From the looks of my expanding blogroll, you'll see that there are a bunch of us out here in the 'sphere typing about Broadway, Off-Broadway, and beyond.
Frankly, I think that's pretty awesome. The more bloggers, the more conversations . . . and the more conversations, the better the chance for change, and for audience development.
One night last week, I got an email from a fellow Broadway Blogger - and after a few emails back and forth, I said, "we gotta get together!"
And then I realized that I just didn't want to get together with this one blogger, I wanted to get together with them all! When I meant "we", I meant "we" with a capital W!
So . . . I've arranged for the first Theater Bloggers Social to take place on Thursday, April 23rd at Planet Hollywood (Planet Broadway hasn't been built yet) for all of "We". Come one, come all Theater Bloggers and meet the people e-talking about the same subjects as you.
In addition to some social time, I've also arranged for Blog Consultant Stephanie Cockerl of nextSTEPH to stop by and give us all some tips on how to better our blogs. And some Broadway shows have agreed to toss in some free tickets to those of you interested in seeing a show that night.
Oh, and there will be some free munchies too.
Here are the rest of the deets:
1ST THEATER BLOGGERS SOCIAL
Thursday, April 23rd.
6 PM - 8 PM
Planet Hollywood
Broadway at 45th St.
To RSVP, comment to this blog with your name and the URL of your blog. Confirmation and final details will be emailed to you. Oh, and to qualify as a "Theater Blogger", you should:
- Have a blog devoted primarily to theater
- Post regularly
- Be an independent blogger (not sponsored/paid to blog by any organization)
If that's you, then come on down to Planet Hollywood on the 23rd and meet others who do what you do. Share some appetizers. Swap some links. Find guest columnists. Argue about whether discounts are eroding our sales or not.
Maybe we'll agree, maybe we won't. But at least we'll have the conversation. And when we're all in one room, the volume of that conversation will be loud enough that people will have to listen.
Who knows, maybe it will be the first meeting of this.
If you're an out-of-town theater blogger, RSVP as well. We're working on a way to e-hook you in.
And if you don't have a blog? Start one. And you can come to the next event.
Oh - one more thing . . . bloggers reading this? I'm counting on you to spread the word about this event to our peers. I'm purposefully not going to actively invite you. I want to see if the power of what we do can spread the word and bring us together.
Cuz if it can, it can do a heck of a lot more.
I counted 50 responses!
Must have been one hell of a party.
Posted by: Jiva | April 28, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Hope it's not too late but I will try to stop by tonight.
Posted by: Linda | April 23, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Looking forward to it
justshowstogoyou.com
Posted by: Patrick Lee | April 23, 2009 at 03:24 PM
I have to revise my RSVP - I forgot that I had tickets for This American Life!
Hope you all have a good time and I look forward to the next one!
-Roxie
Posted by: Roxie | April 23, 2009 at 12:24 PM
I'll be attending.
Robb Perry
http://www.americantheatrewing.org
Posted by: Robb Perry | April 23, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Hey Ken-
Unfortunately I am unable to make it tonight and quite bummed. I can't shift my prior engagement. I do look forward to reading about tonight on your blog!
All the best,
Kim
http://www.kimweild.com
Posted by: Kim Weild | April 23, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Just starting up a theatre blog to chart the good things that happen during the dark years. Planet Hollywood is the perfect place to celebrate this group of chroniclers.
-Douglas
Posted by: Douglas Gray | April 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM
I'll stop by.
Posted by: One NYC Stagehand | April 23, 2009 at 09:03 AM
I'll stop by.
Posted by: One NYC Stagehand | April 23, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Ken,
I wish I could join you, but my day job will keep me away ... at least this time.
The idea of getting theatre bloggers is not new. A wide swath of us have already been getting together regularly. But perhaps it takes a true and respected impresario like you to pull together everyone. And on that, I wish you enormous success and add my deep regrets for having to miss.
Cheers!
Steve On Broadway (SOB) at [email protected]
Posted by: Steve On Broadway (SOB) | April 20, 2009 at 06:23 PM
I so can't be there. But somebody please have several drinks for me.
Posted by: Rocco | April 20, 2009 at 02:49 PM
Looking forward to it, seems like you have a lot of responses!
Posted by: Michael Gilboe | April 20, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Very excited about this Ken.
I'll do my best to get there!
Posted by: Kim Weild | April 20, 2009 at 12:36 AM
Thanks, Ken! This is an exciting idea!
Jesse North
www.stagerush.blogspot.com
Posted by: Jesse North | April 18, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Looking forward to it!
Gil Varod
http://www.BroadwayAbridged.com
Posted by: Gil | April 17, 2009 at 09:24 AM
I'll be there. It's a great idea. It's easy to get lost in the writing and forget there are a lot of us out there.
www.ushernonsense.com
Posted by: Tulis McCall | April 16, 2009 at 02:45 PM
I'm not sure I count as a "theatre blogger" but I do write about theatre and review the shows I see on my blog. So, um, let me know? But I'd love to come and meet everyone!
Posted by: Allison | April 15, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Wish I could be there, but I'm in LA. I've been blogging about theatre since 2001...yikes, 2001?! Haha, wow...I just shocked myself!
Lisa
http://chizi.blogspot.com
Posted by: Lisa | April 15, 2009 at 02:45 AM
Sounds like a great idea. See you there.
Posted by: Byrne Harrison | April 14, 2009 at 07:41 PM
Thanks! I will be there. SarahB
Adventures in the Endless Pursuit of Entertainment
www.sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com
[email protected]
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawnxztB_-vXph_Ia_rBU5gXj86YWwkJ3yEA | April 14, 2009 at 07:25 PM
Love to be there, Ken.
