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Theater Code of Conduct:
What if I don’t want the role I’m offered? At National Youth Theater, we encourage students to audition only if they are willing to accept any role given to them. It is normal to want to go after specific roles. But once the casting is announced, our expectation is that you will receive whatever role(s) you are assigned by the directing team like a pro. You can be disappointed, of course; that’s normal. But after a few days you are expected to handle your casting with grace and be part of the team as we practice and perform the show for the glory of God. Also, all production fees must be paid before auditions, and are non-refundable. If you decide to drop out of the show, please know that we are happy to have you return to audition, but you will only be considered for a role in the ensemble/chorus for your next show back. You also will not be eligible to audition for any other shows that NYT is producing in the same season as the show you dropped.
Are production fees refundable?
Fees are refundable up until the time of the audition, with a $25 processing fee. All participants are required to have production fees paid in full prior to their audition. Once the actor steps into the audition room, fees become non-refundable. The only exception would be for those times when the directors decide not to cast an actor; and then the full production fee will be returned.
Expectations.
Designated staff and leadership lead NYT events and are responsible for safety and discipline during all events. They should be informed immediately of any emergency. Students must cooperate and follow the instructions of these adults. Should a student violate this Code of Conduct, the first time they will be reminded, if it is a minor violation. If the behavior occurs a second time, parents will be notified. If this becomes an ongoing problem the student may be asked to leave the current NYT production or class.
Participation. Participation in all scheduled activities during an event is expected. Participants must stay on-site during all events. In case of an emergency, a participant can leave the event only after being checked out with the appropriate adult coordinator or in person by a parent or legal guardian.
Illegal and Inappropriate Items. Under no circumstances may alcohol, cigarettes, illegal drugs, or weapons be possessed or used at NYT activities.
Dress:
Modest dress is required for boys and girls. Clothing must be modest and appropriate for all activities.
Be aware of what may be exposed when dancing, moving, jumping, sitting, bending over, etc.
Remember the 3 Bs (for boys AND girls): behind, belly, and breasts are to be covered.
Undergarments must be covered.
No low-riding pants or shorts.
No clothing that bares midriffs or shows cleavage.
Boys may swim without wearing a shirt.
Transparent or see-through clothing may only be worn with a tank, shirt, shorts, or leggings underneath.
All skirts must also include bike shorts, leggings/tights, or bloomers.
Loose athletic shorts (a.k.a. Nike shorts), or any other shorts shorter than mid-thigh, must be worn with bike shorts, leggings, or tights.
Leggings, jeggings, tights, yoga pants, etc. must be worn with something additional that covers your behind (i.e., a long shirt, shorts, skirt, etc).
No inappropriate messages or images on clothing (ex: crude language, provocative images).
https://nationalyouththeater.org/nyt-dress-code/
Public Display of Affection. NYT events are group activities, not dating venues. Participants should not be alone, especially with a member of the opposite sex. Affectionate physical or public display of affection contact is never appropriate (ex: kissing, sitting on laps, and yes, even holding hands).
In addition to the Code of Conduct above, students cast in NYT shows are expected to follow Theater Etiquette:
1. When you step off the stage, you vanish. Walk quietly backstage and everywhere in theater. No talking or whispering off stage. No loud noise in the dressing room. Nothing ruins a scene more than the thumps of someone running to make a cue or someone talking in the wings.
2. Once the house is open, stay off the stage and out of the theater. Don’t mingle with a waiting audience; you have other things to keep you busy.
3. Never talk when the directing team is talking.
4. Never miss an entrance.
5. No mobile phones backstage.
6. Accept all notes from the directing team graciously and say, “Thank you.”
7. Never disagree with the director in front of the cast. If you don’t understand the note, or you disagree, ask the note-giver for more clarity afterwards, privately.
8. Never give other actors notes and don’t accept them from other actors. If someone does offer you notes, say, “Thank you but we should take that through the director.” The only members of the production who should be giving notes are the directing team.
