Worth a Look

Here are a few posts from last week's Greenpage that might be worth your time...

Creating While Female: How Women Artists Deal with Online Abuse

Broadly: Never before have female identified artists had a greater platform to showcase their work. With over 7 billion Internet users worldwide—400 million on Instagram alone—gallery owners and record label executives are no longer the gatekeepers of the female artists' visibility.

Women can now cultivate their own businesses, sell their own merchandise, network, advertise, and empower and inspire people independently online. Social media has given women something female artists throughout history never had: access. However, with that access comes a new sort of vulnerability: Women who use the Internet to promote their own work often have to put up with aggressive online harassment, especially if their art focuses on their sexuality or their identity.

Posted by David at 2/12/2016 05:03:00 PM

Exposing the employment ploy at concert promoter Live Nation

LA Times: Brian Hill is a 28-year-old stagehand from Atlanta who's been planning to address Wednesday's annual shareholders meeting of the giant Beverly Hills-based concert promotion firm Live Nation Entertainment.

Hill has been hoping to explain that Live Nation condemns stagehands in his home region to poverty-level wages while depriving them health and retirement benefits. Conditions in many venues are dangerous and unhealthy — sometimes the workers aren't even given water to drink. Safety training is all but nonexistent.

Posted by David at 2/10/2016 05:30:00 PM

Northwestern Burlesque makes changes after concerns about inclusiveness, diversity

The Daily Northwestern:With Northwestern Burlesque surpassing 100 cast members for the first time this year, participants raised concerns that its solo and small group performances do not sufficiently represent different races, body types and experiences.

Following the concerns, the show’s directors said they are working to make the show feel more inclusive.

Posted by David at 2/08/2016 06:13:00 PM

'Jubilee,' an iconic showgirl spectacular, takes its last steps in Las Vegas

Las Vegas Review-Journal: They seemed to sense this one might be the last, even if they didn't know how long it would last.

On the eve of the opening of "Jubilee" in July 1981, its sky's-the-limit producer, Donn Arden, told a journalist, "(T)hey allow me enough budget that no one in this decade anywhere in the world will be able to top what we've done, because of inflation and the moneys that are required to do major productions."

In 2004, Tony-winning lighting designer Ken Billington did lighting updates on Bally's "Jubilee," and mused, "Shows like this don't exist anymore. Could anyone even afford to do one nowadays?"

Posted by David at 2/09/2016 03:18:00 PM

Warner Music Pays $14 Million to End 'Happy Birthday' Copyright Lawsuit

Hollywood Reporter: The music publisher will also not stand in the way for a judge to declare the song to be in the public domain.

Sing the song, blow out the candles, eat the cake and unwrap the gifts.

According to a court filing on Monday, music publisher Warner/Chappell will pay $14 million to end a lawsuit challenging its hold on the English language's most popular song, "Happy Birthday to You."

Posted by David at 2/09/2016 03:02:00 PM

Worth a Look

Here are a few posts from last week's Greenpage that might be worth your time...

Let’s Talk About Who Bears Responsibility For Cultural Appropriation

The Frisky: Monday’s piece “Beyonce is Not Appropriating in Hymn For The Weekend” sparked some expected backlash and I would really love to address some of the concerns that were raised in the comments section out of respect for my readers.

I want to stress the fact that Beyonce’s participation in the video was utterly and absolutely exploitative. The video reduced India’s beautiful and complex culture to a stereotype. I do not want that to be overshadowed by the conversation about appropriation. Whether or not the video was disrespectful is not up for debate– it was.

Posted by David at 2/04/2016 03:06:00 PM

Muslim teen wants to be first professional hijabi ballerina

NY Daily News: This Muslim dancer is raising the barre.

Sydney schoolgirl Stephanie Kurlow wants to become the first hijabi ballerina in the world - and to open a dance school for girls of all backgrounds to pirouette in her footsteps.

“Dancing is like flying for me. It makes me feel free,” the poised 14-year-old tells the Daily News.

Posted by David at 2/04/2016 03:08:00 PM

What’s My Line?

