Idea for getting N.Y. actors and playwrights back to work

[chicagodannyd]

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.  

[A Director]

Posted: 4/15/20 at 8:25pm

chicagodannyd said: "
. Funding: I guess each company would have to self fund or use their financial resources.

Pray tell, how are the companies going to self fund at this time?  What financial resources?  Many companies in NYC and around the country are struggling to remain solvent now.  They may not survive!  I've received many emails from companies I support begging for donations.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/15/20 at 8:35pm

Oh, logistically there are so many holes in this.  This must be someone under 21 who still lives at home and who’s folks pay their cellphone bill.  

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 4/17/20 at 2:14pm

I'd agree that the funding would probably be the toughest part of this, but I wonder if the newly announced Broadway streaming service might be looking into doing something like this.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/17/20 at 3:03pm

chrishuyen said: "I'd agree that the funding would probably be the toughest part of this, but I wonder if the newly announced Broadway streaming service might be looking into doing something like this."

They may well be looking but it is aspirational. As stated, there are too many obstacles, and there are also large swaths of sentiment vehemently opposed to it for reasons much more deep-seated than logistics. They are basically looking to make a buck, as is everyone, and to short-circuit the existing competition. In the latter at least, they may have some success.