Actors and Crew Code of Conduct

PUNCTUALITY

You’ve heard about it your whole life and being a professional means there are no excuses for lateness to a rehearsal or performance. There are moments when a real crisis may disrupt you from your appointed arrival time, so PLAN for those moments by arriving well before the designated time. Those extra minutes will allow more time to warm-up, build an ensemble, or get you in the right frame of mind. If lateness is truly unavoidable, you must call your Stage Manager or Director and let them know your expected arrival time. Habitual lateness will result in dismissal and will be taken into account when casting future shows.

This also includes being on time for warm-ups. Warm-ups are a part of the rehearsal process- you must attend and participate!

Once you report to rehearsal/a show, you are expected to remain. Do not go roaming the halls, leave the theater, etc.

REHEARSALS

ALL cast and crew members are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals. We realize that occasionally there are conflicts. If you MUST miss a rehearsal, you MUST notify the Director at least one hour in advance.

CELL PHONES

Put them away (preferably- turn them OFF) when entering a rehearsal or performance space. There are appropriate times to use them, rehearsal is not one of them- so hang up!

GOSSIP

You know it’s wrong. We heard you say it.

BACKSTAGE NOISE

It should be nonexistent. That means you should avoid all talking, whispering, and laughter while in the wings, hallways or dressing room areas. In addition to this, full cooperation with the stage manager is mandatory. When a stage manager or director reminds you of this rule- he/she is not being bossy- they are doing their job. Do yours.

TECH REHEARSALS

ALL cast members are expected to attend tech rehearsals as scheduled before opening night. During these rehearsals, you are expected to pay attention, not disrupt the rehearsal, and stay close to the stage, because you never know when they will go back a few scenes to fine tune timing. Be advised that these rehearsals often run late; the more the cast cooperates, the earlier you get to go home.

ALL crew members are expected to attend tech rehearsals as scheduled before opening night. During these rehearsals, you are expected to pay attention, not disrupt the rehearsal, and stay close to the stage, because you never know when they will go back a few scenes to fine tune timing. Be advised that these rehearsals often run late. Take care of all equipment and borrowed equipment. Do not use equipment until you have been instructed on how to use it.

BACKSTAGE DRAMA

Just because we play dramatic characters onstage does NOT mean we must portray them offstage. When you are in a show, the theatre becomes a tiny universe. All other issues need to remain outside of the theatre. You were cast for your performance abilities; perform. Everything will still be there when the show is over.

COSTUMES

Make no unauthorized changes in costume, make-up or hairstyle. Take proper care of all costumes. You are not supposed to look “pretty”- you are supposed to look like the character you are portraying.

Acceptable concerns: I can’t perform my choreography in this skirt. Unacceptable: This is itchy, I don’t like this color

CREW DRESS

You are expected to dress appropriately for all calls and shows. Wear appropriate safety gear when operating power tools and equipment at all times. (i.e., safety glasses, earplugs, gloves, etc.). Wear CLOSED TOED footwear at all times in the building- this is for your safety.

Set Con days - wear WORK CLOTHES - long pants (jeans), shirt (non-offensive), appropriate work shoes (no sandals, flip-flops, or slippers- WEAR CLOSED TOED SHOES). Dress appropriate for the expected weather.

For shows - wear SHOW BLACKS (except when otherwise instructed)- Same as work clothes except all clothing is black.

MAKEUP/ HAIR

All cast members are expected to wear makeup during performances and designated rehearsals to get the maximum effect out of your facial expressions. It is your responsibility to provide your own eye makeup. Never share sponges, lipsticks, or eye make-up and applicators with other cast members – this is a great way to prevent the spread of infection. Do not spray aerosols, especially hairspray, inside the building. If you must use hairspray, it is to be unscented, non-aerosol only, and may only be sprayed outside or in the restroom.

HYGIENE

Shower daily while in rehearsal or performance. Brush your teeth before rehearsals and performances and keep breath mints on hand. Always wear deodorant, preferably unscented. Do not use perfumes, scented lotions, body sprays, etc. during a rehearsal or performance, or in the 6 hours preceding – other cast and crew members may have severe allergies. Appropriate underwear and hosiery MUST be worn with costumes. Finally, GUM CHEWING IS NEVER PERMITTED ON STAGE!

