What is the Future of Performing Arts?

In recent years, especially this past year, the future of the performing arts industry looks unfavorable.  Although it seems aspects of the industry are doing well like Broadway, with hit shows such as Wicked, Book of Mormon, and The Lion King, theater attendance overall is down significantly.  

According to a survey done by the National Endowment for the Arts 15.2% of adults nationwide attended at least one musical play, which is down by 9% from the survey taken 4 years earlier.  There is an even larger decline for non-musical plays, 8.3% of adults nationwide attended at least one event, which dropped by 12% from the previous survey.  For musicals in the industry this is the first real significant drop sense 1985.  

There are no official explanations as to why there is such a significant decline in performing arts attendance.  There are two unofficial theories of what caused the decline.  One theory is the recession, which left people less disposable income to spend on pricey tickets to various performances.  The second being the younger generations are not interested in performing arts.  

According to Craig Lambert in the article "The Future of Theater" (http://harvardmagazine.com/2012/01/the-future-of-theater), "Entertainment delivered cheaply to a laptop or handheld device beats theater on price and convenience."  Also in the article he explores the belief that because children are less exposed to music, theater, and the arts when they are young that they are less likely to ever have the taste or desire to experience it.  Children in school these days are less exposed to the arts with the lack of funding given to schools to teach it.  

All this information paints a pretty dreary picture.  There is one beacon of hope though.  In the UK, Ticketmaster recently came out with a report that theatre was more popular than sporting events and concerts.  Even more interesting is the fact that the most likely to attend the theatre were 16-19 year olds.  This is opposite of what research in American theater shows.  Although it is a different country it shows that all is not lost and that they are doing something right and drawing in the next generation of theatergoers.  

(http://blog.ticketmaster.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/pdf/LiveAnalytics_State_of_play_TheatreUK_Low_Res.pdf)     

The experience of seeing a show live cannot be substituted or replaced.  The magic of live shows is that you are part of it and anything can happen.  It is these things that I think will keep performing arts, especially theater going for a long time.  

Thanks for Reading!

-PerformingArtsPatron

Broadway Fun Facts

For one of my last posts I thought I would share some fun facts and interesting statistics about Broadway.  Although I cover all performing arts, I always tend to circle back to Broadway.  There is just something magical and wonderful about it that made me fall in love with performing arts in the first place.  Broadway which refers to a street in New York City, is comprised of 40 different theaters that are located between 40th St. to 54th St., and from West of 6th Ave. to East of 8th Ave.  To be considered eligible for the status of a “Broadway theater,” it must have 500 seats or more.  

For the 2012-2013 season the overall attendance for Broadway was 11.57 million people.  To put that in perspective according to BroadwayLeague.com, that is more than, “the ten professional NY and NJ  sports teams combined (Mets, Yankees, Rangers, Islanders, Knicks, Liberty, Giants, Jets, Devils, and the Nets.)”  This large attendance helped contribute to a gross profit of $1.14 billion.  Currently there are 35 different shows playing on Broadway.

When you visit Broadway websites there is a tally that is kept of how many performances there are of each individual show whether it is running now on Broadway or previously.  I have compiled the list of the top 10 longest running shows on Broadway.  It is amazing how some of these shows have been around for so many years and still continue to draw crowds of adoring fans!   

1. Phantom of the Opera    10,727 performances

2. Cats 7,485 performances

3. Chicago 7,053 performances

4. Les Miserables 6,680 performances

5. The Lion King 6,645 performances

6. A Chorus Line 6,137 performances

7. Oh! Calcutta! 5,959 performances

8. Beauty and the Beast 5,461 performances

9. Rent 5,123 performances

10. Mamma Mia! 4,991 performances

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New to the Stage!

There is nothing I love more than a brand new play, musical, or concert to get excited about.  Two new shows from Disney Theatrical Productions are in the works and I’m sure they will be fantastic.  Aladdin, the classic Disney movie that as kids, we grew up watching is on the road to becoming the next Broadway hit.  The show has been in the works for a while and opens for previews on February 26, 2014 and officially on March 20, 2014.  

