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performing arts
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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. -
2020-05-27
TikTok Takeover
In this world there are many things we cannot predict. For instance, we could not predict the effect COVID-19 would have on us and our everyday lives. In this unfortunate situation it is important to understand perspective. If we were able to travel back in time and show someone a picture of a masked and fully sanitized person shopping, they would think you were crazy. Along those same lines, if you were to show someone the app TikTok six months ago they may not even know what it was or what you were talking about, and if they did, they surely weren’t using it every day. When I first downloaded the app TikTok back in February before COVID-19 hit, I didn’t realize how popular it would soon become. I was mildly curious and wanted to check it out for a few minutes. Soon after, I was hooked, and it became a more prominent source of entertainment for me and millions of other people. I recognize that TikTok also has many drawbacks, including misinformation, negative suggestions, security issues and more. But for this purpose, I am focusing on TikTok as entertainment in this pandemic crisis only. Today, TikTok is used by millions of people and is still growing. The very week my sister came home from college early because of COVID, we made a TikTok together about how our mom makes us take a walk around the block for fun---a sign of the times when literally all we could do was walk “around the block.” In a time of uncertainty, it felt good to do something lighthearted. I have noticed that there are many different takes on this app. People love it, and people hate it. I may have started out seeing TikTok as just another social media app, or even a waste of time, but due to the pandemic, I now see it in a new light. In some ways, it is a way for people to express their creativity, to try new things, and inspire others when personal interaction is limited. It is a reminder that you are not alone in this time of hurt and crisis—what better way to relax over the pandemic than making these fun videos and seeing so many other people doing the same. In addition, emotions are high during the pandemic as it sometimes seems it will never end, that everything is out of your control, and there is a lot of repetition. It almost seems like we are in the movie “Groundhog Day.” TikTok is the perfect way to funnel those emotions everyone has been feeling and at minimum provides a lighthearted break from the world. As I open the app, I am instantly engulfed in uplifting and positive videos, comedy videos that truly make me laugh, and a feeling of empathy towards others that reassures me that I am not the only one living through this event that is changing history. Furthermore, one of the most important parts of being socially distanced and quarantined is communication. It is easy to lose communication with friends and distant family members during a pandemic, yet one of the things TikTok offers about this pandemic is ironically connection, just not in person. This app provides a means of communication that no other app possesses and a sense of community, even if it is an odd one. This article and Tiktok itself are important to me because they show that TikTok and other social media platforms can truly bring people of all ages together in ways that surprised me. This includes not just young kids, but all generations of people as well as whole families. Social media has always been around and growing, and every generation has its phase, whether it’s MySpace, Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, or Tiktok. However, what truly makes this app important to me is its ability to show a lighthearted and fun side of a world facing not-so-lighthearted issues for all generations. I don’t know what will happen to it in the days or weeks ahead, but TikTok has definitely left its mark on society during this time. -
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." -
2020-07-26
American Theater Workers Urgently Need Financial Help. The Government Must Step In.
"The arts in New York City is a major economic engine. According to a study commissioned last year by the Mayor’s "Office of Arts and Entertainment, theater is responsible for $1.3 billion in annual economic output, 8,409 jobs, and $513 million in salaries. The Broadway closedown, effective from March 12, has had a massive financial impact on New York, and a massive personal impact on those who work within it...When the coronavirus pandemic hit New York City, hundreds of Broadway shows closed immediately. While the Actors’ Equity Association was able to secure several weeks of pay and health insurance for Broadway and touring performers, many were left with nothing." -
2020-08-10
The Working Artist Needs Your Solidarity
An item curated for the Performing Arts collection to highlight the plight of the American theatre professional. "It’s looking more and more likely that, barring an incredible about-face like a spectacularly successful vaccine or a powerful and immediate treatment option, a majority of U.S. theaters won’t survive the pandemic. This includes theaters that were financially flourishing in the Before Times, like Mercury Theater Chicago. And along with these institutions, a majority of theatremakers — not just actors or directors, but costumers, musicians, composers, wig masters, props masters, designers, electricians, stage hands, carpenters, stage managers, company managers, house managers, administrators, wardrobe crew, production assistants, ticket sellers, concessions vendors, marketing directors, photographers, choreographers, venue staff — will not be able to wait this out." -
2020
Create the Vote
An initiative that started in 2014, Create the Vote is a nonpartisan public education campaign that encourages voters and lawmakers to support art and culture. The Create the Vote Campaign 2020 serves to encourage citizens to support arts and culture with their vote to encourage creativity in Massachusetts -
2020
MASSCreative Action Alert
Supporters of artists and cultural institutions, MASSCreative asks their Twitter audience to write to their federal lawmakers and urge them to remember the creative community when creating pandemic relief. This tweet specifically discusses the Heroes Act and the Heals Act -
