News: Area Theatres to Require Proof of Vaccination and Masks for Patrons

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Theatres across the greater Washington, D.C. area have united to provide the highest level of public safety for their audiences, artists, staff and volunteers, by requiring that their audiences provide proof of vaccination to attend all live public performances at their indoor venues.

The organizations joining in this unprecedented effort include Arena Stage, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Constellation Theatre Company, GALA Hispanic Theatre, Keegan Theatre, Mosaic Theatre, Round House Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Signature Theatre, Studio Theatre, Theater J, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. More theatres are expected to join this group in the coming weeks. Organizations will update their own websites as appropriate and all participants will be listed at TheatreWashington.org.

These theatres are committed to the safety of all who work, perform, and visit their venues, and invite audiences to join in the effort to slow the spread of COVID 19. In addition to audiences, these theatres have mandated COVID vaccinations for performers and theatre staff.

ATTENDING A SHOW: Patrons must be able to show proof that they are fully vaccinated at the time of their entry into the theatres through December 2021. This end date is subject to change and will be re-reviewed by aligned venues in October. Masks will also be required for audiences inside the theatre, except while eating or drinking in designated locations.

“Fully vaccinated” means that either 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose of FDA or WHO authorized double-dose vaccines or that 14 days have passed since receiving the sole dose of FDA or WHO authorized single-dose vaccines.

Patrons may display proof of vaccination with a physical copy of their vaccination card, and theatres may extend other options to provide proof of vaccination as detailed on their websites.

EXEMPTIONS: Theatres will offer exemptions for those unable to be vaccinated, such as children under 12, people with certain medical conditions preventing vaccination, or those with closely held religious beliefs that prevent vaccination. These patrons must provide proof of a timely negative COVID-19 test—as defined by each venue—before performance start time.

To learn more about additional policies and procedures designed to protect the health and safety of everyone, patrons are encouraged to learn more at individual theatre’s websites or at TheatreWashington.org. Theatre Washington, the area’s alliance of theatre organizations, theatre-makers, and theatre supporters, will serve as a hub of information for participating venues and their vaccination requirement policies.