A Note from our Board of Directors regarding COVID-19:

WSPA continues to follow the ever-changing rules which have been issued after the COVID-19 outbreak, and it adapts each and every time new rules are issued.

Executive Orders:

The WSPA Board regularly monitors local, state, and federal regulations and guidance regarding COVID-19 and its impact on all who are affiliated with WSPA in any way.

On May 22, 2020, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order No. 20-131 which provided that all restrictions on organized youth activities and summer camps were immediately lifted. When doing so, Governor DeSantis stated, “At the end of the day, we trust parents to be able to make decisions in conjunction with physicians and community leaders and coaches to be able to do these activities in a way that is safe.”

On June 4, 2020, Seminole County issued a revised Executive Order No. 2020-025 in which it rescinded a prior order which required social distancing. Seminole County now merely recommends social distancing and wearing masks/face coverings unless doing so would impede service.

On June 5, 2020, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order No. 20-139 which initiated Phase 2 of the “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery.” Section 4(B) of that Executive Order allows entertainment businesses such as WSPA to operate at fifty (50) percent of their building capacity.

On June 29, 2020, Seminole County issued Executive Order No. 2020-030 which requires businesses and citizens in places of assembly to wear masks or face coverings with limited exceptions. Among those exceptions are places of business where use of a mask or face covering would prevent the performance of service of the business or where persons are exercising while maintaining social distancing.

Based on these Executive Orders, WSPA can lawfully and safely operate with limited restrictions and in a manner which we deem to be socially responsible. Nevertheless, we can and do take additional precautions which are not required by the above-referenced Executive Orders.

Rehearsals:

Reduced Student Attendance: Despite high demand for our programs, we decided to reduce our overall number of students as a means to also reduce increased risk of exposure of COVID-19.

Parent Observation:  For the first time ever we have asked parents and families not to enter the facility to watch rehearsals.

Temperature Screenings: If anyone is sick or has a temperature above 100.4, they may not enter the WSPA premises.

Hygiene/Cleaning: We promote regular hand washing among students and staff. We also discourage sharing of personal belongings and/or equipment. We also clean and disinfect daily.

Social Distancing: Social distancing while rehearsing or performing on the stage is extremely difficult. Nevertheless, we encourage our students to practice social distancing when a scene or dance does not call for them to be near their cast mates.

Productions:

Consistent with Executive Order No. 20-139, WSPA will be performing its productions in front of live audiences.  We believe performing before a live audience is instrumental to the development of our students and helps develop their presentation skills and overall confidence.  We also believe our students perform their best when they are able to do so in front of their families.  Therefore, we stand by our decision to hold performances before a live audience and will do so unless and until directed otherwise by Governor DeSantis and/or Seminole County.

We have, however, taken further action help reduce concerns of increased exposure to COVID-19 during live performances. First, under current guidelines, we have the ability to sell tickets up to half of our total building occupancy of 378 (thus, 189 people), but we have chosen to limit our occupancy during shows even further to only 140, inclusive of students and staff. We are, therefore, only selling 100 tickets per performance. As a means to limit exposure to COVID-19, tickets are first being offered to families who have students participating in productions. Only those tickets which remain available after the offering to families will be available to purchase by the general public.  Audience members will also be spaced out in an appropriate and safe manner and asked to wear masks if social distancing cannot be achieved. Lastly, although our students may not be wearing masks/face coverings during the live performances, they will be kept a safe distance away from our live audience.

Please be advised that if you purchase tickets to a live performance, WSPA does not provide refunds. So, for anyone who remains concerned about attending a live production, we would recommend that you consider our live stream option instead. WSPA will be live streaming each performance in real time as the students perform on stage. The live stream will only have footage during the time of the performance and clicking the link late might mean missing the beginning of the of the show. Purchasing one live stream ticket will allow your family to watch the specific performance selected but not all performances. If you wish to view all three performances at home, a purchase will need to be made for each performance date.

In summary, we understand the uneasiness which COVID-19 has brought upon our families. But, rest assured that we are doing our best at WSPA to help provide your children with a fun-filled and safe theatrical experience which is consistent with all current guidelines issued by our government leaders.