With a robust concert schedule through the rest of the year, administrators of the Emporia Granada Theatre say new COVID-19 protocols announced late last week are designed to protect patrons, staff and performers alike.
Theater director Rebeca Herrera and board president Mike Helbert joined KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Tuesday to go through the new policy, which requires patrons to wear masks inside the theater or have proof of vaccination. Herrera says this follows recent trends nationwide with artists, talent agencies and other venues.
In fact, Herrera says most talent agencies are now requesting “maximum protections” for their artists as they go from venue to venue.
Helbert says the discussion was ongoing for several weeks before the board met Thursday to adjust the policy. He says the final product was a compromise, with the theater’s capacity a driving factor in the final decision.
Helbert also acknowledges there could be some security issues, so he’s asking patrons to follow the new policies.
Herrera says recent reaction has been mixed, but she believes the theater has the full support of the Emporia area.
Given potential changes in COVID-19 guidance at the county or state level, he says these new policies are “very fluid” and could change. Helbert also says the new policies are in place for public events only. Organizers of private events involving the rental of the theater will set their own COVID-19 mitigation plans.
The Granada has comedian Andy Gross performing Saturday, followed by musical concerts featuring Ryan Daniel on Sept. 3, Blaine Howard on Sept. 25, Jack Mouse and Janice Borla on Oct. 9, the Eli Young Band on Oct. 16 and Elton Dan and The Rocket Band on Nov. 6.
