CODE OF CONDUCT

Grievances should follow the procedure found in the Policies and Procedure Manual. (Talk to your director, stage manager, or house manager first.)

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• Safety

1. 1. Report: The stage manager and/or director must be notified of all accidents or injuries immediately.  
   2. Clothes/Shoes: Follow the dress code for Imagination Theater.
   3. Illness: Do not come to the theater if you were or would be absent from work or school.  If you are minorly ill, wear a mask, sanitize your hands, and avoid contact with other participants as much as possible.
   4. Move deliberately: No running, jumping, sitting, or standing on set pieces or playing with props are allowed unless requested by the directors or stage manager. Likewise the theater seats, stairs, and aisles should be used as intended.        
   5. Alcohol: Alcohol may not be consumed by a cast or crew member immediately prior to or during rehearsals or performances. 
   6. Banned: Smoking, vaping, marijuana, or illegal drugs are not permitted on Imagination Theater Company property at any time. 

• Professionalism  

1. 1. Respect: Everyone is to be treated with respect, regardless of their age, gender, or status in the show.  
   2. Authority: The director and their team (assistant, vocal, choreographer, stage manager etc) are in charge during rehearsals and auditions. Once performances begin, the stage manager is the most senior team member and is in charge of the show.  
   3. Reporting: If anyone feels that someone else is not following the code of conduct, they are to report to the stage manager or directors, not attempt to address the issue themselves. Exception: anyone may step in to protect someone else from physical or verbal bullying. 
   4. Preparation: Be prepared in order to keep the rehearsal moving along. Actors should learn their lines, blocking, and dance steps before each rehearsal. Crew members should annotate scripts, memorize assignments, and pre-set equipment as assigned. Directors and the production team should have materials and a plan ready to communicate. 
   5. Discussions: If an actor or crew member has a request or suggestion regarding their role or blocking issues, they should bring it to the director’s attention during breaks or after the rehearsal, not during the rehearsal. 
   6. Keep calm: Arguing, temper tantrums, or any other sort of “acting out” will not be tolerated.  
   7. Traditions: Respect theater traditions, even if you do not believe in them.

• Attendance

1. 1. Be here: Attend all scheduled rehearsals/meetings unless absence was previously approved.  
   2. Emergencies: For sudden illness, emergency, or delay due to weather or traffic, contact the stage manager or director as soon as possible.  
   3. Timing: Be at least 10 minutes early for call times for shows and rehearsals – have your outerwear, belongings, and phones stored by the start time of rehearsals.  
   4. Departing: Inform the director or stage manager if you must leave before the end of rehearsal. For safety reasons, minors must leave with an authorized adult. 

• Care of facilities

1. 1. Food and Drink: Limit all food and drink in the theater as much as possible. Only water is allowed in dressing rooms or while in costume.
   2. Trash: Dispose of all trash in appropriate bins immediately.
   3. Clean up day: Assist in cleaning of bathrooms, backstage and common areas as requested by production staff.
   4. Off limits: Unless granted permission by a member of the Production Team, the theater office, concessions area, lighting/sound booth, costume attic, and storage sheds are off limits to cast, crew, and visitors. If the dressing rooms are currently in use they are also out of bounds.

• Noise/Devices

1. 1. Put it away: Silence cell phones and keep them stowed when involved in rehearsals.
   2. No backstage: Cell phones are not allowed backstage during rehearsals or performances; they can interfere with microphones. Stage managers may make exceptions with approval of sound design.
   3. Exceptions: Green room and dressing room use of devices and phones are allowed but may be restricted at the request of the stage manager.
   4. Backstage noise: During rehearsals, noise should be limited to the minimum necessary communication between cast and crew.  
   5. Talking during performances: During performances, all talking between cast and crew is prohibited, and conversations in the green room and dressing rooms should be at low volume.                                                         

• Costumes

1. 1. Wear it: Per the dress code, cast members must use assigned costumes, shoes and rehearsal skirts when they are available and instructed to do so by the director. 
   2. Take care of it: Each actor must take responsibility for the proper storage, care and availability of their costumes. Under no circumstances will costume items other than shoes be stored on the floor. 
   3. Under layers: Actors are responsible for providing layers that go between your skin and the costume, if possible. Consult with the costume designer for help choosing appropriate options. (Tank tops, bike shorts, shapewear, socks, tights, etc.)
   4. Purchases: Do not purchase costume items or wigs without prior approval of the costume team or director.  
   5. Notify: Inform the stage manager immediately if costumes are lost, damaged, or need cleaning or alterations. 
   6. Protect: Do not eat while in costume; drink only water. Be mindful of makeup, hair products, paint, sharps etc, while in costume.

• Props

1. 1. Use them: Use assigned props when they are available and instructed to do so.  
   2. Take care of them: Each actor must take the responsibility for the proper storage and availability of their props. 
   3. No touchy: No other actor should touch another actor’s props. Crew members may only do so as assigned by the stage manager. 
   4. Check them: Check your props prior to each rehearsal and performance to be sure they are in the proper place.
   5. Notify: Inform the stage manager immediately if props are lost or damaged.

• Hygiene

1. 1. Stay clean: Maintain standards of cleanliness and hygiene prior to and during rehearsals and performances.
   2. Laundry: Wash your under-costume layers or crew t-shirts at least once a week.
   3. Stay healthy: Prioritize your personal health and the health of your cast and crew. Stay away from people who are ill, get rest, and eat well.
   4. Scents: Avoid scented perfumes, lotions, body sprays, etc. to accommodate the sensitivities of the cast and crew.

• Dressing rooms

1. 1. Doors: Dressing room doors are to remain open unless occupants are not fully clothed. Announce yourself and wait for permission if the door is closed.
   2. Stay out: No one is allowed in another actor’s dressing room unless invited by a member of that dressing room.
   3. Take care of it: Dressing rooms are to be kept clean and tidy. Bring water bottles and any snacks home at the end of each day.
   4. Sharing: Never borrow another actor’s supplies, such as makeup or hair products, without obtaining prior permission.  
   5. No touchy: Be respectful of the personal property of others. This also applies to their assigned costume and costume pieces.

•  Show behavior

1. 1. Be present: Follow the schedule for mics, sound checks, warm ups and places.  Respond “Thank you (places)!” when given a time reminder.
   2. Stay alert: Pay attention to the monitors to be sure you don’t miss your cues.
   3. Arrive early: Actors should arrive at their backstage entry location 2 minutes prior to their entrance cue. 
   4. Be ready: Crew, and actors with backstage crew responsibilities, should arrive at their station 2 minutes prior to their cue. 
   5. Be helpful: Do whatever the production team or backstage volunteers ask you without arguing, unless it is a safety or respect issue. 
   6. Keep the mystery: Don’t peek at the audience through the curtains or in the wings. Stay out of entrance and exit locations as much as possible.
   7. Improv: Ad libs or changes to the script are not permitted unless approved by the director.