At BAA, the safety of your children and our community is our top priority. 

In following government guidelines regarding the safety of public gatherings, and bound by the New York State on PAUSE directives, we had the need to cancel all in-person events for the summer of 2020. We continue monitoring the situation, and we will provide you with updates as new information becomes available. 

We wanted to take a moment to update you about some of the steps BAA is taking to address our shared health and safety concerns in light of the presence of Coronavirus (COVID-19). In order to maintain a safe training environment and address parent concerns, we are taking measures including:

Updating your 2021 Winter and Summer training deposits and registrations cancellation policy to allow for more flexibility: 
In addition to adding new ONLINE training options, we are allowing health related master class and Winter Workshop cancellations, so you can register for your summer program and training opportunities with confidence, knowing you have the flexibility to change your plans without penalty.
Any student with the need to cancel their in-person Winter or Summer Session last minute due to sickness will receive a full tuition credit. Our previous refund policy required a 30 day notice for cancellation, however we are revising this timeline in reaction to the current state of affairs. This will be true for any sickness, COVID-19 related or not. We also will enforce that any student who has been exposed to an individual with the COVID-19, whether they are showing symptoms or not, stays home and does not attend. You can check our updated cancellation Policy HERE! 

For any NYC events that do take place in person in 2020 or 2021 please note the following additional safety precautions:

Enhanced cleaning protocols of our NYC studios: 
All of BAA’s Summer Intensives and year round programs in NYC are held at Broadway’s Ripley Grier Studios. The studios have increased the frequency of their cleaning and have released the following statement.
In addition to that, we have increased the quantity of antibacterial products including sanitizers and disinfectant wipes available for students, teachers and employees throughout our master classes, auditions, and training programs. Any student, staff member, guest artist, or parent who is showing any symptom of illness or has been potentially exposed to anyone with COVID-19, should not attend any BAA audition, program or event.

ON UPCOMING BAA EVENTS:

One Day Master Classes (Year round weekend classes in New York City)
At this time, BAA is not planning to post or promote upcoming One Day Master Classes in-person in New York City during the Fall season. All advertised One Day Master Classes will be held online, via Zoom.

Weekly Class Series and Fall Workshop:
All 2020 Fall Sessions including the Weekly Class Series and 3-Day Fall Workshop will be held Online via Zoom. We are thrilled to be able to offer these new online offerings and have worked in developing them with the same care and level of the programs you are used to attending at BAA!

2021 Winter and Summer Programs:
Our 2021 Summer College Audition Workshop and Summer Intensive Sessions One, Two, Three and Four are predicted to be held live in NYC. An online Summer Session (Session Five), has also been added for 2021 due to the success of our recent online 2020 summer sessions and the suggestion of alumni parents and students!

At this time, the 2021 Winter Workshop and the Winter Showcase Express track are set to take place ONLINE only. This decision was made on December 14th, 2020 in consideration to New York State’s policies regarding Covid-19 travel and updated quarantine rules. Registration for both programs is currently open and you can register here to guarantee your spot! Auditions are still taking place via Zoom and video.

We understand times are uncertain and we strive to be as transparent as possible with our students and BAA policies: Students that were already registered for the in-person program will be guaranteed a spot in the ONLINE Winter Workshop. Should you prefer not to attend the Online Winter Workshop, you’ll receive a credit for any payment you’ve already made, which can be applied to any future BAA program of class of your choice, on the 2021ONLINE Winter Showcase Express Track. Early Bird Tuition for the Winter Workshop ends on December 18th, 2020.

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BAA will continue to take proactive steps to protect the health and safety of our students and staff. It is the goal of the Company during this time period to continue to operate effectively to ensure that our training programs continue to be provided indifferent formats, guaranteeing students and staff are safe. We have communicable disease plans in place that will be revised in cooperation with public health authorities as additional COVID-19 guidance is provided.  We will work closely with our local public health department to maintain effective protocols and will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

In the meantime, please follow common-sense precautions when attending any in-person scheduled auditions, prescreens or master classes. Wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer if you cannot get to a restroom. And even though it may be difficult to miss such an exciting opportunity, please stay home if you are ill. 

The safety of your children is extremely important to us and we want you to know we care deeply about their well being (and yours)! Please be well!

With Love and Concern,
Jennifer Johns, Artistic Director
and the BAA Family.

Last updated: September 2nd, 2020