Roulette

ROULETTE’S REOPENING

For over 40 years, Roulette has presented new and adventurous art to audiences interested in the evolution of experimental work. In order to continue pursuing our mission amidst the challenges and uncertainties presented by COVID-19, Roulette has created a robust reopening plan outlining policies and protocols to protect the health and safety of our staff, contractors, performers, clients, and broader community. 

Overview of Policies & Downloads
Current Operating Procedures
Additional COVID-19 Resources

Overview of Policies & Downloads

Key Links & Downloads

Roulette is currently closed to the public.

Only Roulette staff and authorized guests are allowed to access the venue for activities that are permitted in our current reopening stage. Face coverings are required and physical distancing (6 ft. between individuals) must be observed. Current authorized activities include:

    • Administrative work
    • Media Production (film shoots, recording sessions, and live stream events without audiences)
    • Limited private gatherings, including limited-capacity religious services

Everyone engaged in media production activities on-site at Roulette–including Roulette staff, artists, and rental clients–must be tested at least one week prior to entering Roulette for the first time and once per week every week thereafter. 

If you have any questions about Roulette’s Reopening Plan or Current Operating Procedures, please contact us at: roulette@roulette.org.

Current Operating Procedures

Roulette’s reopening plan and operating procedures were informed by guidance issued by the CDC, state and national occupational health and safety guidance, and the New York Forward plan for reopening New York State and New York City. Roulette also worked with local and national entities and our peer cultural and nonprofit institutions to outline and implement industry best practices for infection control in theatres, auditoriums, and event-based environments.

  • Effective dates: March 22-June 28, 2020
  • Capacity: 1
  • No members of the public admitted
  • NY Forward Phase: I

  • Effective dates: June 29-July 26, 2020
  • Capacity: 10
  • No members of the public admitted
  • NY Forward Phase: II

  • Effective dates: July 27-September 24, 2020
  • Capacity: 25
  • No public audiences
  • NY Forward Phase: III

  • Effective dates: September 24-TBD
  • Capacity: 50
  • Live streamed performances; no public on-site audiences
  • NY Forward Phase: IV

  • Effective dates: TBD
  • Capacity: TBD
  • Ticketed performances; public on-site audiences
  • NY Forward Phase: TBD

  • Effective dates: TBD
  • Capacity: Full
  • Ticketed performances; public on-site audiences; concessions & catering
  • NY Forward Phase: TBD

Roulette staff, artists, and rental clients engaged in media production activities on-site at Roulette (e.g. recording sessions, performances or other special events that are recorded or streamed, and rehearsals leading up to such activities) shall undergo a diagnostic test for COVID-19 prior to entering Roulette for the first time and once per week every week thereafter.

A positive result must be reported within 24 hours. Anyone who receives a positive result will not be permitted entry to Roulette until they have completed a 14-day quarantine and have received a negative test result.

Testing is available at various sites throughout the city and state. Many sites are free, but it is recommended that you confirm with your specific testing site that there won’t be a charge for the diagnostic test or associated lab work.

If Roulette staff or authorized guests have knowingly come into contact with someone who has had symptoms of or been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 14 days, they must refrain from entering Roulette. 

If Roulette staff or authorized guests develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19, they should leave the venue, monitor their symptoms at home, and contact their doctor as needed. 

Roulette staff are further asked to: 

  • Maintain communication with Roulette's Managing Director and Director of Operations
  • Based on your doctor’s recommendation, receive COVID-19 testing
  • Follow the “Procedures for Returning to Roulette After Showing Symptoms Related to COVID-19 or being in Contact with Someone Confirmed Positive for COVID-19” protocol before returning to work

If only one symptom of COVID-19 is experienced, staff and authorized guests may return to Roulette after the following criteria have been met:

  • No new or worsening symptoms have appeared;
  • In the case of fever, at least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications);
  •  For all other possible symptoms, the individual has recovered from their symptom.

