Items

• 
  04/17/2020

  Judy Byron Oral History, 2020/04/17

• 
  2022-07-05

  Broadway begins mask-optional policy

  This is a news story from Spectrum News 1 by Louis Finley. On July 1, a mask optional policy began for Broadway show attendees. This has worried theatergoers and performers alike, as they are now anxious over being exposed to COVID. Some shows, like "Into the Woods," have been negotiating to make masks mandatory for the front row.
• 
  2022-04-16

  Broadway Extends Audience Masking Through May, But Most Venues Will End Vaccine Mandate

  This is a news story from Deadline, written by Greg Evans. This story is about Broadway taking away the vaccine mandate, but keeping the mask mandate through May in their venues. It says that The Broadway League has required all 41 venues to mask up through May 31, but vaccination status will not be checked after April 30. Since the beginning of COVID, Broadway has hired extra staff to check vaccination status at the doors of their venues.
• 
  11/13/2020

  Craig Zehms Oral History, 2020/11/13

  The interviewee, Craig Zehms, discusses how the pandemic and lockdown has affected people’s day to day lives and his initial reacions to the pandemic, stating how he believed that ony the tip of the iceberg had been hit as far as severity goes. Craig then elaborates on his day to day living in Jersey city and his heavy involvement in the community and how important contact with others is. Craig then dives into employment issues overall and then into his own experience and how a new job in real estate has been during the pandemic. Craig then talks about the importance of discipline during isolation and the challenges with keeping in contact with family and friends. At timestamp 00:37:11 Craig gives a very human example of sharing during the pandemic. Towards the end, politics are discussed that include Craig’s opinion that the federal government should have had a specific unified plan instead of having States figure it out and how he was lucky that New Jersey came up with good policy and that most of the populous followed said policy. Lastly, Craig concludes with how important family and friends are and how sharing experiences can make the hard times easier.
• 
  2021-10-09

  The Challenges of Performing Arts During the Pandemic

  This is a short audio file that talks about what challenges I faced during the pandemic, including a performing arts that was shut down the day before opening night and then a successful fundraiser that raised $25,000.
• 
  2020-03-18

  The Show that Almost Was

  After Susanville's Best of Broadway show was cancelled just a day before its opening night, Susanville's local online news editor Jeremy Couso reached out to the Best of Board members to see if he could publish an article about our show, the show that never happened. He and his wife attends the performance for a media night and he happened to have a video of the show. For a small production, the youtube video of the performance has had just under 900 views as of October 9th, 2021. I directed Wizard of Oz with a dear friend of mine, in a one year shot to direct. Watching the video of the show that didn't happen is honestly very sad and hard to do. We become family with the cast and to not reach the finale is painful. But the show must go on, and in 2022, Best of Broadway will take the stage again.
• 
  2021-10-05

  Wide Range of Acceptable Socializing during Covid-19

  This meme shows the four members of the "family" in the movie "We're the Millers" reacting to houseguests during Covid-19. The "Dad" says, "My houseguests won't come unless we wear masks!" The "Mom" says, "My houseguests won't come unless we text them our vax cards!" The "daughter" says, "Our houseguests won't come unless we've had a negative covid test in the last 48 hours!" And the son says, "You guys are having houseguests?" The meme represents the wide range of "rules" that people are setting for themselves during Covid-19. Where I live in Utah, there are no official rules right now except that mask mandates are banned in public schools. In public, most people are not wearing masks and very few students are wearing them in schools. This meme, although it describes having houseguests, represents the varying degrees that people are socializing in all venues: at home, restaurants, movie theaters, amusement parks, family reunions, etc. Some people are still very cautious while others are "back to normal."
• 
  2020-03

  Carla Dollar Oral History, 2020/03

  I was given the assignment to share a recipe I made during quarantine that started March 2020. However, the reality was that as an essential worker, I had no time to cook. And in my tiny, conservative town, we rallied together to support local business. We ordered more take-out foods during that time, to support our friends and family who owned restaurants, but also, just didn't have time to cook.
• 
  2020-08-31

  What I Would Do After

  This piece of writing explains what I wish I could do after the pandemic ends.
• 
  2021-04-01

  Live theaters get long-awaited reopening guidelines from state, but many hurdles remain

