New York City launches push to vaccinate theater workers

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City is taking steps toward the reopening of the city's theaters, creating vaccination and testing sites for stage workers in a bid to restore a key part of New York's draw.

"It's time to raise the curtain and bring Broadway back," Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a virtual press conference Thursday. "The work we have to do now to get the theater community ready to make sure that this extraordinarily wonderful and important industry is good to go for the fall, we've got to do that now."

The mayor said the city will set up dedicated vaccination sites specifically for the theater community and the theater industry. It'll be staffed by workers from the theater industry. The city also plans for a mobile unit that will serve off-Broadway theaters and pop-up testing sites at or near theaters.

De Blasio said the city needs guidance from the state on issues like whether audiences need to bring proof of vaccination and whether masks be required.

Broadway producers and the union that represents stage actors and stage mangers both reacted positively to the news.

"Vaccination and testing sites for theatre workers are a great step towards recovery and bringing Broadway back," said a statement from The Broadway League. "Our community has suffered catastrophic losses, and the sooner we can return to share our stories in a safe and secure way, the better our city will be."

Mary McColl, executive director of Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers, agreed.

"Today's announcement is an important recognition from the City of New York that a strong theatre industry means a healthy, strong economy," she said in a statement. "It is clear that we were heard and the city is pushing forward-looking policy changes that will serve the entire theatrical community. We are grateful for the leadership of Mayor de Blasio."

Tony Award-winner Actor André De Shields joined de Blasio at the briefing and said, "New York is on its way back, but it will not completely arrive until not only Broadway but all theater across this great city has returned."

He added, "We're ready. We've stayed in shape. Our voices are strong. All we need is a stage, and from what you've shared with us just now you're going to take care of that."