Monstersongs

Blue Springs City Theater takes seriously the impact of COVID-19 and is committed to the safety and preparedness of our staff, actors, crew and patrons as they participate in and attend our productions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to safely provide theater productions, we intend to follow the guidelines and plan listed below, including any orders from the Jackson County, Missouri Health Department. These guidelines and recommendations may change as conditions warrant.

I. Enhanced Sanitation and Hygiene

a. Universal measures

a. Enhanced daily cleaning of spaces utilized by actors, crew, staff and audience during rehearsals or performances (i.e., the Live! Auditorium, and green room space).  

i. Increased cleaning attention to high touch surfaces in public areas (i.e. theater seats, door handles, light switches, etc.). 

ii. Increased cleaning attention to high touch surfaces used by cast and crew (i.e. light and sound boards, props, set pieces, etc.). 

b. Disposable gloves provided for cast and crew required to handle difficult to clean surfaces (i.e. curtains and curtain pulls, etc.).

c. Hand sanitizer at points of entry into the theater.

d. Hand sanitizer provided for use by staff interacting with public: concessions, ticket sales, ushers, door staff, etc.

II. COVID-19 Dress Code Policies

a. All staff, actors, crew and patrons are to have masks on when inside the venue or associated spaces, in accordance with current Jackson County Health Department Guidelines.

b. BSCT will make available disposable face masks to actors, crew, staff and patrons if individuals do not have their own.

III. Vaccination Status

a. All actors, crew and volunteers cast or working a usual production are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination status, or weekly negative COVID test performed by a 3rd party tester (i.e., Walgreens, CVS, Hy-Vee, physician’s offices, etc.). Home COVID tests are not acceptable at this time. Usual productions constitute any production requiring an extended period of rehearsals (usually 6-8 weeks), followed by multiple performances.  

  b. All actors, crew and volunteers participating in a single day event (i.e., Fall Fun Fest, workdays, single day productions not requiring an extended rehearsal schedule, etc.), will be required to wear a mask for all indoor activities, and any outdoor activities where staff and volunteers are situated in a space where social distancing is not feasible (e.g., tent covered booth area). 

IV. Health Screenings

a. Anyone with signs of illness may be denied entry. This pertains to all staff, actors, crew and patrons.

V. Communication

a. In the event of a report of positive COVID-19 infection, all persons present will be notified of possible exposure, and advised to contact their physician for further guidance.

b. If exposure has occurred during a public performance, patrons will be notified via the email address provided at the time of ticket purchase.

c. BSCT will notify the Jackson County Health Department of known exposure and provide contact lists as requested.

VI. Contactless public experience

a. Online ticketing will be provided and encouraged. 

b. Interior lobby doors will remain open from the time the box office opens until the schedule production start time. 

c. Show programs will be provided digitally when possible. If paper programs are provided, patrons will be asked to keep or dispose of their program when finished. No programs will be reused. 

d. The use of physical paperwork should be avoided as much as possible. All forms are to be made available digitally to the extent possible. 

VII. Social distancing

a. Social distancing is encouraged, and will be provided as possible. 

b. Increase intermission time from 15-20 minutes (or longer if needed) to allow all patrons opportunity to access bathrooms and concessions.

c. Encourage patrons to maintain social distancing, and to limit time in common areas.

d. Box office staff monitor total event capacity.

e. All rehearsals will be limited to staff, volunteers and participants. No outside guests will be allowed. Parents of children under the age of 18 who wish to be present for onsite rehearsals must comply with all of the above safety measures, including vaccination status for cast, crew and volunteers. Only one parent per child may be in the theater during rehearsals.

VIII. Communication strategies

a. The Board of Directors will communicate in person and in writing, a set of expectations to follow all of the guidelines above to all production staff, actors, crew, and volunteers. 

b. Instructions and expectations will be visible for staff and visitors on-site, and provided in writing on the BSCT website and any relevant written communication.

c. All staff, cast, crew and volunteers will be trained and provided with scripted examples to use for communicating respectfully and professionally to any guest or other visitor who is not in compliance with the guidelines above.