WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GARDE’S REOPENING
- The Garde can only open when it can be fully open…safely.
- Artists and the Garde depend on its full 1400- seat capacity in order to
generate the revenue necessary to cover event costs. - Social distancing reduces available seats to about 30% of capacity.
Public gatherings in our lobbies and access to concessions are integral to
the “Garde experience” and cannot function with social distance. - The Garde does not want to open when public health requirements are so
intrusive they create audience anxiety. - Large indoor theaters will be the last to fully open. Currently, the State of
CT is forecasting this Fall. - Most touring artists must be able to travel safely anywhere in the U.S. and
are focusing on indoor touring to recommence this Fall. - All tickets purchased for future shows are honored for the same seat if the
show reschedules. We will have a “no questions asked” ticket refund
policy for all events pre-purchased before we reopen.
TO PREPARE FOR REOPENING, the Garde will be
- Meeting weekly with Connecticut and national theater colleagues to
assess current conditions and jointly develop reopening strategies; - Completing a study of our ventilation systems to determine what
modifications and additional equipment may be necessary; - Rehiring, recruiting, and retraining production staff lost during the
shutdown; - Sanitizing and upgrading backstage areas;
- Upgrading audio and lighting systems;
- Modifying lobby and concession equipment and procedures; and
- Keeping in touch with our patrons with the latest developments
and schedule announcements.