About
Broadway Unlocked is redefining what theatre looks like in a digital era. By combining their community of theatre lovers and tech evangelists, Broadway Unlocked creates a purposeful way for people to experience the world of theatre, without ever stepping into a lobby.
Broadway Unlocked has partnered with some of the biggest musical stars in the world, including Kirsti Maldonado (Pentatonix), Tituss Burgess (Kimmi Schmidt), Keala Settle (Greatest Showman) and more. And, their #Giveback Concerts have raised almost $1.5 million.
Challenge
During live theatre, audience members’ heartbeats actually sync up.
Broadway Unlocked felt that the typical virtual event didn’t connect people in the same way. When audience members viewed theatre from behind a screen, it wasn’t as real, imaginative, or immediate.
Their goal has always been to push the boundaries of theatre. And so, they wanted to revolutionize virtual theatre by recreating the deep connection of an in-person show online.
Solution
The RingCentral Events platform allowed us to create a 360 digital experience that brings together the interactive spaces and the main broadcast into one big show that feels real, immediate, and more like an in-person show. It revolutionized our ability to create a meaningful digital stop for live theatre.
Broadway Unlocked required an online events platform that could flow between multiple stages, live interactions, and pre-recorded videos.
RingCentral Events offered the features Broadway Unlocked wanted to host charity events, live auctions, galas, musical events, and much more.
Ryan and her event team used the following RingCentral Events features at their event:
- Main stage for live performances, such as an opening night streaming premiere party for The Hippodrome, an awards night for kids from extraordinary circumstances who are being sent to college for free, and a 600 person virtual gala for Cancer Support Community
- Expo for showcasing auction items
- Sessions for a virtual dance floor for Broadway’s biggest industry dance party, S.N.O.B. (Sunday Night on Broadway).
Result
With RingCentral Events, Broadway Unlocked produced premiere parties, dance parties, award nights, virtual galas, fireside chats, musical series, and more. They’ve even raised over $300,000 during a live broadcast of a virtual gala that included a combination of a live auction, live donor acknowledgments, and text to donate dynamic screens. Broadway Unlocked was even able to switch between live to previously recorded performances using Hopin.
With their virtual theatre hosted on RingCentral Events, Broadway Unlocked doubled attendees and saw average viewer participation of 80%.
We’re already six shows into our next batch, and really it’s just an iteration for us. We’re always flexing how the [RingCentral Events platform] can be designed around our shows!
Originally published Sep 01, 2022, updated Jun 10, 2024
