Over 70 More Venues Require COVID-19 Vaccine Or Negative Test

Evanston IL

27 August, 2021

3:15 PM

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CHICAGO — Audience members at dozens of Chicagoland theaters will have to begin showing proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative coronavirus test results starting next week. A coalition of more than 70 performing arts venues in Chicago and the suburban area announced it had adopted unified COVID-19 policies that will also apply to crew, staff and performers. Deb Clapp, executive director of the League of Chicago Theaters, said that not all the organization's more than 200 member theaters will be able to open in the fall. "We are pleased that many members of our vibrant performing arts community that will be opening have come together to craft a unified response to this crisis so that audiences can once again experience the joy of live performance without future disruption," Clapp said in a statement. Specific safety protocols may differ from venue to venue, according to the League. Among those that allow negative tests in lieu of proof of full vaccination, PCR tests taken within 72 hours of the performance's start time or antigen rapid tests taken within six hours of the start time will be accepted. "We are immensely grateful to our audiences to have been with us every step of the way during the last year. Now, as we prepare to welcome our community back, we must do so thoughtfully and responsibly, with measures in place that take into account the health, comfort and safety of everyone," said Kate Lipuma, executive director of Writers Theatre in Glencoe, one of the coalition partners. "We want to reopen, but as an industry that was hit so hard by this pandemic, our futures will be determined by our ability to stay open," she added. "And this is just the right thing to do — for our staffs, artists and of course, our patrons." Related: These Chicago Area Venues Now Require Proof Of Vaccination Creative industries in Chicago supported more than 81,000 jobs and delivered $336.5 million in state and local government revenue before the pandemic, according to Lou Raizin, president of Broadway in Chicago. "The theatre community was the first to close and the last to reopen and this has been a tremendous loss for the City of Chicago and the economic generator that the arts provide," Raizin said. "Given the necessity for theatres to open with 100% capacity our working together with fellow Chicago arts organizations has given us the opportunity to chart our way back to opening our doors and bringing our stages alive again safely." Timothy Evans, executive director of Northlight Theatre, said his theater was committed to making every effort possible to ensure the safety of those involved in its performances. "We are proud to work collectively with our Chicago theatre colleagues so that our industry and our audiences can safely return to share in the communal experience that is unique to live theater," Evans said. The policies will be in place for all shows scheduled through December, according to the League, which encouraged patrons to check with individual venues to confirm the details of their policies. These venues are members of the coalition that will require audiences, performers and staff to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a test showing they are not infected with the virus to attend or take part in indoor live performances: 16th Street TheaterA Red Orchid TheatreAbout Face TheatreAguijón TheatreAlbany Park Theatre ProjectAmerican Blues TheaterApollo Theater ChicagoArtemesia TheatreThe Artistic HomeAston Rep Theatre CompanyAthenaeum TheatreAuditorium TheatreBabes with BladesBlack Button Eyes ProductionsBluebird ArtsBoho TheatreBrightside TheatreBroadway In ChicagoChicago Danztheatre EnsembleChicago Humanities FestivalChicago Latino Theater AllianceChicago Magic LoungeChicago Shakespeare TheaterChicago Symphony Orchestra AssociationChicago Youth ShakespeareCorn Productions Court TheatreFirst Floor TheatreFirst Folio TheaterGoodman TheatreGreenhouse Theatre CenterHarris Theater for Music and DanceHell in a HandbagHer Story TheatreHigh Concept LabsHouse Theatre of ChicagoHubbard Street DanceInternational Voices ProjectInterrobang Theatre ProjectJackalope TheatreThe Joffrey BalletLookingglass Theatre CompanyLyric Opera of ChicagoThe Marriott TheatreMidsommer FlightThe Neo FuturistsThe New CoordinatesNorthlight TheatreOak Park Festival TheatreOil Lamp TheaterOld Town School of Folk MusicParamount TheatrePiven Theatre WorkshopPivot ArtsPlaymakers LaboratoryPorchlight Music TheatrePrideartsPromethean Theatre EnsembleRandolph Entertainment presents Teatro ZinZanniRaven TheatreRed Tape TheatreRivendell Theatre EnsembleSaint Sebastian PlayersSaltbox Theatre CollectiveThe Second CityShattered Globe TheatreSkokie TheatreStage Left TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre CompanyTheatre WitThree Brothers TheatreTimeline Theatre CompanyUrbanTheater CompanyVictory Gardens TheaterWildClaw TheatreWilliams Street Repertory Theatre Writers Theatre