Vaccination and Mask Policy for Broadway and Off-Broadway Shows in NYC - Valid Until Further Notice
Broadway has been back in business since August 2021 with COVID-19 safety protocols keeping thousands of patrons safe eight shows a week. With protocols beginning to change, here's an easy cheat sheet to put your mind at ease.
As of July 1, 2022 masks are optional, but encouraged, for audiences attending a Broadway show with several exceptions (outlined below).
For Off-Broadway shows, masks are required at some major Off-Broadway venues (outlined below).
COVID vaccinations are no longer required for Broadway shows.
Broadway
Masks: Encouraged (with the following exceptions)
Masks Required:
- 1776, front row orchestra required to wear an approved mask provided by Roundabout
- Between Riverside and Crazy, Tuesday evening and Wednesday matinee (other performances: encouraged)
- The Collaboration, Tuesday evening and Sunday matinee (other performances: encouraged)
- Into The Woods, front two rows orchestra
Vaccination Check: No
Off-Broadway
59E59 Theaters (Off Peak, Ye Bear & Ye Cub)
Masks: Not Required
Vaccination Check: No
Atlantic Theater (The Far Country)
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: No
Classic Stage Company (A Man Of No Importance)
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: No
Daryl Roth Theatre (Titanique)
Masks: Not Required
Vaccination Check: No
Irish Repertory Theatre (Jack Was Kind, A Child's Christmas In Wales)
Masks: Required in theatre, not required in lobby
Vaccination Check: No
Lincoln Center Theatre Claire Tow Theater (Your Own Personal Exegesis)
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: No
Lincoln Center Theatre Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (Becky Nurse of Salem)
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: No
Manhattan Theatre Club (The Best We Could)
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: No
MCC Theater (Wolf Play)
Masks: Required Tuesday evenings, Saturday matinees, and Sunday matinees (other performances: Not Required)
Vaccination Check: No
New York City Center (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater)
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: No
New York Theatre Workshop (Merrily We Roll Along)
Masks: Not Required
Vaccination Check: No
Playwrights Horizons (Downstate)
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: No
Public Theater (Under The Radar Festival)
Masks: Required Tuesday evenings, Saturday matinees, and Sunday matinees (other performances: Encouraged)
Vaccination Check: No
Roundabout Black Box (the bandaged place)
Masks: Required. Certain seating locations, based on the proximity to the actors, may be required to wear a provided mask.
Vaccination Check: No
Roundabout Laura Pels Theatre (The Wanderers)
Masks: Required. Certain seating locations, based on the proximity to the actors, may be required to wear a provided mask.
Vaccination Check: No
Second Stage Theater
Masks: Encouraged but required Tuesday evenings and Wednesday matinees
Vaccination Check: No
The Shed Griffin Theater (Straight Line Crazy)
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: No
Theatre for a New Audience (Des Moines)
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: No
Theatre Row (The Magical Journey Of Arlekina)
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: No
Westside Theatre (Little Shop Of Horrors)
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: For Row A.
York Theatre Company (Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust Road)
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: No
Classic Arts Venues
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Masks: Not Required
Vaccination Check: No
The Metropolitan Opera
Masks: Not Required
Vaccination Check: No
David Geffen Hall / The New York Philharmonic
Masks: Not Required
Vaccination Check: No
Carnegie Hall
Masks: Not Required
Vaccination Check: No
David H. Koch Theater / New York City Ballet
Masks: Not Required
Vaccination Check: No
New York City Center
Masks: Required
Vaccination Check: No
Symphony Space
Masks: Required for certain events
Vaccination Check: For certain events
Do I have to figure out a different set of COVID safety procedures for each Broadway theatre?
Short answer: Maybe. When in doubt, look to the show's official website, the point of purchase for your tickets, or The Broadway League.
The Broadway League, which represents all 41 Broadway theatres, had taken the reins on this matter. Beginning in May, The Broadway League directed theatre owners and operators to establish their own policies on vaccination status for audience members.
Currently, no Broadway shows require vaccination for entry, with the Shubert Organization, the Nederlander Organization, and Disney Theatrical all having dropped vaccine requirements in May and Roundabout Theatre Company allowing its tenants to set their own audience policies for vaccination.
Should you encounter a (non-Broadway) venue that does require proof of vaccination, here's how to know you're following those rules correctly:
What counts as "proof" of vaccination?
Here are your three best options:
1. A physical vaccination card
2. A photo of a physical vaccination card
3. A digital vaccine app (e.g. Excelsior, Docket, NYC Covid Safe, Clear)
What if you can't get vaccinated?
Generally, when theatres do require vaccination, there are three scenarios in which you can still enter unvaccinated:
1. If you have a medical condition that precludes it
2. If you have a "sincerely held" religious belief that precludes it
3. If you are under five and accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult
In all these scenarios, instead of providing proof of vaccination, you can either…
1. Show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance.
2. Show proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance.
More Information
For more information regarding safety and safety protocols, please consult your show’s official website or the website of the theatre you are planning to visit whose links can be found below. Please verify the theatre policies and requirements before making your purchase.
For Ain't No Mo', Almost Famous, A Beautiful Noise, A Strange Loop, Chicago, Kimberly Akimbo, KPOP, Leopoldstadt, The Music Man, The Phantom of the Opera, The Piano Lesson, Some Like it Hot, and Topdog/Underdog, please visit The Shubert Organization for more information.
For The Book of Mormon, Funny Girl, Hadestown, Into the Woods, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical please visit Jujamcyn Theaters for more information.
For Beetlejuice, A Christmas Carol, Hamilton, The Lion King, MJ The Musical, Six, and Wicked please visit Broadway Direct for more information.
For 1776, please visit Roundabout Theatre Company for more information.
For Aladdin, please visit Disney on Broadway for more information.
For Between Riverside And Crazy please visit Second Stage Theater for more information.
For Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, please visit Harry Potter the Play for more information.
For The Collaboration, please visit Manhattan Theatre Club for more information on their upcoming productions.
For Death of a Salesman please visit The Hudson Theatre for more information.
For Camelot, visit Lincoln Center Theater for more information.
These policies are adapted from the Broadway League, whose Vaccination and Mask Policy can be found here.
