Code of Conduct
Thank you for taking this class, we're so happy to have you here!
Please remember this is a classroom, and we're not very familiar with each others' levels of comfort.
Some guidelines for keeping classrooms a kind place:
- Treat each other with respect, as well as the characters that you play.
- Please respect each others' pronouns. Refer to people how they wish to be referred to.
- Be aware when you make a reference (to a movie, a brand of food, a slang term, something popular in your childhood), not everyone will know it and it's ok to explain it. It's also ok to ask what something means -- in character during a scene, or as yourself after a scene. We all have different backgrounds and different brains, and that's great!
- Avoid "punching down" in scenes, which is making fun of of marginalized individuals for things like their gender, sexuality, race, religion, etc. "Punching up" is making fun of broader institutions or the powerful, and we can have fun with that.
- You never have to feel uncomfortable in an improv scene for any reason. Characters can say no, can break pattern and say they don't like something. Actors can have their characters leave a scene. And we can talk about it afterwards.
We understand reporting issues can be difficult. Issues raised will be taken with the utmost seriousness, and will be followed up on. Whenever possible steps will be taken to address and prevent the issue in the future.
Procedure for Discussing An Issue
If you'd like to discuss something that might be an issue in class or rehearsal or a show, you could do whichever of these you feel comfortable about:
- Talk to your coach or teacher about what to do next
- Talk to either of these school administrators:
- Will Hines: will@wgimprovschool.com
- Sarah Claspell: sarah@wgimprovschool.com
- You can also use this form to send an anonymous message to the administrators. Please be as detailed as possible so the issue can be evaluated. Because this form is anonymous we won’t be able to follow up with you directly.