ABTT Members' Newsletter, September 2020
Dear <<First Name>>,
We hope you are keeping well.
Since our last newsletter, we have held the ABTT Annual General Meeting online and presented the widely researched and provocative seminar "Social Distancing, oh no we can’t!” with ABTT Founder Member and Fellow, Richard Pilbrow.
Richard answered questions about alternative options to social distancing when reopening our theatres and spoke at length about the many ways this could be achieved. For those unable to attend on the day, a recording may be found shortly on the ABTT Website here.
Following timely reminders for which we are very grateful, we provide links in this edition to the current guidance throughout the UK with regards to reopening venues. There continue to be significant differences between England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. More details can be found below.
With widespread assistance from throughout the sector, the ABTT is continuing produce COVID Secure Guidance Notes with Guidance Notes 104 and 105 now having been released on the ABTT Website. We continue to release this guidance as a free resource.More information on the Guidance Notes currently available can be found below.
We also continue to curate and run online seminars and networking events, including the next event for the UK Theatre and Live Events Apprenticeship Network which is open to any past, future and current apprentices or students. More information below.
To help the broader Entertainment and Events sector in its discussions with government please help supply accurate information about the size and current state of our industry by completing the #WeMakeEvents Covid 19 Entertainment Freelancer Survey, See below for link.
Do remember that the ABTT is currently continuing as normal and stands ready to offer any support it can, so please do keep in contact via email: office@abtt.org.uk
Kind regards,
The ABTT Team
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The ABTT Annual General Meeting was held online this year on the 4th September 2020 and attended by nearly 70 people!
During this meeting the Report of the Association for the year to 31 December 2019 and the Consolidated Accounts of the Association for the year to 31 December 2019 were formally adopted. The meeting also voted to reappoint the Auditors to serve until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting.
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Two trustee positions became vacant this year, Anette Ollerearnshaw and John Young having served two consecutive terms and being required to stand down. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their service to the ABTT over the last 6 years.
The results of elections to Council were announced stating that Alexander Cann and Anton Woodward were appointed and joining the continuing trustees Louise Birchall, Mig Burgess, David Evans, Andy Franks, Darren Joyce, Peter Maccoy, Caroline Rouse, Nikki Scott and Emma Wilson.
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Following the formal business at the ABTT AGM on Friday, those gathered were treated to the seminar "Social Distancing, Oh no we can’t!” by ABTT Founder Member and Fellow Richard Pilbrow.
As a vehement anti-social distancer Richard Pilbrow investigated protocols other than social distancing that could be used to help get audiences back in to Theatre and our Industry back up and running.
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This interesting and informative seminar was recorded and will be made available via the ABTT Website on our Seminar Page shortly.
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Member’s price: £640 + VAT
Non-member’s price: £740.00 + VAT
Date: 21st – 25th September
Location: London, Mountview
The Bronze Award is a five day course which gives candidates knowledge and understanding of best practice, whether they are working in regional rep, touring, multi-art form studios, community theatre, the West End or as a freelancer.
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It delivers the first vocational step for professional development for the theatre technician and will provide candidates with an industry recognised qualification equivalent to SCQF Level 7.
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UK Theatre & Live Events Apprentice Network Event:
15 September | 2:00 pm - 4:00pm
Online, Zoom Event
This event is being run as part of the UK Theatre & Live Events Apprenticeship Network. It is open to any current, future or past Apprentices in UK Theatre & Live events.
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Founded by ABTT Young Associate Representative Tamykha Patterson, the UK Theatre & Live Events Apprenticeship Network will enable all past, current and future Apprentices a much needed safe space to ask questions and to seek advice.
At this Event we hope to introduce you to other Apprentices and enable the attendees to ask questions while giving you guidance on how to format your CV, what you should include, skills that companies are looking for and of course job hunting tips too!
You can also find out more information – including relevant resources for Apprentices here: https://www.abtt.org.uk/committees/abtt-apprenticeship-network/
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The ABTT will shortly be releasing Guidance notes 104 & 105 to sit alongside Guidance Notes 101, 102 & 103 covering COVID Secure reopening of places of entertainment. These are living documents - due to the constant updating of requirements - as such they are not downloadable but viewable via the ABTT Website for free. This ensures you will be looking at the most up to date version of the guidance at any time.
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These publications include guidance on risk assessments and steps for returning to work following lockdowns and form part of the Code of Practice for the Theatre Industry produced by the Association of British Theatre Technicians with the support of the Theatre Safety Committee and should be read in conjunction with one another.
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Guidance for the performing arts and venues sector - England
As of 15 August England is now at Stage Four of the roadmap. This means that socially distanced indoor and outdoor performances can take place in line with guidance, though organisations are encouraged to continue to work outdoors wherever possible.
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In addition, musicians, dancers and actors, and the technical and operational teams that support performing arts production, can resume training, rehearsals and recorded performances where organisations wish and are able to.
Dance studios are also open and should follow guidance for providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities. As set out in more detail in the government’s roadmap for recovery any further steps to continue to open up the economy will be dependent on the state of the epidemic at the time and the trajectory of cases being stable or remaining in decline.