  San Deigo County has issued reopening guidelines for theatres. This marks the first time the theatres will be able to reopen in over a year. However, with the new guidelines theatres fear being accused of privacy violations.
• 
  2021-03-28

  COVID-19, Social Distancing, and College Theater in Thatcher, Arizona

  By Lori Dugan/EAC THATCHER — Eastern Arizona College’s Fine Arts Division proudly presents “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” from April 7 – 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium, with the understudy performance taking place on April 8. General admission tickets are $5 for adults and are on sale now at the EAC Ticket Office. Call (928) 428-8228 for more information. EAC employees and students can attend for free. Due to COVID-19, social distancing is in place to accommodate safe spacing. Masks are required. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown synopsis The musical, based on the wildly popular Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz, is probably best described as an average day in the life of Charlie Brown. It is made up of little moments, from Valentine’s Day to baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair. The familiar cast of characters is there, from Lucy and Linus to Schroeder, Sally, and, of course, Snoopy. The production explores what it means to be a good person, prompted by affirmations from Charlie Brown’s friends. These compliments set Charlie Brown on a journey of self-discovery as the audience follows him and his friends through a day of adventure and trials. Musical numbers include “My Blanket and Me,” “The Kite,” “The Baseball Game,” “Little Known Facts,” “Suppertime,” and “Happiness.” The play spans the months between Valentine’s Day and Beethoven Day, following the characters in their optimism and utter despair. “’You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ is a crowd-pleasing classic for all ages,” said Chase Moore, EAC Musical Theatre director. “Anybody who’s a Peanuts fan will relive lots of fun memories from the comic strip.” Behind the production The production is directed by Dr. Dale J. Young, and features set designs by Greg Owen, both EAC associate professors of theater arts. Music is under the direction of Chase Moore. The production is choreographed by Rena De La Cruz, with costumes designed by Timilee McNair. Clark Gesner created the book, music, and lyrics for “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, with additional dialogue by Michael Mayer and additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. Winner of two Tony Awards, five Drama Desk Awards, and an Outer Critic Circle Award, this production’s musing on life’s ironies and delights continues to resonate with audiences’ hearts. Theatre Arts at EAC You can shine in the spotlight at EAC! In the Department of Theatre Arts, students take part in dynamic shows and emerge as artists for the next step in their careers. “Our graduates are successful all across the country,” said Dr. Dale J. Young. “Some of the roles they hold are teachers, managers, actors, playwrights, directors, administrators, MFA graduate students, and the list goes on.” Students interested in this area of study at Eastern Arizona College enter the Associate of Arts Program in Theatre Arts www.eac.edu/Academics/Programs_of_Study/Theatre/. This program offers dynamic learning opportunities in acting, stagecraft, scene design, stage make-up, costume design, play analysis, and more. This curriculum meets the targeted requirements for the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program at a college or university.
• 
  03/13/2021

  Paul Jason Baker-Nicholas Oral History, 2021/03/26

  Paul Jason Baker-Nicholas gives an oral history interview about how COVID-19 has affected the LGBTQ+ Community.
• 2021-03-19

  I hope

  I hope that life can go back to “normal” I hope that I can spend endless days with my friends. I hope that I can go eat at amazing restaurants. I hope I can spend birthdays with those I love. I hope that I can see a movie with my dad on a rainy day. I hope I can shop at malls with my mom. I hope I can see the teachers that have given me a great education. I hope I can safely travel with my family. I hope I can win a volleyball tournament with my teammates. I hope I can dance on the biggest stage. I hope I can sing at concerts with my choir. I hope and I wish that one day I can do all these things.
• 
  2021-02-22

  UK Theaters Set to Be at Full Capacity by June

  This article discuses how theaters in the UK are already partially open and are expected to be at full capacity by June 2021. This is in contrast to Broadway, which is closed in any capacity until May. I feel like this shows how detrimental the United States' response to COVID-19 in 2020 was and how it set us behind the rest of the world in returning to normalcy.
• 
  2021-01-15

  Virtual theater

  This is an article showing what virtual plays you can watch and when/where. I find this article important because live theater is no longer a possibility in the pandemic so we must find solutions. This article explains that there are places you can watch recorded plays from the past and the contributions will be going straight to the performing arts which are financially struggling since March. This is a very helpful article for those who want to watch broadway again while also helping the business. Broadway will be back one day but until then there has to be adjustments made and this will help them get ahead start financially when they open back up.
• 
  2021-01-29

