The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the U.S. Theater Industry
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The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the U.S. Theater Industry
Annotation
PII
S207054760017955-7-
Publication type
Article
Status
Published
Authors
Vladimir Khalilov 
Occupation: Research fellow
Affiliation: Institute for the U.S. and Canadian Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow
Edition
Abstract

The article focuses on the effects, responses and consequences of the coronavirus pandemic on the U.S. theater industry. The author considers the economic contribution of the industry to the U.S. economy in the pre-covid years, restores the chronology of the shutdown (the longest closing of Broadway in history), lists the damages incurred, analyzes the measures taken, including at the federal level, to survive, and predicts the prospects for its development in the conditions of "new normality" and "New Deal" (on equality, diversity, inclusiveness and belonging). 

The main negative consequences of a year and a half of industrial downtime are the sharp decrease in tourist flow and the shortfall of billions of dollars in trade both for the theatre and related industries (hotels, restaurants, transportation and other business sectors), as well as the growth of budget deficits, losses of direct and induced jobs and reduced incomes.

As practice shows, it will take at least 4-5 years for the industry in order to achieve the level and indicators of 2019, even with a complete return to normal life. Nevertheless, the author concludes that despite the temporary financial losses suffered by the theater industry, it demonstrates all the capacities for recovery, simultaneously mastering new artistic techniques and innovative ways to convey its products to the audience, as well as to systemic restructuring and transformation.

 

Keywords
U.S. theater, Broadway, COVID-19
Received
21.10.2021
Date of publication
16.12.2021
Number of purchasers
11
Views
910
Readers community rating
0.0 (0 votes)
Previous versions
S207054760017955-7-1 Дата внесения правок в статью - 16.12.2021
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References

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