Can you stream a live theater experience? Here we are, months away from feeling comfortable enough to sit in a packed theater with other people. For films, the answers are a lot easier. Movie studios changed the way they’re releasing films and even the rules for qualifying for an Oscar. But for live theater, the path is less clear. Broadway shuttered in the middle of March, the consequences of which remain unknown. Theater companies are adapting, offering exceptional performances for free on YouTube and their websites. Consider donating if you stream the content, to help the arts make it through an unprecedented time.
Photo Credit: Goodman Theatre Facebook
Goodman Theater
2666, the epic theatrical adaptation of Roberto Bolaño’s novel of the same name, is now streaming for free in five parts.
Headlong
Unprecedented: Real-Time Theatre from a State of Isolation brings together playwrights and actors as the company leans-in with streaming. The show generates digital short plays created from places of isolation. The performances are partially live, with prerecorded material.
View this post on Instagram*OPENING TONIGHT* BORDERS A play by Nimrod Danishman. For THREE nights only At the Hudson Guild Theatre! June 25th, 26th, and 29th What divides or connects two people who meet online? The virtual fantasy, the distance, the foreignness? Boaz and George meet on Grindr. There's immediate attraction and they want to meet but realize they cant. One lives in Israel, one in Lebanon. Is it just the physical border that keeps them apart? Could their virtual relationship live in the real world? Info and tickets at: https://www.dirtylaundrytheatre.org/s… . . Trailer credits: Starring: Eli Schoenfeld Editing: Mor Cohen Photo credit: דר' אבישי טייכר, מתוך אתר פיקיויקי . . #theatre #nyctheatre #offoffbroadway #lgbt #lgbtqia #pridemonth #grindr
A post shared by Dirty Laundry Theatre (@dirtylaundrytheatre) on Jun 25, 2019 at 9:13am PDT
Dirty Laundry Theater
Borders tells the story of two men who meet on Grindr; one lives in Israel, the other in Lebanon. The play investigates the powers that bring people together online and in person, it’s streamed live with performances from the actors in their homes.
Photo Credit: National Theatre Facebook
National Theater at Home
Every Thursday, the National Theater releases a play from their archives to stream on YouTube for free and leaves it up for a week to watch at your leisure. Catch performances by Judi Dench, Benedict Cumberbatch, and James Corden just to name a few.
Photo Credit: The Metropolitan Opera Facebook
The Metropolitan Opera
Enjoy a different opera every night, streaming from the Met’s archives. Each opera stays up for 20 hours until the next release. For homeschooling parents, the Met also offers a Free Student Stream, along with a supporting curriculum for students.
The Show must Go On!
Every Friday, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group releases a new musical on the YouTube channel where it streams for 48 hours. They’ve already released Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Cats.
View this post on InstagramNEO-COLOR-BARS play # 10,989 by Trent Lunsford watch 30 for $3 • link in bio
A post shared by The Neo-Futurists (@theneofuturists) on May 6, 2020 at 12:01pm PDT
The Neo-Futurists
With a suggested donation from $3-$9, you can stream a new The Infinite Wench play every week. The company cranks through 30 plays in 60 minutes.
View this post on InstagramNow available on PlayBAC: Rashaun Mitchell’s 2013 World Premiere of “Interface,” with dancers Silas Riener (@rashaun.silas), Melissa Toogood (@meltoogood), and Cori Kresge (@corikresge). Beautiful set incorporating textiles and prints by Fraser Taylor; lighting by @davisonscandrett; original music performed live by @mas_ysa. Performance video edited by @tatyanatenenbaum. Watch at link in profile: bacnyc.org/explore. #HowardGilmanPerformanceSpace #BACPresents #culturefromhome Support BAC at bacnyc.org/support
A post shared by Baryshnikov Arts Center (@baryshnikovartscenter) on Apr 25, 2020 at 2:30pm PDT
Baryshnikov Arts Center
The performance center reaches back into its 15-year archives to release a new multi-camera edited video every Thursday with an introduction by Mikhail Baryshnikov. Each release stays online until the following Tuesday.
The Globe
Lovers of the Bard, rejoice. Every fortnight (two weeks) the historic Shakespearean theater releases a new performance from its archives.
Great Performances from Thirteen
From PBS, you can now get free access to five of the episodes from Great Performances, you can subscribe for full access to their full archive. Available episodes include Kevin Kline in Present Laughter.
Featured Image Credit: Headlong Facebook
