A special announcement on BAA Summer 2021!

Updated May 21, 2021 With the safety of our students, faculty, and staff at the forefront of each decision, Broadway Artists Alliance has planned both virtual and in-person programs for Summer 2021.  BAA will continue to carefully monitor the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue to follow the guidelines of health experts and government officials regarding the best practices for in-person gathering. Any further information and updates will be added to this page as they become available. Parents and students who are already enrolled in summer programs will also receive direct communication from BAA about any further developments in a timely manner. Please read below to learn how Summer 2021’s timeline has been adjusted as of March 2021 to meet the safety needs of our community, and how you may remain involved with any (or all) of the many options we have created for students!

*The BAA Junior Track during Session One will also be moved online during Session 1, but students previously enrolled in BAA Junior will now also be eligible for Sessions 3 and 5 in NYC, should they choose to attend in person.

We will gladly accommodate session transfers, based on your summer availability, travel comfort level and original BAA acceptance letters for the 2020-2021 year. Kindly read below for more details, or scroll all the way down to see our FAQ!

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🎭 Summer Sessions One, Two, and the College Audition Workshop will move completely Online

. Students who are currently enrolled in the In-Person NYC Sessions One, Two, BAA Junior Track, and the College Audition Workshop have been notified by our Admissions Team about this change, and have received a form to tell us their preferred next step. Students who have been accepted to Sessions One, Two, BAA Junior Track, and the College Audition Workshop but are not yet registered, may click here to register for the online programs! In the aforementioned form, students who were enrolled in the In-Person Sessions One, Two, BAA Junior Track, and the College Audition Workshop have been given the following options:
  • Automatically enroll in the corresponding online session (and either receive a credit for the difference in tuition, or be refunded the amount directly – let us know what you prefer in the form already sent to you). 
  • Inquire about space availability and the student’s eligibility for Sessions Three, Four or Five. We are currently planning to hold these programs in-person in NYC. Previously enrolled Session One, Two, or Junior students are automatically invited to participate in Session Three or Session Five in person, but must have previously been accepted to Session Four in order to attend. Click here to see our upcoming Zoom Auditions, and here for our Video Audition guidelines should you want to re-audition for Session Four specifically.
  • Apply tuition payments toward another BAA Program.
    • An alternative program option is BAA Conservatory, a 10 week program where students meet online once per week for classes in a myriad of subjects, including song interpretation, voiceover, scene study, dance, monologue work, and more! BAA Conservatory will be running June 12 – August 14 on Saturdays, and again September 16 – November 18 on Thursdays.
  • Hold their tuition payments as a credit for next year or any other BAA program. Refunds are not available. 
Please let us know if you are a currently enrolled Session One, Two or BAA Junior Track student and have NOT received the aforementioned email and form from us via info@broadwayartistsalliance.org Why did we make this change in March 2021? Based on developments with vaccine availability for “all American adults by the end of May,” and CDC assessments that vaccines “may not protect you until about 2 weeks after your second shot,” BAA has deduced the safest time to hold any in-person programs is, as of now, during the end of July and the month of August. We have therefore made the call to hold the College Audition Workshop, Sessions One, Two and BAA Jr. Track online. We are keeping Sessions Three and Four in person, as well as added an in-person Session Five. We have made the decision to move our earlier Sessions online to ensure our staff, guest artists, eligible students and parents have ample time to receive the vaccine and for it to take full effect after 2 weeks. We recognize that this summer may be a difficult time for planning, and that some families may have a strong preference for either online or in person based on their unique situation.  It is our goal to provide options that suit the schedules, comfort levels, and preferences of our many students. BAA has kept both in-person and online sessions available to fit the needs of the most families possible. As well as our five Summer Sessions, we are also offering the BAA Conservatory program, which will run throughout the summer and again this fall, online. For students interested in less condensed screen time but want the in-depth training, BAA Conservatory is a perfect option. In BAA Conservatory, students meet once a week for two hours and study a myriad of subjects with top educators in the field. More information on BAA Conservatory, including a sample schedule, can be found on our website here.  We transitioned our Summer season to a virtual setting last year, and received rave reviews about the experience from students and families. Hear directly from our alumni what they had to say about their virtual experiences:

You can also check out a sample schedule of an Online Session by clicking here!