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Guidance for the performing arts and venues sector - Scotland
The Scottish government on Friday 21 August published their guidance for the performing arts and venues sector both professional and non-professional and it sets out the expectations on what businesses and organisations of all sizes and sub-sectors need to consider as part of their planning for restart.
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Guidance for the performing arts and venues sector - Wales
BBC Wales reported: “First Minister Mark Drakeford has said three outdoor events, with up to 100 people, will be held in the hope more would be allowed. The trial will see outdoor performances run by Theatr Clwyd, in Flintshire, allowed from 27 August.”
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Drakeford then explained that he would make a further statement at his next three week review on Friday 11 September.
Currently, Theatres in Wales remain closed and no date has been set for the resumption of live performances either indoors or outdoors.
Guidance on phased reopening in Wales can be found here.
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Guidance for the performing arts and venues sector - Northern Ireland
Please see this link tor the statement from Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín outlining the support measures that have been put in place and future plans to help local arts and cultural sector who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has also published a comprehensive guidance manual to support the safe reopening of arts performance venues closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic however following an announcement on Wednesday 26th August, Theatres in Northern Ireland will not be able to reopen to audiences as originally planned. Officials have engaged with the different stakeholder bodies and no new indicative dates have been set.
COVID Guidance for Northern Ireland can be found here.
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The second round of applications for the Theatre Artists Fund is open until 12noon on Thursday 10 September. All the relevant information can be found here.
The Theatre Artists Fund has been set up to provide emergency support for theatre workers and freelancers across the UK in need of urgent and critical financial support due to the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the theatre sector.
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DCMS Select Committee next week
Following the Committee’s report in July that made recommendations for sector recovery, they are holding an evidence session on Tuesday. The subject is on re-opening performance venues in relation to social distancing requirements. Giving evidence are Andrew Lloyd Webber and LW Theatres. You can watch it live here.
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DCMS Guidance
The Performing Arts DCMS guidance had some recent amendments for theatre in England with the government reversing two of the changes that were made to the last revision – both of these decisions are positive news:
- removing the requirement to keep 2m distance at the edge of auditorium balconies;
- reverted the requirement to collect contact details for all audience members back to just the lead booker for Test & Trace purposes.
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Arts Map launched - Add / claim your listing
The Public Campaign for the Arts has launched the Arts Map, a new online platform to grow and express support for arts organisations in local communities across the UK.
This can be found via this link here: https://www.campaignforthearts.org/map/
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The Arts Map enables anyone to type in their postcode, check the status of arts organisations nearby, and show support for them with messages and donations. You can receive all messages for use in your fundraising and advocacy.
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#BackOnStage social media campaign
A social media campaign has been launched with the hashtag #BackOnStage to celebrate shows as they return. Everyone may get involved - from cast, to front and back of house, to audiences - by using the hashtag when your show reopens, as well as supporting other shows as they open.
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Here is how you can get involved:
- In the run up to reopening, share videos of the cast, backstage team or venue employees talking about how excited they are to be back. Remind ticket holders via your channels to use the hashtag #BackOnStage when posting about their experience of the show.
- After the bows, have a cast member do a shoutout to ask audiences to share their experience of being back at the theatre using the hashtag and tagging the show.
- Take a picture or video of the audience on opening night and post with the hashtag.
- Incentivise followers to use the hashtag by saying you’ll repost your favourite experiences. Share the best posts from audience members and other productions.
- Get in touch with us to organise a #BackOnStage-themed Instagram takeover or Vlog early in the run (please email jess@soltukt.co.uk and frankie@soltukt.co.uk)
- As shows begin to reopen, record your cast saying a ‘break a leg message’ for their opening night and celebrate their success by retweeting their #BackOnStage content.
- Include #BackOnStage in any promotional and organic online content. Include it in your social copy to spread awareness to those across all platforms.
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“Visit a Theatre, To Help Out” scheme
A petition is now live calling on Government to launch a “Visit a Theatre, To Help Out” scheme similar to the initiative that has helped the hospitality sector. It asks government to consider subsidising theatre tickets when social-distancing restrictions are relaxed in order to kickstart the theatre sector and boost recovery. The petition may be viewed here.
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As a registered charity, we are dependent on our membership subscriptions and donations as we do not receive any government subsidy, or regular financial help from local authorities or the Arts Council. If you are able, please pay any outstanding membership subscriptions. If it is possible and you would like to make a donation to support the ABTT in surviving in these incredibly challenging times, we would be extraordinarily grateful.
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Add Gift Aid to your Membership!
Have you added Gift Aid to your membership? Donating through Gift Aid means that, as a charity, the ABTT can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give.
It will not cost you any extra and all you need to do is give written consent!
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If it is possible and you would like to make a donation to support the ABTT in surviving in these incredibly challenging times, we would be extraordinarily grateful.
Any donations will help us in continuing to set and uphold standards in technical excellence, safety and compliance for live performance, to assist technicians and support relevant industry projects.
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