In our current world of social distancing and isolation, we find ourselves longing for the theatre – a space we collectively share to consume art, enjoy live performance and connect with those around us. Amidst closures and the inability to share these moments together, arts organizations around the world have shifted their content to the digital sphere so that we may all continue to enjoy and support the performing arts across the globe.
We’ve compiled a list of various outlets where you can access these performances from the comfort of your home. Even as we take this moment to be apart, we can still enjoy the power of the performing arts together.
The List: Performances Available Online
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will share its talents with the world through its free, online “Ailey for All” portal, featuring archival performances, dance classes and original short films created by the dancers.
What we’re watching: Revelations by Alvin Ailey
Try out Broadway HD for free for the first 7 days and watch all your favorite Broadway shows. After the first week, membership fees apply.
Montreal-based circus company, Cirque du Soleil has brought their shows online through #CirqueConnect. You can also enjoy virtual fitness, makeup tutorials and virtual reality fun for kids.
Folger Shakespeare Library: Macbeth
Shakespeare’s chilling Scottish tragedy is realized by Emmy-winning magician Teller (of Penn & Teller) and Helen Hayes Award-winning director Aaron Posner as a startling, supernatural show brimming with magic, mayhem and madness. Watch online for free through July 1, 2020.
Presenting performance selections from The Royal Opera House, The Bolshoi, Royal Shakespeare Company, Glyndebourne, Sadler’s Wells, Opera Zurich, Classic Spring Theatre, Teatro Real and Donmar Warehouse. First week is free; after the first week membership fees apply.
What we’re watching: Shakespeare Trilogy presented by Donmar Warehouse.
Met Opera on Demand: Student Access
Members of the UT community have the opportunity to enjoy more than 700 full-length performances from the Metropolitan Opera for free (here). Those who do not have the ability to access this content through UT libraries may still enjoy content by donation here.
What we’re watching: Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner, directed by James Levine.
Enjoy performances of some of the most popular productions from National Theatre (London) every Thursday, free to stream for seven days. Weekly Thursday performances start April 2, 2020.
What we’re watching: Barber Shop Chronicles by Inua Ellams, directed by Bijan Sheibani.
Need more opera in your life? Opera Wire has a comprehensive list of all opera companies offering free streaming services for the next few months.
PBS Great Performances brings the best in the performing arts from across America and around the world to you. Presenting a diverse programming of classical music, opera, popular music, musical theatre, dance, drama and performance documentaries.
What we’re watching: Akhnaten by Philip Glass.
Executive producer Jeffrey Richards has collaborated with some of Broadway’s biggest actors to bring Broadway’s best plays to our screens. Watch live streamed readings every Thursday night at 8:00 p.m.
What we’re watching: A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters, staring Bryan Cranston and Sally Field (streaming Thursday, May 21).
Local Performances Available Online
The Alley Theatre in Houston continues to provide virtual content through their ALLEY@HOME program. Viewing options include behind-the-scenes looks at previous productions, talks with designers, readings of Shakespeare’s sonnets and more.
AFS has begun virtual screenings of some of the films that were scheduled to premiere in the coming months. Viewers can purchase a ticket that serves as a five day pass to see the films.
Austin Opera recently announced that their upcoming production of Schubert’s Winter Journey (Winterreise) will now be produced as a film which will be made available to patrons in the coming months.
Austin Playhouse has shifted a sampling of interviews and screenings of several of their recent productions online, as well as a digital performance workshop of “Today’s Gratitude” by Cyndi Williams.
Our neighbors at The Vortex will be presenting virtual programming including readings, performances and events during current stay-in-place orders in Austin. Free to watch but donations encouraged.
[This list will be updated as organizations continue to work to shift performances online. If you have a suggestion or would like your organization to be added to this list, please email megan.bommarito@austin.utexas.edu for consideration.]