According to Aladdin’s official Broadway website, “The beloved story is brought to thrilling theatrical life in this bold new musical.  With just one rub of a magic lamp, Aladdin’s journey sweeps you into an exotic world full of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance.  It’s an unforgettable experience that includes all the cherished songs from the Academy Award winning score and more written especially for Broadway.”

The cast that they have acquired is full of talent!  Adam Jacobs as Aladdin, who has been in shows like Les Miserables and The Lion King.  Jonathan Freeman who originated the voice of Jafar for Disney’s animated film will reprise the role for the stage.  Along with many other great talents!  This video clip I found gives you a first look at Aladdin and shows a little bit behind the scenes of bringing it to stage!

The next show I’m excited for was just announced!  Disney plans on adapting the classic novel The Princess Bride, by William Goldman and bringing it to stage.  This production is still in the early stages of development, so no official announcement has been made as to whether this will be a play or a musical.  The story of The Princess Bride, follows Westley and his journey to save his childhood sweetheart, Buttercup, after she is kidnapped.  The film version is a romantic comedy fantasy adventure and this type of story although not announced would be a perfect candidate for a stage musical.  

Thanks for reading!

-PerformingArtsPatron  

Best on Broadway

I have done a few "Best of or Top 5" posts about different shows already but I felt that I needed to do one regarding the best shows featured on Broadway in New York this Season!  I picked 5 shows that are newer to broadway whether it be they just opened for the first time, they recently opened within the last year, or they are a new revival of an old show. These shows are listed in no particular order, I think all are worth seeing so I didn’t rank them!

1. Kinky Boots

This show was the winner of six 2013 Tony Awards which included Best Musical!  The score was written by Cyndi Lauper and the book written by multiple Tony winner Harvey Fierstein.  This new musical is based on a true story and also has a film about it with the same name!  Kinky Boots is the story of British fellow Charlie Price, and his family’s shoe store.  This show is full of catchy songs and a great story to make your night at the theater well worth it!

   

2. Cinderella

Broadway’s first stage version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella gives audiences the magic of the classic fairytale and new and exciting subplots to add to the story! This show has colorful costumes, beautiful music and dancing numbers, and the classic tale that we all love from our childhood.  

3. Matilda

In one word I would call this show adorable!  New to Broadway this show is based on the beloved book by Roald Dahl.  Matilda is the story of an extraordinary girl who takes a stand and attempts to change her destiny. The show is witty and full of great music but most of all it has a large pool of talented kids that dance and sing their hearts out.  I love watching productions like Matilda and Annie 
which shows the new generations of Broadway stars!

4. Pippin

In the new stage revival and winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, Pippin is back and better than ever.  The dark and mystical tale of the young prince Pippin and his dangerous journey to find his corner of the sky!  This show is an extravaganza full of acrobatics and performers doing amazing tricks.

5. After Midnight

The brand new musical After Midnight has been receiving some rave reviews.  Based in the time of Harlem’s Golden Age, audiences can experience the sounds of Harlem’s most legendary nightclub.  This show has timeless music, wonderful costumes, and a star-studded cast!  This show is sure to get your adrenaline pumping and your feet tapping!

Thanks for reading!

-PerformingArtsPatron

Backstage Pass

When going to a live performance like a Broadway show, people are so amazed by what they see. The magic of the show and the beauty of the actor’s performance thrills the audience, but what about what they can’t see?  What is truly magical is what happens backstage or behind the scenes. When Broadway Shows go on tour they travel all across the country visiting many different cities in different states. Depending on the type of tour it is the show may be at a venue for an extended period of time like 3 weeks or more commonly they are there for a one night only show or for a few days.  

