Actors' Equity Recruits High-Profile Safety Consultant

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 4/24/20 at 8:19pm

From Deadline:

Actors’ Equity Association has hired the high-profile safety consultant David Michaels, former administrator of OSHA under President Barack Obama, to advise and help the union develop the steps necessary for reopening Broadway and theaters across the country after the COVID-19 shutdown.

https://deadline.com/2020/04/reopening-broadway-actors-equity-mary-mccoll-interview-safety-consultant-david-michaels-1202916028/

[ebroadwayrundown]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 10:47am

This is a great move!  Dr. Michaels has been a proponent of worker safety for many years.  (Full disclosure: He's also a personal friend.)

[sabrelady]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 5:43pm

Excellent! Now if the theatre owners will be  able to adapt their environments to his advice - we gots a shot!

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 3:38pm

Interesting what they are doing in Seoul with regard to the Phantom tour happening there (Safety Measures) - Also, I have  a friend that said: The first row is kept empy and audience members are required to wear a mask and are not allowed to verbally chear or shout out after numbers or at the curtain call. Attendees are monitored also with temperature checks prior to entering the theater while practicing social distancing when entering as well and after each performance the venue is disinfected thoroughly and all staff wear masks front and backstage. Also, you have to have the app- South Korea has introduced a contact tracing app for people to prove they are corona-free and receive warnings about local virus cases.  https://www.instagram.com/tv/B_2DoKShU3U/?utm_source=ig_embed    

So, will BWAY take these measures when reopening?

[sabrelady]

Posted: 5/10/20 at 4:03pm

I would dispense w temperature check  1) not very accurate ( coming in out of the cold gives false lows) 2) not everyone who has the virus gets a fever.  Give a false sense of security 

Totally agree w all audience wearing masks AND KEEPING THEM ON, Removal would be cause for ejection. Would have extra's avail for purchase.

NO concessions  would require mask removal.  

Depending on the distance between the stage and the audience 1st row empty is a reasonable interim action.

The big issue to me is the performers and stage crew. Social distancing is virtually impossible. 

So w so many variables I'd say no Bway will not take these measure.They open themselves up to too much liability.