Hasta La Gadget!

It is the final week of summer in the theater world. After Labor Day the new season really begins to heat up. Of course I’m already thinking about, and communicating with industry folks regarding, the Tony race. Back when I started, Tony campaigning used to involve nice gifts. My most cherished collectables include a Hairspray lunch box filled with goodies and a Wonderful Town Viewfinder. Then the people who run the Tony Awards decided to curb such showmanship by enacting a rule that pretty much said gifts were outlawed. A couple of years ago they suspended that rule for one year and then two. So far we haven’t seen a real return to the swag of yesteryear. But will we this year?

The swag ban came about in the 2005-2006 season when the Tony Awards Administration Committee added a rule that stated: “Producers may distribute (or cause or permit their agents or other representatives or affiliates to distribute) to Tony Voters/Tony Nominators (in one or more distributions) each of the following ONLY: (1) a souvenir book; (2) a script; (3) an audio and/or video cast recording that replicates the on-stage performance of the eligible production and that does not contain additional material such as narration, quotations, musical underscoring, etc. (Commercially available recordings that may separately contain additional materials are acceptable) and (4) one set of selected reviews and/or unedited quotations regarding the eligible production.” At that time big money producers were on the rise and there began to be a lot of griping from the little folks. The rule was fairly divisive in the industry. It was also somewhat easy to get around to a certain extent.

You see, producers from the road come once a year for a spring road conference and many of them are Tony voters. These individuals could receive swag while they were here, because the swag was technically not related to their role as a Tony voter. You weren’t reaching all voters this way, but it was something. Campbell Robertson of The New York Times detailed some of this rule-avoidance in the first year the rule was enacted. Additionally the rule never got rid of all swag. Press agent Rick Miramontez and I have each year since Hairspray (where producers made a “I ♥ Link” buttons) discussed campaign buttons. Seriously. Every year. In years when these types buttons couldn’t be shipped to voters, they could be handed out at the theater to audience members at times when Tony voters happened to be there. For instance, A Catered Affair had “We Have Faith” buttons that were clearly aimed at generating buzz around leading lady Faith Prince. A Catered Affair opened in 2008, when the rule was in full force, but these buttons were not considered campaign materials, as they were simply available from a basket post-show.

During the 2014-2015 season it was announced that the rule would be suspended for one year. At that time, Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, executive director of the American Theatre Wing, said in a joint statement, “It is the feeling of the committee that the producers have been acting responsibly and that they will continue to do so without such restrictive language. It is felt that the voters also act responsibly and that such things as souvenirs, edited reviews and small gifts, etc. have no bearing on the voters selections.” I loved this statement at the time because it was essentially your parents telling you: “You have earned this lollipop, but the second you start screaming on your sugar high, WE ARE TAKING IT AWAY.”

That first year the rule was suspended, I was excited to hear about all the gifts. Sadly it was slim pickings. I think Fun Home might have sent voters the original graphic novel. You Can’t Take It With You had some sort of flip book. People were excited to be able to manipulate reviews more, but no one went big on goodies. Producers I spoke to mostly stated that no one wanted to be the first to seem “tacky” or “ostentatious.”

Last season the rule was still suspended but most producers thought large gifts weren’t worth the investment. After all, around this time last year, we all knew it would take a real spoiler to defeat Hamilton in the musical race. By the time March rolled around there were clear leaders in most of the major races (and only the very top awards are significant for sales).

Which brings us to this season. It is very early and things often change, but, due to what will possibly be closer races, I’ve already spoken to producers who are quietly pondering larger campaigns. If such campaigns did happen, it would involve more than an investment in money, it would involve a look back to the way we used to think about promotion. There has been real talk in every industry that online promotion now serves as a replacement for the old-fashioned tangible goods that used be seen as essential. Do we really need that mailing when we had an email blast? Do we really need to provide a hard copy souvenir book when we can just send a link to the same product? There are marketing and advertising folks on both sides of the answer to those questions. But real gifts are something different. People love exclusive gifts. There is something to be said for being one of under 1000 people to have an actual substantive thing to hold. (I’m not a Tony voter, but I’m already looking forward to someone handing over War Paint cosmetics.) Being one of a few people to get something digitally is not the same thing — you know other people are going to have it soon enough.

Now of course you could debate whether any of this stuff influences the Tony race at all. Purists would say no. I’ll tell you one thing though — it doesn’t hurt.

