To theatre or not to theatre: etiquette in the times of Omicron

I’m seeing a lot of chatter in the Twitterverse about how Omicron is affecting theatre-goers. Shows are closing, people are scared, others are out of work and don’t know how they are paying bills while those still working are juggling the anxiety of trying to put on a show and stay healthy. Meanwhile, audience members are taking off their masks and arguing with staff and berating performers and demanding “their money’s worth,” for whatever that’s worth.

It’s heartbreaking.

As an avid theatre-goer who keeps my mask on, is fully vaccinated and appreciates the efforts of the entire cast and crew, including COVID safety officers and front of house staff and bartenders and just…everyone, it puts me, and others like me, in a difficult position. I want to keep supporting the shows that are open, but I don’t want to put anyone at undue risk.

My risk quotient is pretty low. I had COVID back in March 2021, then got my first and then second shots in April and May. I got an antibody test a couple of weeks ago and my antibodies are still sky-high. I live alone, and I’m not generally around anyone who is high-risk or immunocompromised. I’m a healthy 35-year-old woman who hardly ever gets sick and has a small circle of close friends who are my primary contact in the world. And I have my booster scheduled for the beginning of the year.

But with Omicron, who knows? Should I still be going to theatre’s, even if I’m low-risk? I know so many people who are masked, vaxxed and boosted and they’re still getting sick (though thankfully not needing hospitalization). If I don’t go to theatre’s, and others like me don’t go, will they be able to stay open? Should they stay open? What happens to all those people who make their livelihood off live theatre if they close? I donate to theatre organizations but it doesn’t seem enough.

I think the government (city, state and federal) could be doing more here. I think people should stop being so reprehensible (NEVER message anyone in the show to complain that something got canceled or they weren’t on or…just…don’t). I think people definitely have to assess their own status and that of the people around them and make the best, most responsible choices. But I also think we need to keep living, instead of shutting the world around us down. But how can we do that?

Do performers and directors and stage managers leave the industry in order to make a living? Do front of house staff become real estate agents (nothing wrong with real estate and this isn’t a dig at the profession)? Do people give up lifelong ambition because sustainable and equitable and healthy art is not a reality? All art, but especially live theatre, is an agreement between the creator(s) and the consumer(s). Art doesn’t exist in a vacuum, but we have to do better as consumers and stop harming creators. But we also have to be able to support creators. I don’t know. Things are so messy right now.

Sorry, this is a bit rambling, but I don’t really have any solutions here, just a lot of thoughts running rampant through my head. And I’d love to hear yours too. Especially as things get harder and potentially worse.

And my heart goes out to all those impacted by COVID. 

Love,

Roxi

P.S. I’m really glad I got to see JLP, Trevor, ALW Cinderella and Chicken & Biscuits before they closed. And I’m glad Diana has a pro-shot on Netflix I can watch if the mood strikes me. And I’m really excited for a Trevor cast album. It’s really wonderful all the ways theatre can live on in this digital age.

P.P.S. Broadway League president Charlotte St. Martin is WAY off base with her “educated” guess on understudies and swings. I’ve seen amazing shows with understudies and swings, and the understudies and swings I’ve met personally are freaken rock stars who do an incredible job and have an incredible amount of work they shoulder, learning multiple tracks,choreography and blocking. It’s kind of mind-blowing how incredible these individuals are, and with Omicron running rampant, it’s the wonderstudies and swings keeping shows open. My personal favourite is when I saw Troy Iwata go on for George Salazar in Be More Chill and I kind of mini fell in love with Troy that day. He’s so talented and adorbs. Off-topic but for reals, Broadway League needs a leader who celebrates all of their talent, not just leads. Just saying. 

Lots of love to all of you out there. Stay safe and be well!