In the next four weeks, New York City plans to create COVID-19 vaccination sites specifically for Broadway theater workers, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced at a news conference on Thursday, adding that he hopes to reach workers as well off Broadway.
“We need to prepare the theater community for the fall,” said de Blasio. “When we get there, the world will be better.”
A mobile vaccination unit will also be deployed to speed up the process, said the mayor.
Broadway closed in mid-March last year. At the time, there were 31 musicals and open pieces, including several that were due to open that week. In February, a new report from the New York State Comptroller showed the devastating price the strike had on Broadway, as well as throughout the creative sector of New York City.
READ MORE: Details of the new report as the New York arts sector was devastated by the pandemic
The mayor also announced today that the city plans to open COVID test venues near the cinemas, and will set more detailed guidelines for dealing with crowds before and after the shows. But he noted that opening Broadway theaters with these proposed security measures still requires New York state approval.
“We are going to propose our own ideas to the state, but we need them to take action,” he said. “Putting on a Broadway show is a big effort, so they need guidance now.”
According to current state guidelines, cinemas are now technically authorized to open at 33% capacity, with a maximum of 150 people who have submitted negative COVID-19 tests. But Broadway producers do not expect to return before Labor Day.
“Even if we reached 33%, we couldn’t keep the show open for even a week,” said Charlotte St. Martin, the Broadway League president, Gothamist. “Broadway’s financial model doesn’t allow that.”
READ MORE: This is what Broadway looked like when it got dark
To allow shows to at least prepare for reopening – a process that includes everything from rehearsals and costume arrangements to marketing campaigns and ticket promotions – access to vaccines is seen as a crucial first step.
“New York is coming back, but it will not arrive completely until Broadway and all the theaters in the city return,” said Tony-winning actor Andre DeSheilds. “We want everyone to experience the ecstasy of a Broadway show.”
Additional reports by Cate Hynes