The Broadway League
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Broadway League, formerly the League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., created in 1930 as the League of New York Theatres and Producers, is the official trade association for the commercial theatre industry. The League’s 600-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers in 240 + North American cities, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry. Each year, League members bring Broadway to almost 30 million people in New York and across the US and Canada.
On behalf of its members, the League negotiates collective bargaining agreements with all theatrical unions and guilds; coordinates industry-wide marketing and communications initiatives and corporate sponsorships; oversees government relations for the Broadway industry; maintains research archives and databases; works to make Broadway tickets and information more accessible to the consumer; invests in the future of the theatre community through audience development programs; and supports charitable efforts for the benefit of the entire theatrical community.
Perhaps the most public endeavor of the League are the Tony Awards, which the League has co-presented with the American Theatre Wing since 1967, playing an integral role in their governance, production, and presentation. Another awards program, the Touring Broadway Awards, celebrates excellence in touring Broadway by recognizing outstanding performers and productions.
The League also sponsors three annual free outdoor concerts: Broadway on Broadway (with the Times Square Alliance), which attracts upwards of 50,000 theatre fans to Times Square each fall to kick off the new theatrical season; Continental Airlines presents Broadway’s Stars in the Alley, a celebration in the Theatre District’s historic Shubert Alley marking the official end of the season; and Broadway Under the Stars (with NYC & Company) which brings new Broadway performances to the Great Lawn of Central Park.
[edit] Events
- The Tony Awards: The awards show honoring excellence in Broadway theatre
- Broadway on Broadway: The annual fall concert in Times Square
- Broadway Under the Stars: The annual summer concert in Central Park
- Stars in the Alley: An annual, intimate concert in Shubert Alley
- Kids' Night on Broadway: A nationwide audience development event designed to introduce a new generation to the experience of live theatre
- Singles' Night on Broadway: A night of great theatre and the chance to meet that special someone
- Womens' Night on Broadway: A night full of special offers dedicated to Broadway's most loyal demographic
[edit] Services
- Broadway Fan Club: A monthly news letter
- The Broadway Ticket Center: The quickest and easiest way to buy advance tickets to Broadway shows
- The Broadway Line: A Broadway telephone hotline
- Live Broadway PLatinum Visa: A credit card that earns you points towards theater related happening
- Broadway Delivers: A program where Broadway performers come to corporate events
- Family First Nights: Introducing "at risk" families to Broadway in New York and around the country
- Broadway Speakers Bureau: encouraging high school and college students to explore non-performance careers in theatre
- Apple Awards: encouraging high school and college students to explore non-performance careers in theatre
- Commercial Theater Institute: a practical introduction to the business of mounting professional stage productions, sponsored in conjunction with Theatre Development Fund
- New Producers Alliance: offers emerging producers free periodic seminars about industry topics of interest and networking events to share information about upcoming projects
- Producer Development Program: a year-round initiative for early career producers and administrators