Broadway Closure Leads to Careers Gone - Addressing Mental Health
Yesterday, the theater community was hit with another pandemic punch. Broadway would not be reopening till January 2021. While perhaps not shocking at this point, it was still hard to hear. Just because we are prepared for news, does not mean it is any easier. There are countless people whose steady jobs have now vanished for another 6+ months. There are countless people who moved here to explore opportunities in the NY scene who now are hitting a wall. In addition, there are countless people who rely on the NY theater community to help continue their own revenue. As the virus keeps reminding us, we are all connected in many ways. What impacts one, impacts many.
On social media, I see people trying to figure out what to do next. While I am sure there are marketing and financial experts about how to make a career in theater…I am sure even they do not have answers about how to proceed. With nothing to compare it to, whatever choice you make is a gamble that could lead to minimal returns. It is one of those times where we must remind ourselves that we only have so much control in this life, and we have to make the most of what we can control.
As always, I request that we put more focus into mental health. It may seem counter intuitive to invest your minimal resources of both money and time into something that does not directly impact your career. However, it is now more than ever that we must be as resilient as possible. There is no shortage of evidence that mental health symptoms of anxiety and depression are continuing to rise. It is not hard to see why. Stressors are higher than ever, trust for our government is lower than ever, and the supports and comforts we normally rely on are almost completely unavailable. However, If we do not take care of ourselves, we make it that much more difficult to navigate the difficult career decisions ahead. If we are overwhelmed, we think less clearly and less creatively. We make poorer decisions. While I realize that resources are slim, we cannot afford poor decisions either.
I encourage you to invest in your emotional and mental wellness right now. You do not have to feel alone in this battle, and there are people that can help.
