IATSE Releases COVID Safety Guidelines For Broadway Return

[Huss417]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 2:26pm

IATSE Releases COVID Safety Guidelines For Broadway Return: Testing, Sick Leave & Pick Up Your Own Playbills

https://deadline.com/2020/07/iatse-broadway-covid19-safety-guidelines-testing-sick-leave-playbills-1202991920/?fbclid=IwAR1QeryQResMT1Ifbs2nA8nuxtf9rUCma3Y2PZ7qhV-swQHRUsXI2Yk8_Lk

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 2:42pm

So, it's up to the theaters to decide about temp checks, masks, etc. But, no stage door and picking up my own Playbill? Sounds just fine to me. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 2:57pm

It would be nice if these safety measures are kept up long after a vaccine is eventually distributed. I can take no stage door/backstage tours for as long as possible; I can simply shoot MD's a text, email, or Skype call to get in touch. Sometimes, I believe emailing is the more formal, professional way of connecting than communicating face to face, especially someone you don't know at first.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see more Broadway actors join Cameo as a stage door substitution in the months and possibly years to come.

 

Updated On: 7/22/20 at 02:57 PM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 4:33pm

Sutton Ross said: "So, it's up to the theaters to decide about temp checks, masks, etc. But, no stage door and picking up my own Playbill? Sounds just fine to me."

Actually, it is up to the state to decide if and when temp checks and masks etc are required. Where did you get the idea that theatres have any role in this?

[Fosse76]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 4:51pm

Jordan Levinson said: "It would be nice ifthese safety measures are kept up longafter a vaccine is eventually distributed. I can take no stage door/backstage tours for as long as possible;I can simply shoot MD's a text, email, or Skypecall to get in touch. Sometimes, I believe emailing is the more formal,professional way of connecting than communicating face to face, especially someone you don't know at first.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see more Broadway actors join Cameo as a stage door substitution in the months and possibly years to come."

I wondered the same thing. These sanitation processes aren't actually excessive (generally speaking). I remember being at a theater, as the porter ran a very dry cloth haphazardly down the staircase railing...AFTER it was announced theaters would be cleaning more extensively. Then I thought to myself, shouldn't they be cleaning this anyway?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 5:16pm

Actually, it is up to the state to decide if and when temp checks and masks etc are required. Where did you get the idea that theatres have any role in this?"

"Venues must have a written COVID-19 safety plan in place that specifies necessary policies, practices and procedures. In multi-employer venues there must be a process for coordinating activities related to prevention and control of COVID-19."

[Tag]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 5:36pm

^Patti LuPone isn't touching your Covid-covered letter with a ten foot pole. :)

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 6:26pm

The thing that has to be realized here is that, the ushers union, Local 306 is in fact part of IATSE. So, regarding the checking of temperatures etc, the companies that own the theatres have to come up with a policy. And, it’s easy to just say let the ushers deal with it. But, in many ways that is not a simple fix. 

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 6:59pm

Today, my State of California passed New York in the total number of Coronavirus cases.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 7:13pm

 "The thing that has to be realized here is that, the ushers union, Local 306 is in fact part of IATSE. So, regarding the checking of temperatures etc, the companies that own the theatres have to come up with a policy. And, it’s easy to just say let the ushers deal with it. But, in many ways that is not a simple fix."

Thanks for that information, it seems they will come up with their own policies which will vary theater by theater. Definitely not a simple fix for those poor ushers. 

 

[Sampatches]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 7:13pm

It’s going to be interesting to see how most of these theatres are going to deal with the dressing room stations needing to be 6 feet apart. The ensemble rooms tend to have 8-12 people packed into them and some spaces are packed to the brim and have no more space to shuffle that many people around. Same

with the recommendation of dressers no longer being allowed to be “floaters” and just dress a core few, that might require more jobs 

Updated On: 7/22/20 at 07:13 PM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 7:16pm

Sutton Ross said: "Thanks for that information, it seems they will come up with their own policies which will vary theater by theater. Definitely not a simple fix for those poor ushers."

The ushers are represented by IATSE Local 306. They will not be responsible for developing any solutions.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 7:22pm

But perhaps they will have to implement them?

[HogansHero]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 7:25pm

Sutton Ross said: "Actually, it is up to the state to decide if and when temp checks and masks etc are required. Where did you get the idea that theatres have any role in this?"

"Venues must have a written COVID-19 safety plan in place that specifies necessary policies, practices and procedures. In multi-employer venues there must be a process for coordinating activities related to prevention and control of COVID-19.""

That does not change the fact that they don't get to "decide" anything about masks etc. 

[latitudex1]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 7:39pm

HogansHero said: "Sutton Ross said: "Actually, it is up to the state to decide if and when temp checks and masks etc are required. Where did you get the idea that theatres have any role in this?"

