Below is the hour-long video and audio of the TCG Webinar, in which various experts, such as Charlie Nolan, a professor of epidemiology based in Seattle (one of the epicenters of the virus in the U.S.), and Greg Reiner, the director of theater at the National Endowment for the Arts, offer information and advice for theaters.
“Let’s face it, your core business is conducting performances at which members of the public sit together at very close proximity for long periods of time,” Nolan said. “You don’t need a public health professional to tell you that a coronavirus looking for a new home would love that setting.”
There are practical tidbits that theaters can do right now, such as have staff open doors, so patrons don’t have to touch the door handle, and cleaning and disinfecting the theater multiple times a day.
Shortly after this webinar, the Broadway League announced:
“We have significantly increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting
in all public and backstage areas beyond the standard daily schedule,
and we have added alcohol-based sanitizer dispensers for public use
in the lobby of every theatre. We invite patrons to make use of soap,
paper towels, and tissues available in all restrooms.”