NPR: After 18 months, the first two musicals are returning to Broadway – Hadestown and Waitress – and over the course of the next several weeks, many more will reopen. The industry has been a leader in masking requirements and vaccine mandates, but what had been seen as a triumphant return to the stage has become something of an anxious moment.
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I appreciate that I am part of an industry that is taking Covid precautions so seriously. I know it is in part because our industry was economically hit so bad, which was extremely unfortunate for all of us. I also think that it is important with the live performance nature of our business to have precautions that make audiences feel comfortable to be in an environment that our industry creates. It is a lot of pressure to continue our work in the way that we do, even with all of the precautions, and get the same results that we have in the past in the world of theatre. This article is proof of that. Getting sick isn’t just being “sick” anymore. The toxic belief that “the show must go on” is being brought further to the light and because of this pandemic the theatre industry is changing, I believe for the better. It’s just going to be a long and hard process.
One of the great joys of being in theatre is that it is live and ever-changing because it cannot be preprocessed or packaged. Therefore, COVID has hit it harder than any other type of art, as without an audience there is no show. And while the liveness of theatre is so important, it is great to know that Broadway is making sure to put people’s health first. Not only does this apply to COVID, but the “show must go own mentality” as the article described it is so detrimental to the people who participate in theatre. COVID has really made people reassess the role of health in their lives and it's great that the article mentioned that it's time to change that mindset to make sure that everyone in the entire theatre is healthy and content before the show is able to be performed. At this point in the pandemic, we are constantly adjusting and creating a “new normal” and this hopefully will allow Broadway to continue but also reassess its previous toxicity surrounding putting work over the wellbeing of people.
Broadway theaters are going to set the example for how theaters everywhere are going to execute COVID protocol. It's incredible to hear how they're making sure it's not just like actors and backstage personnel, but ushers, concession workers, and theater facilities too. Another good point about how we're slowly eradicating the idea of "the show must go on." People weren't made to keep going at full throttle and compromise their health. It's not fair, it's never been fair and I look forward to when we can completely remove that mentality from this industry. At the end of the article where they talk about how most of the actors and stagehands no longer have social lives after the show sounded terrible at first, but I think I can get behind that, like they said, to keep the community safe. It sounds like we're moving in the right direction to keep putting on shows, but hopefully this vigilance can last so we don't go back out of work again.
I appreciate the emphasis on COVID safety, on and off stage, and in the audience, but I’m still frustrated on multiple fronts. Theatre is a very risky business to be in during a pandemic that primarily affects the respiratory system. The emphasis on “returning to live theatre” is dangerous because it pushes us to make risky decisions and put people in risky situations, regardless of the precautions taken. I wish there had been more of an emphasis on developing innovative forms of accessible theatre that put less people at risk. However, at the least, Broadway sets the minimum standard for everyone else. Even though I personally believe this is still risky and possibly irresponsible, the shift towards a healthier, more sustainable working mindset is necessary, especially in a taxing industry like theatre. Broadway’s return has a lot of possible consequences and outcomes, and hopefully, it has a net positive impact on the theatre industry as a whole.
I admire AEA’s (Actors Equity Association) dedication in upholding COVID-19 Safety Rules and Regulations. In fact, I am astonished by the means to which the entertainment industry (more specific theatre) has gone to protect everyone involved in productions– actors, crew, and even audience members. After all, requiring vaccination cards and negative COVID-19 tests 72 hours before rehearsal from everyone present is most definitely a safe strategy all regional theatres should attempt to mimic. Likewise, upholding the vaccination card requirement for audience members and performers themselves seems more than reasonable in times where the virus evolves and mutates into different strands. All being said, the fact that shocks me more is the idea that AEA (Actors Equity Association) has been contemplating the possibility of implementing a “COVID Safety Manager” position. And while I do not completely understand what the role would entail, I am certain it would involve protecting those in attendance.
It is very settling to know that an industry I will study for years is not afraid to set new standards. Now, this is not as simple as making sure everyone is fully vaccinated, at least not at this stage in the pandemic. Every single person involved in the return of these Broadway shows has had to make sacrifices to allow the public to view their art. I find this concept intriguing as these actors, producers, tech workers, and their families, are putting their health and well-being at risk at a whole new level to give the people what they want: Broadway. Not only are these artists sacrificing their health in a new dimension aside from the typical risk of injury from performing, but they are giving up outside human interactions that could possibly inhibit a performance if they are exposed. I am curious how this will influence the way performers prepare and wind down before or after a performance because as we all know, quarantining with the same people day in and day out can cause tension. The most interesting thing about all of this is the fact that this preparation is so strangers in masks can watch other strangers on stage make art.
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