Items

• 
  2021-02-09

  Artists Reimagine How Covid-19 Will Shape the Art World

  In a time when people can't go to museums or concert halls, arts and musicians are improvising. Many are taking part in digital exhibitions and performances. Others are embracing the practice of street art, it always artists to continue creating art and have more exposure to the general population.
• 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.
• 
  2020-09-03

  turn back time

  This is a pdf of my award from the annual piano competition. Usually, I would perform in a concert hall with 3 judges and the other contestants. This year, I had to submit my recordings and compete with over 30 entrees. To me, my piano was not the big grand pianos and my setup was not professional as others. After changing songs a month before the due date, I practiced for hours. You think learning an 8-page song in a month is hard, but actually, it was fun with the pressure on. 3 months after submitting, I finally got the news that I won 3rd place. Despite learning a song in a month, I was able to win and place. From this, I learned that hard work never stops and nothing should discourage you. If I gave up when I found out the category I originally applied for was canceled, I wouldn't have won. This was an important event for me because I didn't think I would get close since I was close on time. If I turned back time, I would have initially picked this set of songs and perfected it, even before the quarantine.
• 
  2020-01-01

  Ratatouille: the TikTok Musical

  TikTok, an extremely popular social media app that allows users to upload short videos, never fails to showcase creativity. From dances to trends to recipes and more, it seems there is no limit to what its users can create. One of the most seemingly ridiculous examples of this is the “Ratatousical,” now formally known as “Ratatouille: the TikTok Musical.” User Emily Jacobsen began what became a viral movement by posting a short song she made up about the main character of the Disney/Pixar film Ratatouille, and it quickly picked up momentum. Soon more people began writing songs for the characters of the movie, choreographing dances, and designing sets for what became a very detailed crowd-sourced musical. Many joked that it needed to go to Broadway once Broadway reopened, and shared their dream cast for the show, posting song covers and orchestrations for the show. Due to the massive popularity it gained on TikTok, many official Broadway-related and Disney pages and websites began referencing the original song, playing along with the idea of this musical. Much to everyone’s surprise, on December 9, 2020, it was announced that an official virtual production of the show would be presented by Seaview Productions on January 1, 2021, featuring the original songs shared on TikTok with full orchestrations and Broadway actors performing them. The concert benefited The Actors Fund, a charity supporting workers in the performing arts and entertainment, and starred Titus Burgess (of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt fame) as Remy. Through the sale of virtual tickets and donations, over $2 million was raised for the Actors Fund because of this show, which was met with overwhelming positivity. All of the original creators of the songs featured were compensated and praised, and the collaborative effort brought joy and excitement to performing arts workers and fans alike. What seemed like a silly trend on TikTok quickly brought together hundreds of thousands of people, allowing them to share in what brings them happiness even when still separated due to the pandemic. The money raised through this project will go on to support those who have been out of work from the closure of theatres and the entertainment industry, which has led countless numbers of individuals to be out of work since early in the pandemic. This effort to collaborate and create allowed individuals to return to the feeling of community and support often felt in the performing arts and provided a creative outlet for many. While nothing feels quite the same as seeing a musical live and in person, it is inspiring to know that the performing arts community is alive and well, even in the midst of a pandemic. If you haven’t checked it out, I’d highly recommend it. Here’s to Remy, the rat of all our dreams.
• 
  2020-12-15

  Jackson Brockenbrough

  Jackson Brockenbrough, Jdagiver Production, explained in a verbal interview that as a direct result of COVID his inspirational has been effected. Lack of city life has made it more difficult for him to tap into his creativity. The dullness within the current state of the world translates into his work as many artist are effected by the their life and surroundings as a source of inspiration. Jackson continued explaining that even though this time is more difficult to produce music, he has a responsibility as a producer during COVID. For example the world utilizes music as an outlet to express and feel emotions of such as emotions of fear and frustration that COVID induces.Jacksons has also been faced with the difficulty of individuals being unable to contribute to sessions like they did prior to job restrictions because of COVID. Jackson’s story explains how an entrepreneur faces not only individuals struggling, and competition but also effected by the economic state of his consumers too.
• 
  2020-12-09

  Opera Atelier, a company known for preservation, adapts well in the digital, COVID age of the arts

  Article on how adopting digital platforms helps the entertainment industry
• 
  2020-12-08

