West Orange Theater Announces Vaccine, Mask Requirements

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A nonprofit theater in West Orange was among dozens of New Jersey entertainment venues to announce new coronavirus entry requirements on Friday.

Luna Stage on Valley Road and more than two dozen other venues said they will now require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for patrons over 12. The theaters will also require face masks indoors, according to a statement from the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

According to the alliance:

“Audience members over the age of 12 will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 when entering these venues. Exceptions will be made for children under 12 and people with a medical or religious exemption to vaccination. These guests must show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 36 hours of the performance time or a negative antigen test taken within six hours of the performance time. All guests, regardless of age or vaccination status, will be required to wear masks while inside the theatre building.”

The guidelines go into effect immediately, and will be updated as state and federal guidance develops, the group said.

Other venues to stand alongside Luna Stage include Art House Productions (Jersey City), Axelrod Performing Arts Center (Deal); Bucks County Playhouse (New Hope/Lambertville); Crossroads Theatre Company (New Brunswick); Eagle Theatre (Hammonton); East Lynne Theatre Company (Cape May); Epic Actor's Workshop (Old Bridge); George Street Playhouse (New Brunswick); Hudson Theatre Works (Weehawken); Jersey City Theater Center (Jersey City); McCarter Theatre Center (Princeton); Mile Square Theatre (Hoboken); The New Jersey Play Lab; New Jersey Repertory Company (Long Branch); Paper Mill Playhouse (Milburn); Passage Theatre Company (Trenton); Pushcart Players (Verona); The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (Madison); Speranza Theatre Company (Jersey City); Surflight Theatre (Beach Haven), Women's Theatre Company (Lake Hiawatha); Vanguard Theater Company (Montclair); and Vivid Stage (formerly Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, Summit); and American Theater Group, which is in residence at the Cultural Arts Center at Fellowship Village Senior Living in Basking Ridge, and will require proof of vaccination with no exceptions.

The following five presenting venues, which have partnered with New Jersey Theatre Alliance on their re-opening efforts, have announced that they will adopt the announced policy as well: Count Basie Center for the Arts (Red Bank), Mayo Performing Arts Center (Morristown); New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (New Brunswick); South Orange Performing Arts Center (South Orange); and State Theatre New Jersey (New Brunswick).

All 40 members of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, as well as several of the state’s presenting venues, have taken a pledge to follow the “most current medical advice” and meet all local and national safety guidelines, including:

• Deep cleaning and disinfecting before all performances
• Clearly communicated mask policy
• Contactless transactions available
• Health screening before entry
• Flexible ticket policies for anyone feeling ill or at risk due to COVID-19 variants
• Sanitation stations for all patrons and staff

According to a WolfBrown Survey conducted in July 2021, 95 percent of New Jersey theatregoers are now partially or fully vaccinated. Similarly, 95 percent of audience members pledged to cooperate with public safety standards.

“The professional theatre community in New Jersey has always been a collaborative one, and we have seen unprecedented engagement and cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said John McEwen, executive director of New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

“I am pleased to see the member theatres of New Jersey Theatre Alliance working together to make their return to live performance a safe and joyful experience for all,” McEwen said.

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