As sweeping layoffs diminish WaPo theater coverage, critics reckon with what’s being lost

DC Theater Arts: In 2015, leaders of children’s theaters across DC rose to decry The Washington Post’s decision to stop reviewing theater for young audiences. At the time, it felt like an isolated crisis within the larger ecosystem of arts coverage.

Kennedy Center begins layoffs, rocking institution ahead of two-year closure

The Washington Post: The Kennedy Center began layoffs on Thursday, initiating the first wave of anticipated cuts tied to President Donald Trump’s plan to shut down the institution for two years. Multiple departments were affected — including programming, development, advertising, marketing and the office of the president — according to multiple people at the center who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss personnel matters.

Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre lays off staff, launches fundraising push

The Seattle Times: The 5th Avenue Theatre Company, Seattle’s primary producer of Broadway-scale musicals, is eliminating about 14 staff positions and pausing some education and engagement programs amid cash flow problems, the nonprofit announced Friday. The reductions will affect staff in marketing, box office, education and artistic departments and represent a reduction from 55 staff to about 41.

Kennedy Center president warns of ‘skeletal teams’ during ‘total renovation’

The Washington Post: Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell warned of upcoming staff cuts and the reality of “skeletal teams” in a Tuesday night email to his staff that also touted a “total renovation of the building beginning in early July.”

Lionsgate to Lay Off 15% of Motion Picture Group

Variety: Lionsgate is laying off 15% of its motion picture group, citing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Joe Drake, chairman of the motion picture group, informed employees of the cuts on Thursday. A source said the layoffs will impact about 15% of the department. Lionsgate has about 450 employees.

SAG-AFTRA Cuts Workforce Again Due to COVID-19

Variety: SAG-AFTRA is cutting its workforce for the third time this year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which will leave it with about 400 employees.

Disney to Lay Off 28,000 Theme Park Employees

www.themeparkinsider.com: In light of the prolonged impact of COVID-19 on our business, including limited capacity due to physical distancing requirements and the continued uncertainty regarding the duration of the pandemic – exacerbated in California by the State’s unwillingness to lift restrictions that would allow Disneyland to reopen – we have made the very difficult decision to begin the process of reducing our workforce at our Parks, Experiences and Products segment at all levels, having kept non-working Cast Members on furlough since April, while paying healthcare benefits.

Coronavirus impact on Denver's art scene: Years of growth is lost

theknow.denverpost.com: A pair of new reports from the city detail staggering losses in Denver’s arts and culture scene after six months of coronavirus-related shutdowns, which come just after a decade of unprecedented growth.

Issued this week by Denver Arts & Venues, the two reports focus on the city’s creative economy and its music industry, respectively.

COVID layoffs hit half of the Center Theatre Group staff

Los Angeles Times: Less than three months after announcing its stages would have to remain dark through April, Center Theatre Group confirmed Friday that COVID-19 closures have forced the company to lay off 91 previously furloughed employees, a mix of full- and part-timers who account for 53% of its workforce.