2020-03-12
Screenshot of Tig Notaro Tour Dates
My father and I had bought tickets to see comedian Tig Notaro’s show in Ithaca, NY, originally scheduled for March 14th. It was rescheduled and pushed back to October 3rd. Tour dates may be pushed back even further in the future, depending on how long the stay-at-home orders are in effect. -
2020-03-18
Dancing Through The Chaos
This is a beautiful and haunting image of a ballerina dancer in a deserted Time Square in New York City. It shows the emptiness of the city as a result of the disease and the toxic environment with the gasmask she wears. -
2020-04-09
Tuning in online for virtual music lessons
Uptown music collective continues their lesson online for their students -
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. -
2020-05-01
Plague Journal, Day 49: The Kid writes a play
I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. In the latest entry, I interview The Kid about her experience watching her play performed by professional actors -- an experience moved from the stage to a podcast by CoronaWorld. -
2020-05-12
"We Got This" Marquee, Paradise Rock Club (Boston, May 2020)
Photos of The Paradise Rock Club, a music venue in Boston, Massachusetts, in May 2020. The marquee of the venue, which closed in the middle of March as part of the state's precautions against COVID-19, reads "We Got This" and "Thank U Doctors Nurses First Responders." The Paradise opened in 1977 and is located near Boston University campus and the neighborhood of Allston. -
04/17/2020
David Mavro Oral History, 2020/04/17
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2020-06-27
Holy Nights
Since May one of my biggest outlets from the stress of the pandemic has been watching MIYAVI perform live from Tokyo, Japan. I stumbled across his music on YouTube in 2008 and he's been one of my favorite artists since. After my dad passed in 2016 I made a promise to not let life slip by and last year I kept up with that promise by going to see some of my favorite musicians live, including MIYAVI. I was hoping to see him in concert again this year since he tends to tour worldwide often but when the pandemic hit I knew that wasn't going to happen. Instead, he has been holding virtual concerts from his home in Tokyo or an empty studio with drummer, Bobo, a GoPro, and a couple of drones. Even though for me seeing his performances means waking up at 7 am, it's so worth it. A lot has changed because of the pandemic but with technology, we can still connect and have fun with people from all over the world. Something MIYAVI mentions often during his virtual performances is that music won't stop, musicians won't stop playing, and that we are connected through music. I think it's very important to remember that more than what divides us, connects us and music is a large part of that. For an hour people from Japan, China, Europe, Africa, South America, and North America join into one virtual space because of music and because MIYAVI continues to remind us we are connected. -
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. -
05/27/2020
Kinza Hagerup Oral History, 2020/05/27
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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. -
2020-04-21
Here's What We All Should Be Doing Right Now! Humorous "Press Conference"
Adley describes herself as a Grammy-awarded entertainer, comedic influencer, self-proclaimed wine connoisseur, and country singer. She seems to be surviving the quarantine and the COVID time with pranks recorded on her daily videos on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. This particular video perfectly sums up how confusing all of our instructions and medical directives were during this period. -
2020-04-03
With exhibition and performance spaces shuttered, artists are relying on the generosity of patrons.
"caring for those sick with Covid-19 and preventing others from becoming so remains the priority in New York City, as in the rest of the country. But how can we look out for others particularly affected by the crisis? Citywide closures of nonessential services have devastated the arts at every level: Exhibition and performance spaces have shuttered indefinitely, and thousands of New Yorkers working in creative industries, many of them freelancers, have seen their livelihoods disappear with no assurances about when they’ll be able to work again." Artists are struggling and this article demonstrates some things that can be done to help. -
2020-06-05
Opening Hollywood
On Friday the governor explained how Hollywood will reopen after months of lockdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. -
2020-06-19
Coronaland: Clarinetist Tim Laughlin
Clarinetist Tim Laughlin performed every day on his Royal Street balcony from 5:30-6pm, offering a little bit of entertainment to substitute for the cancelled Jazzfest. This is from April 29. -
2020-06-17
Annual Teachers' Performance: Don't Stop Believin' - Canterbur Edition
Every year, during the Christmas and end-of the-year "blockbuster" (talent show) assemblies, the entirety of the staff at Canterbury High School put on a song and dance. With schools closed this year they took it online and created video of them in their homes dedicated to the students and graduating class in particular. In choosing the song Don't Stop Believin' they shared a sentiment of hope and understand during a stressful time for students. They also made some inside references in the way they changed the words from the original song: the O-train is notoriously inconsistent and often does not run, hence going nowhere (on top of going nowhere because of restrictions due to the pandemic.) -
2020-06-10
Molly's Quarantine Performance
Centerville, Utah (June, 2020)- My daughter is a creative soul; she loves to sing, dance and act out her vivid imagination. She loves the theatre and going to summer camp. COVID-19 stopped her from doing that this year. But Molly is resourceful and resilient, and even found opportunity to perform in her Anna costume for all her family at her own birthday party. The arts have a way of making us whole, filling us up with joy and hope; even in the midst of a pandemic. For the little ones, they always find a way back to their imagination and the safety it provides. -
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. -
2020-04-22
Before Coronavirus, Theatre Was My Salvation. Where Do I Turn Now?