9. Never add something to or remove something from your costume. It’s the costume designers job to put you in something appropriate for the show, not yours. If you have suggestions or problems with a part of your costume, take them to the costume chair or the director.
10. Don’t hang out in the wings to watch the show. Backstage areas can be tight. The crew and your fellow actors have to get to where they need to be.
11. Clean up after yourself in all rehearsal spaces and dressing room.
12. When waiting in the wings for an entrance, watch your sight lines. If you can see audience or, the seats, then you can be seen.
13. When entering and exiting, try to avoid brushing/touching against curtains/drops. Apart from breaking part of the set, all that motion can be seen by the audience and distracts them from the action on the stage.
14. Tech rehearsals can be tough. Hang in while the crews fine-tune cues and equipment. Give them the respect they deserve while doing their jobs: pay attention, stay quiet, and be available as they jump from scene to scene.
15. Pay attention to the stage manager. He or she will be telling you important stuff to keep the show running smoothly. And don’t forget to thank the stage manager when he gives a call (“15 minutes!” “Thank you 15!”). That’s so the stage manager knows that you heard the call and are ready to go.
16. Never touch someone else’s prop, even if you think it’s out of place. They may have moved it there on purpose in order to help the flow of the show. Bring it to the attention of the stage manager if you think it’s in the wrong location.
17. Always check your props before curtain. Things happen, props get bumped or moved or crushed. It’s also comforting to know that everything is where you expect it to be before the curtain goes up.
18. Props and (most) costumes don’t belong to you, they belong to the theater. Treat them with respect and be sure to return them to their rightful locations after you’ve used them.
19. Whether it’s a rehearsal or production night, don’t miss a call time. There’s a very good reason that the director set a call time, even if you don’t know what it is. And if you’re going to be late or miss a rehearsal for unforeseen circumstances, please let the production manager know as soon as possible.
20. Always give your best! Whether it’s a matinee with a house full of kids or opening night, the audience paid to come see you become somebody else. There’s no excuse for giving less than 100%! Focus!
21. Always be respectful of everyone you work with: the staff, the crew, the directors, the designers, the other actors, and yourself!
I have read and reviewed the Student Code of Conduct and Theater Etiquette policies. I understand that failure to comply by these rules and policies may result in my removal from the show.
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Volunteer Code of Conduct
Statement of Faith
As a volunteer, I understand that NYT is a Christian organization and that the leadership is held to agreement with the following beliefs. I further understand that dispute resolution and other issues will be handled in a manner consistent with the following Statement of Faith:
• We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
• We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
• We believe in the active ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
• We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those that are saved to resurrection of life and those that are lost to the resurrection of damnation.
As a volunteer, I understand that all of the following applies to me, as well as the board of directors and staff of NYT:
General Principles
1. Have respect for authority figures who oversee you (1 Peter 2:13-17; Romans 13:1).
2. Have an attitude of compassion for the differences, needs, or disabilities of others. The world can be a very “mean” place for youth. NYT should be a safe place where their defenses can be lowered.
3. Act and speak in a manner worthy of the God who calls you – unkind remarks, profanity, coarse jokes, conversation involving inappropriate content, or sexual situations should be completely avoided. Any language or conversation unbecoming of the Bible’s instruction is unacceptable at all times and especially at youth functions (1 Thessalonians 2:12; Ephesians 4:1; 5:4).
Specific Guidelines
• At no time should a volunteer be alone with any one child.
• Volunteers should refrain from inappropriate physical contact with each other and students. If you are in a relationship with another volunteer, public displays of affection are not allowed while serving at NYT activities.
• Unless it is during an organized activity, volunteers should not engage in physical play with students. This would include, but not be limited to, pushing, disrespectful behavior, initiation activities, punching, teasing, etc. A chief goal of NYT is to provide a safe environment for students.
Responsibility to Students, Parents, Other Staff, and the Church
• As a volunteer, you have the responsibility of upholding the standards of parents while their children are entrusted into your care. Do not tell students their parents are wrong, out of touch, or in any way undermine the authority of their parents.