  Musician questions entertainment restrictions as bars remain open

  Article about musicians and live music industry suffering due to Covid-19
• 
  2020-04-09

  Twenty One Pilots one of the first to release a song during lockdown, “Level of Concern”, to help relieve anxiety

  I think this item is really interesting, and it does fill an archival silence, about musicians and what they did in lockdown- if they stopped producing music, if they were even more eager to, etc. I first heard this song in the lockdown, and it made me feel like I was connected to the band- he was singing about the same things I was experiencing, I realized everyone was going through similar things in quarantine. I had never thought about what musicians and singers were doing, for some reason I thought their lives didn’t change much, but they did. I thought it was really cool Twenty One Pilots saw that people were down, stressed, etc. and wanted to relieve some stress with a song about the pandemic.
• 
  2020-04-04

  Use. Full.

  This story, "Use. Full" speaks to my feelings of uselessness as lockdown set in and the irony that, because I had the time and not much else to do - because I knew people who knew people and was armed with a smart phone and limitless wifi - I was able to be of use in a remote, emergency situation. I am a professional actor, writer and singer, for whom all performance work was brought to an abrupt halt. I have family and friends who are clinicians and who, unlike me, (still) find themselves on the frontlines of the pandemic dealing with their own pandemic-wrought stress. There was something strangely comical about doing nothing, this enforced idleness, being touted as my patriotic duty. It is especially difficult to accept that proposition when usefulness and productivity have been so ingrained and associated with 'getting your hands dirty.' My smartphone and computer, devices often derided as barriers to 'real' human connection became the conduits for the only real connection we could have other than with the loved ones we were isolating with. The 'pings' of text notifications were welcome accompaniments to days spent reading, watching movies, amusing ourselves with the latest pandemic-inspired memes.
• 
  2020-11-19

  The future of music festivals might be inside video games

  There has been multiple online festivals hosted inside video games such as Minecraft, with Lavapalooza, or Fortnite, the infamous Travis Scott event. Many of these events proceeds have gone directly to charity regarding Covid-19 relief. These digital live music events raise the question of the viability of hosting a digital festival in a post-pandemic world.
• 
  2020-11-17

  Bandcamp Offers Artists A New Paid Livestream Platform

  Bandcamp, the popular indie music streaming platform, has offered musicians a new revenue stream to replace in-person live shows. Fans can buy a ticket to access the show and purchase merchandise at the "virtual merch table". As the music industry has been turned upside down due to the end of touring and live shows, this offers another way to supplement the income of artists.
• 
  2020-06-05

  The Collapse of the Concert Industry

  On June 5, 2020, I was scheduled to attend a concert to see The Lumineers at BB&T Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey. As an avid concert-goer, I would regularly attend music festivals, live performances, and music events throughout the year to view my favorite performers. From Radiohead and Lana Del Rey to Post Malone and Pearl Jam, the amount of musicians that I have yet to see is limited. My experience at music festivals speaks to the love and appreciation I have for the concert industry; spending a week outside in the blazing heat surrounded by thousands of other concertgoers (who are usually drenched in sweat and dehydrated) are moments that I cherish year after year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, I was unable to see any concerts, music festivals, or performances because of CDC health restrictions and the threat of the virus. In June, I received an email detailing that my concert tickets to see The Lumineers were cancelled and my money would be refunded. An option that the event company provided was to donate concert tickets to healthcare workers serving in hospitals, nursing homes, and other essential workspaces. The inclusion of this option struck me as a compassionate and empathetic gesture towards recognizing the essential workers of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a college student, I do not bear witness to the firsthand account of serving sick patients and being exposed to a deadly virus. Providing healthcare workers, who are risking their lives to keep the majority of the population safe, concert tickets to enjoy when the pandemic ends is a wonderful gesture and reminds me to celebrate local healthcare workers in my community. Despite the positive tone of the cancellation email, I am saddened to reflect on the future of the concert industry. Health restrictions caused many local concert venues to close and left many struggling musicians and artists to find other means of work instead of pursuing a music career. Concerts are a means of bringing diverse communities together to celebrate a singular thing: the power of music in providing healing, love, and joy. During adversities, I turn to music to find solace and comfort, as do others, and the absence of live performances in the future gives me anguish knowing that I may never see Vampire Weekend on stage, attend Lollapalooza Music Festival, or dance to Tame Impala’s music ever again. However, I love seeing the creation of alternative options to live music, such as neighborhood concerts and rooftop performances where viewers can distance themselves from others and wear masks while enjoying the atmosphere of a concert-like setting. Once the COVID-19 pandemic ends, I am anxiously awaiting the return of the concert industry so I can continue to sing and dance to my favorite bands! The image I have concluded is a screenshot of the email that I received from BB&T Pavilion detailing that the concert was cancelled, but I had the option to donate my tickets to healthcare workers on the frontline. While I am upset that I was not able to attend the concert in June, I believe that healthcare workers should be compensated for their time, sacrifice, and devotion to the betterment of our society through their tireless efforts in healthcare. This option is a perfect example of how individuals can give back to members of our society that are fighting to end the COVID-19 pandemic and to acknowledge their progress and effort to keep every person safe from sickness.
• 
  2020-10-28

