Helly Hansen Luna Collection | New Women's Workwear

PTR: For those of you in the trades who don’t happen to be “man-shaped”, we feel for you. Traditionally, there hasn’t been a whole lot to choose from when it comes to workwear. The Helly Hansen Luna Collection aims to fix that and (literally) has you covered. Designed by women, for women, Helly Hansen has tailored the new softshell jacket, construction pant, and service pant to fit women’s unique needs and physiques.

Lessons in Online Theatremaking from New Paradise Laboratories’ Whit MacLaughlin

HowlRound Theatre Commons: Thirteen years ago, Whit MacLaughlin, the Obie-winning artistic director of Philadelphia’s New Paradise Laboratories, began slamming theatre into the internet. Fatebook (2009) was the first production and Extremely Public Displays of Privacy (2011) was next.

Here we are now with the pandemic COVID-19. Overnight, our functions as theatremakers have changed. Virus control methods have closed theatres and schools. Methods of communication and gathering have shifted online to create social distance and flatten the curve.

In Extraordinary Times, Simple Things Matter

Hydraulics & Pneumatics: These are extraordinary days. I don’t think that is an understatement. The global coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we live, work and gather together. Conferences and events throughout the world have been cancelled, borders have been closed and even casual meetings now take place at a distance.

Beth O’Leary – Baking a Cake on a Moving Tour Bus

SoundGirls.org: Beth O’Leary is a freelance monitor engineer and PA tech based in the U.K. She has been working in the industry for 11 years and is currently working as a stage and PA tech on the Whitney Houston Hologram Tour. She has toured as a system tech with Arcade Fire, J Cole, the Piano Guys, Paul Weller, a tour featuring Roy Orbison as a hologram. She recently filled in as the monitor engineer for Kylie Minogue and just finished a short run for an AV company in Dubai.

Hamilton, Hadestown Slated for PNC Broadway's 2020-2021 Season

Pittsburgh Current: Fans of the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series were pretty disappointed when last week’s reveal of the 2020-2021 season was delayed due to the coronavirus lockdown. That’s why this morning, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust decided to release the program schedule to get us all excited for something big to do after the quarantine is lifted.

KAWS Augmented Reality Exhibition Tests Market for Virtual Art

Artsy: Earlier this month, the art world superstar Brian Donnelly, a.k.a. KAWS
, debuted a new set of his wildly popular “Companion” characters. But unlike his eminently collectible, limited-edition vinyl figures, this new endeavor consisted primarily of geolocated pixels.

Where to Find Free Mental Health Resources During the Pandemic

lifehacker.com: If you feel like you’re struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Many of us are dealing with profound uncertainty and unanticipated stress, whether we’re worried about our health, our finances, our families, or how we’re going to make it through the next month of physical distancing and self-isolation.

QSC Brings the Sound of the Miami Symphony to an Architectural Landmark

LightSoundJournal.com: Miami is known for doing everything with a certain high style, and its symphony is no exception. Conductor Eduardo Marturet wields a Swarovski crystal baton, leading the orchestra through repertoire that ranges from Brahms and Beethoven to jazz, Latin, and film scores. For their concerts in unique venues such as the Moore Elastika Building — originally a 1920s furniture store and now an art gallery and event space in the heart of the Design District — events contractor Pete Diaz Productions turned to QSC, specifically a host of CP8 compact powered loudspeakers, K12.2 active loudspeakers and KW181 active subwoofers.

Makeup Tutorial with ABT's Connor Holloway

Dance Magazine: Watch American Ballet Theatre corps dancer Connor Holloway's Euphoria-inspired makeup tutorial!

As Theaters Stare Down Uncertainty, Ars Nova Buys Itself Time

The New York Times: In the hours after Broadway shut down for 30 days to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Off Broadway closures followed in a wave — show upon show postponed or suspended or prematurely ended.

Ars Nova was one of those companies, going dark the same night that Broadway did, and for the same length of time. On March 12, after just two previews, it paused production of the music-theater piece on its Greenwich Village stage, Heather Christian’s “Oratorio for Living Things,” and halted all activity at its headquarters in Hell’s Kitchen, an incubator for emerging artists and their work.