PROPS

Never play with a prop – your own or someone else’s. In fact, never touch someone else’s prop at all. Furthermore, it is not the stage manager’s job to keep track of your props. Always check your own props before each rehearsal and show. Make sure your props are put away after each rehearsal/performance.

PERFORMANCES

Call time before a performance is a minimum of one hour before start time. You are required to be at all performances. You have a responsibility to all involved to perform the show as rehearsed and to do your best. The closing night audience members paid the same ticket price as the opening night audience. You should always give your best possible performance. To be clear- you are not the writer. You will perform your lines and role as scripted by the writer and directed by your directors. Ad-libs and changes to the script are a violation of the author’s copyright. Perform what the playwright has written; that's why you auditioned in the first place. No onstage pranks will be tolerated.

PROFESSIONALISM

Take up all disputes with the director before or after rehearsal, or during a rehearsal break. Never argue with the director from on stage or during a scheduled rehearsal. If you have a dispute with a cast or crew member, take up your concerns with the director before getting anyone else involved (refer to the Gossip section). Always be gracious, even if you disagree. Say, “thank you” after the director gives you the note, or “May we speak about this later?” if you don’t understand or disagree. The note session is not therapy for your character, but rather a session of quick fixes for MANY elements of the show. Find time for you and the director to solve issues that affect you or your character only. Also, only the DIRECTORS give notes! Don’t take notes from another actor, an audience member, a friend, a family member, etc. A response could be, “Thanks for your help, but I think it’s best we do this kind of thing through the stage manager or director.”

Furthermore, no matter how disappointed you may be in a production, NEVER publicly speak ill of a show in which you are involved. We are a team; if someone asks you how a show is going and you don’t have anything positive to say, just say “fine” or “we are still rehearsing out the kinks.”

Please speak in a respectful manner. PERIOD. Regardless of whether you are addressing an adult, a volunteer, a director, a stage manager, a cast member, a crew member, etc. Rude tones, Know-it-all attitudes, or disrespect has no place in the theatre. If you don’t like the people you work with, feel free to work in other theaters.

BE PREPARED

Always bring a pencil to rehearsal and write down your blocking, choreography, etc. Memorize your lines on time. Practice and study outside of rehearsal.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

We are a non-profit, volunteer organization. As such, everyone needs to chip in. All cast members will be assigned one or more nights of clean-up duty following performances. On those nights, you may not leave until your job is done. Out of courtesy to staff members, keep post-show socializing to a minimum so that staff may get home in a timely manner. All cast members have cleaning duty on closing night – no one leaves until the entire set has been struck and the theater is in peak condition for the next group using the space.

HEALTH AND CHOICES

Cast and crew members should practice healthy habits, i.e. eating healthy food, exercising, getting enough sleep. Your body is your instrument and you need to keep it in good working order. Avoid choices that can jeopardize the show – it isn’t fair to your fellow cast members, and you may pose a safety hazard to you or others around you. THINK BEFORE YOU ACT!

BE INVOLVED

Whenever possible, cast members should assist in costuming, set construction and painting, props, and, most of all, publicity. None of these can be done by one person alone.

COUNTY POLICIES

All country policies for the Cobb County School District will be adhered to.

A Few Final Thoughts… You Are Expected To:

• Treat everyone with dignity and courtesy
• Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealings with others
• Refrain from any behavior which may bring Walton Drama into disrepute
• Display control, respect and professionalism in all activities
• Observe proper meeting conduct and protocols
• Be courteous in dealings with other people
• Control your temper
• Not behave in any manner, or engage in any activity, while on Walton premises which is likely to impair positive public perception of Walton Drama and its members
• Abide by the code of conduct
• Use good judgment and demonstrate respect to other members and the Walton Drama
• Organization as a whole, as it pertains to any/all postings/comments on both personal and Walton Drama social media sites.
• Bear in mind that EVERYONE is replaceable