COVID-19 Update, April 14, 2020: Who's the Boss?

As signs of easing begin, governors on both coasts form coalitions to manage process of reopening their cities: tinyurl.com/t2abv29. And yesterday's presidential briefing becomes a psychodrama: tinyurl.com/us7uy8m.

And here's how that Smithfield pork plant became a viral hot spot: tinyurl.com/rlkqmaw.

Meanwhile:

Executives at Brooklyn Academy of Music take steep pay cuts: tinyurl.com/s7skz5k. The theatre has also cancelled its season through June.

Tokyo has no Plan B if the Olympics must be postponed a second time: tinyurl.com/rk74flx.

San Francisco shuts down an illegal nightclub: tinyurl.com/sehxcnx.

The Tour de France is on hold: tinyurl.com/yx42lwx2.

Governor Ron DeSantis, of Florida, has deemed pro wrestling an essential business: tinyurl.com/wn658mu. Florida, by the way, is in the top ten of states' COVID-19 infections.

That unfortunate conflict between Broadway Cares and the musicians' union has been resolved and the fundraising show will go on: tinyurl.com/usgcyqd.

Broadway commits to taking part to honor essential workers in the Light It Blue campaign: tinyurl.com/wor6pnl.

The XFL files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy: tinyurl.com/s3yzm4z.

In the UK, playwright James Graham warns that the theatre industry won't survive without a massive government bailout: tinyurl.com/w2znchm.

Losses: Actor Allen Garfield, a key figure in 1970s cinema, thanks to his roles in Nashville and The Conversation, among others: tinyurl.com/v8xakpx. Wynn Handman, famed acting teacher and founder of the American Place Theatre: tinyurl.com/qvd9b4w.

Mobilizing:

Broadway producers have pledged to match, dollar for dollar and up to $1 million, every new donation made to Broadway Cares' emergency COVID-19 fund. You can make your tax-deductible donation at donate.broadwaycares.org/campaign/covid-19-emergency-assistance-fund/c276873.

Company news:

Adrian Segeren, president of Ultratec, writes, "From only a few months ago to now, times have certainly changed. We came roaring in to 2020, only to come to a screeching halt. While the COVID-19 pandemic has put our industry on pause, it cannot stop us from talking with our peers, engaging with our clients and inspiring one another while we wait for normalcy to return.

"Rest assured, we continue to take steps so we are prepared when entertainment events resume. Our pyro development team has been proactive, completing maintenance and upgrades at our manufacturing facility. This will strengthen our capabilities so we can service you better than ever.

"Likewise, our special effects team recently sent out an e-blast on maintenance of special effects machines. Currently we are waiving the assessment fee for any machine. With the time available, this will allow our customers to have their machines serviced, repaired and ready for use.

"We are always ready to hear from you, whatever you may need. This includes orders, repairs, consultation, or if you just want to talk about the current state of our industry. While the COVID-19 pandemic may have collectively knocked us to our knees, we will rise again. The time will come when the low-fog rolls in, the haze radiates over the stage and the stadium is lit up with beautiful bright colored mines, comets and Kleen Skybursts. When you come together again, we will be here for you." www.ultratecfx.com/home.

Education and training:

ChamSys has expanded its Training Academy. Conducted by the ChamSys training staff, the new sessions will delve deeply into key MagicQ software capabilities, such as mapping complex fixtures, FX setup and tracking. In addition to being livestreamed on Facebook and IGTV, the lessons will be available for viewing 24/7 on the ChamSys website at: tinyurl.com/ujvtr3j.

Pangolin and Kvant have posted a number of informative training videos: tinyurl.com/vmzx8ye.

TAIT is now offering free online training courses for iQ Powered by NAVIGATOR to the live event community. The Q Training Video Series is tailored to all levels of entertainment automation. Viewers will learn how to operate machines using a variety of methods, add windows to workspaces, create time saving presets, program a show using various cue lines and organizational helpers, as well as stop and restart cues. In addition to the launch of TAIT's online training, Scott Chalfant, director of product management for TAIT Navigator, is co-hosting USITT's News @ Noon webinar on Thursday, April 16, 2020 to further dive into iQ Powered by Navigator and show viewers how to access the iQ Training Video Series. TAIT's iQ Training Videos will be offered at no charge until May 15, 2020. Find the video series at tinyurl.com/tkhawc6. Register for the USITT event at tinyurl.com/qlk9l6n.

Zero 88 has ramped up its training offerings, 42 of them per month, as long as the crisis lasts. Check them out at: zero88.com/.

Entertainment:

Off Broadway's Red Bull Theatre will livestream a reading of John Ford's Jacobean revenge tragedy 'Tis Pity She's a Whore on April 20 at 7:30pm ET. Check it out at: www.redbulltheater.com/live.

The Wooster Group, one of New York's most storied avant-garde theatres, is now streaming one of its seminal productions, Spalding Gray's Rumstick Road. Viewing is free; donations are welcome: tinyurl.com/vljnk48.

To receive your LSA copies at home (no charge), please email LSA@plasa.org or go to www.ezsubscription.com/lsa/mysubscription.