2020 COVID Challenges – Final Decision for Suessical Performances
Thank you for your swift and candid feedback on the modified performance schedule due to the emerging COVID pandemic. This situation is of course less than ideal. After careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with this modified performance schedule. Please note, some times are slightly different than originally proposed.
Friday, March 13
HATS – cast/crew call time 4:15, house opens 4:30, show starts at 5P
Saturday, March 14
CATS – cast/crew call time 4:15, house opens 4:30, show starts at 5P
Sunday, March 15
HATS – cast/crew call time 4:15, house opens 4:30, show starts at 5P
CATS – cast/crew call time 5:45, house opens 6:00, show starts at 6:30P
If you cannot make the performances for your performer because of the schedule change (we understand this sucks! one of us co-producers is missing the final performance for her kiddo), you can come to a dress rehearsal.
Tuesday, March 10 – 4P-6P Cats
Thursday, March 12 – 4P-6P Hats
How we arrived here
After weighing a myriad of options in the very short amount of time we had to make a decision, we think this is our best option to ensure that the kids get to perform while minimizing the risk of disease as much as possible. It’s not possible for us to wait and resume rehearsals and schedule new performances because the Bryant school calendar is filled with other events. We will be competing for space with existing scheduled events as well as everyone else trying to reschedule. Additionally, Seattle Performers will likely not be available as they have more shows coming up, and we cannot run the shows without them. What this means is that we were having to decide between allowing the kids to perform now or cancelling all together.
The vast majority of you shared little to no concern about moving forward with these performances. A few of you shared some concerns about gathering more than 100 people together for this event, and we share some of your concerns. As of yesterday, King County Public Health recommendations are as follows:
Public Health is aware that events are being postponed, employers are encouraging that employees work from home and many schools have chosen to temporarily close. Public Health supports these decisions. While evidence currently available is that the vast majority of children and most adults are not at risk for severe illness, we do know that some members of our community are at higher risk. These include:
- People 60 and older
- People with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes
- People who have weakened immune systems
- People who are pregnant
People at higher risk should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible, including public places with lots of people and large gatherings where there will be close contact with others. More detail on these measures is available at www.kingcounty.gov/covid
King County is not mandating that events be cancelled. They support the decisions of those who are, but there is no directive to do so from them.
Jet City Improv is a very small theater and will accommodate fewer people than the Bryant lunchroom. This means that we will be restricting ticket sales to parents and siblings (six tickets per family total) in order to make sure that we all see our own kids perform. This also reduces the number of others from the community who could potentially bring in a germ. These kids are at school together all day and they bring their germs home. The vast majority of us in that theater together will already be exposed to whatever is going around Bryant, even if we were to cancel performances. Because of this, we feel the risk is lower than other community events that invite a wider range of the general public. That said, if you, your child, or a family member is in one of the high risk categories, we understand if you cannot participate. Theaters around Seattle are following protocol of refunding tickets to those who are sick, and doing a deeper clean between performances. Seattle Performers use this theater regularly for their student performances and have been sanitizing after each show. We will also be asking for volunteers to join us ahead of each rehearsal and performance to sanitize seats and door handles.
We are not promoting this event to the larger Bryant community or doing broad ticket sales. Students at Bryant may get to see a review of the show during school hours.
Stay tuned for more info about volunteer opportunities, rehearsals, costumes, tickets, and performances. Please let us know if you have questions or if your student won’t be able to participate. Thank you for your patience and kindness as we figure this out. See you at tech rehearsal tomorrow!
Traci & Liza
