Performing Arts Guidelines
Updated: March 3
Overview
The Performing Arts are a central pillar of the NYU academic experience. The University hosts thriving arts programs at Tisch, Steinhardt, Arts & Science, and Gallatin, providing courses that encompass studio and ensemble work, private lessons, and performance opportunities to roughly 3,000 students. The 2021-22 academic year Performing Arts Guidelines—designed to provide protection for students and their instructors—exclusively pertain to performing arts activities that relate directly to specific academic courses and are not applicable to non-course activities.
General Guidelines
Vaccination Status
- Those students who are not yet up to date with their vaccinations may participate in performing arts activities provided they remain masked - as all students must be - and abide by the physical distance requirements for not up-to-date vaccinated students indicated below.
- Students who receive an exemption from the University’s vaccination requirement may participate in performing arts activities provided they remain masked and physically distanced for all activities at all times throughout the semester.
- Instructors are prohibited from inquiring about a student’s vaccination status.
Masks
- Masks are required for all in person performing arts activities (See Specific Guidelines below for details).
- No student in any setting—in classroom, private lessons, rehearsal, and performance contexts—should be asked to remove a mask or be penalized in any way for wearing a mask.
- Schools may choose to recommend specialized PPE such as Singer’s Masks or clear masks but any masks recommended should follow University guidelines.
Physical Distancing
- In general, actors, dancers, and instrumentalists who are up to date on their vaccinations do not have to physically distance while masked while engaged in performing arts activities subject to the Specific Guidelines below.
- Those who are not up to date with their vaccinations must maintain at least six feet of physical distance even while masked.
- Vocalists, woodwind, and brass players who are up to date on their vaccinations are required to follow physical distance guidelines and must perform while masked.
- All students and faculty, regardless of vaccination status, do not have to physically distance while observing studio and ensemble work.
Practice Rooms
The maximum duration for use of practice rooms shall not exceed two hours. Steinhardt and Tisch practice rooms will only be available for their respective majors. All practice rooms must be reserved. In between uses, practice rooms must rest for a minimum of one air change, the timing of which is to be determined with Capital Projects & Facilities.
Private Lessons
All private lessons may be in-person with the student, instructor, and accompanist masked and physically distanced in accordance with the Specific Guidelines below. If the student and instructor want to have a private lesson without masks, the lesson should be held remotely.
Performances
Performances that are connected to the academic requirements of a course may proceed in accordance with Studio and Ensemble protocols included in the Specific Guidelines below. All audience members are required to be masked. Audience members are limited to NYU faculty, students, and staff. Professionals in the performing arts industry (i.e. agents and managers) and student-invited guests may be admitted to performances under the University’s Visitor, Vendor, and Affiliate Policy. Students are required to submit guest requests through the event organizers. For more information on who may be admitted to performances, consult the University's Visitor, Vendor, and Affiliate Policy.
Specific Guidelines
Note: An Air Change represents the extraction of the entire room’s air volume. The rest interval is therefore the time needed to accomplish one extraction of the room’s air volume. A room with an ACH (Air Changes per Hour) of 4 would then take 15 minutes to accomplish one air change.
Item | Guideline |
---|---|
Studio Classes | In Person |
Distancing | No physical distancing required for individuals with up-to-date vaccination status. Those who are not up to date on their vaccinations should maintain 6 ft of distance. |
PPE | Masks required for all in the room; students up to date on their vaccinations may do short length (no more than 15 minutes) scene work (acting) without a mask while maintaining 6 ft of physical distance in groups not to exceed four students. |
Rest Interval | 1 Air Change |
Dynamic: Acting and Movement
Low aerobic stretching and warm-up, "pedestrian" movement, moderately projected voice and speech (not singing)
Item | Guideline |
---|---|
Studio Classes | In Person |
Distancing | No physical distancing required for individuals who are up to date on their vaccinations. Unvaccinated individuals and those who are not up to date on their vaccinations should maintain 6 ft of distance. |
PPE | Masks required for all in the room; students who are up to date on their vaccinations may do short length (no more than 15 minutes) scene work (acting) without a mask while maintaining 6 ft of physical distance in groups not to exceed four students |
Rest Interval |
1 Air Change |
Hyper-dynamic: Acting and Movement
Active aerobic movement, strongly projected voice and speech, dance (might include jazz, ballet, tap, modern, etc.) (not singing)
Item | Guideline |
---|---|
Studio Classes | In Person |
Distancing | No physical distancing required for individuals who are up to date on their vaccinations. Those whose vaccinations are not up to date should maintain 6 ft of distance. |
PPE | Masks required for all in the room; students who are up to date with their vaccinations may do short length (no more than 15 minutes) scene work (acting) without a mask while maintaining 6 ft of physical distance in groups not to exceed four students. Dancers must remain masked at all times. |
Rest Interval |
1 Air Change |
Item | Guideline |
---|---|
Private Lessons | In Person or Remote |
Distancing | 6 ft between student and instructor & accompanist for in person |
PPE |
|
Maximum Duration | 60 Minutes |
Rest Interval | 1 Air Change |
Voice: Ensembles
Item | Guideline |
---|---|
Ensembles | In Person |
Distancing |
6 ft between singers |
PPE | All participants (singers, conductor, accompanist) must wear a mask (regular mask or The Singer’s Mask, or a clear mask.) |
Rest Interval | 3 Air Changes |
Voice: Singing Classes
Music theatre workshops, opera workshops, repertoire, etc.
Item | Guideline |
---|---|
Singing Classes | In Person |
Distancing | 12 ft between singer(s) and other class members; non-singing class members may observe without physical distancing between observers |
PPE | In repertoire classes, students with up-to-date vaccination status may sing solo unmasked with 12 ft of social distance from the accompanist and the rest of the class who can sit with no social distancing between them while observing/listening |
Rest Interval | 3 Air Changes |
Woodwind and Brass
General Instrument Etiquette
- Brass players should practice water key etiquette.
- Drape water valve and collect condensate in a disposable towel. Dispose towel after use.
- Do not empty water valve directly on the floor.
- Brass players may wish to consider using a WindSorb (wash and disinfect after use).
- Wind instrument players must take measures to ensure saliva from their instrument is contained.
Woodwind and Brass: Private Lessons
Item | Guideline |
---|---|
Private Lessons | In Person or Remote |
Distancing | 6 ft between student and instructor & accompanist for In Person except 10 ft for trombone |
PPE |
|
Rest Interval | 1 Air Change |
Woodwind and Brass: Ensembles
Item | Guideline |
---|---|
Ensembles |
In Person; rehearsals will take place in the largest spaces available |
Distancing | Woodwind and brass maintain 6 ft social distancing side-to-side and front-to-back. (trombone 10 ft in front of bell, 6 ft side-to-side) |
PPE |
|
Rest Interval | 3 Air Changes |
Woodwind and Brass: Classes
Repertoire, reed making, etc.
Item | Guideline |
---|---|
Classes | In Person; rehearsals will take place in the largest spaces available. Some classes may need to be blended (sometimes remote) due to pedagogical needs. |
Distancing | Woodwind and brass maintain 6 ft social distancing side-to-side and front-to-back. (trombone 10 ft in front of bell, 6 ft side-to-side) |
PPE |
|
Rest Interval | 3 Air Changes |
Item | Guideline |
---|---|
Ensembles/Orchestras |
In Person; rehearsals will take place in the largest spaces available |
Distancing |
|
PPE |
|
Rest Interval | 3 Air Changes |