As the novel coronavirus (“novel” here means no one has prior immunity) has incurred its way into DC, Maryland and Virginia, area producers of live theatre are taking measures to protect the safety, comfort and health of their patrons, performers and staff.
Theatres are following the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as local and state public health authorities.
No productions have been cancelled. Theatres responding to our quick query this weekend have instituted frequent sanitizing procedures in order to protect against the virus. Many are also offering ticket exchanges for patrons unable to attend due to illness.
Here’s what some area theatres are doing for your protection. DC Theatre Scene will continue to update the situation as companies adjust to the evolving health situation.
Adventure Theatre MTC will be disinfecting its classes and lobby and sanitize its theatre after every performance. They will provide hand sanitizers to patrons on request. The company has lifted its exchange fee, so that any patron who feels ill can exchange his or her ticket(s) for tickets to a future performance.
Arena Stage will maintain its current schedule, and has also increased its on-site cleaning protocol and implemented a flexible ticket exchange. If patrons would like to exchange their tickets for a future date, they can call the Sales Office at 202-488-3300. Leadership at Arena continues to keep a close eye on the situation and is following the recommendations of the District of Columbia Health Authority and the Center for Disease Control.
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company
CSC will be providing personal health supplies (as available) to patrons on request. Management says their “housekeeping staff are taking extra measures to clean and sanitize our public spaces multiple times a day” and that it has adopted a “flexible exchange policy” for ticket-buyers who feel ill on the day of the performance.
Creative Cauldron is dark until March 20, but management says that it will be increasing its cleaning schedule, perform disinfections after every performance and class, especially high-touch areas like doors, surfaces and arm rests.
Baltimore’s Hippodrome reports that “extensive cleaning and disinfecting protocols are in place” and that the facility will be following guidelines issued by the State and Federal government. The Hippodrome will also set up sanitation stations. Although the facility will remain open, in light of the CDC’s current opinion that the risk of infection is low, “we will remain vigilant and are prepared to make decisions based on current needs, as well as in response to changing conditions.”
Imagination Stage is sanitizing the theatres, classrooms, and all surface areas and materials daily, removing plush theatre blankets and activity space costume pieces and providing hand sanitizers throughout the building and classrooms.
Ticket holders for performances between now and April 12, 2020 who are unable to attend due to illness should call the box office to exchange your tickets at 301-280-1661. All exchange fees will be waived for this period.
Joe’s Movement Emporium and Creative Suitland Arts Center
Management wrote: “Our facilities in Mount Rainier and at the new Creative Suitland Arts Center will respond as needed to regional closures – following the Prince George’s County Schools or federal government schedules – or provide alternative programs. If you do visit us at Joe’s or Creative Suitland, we have disinfected and sanitized. Staff will maintain high standards to provide a safe environment.”
Mosaic is coordinating a response to COVID-19 with the other theatres who perform in the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Noting that Mosaic is dark this week, Mosaic management said that “we will be communicating with our patrons early next week before performances for Inherit the Windbag begin about the evolving adjustments and actions we are planning to implement in coordination with Atlas Performing Arts.”
Shakespeare Theatre Company: Sidney Harman Hall and Michael R. Klein Theatre
STC will also be sanitizing its theatres after every performance. In addition, staff members who have contact with the public will be wearing gloves. Patrons who feel too ill to attend a show may exchange their tickets for a future performance at no charge by calling 202.547.1122. “STC is closely monitoring the current health risk situation,” management said, “and will act in accordance with local policies which may affect the use of our theatres.”
Signature Theatre has increased their cleaning frequency. Hand sanitizers will be available throughout the building and cleaning wipes are available for chairs and handrails. “We are communicating with our audiences about our flexible exchange policies. We’ve always had them, but we are looking to be as accommodating as possible and are encouraging audience members to take advantage of this exchange policy and stay home if they are ill.We are also encouraging our employees (staff, actors, etc.) to stay home if they’re sick and giving them the tools to work remotely if necessary.”
In addition to regularly disinfecting each of its theatres, Studio will have Purell stations throughout the building and will make disinfectant wipes available at the box office. Studio Theatre is encouraging patrons who feel ill or are experiencing flu-like symptoms to stay home and are easing their ticket exchange policy.
Simple Steps to protect yourself and others
Virtually all of the theatres recommend that patrons follow the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including staying home if you feel ill, regular handwashing (20 seconds, the length of “Happy Birthday” sung (silently) twice, sneezing or coughing into a tissue or, if none is available, into your sleeve, frequent use of hand sanitizers, and, perhaps the most challenging, not touching your face.
Another way we can all protect ourselves and each other is by, after using the person’s room and washing up, retaining the paper towel to open the door and use it to push the elevator buttons.
Theatregoers are very social. So you may want to re-think the handshake: tapping elbows, fist bumps. The Washington Post reports that Australian leaders suggest patting each other on the back. A smile, or a nod might do. We like this one from Joe’s Movement Emporium: the Vulcan live long and prosper gesture.
Tony Roma wrote this on Datebook: “While cities and their arts organizations take precautions to contain the virus, let’s remember this is (hopefully) only a temporary measure. (It’s also worth noting that there are already people who have recovered from the virus.)
“In our most trying times, the arts almost always manage to continue in some form. This isn’t just because of their sense of carrying on an element of normalcy during abnormal times, but because we need the experience of viewing art as a form of psychological sustenance and escape.”
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