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🎭 Sessions Three and Four will remain In-Person in NYC with Covid-conscious provisions in place

. BAA is planning to move forward with keeping Sessions Three and Four in-person, and will also add an in-person Session Five. Accepted students will enjoy much of the familiar nature of in-person sessions, but BAA has made changes to ensure all gathering practices, classes and showcases are safe.   Before arrival to Session Three, Four, or Five, here is what is expected of students and families: BAA will be monitoring state guidelines as they update. We are optimistic that the reopening of New York means that no quarantine will be required, but we request that our students and their families remain prepared for the potential of quarantine measures to be reinstated, should things change. Discuss with your hotel and travel companies what their cancellation policies are in case you need to make adjustments closer to your stay. In the event of a spike in cases or the increased spreading of new virus strands, BAA asks that families traveling from all areas in the US remain flexible and ready to quarantine, if need be. (Click here for our FAQ’s regarding “contiguous and non-contiguous states” and how that definition may affect you!)
  • New York State announced on April 1st that domestic travelers will no longer be required to test for Covid-19 before travel to NY, nor to quarantine upon arrival. While no longer required, the NYS Department of Health (as well as BAA) still recommends quarantine after domestic travel as an added precaution. Individuals should continue strict adherence to all safety guidelines to stop the spread – wearing masks, socially distancing and avoiding gatherings.
    • If you plan to travel internationally before your BAA Intensive, please refer to this page of the NY State Department of Health’s website for safety recommendations and requirements.
  • BAA will require proof of a few necessary precaution actions from all students and family members. 1) Families must virtually submit the Traveler Health Form to New York State upon arrival, and must send BAA a screenshot of the submission confirmation page. 2) All students and each accompanying family member must each submit screenshots of one negative Covid test (regardless of vaccination status!). Details will be provided for registered students on how to send screenshots of the Traveler Health Form and your Covid test results.
    • Covid tests must be completed within three days before the first morning of your BAA Intensive. All students and accompanying family members may receive tests in their home state or in New York City, as long as you take the test and receive results within that three day window. BAA highly encourages students and families to receive a PCR test three full days before an intensive, but if need be, BAA will also accept rapid tests taken one to two days before the start of the program.
    • BAA will provide information on recommended location sites to receive these Covid tests in New York City (Click here to see a few!), but families are ultimately responsible for the execution of these appointments. BAA will clearly communicate expectations and requirements during the advising period, six weeks prior to student arrival. If families do not provide screenshots of their Traveler Health Form online submission and negative Covid tests for all traveling family members, students will not be permitted to participate and no refund or credit will be offered.
  • If BAA determines or state officials decree that it is not safe to hold in-person programs, we are ready to go with a virtual alternative that all students will automatically be enrolled in. At that time, students may instead opt to receive a credit to be used at a later time. We will clearly communicate decisions if they are made.
  • Please, monitor the New York State Travel Advisory website for the latest news and how they may affect your particular case.
. What will Covid conscious in-person sessions look like? In-person sessions will feature new day-to-day protocols to ensure student, staff and faculty safety. BAA has been working closely with Ripley-Grier Studios to ensure studio space is well ventilated and cleaned routinely to pass city and state inspection. Ripley Grier Studios has been working closely with Actors Equity Association, SDC, Infectious Disease Specialists at Special Pathogens Laboratories, and closely following guidelines set by the City and State, paving the way for the Industry Rehearsal Studio standards alongside Open Jar Studios since their re-opening in July of 2020.  https://ripleygrier.com/phase-2-guidelines.html BAA reserves the entirety of the 17th floor, and Ripley Grier Studios will restrict access to that floor so our staff and students are the only people present in our 10 Broadway studios all day, every day. Industrial disinfection takes place at the beginning and end of each day and continuously throughout the day (between each room change) to ensure the safety of all guests. BAA will maintain rigorous wipe-down and disinfecting practices of our own in addition to Ripley’s procedures. Details about student behavior and safety expectations, will be laid out in the advising period, six weeks before the start of their BAA program, and during Orientation on Day 1. All BAA staff will have received full vaccination status by the beginning of the summer, and will routinely be tested, just as students and parents are. New as of May 2021: BAA previously announced (as of March 15th, 2021) that our in-person sessions would feature a hybrid model of some online and mostly in person classes, but based on the recent lifting of capacity restrictions in NY, we have decided to hold our in-person sessions completely in person and discard the hybrid implementation of select online classes.
  • Students will still arrive and depart Ripley-Grier at staggered intervals and will be required to follow social distancing and mask-wearing policies, but we feel confident in our ability to safely host our students at the reduced capacity we already put in place. The only element of virtual learning that will still be in place is students’ private coachings. Students will be given ample time and direction to connect with their BAA staff and Broadway coaches online via Zoom. Click here see updated sample schedules on our Summer Intensives page!