If an individual experiences multiple symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, they should seek medical evaluation. Staff will be unable to return to work on-site and authorized guests may not enter Roulette until the following criteria have been met:

  • No new or worsening symptoms have appeared;
  • In the case of fever, At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery; (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications);
  • The individual has recovered from all other symptoms;
  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
      • A medical professional’s note clearing staff for return to work based on alternative diagnosis, may shorten this 10 day period.
      • Alternatively, a negative COVID-19 test result may shorten this 10-day period for staff returning to work.

In the case of staff who have new or worsening symptoms that could be COVID-19 and they refuse to get evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, the individual is assumed to have COVID-19. They will not be allowed to return to work on-site until further notice. Communication will be continued with Roulette’s Managing Director until the situation is resolved.

  • Staff with known close contact to a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 may not return to work until they conduct a 14-day self-quarantine from the last date of exposure and show no symptoms themselves.

If any individual who has entered Roulette tests positive for COVID-19, Roulette will immediately notify the NYC Test and Trace Corps at CovidEmployerReport@nychhc.org and cooperate with state and local health departments in their contact tracing efforts. This may include notifying potential contacts, such as staff, contractors, workers, visitors, and/or guests (if known) who had close or proximate contact with the individual, while maintaining confidentiality as required by state and federal law and regulations.

Single Positive Case

  • If a Roulette Staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they need to contact their manager and Roulette's Managing Director and Operations Director immediately and no later than 24 hours after diagnosis. All health information and names will be kept confidential within Roulette. 
  • Roulette staff should immediately start a 14-day self-quarantine and follow continued medical guidance. 
  • Roulette will contact the NYC Test and Trace Corps and conduct an internal contact trace to identify persons at a high risk of exposure.
  • Those identified as having a high risk of exposure will self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor new or worsening symptoms, seeking medical guidance as needed.

Second Positive Case

  • If a second positive COVID-19 result is discovered within the Roulette Staff within a 14-day period, all theater operations will halt immediately. 
  • Roulette will contact the NYC Test and Trace Corps and conduct an internal contact trace to identify persons at a high risk of exposure.
  • All persons exposed will be asked to return to their place of residence and begin a 14-day quarantine immediately. 
  • Roulette will be in close communication with staff, artists, rental clients, and/or guests on next steps for quarantining.
  • Based on the contact trace, Roulette may implement a 14-day office closure and quarantine while the facilities are disinfected.

Single Positive Case

  • If an authorized guest tests positive for COVID-19, they need to contact Roulette immediately and no later than 24 hours after diagnosis. All health information and names will be kept confidential. 
  • Roulette’s Managing Director and Operations Director will facilitate the following:
    • Staff that are known to have come into contact with the individual who tested positive should start a 14-day self-quarantine and follow continued medical guidance. 
    • Roulette will contact the NYC Test and Trace Corps and conduct an internal contact trace to identify persons at a high risk of exposure.
    • Identified staff will self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor new or worsening symptoms, seeking medical guidance as needed.

Second Positive Case

  • If a second positive COVID-19 result is discovered among authorized guests, Roulette will follow the same protocol for the discovery of a single positive case. However, if there appears to be a single cluster (i.e. members of an ensemble or repeat rental client), affected individuals will be prohibited from returning to Roulette for at least 14 days and further conversations with Roulette will be required before their approved return.
  • Roulette will contact the NYC Test and Trace Corps and conduct an internal contact trace to identify persons at a high risk of exposure.

For each instance of an approved activity, Roulette will designate a staff person as the Primary Point of Contact whose responsibilities will include serving as site safety monitor, overseeing the pre-entry screening process, and ensuring compliance with all aspects of Roulette's policies and current operating procedures.

Please note, for each type of approved activity, the staffing listed below is the minimum required. While Roulette seeks to limit the number of the people on-site, in some cases additional staff may need to be present.

