When we start looking at “re-opening” our economy, there is a lot to unpack and figure out. When you look specifically at show business, it gets even more complicated. We work in an environment that requires close contact, touching, even kissing. We share tight quarters, eat, drink, and sometimes live together (anyone ever do a bus and truck tour?).
There are many front of house issues that need to be addressed, but as a stage manager, I’ve been ruminating on what adjustments we may need to make behind the curtain in order to re-open in a responsible and functional way which is no easy task!
The ten items below are food for thought. It's not a top ten list, but rather, ten ideas for how we can return to work in the theatre in the COVID era. I’m not a healthcare professional, but as a stage manager, these ten ideas are top of mind to care for our company and get the best show possible onstage every night.
Let’s dive in and see what COVID life backstage could look like:
1. A new member of the management team will need to be created to manage company health issues & concerns. They could function like a cross between the child wranglers & physiotherapists we already use, but with the proper medical training. They would be part of the management team and have their own duties as Healthcare Manager. These would include temperature checks, testing, maintaining medical records, insure PPE was stocked, manage cleaning/disinfectant regimes, etc… as these duties CANNOT be the responsibility of stage management.
3. We need much more understudy and swing coverage. Both will have to increase significantly to insure the show is covered properly. Every show will be slightly different, but we cannot leave stage management and dance captains to consistently put a show into crazy combos. Strict minimum coverages must be enforced and stage management must be consulted to determine these numbers. This decision can't be left to creative team and producers alone.
5. No more full company meet and greets. It’s just not a good idea. Although a lovely formality, it’s not necessary to bring all those people in to a rehearsal studio. The rehearsal space will be a place for essential workers only. Even my production props person shouldn’t enter. Just drop off the new rehearsal props, the health manager can disinfect them and then the props can be brought in to the rehearsal hall. The Opening Night Party may also be a thing of the past, “happy opening, here’s a gift bag and flowers, go home and sign in to the virtual party at this link….”
7. Auditions?!?! As a stage manager working mostly on Broadway, I’ve rarely been needed at auditions; however, I know that isn't always the case. I can’t imagine seeing a scene like the opening of All That Jazz or A Chorus Line happening until COVID is history, so it’s video submissions for auditions. I’ll leave the details on how this all happens to the casting directors, but that is going to be a whole new world too.
9. We’ll need a new section on our rehearsal & performance reports to input temperature checks and testing results and/or the health manager will have to submit daily reports with this information. This information should not go to a huge distribution list. Every investor and intern doesn’t need company health information. Privacy issues will need to be addressed.
I'll add one additional thought to the mix... Imagine a world where the whole company of a show goes into quarantine two weeks prior to starting and they stay isolated from the outside world all during rehearsals and through opening night. Imagine your entire company at the Edison Hotel and they only travel to/from the rehearsal hall & theatre. Even fittings are done in the studio. Meals, laundry, everything is provided so no outside germs can get in, thereby isolating the entire company during the crucial creative time building the show. Every show will feel like a tour that doesn't go anywhere, or an out of town tryout, or like going on location to shoot a movie! Say goodbye to your friends, you're off to do a show!
There are no small amounts of possible scenarios and what-ifs. These are very important issues to address, but not the only ones, and we will need the help of scientists and medical professionals to do so. “The Show Must Go On,” is a popular refrain, but if we are ever going to get our shows back up, we need to consider all of the above and more. Can/should shows be restaged with social distance guidelines? Can we add gloves to period costumes? There are more questions than answers right now, but this is the time our industry needs to be asking them and working together to solve.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.
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