COVID Safe Performances

guidlines and protocols

We will be following the “Guidelines for COVID Safe Auditions, Rehearsals and Performances” by Live Performance Australia dated August 2020. This document can be found here.

GENERAL

Physical distancing

  • As far as reasonable practicable, our workers will maintain physical distancing within the theatre

  • Where physical distancing cannot be maintained, we will implement appropriate control measures including, but not limited to, PPE

  • We will limit the number of workers in indoor spaces according to applicable density rules: the Pop Up Stairs Theatre is 220m2 which means with 4m2 per person we can safely contain 55 people in the theatre maximum

Hygiene

  • All workers are encouraged to practise good hygiene including cough and sneeze etiquette——i.e. regular handwashing; cough or sneeze into a tissue and then dispose of tissue safely; cough or sneeze into the inside of the elbow; wash hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing nose

  • There are three hygiene stations: one in each bathroom which is equipped with hand soap and water and one at front of house with sanitiser

Health monitoring

  • Workers have been advised not to attend work if they are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms

  • Workers are encouraged to complete a self-assesssment questionnaire (such as this one) prior to coming to work

  • Workers are advised to get tested if they develop any COVID-19 symptoms

Cleaning

  • We have a cleaning schedule of frequently used areas and high touch surfaces

  • We have a cleaning schedule to sanitise eqiupment, props, sets, and costumes

Training

  • All workers upom commencement of work will receive a briefing in COVID safe practices and policies

Compliance

  • We will regularly consult, revise, and update COVID safe practices and policies as required in response to changes in government regulatory frameworks governing the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic for as long as they remain in force

RehearsalS

General

  • We will develop a schedule to clean and disinfect the rehearsal room and communal areas, particularly frequently touched surfaces

  • Where reasonably practicable, we will schedule rehearsals to minimise the number of participants and to allow for cleaning between rehearsal calls

  • Where reasonably practicable, we will undertake rehearsals in large, well-ventilated areas

  • We will maintain records of workers’ attendance at rehearsals

  • Where it is not reasonably practicable to maintain physical distancing between workers, we will implement appropriate control measures such as use of PPE

  • Where performers are required to participate in intimate scenes or be in close contact with other workers, this will be articulated in writing. Performers are required to provide written consent. Performers may also be asked to limit interactions with people outside of the production to reduce risks to the broader community

Pre-rehearsal

  • We will provide the company’s COVID Safe policy/plan to cast and crew

  • Cast and crew may be asked to:

    • complete a self-assessment tool for COVID-19

    • get tested for COVID-19 prior to commencing and throughout rehearsals

    • bring items (such as pen, notebook, water bottle, mug, towel) for personal use during rehearsals

  • Map out scenes involving close contact or intimacy including the control measures that may be implemented

During rehearsals

  • The permitted number of people in the rehearsal room will comply with the applicable density rules (the Pop Up Stairs Theatre is 220m2 therefore with 4m2 per person, 55 people maximum are permitted simultaneously

  • Where reasonably practicable we will limit the number of people in the rehearsal room to essential personnel only. Cast and crew who are not required in the rehearsal room or whose rehearsals have finished for the day shall be released and asked to leave

  • Workers will be asked to wash/sanitise hands upone entering rehearsal space

  • On the first day of rehearsal, COVID protocols will be discussed with cast and crew

Blocking

  • Where reasonably practicable, blocking will be conducted, to the extent possible, while maintaining physical distancing

  • Where physical distancing is not possible:

    • we will implement appropriate control measures such as use of PPE

    • workers may be asked to limit interactions with people outside of the production to reduce risks to the broader community

    • upon commencement it will be discussed and agreed with all parties

  • As far as practicable, we will minimise time spent in close proximity to other performers

Outside the rehearsal room

  • We will maintain physical distancing in all other areas of the theatre

pre-production and performances

General

  • We will provide induction/briefing about the venue’s COVID health and safety policies to cast and crew

Back of house

  • We will maintain physical distancing while backstage

Sound and technical equipment

  • Where reasonably practicable we will allocate technical equipment to individuals to minimise sharing

  • We will clean and sanitise equipment after use

  • We will allocate additional time at the end of the day for cleaning and sanitisation of equipment used

Props

  • Where reasonably practicable, we will allocate props to individuals to minimise sharing

  • For high touch props, we will clean and sanitise after each performance, where reasonably practicable.

  • We will regularly clean other props weekly

Sets

  • We will regularly clean high touch surfaces

Hair and makeup

  • Where reasonably practicable, cast will do their own hair and makeup

  • Cast are encouraged to sanitise hair and makeup kits regularly

  • Hair and makeup supplies should only be handled by the individual performer

Wardrobe and Costume

  • Where reasonably practicable, we will prevent the sharing of costume pieces

  • Each dressing room will be equipped with hand sanitiser

Cast

  • Performers will be encouraged to perform own prop checks, where possible

  • Performers will be encouraged to dress themselves, where possible

  • Anyone interacting with performers at close range will wear appropriate PPE

  • Dressing rooms and green rooms will be set up to facilitate physical distancing

  • We will prohibit sharing of comfort items such as hot water bottles, jackets, and slippers

audience

Pre-show

  • We will ask each audience member to sign in, which will include listing their number and confirming that they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms

  • Our front of house will have PPE and will have hand sanitiser available

  • We will not be issuing programmes or flyers for future shows but instead will provide QR codes for people to access them

  • All seats and high touch points will be sanitised before the show

  • The maximum number of people inside the theatre will not exceed 55 people including cast and crew (the theatre is 220m2 which gives 4m2 per person for 55 people). We will cap audience members at 40 seats

  • All seats will be placed physically distant from each other unless audience members are from the same household

Post show

  • Audience will be encouraged to vacate the theatre immediately after the conclusion of the show

  • All seats and high touch points will be sanitised after the show