General Procedures:

• All theatre participants must follow all directives and meet all deadlines of the Directors, Stage Managers and
  STAGE officers.
• Behavior and image are two important factors for drama students because people in drama are continuously on
  display.  Students should not take part in any action or continuously engage in any activity that could be
  perceived as diminishing the integrity of the Tomball STAGE at school or in the public eye.
• It is expected for theatre students to get the appropriate amount of rest on school nights, especially after a
  performance.
• Due to the fear of cross contamination and the spreading of disease, the sharing of food, drink, or make-up is
  strictly prohibited.
• All drama students should check the callboard daily for crew, casting, or general departmental
  announcements.  Negligence in reading the callboard is no excuse for missing an assignment or rehearsal.  An
  effort will be made to post all announcements before lunch.
• The drama office and library are areas designated for teachers and STAGE officers who are performing their
  duties.  No students should use these areas to congregate or “hang out”.
• Equipment should only be used with permission from a Director.  All equipment used in the course of a day’s
  work should be returned to its appropriate place when the work is completed.
• Students are not permitted to donate blood for charitable purposes while involved in a Tomball STAGE production.
• If any student is waiting for a late rehearsal, then they need to be working on school or theatre work in either of the directors rooms. Not loitering in the hallway.

Theatre Rules:

• Food or drink may not be brought into the auditorium or anywhere in the Theatre areas unless otherwise
  specified by a Director.
• The use of photography is not permissible in the theatre.
• Only Director approved videotaping can take place during the performance. 
• Sitting on or crossing over the back of seats, walking or sitting on the arm rests, placing feet on seats, or
  standing on the seats is not permitted.
• Spectators and children from the audience are not allowed to be on the stage at any time before, during, or
  after the production.
• Audience members, including children, should remain in their seats at all times during the performance and
  are not permitted to hang on or ride the handrails, roll down the ramps, or run in the theatre.
• Hats are not appropriate in the theatre.
• The lip (the 2×8 oak band around the front and sides of the stage) in the auditorium is not to be walked on,
  stood on, sat upon, or crossed except when blocked to do so in the action of the play.
• Jumping on or off the stage is unacceptable except when blocked to do so in the action of the play.
• The stairs at the sides of the apron in the auditorium are to be used for traveling on or off the stage from the
  pit. 
• The fronts of the green and black velour curtains are not to be touched.

Dressing Room Rules:

• During the period of dress rehearsals and performances, students are not permitted in the dressing room of the
  opposite sex except for approved make-up and costume crew times while performing their duties as specified
  by the Director.
• Dressing rooms are to remain locked at all times, and access is prohibited unless otherwise instructed by a
  Director.
• Only cast members or specified crew members are permitted in the dressing room two hours prior to every
  performance.  No visitors are allowed in the dressing room.
• During a show, one rehearsal will be used as a make-up and dressing room procedure orientation. All cast members must be present for this orientation.
• Departmental make-up and hygienic supplies are to be used only by the performers.
• Each actor is assigned his/her own make-up station and is responsible for cleaning it after each rehearsal and
  performance.
• Makeup station assignments are determined by the makeup crew.
• Lids must be placed on their respective containers when finished.
• Applicators should only be used on tiles, not the departmental make-up containers.
• Dressing room mirrors are to remain clean at all times.  Any writing or obstructive decoration on or around
  them is not permitted.
• Once prepared for a performance, all actors may wait only in the dressing rooms or the black box until
  “places” is called.
• All make-up procedures must be carried out through the entire production of the show.
• Costumes WILL BE treated with care.  Actors must hang up all costume pieces exactly as they found them. 
  Items worn as costumes never leave the theatre building during the dress rehearsal and performance period,
  except when taken for cleaning and/or repairs, and only when approved by the costume foreman or designer. 
• The performer never takes any part of their costume home, even if it is their own property, until strike.
• Sitting, standing, or lying on the dressing room counters is prohibited.
• Stage make-up is not to be worn in public and must be removed before leaving the theatre building unless
  otherwise noted by a director.
• Bathrooms in dressing rooms should be kept sanitary and hygienic.  Any maintenance or sanitation issues
  should be brought to a Director’s attention.
• Light bulbs must be free and clear from any and all obstructive items.
• Food or drink, with the exception of water bottles with sealed caps, is prohibited in the dressing rooms.
• Personal items should be stored on the shelves above the counter, below the counter, or left at home.
• All personal items must be removed from dressing rooms by the end of strike. After one week, they may
  become departmental property.
• Proper undergarments need to be worn in the dressing room and during a performance at all times.
• Cameras are not permitted in the dressing room unless approved by a director.
• Inappropriate language such as swearing and gossiping in the dressing rooms is prohibited and will not be tolerated.

Auditioning Procedures:

• Once a student has been cast in a role, they may not turn that part down.  If this is done, the student will be
  ineligible for casting in the next Tomball STAGE production.
• All students enrolled in 6th period Production class with acting emphasis are required to audition for and
  participate in all productions, unless the student is already cast in a concurrent Tomball STAGE production.
  Acceptable excuses for not participating in a production must be approved by a Director prior to the auditions.
• Students who have failed a drama course in the previous six weeks are ineligible for casting.
• All schedule conflicts should be reported on the audition form.
• A final list of schedule conflicts including specific dates and times must be reported no later than callbacks
  so that the rehearsal schedules can be solidified.
• Once the cast list is posted, it is considered inappropriate and unprofessional to inform others of their parts. It
  is also unprofessional to stand around the callboard once you have already read the cast list.
• If you do not get cast in a role that you desire, learn to accept the loss with grace.  Verbal attacks or gossip
  serve no constructive purpose.  Instead, ask for a critique from the director, and spend your energies on
  improving your auditioning skills for the next production. 