(Picture of a load in)

What I find amazing is the one night only shows. The company comes in that morning to the venue and depending on the show they usually start “load in” between 5am-9am.  Trucks full of lights, audio equipment, set pieces, props, costumes, wigs, instruments, and many other things are unloaded at the venue.  To go into detail about the whole process of load in would make this an extremely long blog.  Instead I added a video of a load in that happend at Gallagher Bluedorn last year.  The load in was of the show West Side Story and is shown in a quicker time but it shows just the amount of work that has to be done in a day.  

All of these things need to be finished before the show starts that night. This part I find most interesting is that the majority of the crew that is working this show is the local crew that works for the venue. Although there are professionals that travel with the show like the head electrician, the audio engineer, etc., at least 75% of the crew is local. This means that more than likely you have some untrained personnel or at least people that are unfamiliar with the show that are making the show happen.    

I had this experience recently when Memphis came to Gallagher Bluedorn and I was put on wig department.  I have worked shows before but I knew nothing about wigs whatsoever.  This same circumstance happens at almost every stop that the tour takes.  A new crew is provided for each show, that means they need to keep teaching the local crew at every venue they go to.  There may be more trained people depending on the venue but in my case I had never done wigs before and was not familiar with the show. I was given a 20 minute run-through of how to change a female and male wig, we then did a 10 minute walk through of all of the changes I was in charge of during the show and then I was on my own to figure it out. The traveling crew is there to help for some parts but ultimately it was my job to get all the different changes done.  

This example is true for all areas of the production like wardrobe, spot light, audio, and props.  The crew is given a quick run through of what their job is and then they are expected to understand and get all the timing right.  If anything goes wrong the audience will notice so it’s up to the crew to get it right. After the show is over the “load out” begins.  Everything that you set up that morning gets torn down and put back on the truck to be moved to the next venue.  The night usually ends between 1am-3am which is when the road crew leaves and they move onto the next venue and do it all over again.  

When going to a show most people don't think about all of the work that happens before, during, and after the show. I just wanted to share my small bit of knowledge to hopefully get people to appreciate the work that the backstage folks do and to open their eyes as to how impressive it is that shows happen perfectly night after night with completely different crews working it each time!  

Thanks for reading!

-PerformingArtsPatron  

What does social media do for performing arts?

After learning more and more in my Digital Advertising class and conducting some research of my own, I wanted to delve more into the topic of the role that social media plays in the world of performing arts.  

Social media allows for connections with people among their community and across the world. People who you may never have met can connect using the various platforms of social media.  These different avenues of connections give people a voice they have never had before. To be able to give feedback in an effortless way, to be able to easily share your experience with others like you, this is a great way to build yourself a community of people with like interests.  

For the company this allows them to see what people are saying, to get feedback that they probably would never have gotten without social media.  This gives not only the audience a voice but it gives the company a voice that can interact, listen, and connect with their patrons better. These interactions build a strong relationship with patrons and this reinforces your brand in their minds.

Social Media seems to be what everyone is talking about lately.  Most companies have already started and matured in their use of social media. As I said in a previous post, most theaters are late to the game and have a long way to go before they are fully utilizing the potential that social media can give them.  It is a highly cost effective way to spread the word about your company or the shows that you may produce or bring into your venue.  Anyone from your local community theater to Broadway itself can do this and you can have equal access to potential customers.

If you utilize your social media platforms correctly and give out pertinent and useful information then you can create new opportunities and reach people that you might not have gotten with traditional marketing strategies.  What I love the most about social media is when companies specifically theaters or shows share behind the scenes content.  Such as tweeting a picture from backstage or sharing a video from the cast.  These things make me feel more connected to them and I continue to follow and check in with them for more content.  

More than anything else, using social media brings in a whole new generation of viewers that you cannot easily reach through advertising in newspapers, on radios, or other platforms.  This generation is all about connection and instant information.  Using things like twitter, facebook, instagram, and any other platform you think applies to your business allows you to share about your business, promote your products, and remain present in your customers minds.  

Thanks for reading!

-PerformingArtsPatron  

Top 5 Shows to See This Season!

