Actors’ Equity Association, the national union representing more than 51,000 professional stage managers and actors in live theatre, has updated its safety protocols for theatres across the country with fully vaccinated companies, including the lifting of masking and testing mandates. These new guidelines have been significantly streamlined compared to previous versions.
“The health and safety of our members comes first,” said Kate Shindle, president of Actors’ Equity Association. “We are heartened by the declining infection rates nationwide, because so many people have done their part and gotten vaccinated. As such, it will now be a smoother and less expensive process for employers to recall our members to work. We still need to be diligent about the virus, but we are very hopeful for the months ahead.”
The updated protocols are valid through the end of September and are available on Equity’s website, along with an updated intake form for theatre with mixed-vaccination status companies. Equity has separate protocols it has negotiated with the Broadway League for national tours and talks for Broadway’s safety protocols are ongoing.
You can get these updated safety protocols, and others on its open to the public ‘Resources for Producers’ page.
Equity and LORT Agreement on Safety Protocols
Also, Equity and LORT have reached an agreement on safety protocols for the coming year. All LORT theatres have agreed to this standard set of safety practices from July 1, 2021, to July 2, 2022. You can find the Memorandum of Understanding in full on the member portal, with distinct guidelines for fully vaccinated companies and unvaccinated companies.
As LORT theatres reopen, Equity members working in these theatres should expect to see a COVID Safety Manager who is not a member of the company. There are clear guidelines on testing and masking for unvaccinated employees and limitations on actors and stage managers interacting with the audience. LORT theatres have also committed to ventilation inspections and maintenance.
This is the third set of safety protocols that Equity has announced in recent weeks, following touring provisions, and a broad set of protocols for single venue, fully vaccinated companies. Each of these protocols gets everyone closer to the full reopening of theater.
Equity members working in LORT theatres should receive a copy of these protocols with their contracts; if you don’t, please contact your business representative.
Further information from Actors’ Equity Association: www.actorsequity.org
