Rehearsals resuming?

missthemountains Profile Photo
missthemountains
#1Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 11:04am

Heard a rumor that producers of most major shows are aiming to get performers/crew vaccinated in the coming weeks from a friend involved with one of the shows, and producers are looking to go back into rehearsals at the end of April and are pretty determined to open in June. Anyone know if this is true or not?

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Jordan Catalano
#2Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 11:08am

They might WANT to open in June but I can’t see how that would be at all possible at this point for a myriad of reasons.

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nealb1
#3Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 11:32am

If your friend is in a show, then they would have first hand knowledge.  Do you not think that what your friend told you was accurate?  What rumor are you referring to?  Who told you that?  What type of show are you referring to - Broadway, West End, national tour, regional, community theatre, etc...

Also, no employer, union or theatre producer can force an employee, or union members to get the vaccine.  As Jordan said below, June just isn't going to happen.  Sure would be nice though.    

Updated On: 4/5/21 at 11:32 AM

LightsOut90
#4Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 11:38am

they also are not required to employee people who are not vaccinated so....there is that 

Fosse76
#5Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 11:55am

LightsOut90 said: "they also are not required to employee people who are not vaccinated so....there is that"

It's a bit more complicated than that. 

AEA AGMA SM
#6Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 12:22pm

Unless they are able to give them all the Johnson & Johnson one dose vaccine the current schedule for Moderna and Pfizer wouldn't get them into the rehearsal room until mid-May at the earliest, and that would be if they could start getting the shots to employees today. That's not to mention the recasting that will invariably need to happen, amongst many other various issues.

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HogansHero
#7Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 12:29pm

As Jordan says, that timetable is not gonna happen. Even if we assume everyone is hired (not likely), and that everyone got vaccinated today (not likely), it would be considerably later than "end of April."  Early July is about as early as would be feasible, and that's not likely either. 

Also "most major shows" are not going to reopen this year. It would be a bloodbath. 

Beyond that, an employer can most definitely require vaccination as a condition of employment. 

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ACL2006
#8Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 12:34pm

When does Come From Away go into rehearsals for their filming?


A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.

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Bettyboy72
#9Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 1:16pm

Employers can require vaccination and they can ask employees directly if they have been vaccinated.


"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

Fosse76
#10Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 2:11pm

Bettyboy72 said: "Employers can require vaccination and they can ask employees directly if they have been vaccinated."

They can ask, but they cannot ask "why not?" They can require, but many states have exemptions for medical and religious reasons (New York does not allow a religious exemption, but allows a medical exemption). Also, by requiring vaccinations, they become liable for any adverse reactions (only applies to current employees). Employers whose employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement can only operate within the confines of that agreement,  and cannot unilaterally mandate a new condition for employment under the existing agreement. 

So, as I said, it's a little more complicated.

mikey2573
#11Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 2:15pm

I believe that federal health privacy laws would make it illegal for any employer to ask a potential employee if they had been vaccinated.  

rkade21
#12Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 2:46pm

The list of demands the Actors Equity is putting on a return to work is going to be untenable and surely require a lot of negotiation before anything like rehearsals can resume. Hopefully that’ll be quick if the intended theater industry worker vaccination plan is going well (and assuming adoption will be incredibly high) and some of their demands like paid private transportation for all workers will be cut.

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HogansHero
#13Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 2:49pm

Fosse76 said: "They can ask, but they cannot ask "why not?" They can require, but many states have exemptions for medical and religious reasons (New York does not allowa religious exemption, but allows a medical exemption).

This is mangled. Employers can require a vaccine. Period. The medical exemption refers to legislation addressing a vaccine MANDATE in certain situations. No one is mandated to get a vaccine, but it can still be a condition of employment. No vaccine, no work. This is not a new concept. 

Also, by requiring vaccinations, they become liable for any adverse reactions (only applies to current employees).

Yes, but this is irrelevant.