Before arrival, students and families will be required to fill out a daily symptoms check. Students will then meet their assigned student advisor in a predetermined, clearly communicated location outside the studio building. Your advisor will perform a no-contact temperature check. Anyone exhibiting a fever (Defined by the CDC as a temperature of 100.4 or higher) will not be permitted to enter the building. BAA Advisors will escort their own small student group up the elevator each day, and dismissal practices will remain staggered. More information about sign in/sign out will be addressed in the Student & Parent Handbook!
  • While BAA has never provided full time/ overnight chaperones, please note that in 2021 due to the added safety considerations as a result of the pandemic, we will not be providing hotel chaperones to guide students to and from the hotel each day. We will be utilizing a staggered arrival and departure by age group, for each intensive day. For your child’s safety, only an approved parent or guardian will be allowed to drop off and pick up your child from Ripley Grier Studios, a less than 1 minute walk from our affiliated hotels. Families, please make plans accordingly. Only students ages 18 and older, will be permitted to stay in the hotel without an adult present.
Masks are required to be worn at all times. The only exceptions to this rule are a) during meal times, when students will sit in a socially distanced arrangement dictated by their student advisor, who will be with them during all lunch times throughout the session, and b) when students are singing in voice classes and performing in acting classes. Dance classes will require masks at all times.
  • Students may remove their masks when singing in Voice and Song Interpretation master classes, and/or working on a scene or monologue in an Acting master class. The large studio spaces will be arranged in a way so that the performer is angled away from observing students, and plexiglass sheets will separate each performer from the observers.
  • If students prefer to NOT remove their mask when performing, they may of course keep their mask on if they are more comfortable that way. If the student prefers this approach, BAA recommends investing in a singer’s mask in order to ease the process of singing in Voice classes. 
  • BAA will have extra masks on hand, but we ask that students come prepared with their own mask and perhaps a backup or two in case of breakage or loss.
Our final showcase in Sessions Three and Five will feature a majority of industry members zooming in, with a few participating in-person. All headshots and resumes will be submitted digitally (so no need to bring 30 headshots this year!). Students will remain separated by advisor group in their assigned studio rooms until they are escorted to the final showcase room, where they will perform in front of our invited panelists.  Session Four will continue to have a fully produced Off-Broadway Showcase, however parents, families, friends, and industry members will watch via LiveStream from the comfort of their home or hotel. With this extra physical space, students will remain socially distanced backstage and in the audience section of the theatre, cheering on their peers. Group numbers will feature smaller groups of students in final performance and during rehearsal, and students will be required to wear masks at all times during group performances. During their solo performances, singers may perform un-masked and will be amplified by floor and ceiling mics rather than shared headsets. No catered lunch will be offered this year in order to limit the spread of germs and cross contact between students and faculty. Parents will not be permitted to enter the studio at any time to drop off lunches; students must arrive with their packed lunch ready to go at the start of the day. BAA will provide detailed explanations of practices and expectations well before students arrive for all in-person Sessions. Should you feel the in-person Session option is not for you, we will remain flexible with shifting students to an online Summer session or credit your tuition to one of our many other programming options. In the event of a positive case of Covid-19 during the course of a BAA Session: If a student/parent or faculty member becomes COVID-19 positive during the course of the intensive week, BAA will immediately pull the person or affected STUDENT aside to quarantine in their own studio space (if present at Ripley-Grier when infection is discovered), contact the appropriate parent or guardian for immediate pick up, and notify all families and staff of potential exposure If a student or faculty member exhibits symptoms during the session, or a student indicates on their daily health form check in that they’re experiencing symptoms, they will immediately be isolated from group gatherings or be asked to stay home and seek out a Covid test site. BAA will be working diligently to ensure our intensive experience is as safe as possible in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. We will be enforcing distancing, mask-wearing, and general hygiene policies. In the unlikely event that during their time at BAA a student, faculty member, or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the in-person training for the full group will move remote, and that individual, as well as those directly in contact with the individual will be expected to quarantine in their hotel or home.  In this situation, BAA will do everything we can to make our online sessions a meaningful learning experience, just as we were able to do successfully in 2020 for our full summer programming. Students will be engaging with the same Broadway faculty that they would have gotten the chance to work with in person, and we will make all necessary adjustments to keep the now-virtual camp running smoothly. Communication about this will be as diligent and quick as possible. 

