The Future
Final Stretch.
Below are some thoughts I have for the future of the industry. This is not my completed list, but a highlights version of what we could see in the future for Broadway using what we learned from the Pandemic.
Future of Audiences: Will Things Be Normal in 2021?
What will be the future for audiences on Broadway?
Well for starters, the long-term future should look very similar to Broadway before the shut down just with high intensity cleaning after every show and a plethora of hand sanitizer stations. The change will occur more with the short term future.
When Broadway returns, you should go. If you can afford the prices of tickets that are available and are a healthy adult with no underlying health conditions you should support. When you do this, you put money back into the economy of theater, and the economy of the surrounding environment. If you feel comfortable, go eat at a restaurant before the show. Do what you can to show support.
In addition, follow all rules theaters put in place. Don’t take your mask off, wash your hands, abide by your entrance time, and stay home when you don’t feel well. When you do this, you keep others safe, and show other industries that patrons will be cooperative with guidelines in place.
Future of Creatives
Future of Finance
From the Finance Installment, we obviously know that unions should be restructured, contracts be renegotiated, and productions should overall be leaned out. There needs to be thought put into the extravagant budgets for scenery and costumes unless it’s absolutely necessary to the story line.
I also think Broadway should hire more MBAs to help make production more efficient. MBAs are pricey, but they know how to innovate and make industries more competitive. More competitiveness can result in better shows, and more money being poured into the industry.
New York wasn’t always the premier theatrical center, and I think the power should be shmeared to other cities.
Maybe invest more in cities like San Francisco, Houston, Boston, and DC to be more theatrical centers. We shouldn’t rely on just New York because when the city shut down, Broadway lost everything. This is another way of diversifying Broadway’s assets. Maybe producers should make only shows that are shown outside New York?