Valley Youth Theatre isn’t heading back to the stage for its 2021-22 season until it ensure the safety of its participants amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

The move comes after the Phoenix-based theater group received advice from a local physicians advisory panel.

“After lengthy conversations with our physician advisory panel, we have confirmed that it still too risky to put unmasked and unvaccinated young performers next to each other on stage and it is still unsafe for the young people in the audience” explained Bobb Cooper, Valley Youth Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director.  

That means the theater will not present is annual holiday performance of “A Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas Tail.” 

“While we know that many families will be disappointed that they won’t be able to experience the holiday tradition of "A Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas Tail" at VYT, we have to put the health and safety of our young people first,” Cooper said in a press release. 

VYT’s Physician Advisory Panel consists of front-line workers, physicians and board members who are available to answer questions and ensure VYT is consistent with its COVID policies.

While Cooper said parents and performers want to be back on stage, they believe it’s still time to be cautious. Recent reports show Arizona currently leads the nation in COVID-19 transmissions, but both Cooper and the panel are encouraged by the recent approval of the COVID vaccine for children ages 5-11, and what it could mean for getting children back on VYT’s stage and in seats.

So far, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available under an emergency use authorization for children age 5 to 15. That is a two-shot dose with shots spread over three weeks.

“We are excited for 2022,” said Cooper.