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New Projects Casting - COVID Updates - London Curious? - Artist Financial Funding - Diversity/Inclusion Awards & Reports

By Sean Gregory, February 23, 2021

Another week, another winter storm here in NYC. I hope you and your family were safe during the last arctic wave that crippled so much of the country. Here in NYC, it's been too much rain for my liking in this one, but at least it's an excuse to make another NYT crockpot recipe and curl up with my ever-growing stack of plays I've been endeavoring to read in 2021. Gotta keep your brain moving somehow. 🧠

If you haven't already, we would really appreciate you taking 60 seconds (yes, really just 60 seconds) to fill out our Workshop Feedback form. We're continuing to build out our programming for the next few months, both with partner companies and planning for our social media, and hearing from the UTD community will help ensure our line-up is top-notch!

...Did you fill out the form? Trusting you here... 👀

Let's talk news!

Upcoming Workshops

March is quickly approaching, and our event lineup is growing! Check out the details for our next few events at Actors Launchpad & Ripley-Grier and get registered today!

COVID Updates

Despite COVID (or any other plague, for that matter), the theatre has and always will find a way. The advent of the virtual world has made theatre accessible like never before, and the boom in creative productions continues to impress me with each passing week. Check out this newest crop of mixed media presentations!

Five NYC theatre companies have been announced as the recipients of 59E59 Theaters and The Elysabeth Kleinhans Theatrical Foundation COVID relief grants. New Light Theater Project, PlayCo, Less Than Rent, Noor Theatre Company, and Hypokrit Theater Company all received funds ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 to support the creation and development of new work that celebrates BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ voices and stories. "We wanted to give substantial financial support to theatre companies, allowing them to continue their impactful work with perpetually underfunded artists," 59E59 artistic director Val Day wrote in a statement.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS made their mark in the community over the past week by providing an astonishing $2.45 million in grants to 131 meal delivery and foodservice programs across 37 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, ensuring that members of this community currently fighting HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 or other illnesses have access to healthy foods. "A decent meal can be the first line of defense, the road back to health and recovery," wrote Broadway Cares Executive Director Tom Viola. "These grants underscore our community’s commitment to shining a bright spotlight on those in need, even on our country’s darkest days."

The Peoples Improv Theater in NYC has become the latest comedy house to be dealt a massive blow, announcing last week that it would be vacating its home on E 24th street after 9+ years. Originally founded in 1995, the PIT has been a mainstay in the New York improv scene and was one of the last holdouts after the COVID comedy washout claimed the remaining UCB locations over the last year. The group will still maintain its two satellite locations - The PIT LOFT and Pioneers - for the time being, but founder Ali Reza Farahnakian kept modest in her expectations for the club's future, noting that "tomorrow is promised to no one during a once-in-a-century global pandemic."

Some more encouraging news came on the Chicago improv circuit with the news that Second City had been acquired by private equity firm ZMC, helmed by media mogul Strauss Zelnick. Second City has seen scores of comedy greats pass through its doors since its founding in 1959, serving as a pipeline to SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and comedy clubs around the world for a laundry list of A-listers from the last 60 years.

Theatre will return, that much we know to be true. When, where, and how seems to be the question of the year, and perhaps even the decade, as our once-hopeful view of a new Roaring '20s has been all but stifled since March of last year. Many groups around the country, but particularly in New York, are staring down the possibility of another year with more days of Broadway marquees dark and unlit, as the growing consensus seems to be zeroing in on a fall reopening timeline. In the meantime, Off and Off-Off-Broadway houses are remaining hopeful that, with the help of government support and updated guidelines, a modified theatre experience may be achievable before crowds flock back to the bright lights of 42nd Street. I found a lot of this article to be quietly exciting, but the first line really got me in my feels: "Rest assured: Before too long there will be countless theatre reopening stories to tell." I await that day with cautiously optimistic bliss. 🤞

For the Good of the Union

The advent of streaming has affected just about every facet of the entertainment industry, and acting unions are quickly approaching a crossroads of how to update and future-proof contracts for its members that establish a best-case scenario for the years of virtual content to come. SAG-AFTRA and AFL-CIO held their 3rd annual Labor Innovation & Technology Summit last Friday, tackling some of the biggest issues that performers are facing in today's rapidly digitizing environment. In her presentation, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, called out the role of large media companies in "exploiting technology to either change or blatantly ignore, the fundamental pillars that have been built over decades of collective bargaining to ensure that workers shared in the financial bounty that they create." With more technology comes more demand from actors and stunt performers, as SAG-AFTRA national executive director David White argues; "It means that people are doing more when they work. And it also means that compensation is changing, and in many ways, without the countervailing forces of the union, people are being paid less."

