Why New Yorkers should be hopeful about seeing outdoor performances this summer

With the hope of vaccination on the horizon, New York City and Mayor de Blasio aim to slowly bring back one of the city's largest revenue sources, here’s  just one theatre artist’s opinion about why New Yorker’s should seize this moment.

I’ve realized, New York City can be whatever the hell you want it to be. My New York is different from your New York and vice versa. The side of the street you choose to walk on on your way home, your favorite bookstore, even the coffee shop you went to two years ago, all make up the greater landscape that is your individual New York. The binding force that connects all of New York’s five boroughs, is a personal love and pride for the city that we all  seem to share. There’s room for everyone, and in that sense, New York becomes ours, it belongs to us and all that visit.

 If the events of the past year have shown anything, it’s that the people of New York are willing to fight for its culture and hang on to it’s micro landmarks. In a city ever changing, we found a way to fight for our small businesses. The outpouring of love for various shops and restaurants, either closed or struggling, was astounding. I can count multiple businesses alone saved by the tenacity of Brooklynites and sadly a few more closed, despite the efforts.

GIF sourced from Dribbble. Animated by Alexander Kozka.

But throughout all of this, one of New York’s most cherished businesses remained empty. On March 12th, 2020, the lights of Broadway turned off and  New York’s performance spaces have been dark ever since. As other businesses evolved through the last year, New York’s performers and it’s arts workers retreated away from the stages, and we haven’t heard from a lot of them since. 

Bryant Park alone will have twenty five free events starting in June, and in the next few months, we likely will hear about more of these sort of announcements, and for the first time in a while I'm hopeful. It’s no secret this past year was not the kindest, even still, some days just getting up and going to the  grocery store feels like a Herculean effort. Some of us have had the luxury of being surrounded by friends and family, but some of us have been alone, connecting with loved ones through various screens or even just a phone call. 

In moments like this, live performance could be more helpful than ever.  To experience something in real time with others, to have your heartbeats sync as you all listen and experience the same moment, never to be replayed again. Art has always made me feel less alone, and live performance has always made me feel like I have a community larger than myself. And the first wave of Covid performance, if done correctly, could give that to so many who desperately need it. I want to stress, I am in no means a healthcare professional, nor am I here to personally endorse any institution or project. I’m just genuinely excited. 

So, I’m personally going to hang on for a little longer and continue listening to science and the leading health care officials. I’m also going to give myself the gift of being optimistic, and I hope you all do too. I hope we can find a way for live performance to stay and evolve with us, but If you’re not there yet, that’s alright, there will be a spot when you're ready.