COVID-19 Vaccination Proof To Be Required At Beck Center

LAKEWOOD, OH — Following the example of Playhouse Square and other arts organizations, the Beck Center for the Arts will require audience members to prove they have been vaccinated before attending a show.

The new vaccine policy applies to audience members 12 and older and will go into effect Sept. 30. A host of other Northeast Ohio theater group are implementing similar policies, including Playhouse Square, Dobama Theatre, the Ohio Shakespeare Festival, and Great Lakes Theater, among others.

"While there are many details to be worked out to suit this policy to our specific theaters, we believe there is considerable strength in the whole of Cleveland’s theatrical community uniting around this action. We strongly believe that this policy will provide audiences, staff, crew, and artists with a critical additional layer of safety," the Beck Center said.

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Beck Center officials said their concern for staff, performers and audience members motivated the vaccine policy change.

Ohio's COVID-19 surge has hit new highs this summer, despite vaccines being widely available. Gov. Mike DeWine and various medical officials have repeatedly urged residents to wear masks in shared spaces regardless of their vaccination status, to maintain social distance, and to get a vaccine as soon as possible.