COVID-19 Prepare, Mitigate, Recover

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  • 1.  Health Dept. Mask Requirement for all Performers

    Posted 09-21-2021 16:28
    Hello everyone,

    Our county board of health has recently issued specific COVID-19 safety guidelines for the performing arts. The requirements are as expected in most cases, and we have already implemented most of the recommended safety measures, such as vaccination mandates for actors and audience, ventilation improvements, etc. However, they have now added a requirement that all performers must wear facemasks throughout the performance. This applies to actors, singers, musicians, everyone. Of course this pretty much shuts us down, since a play where all the actors are masked throughout the show is just not acceptable to us. We have a meeting scheduled with the county next week to discuss this new rule and I am gathering "ammunition" from other US cities and counties. We are all for safety, but this new rule seems ridiculous when compared to "open and safe" restaurant guidelines where you can dine and drink for hours without a mask. 

    If your local health department has instituted such a rule, please chime in and let me know how you have handled it. I could also use a head count of theatres that are open and safe with no such rule in place.

    Thank you for any help you can offer!

    Patty Thayer
    Communications & Development Director
    San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre
    San Luis Obispo, California

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    Patty Thayer
    Communications and Development Director
    San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre
    San Luis Obispo CA
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  • 2.  RE: Health Dept. Mask Requirement for all Performers

    Posted 09-21-2021 16:43

    I would suggest breaking down the professional requirements from the Union in detail for them. 

    We have the audience masked with a vaccine or negative covid test requirement, ventilation wide open with the correct filters, audience at least 6ft from any actor (its actually more), the house at 50% and audience spaced apart, all the AEA restrictions in place regarding backstage areas off limits, and of course the entire staff vaccinated and also getting weekly covid testing. 

    At that level of protection, you'd be hard pressed to convince anyone that the theater isn't the safest public space in the county! 
    But also, showing that the steps taken are enough to make the Union feel safe putting their performers on stage without masks is a strong argument. 



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    Joshua Coy
    Producing Director
    Tantrum Theater
    Athens OH
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  • 3.  RE: Health Dept. Mask Requirement for all Performers

    Posted 09-21-2021 16:59

    I would recommend speaking with Forward Theater in Madison, WI as they successfully lobbied to have the mandate changed for performing arts.

     

    I've copied their management team, Jen and Julie on this email.

     

    Thanks!

    Brian

     

    Brian Kelsey

    Managing Director

    Peninsula Players Theatre

    Phone: 920-868-3287 

    Email:brian@peninsulaplayers.com

    Pronouns : He/Him/His

     

    4351 Peninsula Players Road

    Fish Creek, WI 54212

     

    www.peninsulaplayers.com

     

     

     

     

     






  • 4.  RE: Health Dept. Mask Requirement for all Performers

    Posted 09-21-2021 18:20
    I'll check in with them - thank you, Brian!

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    Patty Thayer
    Communications and Development Director
    San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre
    San Luis Obispo CA
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  • 5.  RE: Health Dept. Mask Requirement for all Performers

    Posted 09-21-2021 18:18
    Thanks Joshua - great suggestion. Even though we are not an Equity theatre, I will dive into those union recommendations. Thanks!

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    Patty Thayer
    Communications and Development Director
    San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre
    San Luis Obispo CA
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