TPAC, Nashville Symphony Look to Safely Return to Live Performances

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Tennessee Performing Arts Center and the Nashville Symphony have formed a two-year joint health and safety partnership with HCA Healthcare and its TriStar Health affiliate based in Nashville to help guide their safe reopening and return to live performances. By helping to sustain a safe environment for TPAC spaces, the partnership will bring ballet, opera and professional theatre back to the community through the Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera and Nashville Repertory Theatre.

In addition to providing valuable financial support through a grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation, HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health will serve as the “Official Health and Safety Partner” for both TPAC and the Symphony to build resilience in the performing arts community and deliver safe and enriching arts experiences for artists, musicians, patrons, staff and volunteers. The partnership builds on decades-long relationships between the organizations and HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health, which has sponsored TPAC’s annual Broadway at TPAC series for 14 years and supported the presentation of more than 70 Broadway productions to 1.5 million people.

The partnership’s initial focus will include:

  • Ongoing guidance from HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health medical and infectious disease experts on implementing effective health and safety operations;
  • An assessment of public, backstage and performance spaces to recommend physical changes that protect performers, technicians, patrons and staff;
  • Communications to the public on how they will safely return to performances at the James K. Polk Cultural Center (TPAC and its Resident Companies) and Schermerhorn Symphony Center (Nashville Symphony);
  • COVID-19 testing resources for artists and staff; and
  • Training and resources for staff in CPR, emergency preparedness, First Aid assistance and more.

“We are beyond grateful to HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health for expanding our partnership to provide critical resources and support as we plan for our reopening,” says Nashville Symphony President and CEO Alan Valentine. “Through their generosity and partnership, we are now taking our next steps toward providing our community with live music again. Their expertise will help us open on the right timeline with proper precautions for our musicians, staff and patrons. We are confident that live music will once again fill our hall this year, and we’re elated to have the experts at HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health guide us in making that a reality.”

“It is our privilege to collaborate with Tennessee Performing Arts Center and the Nashville Symphony as a health and safety partner to help facilitate a safe reopening and return to live performances,” said Dr. Tama Van Decar, Chief Medical Officer, TriStar Health. “Through this collaboration, we will seek to deliver safe experiences utilizing clinical resources and best practices in safety protocols, which will build lasting confidence for artists, patrons and staff. It is important that we focus on returning to these enriching live experiences to support the mental health and well-being of our Nashville community. There is a psychological benefit in being present, immersing ourselves and participating in shared artistic experiences.”

Lorie Hollabaugh
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