  Workers Laid off at The Happiest Place on Earth

  Over 11,350 workers, including 720 actors and singers were laid off by Walt Disney World on 28th of October, 2020. The layoffs were a part of Walt Disney’s Co. to eliminate jobs in different divisions to meet the requirements of cost, and restrictions amid the pandemic. Kate Shindle, the president of actor equity association said “Our heart goes out to all cast members at Walt Disney World, Disney has made it clear that our members would face work reduction since they announced layoffs of nearly 28,000 employees .That doesn’t make this news less painful”. The union said that laying off performers would maintain their right to be recalled for job openings until the end of 2021.
• 
  2020-04-08

  "Viktor Orbán is Using the Coronavirus Emergency to Crush Minorities" - Jacobin

  In an article for Jacobin Magazine, Imre Szijarto and Rosa Schwartzburg describe in length how the far-right government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has taken advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to pass a law to give itself emergency powers over civil society and the other branches of government. These emergency powers, which include the ability to censor journalists, attacks on LGBTQ rights, the power to grant government contracts (to Orban's cronies), and the takeover of art institutions, represents a blatant power grab that is unprecedented in Europe since the 1930s. Indeed, Orban's emergency power decree has drawn comparisons to figures as varied as Adolf Hitler and Emperor Palpatine (in Hungarian language memes), and the European Union leadership has strongly condemned Orban's decree as akin the "Enabling Act," which was passed by the Nazis in 1933. Orban's autocratic power grab and the democratic backsliding experienced by Hungary were already underway before the pandemic, but COVID-19 has allowed Orban to use a "state of exception" to effectively suspend liberally democracy in Hungary for the foreseeable future.
• 
  2020-11-05

  “Once the World Stopped” - Final Trailer

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLg4GmKELd4&feature=emb_title Theater students and faculty at the University of North Dakota (UND) were left with a semester’s worth of classes to fill when the performing arts department was closed down due to COVID-19 restrictions. The students and faculty decided to put a play into production that “follows a group of high school students 30 years into the future learning about the many events of 2020. Mr. Silverside, the class substitute, takes the class on a journey to the past through his experiences, stories and interactive assignments.” “UND student and actress/writing team member Erin Chaves said the goal was to create a piece that would be relatable to multiple audiences and that also carried a strong message. When meetings about the production got started this fall, students spoke about their experiences from the summer, whether that included learning a new recipe or watching a new show or dealing with more serious topics, such as the Black Lives Matter movement or losing a job.”
• 
  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.
• 
  2020-03-20

  Artis-Naples Social Media Post

  Instagram post by the Artis-Naples. The photograph is their sign that reads “May memories of this season’s iconic moments help you through this difficult time. Be well!” The Artis-Naples is home to the Naples Philharmonic and The Baker Museum. The post itself announces that they will be taking time on their Instagram account to go through the memories of the season’s moments. There is a link to their website regarding COVID-19.
• 
  2020-10-28

  Crew Members Fighting to Save their Jobs

  This is an article about the difficulty that crew members on shows and other entertainment industry venues are facing regarding the pandemic.
• 
  2020-10-01

  Performing Arts Lives On

  With permission from the original poster I wanted to share my friends’ story. Being in the Performing arts has been tough for him since COVID hit, he had a show that was supposed to run right in the midst of COVID and in perfect artistic manner they found a way to make it happen. They held their show in a park and everyone (including the performers) wore masks. In his post he shares the magic of performing arts.
• 
  2020-08-08

