GETTING READY
To ensure that students will be protected while working in the studios, we ask that every student and staff member consider the following items as we get ready to reopen:
1. If a student or staff member is traveling back to Los Angeles because they left town during the quarantine, we ask that they do not attend a class until 14 days after their return, even if they have received a Covid vaccine. All modes of transportation apply, including travel by car.
If a student or staff member decides to travel once they have resumed their studies in class, we ask they self-quarantine for at least 14 days upon returning from the trip. Please be responsible. We're in this together!
2. We ask that students and staff refrain from congregating in large event gatherings for at least two weeks before their first class.
Once an individual has begun attending classes, we ask that they continue to refrain from socializing in large event gatherings. Please be responsible. We're in this together!
3. There may be a time when students and/or staff may be required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test to rejoin a class. Please make a note of the following links for locations that provide free testing.
- LA County Free Test Sites
- CVS Free Test Sites
Know that getting your test results from the free test sites can take up to 3 to 5 days. Faster results my be gained by paying a fee at a local clinic or your personal physician.
4. Even if a person has been vaccinated for the COVID-19, they must still abide by all of the school's safety protocols. The vaccine is designed to teach your immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. It is still not known yet if the vaccine will stop someone from spreading the virus. Please see the following links for more information:
- Understanding the COVID-19 Vaccine
- Myths & Facts about the COVID-19 Vaccine
5. Playhouse West is taking all the necessary steps to ensure a safe and clean working environment, but there still remains the risk of exposure to the Covid-19 virus. With that in mind, we ask that all students and staff sign a liability waiver before attending classes. Students are asked to print it out and sign the waiver below and then bring it to their first day of class. You can download the waiver located at the menu on the left. A copy of the waiver will be provided if a student is unable to bring a signed copy to their first class. Students will not be allowed to enter the studio without first signing the waiver.
If an individual is not in agreement with the above guidelines, we ask that they forgo attending classes until which time they feel comfortable with the safety of the working conditions.
TUITION
We understand that most students were financially impacted in a major way by the shut down of the city’s businesses. With that in mind, we’re providing a discount on tuition for the first several months so that students can resume their studies while getting back on their feet, financially.
The pay structure will be as follows:
DISCOUNTED TUITION
1. Students who paid tuition for the month of March 2020 will be allowed to attend classes through the month of April for free, beginning on the reopening date of April 19.
Students that are eligible to receive the credited tuition must begin classes at or around the April 19 reopening date in order to claim the free classes.
2. Students who are new to the school will be charged a prorated rate of $20/class for the remaining classes in April.
3. For the month of May, all students will be charged the discounted rate of $195.00.
4. Full tuition will then be paid monthly, beginning on (month TBD).
IN CASES OF ILLNESS
1. If a student becomes sick with Covid-19, that student must take a hiatus from the school for at least 14 days. They can then return to class only after they provide proof of a current, negative Covid-19 test result.
2. If a student exhibits Covid-19 symptoms while attending a class, that student will be released from the class and must leave the studio immediately. To return to the class, the student must take a 14 day hiatus or show proof of a negative Covid-19 test
3. If a student is forced to take a hiatus because of illness due to Covid-19, they will not be reimbursed or receive credit for the balance of their tuition.
The Playhouse West staff retains the right to make the determination if a student must leave a class because they may be sick.
4. If a student has attended class and tests positive for Covid-19, that class will then be suspended for at least 14 days and each student and staff member must first receive a negative Covid-19 test before studies in that class can resume.
SAFETY PROTOCOLS
1. No one will be allowed to enter the studio if they exhibit any flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, etc.) Do not come to class if you are sick!
The Playhouse West staff retains the right to make the determination if a student will, or will not be allowed to enter the studio for any reason.
2. Students will enter the Lankershim and Magnolia studios through the front entrance for the beginning of class, and exit through the rear when the class has concluded.
3. When waiting to enter the studio, students are asked to maintain 6 feet social distancing.
4. All students and staff will receive a squirt of hand sanitizer when entering the studio.
5. When entering the studio to attend a class, each student will have their temperature taken by a staff member with a contact-free, infrared thermometer. If a student’s temperature is 100.4 or above, that student will not be allowed to enter the studio. To rejoin the class, the student must first take a 14 day hiatus or show proof of a negative Covid-19 test.
6. All students and staff are responsible for bringing their own face covering (mask) and must wear it when entering the studio, no exception.
Masks must fit snuggly over the nose, mouth and chin and must provide adequate air filtration as recommended by CDC guidelines.
The Playhouse West Staff retains the right to determine if a mask meets adequate safety standards set by the school.
ENTERING THE STUDIO
Please help us ensure a safe working environment by adhering to the following guidelines.
CLASS PROCEDURES
1. Class sizes will be limited to 14 students (Cohorts).
2. If a class has more than 14 students enrolled, the class will be divided into two equal groups. The divided classes will each run for 1.5 hours, back to back, during which time, everyone will work.
3. The audit classes at the Lankershim studio will accommodate 10 students and 4 auditors. The auditors must make a reservation to attend. No walk-ins allowed unless there’s an open reservation available.
4. Students must sit in the marked, designated seats, which are postitioned to allow for social distancing.
5. When participating in an exercise or scene, students must wear a mask, no exceptions.
6. When participating in an exercise or scene, students must maintain at least a 6 ft. distance between one another at all times. Physical contact is not allowed. There will be tape markings on the floor that will serve as guides.
7. Students are not allowed to share items with one another, such as activities, writing utensils, and food items (water, mints, etc).
8. After each exercise or scene, all surfaces on the stage that were touched will be wiped and sanitized by the actors who had just worked. Disinfectant and gloves will be provided by the school.
9. After each class, the room will be disinfected by wiping down the tables/chairs, door knobs, back stage areas, chair armrests and all other surfaces that may have been touched or handled.
10. When rehearsing outside the class, please follow the same guidelines as when working in the class. One-on-one rehearsals only. No group rehearsals are allowed!
Students are only allowed to rehearse with students from their own class. Students are not allowed to rehearse with students from other classes.
11. Until further notice, there will not be a rehearsal class on Tuesdays at 3:30pm
12. Until further notice, students will not be allowed to attend classes other than their two, regularly assigned classes.
Playhouse West is REOPENING, Monday, APRIL 19TH!
Dear Playhouse West Students & Auditors,
We hope everyone has been able to stay safe and healthy during this past year of the pandemic. It has been a difficult and frustrating time, but now that LA County has loosened its quarantine restrictions by moving into the red tier, we are now allowed to reopen for classes! We welcome you back and look forward to picking up your studies where they left off.
To ensure the safety of both our students and staff, please review our reopening plan below: