Health and Safety Procedures

Download: Health and Safety Procedures

With our community engaging in live performances, we all must do our part to help reduce the spread of pathogens. Recognizing that singing, dancing, and stage speech generate aerosol particles and contacts close contact with others that may spread pathogens, the School of Theatre and Dance will implement the following processes to minimize risk to students, faculty, and staff, while supporting our community's desire for the benefits of connection, enrichment, and skills development of face-to-face interactions. If a pathogen is or is expected to be present: 

• Hand sanitizer and/or disinfecting materials will be made available. 
• If possible, air purification and periodic space sanitation will be utilized. 
• It will be recommended that masks be worn during the rehearsal process and may be considered incorporated into the production's aesthetics. 
• Directors and choreographers will be asked to plan staging and choreography that considers social distancing and check in with actors and dancers at each rehearsal to assess current comfort levels with rehearsing staging or choreography closer than 3 feet. Open communication is important, so the ensemble is encouraged to share their concerns and ideas. 
• Stage managers will regularly remind the company to self-assess for risks of exposure to pathogens. 
• Stage managers will call a break of 10 minutes for every 50 minutes of rehearsal to allow the production team regular opportunities to wash hands and seek fresh air. 
• Actors and dancers will be encouraged to clean surfaces and props before and after use. 
• Rehearsals will dedicate 10 minutes before the end of the call to provide time for all team members to present to clean surfaces before the end of rehearsal. 
• If any production member exhibits symptoms of a serious illness, especially a contagious pathogen, they are asked to notify the stage manager immediately and not attend the inperson rehearsal if called. 
• If a remote rehearsal is an option, the stage manager will inform everyone that the rehearsal will be moved to that format. 
• If not, other options may include bringing in understudies or swings to cover the track temporarily or canceling or rescheduling the rehearsal altogether. 
• Outside of rehearsals, those interacting with those in rehearsals will be asked to wear masks, observe social distancing as much as possible, and continue good hygiene practices.