  The arts

  I saw this as I scrolled Facebook the other day. I must admit that the arts have never really been in my scope of interest. And by that, I mean performing arts and such. COVID has affected my personal life in many ways but I never thought about the arts and how they have all been affected. This photo changed that for me. As a mom, kid sport games would affect me much more but this picture forced me to look outside of my bubble and into the loss and effects of other groups of people. I think the reality of the arts, specifically performing arts, is that it has been on a slow decline for a few years and COVID just caused devastation to that. I hope posts like this pop up on people's feed like it did to me and force people to look outside of their own bubbles.
• 
  2020-10-21

  The Legendary Rebel Lounge will become a Cafe during the Covid-19 Pandemic

  This is an example of businesses that cannot realistically enforce Covid-19 protocols having to adapt. Music venues across the world have had to either adapt, wait it out, or shut their doors. The owner of the Rebel Lounge is part of the National Independent Venue Association leading the #SaveOurStages campaign.
• 
  2020-07-22

  J.S. Bach’s Bradenburg Concerto No. 3 Driveway Concert

  Despite COVID-19, members of the Phoenix Symphony are still finding ways to perform and uplift the community while staying safe.
• 
  2020-08-20

  Pandemic be damned: Ahwatukee Nutcracker is a go

  The organizer of the Ahwatukee youth Nutcracker production talks about plans to go forward with the annual ballet. She also talks about the precautions being taken to protect the dancers that are auditioning and back-up plans in case the auditorium is cannot be used.
• 
  2020-10-09

  Broadway Shutdown extended through May 2021

  This article shares the news that the Broadway League has extended the suspension of performances through May 2021. Previously, Broadway shows were scheduled to reopen in January 2021. This is significant because of how much employment Broadway affects, from performers to those who work in costume shops.
• 
  2020-10-10

  Florida Theatre

  The Florida Theatre, a historically significant building in Jacksonville, Florida, has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic and has been unable to reopen safely since guidelines have relaxed. As this article says, the theater is now out of money and is trying to raise money through donations so that they can reopen in December.
• 
  2020-10-09

  Jacksonville Drive-In Concert

  his news article talks about a drive-in concert performed by country singer Jon Pardi in Jacksonville, FL. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many notable concerts and live events have been canceled in the area. Hopefully, until the pandemic calms down, drive-in concerts and theatre will help keep the performing arts alive.
• 2020-10-14

  An Empty Theater

  Every year for the last 20 years, our community has planned, practiced, and performed a tribute to Broadway in a production called "Best of Broadway". We have a cast of over 100 local community members that sing and dance to 20 or so different Broadway songs. Our rehearsals are in an old Veterans Memorial building that comes to life during January to March with our songs, lights, and energy. The chants in the hall echos against the old walls, the stomping of feet on the stage threatens those downstairs, and the beat of the music pumps your heart. When one is in the hall, they are guaranteed to hear laughter in the back corner, a director shouting at the sound guy, and a piercing squeal in the speakers. The sounds in the hall define the busy enthusiasm of the cast and crew. However, this year, our production was shut down the day before our opening night due to Covid-19. The heartbreak of working for months on a show that was cancelled was devastating. After our annual production, we always have a day to clean and put our props and costumes away and clean the hall. But, this year, we just...left. The hall remains filled with our Broadway stuff. And when someone walks into the building, the silence of a show that was never performed is deafening.
• 2020-10-14

  Quarantine Life.

  How has the virus disrupted your daily life? What are you missing? I haven’t been able to go certain places. I now have to worry about wearing a mask everywhere I go. I’ve had to do doctors appointments on the computer instead of in person. I’ve been doing school at home instead of actually going to the school building. I have to get my temperature checked at certain places. I have to keep my distance from some people, and put on a lot of hand sanitizer. I was supposed to go to a few concerts but they all got cancelled. I was supposed to go back to school but I ended up having to do it at home. What effect has this crisis had on your mental and emotional health? To be honest, I’ve been very stressed and depressed. I’ve been very stressed with the amount of schoolwork I’ve been getting. I’ve been depressed because I just want things to go back to normal and I wish I had friends to hang out with. I have definitely been more emotional. I try my best to be in a good mood though. What changes, big or small, are you noticing in the world around you? I’ve noticed that a lot of people have become more stressed. A lot of people seem to be angry with the world. The obvious changes include, having to wear a mask almost everywhere, having to get your temperature checked at some places, having to put on a lot more hand sanitizer, and having to keep your distance from some people. I think people are also becoming more depressed because they can’t live a normal lifestyle. More things are being done on computers than in person. Interview of my dad How has the virus disrupted your daily life? The village hall in La Grange (where he works during the week days) was closed for the first few months. He was 120 hours a week from home. What effect has this crisis had on your own mental and emotional health? It has made him really tired and stressed because he is overworked. Are there any changes that you are noticing in the world around you? Less people are calling 9-1-1 because they are afraid they are going to catch the virus (he is also a firefighter/paramedic).
• 
  2020-09-22