1. Due to COVID-19 fears, theaters on Broadway and across the country have shut down. Legendary actor and director, Joel Grey reveals the mental health strain this loss has caused for himself and so many in his position, including the loss of work and the community he relied on for support and companionship. Joel Grey writes "Because of the coronavirus, we’re facing a future that sure feels more tenuous and fragile than ever. Projects have been canceled, milestones have already been missed, and all the shows have gone dark. These are hard times, for sure, and in hard times I, like so many others, have always turned to the theater for comfort. Where do we turn now? This tragedy has been made that much more devastating by having to face the nightmare without the laughter, tears and sense of community that a night in the theater delivers." -
2020-05-14
Virtual Film Festivals
After years of working on a new short film about the Seattle's iconic Space Needle, it was scheduled to screen at a number of film festivals. But then came the CoVid19, quarantine, closures of movie theaters, etc. Several film festivals either cancelled their festivals entirely, or transitioned to virtual film festivals online. Normally, film festival premieres come with lots of face-to-face parties and networking - hanging with other filmmakers and celebrating the excitement of taking our work out into the world. It's a time to 'stand in the spotlight' and connect with live audiences. But instead, a new type of festival experience is happening, and for me, it hasn't been bad, just very different. The Cascadia International Women's Film Festival screened my "Space Needle: A Hidden History" in May. Located in Bellingham, Wash., the festival organized a live conversation with an art critic, one of the participants in the film, and me. We talked for about 40 minutes - longer than the typical Q & A at a traditional festival. I answered questions from the comfort of my living room and toasted the event online with a beer. I felt honored by the thoughtful questions of a journalist and a brilliant dancer in the film, and the fact that we didn't have to squeeze in to a 10 min. window. The interview streamed on Facebook. Viewers tuned in from all over the country and the world. (Hopefully, they'll start referring to the Needle as a 'she' since the shape was inspired by a sculpture called, 'The Feminine One.') I later learned the organizers had as many, if not more, viewers as in previous years. For another festival, By Design at the Northwest Film Forum in Seattle, I videotaped an introduction to the film that screened before a real-time stream. That was convenient though I felt a bit stilted talking to the camera on my computer. As a film festival attendee, I liked that I was able to watch films online during a window of time, instead of having to make painful decisions about which films to see when several were scheduled at the same time, and if lucky, I could watch on my own time during a designated window. No hassle standing in lines to get tickets, waiting to be admitted and scrambling for seats. No sticky floors and spilled popcorn, coughing or snoring audiences. I'm glad I didn't have to fly anywhere or drive long distances, though I miss being with fellow filmmakers and the in-person synergy that happens when a bunch of us get together in the same space. -
2020-03
Boston Symphony Hall Closes
This is a photograph of a sign posted in the window of the Boston Symphony Hall. This sign illustrates how sudden many of the closures were due to Covid-19, leading to suddenly canceled events. -
2020-06-08
Marquee Outside Studio 210 Asks Readers to Stay Safe and Healthy
This is a photograph of the marquee outside Studio 210 in Boston. The sign asks the readers to stay safe and healthy, illustrating how some businesses in Boston responded to closings and quarantine. -
2020-05-17
I needed to do something': How Indigenous people are building solidarity.
"One elder, his uncle, encouraged him to check in on indigenous people he knew. “That’s one of your medicines,” Rivas says his uncle told him. “You’re good at that.” Another, his friend Pualani Case, who is Hawaiian, reminded him that indigenous people practice solidarity." -
2020-04-18
One world together at Home
The concert is organized by Lady Gaga. Many famous artists were performed in this online show. It is free and people could donate money to support the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also an action to encourage people to stay at home. -
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. -
2020-06-01
Canterbury dance students put together online dance night during COVID-19 pandemic
Local arts high school dance program adapts their final summative pieces/display to an online format to allow it to go forward despite restrictions of gatherings. -
2020-04-10
What Could've Been Choir Memories
This is about the things I've missed in choir because of the pandemic. Because of coronavirus, my choir and I couldn't go do our festivals which we could've meet other choirs. We were supposed to go to Knotts Berry farm and Universal Studios. We were supposed to sing one of my favorite songs, Hey Jude, in our last concert. This pandemic has taken a lot from many students, not only us. I can't help but feel bad for our seniors in choir especially those who were in choir for all fours years of their highschool life. -
2020-05-18
Shakespeare's Globe Faces Permanent Closure in London Without Emergency Funding
The coronavirus pandemic has already caused the shutdown of theaters in the West End and on Broadway. I have included this because there is a great fear of losing theatre companies and venues during the crisis. Funding is non-existent and actors, technicians and all others who rely on these theaters as resources for making a living will be left unemployed and searching for work in an even more saturated market. -
2020-05-29
Extra legroom and no interval: Germany plans for post-lockdown theatre
“As Germany continues to relax social distancing restrictions imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19, playhouses in most cities are still waiting for an official date when they can reopen their doors to the public. The Berlin senate announced on Friday that open-air cultural events will be allowed from 2 June, but theatres are likely to remain shut until September. Venues such as the German capital’s Berliner Ensemble, however, are already providing a glimpse of what drama could look like in a world of social distancing.”