How to Enjoy Theatre in Lockdown

I think it’s safe to say that everyone reading this misses theatre. While the rest of the country is slowly starting to reopen, we’re stuck without theatre for the time being. It is difficult not knowing exactly when our beloved art form will return. Luckily, things are not entirely hopeless. Here are a few ways we can continue to enjoy theatre, even while in lockdown.

1. Revisit Old Cast Recordings (And Discover Something New!)

I think this is a really fun way to get that Broadway fix without having to do anything special. Just go through the numerous cast recordings I’m sure you own (or stream them on Spotify or Apple Music!) and find one you maybe haven’t listened to in a while or one that you haven’t really listened to before. There are so many musicals I used to listen to all the time when I was a teenager, but I haven’t in years. And there are so many that everyone else loves that I haven’t heard of at all. There are so many cast recordings out there so you’re bound to find something you like. Who knows, maybe you will rediscover an old favorite or you’ll find something amazing you never knew existed!

2. Check Out the Livestreams

At this time, there are so many theatrical livestreams going on, it can be hard to keep track. People are going on Instagram Live to do fitness or dance classes, they’re hosting streams through YouTube, theatres are streaming their own content, there is an endless amount of free content online if you just know where to look! Check out this article from Playbill that has a schedule for some ideas. Or, for something different, check out Seth Rudetsky and Jame Wesley’s daily stream, Stars in the House. They have all kinds of cool guest stars all the time, and let’s face it, who doesn’t love Seth Rudetsky?

3. Or, Check Out Other Streams

On Netflix, Disney+ and other streaming services you can find all kinds of recorded theatre. I went over some of these options in an earlier post. So log onto your streaming service of choice and pick out something to watch, whether old or new! There are so many options. Or you can check out BroadwayHD, which is a streaming service just for theatre. I’m doing their free trial right now and I’m so excited to see what they have available!

4. Show Your Support

Honestly, the best way to enjoy theatre right now is to make sure that all performing arts professionals are being helped to the fullest extent at this time. Donate to the Actors Fund, which is helping out of work theatre workers. Reach out to your elected representatives and urge them to help financially support performing arts venues. And donate to local venues, as well. Many of them are non-profits and rely on ticket sales that they are not getting right now to stay stable, like State Theatre New Jersey. Please donate as much as you can if you are able to, and if you are not, use your voice and make sure that performing arts professionals and venues get the financial security they so need at this time. It is the least we can do as audience members to give back after all the joy and entertainment they have brought us through the years.

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know in the comments. I would love to hear how you are enjoying theatre while live shows are put on pause.