  Drive-in movie/Broadway hybrid

  This news article talks about Broadway at the Drive-In, which will show recorded musicals and offer live mini-concerts to accompany them. This drive-in is opening September 26 and will start by showing Phantom of the Opera. This showing will be accompanied by a live concert with an 11-piece orchestra. On October 1, they'll add a second, late-night show, Purple Rain. People who come can either watch ffrom their car or reserve picnic tables ahead of time. Social distancing will be enforced.
• 2020-09-22

  The Show Must (Not) Go On!

  Senior year of high school: a time when every soon-to-be graduate has the same question of "what comes next?" on their minds. Some were awaiting admissions decisions from top-tier colleges and universities. Some finally became a team captain. Others were preparing for the College Board AP exams. Many had been eagerly anticipating the upcoming prom and graduation ceremony. For me, it was rehearsing for my senior school musical, "The Little Mermaid", in which I was playing Ariel. I was so excited to be playing a role that I had worked so hard to earn over the course of many years in the drama club, playing various ensemble roles, building the set, and fundraising for our shows. After months of rehearsals, practicing the music, learning the choreography, and advertising for the production, I was ready to share the passion and hard work of our cast and crew with the community. However, I was not ready for "what comes next". On opening night, just one hour before our call time to arrive at the high school and begin putting on costumes and makeup, we got the message from our director that our show dates had been cancelled due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. I remember the moment clearly, as my cellphone began ringing and buzzing and creating every notification alert possible from friends and family expressing their sorrow. I was absolutely crushed. I wondered how this could be true, as the school had not even been closed down by the virus yet. In the weeks leading up to opening night, I had heard several stories of my classmates' little cousin or my teachers' grandchildren who were looking forward to coming to the musical and meeting their favorite Disney princess afterwards. The director's message was followed by the news that we would still come into school and perform an "invited dress rehearsal" run of the show to be recorded, with two family members per performer/stage crew/orchestra member permitted to attend. As I walked into the high school that evening, everyone around me had tears in their eyes and had appeared to be quite devastated. We had formed a family, one that stuck together through late-night rehearsals, technical difficulties, and the emotional drain that comes with rehearsing for hours after school everyday; but, within each other we found strength - strength that would bring us closer than we ever could have imagined to pour our hearts and souls into that final performance together. And that is exactly what we did. After two hours of giving our all in every scene, every song, and every dance number, we came together for a company bow that gave our final thank you to the family members who had come to support us, despite the increasing health risk that came along with doing so. Having earned the role of Ariel, I was given the final bow; so as I walked to center stage, wearing my frizzy red wig in a costume-rack wedding gown and surrounded by my best friends, I felt only gratitude to have the opportunity to share one final memory with my fellow seniors who also were performing in their last high school show. Looking back on this night, I consider myself so lucky to have spent my final weeks of high school doing something that I love with the people I love. I am very fortunate to have lost only a high school musical rather than loved ones to the COVID-19 pandemic. Going from constantly running - long school days and late-night rehearsals - to a complete stop during quarantine had been a shock. This slow-down, however, gave me the chance to spend extra time at home with my family before packing up and leaving for college this past August. Now, I consider myself incredibly lucky to be attending a college that is handling the pandemic so well, with all students wearing masks and social distancing. While it didn't seem like it at the time, the show did, in fact, go on. Just not quite in the way that I had expected.
• 
  2020-09-04

