“Great theatre is all about challenging how we think and encouraging us to fantasize about a world we aspire to,”
– Willem Dafoe
Right now, we’re all aspiring to live outside our own four walls, and we can find those little escapes through local virtual entertainment.
Live theatre + education
You don’t need an usher to show you to these seats.
Open Stage jumped feet first into virtual entertainment from the start. They planned weekly live shows and even took their anticipated production of Angels in America online.
Recently, Open Stage added to their weekly Facebook live offerings with two new shows. The Poe Show is a live reading of a selected Edgar Allen Poe story and My Talented Friends, a live variety show hosted by Chris “Gibby” Gibson.
Open Stage has also added a second featured show with their production of An Iliad, which has three performances at 7 p.m., on May 28 and June 5, 13.
Keep the kids entertained
Running out of ideas for how to keep the kids entertained? Gamut Theatre Group has a few ways to get them moving.
Once Upon Online is the virtual way to bring Gamut’s popular Popcorn Hat Players into your home! Each session includes a pre-show sing-along, games, and more. You can purchase from three party rooms ranging between $30-75 depending on features and party size.
Gamut Game Room is an online event where families can play virtual games hosted by a Gamut actor. All ages can participate, but these packages are more ideal for ages 12 & up. Three options are available ranging from $25-50.
Starting July 6, Gamut Theatre starts its Virtual Summer Academy for students age 8-16. The academy will include studies in acting, dance, voice, word, and design and will be taught by highly-skilled professionals who specialize in teaching children.
Skip Netflix for something new
If you’re tired of seeing the same movies and shows scroll by every night, give Midtown Cinema‘s lineup of on-demand movies a look!
They have a set of documentaries, classics, comedies, and dramas that fit into their signature programming.
Be sure to check out their Facebook page for upcoming McSquared Movie Club talks about films featured on-demand.
Read a book + meet the author
Fans of Midtown Scholar‘s events have not been left wanting. Midtown Scholar continues to keep its schedule of virtual events full with talks from featured authors through Crowdcast.
Upcoming events include:
- Thursday, May 28 – An Evening with Kao Kalia Yang: The Power of Stories
- Friday, May 29 – Jason Stanley with Timothy Snyder: How Fascism Works
- Tuesday, June 2 – Marina Endicott in conversation with Souvankham Thammavongsa
- See more
Plus, you can shop Midtown Scholar’s selection of books online for delivery or curbside pick-up, including all the books featured in the virtual events!
Go LIVE with local businesses
Local businesses have been optimizing Instagram Lie sessions with great response.
Elementary Coffee Co. started out offering coffee techniques via Live broadcasts, but they have since branched out into other topics such as cider, baking, and vintage shopping — featuring and partnering with other local small businesses.
PA Eats is not only delighting us with their recipe videos, but they are also talking with influential Pennsylvania makers through their Instagram LIVE Q&A Series.
Past Q&A sessions include a talk with Patrick Shorb of HOLLA Spirits, live drink-making with local bartenders, and chats about gardening, among others.
