Industry Pro Newsletter: Lookingglass Alice Heads to PBS, Actors Seek Higher Pay in Australia

The transformation continues to be global - after US based writers and actors won concessions from the film industry, stage performers in Australia are looking to increase their own pay. In response to funding changes at the government level, the English National Opera is moving out of London and heading to Manchester. And PBS is bringing a regional production to national airwaves as they get set to premiere Lookingglass Alice. As 2023 comes to a close, it has been a year of transformation for the entertainment industry, but in a way that it feels like we are just on the precipice of the change that is coming - and we’ll be here in 2024 with all the industry coverage you’re looking for each Monday.

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Industry Trends

AP News: Actors' Strike Ends as Union and Producers Reach Contract Agreement

Following negotiations, a resolution is achieved as actors and producers finalize a new contract, signaling the conclusion of a recent strike and restoring stability to the film sector. The agreement addresses key issues related to wages, working conditions, and the use of AI.

Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Invites Applications for National Critics Institute Program

The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center is actively seeking applications for its National Critics Institute Program, providing emerging critics with a valuable platform for training and mentorship within the theatre industry.

First U.S. and U.K. Schools Selected to Produce 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'

In an exciting development, two educational institutions—one in the U.S. and one in the U.K.—are chosen to stage productions of 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.' This unique opportunity not only brings the magic of the wizarding world to student performers but also signifies the global impact of the beloved Harry Potter franchise.

New Ticket Buying Bill Introduced in the U.S. Senate

In an effort to address bots, scalping, slow refunds, and more, Senator Klobuchar and Senator Kornyn lead a bipartisan group of Senators who introduced the “Fans First Act”. The bill includes stiff fines and penalties for slow refunds, measures to prevent bots from buying tickets for scalpers, and more.

Broadway/New York

New York Times: New York Theater Faces Challenges and Innovations Amid Ongoing Transformation

The New York Times reports on the evolving landscape of off-Broadway theater, highlighting challenges and innovations. The article delves into the impact of the pandemic, changing audience preferences, and the emergence of new production models. It explores how theaters are adapting to these shifts, incorporating digital elements, and redefining their role in the cultural ecosystem.

Former Wall Street Journal Theatre Critic Edwin Wilson Passes Away

In addition to his work as the Wall Street Journal’s theatre critic, Wilson was the host of CUNY TV’s Spotlight, as well as teaching at Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center.

Regional

Industry Trends Weekly: Lookingglass Comes to PBS in a Rare Broadcast of Regional Theater by Cara Joy David

We all know regional theater is in trouble. One of my favorite companies, the Lookingglass Theatre Company, is in the middle of a semi-pause while it assesses how to produce live theater in this new world. But, luckily, in what will perhaps serve as a model for the future, Lookingglass’ work is still getting out there. The theater itself is screening a recording of it's The Steadfast Tin Soldier, a Mary Zimmerman holiday triumph. And this coming Friday, its Lookingglass Alice will air on PBS.

“The first time I saw Lookingglass Alice, which was the first time the company did it, I thought I’d love to put it on television,” said Scott Silberstein, who is an Artistic Associate at Lookingglass, and co-founder (with Matt Hoffman) of HMS Media, which filmed the show. “I'm in constant touch with PBS. HMS has produced a lot of shows for national and regional public television, and we're always batting ideas around. Last year, we were talking with PBS about the desire to connect viewers around the country with the magic of their regional theaters. Lookingglass Alice ticked every box—it transcends everything you would want in theater.”

Lookingglass Alice, which premiered in Chicago in 2005, has toured all over the US and Canada. While I believe Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses to be the theater’s most famous export, Lookingglass Alice is its signature production, returning to the theater six times after its premiere. Adapted and directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin, it is a circus-like retelling of the Alice in Wonderland tale.

Because of its audience interactive elements, its aerial work, and more, Alice was never going to be easy to film. The Steadfast Tin Soldier recording is simple, focusing solely on the stage. This recording needed to be much more complex.

