In Mexico, the once-thriving theater industry is in decline

Before the pandemic, the theater industry in Mexico was growing steadily, becoming Latin America’s Broadway an

توسط AKHBAREMAAAA در 29 شهریور 1399

Before the pandemic, the theater industry in Mexico was growing steadily, becoming Latin America’s Broadway and a hub for many U.S. productions. But now, the industry and its workers have seen a rapid decline in jobs, with only limited ways to retool productions safely.

“It’s become an absolute nightmare, because priorities do not include us,” said Guillermo Wiechers, vice president of the Mexican Society of Theater Producers.

“Twenty-million seats we haven’t sold. Ten thousand families depend directly on what they earn from the theater,” he said.

Wiechers said the Mexican theater industry has lost about $1 billion since theaters closed in early March, even before the official lockdown.

The producer said the government hasn’t provided any relief — not even tax discounts. Instead, authorities “suggested” producing plays with three actors or fewer, and using open amphitheaters and masks, as the Greeks did in the past.

“I don’t want to offend anybody, but those measures are not sensitive at all,” he said.

Wiechers said the government also suggested video streaming, but he said the model doesn’t work for the theater, where there are expenses like royalties to international companies.

 The government is now allowing some theaters in Mexico City to reopen, but with a limited audience capacity of up to 30%.

Sergio Mayer was a producer and a telenovela actor, and became famous in the ‘80s singing in the bubblegum pop band Garibaldi.

Now, Mayer is a member of Mexico’s Congress, and leads the Culture and Film Committee. He said his experience as a performer makes him more sensitive to the magnitude of the current problem.

Mayer said creative industries represent $31 billion of economic activity per year, or about 3.5% of Mexico’s GDP.

Speaking in Spanish, Mayer said he’s pushing a bill to help creative industries. It would allow the use of money from the government’s auctions of artworks taken from people who couldn’t make their tax payments. He said that money should be used to reactivate the culture and arts.

But he said it’s also a moment for the theater and entertainment industries to be resilient.

And some in the industry are trying to find ways to do that. Adriana Beatty is the technical director for one of the largest theater complexes in Mexico City.

“We have to be optimistic, because if we’re not optimistic, we’re gonna drown,” she said.

Beatty said one of the theater technicians she knows created prototype ventilators to adapt to the current pandemic crisis. And for her, that’s an example to follow. But it’s still not easy to transfer skills from theater to other fields.

“We’re suffering a lot, because it’s not that if I don’t work in the theater, I go to work in another thing,” she said.

Beatty said she knows people living off their savings. And, some of her colleagues have died from COVID-19.

Recently, she heard about a children’s play in a parking lot that was successful. And for her, it shows that the theater is capable of adapting to these times.

“The show must go on, and the show will go on,” she said.

What’s going on with extra COVID-19 unemployment benefits?

It’s been weeks since President Donald Trump signed an executive memorandum that was supposed to get the federal government back into the business of topping up unemployment benefits, to $400 a week. Few states, however, are currently paying even part of the benefit that the president promised. And, it looks like, in most states, the maximum additional benefit unemployment recipients will be able to get is $300.

What’s the latest on evictions?

For millions of Americans, things are looking grim. Unemployment is high, and pandemic eviction moratoriums have expired in states across the country. And as many people already know, eviction is something that can haunt a person’s life for years. For instance, getting evicted can make it hard to rent again. And that can lead to spiraling poverty.

Which retailers are requiring that people wear masks when shopping? And how are they enforcing those rules?

Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, CVS, Home Depot, Costco — they all have policies that say shoppers are required to wear a mask. When an employee confronts a customer who refuses, the interaction can spin out of control, so many of these retailers are telling their workers to not enforce these mandates. But, just having them will actually get more people to wear masks.

You can find answers to more questions on unemployment benefits and COVID-19 here.

As a nonprofit news organization, our future depends on listeners like you who believe in the power of public service journalism.

Your investment in Marketplace helps us remain paywall-free and ensures everyone has access to trustworthy, unbiased news and information, regardless of their ability to pay.

Donate today — in any amount — to become a Marketplace Investor. Now more than ever, your commitment makes a difference.



tinyurlis.gdv.gdv.htu.nuclck.ruulvis.netshrtco.detny.im
آخرین مطالب
مقالات مشابه
نظرات کاربرن