NYC Performing Arts Spaces Blog

We Want to Know: How Have You Been Impacted by the Recession?

Posted by Emily Bowles, on May 21, 2010 - 0 comments

In 2008 and 2009, we sent a survey to performing artists regarding their professional activities and economic situation. 

 

As part of our ongoing effort to accurately gauge the extent to which the recession has impacted New York City artists, we are now following up on these survey questions.

 

Whether or not you responded to our surveys in the past, your input today is critical, particularly in light of recent proposed cuts to culture and the arts in City and State budgets.

Take the 5-minute survey for Performing Artists now!

 

Take the 5-minute survey for Performing Arts Venues & Cultural Facilities now!

 

We'll say it again (because it's true!): your participation is vital!   Thank you!

 

Survey results will be anonymous and cumulative.  The information gathered will be made publicly available and will help government administrators, legislators and policy makers better understand and respond to the impact of the recession on New York City artists.

The survey closes June 11, 2010.
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@nycPASpaces.org.

Blogging from The Road: Providence Performing Arts Center

Posted by Courtney D. Jones, on May 13, 2010 - 0 comments

Tags: blogging from the road

The cold weather followed us to Providence, Rhode Island, as we prepared for a four-week run at the Providence Performing Arts Center during a very busy holiday season.  I was really excited to get there because it meant that my Christmas vacation was right around the corner and I was going to get to spend some time with my family and friends -- because of all this, Providence seemed like a whirlwind!

I did love the house of the Providence Performing Arts Center.  Theatres with beautiful velvet red chairs and golden accents like old movie theatres are my favorites to perform in.  The intimacy of the house and the reserved nature of the audiences sometimes played against each other.  Many times we, as performers, were concerned that the audiences might not be connecting with our characters...until the final moments of the performance.  Immediately at curtain call, the audiences were quick to reassure us that they had, in fact, enjoyed the show!

 

Despite its beauty, the Providence Performing Arts Center was a difficult house to play for many reasons, but what stands out has to be the house's faulty plumbing.  On more than one occasion, our unlucky -- but resilient -- physical therapist, Natalie Kinghorn, experienced the misfortune of having a pipe burst above her and all her equipment.  I will spare you the details and just reiterate that this was indeed a difficult house to play.

When we weren’t dodging the smell of sewer water, we were navigating our spatially-challenged dressing rooms or trying not to freeze in the gondolas since they were inconveniently located off the loading docks.  Luckily, space heaters were eventually provided.

BTW, If you go to Providence, make sure you find that Haven Bros. truck and order a milkshake -- it’s a must!

Before going to the road on this tour, I had decided to take on the task of planning my 10-year high school class reunion.  Once I was actually on the road, I quickly realized that I had maybe bitten off more than I could chew.  But it was too late to stop now, so on top of celebrating the holidays I had a lovely time organizing and attending the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Class of 1999 Ten-Year Reunion (see photo below), as well as my sister's wedding!

 

Courtney Jones worked at NYCPAS as Assistant to the Director for two years before embarking on the national tour of “WICKED” as an ensemble cast member. She is a graduate of SUNY Purchase College and has danced professionally in New York City with Jennifer Muller/The Works, among others. This is her 11th blog from the road (click "blogging from the road" in our tag cloud [right column] to see all her blogs!).

The Business We Call Show

Posted by David Johnston, on May 12, 2010 - 0 comments

Tags: professional development, theatre, theatre service orgs

This is in from TDF:  The spring session of the Commercial Theater Institute is now taking registration.  This is one of the only programs of its kind; lectures, workshops and networking events to train investors, general managers and producers in the business of commercial, for-profit theater.  This year, topics include production budgets, creative development, legal aspects of producing and producing for the road.  The session takes place at the Little Shubert on West 42 Street, May 21-23.  Discounts now for early registration.  Click here for schedules and information.

Theatre for One - Coming Soon

Posted by David Johnston, on May 11, 2010 - 0 comments

Tags: free event

 

 

This came to us from Paul Makovsky, the Editorial Director of Metropolis magazine.  And we have to admit, this is one of the more fascinating uses of public space for performance we've come across in a while. 

 

Theatre for One, a new project of the Times Square Alliance, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and the DCA among others, is "a portable performing arts space for one performer and one audience member, that turns public events into private acts, making each performance a singularly intimate exchange." Award-winning set designer Christine Jones (Spring Awakening, American Idiot), in collaboration with design studio Lot/ek, has devised a space for a one-on-one audience to performer show; theater, dance, poetry, magic and music.  If you're in Duffy Square between May 14 and May 23, check it out.  Theatre for One is on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Free Chairs Friday

Posted by David Johnston, on May 7, 2010 - 0 comments

Tags: free chairs

From our friends at the Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York: 

 

During the month of May, about 1300 to 1400 vintage chairs will be removed from an auditorium in downtown Manhattan. They are 80 years old and in fairly good condition. Please email Frances Black, Director of Member Services, directly at fblack@art-newyork.org if you are interested. The chairs will be free of charge to anyone who can pick them up from the venue the day of.