Australian theatre grapples with access, diversity and job losses through the coronavirus shutdown

It’s hard to quantify just how damaging 2020 has been for the Australian theatre sector.

Performing arts workers — from writers and directors to ushers, stagehands and lighting artists — lost work overnight, after theatres across the country went dark in March.

Due to the short-term contract-based nature of their work, many were let go without severance pay and were not eligible for JobKeeper.

Live theatre is now getting back on its feet, but the damage for companies has been significant, with the MTC estimating its box office loss at $12.5 million; additional losses include money sunk into canned productions and countless shows, festivals and tours that were in the works that weren’t even announced yet.

Back in April, I Lost My Gig…