Washington, D.C. Theaters

Capital Region Theaters Require Vaccinations

Theaters across the greater Washington, D.C., area have united in mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for their performers and staff and requiring audiences to provide proof of vaccination to attend all live public performances at their indoor venues. Masks will also be required for audiences inside the theater, except while eating or drinking in designated locations.

The requirement runs through December 2021. This end date is subject to change and will be re-reviewed by aligned venues in October.

"These theaters are committed to the safety of all who work, perform, and visit their venues, and invite audiences to join in the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19," said a statement from Theatre Washington, the area's alliance of theater organizations, theater-makers, and theater supporters. The organization is serving as a hub of information for participating venues and their vaccination requirement policies.

The organizations joining in this unprecedented effort include Arena Stage, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Constellation Theatre Company, GALA Hispanic Theatre, The Keegan Theatre, Mosaic Theater Company of DC, Round House Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Signature Theatre, Studio Theatre, Synetic Theater, Theater J, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. More theaters are expected to join this group in the coming weeks.

Organizations will update their own websites as appropriate, and all participants will be listed at TheatreWashington.org. 

Patrons must show proof that they are fully vaccinated at the time of their entry into the theaters. "Fully vaccinated" means that either 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose of double-dose vaccines authorized by the Food and Drug Administration of the World Health Organization, or that 14 days have passed since receiving the sole dose of FDA- or WHO-authorized single-dose vaccines.

Patrons may display proof of vaccination with a physical copy of their vaccination card, though theaters may extend other options to provide proof of vaccination as detailed on their websites.

Theaters will offer exemptions for those unable to be vaccinated, such as children under 12, people with certain medical conditions preventing vaccination, or those with closely held religious beliefs that prevent vaccination. These patrons must provide proof of a timely negative COVID-19 test—as defined by each venue—before performance start time. 

To learn more about additional policies and procedures, patrons should visit each organization's website or TheatreWashington.org.

August 5, 2021

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