As a performing arts enthusiast I am always wondering what shows are coming to a theater or performing arts center in my area of the country.  Whether they are new shows from Broadway or classic shows that have traveled for years, it is always tough to decide which shows if any to see.  So, I decided to make a list of the must see shows for this season in the state of Iowa.  I used the two main performing arts centers that I frequent that have a good variety of shows, they are, Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC) in Cedar Falls and Des Moines Performing Arts Center in Des Moines.

5. Hello, Dolly! (At Gallagher Bluedorn: January 24-25, 2014)

A classic musical based in the late 1800's in the New York City area. This show is a mix of laughter and magical musical numbers. The beautiful costumes help set the time and the music makes the show a joy to watch. With Sally Struthers staring as Dolly Gallagher Levi there is more than enough talent to make the show shine. Although this show has been around sense the 1960's it still holds its charm and magic that is Hello, Dolly!

4. Phantom of the Opera (At Des Moines Performing Arts Center: September 10-21, 2014)

Out on a New North American Tour the critics say this show is, "bigger and better than ever before." The Sunday Express says its,"stunning, intense and spectacular." The Phantom of the Opera is a story about a man who lives under a Paris Opera House who is a musical genius.  He lives in the shadows ashamed of his physical appearance and is feared by all who see him. But the love for his protegee makes it hard for her to resist his disfigured form.

3. Avenue Q (At Des Moines Performing Arts Center: 

June 6-22, 2014)

The winner of the Tony "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score. Avenue Q is a "autobiographical and biographical" coming-of-age story, covering the issues and anxieties of entering adulthood. The hilarious show follows Princeton a recent college graduate who moves to a New York apartment on Avenue Q and his story of becoming an adult. What makes this show so special is that it uses puppets to tell the story which are controlled by visible human actors. This show is not like one you have ever seen before!

2. Blue Man Group (At Des Moines Performing Arts Center: February 18-23, 2014)

Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music, and technology in order to create completely unique form of entertainment. The New York Times heralds the show as “One of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged.”  

1. Wicked (At Des Moines Performing Arts Center: 

Oct 30- Nov 10, 2013)

Back by “Popular” demand.  Variety calls WICKED "a cultural phenomenon!” Winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, WICKED is “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times).  The Prequel to The Wizard of Oz, this is the story of two girls and how the become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.  This is one of the top grossing musicals of all time.  If you have not seen it yet or even if you have, it is a must see!

Thanks for Reading!

-PerformingArtsPatron

The Power of Social Media

In this day and age its hard to miss the impact that social media has on pretty much everything going on in this world.  More and more people, companies, and organizations are flocking to using social media. Not having an online presence in the world now is almost taboo.  There are a few stragglers that are still coming up to speed on the possibilities that social media can bring.

One of those stragglers are theaters.  Many can and have utilized the possibilities that social media can bring but a large majority of the industry have yet to use them to their full potential.  Social media platforms like Facebook have the power to make or break a show.  It is a useful tool to not only inform people as to what your show is but to also promote it.  Many use ads as a tool for promotion but ads will not cut it alone.  Having reviews and ratings is what will help a customer decide if they would like a show or not.  

These reviews or ratings could be from professional critics in newspapers or from your average joe on different websites.  But the thing that will impact a person's decision to see a show or not is actually not the opinion of a professional or a stranger but rather a friend or family member. According to authors Tracy L. Tuten and Michael R. Solomon, "71% say recommendations from friends/family have substantial influence over purchase decisions."  Having a personalized review from someone you know, trust, and maybe share similar interests with is what can make someone want to see a show.  

In an article," What Social-Media Marketers Could Learn From Broadway," by Gian Fulgoni, there is a point he makes about the importance of the phrase, "You've got to see it."  It is true that if I see a commercial or ad for a show or anything really, and it happens to catch my attention/interest, I am likely to check it out.  But if someone I know says, "You've got to see this, it's amazing," I am far more likely to go, and go soon because I want to see what they are so amazed with.  