Employers whose employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement can only operate within the confines of that agreement, and cannot unilaterally mandate a new condition for employment under the existing agreement.

Manifestly, this is not the situation here, which is obviously that AEA is requiring this condition.

So, as I said, it's a little more complicated."

Only if you try to make it so.

@mikey2573 "I believe that federal health privacy laws would make it illegal for any employer to ask a potential employee if they had been vaccinated."

Nope.

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HogansHero
#14Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 2:53pm

rkade21 said: "The list of demands the Actors Equity is putting on a return to work is going to be untenable and surely require a lot of negotiation before anything like rehearsals can resume. Hopefully that’ll be quick if the intended theater industry worker vaccination plan is going well (and assuming adoption will be incredibly high) and some of their demands like paid private transportation for all workers will be cut."

It sounds like you have not read the updated protocols. You should. Also, note that these protocols are for work between now and the end of June at which time they will be revisited with the expectation/hope of further relaxation. They are basically irrelevant in relation to Broadway but will definitely have a chilling effect in some parts of the country where some people and most politicians are being stupid.

willep
#15Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 3:12pm

Patrick Page’s recent Instagram post was pretty clear that Hadestown at least is hoping for fall, not June.

rkade21
#16Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 3:36pm

HogansHero said: "rkade21 said: "The list of demands the Actors Equity is putting on a return to work is going to be untenable and surely require a lot of negotiation before anything like rehearsals can resume. Hopefully that’ll be quick if the intended theater industry worker vaccination plan is going well (and assuming adoption will be incredibly high) and some of their demands like paid private transportation for all workers will be cut."

It sounds like you have not read the updated protocols. You should. Also, note that these protocols are for work between now and the end of June at which time they will be revisited with the expectation/hope of further relaxation. They are basically irrelevant in relation to Broadway but will definitely have a chilling effect in some parts of the country where some people and most politicians are being stupid.
"

Didnt know an update was already out, will take a look, thanks for the info!

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musikman
#17Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 4:00pm

Definitely not true, sorry. At the absolute earliest, rehearsals will be starting over the early/mid summer.


-There's the muddle in the middle. There's the puddle where the poodle did the piddle."

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EDSOSLO858
#18Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 4:40pm

willep said: "Patrick Page’s recent Instagram post was pretty clear that Hadestown at least is hoping for fall, not June."

Then I would assume they hope to follow Diana's lead and aim for a holiday season reopening.


Life is the most precious gift in the world... embrace every moment

nealb1 Profile Photo
nealb1
#19Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 5:13pm

It's very interesting how the original poster here, hasn't answered any questions yet. 

Jordan Catalano Profile Photo
Jordan Catalano
#20Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/5/21 at 5:36pm

If we’re looking at September for some shows, we’ll be hearing official announcements around June which is only 8 weeks away. We’re almost there, folks. Just a little more patience.

Dollypop
#21Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/6/21 at 12:52pm

Some great news from Long Island, though: the John Drew Theater in East Hampton will be presenting outdoor performances in their courtyard. These are small cast productions with impressive casts. I already have a ticket for THE ZOO STORY with Michael Urie and Ryan Spahn


"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

Jordan Catalano Profile Photo
Jordan Catalano
#22Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/6/21 at 1:09pm

I am still curious if we might see a production or two at City Center this summer, using socially distanced seating.

Fosse76
#23Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/6/21 at 7:24pm

HogansHero said: "Employers can require a vaccine. Period."

I never said they couldn't. I said it was complicated. And it is. Actually, "murky" is more appropriate. Since there are reasons for exemptions and the employer can't inquire why someone wasn't vaccinated, it can skirts a fine line regarding potential discrimination claims. And  guarantee we are going to see lawsuits once the economy gets back to a relatively normal level. And we have a conservative Supreme Court. 

"The medical exemption refers to legislation addressing a vaccine MANDATE in certain situations. No one is mandated to get a vaccine, but it can still be a condition of employment. No vaccine, no work. This is not a new concept."