Please vote for Donna Lynne Champlin for her work Crazy Ex-Girlfriend in these Entertainment Weekly awards, thereby supporting the person with the most theater credits (who also happens to be the best).

If you want to contact me, you can find me on Twitter @CaraJoyDavid. I also welcome emails at carajoy@gmail.com. Please do not send me a Facebook message if we are not friends on Facebook. I will not see it.

http://www.playbill.com/article/playbillcoms-theatre-week-in-review-june-7-13-tony-awards-rulings-draw-ire-from-industry-com-322500

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Guest Post

Getting Active for a Healthier Life and Better World
By: Meryl Davis, Olympic Gold Medalist and UNICEF Kid Power Champion

As children, we watched in awe as our favorite Olympians competed on the world’s largest stage to achieve their lifelong dreams. We heard their stories of dedication and triumph and wanted to be just like them.

After years of diligent training as “Olympic hopefuls,” so much changes when we can actually call ourselves members of Team USA. The change, as I experienced it, isn’t so much about how we see ourselves, but rather our responsibility to those at home. As Olympians, we’ve not only earned the right to represent ourselves and our home countries at the Games, but also to serve as role models and to set an example.

In those many years of preparation required to become an Olympian, it’s impossible not to gain respect for our greatest tool: our bodies. What we athletes put them through, the decisions we make and the lengths we go to in order to keep them fit and healthy enlighten us to the possibilities of our own strength and fortitude. Of course, we also become keenly aware of the consequences of our decisions. Eating the right things, getting sleep and monitoring our health become necessary in order for us to meet the daily demands of being an elite athlete.

Through it all, I’ve learned first-hand the value of setting goals and working to achieve them while overcoming physical, mental and emotional obstacles along the way. Being able to call myself an Olympian fills me with great pride. To be standing in the footsteps of my own childhood idols is an honor and a responsibility neither I, nor my ice-dance partner, Charlie White, take lightly.

Combining my passion for healthy living and desire to be a good role model to future generations has led me to one of my most rewarding roles yet – being a UNICEF Kid Power Champion. This innovative program allows kids to get active and save lives while learning about the importance of global citizenship. While taking steps to help end global malnutrition while wearing the UNICEF Kid Power Band, kids go on virtual missions where they have the opportunity to earn points and learn about new cultures. Points unlock funding that delivers lifesaving therapeutic food packets to severely malnourished children around the world. Kids can really make a difference, for themselves, and for kids around the world, as 1 in 4 kids in the U.S. is inactive and 1 in 4 kids globally is malnourished.

Like so many Olympians, I’ve spent years investing in my dream and have come to appreciate the importance of a healthy lifestyle. As athletes, we approach each day ready to answer the question, “how can I make myself better today?” Walking into the opening ceremony at the Olympic Games, though, opens one’s eyes to the beauty of being a part of something so much bigger than one’s self. For me, that beauty is also realized in being a part of the UNICEF Kid Power Team. By working together, we can help UNICEF ensure that children have the ability to grow up happy and healthy.

Through the program, kids are also learning about the challenges that their peers around the globe face on a daily basis. By joining me on my mission to Uganda, kids learn about a boy named Mugisha whose life is being put on hold to care for his little brother who is being treated for severe malnutrition. In getting active, kids will learn to invest in themselves while becoming global citizens and helping kids like Mugisha to get the nutrition they need. With more than 1.7 million food packets already unlocked, this is a program and organization I’m incredibly proud to be a part of. As I continue to travel the world and advocate for healthy living, I’m always proud to be on the UNICEF Kid Power Team. I hope you and your family will join me!

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

This week, I woke up each morning to countless pictures on Facebook of kids going off to college. So cute as they set up their dorms and ventured off into the next step of the adult world. It left me thinking, what about the kids who chose not to go to college?

Where are their pictures?

Where is their send off?

Where is their “atta boy”?

What does it take for us as parent’s to step out of the proverbial college box?

My best friend and I sat talking with my 14 year old son. He was asking questions about college, and I was answering them in the most cryptic, yet complete way I could. I always have a little fear around these conversations. I notice my body tenses up and my brain begins furiously looking for the right words that will simultaneously portray college as hard work, fun, and not an option… a must.

Why do I do this?

I know that society has funneled us into this money grab that we call college.

I know that statistics don’t look great for employment after college.

I know that college isn’t right for everyone, and we must allow our children to pave their own path.