• Disagreements with other board members, staff, students, or other volunteers should be handled in an appropriate manner away from direct interaction with the students (see Biblical Conflict Resolution Matthew 18). Discussions or conflicts should occur privately. Submission to authority is crucial even if there is not total agreement.
Personal Lifestyle
• As a volunteer, your personal habits and your actions are closely watched by the students. In being an example, your priorities go beyond what is right for you and extend to what is best for the students.
• Volunteers are to dress in a modest fashion:
• Clothing must be modest and appropriate for all activities for men and women.
◦ Be aware of what may be exposed when dancing, moving, jumping, sitting, bending over, etc.
◦ Remember the 3 B’s (for men AND women): behind, belly, and breasts are to be covered.
◦ Undergarments must be covered.
◦ No low-riding pants or shorts.
◦ No clothing that bares midriffs or shows cleavage.
◦ Boys may swim without wearing a shirt.
◦ Transparent or see-through clothing MAY ONLY BE WORN WITH a tank, shirt, shorts, or leggings underneath.
◦ All skirts and loose athletic shorts (a.k.a. Nike or sport shorts), or any other shorts shorter than mid-thigh, MUST BE WORN WITH bike shorts, leggings, tights, or bloomers.
◦ Leggings, jeggings, tights, yoga pants, etc. MUST BE WORN WITH something additional that covers your behind (i.e., a long shirt, shorts, skirt, etc).
◦ No inappropriate messages or images on clothing (ex: crude language, provocative images).
• Volunteers should be courteous, respectful, and dignified in their personal demeanor. Your choice of language should not include offensive words, including referring to the opposite gender in slang terms, using profanity of any kind, disrespectful nicknames, etc.
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WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT
In consideration for receiving permission to BE ON PREMISES at all National Youth Theater classes, camps, productions, or rehearsals (hereinafter the “Activity or Activities”), I, on behalf of myself and any minor child/children for whom I have the capacity to contract, hereby acknowledge and agree to the following:
1. I understand the hazards of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and am familiar with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) guidelines, as well as the Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas guidelines, regarding COVID-19. I acknowledge and understand that the circumstances regarding COVID-19 are changing from day to day and that, accordingly, these guidelines are regularly modified and updated and I accept full responsibility for familiarizing myself with the most recent updates.
2. Notwithstanding the risks associated with COVID-19, which I readily acknowledge, I hereby willingly choose to participate in Activities.
3. I acknowledge and fully assume the risk of illness or death related to COVID-19 arising from my being on the premises and participating in the Activities and hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE (on behalf of myself and any minor children form whom I have the capacity contract) National Youth Theater, their owners, officers, directors, agents, employees and assigns (the “RELEASEES”) from any liability related to COVID-19 which might occur as a result being on the premises and participating in the Activities.
4. I shall hold harmless the RELEASEES from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, judgments, losses or expenses of any nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs and disbursements, whether of in-house or outside counsel and whether or not an action is brought, on appeal or otherwise), arising from or out of, or relating to, directly or indirectly, the infection of COVID-19 or any other illness or injury.
5. It is my express intent that this Waiver and Hold Harmless Agreement shall bind any assigns and representatives, and shall be deemed as a RELEASE, WAIVER, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the above-named RELEASEES. This Agreement and the provisions contained herein shall be construed, interpreted and controlled according to the laws of the State of Texas.
I HEREBY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY DISPUTE ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAIVER WAS EXPRESSLY NEGOTIATED AND IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT THE PERMISSION GRANTED BY RELEASEES TO BE ON PREMISES AND PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES.
IN SIGNING AND/OR CHECKING THE BOX TO AGREE WITH THESE TERMS, I ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPRESENT THAT I have read the foregoing Wavier of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement, understand it and sign it voluntarily as my own free act and deed; no oral representations, statements, or inducements, apart from the foregoing written agreement, have been made; I am at least eighteen (18) years of age and fully competent; and I execute this Agreement for full, adequate and complete consideration fully intending to be bound by same.