HMS got the green light from PBS to film Lookingglass Alice about six weeks before it was scheduled to close in 2022. They needed to get a production plan in place quickly. There were inherent challenges to bringing this type of show to a broader audience. For example, in a move Patti LuPone would endorse, actors in the live production are not mic’d. For video, they needed to be. The team had to go through costume by costume, scene by scene and ensure a mic was placed correctly in each moment. The budget for the eight-camera shoot was around $350,000, of which half was funded by PBS and the other half came from HMS.

“As part of the budget, we bought out two houses so we could put the cameras wherever we needed them,” Silberstein explained. “We filled the house over two performances with just one half of the house, so most of the cameras could look at a full house. When you cut it together, you really have no idea that they were two different performances with two half-full houses. We did two eight-camera shoots that, cut together, look like a 16-camera shoot.”

Silberstein believes filming more shows is the future. HMS—which is also known for filming/editing b-roll—is hoping to get educational distribution for the piece, which means that the product would be available to students either directly through their school districts or through dedicated educational streamers. Theater companies are no longer able to do as much school outreach as they used to; video is a different, potentially more feasible way to get the arts to students. I will always support anything that seeds the love of theater in children; Lookingglass Alice could do that.

As for Lookingglass, while the company isn’t getting paid for the broadcast, it is expecting to benefit from the attention. The PBS broadcast of Lookingglass Alice will be accompanied by a short documentary about the company, including an interview with its most famous ensemble member, Lookingglass co-founder David Schwimmer. Spokesperson Aurélia Fisher Cohen—who said the company is nearing the end of its reevaluation process and looking to resume live stage work—said she already has received inquiries about future mountings of Lookingglass Alice.

“Alice is representative of not only Lookingglass work, but I think of Chicago ensemble work,” Fisher Cohen said. “It puts us back out there nationally, but also I think it puts theater back out there nationally in a time when theaters need more visibility.”

Seattle Times: King County Approves Sales Tax Increase to Boost Cultural Funding

The Seattle Times covers King County's decision to approve a sales tax increase aimed at bolstering cultural funding. This signals a commitment to supporting the arts, potentially leading to transformative initiatives in the cultural sector. The article outlines the specifics of the tax increase, its projected impact on funding, and the anticipated benefits for local arts organizations.

International

The Guardian: Australian Theatre Actors Launch Petition Amid Pay Dispute

Australian theatre actors, represented by the MEAA, launch a petition to address salary concerns. The Guardian details the actors' grievances, the proposed resolutions, and the broader implications for the performing arts industry in Australia.

The Guardian: English National Opera Set to Move Headquarters to Greater Manchester

The Guardian reports on the English National Opera's decision to relocate its headquarters to Greater Manchester. The article delves into the reasons behind this move, the potential impact on the company, and the broader significance for the cultural landscape of Greater Manchester.

Missed our last few newsletters?

December 4, 2023 - More Unruly Audiences in London, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Beats Their Emergency Funding Goal

This week, Cara Joy David dives into the eligibility decision surrounding Gutenberg!, and some good news on the regional front - success in one of the emergency fundraising campaigns at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Not only were they able to save their season, but exceeded their goal in a way that makes future planning possible and the full staff has been retained. And don’t forget - the BroadwayWorld Regional Awards are open for voting!

November 27, 2023 - Hal Luftig Company Reorg Plan Approved by Courts, Harry Potter Heads to High School

Happy Opening to everyone who opened a holiday show over the weekend! For those that open this week: break a leg! This week in the newsletter, we’ve got a look at how high schools can win a chance to be the first to produce Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Cara Joy David takes us through the recent ruling in the Hal Luftig Company bankruptcy, and the Wall Street Journal takes a look at how some regional theatres are thriving in a challenging environment.

November 20, 2023 - Con Edison Ends Arts Philanthropy, Voting Now Open for Next on Stage

Happy Thanksgiving Week to our readers in the United States, and Happy Monday to our international readership. As we prepare for the parade (and we’ve got your guide on the Broadway performances below), we also get some good news out of the UK where Panto producers report that ticket sales are trending strongly in the right direction for the holiday tradition.

BroadwayWorld Resources

BroadwayWorld Stage Mag - A Fully Interactive Show Program

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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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