Actor Safety Guidelines

The following guidelines outline healthy and safety protocols for Orlando Shakes’ upcoming productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Little Shop of Horrors. The full safety guidelines are available upon request and will be presented to company members prior to the start of work.

General Guidelines for Employees and Visitors:

• Masks: Face masks are to be worn at all times, properly covering your nose and mouth. Masks may only be taken off when a guest is seated, socially distant, AND actively eating or drinking.
  • • At this time, based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing valves, mesh material, or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings.
• Physical Distancing: Please maintain six feet of distance between you and another person outside of your pod/family. We will maintain physical distancing in our audience seating; guests are asked to follow the signage and ground markers when onsite.
• Temperature taking and health screening: All employees and visitors will have their temperatures taken and complete a health survey form upon their arrival to the theater. The health survey reviews symptoms and potential contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19. If you are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, have a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees, or are observing a quarantine due to COVID-19 illness or potential exposure, please stay home.
• Hand washing and sanitizing: Employees and guests are encouraged to wash/sanitize their hands when they arrive at our facilities. Hand sanitizer is available in various locations throughout the facility and frequent use is encouraged.
• Enhanced Cleaning: Orlando Shakes has increased cleaning protocols of all high-touch and high-traffic areas. Those responsible for performing cleaning will adhere to guidance issued by public health authorities with respect to best cleaning practices. Operations and Safety Manager will supervise all cleaning operations.
  • • • We will be fully disinfecting and cleaning all occupied spaces after each use. Our cleaning protocols include use of a commercial-grade botanical disinfectant and fogging machines that will keep our theater thoroughly clean for patrons, actors, and staff.
      • Our HVAC system is set to provide fresh air throughout the building. Air changes are different for varying systems in the building. For example, the Margeson theater is set at 16 changes per hour and the Goldman theatre is 10 times per hour.
      • During times of increased attendance, touch points, such as door handles, push plates, railings, and countertops, will be frequently wiped down with disinfectant.
• Actor/Audience Distance: Performers will not get within 6 feet of audience members. We will reduce or eliminate actor/crew entrances from audience entrances when possible. Audience seating maps will also be socially distant.

Additional Precautions for Theatrical Workers:

• COVID-19 Testing will be required for all cast and crew members. Multiple tests will be taken in the 7-9 day period prior to the first day of rehearsals and once weekly during rehearsals.
• All rehearsals and performances will be conducted outdoors. Rehearsals at Orlando Shakes will take place in the courtyard space with newly added platforming and tent spaces.
• All non-acting staff shall wear face masks or face shields at all times in the building.
• Actors will be required to wear masks when entering and traversing the building.
• Orlando Shakes will follow any guidelines provided by AEA as to when or if cast members may work without masks. The following are our current recommended protocols:
  • • Masks:
      • • Masks will be worn by all cast and crew at all times in rehearsals.
        • In performance, actors will wear masks that are designed appropriately for the show.
        • When speaking onstage in performance and dress rehearsals, it may be possible for actors to lower their masks at times, if they are socially distant from fellow cast members. This decision may change due to CDC or AEA recommendations and masks may be required at all times.
        • No actor will be required or instructed to unmask if they are not comfortable with that decision.
    • Social distancing:
      • • Blocking in plays will be designed for social distancing.
        • With regular testing and all other precautions taken, actors may be able to be closer than social distance for certain moments, if wearing a mask. This decision may change due to CDC or AEA recommendations and social distance may become required at all times.
        • No actor will be required or instructed to break social distance if they are not comfortable with that decision.
• All cast, crew, and artistic staff will have their temperatures checked and will fill out our contact tracing/symptom check forms on a daily basis.
  • • Staff should enter the lower lobby (concessions) door. Upon entering, there is a touchless temperature taker to the left of the entrance, right next to the concessions counter. Staff are required to take their temperature and complete the Google Form contact tracing/symptom check (accessible via the scannable QR code next to the thermometer).
• Props will be regularly washed/sanitized.
• Costumes will not be shared and will be regularly washed/sanitized.