Industry Pro Newsletter: Union Leader Condemns NEA Grant Terminations, The National Theatre Has a Global Vision

Full list of Tony contenders, Off-Broadway's best celebrated at the Lortel Awards, and WICKED tour raises millions for Broadway Cares.

By: Alex Freeman May. 05, 2025

Click Here for More on Industry Pro

This week, we look at AFM Local 802's response to NEA grant terminations and the impressive $7 million milestone reached by the WICKED tour for Broadway Cares. Stateside, we spotlight the just-announced nominees for the Tony Awards and celebrate the winners of the Lucille Lortel Awards for Off-Broadway excellence. Our Broadway analysis delves into April's box office figures, while we also celebrate Audra McDonald becoming the most Tony-nominated performer in history. Regionally, we cover a leadership transition at Central Florida Community Arts, and internationally, we explore The National Theatre's ambitious global vision.

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.

If you’re not adapting, you’re falling behind — fast. The rules of arts marketing and fundraising are shifting beneath our feet, and this year’s conference is your best chance to get ahead of what’s coming.

This isn't just another conference. It’s a blueprint for survival — and success — in a chaotic time. Register now — and lead the change.

Employment Opportunity

Associate General Manager - Signature Theatre Company

The Associate General Manager works closely with the General Manager and other departments to manage production budgets, artist contracting, union relationships, and season planning. This position is ideal for a collaborative, detail-oriented professional with strong general management experience and a passion for supporting new works.

Industry Trends

AFM Local 802 Union President Condemns Trump's NEA Grant Terminations

Tino Gagliardi, the president of the Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 AFM, has strongly criticized the termination of National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants. In a statement, Gagliardi decried this action as a devastating blow to the arts community and the livelihoods of musicians and other artists across the nation. He emphasized the vital role of the NEA in supporting cultural enrichment and urged a reversal of these decisions to protect the arts sector.

WICKED Tour Hits $7 Million Milestone for Broadway Cares

The WICKED National Tour has raised over $7 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS to date. This significant fundraising milestone demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the production and its audiences to supporting this vital organization. Donations are collected through audience appeals at the end of performances. Broadway Cares helps individuals across the country affected by HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and other critical health issues.

American Theatre: TCG Releases First Nonprofit Theatre Board Survey in a Decade

The survey examines board demographics, engagement practices, and challenges facing these crucial leadership bodies. This data provides valuable insights into the current state of governance in the nonprofit theatre sector. TCG aims to use the findings to support and strengthen theatre boards nationwide.

Broadway/New York

Complete List of the 2025 Tony Award Nominees

Late last week, Tony Award Nominations were announced - check out the full list of nominees at this link, and then read BroadwayWorld’s analysis in the stories below!

Complete List of the 2025 Lucille Lortel Award Winners

These awards honor the actors, playwrights, directors, and designers who contribute to the diverse and innovative productions presented in smaller theatre spaces. The ceremony highlighted the significant impact of Off-Broadway on the theatrical landscape.

Broadway Box Office Analyzed for April 2025

BroadwayWorld's box office analysis for April 2025 reveals trends in Broadway ticket sales. The report examines the overall performance of Broadway shows during the month. It also considers how the recently announced Tony Award nominations might influence box office numbers in May and beyond. This analysis offers insights into the commercial landscape of Broadway.

Audra McDonald Now Most Tony-Nominated Performer Ever

Audra McDonald has become the most Tony-nominated performer in history with her nomination for Gypsy. This marks her tenth Tony Award nomination, solidifying her legendary status on Broadway. McDonald has previously won six Tony Awards for her performances in various productions. Her continued recognition underscores her exceptional talent and enduring impact on the American theatre.

Regional

Central Florida Community Arts Appoints New Executive Director

Justin Muchoney has been appointed as the new executive director of Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts), effective immediately. Muchoney, a founding member, will continue his role as artistic director, which he has held since 2021 and had been serving as interim executive director since 2024. The appointment comes after Muchoney guided the team through a challenging season, prioritizing the organization's mission. He is credited with growing CFCArts' orchestra and musical programming.

