Florida’s major theaters mount comebacks,
but with COVID-era guest policies enforced
Performing arts theaters are finalizing plans to keep shows on, all the while noting the persistent dangers of the coronavirus — namely the highly contagious delta variant.
At the Fort Lauderdale venue Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts touring Broadway series shows, concerts and other live events, there will be mandatory face coverings for performances and required guest documentation showing a recent negative COVID-19 test. These rules will be required for all patrons attending ticketed performances at Broward Center and The Parker Playhouse, said spokeswoman Savannah Whaley.
The new rules will be in place in time for the Broward Center’s first big touring Broadway show of the season, “Come From Away,” which runs Nov. 3-14. So if you “come from away” — be ready to prove you’re not a health risk.
As an alternative to a negative test result, you can also provide documentation that shows you are fully vaccinated. This can be the original vaccine card or a digital copy, such as a photo on your phone or scan in an app.
The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, which is managed by the Broward Center, also adopted the parent organization’s safety protocols. This means masks for guests 2 years of age and older and documentation of a recent negative COVID-19 test or full vaccination status — either original card or a digital copy.
“We have been working in conjunction with the Broward Center and the Cleveland Clinic to create guidelines for a safe and enjoyable audience experience,” AA&CC General Manager Jeff Kiltie said in a statement. “Both artists and audiences have been seeking a way to get back to live performance. Performing arts centers in South Florida and around the state are adopting similar guidelines to create what is, in effect, an industry standard that enables artists to successfully tour the nation.”
“Broward Center received legal advice that this policy is acceptable under Florida law and is in line with industry standards,” Whaley said in an email to the Miami Herald.
In addition, The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach also adopted the mask-on, negative COVID test proof or vaccination card or its digital copy policy.
Tampa’s Straz Center has adopted the same policy. Show the results of a PCR test administered by a medical provider or official testing center no earlier than 72 hours before the time of performance or a rapid antigen test administered by the same kind of testing entities no earlier than 24 hours prior to the show. A matching photo ID must be presented with the test result. Negative, of course.
Forget your test proof or the vaccination card, should you choose to opt for that means of entry? “You won’t get in. So, please don’t do that,”
Straz officials wrote on its website.
And add the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, too, to what seems the standard protocol practice for major performing arts theaters in Florida.
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami announced its audience policies on Sept. 20.
Arsht spokeswoman Suzette Espinosa Fuentes said the venue plans to require proof of a negative COVID test for audience members 12 and older, or they can offer proof of vaccination, as at the other theaters. This policy begins with performances on Oct. 5. The Arsht’s first touring Broadway show of the season is “Hairspray,” Dec. 28 to Jan. 2. The
2017 Tony winner “Dear Evan Hansen” is next for a week’s run starting Feb. 15.
“As we look to the return of full houses for our 15th anniversary season, we believe this extra layer of precaution, coupled with facial coverings and continued sanitation practices, will keep our guests, artists and staff as safe as possible, particularly given the spread of delta variant throughout our area,” Espinosa Fuentes said in an email to the Herald.
In addition to the negative COVID test or proof of vaccination, the Arsht Center is adding the free Fast Track option through the Bindle app, which is similar to Clear and TSA PreCheck. Users can use the app to create a secure Entry Pass for fast-track admission.
“We believe this extra layer of precaution, which has been adopted by other Florida venues, will keep our community as safe as possible. Not only does this decision help stop the spread of COVID-19, it also reflects the desires expressed by our audiences, protects the jobs of the artists onstage and the crews behind the curtain and complies with requirements established by many touring artists coming to the Arsht Center,” said Johann Zietsman, Arsht Center president and CEO.
BUT DIDN’T GOV. DESANTIS RULE AGAINST ‘VACCINE PASSPORTS’?
“SB 2006 only prohibits businesses from requiring proof of vaccination from customers as a condition of entry or service,” Christina Pushaw, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ press secretary, told the Florida Times Union when performers including the Jonas Brothers, the James Taylor and Jackson Browne co-headlining tour, and Harry Styles said their fans would have to be vaccinated or show proof of a negative test 72 hours before their performances.
These acts all have South Florida concert dates this fall.
“If concert-goers can provide a negative COVID test instead of a vaccine passport, that is acceptable under the law. People who want to show proof of vaccination instead of a COVID test are free to do that. It just cannot be compelled,” Pushaw told the Jacksonville paper.