David Simon: Most of the time, writing for film or television – if the writer retains a producer’s title on the set – is a straight, simple negotiation: Here’s the page. Say the lines. Yes, like you mean them, as a good actor would. You’re a good actor, right? Of course you are. That’s why we wanted you. So, you talented, photogenic prick motherfucker, say the fucking lines the way they were fucking written and then we can all go to the bar pretending to be friends.

Okay, so it isn’t quite that totalitarian.

Posted by David at 2/01/2016 05:44:00 PM

Cardiologist hopes to decrease cardiac death in touring professionals

WWAY TV3: One Wilmington cardiologist is hoping to make a difference in the music industry.

Doctor Damian Brezinski recently created a nonprofit called ‘Keep the Beat Alive’. The organization is dedicated to decreasing premature cardiac death in touring professionals.

Brezinski’s friend and patient Chris Musgrave spent more than 20 years in the music industry, but one day would be turning point for him.

Posted by David at 2/02/2016 02:38:00 PM

Broadway's FIDDLER ON THE ROOF to Donate Portion of Ticket Sales to Flint, MI This Month

www.broadwayworld.com: The producers of the hit Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof announced this morning that the production will donate $2 from every full-price ticket purchased to the show for all February 2016 performances to The United Way of Genesee County's Flint Water Fund, which directly provides aid the Michigan city's residents, currently suffering from a critical drinking water contamination crisis.

Posted by David at 2/02/2016 02:39:00 PM

Worth a Look

Here are some posts from last week's Greenpage that might be worth your time...

Billie Joe Armstrong Warns of Censorship After School Cancels 'American Idiot'

The New York Times: In what could be a scene straight from the punkish musical “American Idiot,” a Connecticut high school has canceled a planned production of the show, citing its sex, drugs and foul language.

Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead singer of Green Day, and a co-writer of the book for the musical based on his band’s 2004 rock opera of the same name, responded on Instagram, calling the decision by the school, Enfield High, an issue of censorship.

Posted by David at 1/28/2016 02:05:00 PM

The Shittiness Of IP Law Has Taught The Public That Everything Is Stealing And Everyone Is Owed Something

Techdirt: In an article that's actually a bit (but just a bit) more thoughtful than the headline applied to it ("How Corporations Profit From Black Teens' Viral Content"), Fader writer Doreen St. Felix tackles the cultural appropriation of creative works. Sort of.

Posted by David at 1/29/2016 04:39:00 PM

New York Jets Cheerleaders Win $325,000 Class-Action Settlement

jezebel.com; The New York Jets are paying out approximately $324,000 to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by the team’s cheerleading squad over low wages.

Posted by David at 1/29/2016 04:31:00 PM

New York Attorney General Calls For Caps On Ticket Resale Prices, Outlawing Of Scalper Bots

Consumerist: When you go to buy tickets for a popular concert or sporting event, you likely know that you’ll ultimately have to make your purchase from a ticket reseller who will mark up the price to try maximize their profit. But the New York state attorney general is calling on the state legislature to put new rules into place that would protect consumers from scalpers who swoop in and buy up every ticket before they are available to actual fans.

“Ticketing is a fixed game,” said NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today, as his office released the results of a three-year investigation [PDF] into the event ticketing industry.

Posted by David at 1/29/2016 04:42:00 PM

How Big Is The Gig Economy? The Government Is Finally Going To Find Out

www.fastcompany.com: The gig economy has launched a healthy "future of work" panel circuit amid a roaring debate over whether apps like Uber, Postmates, and Handy—which hire an army of independent contractors instead of employees—represent a return to the sweatshop or a new freedom to work when and how one pleases. But all sides of the debate face the same dilemma: When they propose a new policy or launch a new initiative, they have only a vague idea of how many workers it could impact. There is no current government data that specifically catalogs this group of workers.

Posted by David at 1/28/2016 02:10:00 PM

Worth a Look

Here are a few articles from last week's Greenpage that might be worth your time...

