Posted: 4/15/20 at 8:06pm
This is likely not a new new idea. And it comes from a person not associated with show bizz at all. But, possibly there could be a germ of an idea in it or something that people find promising with adjustments. I had been thinking how to open up the theatres. But that does not seem realistic at this point. It probably won't be until, next year before a covid 19 vaccine is developed. So what could be a solution in the coming long months?
Are there about 75 theatrical production companies in New York, counting Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off Off Broadway? That is a lot a talent and a lot of production capacity.
Let's say each company large and small had the ability to produce an original half hour or one hour play, with no audience. However, if each performance was recorded digitally or to tape, there could be a lot of available theatrical performances for television distribution, to networks such as Pluto, IMDd, Tubi, Netflix, etc. Let's say that there was an umbrella organization called, "New York Theatrical Workshop." The workshop cuts a deal with one of the large television distributors previously mentioned. And each week, several productions are broadcast. There could be experimental productions, drama, comedy, original works, and maybe musicals. The idea is that it would be an open umbrella organization that welcomes all New York companies, regardless of size or fame. No one theatrical company would dominate at the exclusion of the others. Funding: I guess each company would have to self fund or use their financial resources. This is a free thinking idea. Maybe it is unrealistic. Or maybe there is something of value in it. Ultimately, someone has to come up with an idea for employing actors, directors, playwrights during the long performance drought.