The paradoxes of trying to make art during a pandemic

Exeunt Magazine: When a big group of people sit in a room together to watch a performance, magic happens. Their heartbeats synchronise, according to scientists. There’s a quality of attention and focus it’s hard to find anywhere else. A small, real moment – the twitch of an ankle, the boiling of a kettle – can trigger an emotional avalanche. Laughter bubbles up, one audible snicker creating a ripple of loosened inhibitions. Sometimes (very rarely) you’ll feel the shoulders of people next to you shake, and realise that half the audience is mopping up tears.

Canada to Pay 75 Percent of Wages for Entertainment Producers Hit by Pandemic

Hollywood Reporter: The Canadian government's bailout of a virtually idle film and TV production sector is gathering pace.

Ottawa's latest cash drop for content producers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis will see 75 percent of the wages paid by entertainment companies subsidized so they can stay in business. To qualify, locally-owned companies must show their revenues have fallen by at least 30 percent and must keep paying their employees and not lay them off.

The Best Multi-tools for EDC in 2020

Everyday Carry: When it comes to everyday carry, having the right tool for the job can determine your success. But unless you’re a contractor, the idea of carrying an entire tool box everywhere is simply impractical.

All your home's a stage

Performing Arts Feature | Chicago Reader: I'm compiling this list of online theater options on World Theatre Day, which feels more than a little ironic. Theaters all over the world are now shut down for the foreseeable future in light of the COVID-19 disaster.

#93 Quarantine Happy Hour

in 1: the podcast: In times of need and uncertainty, we turn to our friends for comfort, so it only made sense that we gathered a slew of friends of the pod to come together for a Quarantine episode of the podcast. Joining Cory for a Friday night drink is Buist Bickley, Darron West, Caite Hevner, Beowulf Boritt, Jason Lyons, Jen Caprio, Jen Schriever, Jason Lyons and Bradley King. Everyone shared how they are coping with the new normal caused by Covid-19 and how it’s taking its toll on everyone’s personal and professional lives

CARES Act Includes Help for Arts Workers; Actors' Equity Thanks Congress

www.broadwayworld.com: Mary McColl, Executive Director of Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, released the following statement following regarding the CARES Act, which has now passed the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Cincinnati Theaters Look to Life After Coronavirus

www.citybeat.com: On March 11, I attended opening night of Dominique Morisseau’s Pipeline at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. It’s an important story about the tragic phenomenon by which young black men act out and end up incarcerated. As luck would have it, that fine performance was also closing night. The next day, D. Lynn Meyers, ETC’s producing artistic director, decided that coronavirus news was dire enough to cause audiences to stay away, so she voluntarily shut down the show.

'Stressed, sick and skint': how coronavirus is hitting arts workers

Culture | The Guardian: This week we asked arts workers to share how their livelihoods were being affected by the coronavirus. Since then, the UK government’s measures to give financial aid to the self-employed will help the sector – but many are still deeply concerned about the lack of work available in the coming months.

Industry Editor Exclusive: How Will Off-Broadway Non-Profits Survive?

www.broadwayworld.com: This week, I asked representatives from ten theatrical nonprofits in New York to speak with me. Most said yes, but many asked to speak off-the-record because the situation is changing so rapidly they didn't want to be quoted on something that would be incorrect by the time the piece ran. Unlike my usual in the weeds piece, this is purposely a more reflective one.

From the arts front lines: Designer Sean Fanning on his need for 'human reminders that we’re in this together'

The San Diego Union-Tribune: Five years ago, I decided to freelance full time. I had just left my day job of seven years assisting designers at the Old Globe while moonlighting as a scenic designer, and now it was time to figure out how to be an artist working out of my own home. It was a risky dream of mine, but I was always a bit perplexed by the lack of structure and the discipline it would take to keep the projects moving. How does one create on demand?

