EMACT Statement on the COVID-19 Pandemic

To Our Valued Theater Group Community:

You’ve no doubt been inundated with notices about COVID-19. We recognize that the decisions you may have to make about auditions, rehearsals, and productions have profound impacts to you, and EMACT would like to help you navigate this uncharted territory.

We have collected material from a number of organizations’ guiding messages about this pandemic. What you read below is an aggregation of considerations and best practices.

Should we proceed with our production as scheduled?

While EMACT can’t recommend a “one-size-fits-all” way to address how community theater organizations should respond to this pandemic, the following advice has been provided by the Governor via mass.gov:

• Avoid large gatherings if you are at higher risk;
• Postpone or cancel non-essential large events and gatherings;
• For any gathering that occurs, encourage sick people not to attend (or participate).

What should we do if we choose to proceed?

• Develop flexible refund policies for people who are unable to attend due to illness or concern about exposure;
• Observe strong and comprehensive prevention measures (find some here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-prevention-and-treatment);
• Message assertively about COVID-19 and what you’ve done to mitigate the risk of contagion;
• Provide a printable fact sheet that is available to people (find one here: Stop the Spread of Germs: Respiratory Diseases like Flu and COVID-19).

 
What about the implications of cancelling our production?

Cancelling a production is an incredibly difficult decision to which to come. Many organizations have felt compelled to do it. It is not, however, without impact. Considerations include the impact to revenue and cash flow, disappointing a hard-working cast and crew, and turning away faithful patrons.  

This is an opportunity to ask your patrons to renew their support in the face of a challenging situation for any non-profit organization. Know that some of your audience will be willing to show their support during this challenging time by turning their ticket purchase price into a donation. Don’t be afraid to mitigate the impact to your organization by making that plea.

Organizations across the Commonwealth are planning-on between two-week and 30-day breaks. Those plans are being adopted across the state because they make sense based on today’s status. However, conventional wisdom about how to navigate these uncharted waters has changed daily and EMACT will continue to gather information to support you as you the situation evolves.

Do you have questions or feedback?
Please feel free to reach out to President@EMACT.org

Sincerely,
EMACT Board of Directors