  Bridgerton: The Musical

  While the pandemic has prevented live performances from taking place, it has not stopped musicals from being written. Based on the Netflix hit show “Bridgerton,” two young musicians, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, have written a musical together, which they shared on TikTok. It quickly went viral, starting with a couple songs before expanding into an entire score, and it quickly gained followers and supporters who loved the songs and even posted videos of themselves singing along. The future is unknown for this musical, but it is inspiring to see how young composers and performers are still finding artistic outlets despite being unable to perform in a theater at the moment.
• 
  2021-02-06

  Community Theater Zoom Shows

  With Covid-19 shutting down live performances all over the world, community theaters have been struggling to pay their bills without the income from ticket sales. Because of this, many have turned to Zoom shows and donations so that they can stay afloat until it is safe to hold live performances again. Community theaters are necessary to keep the performing arts alive in small towns and rural areas, but they often receive less grant support than larger theaters and performing arts centers, so they often rely on the support of their patrons. Hopefully virtual performances and fundraisers can keep these theaters alive, so these smaller communities don't lose all access to live theater and performing arts.
• 
  2020-12-12

  Cinemas have reopened

  Cinemas have reopened in China since July, but food and drinks were not allowed during movie to prevent people taking off masks.
• 
  2020-11-01

  Cancelled due to Covid: the project mapping the abandoned arts events of 2020

  COVID-19 has caused many performing art shows to be closed around the world. Artist Anna Tregloan made a branch of her already established Impossible Project to track what shows by Australian artists that have been cancelled or postponed.
• 
  2020-08-11

  Will the Florida Theatre's Darkened Stages and Empty Seats Survive Covid?

  One of the oldest performing arts venues in Jacksonville, Florida, is the Florida Theatre, which over time has been an opera house, a movie theater, and a venue for concerts and plays. Even though under Florida law, they can reopen at 50% capacity, the layout of the theater is so small they could only operate at 25% capacity to maintain social distancing. Because of this, they have to remain closed as 25% capacity is not financially viable enough to open the theater. The Florida Theatre is a building rich in local history, and in the past they have stayed open to the public because of the concerts they host. Not only that, it is a major local employer, employing people directly and also contracting work from other local businesses.
• 
  2020-09-01

  Why some theaters in Jacksonville lit up in red

  This news article from Jacksonville, Florida, talks about Red Alert Restart. Over the course of the pandemic, performing arts and venues for performing arts have suffered economically. RESTART (Reviving the Economy Sustainably Towards A Recovery in Twenty-twenty) is currently a bill in Congress waiting approval. To raise awareness of their financial problems, theaters across the country on September 1, 2020, lit their exteriors in red to represent their financial losses due to the pandemic. Many of the participating theaters in Jacksonville are places I have seen concerts at or are places I have driven by many times.
• 
  2020-08-24

  What the Coronavirus Pandemic Means for the Future of Broadway

  This article from the New Yorker touches on what the long-term effects on Broadway plays may be due to COVID-19. It touches on multiple issues facing Broadway actors, such as the recent deaths of Nick Cordero and Terrence McNally due to complications from COVID-19, the strain on the Actor's Fund due to the financial aid needed by unemployed actors, and how actors are continuing to try to perform during the pandemic. The end even touches on the Black Lives Matter movement and its possible implications on Broadway.
• 
  2020-03-18

  LIST: Cancellations & changes for Jacksonville-area events

  This news article from News 4 Jax highlights events in my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, that were canceled as a result of COVID-19 during the early stages of the pandemic. Most notable was that the tour version of Hamilton was supposed to have come to Jacksonville, but was canceled due to the virus. Concerts and theater are one of the many ways people can connect and develop a sense of community. Not only that, the amount of canceled events hints at the economic opportunities lost, both for the city itself and for those involved with the performance.
• 
  2020-03-20

  A Local Theater Cares for Its Community

  Betsy Garthwaite, facilities manager at the Ulster Performing Arts Center in Midtown Kingston, NY, puts a positive message about the coronavirus outbreak on the marquee outside the theater. Amidst the turmoil and uncertainties facing the world, this uplifting message reminds community members that they are not alone.
• 2020-03-13

  six string melancholy

  It was Friday, March 13. The last class of the day was interrupted by an announcement, " all after school activities cancelled". Now the musical that id been practicing for over a month was gone. That night we played the show with no audience, ill never forget that day.
• 
  07/11/2020