Wrong. The medical exemption applies to individuals. When the religious exemption was eliminated, medical exemptions increased (that has been rectified with a more complicated process to get the exemption). 

"Yes, but this is irrelevant."

Tell that to an employer that can't afford to cover those costs. Additionally, no employer is going to mandate a vaccine without consulting their lawyers. Particularly if they have a large workforce.

"Manifestly, this is not the situation here, which is obviously that AEA is requiring this condition."

Yes. But that had nothing to do with employers, in general, requiring vaccinations. Plus AEA isn't the only union on Broadway.


@mikey2573 "I believe that federal health privacy laws would make it illegal for any employer to ask a potential employee if they had been vaccinated."

Nope."

They just can't ask "why not" if they aren't.  Potential employees are also free to disclose that information without prompting.

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HogansHero
#24Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/6/21 at 8:26pm

@Fosse76 Sorry but no. 
1. Exemptions-no reason to ask why. If you are not vaccinated you cannot work. End of discussion. Again, the exemption is for mandates, not conditions of private employment. The question for you to ponder is: exempt from what? When you answer that accurately, you'll understand. 

2. Lawsuits-sure. There are lawsuits about anything and everything but not meritorious ones. The law is clear. And you expect a conservative court to do something nice for employees? LOL. Consult a lawyer? Sure. There won't be a lot of billable time on that one. 

3. Irrelevance-it's covered by insurance. 

4. "Mandate" - wrong term in this context.

5. AEA-did you forget you said something about employers imposing the requirement unilaterally? AEA is requiring that employers condition employment on it. 

6. "AEA isn't the only union on Broadway." Very true but how does that matter? First, do you seriously think any union will not require vaccinations? Second, even if they did not, there will be no show without actors. Except Blindness. Rehearsals resuming? Everyone in the building will be vaccinated or they won't be there. 
 

 

felixleiter
#25Rehearsals resuming?
Posted: 4/7/21 at 9:44am

HogansHero said: "@Fosse76Sorry but no.
1. Exemptions-no reason to ask why. If you are not vaccinated you cannot work. End of discussion. Again, the exemption is for mandates, not conditions of private employment. The question for you to ponder is: exempt from what? When you answer that accurately, you'll understand.

2. Lawsuits-sure. There are lawsuits about anything and everything but not meritorious ones. The law is clear. And you expect a conservative court to do something nice for employees? LOL. Consult a lawyer? Sure. There won't be a lot of billable time on that one.

3. Irrelevance-it's covered by insurance.

4. "Mandate" - wrong term in this context.

5. AEA-did you forget you said something about employers imposing the requirement unilaterally? AEA is requiring that employers condition employment on it.

6. "AEA isn't the only union on Broadway." Very true but how does that matter? First, do you seriously think any union will not require vaccinations? Second, even if they did not, there will be no show without actors. Except Blindness. Rehearsals resuming? Everyone in the building will be vaccinated or they won't be there.



"

I agree with almost all of this with just one clarification-

AEA isn't requiring vaccinations.   Currently there are 2 sets of guidelines for Producers wishing to restart work.  One is for a fully vaccinated company and the other is without a fully vaccinated company.  The employer can choose which protocols to plan for.  If you read both set of guidelines, obviously a fully vaccinated company provides a safer and easier pathway to getting back on stage,  but make no mistake-AEA is not requiring it.  

Also, I just want to state again (since people consistently misunderstand this)  According to the updated federal guidance provided by the EEOC, Employers in the United States have the absolute right to require vaccination as a condition of employment based on an employers responsibility to provide a safe workplace.   Exemptions exist, and the EEOC does encourage a nuanced approach, but don't believe some of the info that gets generated out of the ant-vaxx movement that erroneously states things about "emergency use authorizations" etc. etc.  As has been stated on this thread, of course lawsuits can be threatened, but the federal government's stance on this was well defined back in December so there is little chance that any of those suits would move past the filing stage based on merits.