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New Projects Casting & In-Development - Amazon Acquires MGM - Industry Intel - Returning to Theatre

By Sean Gregory, June 01, 2021

It's hard to believe we're finally into the summer months after what has felt like an incredibly long slog through winter and spring. With the industry rising back to its pre-pandemic levels and beyond, I'm remaining hopeful that this wellspring of projects returning and new works is just the first whisperings of the avalanche that will usher in a new era of artistry in the US.

Happy Pride Month to everyone as well! We're so excited to welcome back in-person Pride events to NYC and across the country 🏳️‍🌈 Here's a round-up of events happening in cities across the country.

For any Actors Launchpad members: Annie will be holding a seminar with the ALP team on The Art of Effective Casting Director submissions in two weeks - June 15th at 6 PM. Sign up here!

With the long weekend from Memorial Day these last few days, we decided to take a break from the typical email format and instead provide some round-up reading and viewing this week. Lots of great news to cover, so grab a coffee and cozy up! We'll be back with our full coverage next week.

Peace & Love ✌️

Amazon's Acquisition of MGM

• Jeff Bezos Says MGM Deal Thesis Simple: Intellectual Property
• Jeff Bezos on MGM Acquisition: Amazon Will Reimagine Studio Franchises
• Unscripted Boom & TV Reboot Frenzy Could Follow Amazon’s Deal For MGM

Industry Intel

• Hollywood Commission To Combat Sex Abuse At Indie Production Companies
• Paul Bettany, Jonathan Majors on How Period Pieces Alter Perspective
• Howard University To Rename College Of Fine Arts After Alum Chadwick Boseman
• Biden to Replace Several Trump-Appointed Members of the Federal Commission of Fine Arts

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• ‘The Underground Railroad’ Celebrates Black Love in Cora’s Courtships
• HADESTOWN Band Announces Diversity Initiative
• Tony Winner Clint Ramos: Where Is The American Theater That Speaks To Everyone?
• Lin-Manuel Miranda on ‘Latinx’ Versus ‘Latino’
• Shubert Organization Provides Update on its Work on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Returning to the Theater

• What Questions Do You Have About Broadway's Return?
• New Theatre-Themed Film Fest Will Feature Screenings of In The Heights, Chicago, West Side Story, Plus Live Performances
• Inside the Broadway Community Project: On Stage, In the Wings, and Throughout the House, 'Props Is Tops'

Inside Out: Revitalizing Outdoor Performances

• Why Some Indoor Theatres Are Taking It Outside
• Theatre on the Road and on the Run
• Can’t Have People in the Theatre? Bring Theatre to the People
• Open-Air Performances Return, With Some Caution and Caveats

New Space for New Works

• A Look at What’s to Come at NYC's Newly Opened Little Island
• Nine New Musical Theatre Works Headed to Rhinebeck Writers Retreat for Summer Development Residencies
• LMU Film School, Film Independent Launch Screenwriter Mentor Program

Quick Bites

• 'Hacks': Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder on Insult Banter at Audition
• Samuel E. Wright Dies: ‘The Little Mermaid’s Sebastian The Crab Was 74
• Kathryn Hahn Really Wants Theatres to Reopen—So She Did The Sisters Rosensweig From Her Garage
• GRANTS FOR ARTISTS: PLACES PLEASE PROJECT Launches to Provide Grants to Theater Artists Amidst the Pandemic