Administrative

    • A minimum of 1 administrative staff member will be on-site during business hours (M-F, 10am-6pm).
    • Other administrative staff will continue to work remotely with on-site activity scheduled as needed.

Rehearsals

    • 1 AV Engineer (Primary Point of Contact)

Live Stream Event

    • 2 AV Engineers
    • 1 Livestream Coordinator or Operator
    • 1 Event Liaison (Primary Point of Contact)

Limited Private Gathering

    • 1 AV Engineer
    • 1 Event Liaison (Primary Point of Contact)

  • All onsite staffing will be scheduled in advance.
  • All persons should only access Roulette’s space during times in which they are scheduled.
  • No more than one limited private event or live stream event may be scheduled per day unless a professional cleaning is scheduled between them.
  • If a limited private event or live stream event follows a rehearsal, a minimum of 2 hours (for tech breakdown, sanitization, and set-up) is required in between.
  • A rehearsal may only be scheduled after a limited private gathering or live stream event if a professional cleaning is scheduled in between.
  • 30-minute breaks will be given to staff for every six hours worked, provided one staff person oversees activity in Roulette’s space at all times. Scheduled staggered breaks will be pre-determined whenever possible and outlined in Roulette’s production email.
  • Staff should eat in the upstairs staff lounge or off-site. No food will be allowed in shared-areas including Roulette’s theater and/or lobby.

  • All staff will receive training to facilitate compliance with Roulette’s reopening plan.

Roulette's current capacity is capped at 50 people and limited to staff, crew, and authorized personnel essential to approved activities. Roulette is not open to the public.

While the Phase IV guidelines in New York City allow Roulette to operate at 25% of maximum capacity for Low-Risk Indoor Arts & Entertainment Activities, 33% of maximum capacity for Religious Services, and 50% of maximum capacity for Media Production Activities, Roulette continues to limit the number of people permitted in our performance space as much as possible.

Roulette further reserves the right to place additional capacity restrictions on any approved activity, depending on the nature of the activity.

Upon confirmation of scheduled date/s for approved activities, Roulette staff will: 

  • Share Roulette's Policies to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19.
  • Share contact information (phone/email) for Roulette's Primary Point of Contact on-site and detail arrival instructions.
  • Confirm all details regarding number of persons/performers present for the approved activity, needs for space access, and technical needs.
  • Confirm that signage is posted throughout Roulette’s space to ensure proper protocols are being observed and all no-access areas are clearly marked. 

Anyone entering Roulette must comply with the NY State Covid-19 Travel Advisory.

Read on for additional guidance on best practices for traveling and commuting to Roulette.

  • If you travel internationally and/or domestically to locations with travel restrictions, mandated quarantines, or border closures you will need to observe a full 14-day quarantine prior to any onsite activity at Roulette.
  • Please refer to NY State COVID-19 Travel Advisory for the most up-to-date info.
  • Travel inside the New York Tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT) is considered commuter travel and is NOT subject to a 2-week quarantine.

  • Wash or sanitize your hands before and after use of vehicle.
  • During the commute, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Maintain the most distance possible from other commuters.
  • Avoid unnecessary stops along your commute.
  • Wearing a mask at all times is required.
  • When using rideshare options like taxis, Uber and Lyft, follow protocols for Shared Commutes. 

  • Vehicles should never be filled to more than 50% of full capacity.
  • If the passenger does not live in the same home as the driver, you should both wear masks inside the vehicle, and the passenger should sit kiddy-corner to the driver in the back seat of the vehicle (as close to 6ft distance away as possible.)
  • Wash or sanitize your hands before and after entering and exiting the vehicle.
  • During the commute, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Avoid unnecessary stops along your commute.

  • Vehicles should never be filled to more than 50% of full capacity.
  • You should wear masks at all times and maintain as close to 6ft distance away from other passengers as possible.
  • Wash or sanitize your hands before and after entering and exiting the vehicle.
  • During the commute, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Avoid unnecessary stops along your commute.

