WASHINGTON, D.C.: TheatreWashington and Limelight Insights by Shugoll have launched the findings of a current on-line survey geared toward assessing D.C.-area theatregoers’ opinions and attitudes towards COVID-19 security insurance policies. The development among the many 2,755 responses from survey members, representing theatregoers each pre-pandemic and since theatres started to reopen within the fall of 2021, is evident: Theatre attendance is down general, and it’s pushed by continued issues about COVID-19.
Respondents consisted of subscribers and single ticket patrons at 10 D.C.-area theatres who beforehand attended the theatre a minimum of twice a 12 months previous to the COVID-19 pandemic. The common variety of reveals attended dropped from 7.38 pre-COVID to 4.80 after reopening. While 58 p.c of respondents beforehand attended the theatre six or extra occasions, solely 31 p.c did so after reopening. Almost half (46 p.c) of respondents have attended the theatre simply thrice or much less since reopening. Among this pattern of multi-time theatre attenders previous to the pandemic, theatres noticed an estimated 25 p.c decline in subscribers after reopening (although subscribers are typically extra possible to answer such a survey than non-subscribers).
In phrases of age group, theatres noticed the biggest decline in attendance of older viewers members, particularly patrons 65 years previous and up. Prior to the pandemic, these patrons visited theatres considerably extra usually than youthful attendees, however have since had the bottom attendance of any age group.
The survey discovered that the principle purpose why some patrons had not returned to theatres since reopening was their concern over turning into sick from COVID publicity. A full 68 p.c of patrons acknowledged that they think about the potential for contracting COVID-19 to be an important purpose for not attending theatres; 17 p.c of respondents stated they haven’t attended as a result of they don’t wish to put on masks on the theatre, 14 p.c acknowledged that programming has not them, and 11 p.c stated they don’t wish to have to indicate proof of vaccination. Other causes for not attending included those that cited the necessity for advance planning for a visit to the theatre (8 p.c), those that reported that they’ve discovered different sorts of leisure through the pandemic that they get pleasure from (7 p.c), those that acknowledged that they don’t miss attending the theatre (5 p.c), those that acknowledged they can not afford to go to the theatre (3 p.c), and people who reportedly realized how a lot cash they save when they don’t purchase theatre tickets (2 p.c.)
Masking guidelines had been one other figuring out issue for attendance: 48 p.c of viewers members had a choice for necessary mask-wearing in all places in theatre venues, whereas 31 p.c most well-liked masks to be optionally available in all places, and 17 p.c acknowledged that they want masks to be required contained in the efficiency areas however not within the foyer or different areas of the theatre. Among present attendees (those that have been to the theatre since fall of 2021), 12 p.c would attend extra usually if masks necessities ended, whereas 41 p.c stated they’d attend a minimum of considerably much less usually; 43 p.c stated that they’d attend as continuously as they at present do, and seven p.c would cease attending the theatre completely if masks weren’t required. Those who haven’t but attended since reopening tended to be essentially the most cautious about masks given the continuing presence of COVID-19.
“We’ve been tracking the attitudes and opinions of D.C.-area theatregoers through research and surveys since early in the pandemic, and this survey represents another data set,” stated Mark Shugoll, senior guide of Limelight Insights by Shugoll, in a press release. “At this particular point in time, it’s clear to me that as theatregoers return, they are still cautious about COVID-19 safety and would prefer mandatory mask-wearing when inside.” A previous survey from March discovered that respondents had related issues about COVID-19 security in D.C.-area theatres.
“The results of this survey have been shared with our partner organizations as they continue to
make challenging decisions about COVID-19 safety policies in their theatres,” stated Amy Austin,
president & CEO of TheatreWashington, in a press release. “It’s no secret that D.C.-area theatres have struggled to rebound since reopening their doors in fall 2021, and face some very difficult decision-making ahead. I feel confident that theatre leadership has the best interest of their audiences, artists,
staff, and volunteers at the core of their policy decisions, and TheatreWashington will continue to support them through this period. In keeping with guidance from the CDC, TheatreWashington highly encourages the use of masks inside indoor theatre spaces.”
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