  Bandcamp Will Continue Bandcamp Fridays Until The End of The Year

  "Because the pandemic is far from over, we’ll continue to hold Bandcamp Fridays on the first Friday of every month until the end of the year." Bandcamp has previously held "Bandcamp Fridays" where the music sharing platform has waived its fees, meaning 100% of the money going to the artists on the platform.
• 
  2020-04-08

  US artists can now get $5,000 emergency grants without a tedious application process

  This is an article about artists who are struggling during this pandemic. The funds are provided by a consortium of non-profits that raised over $10 million dollars. Many different areas of business are hard hit by Covid-19 and are struggling to survive. It is important to note that artists are small businesses and many people don’t realize how they’re impacted as well.
• 2020-09-13

  Music Education During a Pandemic

  Music has been a big part of my life ever since I was young. I picked up the violin in second grade, and my involvement in the music industry has only grown since then. This year is my senior year as a music education major in college; however, in light of the pandemic, I am anxious about what the future holds for music. Music class is very different from other classes that students may have throughout the day. While it is more feasible for a math or science class to be completely online, with live-streamed lessons and online assignments, these concepts are not so easy for a music class. With a large ensemble, it is almost impossible for the teacher to actually hear their students play in an online format. Many schools are using Zoom, which is great for the virtual classroom, however it tends to have a significant audio lag. Due to this problem, music ensembles cannot actually all rehearse at one time. Many music teachers have dealt with this problem by requesting that students mute themselves and then play along to a pre-recorded track that the teacher will prepare for them; however, with this barrier, the teacher will never be able to hear their students play all together, which is a crucial part of an ensemble rehearsal to assure that everyone is fully understanding the music. Not only are large ensemble rehearsals affected by these restrictions, but also the elementary general music classroom. In elementary general music, singing is a crucial part of the curriculum. At a young age, students need to be able to start singing so that they are able to start developing a knowledge of pitch and rhythm. At this stage of brain development, it is crucial for students to be able to have this aural experience in person. However, in many areas of the country, singing in a public space has been completely banned. This causes a big problem for music educators because there are so many concepts that they cannot teach without being able to sing with their students. I am in no way stating that the measures being taken in light of the pandemic are unnecessary; I believe that COVID should be taken very seriously and completely understand why it is that these restrictions need to be put in place for educators everywhere to keep the staff and students safe. However, it is frustrating to know that some people are blatantly not following guidelines, which is causing a delay in reopening schools, and because of this, an entire industry is being affected. So many musicians work off of the profit they get from live concerts alone. However, absolutely no concert halls will be able to reopen until we have this disease under control. During the time of the pandemic, I worry for what is going to happen to the music industry, and how this is going to take a toll on music programs all over the country.
• 
  2020-08-27

  Drag in the Age of COVID-19

  This news article explores the effect the COVID-19 shutdowns have had on drag performances. Since March, Atlanta has banned gatherings of over 50 people in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. For drag queens in the Atlanta area, this means that they have not been able to perform live since March. However, many have found virtual performances to be a viable alternative. Some drag queens, in fact, are glad that they are able to work virtually now as they had been wanting to get out of performing at bars. While virtual performances don't make as much money as live performances, the audience is a lot larger than if they were performing live.
• 
  2020-09-02

  Costume Industry Coalition Launches COVID Relief Fund, Sets $4.5M Goal For “Survival”

  This article speaks to the dire straits the costume industry is in due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these costume shops have been closed since March 2020. This affects not only Broadway, but also Hollywood, the television industry, and other performance industries. The Costume Industry Coalition, a newly created organization for the pandemic relief of the costume industry, has estimated that they need to raise $4.5 million in order to keep costume designers' shops open.
• 
  2020-08-19

  Russian Ballet Returned to the Stage. Then a Covid Outbreak Hit.

  This article discusses the Mariinsky Ballet, one of Russia's premier ballet companies. As Europe is a bit ahead of the United States in reopening their performing arts, they began performing in July, in the middle of the COVID pandemic, only to have to close three weeks later when the virus spread throughout the ballet corps. Since then, the Mariinsky Ballet has been criticized for returning to the stage too early, despite the precautions they made against the virus. This incident has caused several other ballet companies across Europe to rethink their own return to the stage. In spite of these issues, many dancers are also wanting to return to the stage.
• 
  2020-09-01

