BACKSTAGE: NEW YORK CAN REOPEN THEATERS IN APRIL, BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ACTORS?

Theater is coming back! Sort of. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that beginning April 2, live performance venues can reopen at 33% capacity, with a maximum of 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors (excluding performers and crew members). And if all attendees present proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry, that capacity can increase up to 150 people indoors and up to 500 people outdoors.

“Social distancing and face covering will be required by all the attendees,” said Cuomo during his press briefing on March 3.

Unfortunately that does not mean Broadway shows are coming back, at least not any time soon. And what it means for performers (do they have to be masked?) is even more up in the air, because many producers are still figuring out safety protocols for actors and everyone else who works on a production.

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