  • All persons entering Roulette will be asked to enter through Roulette’s main entrance on Third Avenue unless otherwise detailed. 
  • Load-in through the Atlantic Avenue stage door will be permitted once the screening at the main entrance has been successfully completed. 
  • Upon arrival, and if the gate is down outside Roulette’s main entrance on Third Avenue, authorized guests shall call Roulette’s Primary Point of Contact and wait outside until the Gate is lifted and doors are propped open before entering the venue.
  • Alternatively, if authorized guests have completed the pre-entry questionnaire prior to arrival, they may queue up outside the venue and enter one at a time to check in with the Roulette Primary Point of Contact.
  • For ADA accessibility, authorized guests must make arrangements with Roulette Event Staff ahead of time. 
  • Exit doors will be clearly marked.

All persons entering Roulette, including staff, are expected to review and fill out Roulette's COVID-19 Policies and Pre-entry Screening Questionnaire and complete a self-administered temperature check.

    • Only individuals involved in approved activities will be allowed to access Roulette.
    • Roulette requires the names and contact info for anyone accessing the venue for an approved activity at least 48 hours in advance of entry.
    • All individuals accessing Roulette, including staff, will fill out the screening questionnaire upon arrival on-site; their responses will be reviewed by the Primary Point Of Contact.
    • Roulette will collect Pre-entry Screening Questionnaire data in Roulette’s COVID-19 Health Screening Log Book. All Screening Information is strictly confidential and will only be used or shared (with state health officials) in the event that contact tracing becomes necessary.
    • If a staff member or authorized guest who was in close or proximate contact with others at Roulette’s space tests positive for COVID-19, Roulette’s Managing Director and Director of Operations will immediately notify and cooperate with state and local health departments with contact tracing efforts, including notification of potential contacts, such as workers, visitors, and/or guests (if known) who had close or proximate contact with the individual, while maintaining confidentiality required by state and federal law and regulations.
    • Roulette will immediately notify the State and local health department about the case if test results are positive for COVID-19 by emailing NYC Test and Trace Corps at CovidEmployerReport@nychhc.org

  • Self-provided face coverings are required and only persons wearing appropriate face covering will be allowed to enter.
  • As back-up, Roulette will have surgical masks available at no cost at designated PPE Stations.
  • Masks must be worn at all times inside Roulette except for at mutually-agreed upon times and/or in specific locations. These exceptions will be detailed in advance of any contracted work or scheduled activity at Roulette and enforced by the Roulette Primary Point of Contact on-site. 
  • PPE supplies will be located in main entry lobby vestibule and at additional PPE Stations throughout the venue. This includes the following:
    • Hand Sanitizer (Also located outside main entrance behind gate)
    • Latex/Non-Latex Gloves 
    • Disinfectant Wipes or Disinfectant Spray/Paper Towels
    • iPad with Roulette COVID-19 Policies and Pre-entry Screening Questionnaire
    • One-Time Use Surgical Masks
    • Touchless Thermometer for self-administered temperature checks
      • Additional PPE supplies will be provided at no-cost throughout the space, specifically in common areas, such as Roulette’s Kitchen, Staff Lounge, etc.
      • Prior to any scheduled activity - Operations and scheduled point-person will confirm all PPE supplies are stocked and available for use for Event.    
  • All persons in Roulette’s space will limit the sharing of objects, such as instruments, equipment, tools, laptops, notebooks, telephones, touchscreens, and writing utensils, as well as the touching of shared surfaces. People should either wear gloves when in contact with shared objects and/or frequently touched surfaces or perform hand hygiene before and after contact.
  • All persons will wash hands or use sanitizer immediately upon entry, before and after using the restroom, and after any of the following activities: sneezing, touching one’s face, blowing one’s nose, eating, drinking, and leaving and re-entering the venue. 
  • Roulette will refrain from shared printed material and will encourage the use of digital ephemera including programs, run-of-show information, handbills, fliers, etc.  