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🎭Session Five has been added as an In-Person Session in NYC 

. Because BAA has determined late July and August are currently the safest times for in-person programming, we will now have a live In-Person Session Five with COVID-conscious provisions (see above!). We anticipate a number of students previously enrolled in Sessions One, Two, and the BAA Junior Track will want the chance to attend our in-person program. Session Five will be open to any student who was accepted to BAA’s Summer Programs as a new student or alumni for the 2020-2021 year, as well as any new students to BAA looking for the live component of our programs, should they be accepted based on their audition. Session Five will run with the same schedule and social distancing protocols as Session Three. Please note that while our usual five-day session week is Monday to Friday, Session Five will run from Tuesday, August 10th to Saturday, August 14th.

Frequently Asked Questions

The BAA team continues to monitor updates from the state of New York and respond accordingly to your insightful questions. We hope the following clarifications help families feel informed and confident when it comes to making plans for upcoming travel to New York! More questions will be added as needed. Would you like to see a specific question answered below? Let us know via info@broadwayartistsalliance.org
  1. An Update on New York’s Reopening Policy and BAA’s Subsequent Response (April – May, 2021)
  2. What are “contiguous” states, and how does that affect my travel and potential quarantine? What if I want to travel internationally before BAA?
  3. How Many Covid Tests Do I Need to Get?
  4. Where can I get a Covid test in New York City?
BAA answers: 🎭 1. An Update to New York’s Reopening Policy and BAA’s Subsequent Response BAA will be monitoring New York state guidelines as they are updated and we will require all students and families to comply with the state’s directives.  Please note that, while no longer required, the NYS Department of Health (as well as BAA) still recommends quarantine after domestic travel as an added precaution. Mandatory quarantine remains in effect for international travelers. Based on the tristate area’s announcement regarding lifted capacity restrictions, BAA has decided to forgo our previous planning for a hybrid model of in-person and virtual programming for Sessions Three, Four and Five, and we are confident that our lockout of the 17th floor of Ripley Grier Studios will provide us with ample room to host our 80 students per session totally in-person each and every day. BAA asks that families traveling from all areas in the US remain flexible and ready to quarantine if need be, in the event of a spike in cases or the spreading of new virus strands. Please read below for the definitions of contiguous and non-contiguous states, as that distinction may affect quarantine requirements IF those measures are re-instated by New York State.   BAA will continue to keep families informed as the elements at play become clearer and will update our policies accordingly. We will be following the lead of NY state.
🎭 2. What are “contiguous” and “non-contiguous” states, and how might that distinction affect me? What if I want to travel internationally before BAA? “Contiguous” states are defined as states directly bordering New York. “Non-contiguous” states refer to any other state NOT bordering New York. Contiguous states are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. When quarantine measures were still in effect in New York, contiguous states were the first to see that restriction lifted. BAA recommends that families from NON-contiguous states be aware that, on the off chance that quarantine restrictions are reinstated in New York, they will likely apply to them first. Given how frequently the status of Covid-19 has changed, BAA asks that families remain prepared and as flexible as possible should state guidelines change again. If you are planning to travel internationally before your summer intensive, please refer to the Travel Advisory page of the NY State Department of Heath’s website for safety requirements and recommendations. It states:
  • “International travelers must comply with CDC requirements, which currently include proof of negative test or recent COVID recovery in order to board airplanes headed to the US. Travelers must complete the NYS Department of Health traveler health form.
  • Currently CDC does not require quarantine, work furlough, or testing requirements for asymptomatic international travelers.
  • New York follows that recommendation with the following exceptions:
    • Fully vaccinated individuals who have not recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months are recommended to get tested 3-5 days after arrival in New York from international travel.
    • All unvaccinated international travelers who have not recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months are recommended to get tested 3-5 days after arrival in New York, consider non-mandated self-quarantine (7 days if tested on day 3-5, otherwise 10 days), and avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe disease for 14 days, regardless of test result.
Keep informed via the New York travel advisory webpage. BAA will further update our communications accordingly. 
🎭  3. How Many Covid Tests Do I Need to Get? Updated as of May 21, 2021! New York state is no longer requiring domestic travelers to test before departure to NY, nor to quarantine upon arrival. BAA, however, will strictly require proof of one negative Covid test per member of the traveling family unit (as well as a screenshot of your completion of the NY Traveler Health Form). Students and accompanying family members must receive tests and negative results within three days before the start of their in-person Summer Intensive.
  • All students and accompanying family members may receive these tests either in their home states or upon arrival in New York City, as long as it’s within that three day window before Day 1 of your program. 
    • BAA highly encourages students and family members to receive a PCR test three full days before your intensive. The turnaround times for PCR tests vary, so please consult your provider and make travel plans accordingly, but you typically receive results within 1-3 days. PCR tests are usually covered by insurance providers around the country and are, in most cases, free to non-New Yorkers (if you choose to test in New York City three full days before your session.)
    • If need be, BAA will also accept rapid tests taken one to two days before the start of your program. If you test in New York City, please note that rapid tests are not usually free to non-New Yorkers and can cost upwards of $150-$225 per test, though results do come back anywhere within 15-60 minutes. 
We hope this policy provides families with the flexibility to make plans that are both cost effective and safe. BAA will require proof of each student and accompanying family member’s negative Covid tests. You must screenshot the test result emails and submit them via the night before your session. Students who do not complete this step will not be permitted to enter the building the morning that their intensive begins.  Please research if your testing location provides results in a written format or over the phone; if over the phone (ie, Laguardia airport), BAA will require a recording of the phone call/voicemail as proof of negative test results, so please plan accordingly!
🎭  4. Where can I get a Covid test in New York City If you choose to test in New York City, the below options are recommended by BAA. Please note, BAA prefers that students and family members plan to receive PCR tests, but we will accept rapid tests as well. BAA is happy to provide information and strategies to find Covid Testing, but families are ultimately responsible for the execution of these appointments. BAA will clearly communicate expectations and requirements during the advising period, six weeks prior to student arrival.
  • BAA is currently researching partnerships with certified testing sites so that families can have the easiest time possible receiving tests in New York City, if they so choose. More information will be provided in the Student & Parent Handbook if that research yields results, but the below options are also great resources for Covid-19 testing.
  1. Here is a great New York State resource to find testing locations near your place of stay/residence while in the city. You can look up locations via zip code! BAA recommends clinics that have the designation of “NY Forward” Partner; always contact other providers not directly affiliated with NY State or certified health clinics, as some companies that seem “scammy” have popped up in recent months.
  2. Schedule a rapid test through NY Forward Rapid Test Partners. There is a $30 fee to schedule your test (includes provider oversight fee). Receive results within thirty minutes and choose the most convenient location to your hotel!
  3. Families flying into New York’s Laguardia and JFK Airports (or Newark in NJ!) may opt to look into Covid testing options within those airports. PCR testing at Laguardia, while free to passengers, takes about 48 hours to complete. It does not appear that appointments can be made. Passengers should also note that Laguardia’s Terminal B administers results via phone call, and BAA will need to receive a recording of your phone call as proof of a negative test. JFK and Newark feature testing by a company called XpresCheck. You can make an appointment that works with your flight schedule at any time. Note that these tests are not free; PCR testing is $75 per person if not covered by insurance and currently takes 3-5 days to receive results. Rapid Tests from XpresCheck cost $200 per person if not covered by insurance and take about 30-40 minutes for results.
  4. Families may also consider getting tested at clinics in New York City. A few popular options are UrgentWay, CityMD, and MedRite 
    • At UrgentWay, students and families may schedule appointments on their website, or walk in to see what appointments are available. BAA obviously recommends you try to schedule an appointment online or call them at 877-276-9006. For non-New Yorkers (and if insurance does not cover it), rapid tests cost $175 per person and results are sent to you within 15 minutes. If you wish to receive the PCR test, that option is free to non-New Yorkers and can take 1-2 days to receive results. 
    • At CityMD, tests are administered on a first come, first served basis. Families cannot schedule appointments ahead of time through a portal like UrgentWay offers. To help eliminate patients waiting in physical lines outside of CityMD locations, they have implemented a virtual line system at all CityMD locations. Typically, patients still line up outside the building at early hours of the morning to be first in that virtual line, or be admitted to the clinic at the open of business hours. All other patients are given a time to return at a later time of day to receive their test if they have appointment availability. To learn more about the CityMD virtual line, please click here. In terms of cost, CityMD has this to say: “Per the CARES Act, CityMD is not collecting copayments for COVID-19 related visits. CityMD does not bill for lab testing and inquiries regarding lab bills should be discussed directly with the lab partner. If you have specific concerns, you may want to call your insurance provider ahead of your visit to confirm they will cover the cost of your CityMD visit and test.” You can expect rapid test results within 15 minutes and PCR test results within 3-5 days from CityMD.
    • At MedRite, walk-ins are the only method of appointments. Their site provides information on current wait times, and allows you to pre-check in. PCR and rapid tests are available. PCR tests have a turnaround time of 2-5 days, but you can indicate that you need an expedited turn around time, and they will provide you with results in 2 days. If you are a New York resident, rapid tests are covered by insurance, but if you are not from New York, they cost $225 and have a turnaround time of 1 hour.
BAA will continue to provide ideas and options to families who need to receive a Covid-19 test in New York City, but ultimately, families are responsible for securing these tests and providing evidence of negative results. Please plan ahead and be sure you understand the range of turnaround times and methods of communication for your test results, because BAA will not permit you into the studio if you are unable to provide proof of your negative test results. No refund or credit will be offered for any missed days if a negative test can not be procured.
Posted on: March 15, 2021 | Author: Schehe
Categories: Blog

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