  J. Michael Bailey Oral History, 2020/07/11

  This is an interview of J. Michael Bailey about his life during the COVID-19 pandemic. J. Michael is a high school teacher and speaks about the difficulties of distance learning. He offers his thoughts on the effects of the performing arts community, for which he is a longtime member of. J. Michael also candidly talks about be isolated with his wife and children, as well as the mental and physical stresses of unknown illnesses during this time period.
• 
  2020-07-05

  Broadway and a Sense of Smell

  This story discusses the importance of the little known symptom of "anosmia" in screening for COVID-19, and specifically how this theater loving clinician came to realize that this was not a symptom to be overlooked.
• 
  2020-07-03

  Tipsy Tales

  We spent 2 and a half years building the [Philippines'] first immersive theater on Filipino Folklore. We ran for an amazing six months serving thousands of locals and tourists alike. We had a lot of dreams for the company. We wanted to export multi-sensory interactive theatrical experiences on Filipino culture to the world. We wanted to make people happy. The pandemic had shut down both live entertainment and the tourism industry. We could no longer afford to keep it running in the new normal. When we had to close our production, it was heart breaking. Everyone knows how hard it is [to] open a business, but few people talk about he kind of grief that comes with closing one. For a while, it felt like I had a lost a child. So young and full of potential that died before it's time. There was a pain to losing something you've worked so hard to grow from the ground up. But at the end of the day, we are grateful for the chance to have brought a dream to life, even just for a short while. Dreams are our greatest rebellion against these uncertain times. My greatest hope is that we never forget that in the darkness, we can be our own light.
• 
  2020-05-12

  When Will We Want to Be in a Room Full of Strangers Again? Theater, an industry full of optimists, is reckoning with a heartbreaking realization.

  In this article written for the Atlantic on May 12, 2020- Helen Lewis writes, "As a live art form, theater is particularly affected by the coronavirus, along with concerts and stand-up comedy performances. As I talked with writers, directors, and producers, the same refrain recurred: When will anyone want to be in a dark room full of strangers again? Many of those I spoke with were quietly updating their scenario-planning documents to account for a return next spring, and warned that, without a bailout, that long of a shutdown would financially cripple some institutions. Even when theaters reopen, social-distancing rules could hamper rehearsals, and force venues to sell fewer (and therefore more expensive) tickets. Most believe theater will eventually rebound, but there is talk of a generation of artists and audiences being lost." The effects that COVID-19 will have on the performing arts industry are innumerable but elusive to define. We know things will change, but how and to what extent remains to be seen.
• 
  2020-06-04

  Harry Potter camp goes online

  Since January, I planned to send my 6yo to a summer theater camp. When I moved to Tempe, several people told me that Childsplay was great, and I couldn’t wait to send her. The camp was supposed to start in June, and then thanks to COVID-19 got pushed back to July. I re-arranged some summer plans to make sure she could go, only to have the in-person camp cancelled. Instead, they offered an online version called the “Triwizard Tournament.” I can say that she tried, but after months of being at home she felt weird getting online and seeing a Zoom screen full of three new teachers and new kids. When asked to say her “wizard name,” she clammed up, said her stomach hurt and said she didn’t want to continue. I was frustrated, but I said OK, logged her off, and took a breather. I think, what frustrated me the most is I want her to have a fun activity, one that doesn’t require my input. Honestly, it would be a relief if she were having fun pretending to be a wizard on Zoom instead of bored and complaining that she wants more TV time. After thinking it through, and realizing I was more upset over what I wanted, I got it together and we moved on. I hope she can do a traditional class in the future.
• 
  2020-05-14

  "The Show Must Go On...Line" Pioneer Theatre Company

  Karen Azenberg introduces this week's theme for The Show Goes On...Line! with the cast of "Music Man." It's a large cast, so hang on! Cast members also give a special shout out to ensemble member Michael McArthur from the 2015 production and went on to appear in TV's Smash, and Fosse/Verdon. Michael passed away this month; he will be terribly missed by all of us. Here to kick things off is none other than Lizzie Klemperer who played "Marian Paroo," performing her tribute to Michael with "I Could Have Danced All Night."
• 
  2020-05-29

