How Live Theatre is Suffering During the Covid-19 Pandemic
The live theater industry is home to over 100 different types of jobs, and statista.com states that, “Approximately 146 thousand people worked for not-for-profit professional theaters in some capacity in the United States in 2016”. That is an unbelievable amount of people who are making little to no money, and it doesn’t look like they will be able to work safely anytime soon. Leaving thousands of people and families struggling to meet their basic needs.
Recently, Dr. Anthony Fauci stated, “If we get a really good vaccine and just about everybody gets vaccinated, you’ll have a degree of immunity in the general community that I think you can walk into a theater without a mask and feel like it’s comfortable that you’re not going to be at risk”. So maybe with the new vaccine, performance centers will begin to open faster than expected.
How will theaters and companies stay open? According to ibisworld.com , “Revenue for the Live Performance Theaters industry is anticipated to decrease 32.5% in 2020 as a result of temporary establishment closures that may last until 2021, significantly limiting the ability of operators to generate revenue through ticket sales”. Not only are the people working in live theaters suffering, but the businesses who own and use theaters are as well. How will they be able to pay the bills for the performing centers with no source of income?
For now, many places like Broadway Theater League of Utica are doing virtual classes, selling merchandise, accepting donations, and more. They are even collaborating with all different types of performers to bring live performances and fun to you.
This is not an ideal situation, but hopefully we will be able to see live performances sooner than later and everyone can get back to work. Until then, wash your hands, wear a mask, socially distance, and stay safe!
Angelina Tangorra, Sophmore at Frankfort-Schuyler High School
2020-2021 Broadway Utica Youth Ambassador
