Review Fix chats with Midtown International Theatre Festival producer and former Off-Off Broadway Review Founder and Editor-In-Chief John Chatterton, who discusses the festival’s 15th year and the allure of the Off-Off and Off-Broadway scenes, as well as the yearly challenges the MITF faces.
Review Fix: Why do you think they are largely ignored by mainstream media?
John Chatterton: People pay attention to big names and expensive productions. Off-Off-Broadway in particular represents tomorrow’s big talent today.
Review Fix: How do you think the Off-Off and Off Broadway culture has changed since you originally came here?
Chatterton: Off-Broadway shows are now as expensive to produce as Broadway shows were not so long ago, so there’s much less risk-taking. Off-Off-Broadway can cost as much as Off-Broadway used to, because mostly of rising rents. Fortunately, there’s more exposure for Off-Off- than there was 20 years ago, when I started OOBR (“the off-off-broadway review”). OOBR was the only source devoted exclusively to listings and reviews of the Off-Off- scene.
Review Fix: What is different about this year’s Midtown International Theatre Festival?
Chatterton: We are planning a Commercial Division, devoted to a repertory of shows that intend to move to a commercial run. These shows will have higher production values and will receive more service to showcase them for commercial producers and bookers.
Review Fix: What are some of your yearly challenges with the MITF?
Chatterton: Always with the money. Cash flow is a significant problem for the MITF and margins are very tight (we get no grants). Of course the logistics are always a challenge, but after 15 years we know by now how to put on a festival.
Review Fix: What are your goals for it moving forward?
Chatterton: We are in the process of starting a non-profit, Midtown International Artists’ Project, devoted to helping international shows come to the Festival. We also want to help local shows tour internationally. Initially we plan to raise funds for travel and lodging; down the road we will be looking for grant money.
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