RISK MITIGATION AND CODE OF CONDUCT FOR
ARTISTS, INSTRUMENTALISTS, PRODUCTION TEAMS, BACK OF HOUSE STAFF
The Firehouse Theatre’s goal is to respect everyone where they are at this very moment, and provide a safe and welcoming experience. For those who desire and are able to participate in person, this RISK MITIGATION AND CODE OF CONDUCT has been developed based on guidance from the Governor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and City and County health and public safety authorities. For anyone not ready or unable to re-engage live performances, we will do our best to provide digital programming options through our website, www.thefirehousetheatre.com.
Auditions
• For in-person auditions, a location adhering to physical distancing guidelines will be utilized.
• Only essential individuals will be present at in-person auditions.
• If it is not feasible for a performer to wear face coverings, individuals in close proximity to performers without face masks shall wear properly fitted face coverings at all times.
Rehearsals and Performances
• For in-person rehearsals, a location adhering to physical distancing guidelines will be utilized.
• Only essential individuals will be present at in-person rehearsals.
• Performances will be blocked with physical distancing guidelines in mind.
• Individuals in close proximity to performers without face masks shall wear properly fitted face coverings at all times.
Costume Fittings
• Only essential personnel should be in the fitting room/area.
• Performers may not be able to wear face masks during a fitting. Individuals in close proximity to actors without face masks shall wear properly fitted face coverings at all times and perform hand hygiene before and after the encounter.
• Efforts should be made to limit the number of simultaneous fittings. When not possible, physical distancing should be observed.
Dressing Rooms
• Dressing stations should be spaced 3 feet apart to comply with physical distancing guidelines.
• Occupancy of each room will be based on physical distancing guidelines.
• Disinfection and cleaning of personal tools, equipment, and garments should be done by the performers before and after use.
• Anyone in close proximity to actors without face masks shall wear a properly fitted face covering.
• No one shall enter a workspace while Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists are working with an Actor.
• Physical distancing must be maintained during mealtimes. As face coverings cannot be worn during eating, adequate eating space shall be provided to ensure physical distancing can be maintained.
Facilities
• The City of Farmers Branch has replaced the pre-COVID-19 MERV10 air filters in all City-owned facilities HVAC systems with MERV13 air filters designed to prevent the circulation of COVID19.
• The City has determined current outside air-flow standards adequately maximize air circulation in all City-owned facilities.
General Safety Protocol for Artists, Instrumentalists, Production Team, and Back of House Staff
• All cast and crew should be asked to self-certify that they have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, do not have any of COVID-19 symptoms, and have not been in close contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Each cast and crew member shall have temperature screened daily, upon entrance to the facility to reduce the chance that those who are sick, or possibly sick, do not enter the venue. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 will not be allowed to enter the facility or participate in the production.
• Weekly testing (one per week) will be made available for anyone who believes they have symptoms of COVID-19. Signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19 include: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, feeling feverish of a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19. Anyone with a positive test result will not be allowed to enter the facility or participate in the production.
• All cast and crew should wear face coverings at all times, except when not feasible.
• Personal face coverings should not be shared with others.
• Adequate and easily accessible toilets and associated hand hygiene sinks are available. There are appropriate barriers between toilets and urinals as well as distancing consistent with distancing protocols. Adequate ventilation of restrooms and air filtration are part of the overall ventilation plan. Limits are placed on the number of persons using a bathroom at any one time that are consistent with physical distancing requirements and the ventilation system in place.
• Hand hygiene is a key element of infection prevention and will need to be practiced widely in entertainment industry work environments. Given the concern that transmission of COVID-19 occurs both by air and by via contact, enhanced hand hygiene measures are critical. Hand washing with soap and water is considered more effective than use of hand sanitizer in preventing the spread of COVID-19. When work is taking place where handwashing facilities are not readily available, hand sanitizer must be provided. Cast and crew shall be provided with pocket-sized hand sanitizer that can be used if hand washing or sanitizing stations are not available.
• Handshaking, hugging, and other physical contact with people who are not immediate family should be avoided.
• Shared workspaces should be cleaned daily and between shifts, with an emphasis on high touch surfaces, including but not limited to production stage and wings, rehearsal studios, lighting, sound, and spotlight booths, dressing rooms, hair and make-up stations, break areas, and eating/meal areas.
Equipment
• Personal equipment (such as tools, headsets, microphones, and radios) shall be cleaned before being issued and then additionally at least once per day.
• Equipment such as radios, walkie-talkies, headsets, etc. shall be issued to a single individual and used exclusively by that individual for the duration of production.
General Safety Protocol for Patrons, Staff, and Volunteers
• There will be 6 feet between the audience and performing actors.
• All patrons, staff and volunteers are required to wear masks. Masks must remain on at all times unless eating or drinking.
• All patrons, staff, and volunteers are required to have their temperature checked before entering the theatre with a no-touch thermometer. If the temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, they will be asked to return home.
• Each patron group will be seated in a designated seating area with physical distancing between groups.
• All patrons, staff, and volunteers shall observe physical distancing markers while standing in lines.
• Only staff and designated volunteers are allowed entry to Lobby waiting room, Box Office, Staff Office, Kitchen, Technical Office, and Workshop.
• In inside venues, no standing in groups is allowed unless physical distancing can be maintained.
• In inside venues, all seats and surfaces will be disinfected after each performance.
• Show programs will be available digitally and printed.
• There will be ample hand sanitizer available at strategic places in and around the venue.
• There will be no open-sell concessions or gift shop present.
