“New York Forward has been working collaboratively with all segments of the performing arts industry and are on a path to see performing arts return to New York,” Steven M. Cohen, the co-chair of the advisory board, said in a statement. But the holy grail — ticketed events featuring live performers — remains out of reach, so far. “We’re happy that we’re allowed to rehearse and tape performances in our space,” said Patricia Cruz, the executive director of Harlem Stage, which presents work inside a decommissioned aqueduct gate house. “But there is a sadness that has occurred in New York’s culture when we can’t enjoy live performances — I know I came to New York for that purpose — and our artists are suffering mightily.”The varied venues pressing for an opportunity are all in New York City. But the potential beneficiaries are statewide — new research by the New York State Council on the Arts finds that 45 percent of performance venues surveyed had “majority flexible seating.”

Source: New York Times October 12, 2020 18:51 UTC