The Pivot
The theater world, as you’ve certainly read or at least surmised by now, has been decimated by Covid-19. Social distancing is sort of hard to do in the biz. More and more studies are coming out about how dangerous singing in close proximity is. Our industry was the first to shutter and it looks like we will be the last to open. This leaves many people who have worked incredibly hard at something their whole lives, giving the proverbial blood sweat and tears to get to the top of this crazy profession and who are stunningly good at what they do with no work, through no fault of their own. The restaurant industry tis also being pummeled, and guess what actors do between gigs? They wait tables.
So what follows are some snapshots of folks changing it up. They’re pivoting to a way of doing things that they may not have considered before, or they are putting themselves out there. I know the great anxiety that comes with this kind of change - I’ve lived it. A difficult divorce right at the start of the last economic downturn forced me to pivot; now my teaching is part of my identity and another item in my portfolio, albeit one that brings great satisfaction. If you’re considering making a change or at least adding something to the way “you do you” and you need help, hit me up. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned and I bet the folks that follow here would be too.
Roo Credit: Dare You Not To Love Him
This is Roosevelt Credit - Roo to friends, and everyone is a friend - conductor, singer, actor, arranger, amazing human, Broadway star. We met at Northwestern, and we share our birthday - we call each other every year without fail and it’s always a highlight of the day.
At school Roo was our north star, the spirit of our community and the greatest cheerleader. If you invite him to something, he comes. If you need work, he brings you on his next gig. He moves through life with such great joy and verve that it’s hard not fall in love with him; when you meet him, and I hope you do, you will immediately be in his inner circle because that’s how he sees the world.
Much of the work that Roo booked for the year has disintegrated, but he is finding his pivot - he’s Get(ting) on Board (“get it” on iTunes!) with distanced music-making, and using Facebook Live to bring attention to social justice. I’ve got my mom watching mass from St. Ignatius Loyola just to hear Roo sing. And this man’s singing will move you regardless of what you believe or how you worship. His albums are on iTunes, you can follow him on Facebook andYouTube. I truly hope you cross his path.
Ever wondered what it might be like to dance on a Broadway stage? Obsessed with the jumprope number from Holiday Inn? Need something for the kiddos that gets out all that housebound energy? Want to up your dance game during your downtime? Look no further than PassDoor, an online option for taking dance class at home that give you access to some of Broadway’s best.
The pass door in every Broadway theater is the door that separates the backstage from the audience, and walking though it is magical. Two of my gifted friends with big hearts and big ideas want to bring that magic to you at home. Nili Bassman and Megan Sikora are kick-ass performers and working moms who know their way around a Broadway stage.
We formed PassDoor out of a need to help displaced Broadway Dancers due to the pandemic, but quickly discovered it could be so much more. Not only are we providing a space for current professional artists to create and share their craft, but because everything is online, we have an opportunity to change the face of tomorrow's Broadway by educating the young artists of today that might not have access to theatre or the arts.
Some of the magic-makers you’ll find on PassDoor include Deirde Goodwin (Sheila in A Chorus Line - watch her journey in the film Every Little Step on Amazon Prime), Astaire Award-winner Rick Faugno and the genuinely lovely and über-gifted Sarah O’Gleby.
My very favorite thing about this is their emphasis on serving as mentors for the next generation. Brava.
Pivtoing? Know someone who is? Tell me about it so I can spread the word. Stay strong and resilient, friends. And wear a mask. xo