The power is not only in what a business/organization posts but also in what fans and their friends/family share about those things.

Thanks for Reading!

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Top Ten Stage to Screen Musical Movies

Whether it was on stage first and then went to film or was a movie and then was brought to the stage these are my top ten movie musicals!

1. Sound of Music

This musical is by far a classic and definitely deserves the number one spot.  Directed by Robert Wise he helped bring Rodgers and Hammerstein's wonderfully cheerful musical that explored some very dark times to screen.  A story about Sister Maria and the Von Trap Family during the times of World War Two.

2. Hello Dolly

Although reviews for this movie are less than stellar I think Barbara Streisand is wonderful in it.  There have been many stars that play Dolly throughout the years and Barbara sings the heck out of the songs and I will always picture her as the true Dolly, that is why it's my number two she brings my true Dolly to life.  

3. Les Miserables

This musical has earned unbelievable amounts of success from all of the world sense it opened.  From the tours of the show, to the anniversary concerts, and then the mega success of the movie just proves that the story and songs of this musical is loved and will continue to be loved for a long time.   

4. Mary Poppins

A childhood favorite, this is the story of a magical English nanny to the Banks family.  With songs like Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Chim Chim Cher-ee there isn't much you can't love about this musical.  

5. Grease

With great performances from John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John it is no wonder this musical has stood the test of time.  A story set in the 1950's about high school romance.

6. My Fair Lady

Another classic musical with a wonderful story and songs.  A beautiful performance by Audrey Hepburn, she is completely enchanting, the only drawback is that she didn't sing her own songs in the show.

   

7. Phantom of the Opera

A dark and enchanting story of a girl named Christine Daae who is a beautiful French opera singer and the tale of the man with a deformed face who falls in love with her.  

8. Chicago 

A story of two women on death row, the story of their time in jail and their want of fame as celebrity killers based in Chicago.  With catchy songs like Cell Block Tango and Mr. Cellophane it is no surprise why this musical did so well.    

9. Rocky Horror Picture Show

A story about a couple whose car breaks down and their odd encounter with Dr. Frank-N-Furter.

10. Annie

The last musical on my list, there are plenty more that I love and probably some that I forgot but off the top of my head these are my top ten.  Annie is a story of a little orphan girl's adventures and her story of finding a new family.  

Thanks for Reading!

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Don't Let the Big Tent Fool You...

This week I had the opportunity to see The Cirque Du Soleil performance of Amaluna in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Most people think that the Cirque Du Soleil shows are just another circus act.  Don't let the circus tent fool you, although it may look like it from the outside this is far from your average circus act.  

Once inside this tent it feels like you are transported to a wondrous place filled with beautiful scenery and costumes.  The show will not only amaze you with what these performers can do but fill you with joy at getting to experience it.  Every show has a different story that it tells and each one explores different themes like power, femininity, identity, and coming of age.  The story is told through actors, dancers, singers, performers, and most importantly the acrobats.  Believe me when I say that the acrobatic performances in these shows is nothing like I have ever seen before.  I went to see the circus many times when I was a child and loved every minute of it.  When saw my first Cirque Du Soleil show, Kooza, I didn't know what to think, I just knew that what I saw was spectacular, like nothing I had ever seen before, and I wanted to see it again. 

Here is a video to show you some of the splender that happens at a Cirque show, but remember it is nothing like the real life experience.  

After I saw the show I was completely entranced by it so I did what a lot of people would do and went to google and youtube to see if I could watch or find out more.  I came across a documentary on youtube that explores the audition process to be involved in Cirque Du Soleil.  It was a fantastic way to spend forty five minutes and I learned so much.  I had a general idea of what people probably had to go through and what they were expected to do but to see the grueling process and learn that people have to be able to do it all and be the best of the best it was entertaining and inspiring. 

 

I wanted to share my thoughts about these shows because although a lot of people wouldn't categorize it as Performing Arts, it is Performing Arts, and its at its best.  

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