January 2019

1/28/2019

The Important Stuff:

A boiled down version of what I’ve been up to:

I started a GitHub repo with the python code I’m writing to scrape the web for Broadway data. Feel free to follow it, fork, or contribute: https://github.com/ybressler/broadway_scraping
This data will be used to feed the API Yacin and I are building. Follow that project here: https://github.com/ytmimi/Broadway-Data-API
The most recent workshop on Automating Communication (part of Leveraging Tech and Data in Theater series, hosted by The Artist Co-Op ) was a large success. Thank you Yacin and Victoria for helping lead it!
You can view the slides (from Automating Communication) on the RESOURCES page. Be sure to check out the helpful links and key terms therein.
The next workshop is at 6:00PM, March 14, content to be determined .
I wrote an article on Sarah Teed’s blog on how to get started with building a website. Read it here: An Actor’s Guide to Building a Website.
Was amazing to speak at BroadwayCon the panel “God of Theatre Smile on Us: Working in the Theatre While Keeping a Religious Lifestyle.” I’m so grateful for having the opportunity to share my experience of being an orthodox Jew in the industry.
Co-panelists included Yoni Oppenheimer (24/6 Theater), Yocheved Joy Rosenthal (BroadwayWiz), Elli (The King of Broadway). Moderator was Rikki Jacobson. A major shout-out to Rikki for putting together this panel! Also, thanks for inviting me to participate!
You can watch a snippet from the panel below:

Producing-wise, not a ton to share about my current projects. The news nonetheless:

I was invited to consult the production of RAGS (the musical), which is being revised and produced by NYU. The show is super meaningful to me because it accurately depicts my Jewish ancestors in their journey emigrating to the states. Bonus points to the team of RAGS for starting a conversation about heritage and inclusivity.

I’ve mostly been involved in the show’s portrayals of Jewish themes by providing insight to key religious moments. Some of those include the reciting of Kadesh, wearing a tallit, and why Jews from the alteh velt (old world) might talk really expressively with their hands.)
Performances are from Feb 7 – Feb 11. Tickets are $5–$20, available here.

Upcoming Events:

Join me at one of these events, over the next few weeks?

Leveraging Tech and Data in Theater, Next Event. 6:00PM Thursday, March 14th.
Rags (the musical). Feb 7 – Feb 11, $5–$20, available here.

p.s. I went on vacation to Miami! Check out this adorable video I took:

I discovered a treasure island in #Miami where raccoons feast on @Tostitos pic.twitter.com/OlrlMIqiRt
— Yaakov Bressler (@YaakovBressler) January 23, 2019