As a seasoned gamer, hailing from the heartland of New York City, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement for Jason Laks as he steps into his new role as president of The Broadway League. With a career trajectory that spans from local theaters to the big leagues at NBCUniversal, and now back to Broadway, it seems like fate has orchestrated this move.
As a dedicated theater enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve recently taken on the role as president for The Broadway League – an esteemed organization that unites theater owners, producers, presenters from regional theaters nationwide, and general managers.
On Monday, Laks was formally appointed to the role, having served on an interim basis since February 2024, following Charlotte St. Martin’s departure after 18 years. Laks first joined the Broadway League in 2012, and resumed his position there in 2021 as general counsel and executive vice president for labor relations.
Prior to his involvement with the League, Laks held a position as senior vice president at NBCUniversal. In this role, he managed labor relations for their broadcast and cable television networks, sports divisions, and owned station operations. At 52 years old, Laks is an alumnus of the University of Connecticut and Cornell Law School.
He assumes the role officially as Broadway makes its way back from the pandemic, though the recovery path has shown progress since theatres reopened in 2021. However, the industry faces challenges such as increased costs for producing shows, resulting in swift show closures and alterations in audience demographics.
The League, a group consisting of influential figures from Broadway, acts as a representative for producers during labor discussions, communicates with federal authorities on behalf of the theater industry, and jointly organizes the Tony Awards with the American Theater Wing. In her time leading the organization, St. Martin has faced criticism for certain statements she made, such as one to The Hollywood Reporter, where she attributed December 2021 performance cancellations to understudies who weren’t as effective in their roles compared to the leads. Later, St. Martin apologized, admitting that she had misinterpreted the situation.
Moreover, it’s important to note that while the League is frequently perceived as a leading voice or beacon for the entire sector, it’s essential to remember that it’s actually a trade association made up of member companies, each with their unique productions and at times divergent viewpoints.
For the past ten months, we’ve been carefully considering a crucial decision. After conducting a country-wide search and rigorous interview process, we are confident that Jason is the perfect fit as the head of The Broadway League at this pivotal moment in our field. Jason’s extensive industry knowledge, deep connections with our membership, and unwavering dedication to Broadway’s wellbeing, particularly in New York and beyond, make him a perfect match for the role. – Kristin Caskey, chair of The Broadway League’s Board of Governors.
Laks expressed deep gratitude for this opportunity. He’s been captivated by Broadway since childhood, attending touring productions at Proctors Theater in Schenectady. The enchantment that unfolds on stage each night in New York theaters and beyond is one-of-a-kind and cannot be replicated. This is a pivotal time for Broadway. As the League includes individuals from various aspects of this industry, Laks is eager to collaborate with our members and partners to propel us towards greater achievements,” Laks stated.
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2024-12-02 22:54