Theater Industry: Experts Discuss Its 2026 State with SAG-AFTRA Foundation

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The panel discusses the actor's experience, current state of financing on Broadway, and more.

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What is the state of the theater industry in 2026? A panel of New York theater professionals came together earlier this month with SAG-AFTRA Foundation to talk about just that, in a conversation moderated by BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge .

SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Business panels provide multiple viewpoints from directors, producers, writers, agents, managers, casting directors and industry experts on a wide range of topics. Through this program, actors receive first-hand tips and strategies from established creators and leading professionals who know how to navigate the complex landscape of the entertainment industry.

This panel included Frank DiLella (Journalist, NY1), Irene Gandy (Producer), Jenny Gersten (Artistic Director, City Center), Amber Gray (Actor), Rachel Hoffman (Casting, Telsey & Co.), and Samuel D. Hunter (Playwright).

One of the topics discussed was the cost gap between Broadway and the West End. "I just had a show in the West End right before I had a show on Broadway — basically the same size of show, 90 minutes, three characters," said Hunter. "The one in London was 20% of the cost of Little Bear Ridge Road.

"We are one of the only countries in the world that doesn't have a national theater. We just don't believe in this country anymore that the arts are an essential aspect of public life. We view them as a frivolity — whereas football is viewed as the blood-pumping heart of America. So yeah, let's pay $900 for a ticket [to a game], but a play… it's almost like you have to trick people into going."

On the personal toll being in a Broadway show takes, Gray had an opinion. "It's not for the faint of heart, particularly on Broadway in a big old musical," shae said. "You're an Olympic athlete. The tax on your personal life is quite high… I wish we were like Korea and job-shared the roles. I would very happily do it half the time and take half the money."

How does a show succeed? "Reviews don't mean anything anymore," said Gandy. "They don't sell any tickets… We have to depend on the kindness of strangers."

In this interview, the group discusses the actor's experience, current state of financing a production, current trends on Broadway and off-Broadway, audience engagement and more. Watch the full panel here and catch even more conversations with your favorite actors with SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

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What is the state of the theater industry in 2026? A panel of New York theater  professionals came together earlier this month with SAG-AFTRA Foundation to talk about just that, in a conversation moderated by BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge. Watch in this video?

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Video-What-Is-the-State-of-the-Theater-Industry-Experts-Weigh-In-20260503)._