  Costume Designers during COVID-19

  I found this post on Ali Ewoldt's public Instagram account. This post puts the spotlight on costume designers and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their business. Much of the publicity with the shutdown of Broadway has been on the actors so far, but as this post mentions, Broadway employed many people to work backstage and those people may end up going out of business is the federal government doesn't provide reimbursement for the shutdown. This post also points out how little the performing arts sector is asking compared to the economic benefits they offer to the United States.
• 
  2020-09-07

  I Am an Arts Worker

  I found this post on Ali Ewoldt's public Instagram account. This post breaks down the importance of performing arts in the economy and explains the DAWN Act. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, performing arts venues have been closed down and unable to reopen, causing major financial losses to that business sector. The DAWN Act is one of several bills being considered by Congress to help the performing arts sector get back on its feet.
• 
  2020-08-28

  MIYAVI Virtual 3.0

  August 22, 2019 I stood outside a little brick theater in Falls Church, VA in the unrelenting humidity. By the time MIYAVI took the stage, I was dripping in sweat (as a westerner, I've never adapted to the humidity of the east) and feeling the affects of heat exhaustion. Despite my physical woes I had one of the best nights of my life. In the theater was every person you could imagine; every race, every age, every ability, every style, every background. Everyone was unique and everyone was welcome. That's what happens when the artist we were there to see refuses to be defined by style, genre, or gender. When the pandemic hit I thought my chances of experiencing this magic again would have to wait for the unforseeable future. But the reverse happened, I've spent the summer being immersed in a community of music lovers, virtual concerts, and live streams. MIYAVI has kept the spirits of his fans high by doing what he does best, ROCK! On August 28th I paid $30 (the same price I paid the year earlier) to experience the next level of MIYAVI's virtual journey, a concert played at the museum teamLab Planets in Tokyo, Japan. While the event was pre-recorded for quality and aired a day earlier for fans in Asia, the rest of the world watched and chatted together that Friday evening. To everyone's delight MIYAVI joined his fans in the chatroom and gave us hilarious behind the scenes stories and heartfelt messages even though it was 6 am in Tokyo. It was an amazing experience as the music was synced to a light show played in a room with floor to ceiling screens. I cannot wait to see what MIYAVI does next.
• 
  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.
• 
  2020-08-20

  Coronavirus pandemic impacting Alberta music classes this fall

  This article from Canada highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting both music majors in college and students in public school and Catholic school who attend music classes. It outlines many of the adjustments being made for music programs, such as colleges restricting voice, woodwind, and brass lessons to being online. Public schools have banned singing in school, as singing has been deemed a high-risk activity. This really highlights how the pandemic may affect performing arts long-term, as college and high-school students may not be able to receive face-to-face training or recital experience depending on their choice of instrument.
• 
  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.
• 
  2020-08-07

  COVID-19 knocked actors off the Broadway stage. But are the lights dim forever? -NBC News

  The news article is about the impacts the coronavirus pandemic had on Broadway and how it affected the people related to Broadway, the article also emphasizes the fact that the pandemic may have changed Broadway forever. This is important to me because when I was younger, my family and I used to go see shows every time we were in New York City, it was always a magical experience for me and my brother. This isn’t one of the most common ‘tragic outcomes’ of the pandemic, so I wanted to share the devastating losses that Broadway and the theatre community is experiencing due to the pandemic.
• 
  2020-08-19

  COVID-19 Concert Cancellations

  One of the many issues brought by the COVID-19 pandemic was the postponement and cancellation of many events. In late January my favorite artists, BTS, announced a worldwide tour that was planned to start late April. Fans became excited as concerts not only allow them to see the artists but also interact with other fans and feel a sense of community. Sadly, as the number of COVID-19 cases grew throughout the spring and public safety became of increasing concern, both BTS and their company decided to postpone the tour until further notice. While I am extremely happy the health and safety of both the fans and the artists were prioritized, it does very little to lessen the sadness that haunted fans as they no longer knew the next time they’d be able to see their favorite artists.
• 2020-06-05