"Venues must have a written COVID-19 safety plan in place that specifies necessary policies, practices and procedures. In multi-employer venues there must be a process for coordinating activities related to prevention and control of COVID-19.""

That does not change the fact that they don't get to "decide" anything about masks etc."

That's obtuse.

Under these guidelines, the venues are left in choice if the city decides against mandating certain procedures.

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 7:51pm

Sampatches said: "It’s going to be interesting to see how most of these theatres are going to deal with the dressing room stations needing to be 6 feet apart. The ensemble rooms tend to have 8-12 people packed into them and some spaces are packed to the brim and have no more space to shuffle that many people around. Same

with the recommendation of dressers no longer being allowed to be “floaters” and just dress a core few, that might require more jobs"

Most commercial theaters won't open with social distancing restrictions. When they open with audience members sitting next to each other, they'll probably also have actors at dressing room stations next to each other.

[Sampatches]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 7:54pm

Perhaps, I was just referring to what was outlined in the wardrobe section of the guidelines. If anything I could see them putting up plexi glass partitions between stations 

Updated On: 7/22/20 at 07:54 PM

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 9:19pm

Sutton Ross said: "But perhaps they will have to implement them?"

Yes, they may try to find a way for us to implement any safety procedures they think of.

What just came to mind was a realistic situation that I could see happening easily. The League will come up with a safety protocol that will be the same across the board. But, then the next question will be who will take temperatures etc while people are entering. Front of house? Security scanning people in line waiting to go in? I honestly have no clue. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 9:22pm

Sampatches said: "It’s going to be interesting to see how most of these theatres are going to deal with the dressing room stations needing to be 6 feet apart. The ensemble rooms tend to have 8-12 people packed into them and some spaces are packed to the brim and have no more space to shuffle that many people around."

This has become an increasingly big issue with "musicals in playhouses" when the cast is larger than, say, Dear Evan Hansen. And suddenly an agent's wish to negotiate a private dressing room for their client just became a lot more justified. Though as others have said, if it's deemed safe for audiences to sit side by side, then it's going to be tough to implement these backstage changes.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 7/22/20 at 9:41pm

latitudex1 said: "Under these guidelines, the venues are left in choice if the city decides against mandating certain procedures."

And that is never going to happen. That's the point. 

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 7/23/20 at 12:34am

The temperature checkers in NY are little screens the size of a10 inch tablet that one stands in front of. They are usually attached at security desks. Ushers will not be taking temperatures. If the theaters use them it will happen before the patrons reach the ticket takers. I would say the theaters would be more apt to use them at the stage door security desk  for staff, cast members, crew and front of house. I also think there might be a separate staff to oversee the entire house to make sure everyone is following procedures which would include patrons.. I do not think it will fall on the ushers.

Updated On: 7/23/20 at 12:34 AM

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 7/23/20 at 1:49am

Highland Guy said: "Today, my State of California passed New York in the total number of Coronavirus cases."

California, while still WAY behind NY/NYC in deaths has done a flip flop with NY in its approach.

NY/NYC was a seeming free for all at the onset of the virus, and it was so swift and so bad, it became not just a national, but international, focal point of what not to do.

Conversely, CA started out pretty well.  Especially considering its having a population that compares to NY.   The reins were loosened in CA though and the spikes returned.    Now the numbers are on the rise again.

 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 7/23/20 at 3:34am

Sutton Ross said: "But perhaps they will have to implement them?"

The only item in the guidelines that falls under the ushers responsibility is stocking the Playbills at the top of the aisles for people to ggrab.Im not sure what else people think is in there that ushers would be implementing. 

Updated On: 7/23/20 at 03:34 AM

[theatrepersonNYC]

Posted: 7/23/20 at 9:46am

Most commercial theaters won't open with social distancing restrictions. When they open with audience members sitting next to each other, they'll probably also have actors at dressing room stations next to each other."

Exactly.  

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 7/24/20 at 5:07pm

We now live in a world that will be changed forever, in every aspect of our daily life

The new normal is a very long way off yet so we all have to be patient till this roller coaster finishes its ride.

When we get off that though there is still the merry go round/dodge em cars etc etc to get on--you get my drift.

Life is now a circus, not one to run away to, but away from.

I don't think [at 75] that I will ever sit in a pre Christmas 2019 theatre ever again. A socially distant proposal for an audience is just not feasible.

That hand held electronic gadget glued to ones skin is the future-it will register the state of your health, tell you where you can go and places to avoid, and so on.

Over crowding, lack of basic hygiene, consideration, empathy, self centered, me, me, I--everyone is to blame for this situation because when covid settles, there will be another and a major re-think is imperative NOW as the current band-aid won't hold for long.

My grand children[11-17] are listening and learning, they are the future, we just fuxzed it up.