  COVID-19 rules prompt Utah theater group to perform Shakespeare in the parking garage

  "The interactive theater production “Through Yonder Window,” based on “Romeo and Juliet,” produced by the experimental Salt Lake City group SONDERimmersive. Using COVID-19 safety precautions • Audience members must stay in their cars, with windows open a bit, throughout the performance. No restrooms are available. Performers will wear face masks, and stay at least 6 feet apart at all times. Cars will likely come into contact with performers, materials, soap and water." This is how artist are attempting to further their craft and stay alive during a devastating time for their trade.
• 
  04/05/2020

  Show's Over...For Now

  As a result of the statewide lockdown measures, all theaters, including the Warren and its always-popular IMAX, closed in an effort to halt the pandemic's march across the city. #NortheasternJOTPY
• 
  05/01/2020

  May the Force Be With You, Wichita

  Taken in the final days of Kansas's lockdown, movie theaters such as this one would have to wait several more weeks before finally reopening. Promising to see its patrons soon, the theater's marquee reminds Wichitans to find their inner Jedi while confronting the dark side: COVID-19.
• 
  03/19/2020

  Stay Positive

  While walking down the streets of Laguna Beach, the movie theathre there put up this message to stay positive during this time when everything is closed down.
• 
  2020-05-06

  What the owners of NoDa theatre think of covid-19

  This image tells us what the owners of NoDa theatre think of covid-19
• 
  04/22/2020

  Daily Brooklyn Walk #3

  An Earth Day walk; a shuttered movie theatre marquee and a cabbage *#fordhamuniversity
• 
  2020-05-04

  All of Zoom’s a Stage

  Shakespeare’s quote, “All the World’s a Stage,” has taken on a new meaning in my life and the lives of other theater artists during this pandemic. Due to the social distancing orders, theater as we know it has come to a halt, causing us creatives to become even more creative with adapting how theater is presented during this time. The very core of the theater is performing on stage, which is impossible to do during this time. What do we do when the shows we are working on get cancelled? How do we continue working on our craft when we cannot be together? How do we continue our professional goals when the very thing that makes up our profession cannot happen? So many more questions just like these have arisen in the theatrical community during this time of extreme uncertainty. We cannot perform on an actual stage, so we have to be creative and make the world our stage. Personally, in order to stay sane, I have been trying to keep myself immersed in theater as much as I can within all these restrictions. This keeps me busy and prevents boredom. Ultimately, it distracts me from the depressing thoughts, such as the feeling of being alone, or the fact that the show I was cast in this semester got cancelled. The more I do theater in any way I can, especially when that theater involves other people, the more these thoughts go away. I started by creating a flexible routine for myself. A routine keeps me busy, but keeping it flexible reduces my everyday stress, even just a little bit. I try to start each day by taking a walk and listening to music or a podcast on spotify. A lot of the time, I end up listening to my favorite Broadway show tunes and practice acting through the song as 1 I walk. Honestly, this gets some weird looks from neighbors, but once I stopped caring about what they think, this turned into one of the most freeing parts of my day! After walking and completing my online homework for the day, I usually practice singing. I’ve been trying to focus on songs that I have fun with, rather than specifically picking out audition pieces, which has surprisingly led to me finding some great audition songs in a no-stress way! After singing, I move onto play readings. I have a goal to read a play every other day, which has been great because I’ve found so many new audition monologues without even looking for them! Whenever I can, I try to read these plays with my friends over Zoom. We each pick a character, and then read the plays aloud together. It’s a great way to keep a sense of community with people who are a thousand miles away from me. One of my favorite experiences during this time has been the Zoom reading with my fellow cast members of the play I was in that got cancelled. I was still disappointed that we won’t be able to perform it in person, but it was so nice to be able to perform it, even though it was over Zoom. It was especially wonderful to get to see friendly faces again, and I absolutely loved the sense of community I felt when working with these talented people. I highly recommend getting a group together and performing over Zoom. The act of creating theater in times like this is so comforting and satisfying, and can provide you with a sense of hope. Times like these can be very discouraging, but I hope that my story shows other theater artists that you can still be creative during a time that seems to stall creativity. Take a deep breath, and go forth and create!