Reopening live theater amid pandemic, diversity in the arts topics at in-person Newsmaker, Dec. 14

Jamie Horwitz

December 10, 2021

Actors' Equity Association president and actor Kate Shindle and Broadway Advocacy Coalition president and actor Britton Smith will discuss the challenges of reopening live theater amid the COVID-19 pandemic and progress toward making American theater more diverse and inclusive at a National Press Club Headliners Newsmaker on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m.

Actors’ Equity will also release a new report on how state and local grant policies and weaknesses in the National Endowment for the Arts guidelines affect efforts to increase diversity at arts organizations.

This Headliners in-person event is open to credentialed media and Club members, but registration is required. Register online or download a calendar reminder. The one-hour program will also stream live on the Club’s website and YouTube Channel. To submit a question via email, put THEATER in the subject line and email to [email protected].

Actors' Equity president Kate Shindle will speak on Dec. 14.

Arts and cultural productions contributed $919 billion to the nation’s economy in 2019, according to the National Endowment for the Arts. In many cities, live theater and music drive economic activity in theater districts, where they create jobs in restaurants, shops and hotels.

Shindle has served as the president of Actors’ Equity since 2015. She has appeared in Broadway productions including "Jekyll & Hyde," "Cabaret," "Legally Blonde" and "Wonderland." She last performed in Washington at the National Theater in "Fun Home." She also has appeared in the film "Capote" and the television series "Law & Order." She was named Miss America in 1998.

Britton Smith is an actor and founding member and president of the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, will speak Dec. 14

Britton Smith is an actor and founding member and president of the Broadway Advocacy Coalition and an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School. His Broadway credits include "Be More Chill," "Shuffle Along," and "After Midnight." The coalition received a special Tony Award in 2021 for the organization’s advocacy work.

Members, guests and visitors are required to show proof of vaccination at the entrance to the Club. This can be a physical copy of your vaccination card, or a photo of it on your mobile device. If you cannot show proof of vaccination, you must show a recent negative COVID-19 test (within 48 hours). If you would prefer to upload your vaccination record in advance of the event, you can do so at www.press.org/vaxpass. To read more about Club safety measures, please visit https://www.press.org/safetyfirst.