This page provides basic information concerning the Broadway touring productions. It also includes a glossary of terms that are used in the industry and on this site.
The Basics
So you’ve heard of Broadway in New York, but did you know that a lot of the shows that play in the Big Apple will often perform on the road and visit a theatre near you?
However, unlike the shows in New York, touring productions and the venues that present them are akin to a multi-varied jigsaw puzzle where each piece needs to fit into place in order for the puzzle to be complete. And with over 300 venues and around 50 shows playing simultaneously, not including the non-Broadway shows venues present, it is one of the most complex systems in the performing arts industry.Â
Markets
Unfortunately, not all venues are created equal. So to help you understand the progression of a touring production, we first need to define the size of the market where it will be most beneficial to those who are producing the show.
The market, or geographical area, can be broken down into four general categories: primary, secondary, tertiary, and miscellaneous. Markets are generally defined by the geographic area and the size of the venue
Primary
Primary markets include venues from the largest populated areas of the United States and Canada. They also include locations that have a long history of showing touring Broadway shows. One other factor that helps a venue qualify as a primary market is the size of the venue, although this is not always the case.
Venues that are considered to be in the primary market category include, but not limited to, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver.
In general, touring productions that are in their first or second year of touring will play in these locations. However, one caveat to this is the engagement length for the show. For example, Hamilton, Wicked, and The Lion King will typically have an engagement length of at least two weeks when other shows will typically only play for one week. With longer engagements, it will take longer to visit the major markets and thus delay any opportunity to visit the other markets. There’s also no guarantee that a popular show (either new or currently on tour) will visit a venue in the lower markets.
Tony Awards
Performance Schedule
Tuesday-Sunday, matinees, similar to Broadwat
Season
Union vs. Non-Union
The Theatrical Experience
- Playbills:Â
- Stage-dooring:
- Etiquette: (dressing)
- Box Office
- Hall seating chart (orchestra, mezzanine, balcony, gallery, standing room)
- Valet
- Ushers
- Group Rates
- When to arrive
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Although most associated with when someone intends on getting married, this term in the touring industry is defined as when a show plays at a location. The length of the engagement will depend on the location where it plays. Most new and popular shows will typically play at least a one-week engagement (Full-Week Engagement), meaning that the show will typically run from Tuesday–Sunday. However, the show could also play either a Split-Week or Single-Night engagement. Split-week engagements will play at least two days in a performance week, and single-night engagements only play for one day (although it might have two performances on that one day). The major exception to a show’s performance schedule is when the schedule is interrupted with holidays.
Typically, a show will have layoffs, which is time off from performing. These have already been worked out prior to the start of the season. Depending on the production, it could have sporadic layoffs, or it could have a large amount of time off. Outside of the summer, most layoffs also include some time in late December in observance of the holidays.
Venue
Seasons from the venue perspective can be broken into two sub-categories:
- Announcement season: this season is when venues announce the lineup of shows that will be coming to their venue in the upcoming season. In general, this season runs from January through as late as September. Note that not every venue makes a season announcement as they prefer to announce shows singularly. However, almost all major and secondary market venues have season announcements.
- Performance season: this season is when the shows announced earlier play at that venue. Generally, a venue’s performance season runs from August/September through June/July.
Show
Seasons from the show perspective can be also broken into two sub-categories:
- Announcement season: this season is when shows announce their intent to tour. This season usually is on-going, but typically most new shows (including new revivals) currently playing on Broadway announce a tour following the Tony Awards ceremony in June. Sometimes a tour will be announced at the same time when a venue makes their season announcement.
- Performance season: this season is when a touring show performs its previously-announced engagements. While each show has its own performance route, this season traditionally runs from the fall through summer. However, we have seen shows begin touring in the winter or summer. Typically, a show will have layoffs, which is time off from performing. These have already been worked out prior to the start of the season. Depending on the production, it could have sporadic layoffs, or it could have a large amount of time off. Outside of the summer, most layoffs also include some time in late December.
Much like the earth’s seasons or sports organization, this term refers to a length of time. In general, there are two types of seasons in play for our purposes: the venue and the show. Unlike other calendrical events, there are no set times for when seasons begin or end as it is made on an individual basis. In addition, both types of seasons are independent of each other, although there can be some overlapping.
Venue
Seasons from the venue perspective can be broken into two sub-categories:
- Announcement season: this season is when venues announce the lineup of shows that will be coming to their venue in the upcoming season. In general, this season runs from January through as late as September. Note that not every venue makes a season announcement as they prefer to announce shows singularly. However, almost all major and secondary market venues have season announcements.
- Performance season: this season is when the shows announced earlier play at that venue. Generally, a venue’s performance season runs from August/September through June/July.
Show
Seasons from the show perspective can be also broken into two sub-categories:
- Announcement season: this season is when shows announce their intent to tour. This season usually is on-going, but typically most new shows (including new revivals) currently playing on Broadway announce a tour following the Tony Awards ceremony in June. Sometimes a tour will be announced at the same time when a venue makes their season announcement.
- Performance season: this season is when a touring show performs its previously-announced engagements. While each show has its own performance route, this season traditionally runs from the fall through summer. However, we have seen shows begin touring in the winter or summer. Typically, a show will have layoffs, which is time off from performing. These have already been worked out prior to the start of the season. Depending on the production, it could have sporadic layoffs, or it could have a large amount of time off. Outside of the summer, most layoffs also include some time in late December in observance of the holidays.
A venue is the location where a performance takes place. These can include locations that use the terms Center, Performing Arts Center, Civic Center, Theatre/Theater, Auditorium, Hall, Performing Arts Hall, Concert Hall, etc.
Most venues include a single performance hall. However, a large number of venues also include additional halls within their on-site structure. For example, the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando consists of three hall within its structure. However, only one is used for presenting touring Broadway shows.
In addition, some venues are combined to form an organization. These include Philadelphia’s Kimmel Cultural Campus, which includes four main venues spread across the campus.