Clean the theatres!

[kennedy_rose]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 7:06am

Broadway & Off-Broadway theatres are notoriously filthy backstage, dressing rooms, etc. 

How about a deep cleaning effort during the shutdown (yes producers, I'm talking to you), so when we come back to work, we aren't working in unclean spaces.

Keep it clean so we can feel safe in a cleaner environment.

Updated On: 3/13/20 at 07:06 AM

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 9:33am

I would be shocked if that is not done but what the heck do I know -lol.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 5:02pm

I'm not sure how backstage cleanliness affects you in the front of the house.

[saxpower]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 5:08pm

Fosse76 said: "I'm not sure how backstage cleanliness affects you in the front of the house."

If there are infected areas backstage and actors pick up viruses as a result, it allows more of a chance for the virus to spread outside the theatre.  If front of house employees need to go backstage for whatever reason, they could bring any viruses from backstage back to front of house with them.  Of course, the cast/crew/etc should not have to work in an area that has viruses growing anyway, 

[Sampatches]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 11:46pm

Fosse76 said: "I'm not sure how backstage cleanliness affects you in the front of the house."

Some people on these boards do work backstage. And yes, they are indeed pretty disgusting 

Updated On: 3/13/20 at 11:46 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 11:53pm

And no matter how clean they are, it won't stop a virus from spreading.

[Theater'sBestFriend]

Posted: 3/14/20 at 1:17am

kennedy_rose said: "yes producers, I'm talking to you"

Why aren’t you talking to the theater owners? That’s who is responsible. Blaming the producers makes as much sense as blaming the actors. Maybe less. 

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 3/14/20 at 1:31am

Fosse76 said: "I'm not sure how backstage cleanliness affects you in the front of the house."

I'm not sure how caring about other people's health and wellbeing is a bad quality

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/14/20 at 1:33am

The good news is the same as the bad news, During a hiatus if there are no humans back in the dirty disgusting backstage, no virus will be able to survive. Also, even if they do the deepest clean possible, the first person who is infected but not feeling any symptoms, who spits while orating or sneezes but not into their elbow, clean or dirty, the virus is going to land. Also, playing any scenes of intimacy brings added risk.

[John Adams]

Posted: 3/14/20 at 2:12am

uncageg said: "And no matter how clean they are, it won't stop a virus from spreading."

Yes, I've singled out one post (perhaps unfairly), but in response to ALL the posts that mention "virus", my thought is: forget about the virus.

A couple of posts use the word, "disgusting" to describe the conditions backstage. This is an opportunity to fix it. Virus or no, use this opportunity to -- FIX IT!

Updated On: 3/14/20 at 02:12 AM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/14/20 at 2:14am

Fosse76 said: "I'm not sure how backstage cleanliness affects you in the front of the house."

The OP literally said “when we return to work”. Less snark, more reading, maybe?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/14/20 at 3:04am

I won't believe it til that one gal from Frozen chimes in.

[kennedy_rose]

Posted: 3/14/20 at 9:17am

iluvtheatertrash said: "Fosse76 said: "I'm not sure how backstage cleanliness affects you in the front of the house."

The OP literally said “when we return to work”. Less snark, more reading, maybe?"

The POINT of my original post was the following: During this down time, it would be great if they would do a deep clean of the backstage areas. These are FILTHY in general - even before Coronavirus came along and are a breeding ground for all sorts of "things." Properly sanitized work spaces are essential in maintaining the health and well being of all performers.

And guess what, we have TONS of contact with front of house and vice-versa.

And the PRODUCERS are a constant presence during a run of the show (vs theatre owners - whom we rarely see), especially before opening. They don't care about cleanliness and just leave it up to staff cleaning crews who do a subpar job. I've told my producer, for example, about the defunct water cooler in the hallway and how it needs to be replaced. Why? Because my lazy Stage Manager forgot to get it done and the Company Manager was just as lazy.

It takes a village, squeaky wheel gets the grease, etc and etc and so forth.