SAG-AFTRA has released the full details of its new Influencers' Agreement, opening the door for content creators and influencers working with sponsored content to join the union in the same way that traditional commercial actors have gained membership in the past. The rules and restrictions are much broader than other contracts, in order to off-set the typically wide range of usage that social content demands.

Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) have breathed new life into the ongoing call for healthcare support for actors by introducing a bill that would expand upon the ACC and Medicare by creating a new public health insurance option. If passed, the legislation would tap into the Medicare network of health care providers to offer a low-cost option to between 2 and 6 million Americans. "Theatre has now been virtually shut down for nearly a year, and thousands of actors and stage managers have lost their health insurance without being able to work," AEA national director of communications and public policy Brandon Lorenz wrote. "We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Bennett and Kaine on this issue."

International Edition 🇬🇧 🇦🇺 🇨🇳

Actors in the UK feel as though they are being left out to dry in the aftermath of Brexit last year, as British officials were unable to reach a deal with the European Union to ensure visa-free travel throughout Europe for workers in the arts and creative industries. "What you have to recognize, particularly with recorded media, is how short the turnaround times are," Paul W Fleming, general secretary of Equity, wrote in a statement. Fleming reprimanded the government's fixation on the £784 million UK fishing industry, easily dwarfed by the £112 billion film, TV, and music sector that received little recognition in Brexit talks. "The people who lose out are not those working on the multi-million-pound blockbusters. It is going to be the ordinary working members of Equity, who land a small part in a Netflix series."

Speaking of the UK, are you a US actor interested in working in the London market? The Growing Studio is partnering with a handful of UK industry professionals for an exciting new course -  A Taste of London! If you've ever considered making the jump across the pond to the British market, this is the perfect opportunity to learn the in's and out's from several London agents, producers, and casting personnel. This six session workshop starts this Friday!

As I'm sure we've all seen on one social media or another, Australia and New Zealand have been weathering the COVID storm better than just about anywhere else in the world. Thanks to stringent lockdowns and non-careless leadership, the countries' film productions are booming once again, with Australia seeing a 215% increase in filming inquiries looking to take advantage of a new $310 million tax incentive. Must be nice!

Tensions continue to rise between the UK and China as both countries endeavor to block out the other from its airwaves and media offerings. Britain recently stripped Chinese news channel CGTV of its broadcast license in the country after determining that it was run by the Chinese Communist Party, prompting China to ban BBC World News from distribution only days later. The effects of the head-to-head between countries have been far-reaching, and media execs are taking note. Several film and TV deals are currently in limbo between the two countries, with the truth of the matter being that the UK needs Chinese broadcasters and audiences, a bargaining chip that officials in China are no strangers to using in past negotiations.

Advice & Submissions

Looking for directing tips for some industry veterans? Judd Apatow and Jason Bateman recently sat in on the latest segment of Variety's Directors on Directors to discuss their approaches to tackling projects, the magic of the editing room, and setting actors up for success while shooting. 

SUBMISSIONS: Playbill has compiled a list of grants, funds, and fellowships that are currently accepting applications from artists who are currently creating their own work, offering either development or relief opportunities to help support us during these difficult days. Apply today!

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

This week's BroadwayWorld Black History Month Spotlight is on famed playwright August Wilson, whose productions have been staged around the world and encapsulate the Black experience in America like no other. Wilson's work has enjoyed a newfound renaissance with the distribution of MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM from Netflix, which is proving to be just the tip of the iceberg. In 2015, Denzel Washington shared his intentions to bring all ten of Wilson's American Century Cycle plays to the big screen in the coming years, introducing a new generation to his works in a more accessible way than ever before.

Ratings giant Nielsen has launched a new segment of its industry grading criteria, aimed at shedding light on diversity across all of its reviewed content. Gracenote Inclusion Analytics will enable distributors and studios to sift through which content is currently meeting Diversity, Equity & Inclusion guidelines, and analyze information like breakdowns of screen time for minority characters, how audiences are reacting to what is being shown in their content and much more.

Bee Vang, activist, and star of Clint Eastwood's 2008 flick GRAN TORINO, recently opened up about the film's impact in the Asian community in the United States since its debut. Vang discussed the rampant rise in anti-Asian hate crimes around the country in the wake of COVID-19, and how it came as little surprise to him after seeing audiences laugh at the repeated racist slurs throughout TORINO. "To this day, I am still haunted by the mirth of white audiences, the uproarious laughter when Eastwood’s curmudgeonly racist character, Walt Kowalski, growled a slur," Vang wrote in an NBC News op-ed (TW: anti-Asian slurs and rhetoric). "It's a 'harmless joke,' right? Until it’s not just a joke, but rather one more excuse for ignoring white supremacy and racism."

Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-winning artist, Cynthia Erivo is ready to tell the stories of Black women we've never heard before. The COLOR PURPLE star announced the creation of her own production company, Edith’s Daughter, that will seek to highlight the stories of "the other" in society, and celebrate names that history books have too often overlooked. "People whose stories have often been trivialized or relegated to certain archetypes and stereotypes," Erivo wrote. "See them live in their fullness and in genres that have historically not been meant for them." Coming off her stellar performances as Harriet Tubman in HARRIET and Aretha Franklin for Nat Geo's GENIUS: ARETHA, Erivo plans to continue uplifting stories of Black women "in spaces that we haven’t been seen yet."

It has been an exciting year for women in film and TV, with dozens of high-profile projects featuring women in starring roles, director's chairs, and producer/executive producer roles. Variety chatted with a handful of award-season hopefuls about the turning point for representation in Hollywood in 2021 and the long-term effects that authentic storytelling can have on our industry.

The Black Reel Awards, which recognizes excellence in filmmaking in the African-American and African diaspora communities, announced the nominees for its 21st annual awards ceremony, scheduled to be held April 11th. Amazon's ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI, helmed by Regina King, led the group with 15 nominations, followed closely by JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH'S 12 nods. Check out the full list here!

In the wake of the renewed Black Lives Matter movement last summer, the "We See You, White American Theater" manifesto was signed by over 300 BIPOC artists and creators, demanding radical change from the theatre industry in the US. Seven months later, the group has released their initial Accountability Report, highlighting the organizations that have done the most to dismantle the historically racist institutions and ideologies that have led them to their current state, and reaffirming the importance of this work at every level of the community to ensure a fair and equitable future of the American theatre. The full report can be read and downloaded here.

Ava DuVernay Launches New Production Company

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay announced the creation of Array Crew, a new initiative aimed at increasing the number of employed crew members from historically underrepresented communities in Hollywood. The project has been financially backed by some of the biggest names in the industry, including WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal, ViacomCBS, Disney, Hulu, and many more, allowing for the over 3,000 member database to be used by its members completely for free. The only requirement? Having one credit on your resume. "What we’re saying is that in this town, it’s so much about who you know, but what happens if you don’t know anyone? So what ARRAY Crew wants to be is who you know," DuVernay said. The company spans the 45 main production categories that studios would be looking to fill, from COVID compliance officers to cinematographers.

Scorsese Channels il Maestro

Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese hasn't had any issues making his opinions known about the current state of filmmaking over the last few years. The DEPARTED director went public with his belief that Marvel movies were not cinema-level projects in 2019, sparking an industry-wide discussion over the merit of different types of films in today's entertainment landscape. Scorsese is staring down a new adversary in an essay for Harper's Magazine: the streaming industry. "[T]he art of cinema is being systematically devalued, sidelined, demeaned, and reduced to its lowest common denominator, 'Content'," he argues, though noting that he himself has benefitted from the advent of streaming in being given a platform for his more recent projects like THE IRISHMAN (Netflix) and KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON (Apple TV). Ultimately, the award-winning filmmaker's argument is simple: Do your own research in curating your watchlists, rather than relying on streamers' algorithms to do the work for you, and let the films speak for themselves. 🎬

Quick Bites

As the first award season in a still COVID-laden world takes shape, frontrunner films have begun to emerge in critic's circles and cast ballots that paint a clearer picture of the most anticipated films of the year. Deadline has been following a handful of conversations around the industry over the last week, including the rise of the Francis McDormand-led NOMADLAND, Aaron Sorkin's THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7, and more.

Spike Lee continues to make headlines this week, this time sharing that he may be open to directing a Marvel flick if given the chance: "If the right opportunity comes across, I'm not campaigning for it, but I will give it consideration."

The lure of the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy has expanded once again, thanks to a new essay from film journalist Drew McWeeny. The longtime entertainment writer shared how the film's director Peter Jackson sought to relocate the franchise after discovering that then-producer Harvey Weinstein had given Jackson a $75 million, two-film cap for the series, leading Jackson to leak the film's script to McWeeny, drumming up industry interest that would eventually allow the RINGS team to relocate the project to New Line Cinema.

That's all we got for this week! Be sure to check out some of the awesome content streaming this week that we mentioned; lots of great theatre and talkbacks out there right now to keep learning and stay sharp.

Oh, and if you didn't fill out our Feedback Form, here's the link one more time 😉

Have a great week!