When at the Civic Center, we will follow their guidelines, which can be found here: Civic Center COVID-19 Policy

This is the current information (as of November 14, 2021) about the COVID requirements from Des Moines Performing Arts that we must abide by. Our performance is the first children’s performance at Des Moines Performing Arts since 2019, and there have been many, many discussions about how we can satisfy their requirements for renting the auditorium, as well as providing a safe and comfortable environment for all of our participants. There are still some aspects of this policy that we are working out, so we hope you will be patient as we navigate these uncharted waters, but we wanted to get the basics out as soon as possible.

REHEARSALS

  • All directors and cast members are required to be masked at all times.
  • We have worked very hard to create a cast that isolates the cast members from each other as much as possible, so if you are in the same location as another rehearsal, please keep contact to a minimum.
  • If your dancer tests positive:
    • They must be isolated for a minimum of ten days from when they develop symptoms.
    • They will not be counted absent but will be offered a zoom link to attend rehearsal.
    • To return to rehearsal your dancer must be fever and symptom free for at least 24 hours without the aid of any fever-reducing drugs.

Performance Week – The Basics

COVID Documents – Every individual entering the theater requires a valid government issued photo id or IDT ID for those too young to have a driver’s license AND either:

  • A COVID Vaccination Card for that individual showing at least two doses of vaccine.
  • A COVID test administered for that individual within 72 hours of entry into the theater.

Masks– Masks must be worn at all times, except for when on stage.

Please note, this policy applies to AUDIENCE MEMBERS as well as performers. You will not be allowed into the theatre without a mask and COVID Documents.

COVID TESTS

We are still working on which tests will be valid and how they will need to be administered. This will be a difficult process to work out because it will require the performers to be tested twice during the performance week, once on either Wednesday or Thursday and once on Saturday or Sunday in order to comply with the 72 hours requirement. We strongly recommend if you are able to get the COVID vaccine to do so in order to streamline your entry into the theater. There will be more information coming for how, when and who will be providing these tests.

COVID VACCINATIONS

In order for a COVID Vaccination to be honored the last shot will have to be 2 weeks prior to the date of entry. When you provide your documentation you may either specify that you would like to keep your vaccination status private and we will only clear you for that day, otherwise we will indicate that you are cleared to enter the backstage for the remaining days. Please note this only applies to cast members and staff. Audience members will be required to show documentation every time the enter the auditorium

MASKS

Masks should have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric. They should cover both your nose and mouth, and fit snuggly to your face. Mesh masks and face shields will not be accepted. If you wear a neck gaiter, please fold it over to provide two layers of cloth.

SCHOOL SHOWS

For the school shows the requirements remain the same for the performers. However the audience members that are attending with their school will not be required to provide vaccination information. They will be socially distanced in the audience in the auditorium in order to reduce contact between classes and school. They will be required to be masked. The school show attendees will be isolated from the performers in order to protect the performers.

TIMELINE

November 24th – Last day to get your final shot in order to be accepted on the first day of rehearsals. This would be the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer, or your single dose of Jansen.

December 8th – Rehearsal

  • Individuals who have been vaccinated need to provide their COVID vaccination documentation before they can enter the theater.
  • Anyone who cannot provide COVID vaccination documentation will need to provide negative COVID test results, from a test on or after December 5th, before they can enter the theater.

December 9th – Rehearsal

  • Vaccinated individuals who have not indicated that we should maintain their vaccination on file will need to provide their documents before they can enter the theater.
  • Anyone who is not vaccinated, will need to provide a negative test result, from a test on or after December 6th, before they can enter the theater.

December 10th – School shows

  • Vaccinated individuals who have not indicated that we should maintain their vaccination on file will need to provide their documents before they can enter the theater.
  • Anyone who is not vaccinated, will need to provide a negative test result, from a test on or after December 7th, before they can enter the theater.

December 10th – Rehearsal

  • Anyone who was in the school performances will only need to provide identification to enter.
  • Anyone who was not in the school performances and attending evening rehearsals:
    • If they have not been vaccinated they will need to provide a negative test result, from a test on or after December 7th, before they can enter the theater.
    • If they have not indicated that we can maintain their vaccination on file will need to provide their documents before they can enter the theater

December 11th – First performance

  • Vaccinated individuals who have not indicated that we should maintain their vaccination on file will need to provide their documents before they can enter the theater.
  • Anyone who is not vaccinated, will need to provide a negative test result, from a test on or after December 8th, before they can enter the theater.

December 11th – Evening performance

  • Anyone who was in the afternoon performance will only need to provide identification to enter.
  • Anyone who was not in the afternoon performance:
    • If they have not been vaccinated they will need to provide a negative test result, from a test on or after December 8th, before they can enter the theater.
    • If they have not indicated that we can maintain their vaccination on file will need to provide their documents before they can enter the theater

December 12th – Final performance

  • Vaccinated individuals who have not indicated that we should maintain their vaccination on file will need to provide their documents before they can enter the theater.
  • Anyone who is not vaccinated, will need to provide a negative test result, from a test on or after December 9th, before they can enter the theater.

Please note that these policies may change as we get closer to the performance, COVID is an ever evolving situation and most of what we are required to do is out of our hands. But we are very excited to be able to have the opportunity to return to the stage in a safe way.

-Thank you
The Nutcracker Production Team