Back in 2011, I blogged about the “con” revolution. You know, ComicCon, EmeraldCityCon, DragonCon, ILikeHungarianCabinetMakingCon, and so on. With all the different “cons” out there, I had to wonder why there was no BroadwayCon.
Thursday, February 05, 2015
I saw the future. And it was BroadwayCon!
Back in 2011, I blogged about the “con” revolution. You know, ComicCon, EmeraldCityCon, DragonCon, ILikeHungarianCabinetMakingCon, and so on. With all the different “cons” out there, I had to wonder why there was no BroadwayCon.
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I have always wanted to go to a con of really anything. I guess up until now my top pick would have been ComicCon, given all of my Batman apparel. But now with the announcement of a BroadwayCon, it will definitely be my top choice and I do aspire to go there. I am curious, however about what they will have at a BroadwayCon since there is so much that goes into a production and all walks of theatre will be attending. I imagine they could have a whole Production-based con just for TDs and SMs and PMs and Designers, so how can they possibly fit in everything while making enough cuts to fit into one con and not exclude any group of people? It will definitely be a popular con, though. I’m sure professionals will want to go as well as amateur Broadway fanatics, which might cause it to be the biggest con out there.
Interesting. I've always found the Con movement to be kind of fascinating. The internet has certainly supplemented the need for enthusiast-on-enthusiast interaction, but Cons have only increased in the internet age, as more and more people can become enthusiastic about modes of entertainment that they aren't able to experience in person because of price and location. Given the amount of time I have spent on the internet looking at production photos of shows I couldn't see, I know that the Broadway enthusiast culture is just as alive and well as that of Marvel and other "geeky" cultures. While I wonder whether BroadwayCon is something that will be respected in the greater theatrical community, I am absolutely convinced that it will be a hit. Theatre awakes a love and a fervor and a passion like little else. It only makes sense to have its own gathering place for its fan club.
Wow. Talk about the best place on earth for all of those Broadway dorks out there. This is going to be such a hit, especially with future cons. Through my high school years, there have been many conversations on the United States creating a con that is meant for all of the Broadway lovers out there. And now those prayers have been answered. I hope they do all of the regular con stuff like signings, commentaries, costume parades, and booths of amazing stuff. Also, it would be really cool to create parts of this con to be a "full experience" kind of a thing. Maybe creating a audition process for those who love theatre but never had the guts to do this and also has design competitions for those techies out here who wanna show off what they've got to the public. I really like the sound of this con because it incorporates the musical, play, and tech side of Broadway. now everything can be appreciated by those who are and are not involved in theatre.
This does sound like a fantastic idea, and I really am astounded that something like this hasn't been thought of previously, especially with the massive popularity of conventions at the moment. Events like ComicCon have even brought parts of a slowly-bankrupting industry back to life, because of the idea that Cons are considered "cool" and "of the moment". I feel like this really could be a game-changer for improving Broadways image, and that is exciting within itself. After having been to some giant theatrical conventions that are mainly targeted for young adults, I feel like it really only makes sense for them to build a new Con that's targeted for adults. It really could be a great opportunity to provide a safe space for people looking to express themselves and geek out together over the latest Broadway hits, as well as providing excellent networking and marketing opportunities for artists looking to connect. Not to mention allowing fans to get more interaction with their favorite Broadway artists.
Conventions are my absolute favorite thing! BroadwayCon sounds like an excellent idea, and it definitely makes perfect sense that it exists. When I went to GeekyCon (a Fandom Convention) last year, you could tell that the Musical Fandom was heavily present and there actually were Elphabas, Mormons, and Newsies cosplayers running around. And the GeekyCon the year before's guest of honor was none other than Anthony Rapp, where he did a Fandom-based parody of La Vie Boheme for the opening ceremony. So at least with this Con specifically, broadway fans were already embracing the Convention culture with Broadway sing-alongs and Broadway themed cosplays. The next logical step would be to have a convention. Although I agree with the above comments and hope that there's an audition prep area and design booths, I also hope there are fun events as well, such as Broadway music sing-alongs and perhaps performances from upcoming broadway musicals. I can't wait to hear about where it's being held and I hope I get the chance to go.
It’s really great that they are starting a BroadwayCon because there are so many people who are huge fans of all the shows, but don’t exactly fit at any other convention, but still go anyway. And now they can all get together and be geeky. Sounds amazing. I’m really surprised that Broadway hasn't thought of doing this before with how many different cons there are out there like the internet cat meme one that has been going on for three years now I think.
It would be really interesting, and amazing, if they had multiple panels about the tech side of a Broadway production for all the techies out there who like the shows, but lets be serious, the sets are just as amazing. And maybe it could also be a job fair kind of thing on the side because I know that at ComicCon, for example, has an area for artists to show their work to comic book companies and maybe be hired. There is just so much that can happen with this con. I can’t wait to see it be a success.
My question is, why has this not been invented earlier?? There are thousands, millions of people- arguably more than that of the population that would attend ComicCon- that are interested in theatre and Broadway. I love the idea of celebrating not only current, but past productions in theatre. I can see it now, hundreds of Elphabas and phantoms running around enjoying each others love of this amazing art form. I will be waiting –like Kim said- for a Production type of ComicCon, that is directed towards the SM’s, Lighting, Sound, Media, Scenic, and TD, sections of theatre. I suppose the quadrennial in Prague is equivalent to that though. I have always enjoyed listening to people talk about things that they love, things that they are passionate about and enjoy doing. The light in their eye’s when they talk about these things that hold a special meaning to them is beautiful. That is what I imagine BroadwayCon to be like.
2. I both hate and like the idea of “broadwaycon”. When I think of what the idea of a “con” stands for I get the sense that it’s a place where fans of the “con” come together from all over to together celebrate their love for this particular fandom and really get the chance to find people to nerd out with safely. So as much as I am always for save and shameless self-expression. The idea of Broadway con I feel make certain great pieces on Broadway into jokes. Regardless if the work is satire on a particular subject, I still get the strong uneasy feeling that this will really fast turn into people losing the meanings and messages of what the shows and characters of the shows were trying to accomplish. Especially shows that exhibit negativity to a certain group of people.
Seriously? I know this event has already happened… or it should have because this is an old article, but no, please no. I agree this ‘con’ nonsense is becoming an epidemic, theres a ‘con’ for EVERYTHING, did broadway really need one too? I think the could be great, but not in the weird ‘fan girl/boy’ way it most likely was. Do we really need hundreds of people dressing up like Wicked and the phantom of the opera? that just sounds horrific. If it was more of a professional convention for the industry, I think it could be great. But a Braodwaycon… most likely on broadway. its a little heavy handed. I’m glad broadway has so many supporters, and i’m glad there are fans that get that excited about it, but I just don't know how much good it will do the community. I don't think the press from the event really helped broadway, and while santacon is cool, maybe broadway should be a step above that.
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