We take the safety of our staff and students very seriously and acknowledge that safety is a heightened concern during this time. We decided to pause all classes on March 13th, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Administration has been closely monitoring the situation and working hard to update our policies, and have made the decision to resume in-person classes.
In March, many of our classes were moved online with the same dedication as always to give our students professional and competitive training. While online-only classes are still available, Vancouver Acting School is excited to offer full-time in-person classes starting Monday June 8th. We are working hard to follow directions from WorkSafe BC, the BC CDC, and updates from provincial and federal health administrators.
We are proud at Vancouver Acting School to be part of a studio that is an industry hub in Vancouver. During this time, everyone in our building will be held to the same standards. Please visit GO Studios for guidelines and policies set specifically for the entire space, including casting facilities.
Below is our action plan that we have created to ensure safety without disrupting or compromising the quality of our classes at Vancouver Acting School.
Facility
- Masks or face coverings are mandatory for all students, instructors, staff, and guests.
- Entry will be denied to anyone without a mask or face covering or who is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
- Everyone must exit out the back door to reduce congestion at the front foyer and stairs.
- Hand washing/sanitation is mandatory upon entering the building. A sanitation station has been set up at our main entrance
- Signs and notices are placed throughout the building stating these policies, as well as guidelines on hand washing and mask wearing.
- Sanitation materials are placed in each classroom for instructor and student use.
- All visitors must have an appointment to enter the building to limit the number of people within the building. Students must make appointments to meet with admin and instructors outside of class time.
- Directional arrows have been implemented to reduce congestion in the hallways.
- Our kitchen facilities have been closed to discourage congregation and reduce contact with high touch surfaces.
- Many high traffic doors will be kept ajar to avoid contact with door handles.
- Classrooms have been spaced and clearly labeled to allow students and instructors to be a minimum of 6ft apart.
- Each classroom has a maximum occupancy limit that reflects the number of people that can safely physically distance within the space.
- Staff work stations have been spread out and work-from-home policies are available.
Classes
- Class sizes are limited to ensure physical distancing is practiced within the classrooms.
- Sufficient physical distancing is clearly measured to allow students to be able to remove their masks/face coverings when on camera – readers and camera operators will be a minimum of 6ft away from the student and each other.
- Class start times are staggered to allow for extra time between arrivals.
- Break times are staggered to further reduce chance of contact between classes.
- Webcams have been installed for classes to be viewed remotely if students are unable to come to class for any reason. Links for viewing will be securely released to students as needed.
- Several programs and individual classes have been moved online to help reduce the number of students and instructors in the building at once.
