The Theatre Times: There’s no denying that COVID-19 has been a financial and connectivity nightmare for artists. Theatre, in particular, thrives off of that human-to-human connection: it’s what brings in theatre lovers and theatre newbies alike, performance after performance, and allows artists in the theatre to make a living. With the majority of theatres worldwide closed to the public, both physical interaction and financial stability have been altered or, at worst, stopped entirely. It’s a frightening time for the theatrical community, as we search for support in a moment when simply living feels radical. There is no denying that very real fear.
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This article states that in the pandemic, we now have no alternative other than to listen to the concerns that have been screamed off of rooftops for years. I would like to think this is true, but unfortunately, I do not trust that it is the case. I am usually an optimist, but there are so many problems, across all industries, but especially when it comes to accessibility in the theatre world that it is easy to think they will again fall by the wayside rather than be addressed. It is hard to think that Broadway’s prices will ever change, but getting notifications about $5 virtual shows is at least nice. I do hope that the industry will listen, but when many of us are shut in our houses literally, it is easy to see the possibility of people shutting themselves in metaphorically as well, especially when they are stuck in “the way things have been”. Still, there are no excuses for not moving in a better direction and at least making a start and a commitment.
-Ariel Bernhard
I really liked this article as it shed a light on how this pandemic is forcing producers and artists to focus on accessibility. In this sense, I think it is allowing theatrical art to reach more diverse communities of audiences virtually than they have before. Many artists are currently struggling and upset, claiming that a key component of theatrical productions is that it is live. However, there are many people who cannot make it to theaters because of location, time, and physical accessibility needs. I think that moving theater virtually has also allowed for people not that serious about theater to be more willing to have a taste from the comfort of their own home. Though broadway is losing a lot of money, I think that this has allowed them to reach more audiences so when they come back, they will not go under. Also I think it is great that the Theater Times published this, as it will give a lot more hope and new perspectives to artists who are currently losing hope.
Acessablilty is a huge issue in theater. Both for those who make it and those who go see it. As the article mentions conservatory theater programs such as the one I am currently enrolled in are costly and inaccessible to so many people. Even auditioning or interviewing for conservatory programs is grossly inexpensive. On the other side attending shows is also expensive. While like Ariel I would like to be optimistic that these changes will be implemented I have very low expectations at this point. I think that Broadway is a reflection of society as a whole and they won't necessarily change without society as a whole changing. I think that Broadway can help lead societal change but ultimately a deeper cultural and economic change must occur. Broadway is not about making art but it is about making money. The system that funds it must fundamentally change in order to change the industry as a whole.
As other people have commented on, accessibility in theater is a huge huge issue. I mean, I’m sitting here as a CMU School of Drama student who is able to be here because my parents can afford, and are willing to pay, thousands of dollars for me to go here. That is no small amount of money, on top of living expenses and everything else. Beyond school, theater goers pay for tickets (Broadway tickets are insanely expensive) and many simply cannot afford to spend that kind of money on a ticket. COVID has forced us to think about all of this, and the inequalities that run rampant in the industry. It has been really good to see so much virtual theater being made accessible to a wider audience, for a smaller price and for people across the globe. I hope that going forward we can make theater more accessible, while also being able to support artists.
There are so many issues of accessibility within theater, and I was glad to see that this article focused upon audience accessibility. Most theater audiences in professional, expensive to attend theater is homogenous (in a multitude of ways), and it is critical that this changes. I do hope that it is possible for Broadway and other larger, expensive theaters in the industry to work to reduce ticket costs, however this is unlikely that is going to happen as theaters begin to reopen unless two major things happen. First, there needs to be additional government support of the theater industry, immediately in order for there to be any hope of financial recovery. Second, there needs to be a change in the financial structure of theater. Individual theater artists should not be paid less to make theater more accessible, instead producing companies should be focusing less on profit and more on creating access to theater for all people.
I think that the biggest benefit that this pandemic has given the theater world is an opportunity for retrospection and insight into all of our issues and all of our pitfalls. I think that was we think about reopening, we need to make sure that our shows are accessible or have accessible options for different type of people. The conversation around making relaxed shows for people and in particular kids that are on the spectrum is something that has been growing and is appearing more and more on this blog, and its something we need to start paying attention to. As the article gets at, broadway is a part of the issue, when the entire experience is just an inconvenience, going to the theater becomes less and less desirable. I know we can't fix everything, and I do not think we will fix nearly all the issues of accessibility in the theater, but I think that we can try and do our best and control what we can.
Finally seeing a focus on the accessibility of theater and, as surprising as it sounds, the benefits of the pandemic shutdown on our industry towards accessibility and progress. Increasing inclusivity and accessibility for all only works to further theater towards it's ultimate goal and potential. I've always seen theater as a space for everyone to feel free and embrace their creativity, but in reality this only has applied to a small subset of people. The industry has long needed the kind of innovation and expansion that we are seeing today. While the shutdown of in-person events has certainly thrown the industry into a great deal of uncertainty, it also gave it pause to reflect on its past and better chart it's future. The problems will still persist for some time I'm sure, but recognizing and acknowledging the industry's shortcomings is an important first step to truly creating a space that lives up to the goals and reputation of theater.
I definitely agree with the spirit of this article, and I think the author makes good points about the necessity of accessibility and how we need to be doing better. I am, though, wondering if the pandemic actually made everyone actually shut up, listen, and create change, or if it just made us shut up and struggle to keep going. The lessened price of tickets to the new virtual performances are great and help promote accessibility, but I don’t think that was necessarily a consideration for every company offering them, and I think if and when we get a green light to return to ‘normal’, companies will be financially desperate enough to go back to original pricing or even raising it slightly to try to make up for losses this year. It’s so frustrating that so many problems could be solved with money and increased federal funding - if there was enough money granted that shows could be produced without relying on overpriced ticket sales, I think many companies would absolutely begin to prioritize outreach and accessibility. But it’s hard to worry about that when you’re also worried about staying open.
This article brings up some very good points about how much potential there is for the theatre industry come the end of the pandemic. During this time theatres have been making art that has been significantly more accessible for audiences than the performances of the past. Theatres have also been working on creating anti-racist theatre and improving the theatres to make the work they produce not harmful for people. My biggest fear though is that as soon as theatre starts to pick back up, companies will forget everything they have been working on and go right into doing whatever they can to make money and get back on their feet. And while I do think theatres need money right now because of the amount of revenue they have lost, I don’t think making money and creating accessible, anti-racist theatre are exclusive. Theatres can do both and they must do both to improve this industry.
Lilian Kim-
Despite what people may fear, I believe that accessibility will save theatre. I believe that it will help theatre stay relevant to the public, as more people will be able to be introduced to the wonderful world of theatre. It will also invite diversity and different perspectives that will help advance it further. Theatre needs to be relatable, or at least form some connection with the audience in order for it to thrive. How can the industry complain about the lack of sales and exposure when most of its audience are the same rich peoples? Perhaps a $30 dollar ticket will not pay the bills, but it will make it more accessible than a $300 dollar ticket. Would performers perform better for a crowd of 3, or a packed house?
Going back to the article, I wonder why it took a global pandemic to have a serious conversation about accessibility in theatre. Additionally, I wonder if theatremakers are actually acting upon these conversations, despite the author's more optimistic claims. Once things “return to normal” I wonder if accessibility will change at all? I think the article raises very important questions and points, but I feel that it is not enough.
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