My friend later brought the topic up when we were alone. “You are trying to talk him into going to college aren’t you”? I responded “no… I want him to do what makes him happy… at least I think so.”

THAT is at my core. I want my children to be happy, regardless of what that looks like.

Regardless of what society thinks of it.

Regardless of what his friends are doing.

Regardless of what will make the most money.

This is what is in my heart.

My heart screams, do whatever makes you whole son. Travel, play, learn and BE whoever you want to be for a moment in time, because society does their best to take that from us from the minute we come out of the womb. Live! Be free! Call into work and get fired a time or two. Eat Ramen for two weeks straight, and put $2 into your gas tank. Listen to people… really listen. Hear their stories, and their plights. Learn what makes people tick and how their childhoods differed from yours. Invite everyone into your light, and then learn who you need to escort out. Decide what your boundaries are with toxic people and learn to lay them respectfully, not concerned with how the other person feels about them.

Take this time son.

Reflect on what makes your heart scream with joy.

Reflect on what your values are when no one is watching.

Determine what drives you and what makes you weep.

Stand back and watch how this game works, then choose in what area you will create change.

I want to create change makers, not game players.

My mind… now that is a different story. My mind has judgment thoughts that swirl around up there. My mind is acutely aware of what could happen if he doesn’t go to college.

My mind feeds on fear, if left unchecked.

Fear says, what direction will he follow if he doesn’t go to college?

Fear says, he might not “live up to his potential” if he doesn’t go to college.

Fear says, I am highly educated, people might expect for my kids to be as well.

Fear says, how will that judgement feel?

Fear says, what will that judgment look like?

Fear says, if he doesn’t go to college, will he end up in my basement long term, with a Mountain Dew, one hand down his pants and the other playing x-box???

Fear says… what exactly will I post on Facebook to reflect my kid is launching too (it must have equal parts being at peace with his decision and indignant belief in his path)?

Fear is insecure. Fear does not access rational mind. Fear doesn’t care what you think of her… she only cares about ruling your decisions and actions.

Fear is passionate and she starts a storm that is hard to gain control over. Fear starts with physical symptoms, but if you aren’t trained to notice the warnings, then fear travels to your thoughts. There she sets up a perfect roadway for travel, called a neural pathway. Fear travels up and down that road, happily invading your thoughts. Happily circling around and around until you can’t think of much else. Then fear, if left unmanaged, causes behaviors that we wouldn’t rationally choose. Fear is rooted firmly in emotional mind.

When we react from emotional mind, we leave ourselves open to regret.

What if… we accessed wise mind? What if we chose not to participate with those fear thoughts. We noticed them, but we knew they weren’t all accurate, so we didn’t jump in that boat. What if we chose a different thought?

Wise mind means not being attached to an outcome.

When you take the time to recognize your thoughts, and feelings, you are taking the time to access wise mind. Accessing wise mind means combining your heart with your rational thoughts (only the rational ones please).

Letting go of a predetermined outcome for your child is essential to their growth as a human.

Not being attached to an outcome for your child frees them to grow into exactly who they were supposed to be.

Not being attached to an outcome, does not mean a lack of expectations for responsibility and choices.

Not being attached to an outcome, requires trust in the job you have done as a parent.

Not being attached to an outcome, requires trust in that human you’ve been guiding for 18 years.

Not being attached to an outcome, frees your child to confide in you and leaves the door open for more much needed guidance.

Not being attached to an outcome is a gift to you and to your child.

In the end, all of my reflecting over the last week has led me to this. The only outcome I am attached to is happiness. Wholeness. At peace with who they are and who they are growing into. At peace with the job I have done and will continue to do.

I am attached to the outcome of unconditional love and acceptance. If that happens to mean college, I will support them through and through. If that happens to mean moving to Hollywood to pursue their dreams… well then, they better have a pull out couch, because I am there…right beside them, every step of the way.

Let’s do this.

To join the conversation, connect with Kerry Foreman on Get Grounded on Facebook. @groundedone, read her blog at www.groundedblog.com, or subscribe to her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwmP82NX6ddydYfzPBFTkHQ

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

A strong enough laser can burn things
, clean things
, pop things
, and most impressively, move things. Yep. Watch this powerful laser shining into a piece of aluminum foil suspended in a vacuum and you’ll see the foil starting to sway back and forth from the ultra light beam.

Read more…

For the second time in five months, the Transmission BitTorrent client for Mac has been infected with malware.

Read more…