot Theatre’s Impact Report, published upon Single Carrot’s shuttering.
The challenges are not exactly the same as here. It is still cheaper to mount shows over there, primarily because people generally get paid less—for example, even with a substantial salary minimum bump negotiated earlier this year, West End actors still have a minimum considerably less than the Broadway minimum. (The West End consequently gets riskier fare more often.) But overall the problems they are facing are the ones we are facing, even with a culture typically thought to be more welcoming of the performing arts.
Many here continue to be focused on American cultural failures and theater programming mistakes, but this crisis is about more than that. It's about theater infrastructures generally and the individuals and organizations less likely to support them than they were in years past.
Broadway/New York
New York's DRUNK SHAKESPEARE becomes part of a growing movement as four cities, including Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia, unionize with Actors' Equity Association. The move aims to improve working conditions and benefits for performers, reflecting a commitment to the rights and well-being of actors in non-traditional theater settings. Click here to read more…
Woman Who Fatally Shoved Broadway Singing Coach Barbara Maier Gustern Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison - BroadwayWorld
The woman responsible for the fatal shoving of Broadway singing coach Barbara Maier Gustern has been sentenced to eight years in prison. The incident occurred in 2022 and led to discussions about safety in public spaces, particularly in New York's subway system. The sentencing highlights the broader issue of public safety and the consequences of violence in public settings. Click here to read more…
Regional
Kevin Blax Burroughs is named Associate Artistic Director of Oceanside Theatre Company. Burroughs will work alongside Artistic Director Ted Leib, and was the 2022 Craig Noel Award Winner for Outstanding Specialty Artist. Click here to read more…
Justin Lucero Named Artistic Director of Theater Latte Da - BroadwayWorld Minneapolis
Theater Latte Da welcomes Justin Lucero as its new Artistic Director. Lucero heads to Minneapolis from El Paso where he has been the Artistic Director of El Paso Opera for the last 5 seasons. Click here to read more…
Theatre Philadelphia announces its new Executive Director, leading the organization into the 2023-2024 season and beyond. Sabriaya Shipley will guide the organization's strategic vision and initiatives, fostering growth and innovation in the local theater community. Click here to read more
Artists File Wage Claims in Ghost Town Amid Arts Resurgence - KQED
Artists in Pulga, a California ghost town and artists colony, file wage claims for unpaid work performed. The claims highlight the broader issue of artist compensation and fair treatment, as the art community seeks to recover from pandemic-related challenges and ensure equitable practices. Click here to read more…
International
Aviva Studios: UK Arts Venue Embraces Corporate Funding Amid Debate - The Guardian
Aviva Studios, a Manchester-based arts venue, shifts towards corporate funding as part of its financial strategy. The move raises discussions about the role of corporate support in the arts and the potential impact on artistic independence. Click here to read more…
Missed our last few newsletters?
August 21, 2023 - A Shift in the Chicago Theatre Scene and Saving Theatre in Seattle
In this issue, we explore the efforts being made to sustain theater scenes in various cities, the evolution of Chicago's theater landscape, and the exciting announcement of a new Broadway musical adaptation. We also take a look at strategies to keep the curtain from falling on Seattle's theater scene. Finally, we take a look at our teen critics’ reaction to BACK TO THE FUTURE. Click here to read more…
August 14, 2023 - UK Small Theatres Face Leadership Crisis and Saving the American Theater
In this issue, we uncover the varying success of Connecticut theaters, where Broadway hits thrive while mid-level shows struggle with ticket sales. We also look at multiple ideas on how to save the American theater - including a look at innovative approaches to funding in a piece by Cara Joy David. Meanwhile, the industry in the UK also faces challenges, with David Tennant criticizing West End ticket prices while leaders of smaller companies are leaving their posts in droves. Click here to read more…
August 7, 2023 - UK Audiences are Seeing Fewer Shows, BroadwayWorld Launches New Marketing Hub
This week, we’re pleased to introduce the new BroadwayWorld Marketing Hub - a comprehensive platform designed to maximize event visibility. Also, we look at the financial challenges faced by Lighthouse Immersive, creators of "Immersive Van Gogh," as they file for bankruptcy protection. Additionally, we highlight significant leadership transitions at New Dramatists and Gamm Theatre, and explore the Oregon Symphony's new leadership and Louisville Ballet's fundraising efforts. Lastly, we cover the evolving audience behaviors post-lockdown and London's tourism boost from international arrivals. Click here to learn more…
BroadwayWorld Resources
BroadwayWorld Stage Mag - A Fully Interactive Show Program
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