Many Broadway Theaters To Drop Vaccine Mandate In May.

Yeah, I feel like they got this backwards. I find it hard to believe that most people who have thus far chosen to go unvaccinated are going to be willing to wear a mask for the duration of their show without causing a fuss.

All this is going to do is create more stress on the already overworked FOH and Covid teams (if they indeed plan on keeping any of the 'Mask Up' people that have been present throughout performances of shows like Company).

What I want to know is for those who are ONLY going to theatre with mandates in place (both vaccine and masks), what do you do once one or both are lifted. Vaccine checks are gone in May, but masks remain for now. And as always can continue wearing masks even after the mandate is lifted. But does the lifting of mandates change your theatre going?

Jordan Catalano said: "Will they be dictating which type of mask must be worn? Because cloth masks don’t do anything anymore, the CDC says so if they’re allowing unvaxxed people in with masks that don’t stop the spread (and I find it hard to believe the unvaxxed will be coming with K95 or N95s) what exactly is the point to having ANY mandates."

I still feel fine with surgical masks, but I'd also be okay if I had to wear an N95 inside a theatre.

bwayplays said: "What I want to know is for those who are ONLY going to theatre with mandates in place (both vaccine and masks), what do you do once one or both are lifted. Vaccine checks are gone in May, but masks remain for now. And as always can continue wearing masks even after the mandate is lifted. But does the lifting of mandates change your theatre going?"

No, I look forward to seeing people's faces again. I'm healthy and triple vaxxed. This just makes me look forward to it more.

Jordan Catalano said: "Will they be dictating which type of mask must be worn? Because cloth masks don’t do anything anymore, the CDC says so if they’re allowing unvaxxed people in with masks that don’t stop the spread (and I find it hard to believe the unvaxxed will be coming with K95 or N95s) what exactly is the point to having ANY mandates."

Won’t happen. Like stated above, this is only going to make the lives of the covid safety and FOH staff more miserable.

They mind as well drop the mask requirement too, this makes zero sense. Not understanding the "science" they are following by dropping the vaccine mandate but keeping masks?

Yeah, this seems so backwards. Obviously the vaccine requirements haven’t kept people away from the theatres, whereas many people have expressed disinterest in being masked for 2+ hours. I feel bad for the staff who will have to keep telling people to keep their masks on and over their noses. I was at Chicago last night and so many people were being babies about it. I have usher friends and they all find it extremely frustrating. Plus the fact that they still sell drinks and allow you to lower your mask to enjoy them sends a confusing message. We’ll see if cases go up, I guess. Feels like a stupid and unnecessary gamble. They should at least require people to show a negative test in lieu of proof of vaccination.

Jordan Catalano said: "But not mask mandates. The exact OPPOSITE of what people wanted. "

Ugh, exactly. I’ll wear a mask in a theatre as long as I have to, but the second the mandate is dropped, it’s coming off for me. More than happy to prove vaccine status for ages to come though. I’ve seen multiple shows (Broadway and otherwise) since reopening and masked at every one, but I eagerly await the day that I can sit in a theatre and breathe completely normally.


If they are keeping the mask mandate, I am curious though as to why they aren’t keeping the vaccine one. At this point if people haven’t gotten vaccinated, they honestly probably won’t just to see a show. And there’s already exemptions for medical reasons. Getting vaccinated is a 1-2 time thing (3 or 4 maybe if you count boosters), so just showing a card at the door of the theatre shouldn’t be a hassle. Whereas I know there’s many people who have protested (or flat out refused) the mask mandates.


I have no plans to see anything on Broadway between now and the end of May, so just crossing my fingers the mask mandate can be lifted by when I hope to catch a show this summer.

bwayplays said: "What I want to know is for those who are ONLY going to theatre with mandates in place (both vaccine and masks), what do you do once one or both are lifted. Vaccine checks are gone in May, but masks remain for now. And as always can continue wearing masks even after the mandate is lifted. But does the lifting of mandates change your theatre going?"

Yes. Looks like I only have two weeks left to get some shows in.