Write Something Funny: Why Comedy is Vital to the Future of Theatre

HowlRound: There is something wonderful about a theatre full of laughter.

I’ve experienced moments of tragedy as an audience member so tense that you would shush a pin for dropping, have been enraptured by spectacle storytelling, and have had my personal values challenged by deep intellectual pieces that sit with me for weeks.

But there is something different about a theatre full of laughter.

Posted by David at 1/18/2016 10:30:00 PM

Phil Willmott: Let’s be proud of fringe theatre again

Opinion | The Stage: I've been thinking it's time we became proud of the words 'fringe theatre' again.

It’s a sad fact that there are a gazillion more people who want to make their living in theatre than the industry’s commercial and subsidised sector can sustain. For many of us, at some time or another in our working lives, there’s no alternative but to volunteer our downtime to be in fringe shows if we want to play a great role, work on a great play, bulk up our CV and showcase our talents.

Posted by David at 1/18/2016 10:26:00 PM

The Play Lovers' Guide to BroadwayCon! Your Itinerary For A Theatre-Filled Weekend

Playbill.com: BroadwayCon isn't just for fans of musical theatre. We've got the breakdown of everything to see and do for the fans of straight plays, so you can make the most of your weekend.

Posted by David at 1/22/2016 03:34:00 PM

Theatre’s Technical Jobs: Much More Than Meets the Eye

AMERICAN THEATRE: We’re living in what is sometimes called the Information Age—an apt name for the constant flow of facts and data in which we swim, all made possible by ever-accelerating breakthroughs in computing. The catch, of course, is that, in a society where the one constant seems to be technological change, we may have too much information to process, too many systems to learn—and much of it will be obsolete by the time we’ve taken it in.

“You could probably have a full-time job just keeping up with the changes in technology,” says Erik Lawson, who started as an audio engineer and is now a sound designer based in New York City.

Posted by David at 1/22/2016 03:33:00 PM

AMERICANNot in Our Theatre: The Fight Against Sexual Harassment

AMERICAN THEATRE: On Jan. 30, 2015, after a long day in rehearsals, Chicago actor Lori Myers posted the following on her Facebook page: “It is very discouraging to me to continuously hear stories of sexual exploitation concerning young women in our theatre community. These women were sometimes underage, manipulated, and traumatized. If your friend, sister, daughter, or coworker was working under a sexual predator—what would you do about it?”

Posted by David at 1/21/2016 03:24:00 PM

Worth a Look

Here are a few posts from Last Week's Greenpage that mightbe worth your time...

Bowie's magical wardrobe led his fans into strange new musical landscapes

theconversation.com: There is no real need to reiterate that Bowie was a fashion icon. That, if this week’s posthumous tributes are anything to go by, is a given. Nor is there any further call for a detailed account of his greatest looks; his talent for reinvention; his impact upon the aesthetics of his culture; or the influence he continues to exert upon contemporary designers. All of this has been amply covered elsewhere.

Posted by David at 1/15/2016 03:32:00 PM

‘Midnight Rider’: Randall Miller Attorneys Defend Request for Release

Variety: Randall Miller’s legal team said in a court filing on Tuesday that there was nothing unethical with his motion for an early release nor does it signal a breach of his plea agreement for charges related to the Feb. 20, 2014 train accident on the set of “Midnight Rider.”

Posted by David at 1/13/2016 05:05:00 PM

Judge Allows Graffiti Artist's Lawsuit Over Katy Perry's Met Gala Dress

Hollywood Reporter: The renowned street artist known as "Rime" wins the right to pursue a well-known fashion designer for ripping off his mural.

In November, we asked the question: Is anything worn by pop superstar Katy Perry protected by the U.S. Constitution? Well, it appears as though the answer to this question is a firm "no."

Posted by David at 1/15/2016 03:31:00 PM

Submitting Like a Man: My year resubmitting scripts as a dude

HowlRound: Strap on your balls and grow some chest hair: for the next year, I will be submitting like a man: resubmitting every script I have written, but under a man’s name.

Let me explain.