Updated On: 3/14/20 at 09:17 AM

[Theater'sBestFriend]

Posted: 3/14/20 at 1:50pm

kennedy_rose said: "And the PRODUCERS... don't care about cleanliness and just leave it up to staff cleaning crews who do a subpar job.” Producers don’t care about cleanliness?

Oh, those filthy disgusting pigs!

Ask any public health expert: one of the worst things that can happen in an epidemic is that people panic and display ugly stereotyping. That leads to stigma, which leads to irrational behavior that worsens disease reservoirs. It happened during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Regan exploited it against gays to throw red meat to his base, just as Trump is doing with his wall now. Please stop adding to that ugly foolishness. Your vicious and absurd stereotyping reminds me of the homophobia of those days. 

Think: if producers are spending a lot of time backstage, they would be just as much at risk as anybody else. Second, it is the cleaning staff‘s job to clean the theater. If you are aware of folks who are not doing so, and if you really care about your colleagues’ health and  well-being, as you say, You should report them immediately. Doing anything less is endangering not only yourself but everyone you claim to be caring about, including audience Members, some of whom are undoubtedly reading your posts. 

And if you’re going to argue that the producers should pick up a mop and bucket, or telephone, or whatever and pitch in to help the problem, perhaps you could stop typing and grab some Lysol wipes yourself.

Producers are busy trying to save your industry right now. Instead of bashing them, maybe it’s time to come together as a theatrical community and advocate that the government step in and help us like they did the banking industry in 2008, rather than forming a circular firing squad.

[kennedy_rose]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 8:30am

Theater'sBestFriend said: "kennedy_rose said: "And the PRODUCERS...don't care about cleanliness and just leave it up to staff cleaning crews who do a subpar job.”Producers don’t care about cleanliness?

Oh, those filthy disgusting pigs!

Ask any public health expert: one of the worst things that can happen in an epidemic is thatpeople panic and display ugly stereotyping. Thatleads to stigma, which leads to irrational behavior that worsensdisease reservoirs. Ithappenedduring theHIV/AIDS epidemic. Regan exploited it against gays to throw red meat to his base, just as Trump is doing with his wallnow.Please stop adding to that ugly foolishness.Your vicious and absurdstereotyping reminds me of thehomophobia of those days.

Think: ifproducers are spending a lot of time backstage, they would be just as much at risk as anybody else. Second, it is the cleaning staff‘s job to clean the theater. If you are aware of folks who are not doing so, and if you really care about your colleagues’ health and well-being,as you say, You should report them immediately. Doing anything less is endangering not only yourself but everyone you claim to be caring about, includingaudience Members, some of whom are undoubtedly reading your posts.

And if you’re going to argue that the producers should pick up a mop and bucket, or telephone, or whatever and pitch in to help the problem, perhaps you could stop typing and grab some Lysol wipes yourself.

Producers are busy trying to save your industry right now. Instead of bashing them, maybe it’s time to come together asa theatrical community andadvocate that the government step in and help us like they did the banking industry in 2008, rather than forming a circular firing squad."

WHOA WHOA WHOA!

Read my posts CAREFULLY.

Let me reiterate....

Producers care about reputation, power and the $$$ BOTTOM LINE. That's it.

Most producers resemble Trump in attitude and how they defer, redirect, accept no responsibility, etc.

I never said they needed to pick up a mop and bucket. BUT....if they related to the toil and trouble cast and crew go through (and YES, as a performer, I've had to pick up a mop and bucket to clean), then maybe they would have the compassion / empathy that you are preaching we all need to have right now.

I will spell it out for you again: PRODUCERS need to facilitate clean, safe work environments. THEY HAVE THE MONEY AND THE POWER. They are the leaders...they need to set the example. If they don't (and it happens often), then you have a giant S#@T SHOW. From clean work environments to sexual harassment, the whole range of varied dysfunction, the performer must speak to the producer to facilitate change in these areas. That was the point of my post.

Clearly you are not a performer, so you don't relate. Which is why I am spelling it out for you. If you have a 1 year run on Broadway and work in a filthy theatre where people are constantly getting sick, then you would KNOW what I am talking about. And guess what? NOW is the time to speak. Speaking out is not setting up a firing squad and taking aim.

OK?