Off-Broadway Specifications

[NonEqButIWishIWas]

Posted: 10/12/17 at 4:50pm

Hello, hello BroadwayWorld.

I'm doing some revising and updating of my resume and had a quick question.

I'm currently cast in an immersive dinner theatre show in Manhattan. Given that it is immersive, as you would guess, its not happening in a traditional theatre, but there is an audience of about 130 and is a paid gig. From what I can tell, this falls under the category of Off-Broadway. Can I credit it as such? I would love to hear multiple opinions. 

 

Thanks and much love.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 10/12/17 at 5:14pm

I'm afraid it's more complicated than that. Many shows have audience sizes over 99 that are not technically Off-Broadway due to other restrictions. Someone else will likely do a better and more accurate job explaining this than I will, but as I understand it, to be officially an "Off-Broadway" venue/show is a specific classification that relies not only on seat count, but also the contracts, equity rules, etc. Similar to how several major NY theatres have over 500 seats, and yet are not among the official Broadway houses. 

Updated On: 10/12/17 at 05:14 PM

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 10/12/17 at 5:55pm

Others PLEASE correct me if I’m wrong, but this is my belief...

 

Off-Broadway: 100-499 seats that employs Equity actors and also union technicians.

Off-Off-Broadway: something that does not use union actors and technicians (even if they are paid), or a Union show under 99 seats

Also maybe geographic location is also a factor but maybe not?

 

So I don’t think there’s a clear cut definition, but since your show is not in a traditional theatre space and (going by your username) non-Equity, probably safest to call it Off-Off-Broadway or just “New York City”. It could make you look bad if you call it Off-Bway, since casting directors might have more strict beliefs.

Good luck with the show!

[NonEqButIWishIWas]

Posted: 10/12/17 at 6:03pm

This was my belief, too! I currently have it under "New York Theatre", so I will definitely keep it that way.

[RndmAnswrs4RndmQstns]

Posted: 10/12/17 at 6:16pm

I wonder if it would say on your contract?

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 10/12/17 at 6:22pm

There are some A+ usernames on this thread!

[HogansHero]

Posted: 10/12/17 at 9:30pm

I am assuming the OP's show is non-Equity. The label "Off-Broadway" has many forms. It can refer to the Equity Off-B contract but Equity has no control about how the term is used. It can and frequently is used to refer to sub-100 shows (which often are actually still subject to the AEA Off-B contract, though with special considerations, under the so-called Mini Contract), but press agents routinely use the term to refer to shows that are under 100, non-Equity, not in Manhattan, etc. as being off-B. The New York Times refers to BAM as Off-B. So you can call your show Off-B if you want.