Weill Center Announces Enhanced Safety Procedures for 2020-2021 Season

SHEBOYGAN, WI (July 7, 2020) – The Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts, a 1,150-seat theater in Downtown Sheboygan, today announced plans to present a 2020-21 season with enhanced safety precautions. The new procedures prioritize the safety of patrons, performers, staff and volunteers while allowing the organization to resume providing live entertainment to the community.

“Live events will look different this season,” said Katy Glodosky, executive director at the Weill Center. “As we navigate these changes, we remain committed to providing a positive, safe and memorable experience for everyone in our theater.”

Patrons who choose to visit the Weill Center this season can expect the following:
- Masks will be required for staff and volunteers.
- Masks will be required for patrons unless seated. Once seated, masks will be encouraged.
If a patron does not have a mask, one will be available for purchase.
- Masks are NOT required for children age two years old and younger.
- Capacity will be limited to 250 patrons (approximately 25 percent of venue capacity) to ensure social distancing can take place.
- All seating will be reserved and socially distanced with at least two chairs and one row between each group.
- Advanced ticket sales only. All tickets will be mailed to patrons. Mailing fees and phone/online convenience fees are currently waived.
- Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the theater.
- There will be increased cleaning and sanitization between performances using EPA-approved products.
- Patrons recently exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or those feeling ill must stay home.

Changes have also been made to concessions, ticketing and restroom areas to encourage social distancing and provide a near touchless experience. Coat room access, meet and greet experiences and VIP receptions will not be available at this time. The theater’s HVAC system will run during events to circulate outside air into the theater, and doors will be propped open throughout the theater to promote air flow.

Patrons unable to wear a mask due to health reasons or those unable to return to the theater at this time should consider a Weill Center membership for access to a variety of virtual performances.

The Weill Center continues to work with agencies, artists and other venue partners from across the Midwest to ensure its procedures are aligned with evolving industry best practices. The theater also utilized current local, state and national reopening guidelines. As recommendations from health and government authorities continue to change, the theater will monitor, review and adjust as needed.

In addition, the Weill Center conducted a community survey to gather patrons’ feedback and sentiment for returning to the theater. This survey had 661 respondents. 58 percent of respondents were 61 years old and above. All results are public on the Weill Center website. Results showed:
- 48 percent of respondents would likely return to the Weill Center if safety precautions are taken and 20 percent of respondents do not plan to return to the theater this fall;
- 72 percent of respondents would wear a mask if required; 
- The five most important precautions respondents want to see in place to make them feel comfortable attending a show this fall included:social distanced seating/capacity restrictions, hand sanitizer readily available, mask-wearing, social distancing around the theater, increased disinfecting between shows.

“We listened to the experts, the industry and our community to take precautions to make our space as safe as possible for those who want to return. Now, we trust and rely on our patrons to be kind and respectful to each other and come prepared to maintain social distance and wear a mask unless seated,” said Glodosky. “This is a learning process for us all. We thank our patrons in advance for their patience and understanding.”