Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
TheatreSquared will require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative test to attend its performances this fall.
The theatre, which has had a full vaccine requirement for all artists and staff since March, announced the new audience safety measure in a press release Wednesday, effective immediately.
Officials said a recently completed audience survey found that 97% of regular attendees are already fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
As part of the new rule, all patrons will be required to provide confirmation of their fully vaccinated status or the results of a negative antigen test performed within 72 hours of their performance date.
The requirement will continue through at least the end of October, and will be extended if local case numbers remain high or if public health guidance indicates it is necessary, officials said.
Anyone who is unable to comply with the new safety protocol will be offered the option to stream the performance from home, or may request a refund through Sept. 10.
All ticket holders will receive information on how to confirm their vaccination status prior to each show date.
TheatreSquared will present the world premiere of Designing Women, a new play by Linda Bloodworth Thomason, the creator of the television series, on Oct. 1.
Update: 12 p.m. Sept. 1 – Walton Arts Center officials announced a similar decision a few hours after this story was published.
