Safety

As a company founded and sustained by Chicago theatre artists, Lookingglass approaches the wellbeing of our collaborators with great care and intention. Safety is not treated as a static checklist, but as an ongoing, evolving practice we take seriously. The artists who have shaped Lookingglass’s physical and visceral theatrical language have, over decades, engaged in work that often asks the extraordinary.

When engaging in intensely physical theatre, Lookingglass’s practices include built-in workshops and/or training for performers in advance of first rehearsal, designed to support confidence and security. We collaborate in thoughtful planning that anticipates a wide range of contingencies and layered safeguards in technical and production processes (i.e., triple rigging checks, annual fall arrest training, Floor Manager from first rehearsal, and “Circus B” routine modifications). We work in accordance with union guidelines and strive to go above and beyond these guidelines because we understand that our brand of theatre is often physical. These physical acts are built in collaboration with each individual artist and the skills they are excited to bring to the stage.  Additionally, we provide physical therapy and massage to our production companies, depending on the show demands.

Should an incident occur, we respond immediately and follow well-accepted protocol.  A detailed incident report is compiled and if treatment is needed, we follow through by requiring written approval from a medical expert before a performer can return to the stage. Additionally, should an employee suffer a workplace related injury or illness, we have a workers’ compensation policy in place, providing access to medical experts and financial coverage as necessitated by the claim. The privacy and care of our artists and staff are paramount to our mission and company culture, including assurance that all employee medical information is/remains confidential.

We regularly revisit and refine our safety approaches and protocol, including post-show evaluations with the cast, crew, production teams.  All concerns brought forward are addressed immediately.