‘The Lincoln Center Archives Should Be Public’; Alden Ehrenreich Refuses to Let Theatre Become ‘A Leisure Activity of the Rich’
Newly minted Tony winner Alden Ehrenreich (Becky Shaw, Han Solo) is on a mission to bring theatre to the masses.
From the winners room June 7, Ehrenreich had plenty to say about theatrical access across the United States, and his dream of a more open experience for all.
“I think that theatre is the art form that we need, in many ways, as a country. I think theatre is a place where we go and tell stories that have a humane core. I have a strong belief that the Lincoln Center Theater Archive should be made public. It is in one library with one set of headphones, and it is a shame that people around this country cannot witness it. I really think that the future is going to be in being able to film these shows, and for audiences all around the world to be able to get to experience them. It’s not as powerful an experience as the real thing, but to experience a version of it that is recorded is still very legitimate. Somebody’s going to see that play in Nebraska and say, ‘Oh, I want to go and be a theatre actor.'”
READ: New York Educators Can Now Show Broadway Archives From the New York City Public Library In Their Classrooms
His mission isn’t only about access to experiences, however.
“We need to institute a streaming model, where we can create other ways of making money on these shows so that prices can go down in the actual house. For this art form to survive, it has to be more affordable. Theatre cannot be a leisure activity of the rich, and if there’s anything we can do to make it more accessible, both financially and across the globe, we have to do whatever it takes.”
For more on everything Tony Awards, visit Playbill.com/Tonys.
