Robert Natalicchio
nick gennaro
Lawrence DiAntonio
buu lam nguyen
City University of New York - College of Staten Island
Deepa Aravind
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Adam and Tanya Glassman came together in response to a failed production company and created their own theatre company. Today the organization has fostered a community of participating artists among actors, designers, singers, and dancers, who contribute to some of the best community theatre productions in New York City. The organization specializes in creating large scale productions which provide the opportunity for aspiring actors to experience the thrill and excitement of professional theatre. Their combined goal is to inspire the community of Staten Island both from the prospective of the the artists and production members but also people throughout the community who may not have known or were interested in theatre. It's an outlet that mimics the thrill and spectacle of Broadway that is conveniently situated in our hometown.
1. Education
One of the core philosophies of In The Wings is to allow actors and performers to flourish. Actors, designers, directors, and musicians are all inspired to develop their personal talents and are provided opportunity to foster their skillset for a future in professional fine arts. Adam Glassman, the producer and founder said in our interview that his role in running the organization is to inspire the next generation of actors and performers along with the next generation of theatre goers and audience members from our community in Staten Island, New York.
2. Gender Inequality
The company has also brought awareness to gender inequality throughout the professional theatre industry. One of the prevailing issues in commercial theatre productions is the lack of roles and performance opportunity that are centered on women. Consequently, there is a disproportionate amount of aspiring female performers to male performers. The company’s production selection is geared towards lending an outlet to female-driven productions. Past performances include: Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Beauty and the Beast with the upcoming production season of Into the Woods, Little Mermaid, and Annie – all shows that heavily spotlight female performances.
3. Decent Work and Economic Growth
As an organization, In the Wings produces incredibly large-scale productions, with expensive budgets for scenic, costume, light, and musical productions. Yet even as expensive as it is, the production company maintains relatively affordable costs for tickets and amenities. Their goals of producing the greatest shows in our community are not brought down by the cost of admission.
The company began as a by-product of a failed production company that was going to cancel a show that Adam was involved in. In response, Adam created his own company and was able to create his company in a matter of a few weeks, and produce the show. As the company progressed, their combined passion for theatre translated to company that was inspired to create the highest quality productions in the borough. What developed was a greater enthusiasm from the community that observed the show and the community of performers who have not been exposed to a type of production scale within any other production company in the community. Since their development the company has produced shows that strike a delicate balance between inspiring the community to appreciate theatre, foster and develop talent among their network of actors, musicians, and designers and also allow the opportunity for more female-driven productions that lend to the deconstruction of established gender biases within the commercial theatre industry – while at the same time looking to earn a profit from the productions.
In terms of the short-term effects of their business model and what impact it’s had, our team observed the range and diversity that has been brought into the production network that has been developed. The company is at an all-time high in terms of season ticket holders, ticket sales, range and scope, and also aspiring directors, musicians, designers, and a community of actors who have come out to work on the past seasons productions. In terms of long-term goals, the company wishes to grow to broader heights even expanding their productions and scale, while also aspiring to develop an accompanying acting, singing, and dancing studio that is to foster talent among the community at an even earlier age. The studio is also intended for aspiring performers who don’t have the outlet to fund an expensive studio or theater schools that have only gone up in cost of tuition. Even as they intend to expand in the scope of their productions Adam has maintained the adamant stance to not increase the cost of seeing the shows and providing as much available amenities to the In The Wings patrons. One of the best responses that we can observe by the company which indicates that they are able to reach these impacts, is the performers who have previously started within the organization and the impact they have had in their professional careers.
For instance, there are currently two performers who began work as amateurs within In the Wings who are now performing on Broadway. Another sign is the new directors who have been granted the opportunity to experience a new role as production assistants. In the upcoming season which features three musicals throughout the 2018 year, two of the directors will be making their debut in these roles with the company. Though these are singular cases, it is an inspiration and development that has actually taken root by fostering the development of these theatre careers with the production staff of In the Wings.
As a point of artistic choice, the company has also expressed an urgency to provide equal opportunity among their network of artists that doesn't discriminate against any personal attributes of their performers. The company has attracted actors and actresses from all walks of life and particularly chooses productions that typically encompass a broad ensemble. However, a particular interest that has been expressed by the organization is their intention to provide broader opportunity for female performers, by choosing female-driven productions. Historically, female theatre performers overwhelmingly outnumber male performers in the theatre industry. Yet, typical productions generally tilt towards a higher availability for male parts, even with the disparity among the audition pool among women. Consequently, it is much more difficult for female performers to be provided the opportunity for employment. In the Wings has created production seasons that provide an equal opportunity as well as specific productions that favor female ensembles and female-driven performances. Performances that have been chosen to for production include: Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Anything Goes, and Godspell.
From a business perspective the company is obviously driven to succeed and maintain their ability to sustain themselves, in terms of profits. However, their end game is to create and maintain the best theatre experience among community theatre production within our community. They have a delicate balance when it comes to selecting the performances and production choices that they put forth. They are able to cultivate private funding with their production partners and have been able to maintain the cost of their productions. In many ways they have decided to forgo much of the profit that they can generate through ticket sales and concessions. As a production choice, the higher standards of design scale and experience of spectators to appreciate the performance has developed the strategic management and operational decision making process for the company.
Their innovation is to provide the greatest experience for aspiring actors coupled with the sense of providing diverse opportunities among various acting demographics; there has been a heightened outreach to the community where the organization operates. Their major benefactor is the Snug Harbor Cultural Society which has a broad reach of connecting with the community of Staten Island to allow an outlet for quality artistic and cultural aspects within the community. Likewise with their outreach among their constituents and stakeholders, In the Wings has risen to an extremely impactful place among the community’s scope of theatre appreciation.
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Adam Glassman, In the Wings Productions