  • A distance of at least 6 ft. must be maintained among all individuals at all times, with the exception of persons from the same household, unless safety or the core activity requires a shorter distance, in which case individuals must wear acceptable face coverings. 
  • Roulette must approve plans for seating, stage set-up, and/or a plan for traffic flow prior to any approved activity.
  • When possible, Roulette will seek to reduce bi-directional foot traffic by using tape or signs with arrows in narrow aisles, hallways, or spaces, and post signage and distance markers denoting spaces of 6 ft. in all commonly used areas and any areas in which lines are commonly formed or people may congregate.

  • Roulette is professionally cleaned on a weekly basis and following any gathering of five or more people in the space.
  • Cleaning products identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as effective against COVID-19 are in use and are being used in accordance with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
  • High-touch surface areas are cleaned with a disinfectant periodically. 
  • Microphones, cables, amps, consoles and microphone/music stands are disinfected with 91% isopropyl alcohol after each instance of an authorized activity.

  • Provided that certain functions during production require coming within 6 ft. of others (e.g. hair, makeup, performing), Roulette will assist in identifying such functions and suggest protocols for the mitigation of risk. 
  • Masks or acceptable face coverings must be worn at all times inside Roulette except for at mutually-agreed upon times and/or in specific locations, including when moving equipment, unloading materials, etc.
  • All production-related activities must be discussed and agreed upon prior to activities taking place on-site at Roulette. Roulette requires artists or rental clients to submit advance setup information, including a detailed floor plan, and technical requirements including number of performers, input list, stage plot/blocking, etc. no later than 10 days prior to on-site activity.
  • Productions involving catering need to be discussed and approved by Roulette and will only be possible in accordance with guidelines issued by NY State. 
  • Only Roulette Staff is allowed to handle the setup of in-house backline equipment unless agreed upon prior to onsite activity. Artists or rental clients are fully responsible for setting up and breaking down any equipment that they bring to Roulette.
  • Designated areas for pick-ups and deliveries will be established to limit contact as much as possible.
  • Props, costumes, and set materials must be cleaned and disinfected between each use and stored in sealed containers between uses.
  • No stage reconfigurations are permitted.
  • Artists/clients must vacate the stage during tech setup, resets, etc. and immediately after breaking down of their instruments/equipment.
  • Disinfecting the stage during the event must be discussed at least 14 days in advance and may require additional staffing and/or incur additional fee.
  • Only one Roulette AV Engineer is allowed at the sound booth at all times.  
  • The sound Booth is off-limits to artists, clients, performers and other staff. 
  • Partitions will be moved/stanchions will be placed to maintain 6’ distance from the tech booth.
  • Any outside lighting technician/programmer must be approved by Roulette’s Technical Department at least one week prior to the event. In such a case, Roulette will arrange for the lighting console to be relocated outside of the tech booth to maintain 6’ distance.
  • Access will be limited to Roulette's lobby, main hall (theater) and theater balcony. The backstage, kitchen, basement, and upstairs lounge/office are off limits to performers/clients unless agreed upon prior to activity. Dressing Room/s and bathroom access will be designated prior to onsite activity. 
  • No food will be allowed in common areas including Roulette’s theater and/or lobby. 
  • Drinks will be permitted in common areas. 
  • Offsite lunch/dinner breaks are encouraged.  
  • Roulette technical staff will adhere to protocols outlined on Roulette’s “Tech Cleaning Checklist” and will then break down and sanitize all Roulette equipment used during the event.

If you have any questions about Roulette's Reopening Plan or Current Operating Procedures, please contact us at: roulette@roulette.org.

Additional COVID-19 Resources

The protocols and procedures outlined in Roulette's Reopening Plan are a synthesis of the guidance issued by the CDC, New York State, and the New York City Department of Health. Roulette's Reopening Plan was also developed with input from other local and national cultural and nonprofit organizations and associations, including: