In this episode of 'The Business of Theater,' hosts Darnelle Radford and Mitchell Weiss discuss the current state of theater in 2026, reflecting on the impact of the pandemic, the economics of theater production, and the challenges of maintaining community and connection within the industry. They emphasize the importance of human interaction and the need for a supportive environment for artists, while also addressing the rising costs of theater and the need for a renewed sense of community engagement.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Business of Theater

00:56 Reflections on the Golden Globes and Theater's Cross-Over

02:41 The Impact of the Pandemic on Theater

05:01 The Struggle for Audience Engagement

07:49 The Rising Costs of Theater Tickets

10:38 The Reality of Working in Theater

13:29 The Financial Strain on Artists

16:12 The Toll of Performance on Actors

19:00 The Changing Landscape of Auditions

21:39 Community and the Future of Theater

24:44 Navigating Post-Pandemic Challenges in Theater

27:04 The Financial Landscape of Theater

33:00 Rebuilding Community Connections

39:04 The Importance of Gathering Spaces

46:24 Preserving Theater Traditions and Community

WORKING TITLE:

We’re Still Here

REJECTED TITLES:

Looks like we made it?

LINKS:

CBS Sunday Morning: Noah Wyle Interview:

https://youtu.be/cKL-hKPhbqw?si=DepoJSh4cIaP3ZCQ

Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, & More Win Golden Globe Awards - Full List of Winners:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Jessie-Buckley-Rose-Byrne-More-Win-Golden-Globe-Awards-Full-List-of-Winners-2026011258?utm_source=sniply&utm_campaign=sniply&utm_medium=sniply

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This podcast is an Em3ry production.

Visit us online at https://em3ry.com/tbot. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at “em3ryotm”.

In this episode, Darnelle Radford and Mitchell Weiss explore the current state of theater, reflecting on the past year while looking forward to the future. They discuss the impact of streaming and television on live performances, the importance of diversity in entertainment, and the role of regional theaters in fostering creativity. The conversation also touches on the challenges of marketing and audience engagement, the need for new voices in theater, and the significance of education in theater etiquette. They celebrate unique productions like the One Man Nutcracker and share their hopes for the theater landscape in 2026.

Chapters

00:00 The Business of Theater: A Year in Review

02:46 Nostalgia and Classic TV: A Year-End Reflection

05:21 The Impact of Politics on Theater

08:07 Diversity in Entertainment: A Double-Edged Sword

10:44 The Role of Nonprofits in Theater

13:14 Emerging Trends in Television and Theater

16:22 The Future of Theater: Challenges and Opportunities

18:53 Funding and Support for New Works

21:33 Audience Engagement: What Draws Us to Theater?

30:49 The Power of Word of Mouth in Theater

32:05 Nostalgia and the Rehashing of Classics

33:34 The Role of Previews and Press in Theater Success

35:15 Marketing Strategies: Budgeting and Hype

36:52 The Impact of Star Power on Ticket Sales

38:29 The Challenges of Filling Seats in Theater

39:12 Cultural Support for the Arts vs. Sports

41:20 The Nature of Theater: Community Engagement and Scarcity

43:23 The Importance of Audience Education and Etiquette

50:41 Creating a Positive Theater Experience for Young Audiences

52:56 Looking Ahead: New Productions and Future Trends

LINKS:

Kennedy Center Honors Draws 35% Fewer Viewers Than Last Year

https://www.theatermania.com/news/kennedy-center-honors-draws-35-fewer-viewers-than-last-year_1816361/

Kennedy Center vows to sue musician who canceled performance over Trump name change

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/27/g-s1-103808/kennedy-center-lawsuit-chuck-redd-cancellation-trump

Kennedy Center Confirms More Than 20 Show Cancellations Or Postponements Since Donald Trump’s Takeover

https://deadline.com/2025/03/trump-kennedy-center-cancellations-1236313914/

Broadway League releases audience demographic report for 2024-2025

https://www.broadwaynews.com/broadway-league-releases-audience-demographic-report-for-2024-2025/?utm_source=sniply&utm_campaign=sniply&utm_medium=sniply

Why ‘Heated Rivalry’ Can’t Compete at the Emmys — and Likely Won’t Be Able to for Season 2, Either

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/heated-rivalry-emmys-eligibility-season-2-1236619236/

STARMITES (Musical)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starmites

ONE SINGULAR SENSATION:

One-Man Nutcracker (Chris Davis)

Two Strangers Carry A Cake Across New York

Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Share the podcast with a friend, colleague or give us some social media love.

This podcast is an Em3ry production.

Visit us online at https://em3ry.com/tbot. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at “em3ryotm”.

This conversation explores the challenges faced by theater artists, including financial struggles, the impact of the pandemic, and the importance of equitable wages and housing. The hosts discuss the role of arts organizations in supporting artists and the need for community and support within the theater industry. They also address the challenges of funding and budgeting for theater, emphasizing the importance of growth and sustainability for the future of the industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Business of Theater

02:32 Financial Constraints in Theater

05:27 The Hustle: Balancing Theater and Other Work

07:53 Income and Wage Disparities in Theater

10:42 Housing and Living Conditions for Theater Workers

13:33 The Impact of Location on Theater Work

16:22 Funding and Compensation in the Arts

18:52 The Future of Theater: Balancing Art and Economics

21:33 The Importance of Workplace Environment

24:13 Caring for Artists and Staff

26:09 Union Standards and Compensation

28:09 The Role of Small Gestures in Management

29:56 Budgeting and Financial Challenges in Nonprofits

31:37 Growth and Purpose in Theater Organizations

33:08 Compensation and Financial Sustainability

35:57 The Value of Frontline Staff

38:35 Opportunities for Growth and Development

42:29 Navigating Financial Constraints in Theater

LINKS:

“Tom Stoppard, Master Playwright Whose Work Spanned Six Decades, Dies at 88” by Broadway.com’s Beth Stevens - “Stoppard wrote more than 30 plays, building a body of work that blended big ideas with theatricality. His breakthrough Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead was first staged at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1966. It then moved to the National Theatre and later to Broadway, where the comic riff on two minor characters from Hamlet won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1968. ... His plays soon became fixtures on Broadway.

His work also earned major acclaim in London where he received three Olivier Awards (for Arcadia, Heroes and Leopoldstadt). The Royal Court, the National Theatre and the West End all staged his plays throughout his career and helped build his reputation across the U.K. He was knighted in 1997 and became one of the most honored dramatists in British theater.” https://bway.ly/qr6roa

“It’s a Homophobic Slur. What’s It Doing in So Much Theater?” by The New York Times’ Erik Piepenburg - “Adam Greenfield, the artistic director of Playwrights Horizons, where “Prince F****t” had its premiere this summer in a Soho Rep co-production, said our relationship to a play starts when we first hear about it. That’s especially true with “Prince F****t.” “Whether it’s distaste or anxiety or intrigue, the title positions you in the play before you know anything about it,” he said.” https://bway.ly/y7sqyo

Heart, Hustle, Survival - Report Sheds Light on Realities of Making a Living and a Life in the Theatre

https://www.tcg.org/Web/News/Press-Releases/new-report-hhs.aspx

ONE SINGULAR SENSATION:

Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Share the podcast with a friend, colleague or give us some social media love.

This podcast is an Em3ry production.

Visit us online at https://em3ry.com/tbot. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at “em3ryotm”.