Page 8 - Spring 2020 Digital inLEAGUE Volume 43 Number 02

strangers, it would also improve the comfort of our how they reacted. The same sort of preparation is
venues, regardless of health and safety issues. needed for contagion prevention. When there is an
Many changes will be operational, and dependent on uptick in local cases, venues should implement their
the current state of health locally. As Patrick Corcoran, Illness Response Plan and follow it. The plan might
the Vice President of the National Association of include additional hand washing and masking for
Theatre Owners suggested in Fortune on April 13, staff, temporary reduction in the number of seats sold,
“when we first come back, we may need infrared deployment of hand sanitizer stations for the public,
fever monitors, and if you register high you may be removal of self-serve food options, etc. If an outbreak
sent home.” Pro-active practices like these, albeit a is identified as originating in a venue, the venue would
minor inconvenience to the theatregoer will improve be expected to demonstrate the efforts taken to
safety, similar to security-wanding and bag checks. minimize future risk.
The most important thing going forward for arts We are social creatures. We long for shared
centers is to have a comprehensive contingency plan. connection. The experience of gathering for a
There has been a lot of discussion in the industry about performance is a key to our humanity, and society
the liability exposure of an outbreak of COVID-19 that thrives on shared experiences. It is unreasonable to
is traced back to a venue. I think the best parallel is expect that we are going to forego it. Theatre and
to a mass shooting. These have become disturbingly music events are only two examples of gathering –
commonplace in America, but we have not stopped festivals, sporting events, bars, even house parties
gathering. Nor did we start designing arts centers as are experiences that are necessary to the human
armed bunkers. Instead it became another factor in condition. Beyond the impact it would have on the
the design conversation, and we employ common- social experience, it would be impractical to mandate
sense adjustments on a case-by-case basis. We limit social distancing in the long term. Schools are not
entries and exits, provide space for security stations, going to be able to maintain spacing in their already
and often consult with local law enforcement during overcrowded buildings. Public transit isn’t going to
the design process. Most arts centers have a security be able to either; airlines are not going to give you a
plan that includes what to do in the event of an active 6-foot radius around your seat, and even if they did,
shooter. If the worst takes place, they can implement how likely is it that distancing could be enforced as
that plan and, in the aftermath, demonstrate to the people deplane?
courts and the public how they had prepared and It is likely that we will have additional outbreaks of

H Heellppiinngg CClliieennttss NNaavviiggaattee

T Taaxx CCrreeddiitt FFiinnaanncciinngg

Closed over $900 MM of Projects

o Federal Historic Tax Credits
o State Historic Tax Credits

o New Markets Tax Credits

Specialty in Historic Theatres

Support throughout Compliance Period
35 Years of relevant experience

Darlene “Dee” Smolik
President

Tel: 865-254-4343
ds@plymouthsoundings.com

PAGE 6 | INLEAGUE League of Historic American Theatres