Indy theaters, arenas shine a red light on struggling live-event industry
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Some of the most iconic places in downtown Indianapolis were lit up in red Tuesday night.
It’s designed to shine a light on the live-event industry and its people, which has been devastated by the pandemic. It’s an industry which employs an estimated 12 million and means a nearly $900 billion impact to the economy ground to a halt almost six months ago.
A new trade coalition called We Make Events organized the Red Alert RESTART nationwide.
It meant that starting at 9 p.m. Tuesday more than a dozen diverse venues including Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Monument Circle, Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Repertory Theatre and the Phoenix Theatre were all lit in crimson until midnight.
It’s a sign of solidarity amid a struggling industry, and those like actor John Vessels making a living doing it.
“It’s my third decade and it’s the most shocking of my 30 years. It’s very surprising,” Vessels said.
He is a veteran to the Indy theater scene and an award-winning actor at that, receiving Broadway World’s 2019 Regional Best Actor in a Play for his role in “The Legend of Georgia McBride” at the Phoenix Theatre last fall.
He’s now gone six months without a show. He even got a call Tuesday informing him that a promised theater role in town in October wasn’t going to happen.
“There was a glimmer on the horizon that was flickering until today,” Vessels said. “Even with that one, I had an inkling.”
Still, he considers himself fortunate.
His private voice and acting lessons have become virtual and with a pandemic are more in demand than ever. But his income was cut in half.
“It is completely severed,” Vessels said.
But with his partner’s income, he’s not yet filed for unemployment.
But according to the We Make Events group, 77% of people in the live event industry have lost 100% of their income since March.
“I pray that day doesn’t come for me, but you never know. You really just don’t,” Vessels said.
An estimated 1,500 venues across the country are taking part in the Red Alert RESTART. It’s an effort to pressure Congress to pass the RESTART Act, a bill cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Todd Young, an Indiana Republican, as well as expand the pandemic unemployment assistance.
Vessels hopes it’s a reminder for the donors here, too.
“It’s never been more urgent,” he said. “Don’t forget the arts. Don’t forget we’re here, even if we can’t be loud and bangy about it. Know we’re around and can’t wait to entertain you again.”
The red lights were scheduled to remain on until midnight Tuesday.