For dancers, coronavirus wipes out stage, TV and video work. Life is 'grief and fear'

Los Angeles Times: Choreographer and image director JaQuel Knight was in the middle of preparing for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival — creating dances for three acts and hiring more than 75 dancers and about 15 assistant choreographers across two weekends — when he learned that the event was postponed.

'Nothing Prepares You for This': Top UK Museum Directors Reveal What It Takes to Put an Art Institution on Lockdown

'news.artnet.com: The directors of London’s biggest art museums, like many of their colleagues across Europe and North America before them, were faced with little choice but to abruptly close their institutions last week as the global health crisis deepened. But unlike their peers in several European countries and American states, who were told to shutter by their governments, the UK’s arts institutions had to make that tough call themselves.

La Jolla Playhouse Launches Online Content Programs, Including Virtual Choreography Session With Kelly Devine

www.broadwayworld.com: La Jolla Playhouse has announced new online content offerings to connect and engage with patrons while its theatres are dark. The content will be available on the website at LaJollaPlayhouse.org, as well as on the Playhouse's social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Tool Deals and Steals - March 29, 2020

Home Fixated: Now is the time to stock up on more than just food and water. With summer around the corner, a new wave of work awaits. It’s time to make room for better blades, harder-hitting hammers, and safer storage. So, we’ve tracked down some great deals on slick tools to keep you ready for projects at home or on the job.

NFTRW Weekly Top Five

Here are the top five comment generating posts of the past week:

How to find keyboard shortcuts for Zoom

The Verge: When you’re in the middle of a Zoom video meeting at home and your cat suddenly decides to start bawling for its dinner, you’ll want to mute your audio in a hurry. In that case, you have a choice: you can either reach for your mouse or touchpad and start searching for the “Mute” button or you can use a quick keyboard shortcut to cut off that noise immediately.

Posted by David at 3/26/2020 11:14:00 AM

Ballet Company Costume Departments Jump Into Action, Sewing Masks for Coronavirus Aid

Pointe: The novel coronavirus pandemic has forced ballet companies worldwide to cancel or postpone their seasons. But it's not just dancers and artistic staff that have found their work at a standstill. Costume departments, a vital component in bringing performances to life, have also hit pause.

Posted by David at 3/27/2020 10:18:00 AM

Performing for no one – the important work of in-studio audiences

theconversation.com: I was in New York two weeks ago being encouraged to clap and whoop enthusiastically by a warm-up comedian, as a member of the studio audience for The View, Whoopi Goldberg’s live daily talk show – think Loose Women with American attitude. Although we didn’t know it at the time, this was the last day The View would have a live audience for the foreseeable future. Now there are no studio audiences on either side of the Atlantic, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Posted by David at 3/27/2020 10:12:00 AM

Theater seamstresses, actors mobilize to make protective gear for doctors

Broadway News: Broadway tailors and seamstresses have been mobilizing to make masks and gowns for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These seamsters sprang into action after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo asked individuals and businesses to help hospitals facing shortages of N95 masks and other protective equipment. Brought together by their unions and by Broadway stars, members of the community have taken over studio spaces and contacted centers in need in preparation for the work.

Posted by David at 3/27/2020 10:15:00 AM

A Guide to Working From Home

MyCrypto - Medium: Whether you’re the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or a first-year university student, the topic that’s on everyone’s mind worldwide as we head into Spring of 2020 is the Coronavirus. Governments across the globe are advising people to stay away from large groups, schools are evacuating, and many businesses are opting to have employees work from home (in many cases, for the first time).

Posted by David at 3/24/2020 02:29:00 PM

Cirque du Soleil explores options including bankruptcy - sources

Reuters: Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is exploring debt restructuring options that include a potential bankruptcy filing, after it was forced to cancel shows because of the coronavirus outbreak, people familiar with the matter said.

Ballet Company Costume Departments Jump Into Action, Sewing Masks for Coronavirus Aid

Pointe: The novel coronavirus pandemic has forced ballet companies worldwide to cancel or postpone their seasons. But it's not just dancers and artistic staff that have found their work at a standstill. Costume departments, a vital component in bringing performances to life, have also hit pause.