International

Variety: National Theatre Outlines Global Vision with New Season

The National Theatre's co-chief executives, Kate Varah and Indhu Rubasingham, have announced a new strategic vision emphasizing global reach, artistic innovation, and audience accessibility. Varah stated the ambition to bring a wide range of work to the widest audience through diverse means. Rubasingham's inaugural season includes 16 productions, with nine world premieres that blend classic works with contemporary voices. Notably, Nima Taleghani's adaptation of Euripides' "Bacchae" will be the first debut play on the Olivier stage. The season features both established actors and new material, with Paul Mescal making his National Theatre debut in a repertory pairing of plays.

Missed our last few newsletters?

April 28, 2025 - Audience Trust in a Post-Election Environment, Full List of Outer Critics Circle Nominee

This week, we'll look at Colleen Dilenschneider's latest data on audience trust in a post-election environment and explore the immersive possibilities of the new StagePlay mixed-reality app for live performances. In New York, Broadway's Outer Critics Circle nominations and a special Tony Award for Harvey Fierstein, and the abrupt closure of Life and Trust. Finally, we'll take a look at key developments in regional and international theater, from Philadelphia's TKTS success to legal challenges in Texas and more programming changes at the Kennedy Center.

April 21, 2025 - A Look at Further Proposed Cuts at the National Level, The Leadership Carousel Continues Turning in NYC and Beyond

This week we look at potential shifts in arts funding on a national level, exciting leadership changes at Queens Theatre and Kansas City Rep, and a look at both the celebratory reopening of a beloved New York venue and the charitable spirit of the Broadway community. We also examine efforts towards accessibility in regional theatre and confront the challenges of rising costs impacting the UK theatre scene, alongside a rather unusual incident of theatrical theft in Scotland.

April 14, 2025 - Pasadena Playhouse's Comeback & The National Theatre Tries to Meet the Moment With More Backstage Training

This week's newsletter examines key trends shaping the theatre world, beginning with an Actors' Equity report revealing increased contracts for actors of color alongside a decline for women. We then explore how social media is transforming dance, impacting both individual artists and established companies. Regionally, we celebrate The Pasadena Playhouse's regained control of its building and address community concerns over cuts to San Francisco's Dream Keeper Initiative, while also highlighting the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards. Internationally, we compare West End and Broadway attendance figures and address the UK's growing need for backstage professionals due to declining school drama programs.

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.

This week, we look at the record-setting viewership of the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and renewed efforts in New York and abroad to redefine cultural priorities. Across Broadway, we probe shifting economic pressures on creatives through a new interview with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Meanwhile, with the announcement of a new arts and culture transition committee by Zohran Mamdani, incoming leadership may reimagine the city’s cultural agenda. On a regional level, we follow the pioneering costume exhibition by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance at Denver International Airport — a celebration of decades of creative work — and internationally, we cover a new report revealing post-pandemic shifts across UK theatres, as well as the opening night of Paddington: The Musical in London’s West End.

Industry Pro Newsletter: Broadway Wins Big at the Clio Awards, UK Looks to Ban Resellers

From award-winning Broadway marketing campaigns and fresh digital viewing options for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to updates on tax credits and Tony eligibility, the industry continues to adapt on multiple fronts. Regional and national stories examine how institutions are navigating political scrutiny and how artists across the country are sustaining their work amid financial pressures. Internationally, major regulatory changes in the U.K. signal further shifts in how audiences access live performance.

Industry Pro Newsletter: Leigh Silverman New President of SDCF, UK’s National Youth Theatre Expands Access Initiative

Poudre High School Theatre demonstrates how Stage Mag can be used by organizations of all shapes and sizes to build a fully interactive show program. In New York, the Performing Arts Library prepares a major Martha Graham exhibition, and Leigh Silverman steps into her new role as President of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation. Regionally, IN Series appoints its first Executive Director and Dallas restores funding to Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Abroad, the National Youth Theatre expands its Assemble programme with a significant new grant.

Industry Pro Newsletter: Leadership Changes in Opera Large and Small

This week’s roundup highlights major leadership changes, funding shifts, and renewed investment in the performing arts. OPERA America has named Michael J. Bobbitt as its next President & CEO, while Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS announced $1.5 million in emergency food grants nationwide. In New York, The Joyce Theater Foundation received a landmark $15 million gift, and Broadway productions prepare to take the stage at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Regionally, Chicago’s cultural department faces a proposed budget reduction, Theatre Washington released a new industry impact report, and Houston Grand Opera appointed James Gaffigan as its next Music Director. Meanwhile, in the UK, opera and arts education take center stage with efforts to broaden access and strengthen creative learning.

Videos