2023 Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative Recipients Announced!

Working in the Theatre (EPK)

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A play is made up of, you name it, ten-thousand, twenty-thousand moments. That’s all theatre is, moments…
Jim Dale
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Working in the Theatre

Working in the Theatre is a documentary series that delves into the most fascinating people, the process, and trends in the work of the American Theatre. In past seasons we explored a wide range of topics, traveled the U.S., the U.K. and France, and supported our promise to showcase the diversity of the theatre industry. Episodes range from a site-specific production of Ragtime on Ellis Island, whose location reiterates its humanizing voice that echoes today’s political climate, to the story of a playwright working simultaneously on her show in two cities, which delves into life in the Mexico/U.S. borderlands. We’ve explored the process of choreography, makeup, and clowning and observed the censorship of a production not welcome in the playwright’s mother country through White Rabbit Red Rabbit. We saw success by extending Sign Language Theatre from a piece that chronicles the Broadway revival of Spring Awakening to the history and current struggle that face deaf performers who wish to see true reflection of their lives and craft in a musical. With the help of the NEA, Gallaudet University, and the White House, we were able to dive deeper into this under explored topic of the theatre.

 

 

Trailer and Select Episodes

Trailer

 

Select Episodes

Working in the Theatre: Clowning

“If there is someone who is going to reach out, shake your hand and befriend you at the circus, it’s going to be the clown.” says Big Apple Circus clown Joel Jeske. “Clowns fall down so we don’t have to.”

An ancient form of theatrics rooted in physical comedy, clowning transcends language and cultural barriers by finding the absurd in the everyday. Follow clowns Brent McBeth, Joel Jeske and David Shiner through routines. Look inside Slava Polunin’s famed Snowshow and his Academy of Fools.

 

Working in the Theatre: Cicely Tyson

Cicely Tyson, the legendary Tony Award winning actress continues to amaze audiences on stage. Her story is one that continues to teach us that dedication to the craft of acting and the pursuit of a dream can inspire all future makers to achieve a career in the theatre.

Working in the Theatre: Sign Language Theatre

Sign Language theatre has come to the forefront of commercial theatre through a production of Spring Awakening on Broadway. However, from the days of Charlie Chaplin films to the work at National Theatre of the Deaf and Gallaudet University, deaf actors and creative team members have produced some of the most incredible theatrical experiences. Follow members of the cast of Spring Awakening, Gallaudet University, and more as we explore the creative process, the history, and the joy that comes from sign language theatre.

 

Working in the Theatre: Building the Wall

Robert Schenkkan’s Building the Wall delves into the world of what could be, delivering a powerful warning and putting a human face on the inhuman. Part of the National New Play Network’s Rolling World Premiere, this play produced at the Fountain Theatre allows us to take a look at where we are now as a culture in the United States by sharing a story of how we explore our differences.

Working in the Theatre takes a look inside this production with the help of writer and Undocumented Activist Jose Antonio Vargas (CEO of Define American) to discover how we can tell these stories on stage for the betterment of our society.

 

Working in the Theatre: Before the Show with Billy Porter and Patina Miller

Ever wonder what happens before the show? Working In The Theatre gets full access with Billy Porter (“Kinky Boots”) and Patina Miller (“Pippin”) as they prepare for the stage. Watch this rare behind the scenes glimpse as these Tony Award winners take us on a tour of their dressing room just hours before curtain.

 

Current Distribution

We currently distribute on our own platforms with select episodes receiving pickup. The following are locations where episodes have appeared:

* AmericanTheatreWing.org
* American Theater Wing’s Channels (YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram)
* Tony Awards Social Media Channels
* Obie Awards Social Media Channels
* Broadway Sites: BroadwayWorld, Playbill, TheaterMania
* CUNYTV
* Airline Distribution

 

Awards
2019 Daytime Emmy Nominations for Outstanding Special Class Series
2019 Daytime Emmy Nominations for Directing Special Class
2018 Silver Telly Award for Online Video – Documentary: Series
2018 Communicator Award of Distinction for Video: Documentary Series
2018 Webby Award Nomination for Documentary: Series
2017 Daytime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Special Class Series
2017 Silver Telly Award for Online Video – Documentary: Series
2017 Bronze Telly Award for Online Video – Documentary: Episode for “Clowning”
2017 National Geographic Showcase Selection
2016 Webby Award Nominee – Documentary Series
2016 Telly Award Winner – Silver Telly – Documentary Episode – “Sign Language Theatre”
2016 W3 Award Winner – Documentary Episode – “Sign Language Theatre”
2016 Vimeo Staff Pick for December
2016 Brooklyn Webfest – Best Documentary

Statistics

Views
3.5 million + videos views (based on YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook views)

Geographic Demographics

66% US
9.2% UK
4.2% Canada
3.6% Australia
2.7% Brazil
14.3% Other

Gender Demographics

49% Male
51% Female

Age Demographics

Under 18: 5.5%
18-24: 31%
25-34: 30%
35-44: 15%
45-54: 10%
55+: 8.5%

Contact Us

The American Theatre Wing welcomes your questions, opinions and concerns.