Is it better to face your subs at the wall?

www.sounddesignlive.com: I worked on a show last month where I decided to face the subwoofers at the wall. People were looking at me funny and asking questions…and that was before they even saw the subs. ��

So I made a video to investigate the effects of path length differences in this binary scenario. One result is not necessarily better than another, but it’s good to make an informed choice.

Philadelphia DA explores new role for arts in the criminal justice system

PBS NewsHour: Mixing art with criminal justice has become increasingly common in the U.S. The work often tackles complex subjects of redemption and reform. Jeffrey Brown recently traveled to Philadelphia for a look at a new program bringing art to an unexpected part of the justice system: the office of the city’s top prosecutor.

All Access pandemic support strategy

Live Design: The world is in the midst of a crisis, a pandemic of proportions not seen in over a century. This highly contagious infection strains every sector of our society, with none more impacted than the medical community.

Theater seamstresses, actors mobilize to make protective gear for doctors

Broadway News: Broadway tailors and seamstresses have been mobilizing to make masks and gowns for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These seamsters sprang into action after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo asked individuals and businesses to help hospitals facing shortages of N95 masks and other protective equipment. Brought together by their unions and by Broadway stars, members of the community have taken over studio spaces and contacted centers in need in preparation for the work.

Entertainment Technology Companies Turn To Medical Needs

www.livedesignonline.com: “I think we were one of the first industries to come to a screeching halt,” said John Huddleston, director of Live Events for Upstaging, in an interview for WGN9 in Chicago. His Sycamore, IL, company has retooled from equipping large concert tours for the likes of The Rolling Stones, Billie Eilish, and Paul McCartney to making protective masks and plastic room dividers, using a warehouse of equipment, a fleet of semis, and employees to fabricate products. “We’re pivoting to whatever’s in demand,” Huddleston adds. Watch the video interview with Huddleston here.

Broadway businesses take a hit after theater shutdown

Broadway News: Broadway businesses are being gutted as revenue streams dry up due to the closure of the theaters.

Employers have been laying off staff members across all sectors of the industry, including advertising, ticket selling and producing offices and at scenic and lighting design shops.

Performing for no one – the important work of in-studio audiences

theconversation.com: I was in New York two weeks ago being encouraged to clap and whoop enthusiastically by a warm-up comedian, as a member of the studio audience for The View, Whoopi Goldberg’s live daily talk show – think Loose Women with American attitude. Although we didn’t know it at the time, this was the last day The View would have a live audience for the foreseeable future. Now there are no studio audiences on either side of the Atlantic, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How Theater Creatives are Inspiring Art-Making at Home

Observer: For the one in four Americans who have been told to stay at home during this COVID period, it might be hard to put down the news and pick up the pen. Fortunately, Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel has some encouraging words: “Everyone, and I mean everyone, is a storyteller and a writer.”v

Streamed performance helps American Shakespeare Center raise a record breaking $350,000

DC Theatre Scene: The American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Va received a huge outpouring of local and international support for its “Keep the Lights On” campaign.

Online, the Show Goes On. But It’s Just Not the Same.

The New York Times: Germany’s robust cultural scene was among the first casualties of the coronavirus. On March 10, the country’s hundreds of theaters and opera houses began shutting down. Stages will remain dark until at least April 19.

As everyday life here has come to a grinding halt, many theaters have moved to offer live and archived performances online, free of charge, creating something like an ad hoc Netflix for German theater.

Tony Awards, Broadway’s biggest night, postponed because of virus’ spread

The Seattle Times: Citing concerns for “the health and safety of the Broadway community,” representatives of the Tony Awards announced Wednesday a postponement of the June 7 ceremony. They added that the event would be produced at some future date “when it is safe to do so.”

Tokyo DisneySea shares video of Fantasmic! for the final time

www.themeparkinsider.com: Tonight was supposed to be the final performance of Fantasmic! at Tokyo DisneySea, which was closing after a nearly nine-year run. However, the entire park closed last month along with the rest of the Tokyo Disney Resort, due to Covid-19, preventing the show from completing its run tonight.