Charlotte St. Martin is retiring from the Broadway League in Feb 2024

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 11:40am

Charlotte St. Martin's retirement is effective February 16, 2024, which is one month from today. "She will continue to serve in an advisory capacity for special events through the 2024 Tony Awards. Jason Laks, The League's Executive Vice President and General Counsel, will serve as Acting President while the Board conducts an official search."

She held the position for 18 years.

Press release

NYT story

Updated On: 1/16/24 at 11:40 AM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 11:41am

WHOA.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 11:50am

Good.

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 12:11pm

Not a fan, but she was essentially the flack-catcher for the anti-labor negotiating positions of theater owners and producers. Perhaps the League needs a less dependably anti-labor public face to fight the casino wars. 

Updated On: 1/16/24 at 12:11 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 12:12pm

Maybe her swing can fill her position in the interim 

[Huss417]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 12:26pm

It has been time for a change.

Updated On: 1/16/24 at 12:26 PM

[AndreyIsntHere]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 12:41pm

Can't say she'll be missed.

[OhHiii]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 12:43pm

She's proven, especially since the shutdown how out of touch with the folks working in the industry she is. Hopefully who comes next isn't squarely on the side of theater owners and producers, but more balanced to advocate fairly for the workers that make their money for them.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 12:46pm

For some strange reason, I think a Brit might eventually succeed her in the position. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 1:00pm

OhHiii said: "She's proven, especially since the shutdown how out of touch with the folks working in the industry she is. Hopefully who comes next isn't squarely on the side of theater owners and producers, but more balanced to advocate fairly for the workers that make their money for them."

 

It is not (nor has it ever been) the Broadway League's job to "fight for the workers".  In fact it's the exact opposite -- they are the guild for the Broadway PRODUCERS.  The workers already have their own advocates -- they're called unions.

 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 1:01pm

Well It’s About Time!

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 1:18pm

Why would a Brit succeed her?

I agree it would be good to get away from the all-consuming capitalist mindset, but I don’t hold out much hope.

I heard an economist recently say that misery prevails in America because of the predatory system. Abuse is systemic, everyone suffers because this is how society defines itself. Perpetrated by government, employers, goods and service providers. Doctors, dentists, plumbers, landlords etc. At every level.

A pyramid of extraction. We are all being robbed, then we rob others so we can pay those that rob us. Sad.

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 1:18pm

OhHiii said: "She's proven, especially since the shutdown how out of touch with the folks working in the industry she is. Hopefully who comes next isn't squarely on the side of theater owners and producers, but more balanced to advocate fairly for the workers that make their money for them."

I hope it will be someone steeped in the theatre world, as Harvey Sabinson (a press agent) was during his tenure in the 80s-90s. Whether that's elevating someone within the League staff already, or someone from the GM/producing/presenting side stepping over to the League. Someone with experience dealmaking within this industry will be able to better advocate for things that benefit both the talent and the League constituents...such as the option for a 7-show week, or pay tiers based on gross, or changes to the Tony categories, or other oft-discussed changes.

At the end of the day, the League President's contract is at the liberty of the League Board of Governors, so they need to keep those people happy above all. They aren't an artist-advocate. Being spokesperson for Broadway as an industry is not the job, but somehow that became part of the job during CSM's tenure; when there's news about the Hollywood industry, Carol Lombardini from AMPTP isn't usually the one speaking to the talkshows and trades.

(The Broadway League is also a misleading title for a trade organization of producers/landlords/presenters, but that's not the conversation here)

Updated On: 1/16/24 at 01:18 PM

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 1:37pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said:  Being spokesperson for Broadway as an industry is not the job, but somehow that became part of the job during CSM's tenure; when there's news about the Hollywood industry, Carol Lombardini from AMPTP isn't usually the one speaking to the talkshows and trades.
 

I think that is a good point.

 

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 2:16pm

Good riddance.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 6:23pm

It's about damn time!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 6:50pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Charlotte St. Martin's retirement is effective February 16, 2024, which is one month from today."She will continue to serve in an advisory capacity for special events through the 2024 Tony Awards. Jason Laks, The League's Executive Vice President and General Counsel, will serve as Acting President while the Board conducts an official search."

She held the position for 18 years.

Press release

 

NYT story"

 

[kdogg36]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 7:54pm

OhHiii said: "Hopefully who comes next isn't squarely on the side of theater owners and producers, but more balanced to advocate fairly for the workers that make their money for them."

The Broadway League is an association of theater owners, producers, and various other people who would be considered "management," so its leader will always have to stand on that side of things if they're doing their job properly.

[ETA: Sorry, JSquared2, for duplicating your point.]

Updated On: 1/16/24 at 07:54 PM

[George in DC]

Posted: 1/16/24 at 8:14pm

Good!