ASC SafeStart Visitor’s Guide

ASC SAFESTART

ASC’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR A SAFE RE-OPENING FOR OUR ACTORS, AUDIENCES, AND STAFF.

The following page outlines some of the mitigation steps American Shakespeare Center is taking to keep all of us safe for your next visit to a live performance. 

WHAT YOU NEED WHEN ATTENDING THE ASC

PROOF OF VACCINATION AND YOUR PHOTO ID

• Under the guidance of our medical partners, and in order to provide the safest experience possible for patrons and staff— starting September 16, 2021, the American Shakespeare Center will be requiring audiences to provide proof of full vaccination, paired with a valid photo ID, to attend shows at ASC.
• If you are unable to be vaccinated due to a sincerely held religious belief, a medical condition, or because you are under age 12—ASC will accept proof of a negative NAAT or PCR COVID test (taken no more than 72 hours prior to your visit to the Playhouse), paired with valid photo ID. 
• You can read a detailed description and FAQ regarding our Vaccination Policy here.
• Find a Virginia vaccination site or Virginia testing site

YOUR FAVORITE MASK

The ASC is practicing universal masking for all patrons, staff, and volunteers—regardless of vaccination status. These steps, recommended by our medical advisors, provide the best layers of protection.

A SELF SYMPTOM CHECK

We ask that patrons do a symptom check based on the graphic below. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please do not attend a performance. If you cannot attend a performance due to illness, we are offering a flexible rescheduling and refund policy. Please get in touch with our Box Office! (E-mail, or call1.877.MUCH.ADO)

WHAT WE’RE DOING TO PREPARE THE BLACKFRIARS FOR YOU

Your experience at the Blackfriars Playhouse will look different than it has in the past. In particular:

• ASC staff and employees are fully vaccinated.
• We are reducing seating capacity by over 50% and overall building capacity by 70%. This season there will be no Gallant Stools, no one seated in the front row, and seats will be spaced apart.
• We will be using ticket scanners and digital tickets to avoid passing paper tickets back and forth. Ticket scanning and vaccination checks will be outside.
• There will be digital programs in place of paper programs.
• We will not accept cash transactions for Gift Shop or ticket sales.
• There will be no concessions for sale this season.
• You’ll see free-standing hand sanitizer stations throughout the Playhouse.
• All areas in the Blackfriars Playhouse will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. High touch areas will be cleaned more frequently, in line with CDC, VDH, and Commonwealth of VA guidelines.

All activity will move forward in accordance with regulations from the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Department of Health, and the CDC. A team of SafeStart Advisors including medical experts from Augusta Health, Staunton City officials, and community leaders have reviewed and approved this plan.

The success of these protocols DEPENDS on each of us deciding to value the health and safety of the person next to us. This plan was written with faith in THE strength OF OUR ASC community as an underlying condition.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: THE BLACKFRIARS PLAYHOUSE

**Note: This video was made before ASC’s vaccination requirement. 

WHAT HASN’T CHANGED?

The Blackfriars Playhouse will remain a home for world-class Shakespeare performed in repertory by a single company of actors. Our dedication to Shakespeare’s performance conditions has not changed.

Our embrace of early-modern theatre approaches like repertory casting, performing without elaborate scenery in shared light, and our emphasis on the power of the actor, the word, the hand-made, and the acoustic all contribute to ASC being uniquely suited to safely adapt to the variety of conditions presented by this challenging new era.

What safety measures are taken for the actors?

We invite you to take a look at our entire Safestart Plan. Which outlines all the steps we are taking as an entire company.