  Singing A Little Louder

  For as long as I can remember, there has always been music playing in my house, whether it be as my two sisters and I wake up each morning or up until the moment we fall asleep. Over the years, we have memorized thousands of songs and have connected with thousands of artists as we listen to anything we could find in the depths of our parent’s music collection. Our parents soon realized that they could teach us anything by means of a good song. As we would press play on the little radio that used to sit in our room, each CD would expose us to a different place, time, or mindset, while also subtly infusing messages of acceptance, equality, culture, kindness, and more. My sisters and I memorized songs in different languages, while also learning about the history and experiences that shape good music. Music became our life’s foundation and soon, in addition to listening to music for hours on end, my sisters and I started singing at various places in the small town of Smithfield, VA, where we grew up together. Hungry for more, we each picked up an instrument and learned to play guitar from listening over and over to our favorite albums and the occasional YouTube tutorial. We started to dissect the harmonies that we would hear in our favorite songs and ultimately formed our own sound that we loved sharing with the people we met within our little southern town. After learning hundreds of songs to play together, we soon realized that we wanted to start writing songs of our own. We were excited to create something that was inspired by our own experiences together, whether it be derived from feelings of happiness, sadness, heartbreak, anger, or excitement. Since we had listened to and interpreted music since we were born, the importance of songwriting is was not lost to my sisters and me. We understood the power it holds, as it frees the minds of thousands who desperately want their perspective to be represented and encourages storytelling that is inspired by real love or real loss. We were intrigued by the strong beliefs, wild imaginations, and raw emotions that ensure the timelessness of great songs. Being provided a space and a medium to write down unbridled and heartfelt ideas in addition to working with artists who inspire a safe and collaborative environment has allowed the intricacies of songwriting to come naturally to my sisters and me. Sharing my songs to audiences of all ages and sizes is absolutely exhilarating and I view my passion for meaningful lyrics as the greatest gift that has been given to me. My sisters and I began traveling to and from Nashville, meeting and collaborating with songwriters and artist to create meaningful lyrics and beautiful melodies. As our music began to directly represent what we were feeling as individuals, over the years my sisters and I started to use our original songs to communicate with each other and those around us. On March 13, for the first time in our lives, the music in our house stopped. It was replaced by the sounds of live updates from the news. As we watched the death toll rise and the heartbreaking stories of people who lost their loved ones to the virus, we were silenced by the impact of the disease. We realized that people were unable to interact with each other and that the effects of virus was attempting to strip humanity of things it needed to survive. As for my sisters and I, our entire lineup of summer performances was canceled, as well as the final trip to Nashville we had planned before I left for college. My sisters and I finally had to come to terms with the reality that we may not be able to sing out together again, as I would leave Virginia to move to Boston at the end of the summer. We struggled with the fact that we wouldn’t have the time to say goodbye to the thing that had connected us the most throughout our entire childhood and as we came to terms with our new reality, turned to music to help us get through this challenging time. With the rest of my senior year canceled, I had the time to sit and think about a lot what music has given me throughout my life. I discovered that even though I loved the songs and albums I listened to over the years, it was the time spent with my sisters that meant most to me. I thought about all of the different experiences we have shared over the years and how hard it is going to be when I would venture off on my own soon. My sisters were truly the thing in my life that I loved the most, so how was I going to be able to live 700 miles away in the middle of a global pandemic? My sisters faced the same uneasiness and uncertainty, and as usual, music served as our escape. We realized that while our situation may have been difficult to navigate, we are so incredibly lucky and grateful for the experiences we have shared and the opportunities we have been given. In the end we understood how fortunate it was that we were healthy and committed ourselves to always staying grateful even in times as unprecedented as this. We discovered that all we ever really needed was each other, and that there is more power in the relationships that you build with the people that you love than any virus or other obstacle that may come our way. I think that throughout this pandemic, the world is coming to terms with the same lesson: that human connection is one of the most impactful aspects of our lives. I hope that in the aftermath of a world redefined by a global pandemic, we all hug each other a little tighter and sing a little louder. Attached is my sister and I singing on Zoom for the first time.
• 
  2020-07

  Broadway Community Project

  "This is a project curated by and for the Broadway community. While the footlights are dimmed during the Broadway suspension, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the sprawling, interconnected world of workers beyond the stage that help bring the stories we love to life. By creating this interactive tool, we hope that audience and industry members alike will take a moment to learn more about the artists and artisans, technicians and ticketers. Collectively, all the roles, small businesses, and vital individuals have helped make Broadway the cultural heart of New York City through their passionate, tireless work. This is a living, breathing map, and we need you to continue its growth and evolution. The contributions from within our community will help ensure it’s as representative of Broadway as possible."