What will happen to Broadway when the Millennials take over.

Every day there seems to be another article crackin’ on the work ethic of the pesky whipper-snapper.  They jump from job to job, they check their Facebook more than they check their work email, yet they still ask for a raise what seems like every other day.

But there’s another facet of the pesky whipper-snapper personality that I believe is going to have a big impact on Broadway.

The pesky whipper-snappers grew up in the DIY world.  They make their own films.  They make their own websites.  They make their own search engines, dating apps and music, right out of their dorm rooms.

And when they make great stuff, they can make it big.

They are not used to people telling them, “You can’t do this,” or “Here’s why this won’t work.”  If they think it’s fun/interesting/able to be monetized, they just do it.  And no one gets in their way.

And they can compete with the biggest brands out there.

Except in the theater.

See, Broadway has a limited distribution system.  If you want a Broadway show, there’s only one way to get one – you gotta get one of those Broadway theaters.  That’s right, Broadway has gatekeepers (I often call the theater owners the St. Peters of Broadway).

And pesky whipper-snappers don’t like gatekeepers.

So when they’re told they can’t get a show on Broadway, do you think they’ll just sit and sulk and wait for a turn that may never come?

Oh no.  When the pesky whipper-snappers start writing and starring and producing, if someone tells them they can’t be on Broadway because there ain’t no space?

They’re just going to find their own place.

As long as they get off their Facebook page.

 

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Ken created one of the first Broadway podcasts, recording over 250 episodes over 7 years. It features interviews with A-listers in the theater about how they “made it”, including 2 Pulitzer Prize Winners, 7 Academy Award Winners and 76 Tony Award winners. Notable guests include Pasek & Paul, Kenny Leon, Lynn Ahrens and more.

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