From the day I graduated NYU nine years ago with a shiny new BFA in Dramatic Writing, I started submitting plays. There are many ways one can build a resume as a playwright, and submitting to calls for scripts was the one I chose. A few months in, I started keeping a list of all the submissions I was doing. Part organization, part paranoia—I wanted to have a record of where I’d sent my stuff.

Posted by David at 1/11/2016 01:11:00 PM

SM as Whistle-Blower

Stage Directions: You are rehearsing a show and the director wants to change the script. What should you do? What can you do?

Stage Directions editor Jacob Coakley interviewed Howard Sherman about new productions being inspired/borrowing/stealing from older or original productions of the same show. It is a terrific interview, especially when Sherman makes points about authorial intent and what we are teaching aspiring artists and audiences about intellectual property in art.

Posted by David at 1/12/2016 01:30:00 PM

Melissa Etheridge tribute to David Bowie Portsmouth Music Hall, NH- Thi...

It's Official

From the commissioner:

 Proving fairly conclusively from my perspective that fantasy sports are not a skill.

Well That Was Unlikely

Pierogies Win!

I'd like to thank the Rams' and Chiefs' defenses and special teams.  After so many years of just being filler in this league it is nice to actually win.

Woohoo!

Radio Check

A short list of things detrimental to Blogging tempo:

• Facebook
• Computer games
• Children
• The DVR/Netflix/Binge watching
• RSS readers
• Significant illness
• Other blogs/webpages
• Friends
• Books

Trying to do better.

Worth a Look

Here are a few posts from last week's Greenpage that might be worth your time:

Broadway Lacks Diversity, Parity Behind the Curtain

Variety: Just last week, “Allegiance,” a musical set during the Japanese-American internments of WWII, and starring a mostly Asian-American cast (including George Takei), opened hot on the heels of “On Your Feet!,” the biomusical of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, with a predominant-ly Latino cast. Already open is a production of chestnut “The Gin Game” starring Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones; and a new staging of “Spring Awakening” featuring deaf actors and, for the first time in Broadway history, an actor who uses a wheelchair.

Posted by David at 11/26/2015 04:34:00 PM

Le Bataclan, Past And Future

Pollstar: Le Bataclan has, in its 151-year history, hosted ballet, theatre, traveling acts including “Buffalo Bill” Cody, movies and, in its most recent incarnation, artists of any and all genres. On Nov. 13, it became a slaughterhouse for terrorists who burst in, held hostages for five hours and murdered 89 people.

Posted by David at 11/25/2015 04:11:00 PM

Gender Swapping Shakespeare Is Far More than a Reaction

Flavorwire: A lot of the discussion surrounding gender-swapped Shakespeare productions hinges on an idea of theatrical reparation. The idea isn’t just that these casting decisions make up for the Elizabethan refusal to let women play any part, but also that they address the dearth of substantial female roles in Shakespeare’s works (at least outside the comedies). People talk about revival/reboot culture in TV and film — but theater has functioned as a revival culture for centuries, and has proven both the innovations and the potential paralyses therein. In an art form predicated primarily on endless reconstitutions of the past, that not only cherishes its classics, but necessitates their constant rebirth, such changes have to be made if the theater wishes to explore and critique male-dominated pasts without perpetuating a male-dominated present.

Posted by David at 11/27/2015 05:07:00 PM

Seven Standards in Public Review

Stage Directions: PLASA North America isn’t letting the split from PLASA EU get in the way of their standards process. They’ve just posted seven standards for public review on their website. ​

Posted by David at 11/27/2015 05:03:00 PM

Dramatists Guild Blasts Directors Who Cast Characters "Outside His or Her Obvious Race, Gender"

Breaking Character: Recent controversy over casting non-white characters in stage productions has prompted the Dramatists Guild to issue a position paper opposing “casting a character outside his or her obvious race, gender or implicit characteristics. To do so without meaningful consultation with the writer is both a moral and a legal breach” of the DG contract.

Posted by David at 11/26/2015 04:31:00 PM