Prior to our first rehearsal ‘defining what was possible’
- The Department Heads of Music and Dance met with the Director of Performing Arts, Deputy Head Operations to consider if a safe approach to Cabaret was possible. Many meetings followed throughout the course of the term as we adapted to change in rules to ensure we were fully compliant with Government Guidelines. Throughout the term we established that there would be no audience, no external production support, no external locations used beyond the school gates, no mixing of different groups of performers and musicians and specific groups of 15 for singing rehearsals and recordings.
- ALL of the recordings, pre and post production would take place in house - using our own staff and equipment to avoid further contamination.
Rehearsals
- Before rehearsals began we conducted safety briefings with all students and staff involved, which echoed the risk assessments of the school.
- As students have across the school - in rehearsals we bubbled separately as musicians, Legat and Musical Theatre performers, thus reducing cross contamination.
- Rehearsals for Music, Singing and Dancing were conducted separately, and in the smallest groups possible, to lower the numbers of students and staff in any one space.
- There was no sharing of musical instruments or props during rehearsals
- In line with school wide risk assessments, we asked that students and staff leave the school site immediately if experiencing any Covid Symptoms of a continuous cough, change in smell or taste and a raised temperature.
Recordings
- Recordings of Music, Singing and Dancing were conducted separately; to lower the numbers of students and staff in any one space; utilising the Recital Room, Recording studio, MPH and outdoors.
- All Dance recordings took place in the MPH, over one week, to take advantage of the large stage area and time to conduct ourselves safely.
- Before entering the MPH we created an agreed ground plan of the space, taped out zones for Registration, Dressing Rooms, Make Up space and waiting between recordings.
- The MPH was fitted out with Dressing Room space that enabled each child to have their own ‘zone’ to change.
- We conducted the recordings within the school wide guidelines, taking into consideration safe numbers within the space, appropriate distance kept on and off stage, wearing of masks when moving around the hall and constant cleaning of shared areas.
- If someone developed symptoms on set they were immediately sent home to isolate and be tested, following school and government guidelines regarding isolation times.
- The MPH has improved ventilation systems, daily deep cleans and there was extra cleaning throughout the day. Sanitiser was available in the hall, in different zones.
- Students and staff continued to use their allocated toilets, as set out in the school wide policy.
- Job roles that required closer contact (such as hair and make up) followed the Government’s Close Contact Services Guidelines, which included the requirement to wear additional PPE.
Learn more about Cabaret 2020
