What’s Going On With Long Island Improv and COVID-19?
For now (2022), I’m going to go with VACCINATION REQUIRED, MASKS OPTIONAL. (unless NY State tells me I have to do something different).
The only way for me to teach improv without any risk at all is over Zoom. I tried that in Spring 2020 for 9 classes and I found it was so limited and so much less fun for my students that I decided I would rather just not teach than teach on Zoom. So I didn’t teach for a year.
Now we are back to an in-person class, and, yes, there is some risk. I believe that if everyone is vaccinated, that risk is small enough that I am willing and eager to teach again. I’m sure there are some people who think the risk is high enough that they don’t want to be in a room with 10 other strangers. I understand and respect that. I hope I will see you in class whenever you feel comfortable.
Why are masks optional?
Yes, requiring masks would lower the risk by some amount. Unfortunately, improv is very much about clear verbal communication and I find it very difficult to understand people who are speaking through masks. (Partly, I’m sure, because my ears don’t work as well as they once did). I also find it difficult to make myself understood when speaking about complicated things with a mask on. So, I have decided to increase the risk by some amount in order to make the class more successful and fun. It’s a compromise I’m comfortable with and I certainly understand if some people aren’t.
I should also mention that the space I rent for class has upgraded their heating system and added HEPA filters which I think helps some, although I have no idea how much.
Finally, I want to remind everyone that the situation seems to change almost daily, and anything could still happen. I’ll try to be sensible about making changes or canceling and, of course, if I have to cancel, everyone will be reimbursed for any remaining classes.
- Michael
The only way for me to teach improv without any risk at all is over Zoom. I tried that in Spring 2020 for 9 classes and I found it was so limited and so much less fun for my students that I decided I would rather just not teach than teach on Zoom. So I didn’t teach for a year.
Now we are back to an in-person class, and, yes, there is some risk. I believe that if everyone is vaccinated, that risk is small enough that I am willing and eager to teach again. I’m sure there are some people who think the risk is high enough that they don’t want to be in a room with 10 other strangers. I understand and respect that. I hope I will see you in class whenever you feel comfortable.
Why are masks optional?
Yes, requiring masks would lower the risk by some amount. Unfortunately, improv is very much about clear verbal communication and I find it very difficult to understand people who are speaking through masks. (Partly, I’m sure, because my ears don’t work as well as they once did). I also find it difficult to make myself understood when speaking about complicated things with a mask on. So, I have decided to increase the risk by some amount in order to make the class more successful and fun. It’s a compromise I’m comfortable with and I certainly understand if some people aren’t.
I should also mention that the space I rent for class has upgraded their heating system and added HEPA filters which I think helps some, although I have no idea how much.
Finally, I want to remind everyone that the situation seems to change almost daily, and anything could still happen. I’ll try to be sensible about making changes or canceling and, of course, if I have to cancel, everyone will be reimbursed for any remaining classes.
- Michael