Posted by: Bill Brown | April 14, 2009 at 03:26 PM
I'll be there. Can't wait.
-Zack
Posted by: Zack Calhoon | April 14, 2009 at 07:36 AM
This sounds great - looking forward to meeting everyone!
Roxie
Stage Left, House Right
Posted by: Roxie | April 13, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Wish I could be there, but I've got seats for "Why Torture is Wrong..." that evening at 7pm. :(
Can't wait to hear how it goes.
Third Row, Mezzanine
Posted by: mondschein.us | April 13, 2009 at 03:24 PM
I'm in! I live in Boston, but I just happen to be in NYC that particular weekend.
And I'll alert my blogging circle.
Chris Caggiano
Everything I Know I Learned From Musicals
www.ccaggiano.typepad.com
[email protected]
Posted by: ccaggiano | April 13, 2009 at 01:02 PM
I loved Rooms.
Posted by: Corine | April 13, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Sounds fun!
Http://www.corinescorner.com
I am a video blogger. Sounds like a good time!
Corine Cohen
;-)
Posted by: Corine Cohen | April 13, 2009 at 10:39 AM
This is one of the best ideas I've heard in quite some time. Will definitely be there. Looking forward to meeting fellow bloggers!
Kevin Daly
theatreaficionado.blogspot.com
Posted by: Kevin Daly | April 13, 2009 at 04:09 AM
I'll be there. This is a great idea.
Ethan Stanislawski
www.tynansanger.com
tynansanger[at]gmail[dot]com
Posted by: Ethan Stanislawski | April 11, 2009 at 06:24 PM
I will definitely stop by!
http://broadwaygirlnyc.blogspot.com
Posted by: Broadway Girl NYC | April 10, 2009 at 06:23 PM
Sounds great! I have another commitment, keep me posted on future events.
Posted by: Dennis Baker | April 10, 2009 at 07:20 AM
I'm there...cross-pollinating the entertainment field...with other bees in tow...
Colleen (Queen Bee) Zenk Pinter
Posted by: Colleen Zenk Pinter | April 09, 2009 at 10:21 PM
My blog isn't EXCLUSIVELY devoted to theater, but since I am currently in a touring Broadway show theater is a prevailing topic. I hope that qualifies.
Donell James Foreman
http://thedjf.blogspot.com
Posted by: Donell James Foreman | April 09, 2009 at 08:21 PM
I would love to be a part of this! Looking forward to it!
Meredith Lucio
NY Theatre Producer Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-1315-NY-Theater-Producer-Examiner
I also manage the ROOMS a rock romance blog.
http://tinyurl.com/RoxRoom
Posted by: Mer L | April 09, 2009 at 03:36 PM
Thanks, Ken! I'll be in Orlando still, performing Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, and Portia in The Merchant of Venice at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. But I'll keep watching for the 2nd Bloggers' Social! ;)
http://marniwatch.blogspot.com
Best wishes, and thanks for your blog,
Marni
Posted by: Marni Penning | April 08, 2009 at 12:51 PM
I'm an out of towner with a final dress rehearsal that night...but I'll be there in spirit!
My blog is about figuring out being an actress in Toronto's theatre scene.
bfg
thestarvingartistblog.blogspot.com
Posted by: bfg | April 08, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Can't wait!
Posted by: Robert D. Carver | April 08, 2009 at 10:12 AM
I'll be there!
Ryan
ryanjdavis.blogspot.com
Posted by: Ryan J. Davis | April 08, 2009 at 07:53 AM
I have a prior commitment but would love to come to the next one... if there's an email list, put me on it!
Posted by: Jon Sobel | April 07, 2009 at 11:24 PM
I'm in
Jeremy Dobrish
www.JeremysGreenRoom.com
Posted by: Jeremy Dobrish | April 07, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Good stuff! I'll be there.
Mike
http://oneproducerinthecity.typepad.com/one_producer_in_the_city/
Posted by: Michael Roderick | April 07, 2009 at 08:45 PM
Since I've been wanting to talk to you. I'll be there. This is just one link to what I write for.
Posted by: Suzanna Bowling | April 07, 2009 at 06:46 PM
Oh no--just realized I'm out of town. Will still throw the event up on the blog to help spread the word!
Posted by: Kristoffer Diaz | April 07, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Thank you so much for the idea! I will not be able to make it NYC by then, but hopefully things will work out for another time.
Posted by: Broadway Mouth | April 07, 2009 at 01:45 PM
I'm going to do my best to attend too. Thanks for setting this up!
Kristoffer Diaz
Smichovsky Compensation Syndrome
kristofferdiaz.wordpress.com
Posted by: Kristoffer Diaz | April 07, 2009 at 12:05 PM
I'll be there, Ken
David Spencer
Aisle Say
www.aislesay.com
[email protected]
[email protected]
Posted by: David Spencer | April 07, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Sounds like fun. Count me in.
Posted by: Andrew | April 07, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Sounds fun!
Diana -
lezbehonest.tumblr.com
Posted by: Diana | April 07, 2009 at 10:31 AM
great event! my coblogger, tweed, and i would love to join.
sharkskingirl
www.obscenejester.org
the performance art blog
Posted by: sharkskin girl | April 07, 2009 at 08:33 AM
Looking forward to meeting you and our fellow bloggers on April 23.
-Adam Rothenberg
www.adaumbellesquest.com
Posted by: Adam Rothenberg | April 06, 2009 at 10:35 PM