Rehearsal and Performance Attendance:

• Students must be eligible to perform in a production.  If somebody is deemed ineligible, they will be replaced,
  and returning to the production will be determined by eligibility rules and Director approval.
• Students should follow any and all attendance procedures that are designated for that production.
• Students should follow the designated attendance policy at the beginning of each rehearsal.
• Students should always arrive at least 10 minutes before the rehearsal is scheduled to begin in order to set
  props, dress in rehearsal attire, and warm-up vocally and physically, so that the rehearsal can begin on time.
• Students should enter and leave the building by the doors at the end of the Fine Arts hallway.
• Students should enter and exit the auditorium by the backstage door in the Fine Arts hallway.
• Students may not leave rehearsal or performances early without the Director’s permission.
• Students are expected to communicate any attendance issues to Stage Managers once approved by the
  Director.
• Actors must be present at all rehearsals for which they are called.
• Attendance at all mandatory rehearsals is required.  Only extremely serious matters that are approved by the
  Director are sufficient excuses to miss mandatory rehearsals, such as technical and dress rehearsals.  If such an
  emergency arises, notification should be given to the Director for approval as soon as the student is aware that
  they cannot meet this commitment.
• Three tardies will be considered one unexcused absence.
• One unexcused absence from rehearsal can be grounds for replacement, or missing a mandatory
  rehearsal or performance can be grounds for replacement.
• If you are going to be more than 10 minutes late to a rehearsal or a performance call, you must notify
  the Stage Management in advance. This will not excuse the tardy.  It is a procedure required as a courtesy
  and for your personal welfare.

Actor Rehearsal and Performance Procedures:

• Silence MUST be maintained backstage during rehearsals and performances at all times.
• Actors must follow all instructions by the Directors and Stage Managers, and cooperate with other actors,
  technicians, and participants in the production.
• At least an hour and a half before a dress rehearsal or performance should be set aside for focusing and quiet
  preparation.
• Actors should dress appropriately and modestly for rehearsal.  Clothing and shoes should not impede
  movement.  Appropriate shoes approved by director must be worn to every rehearsal.  Rehearsal clothing
  may be neatly stored in the dressing rooms.
• Actors are responsible for scripts (and scores if applicable) at all times and must have these and pencils with
  them at every rehearsal. Failure to return a script or score when necessary may result in fines.
• All company members must maintain a quiet, professional attitude at all times.
• Props are to be used only in the given action of a play.  Actors pick up all props from the assigned prop areas
  and return them as directed.  No props are to be played with or removed from the stage area.
• Set pieces should not be moved, played with, touched, or sat upon except in the given action of the play.
• The actor must cooperate with the Director in the overall “look” of the character.  Hairstyles will be dictated
  by the character, period of the play, and design concept.
• Personal issues should be dealt with outside of the performing and rehearsing times.
• Actors should be in designated areas at all times at all rehearsals and performances.
• Actors should keep their personal items with them in designated areas in plain view of the Stage Manager.
• All actors and technicians are required to take notes on a notepad, no cell phones are allowed.
• Notes are only given and should be received from a Director, Stage Manager, or other Director approved personnel.
• All actors and technicians are required to bring their own note pad for note taking before rehearsals and performances.
• No cell phones are permitted during ANY rehearsals or performances.

Technical Personnel: Crew and Performance Procedures:

• All technical crew members must attend technical orientation before they may attend a technical crew.
• The technical crew is responsible for the same rehearsal and performance procedures and expectations as the
  actors for all rehearsals and crew for which they are called.
• Crew members must follow all orders by the Directors and Stage Managers and cooperate with the actors,
  other technicians, and participants in the production.
• Assistant Technical Director, Stage Managers, Foreman and Crew Heads should be treated with the same
  respect as a Director.
• All schedule conflicts, including specific dates and times, should be reported on the technical contract.
• Technical members selected for a technical crew are required to attend all appropriate crew calls; crew
  members will only get points for the crew calls for which they attend.
• Backstage behavior MUST be professional and silent at all times.
• Fly lines (white ropes at stage right which make battens raise and lower), electric battens (the electric
  wenches controlled from stage right that set the height of the battens), and curtains should never
  be operated by anyone except trained technical personnel with approval from a Director.
• The traveler lines are the curtains that open and close left and right across the stage by pulling of a rope. 
  These curtains should only be operated after the curtain is clear of obstructions.  They should be pulled at an
  even and consistent speed with a hand over hand method, and should not be jerked.
• The walk-along curtain lines (black curtains on the sides and across the stage that are to be pulled into position
  by hand) should only be handled by the back of the curtain and must be checked for obstructions at the stage
  level and at the track level.  These curtains can only be moved by technical personnel with approval from a
  Director. 
• The curtains may not be roped off to get them further off stage.
• Items may not be pinned or clamped to the front of the curtains.
• Climbing on the fly rail is not permitted.
• All furniture and scenery must be carried or rolled on the painted stage floor; no dragging or sliding.  All
  furniture must be put in the proper place at the end of rehearsal or performance.
• Only technical personnel approved by a Director are permitted in the control booth, in the light lab, on the
  catwalk, or the costume shop.
• Only trained and approved personnel are permitted to operate the light and sound boards.
• Only technical personnel approved by a Director may be on headset.  The conversation must be professional
  and limited to things directly pertaining to the technical aspects of the performance.
• All microphones and headsets must be properly put up in the designated area at the end of each rehearsal and
  performance.
• Make-up and costume crews are the only crew members permitted in the dressing rooms during the dress
  rehearsal and performance process.  They must be performing official make-up and costume duties during
  specific crew times as specified by a Director or crew foreman.
• Student technicians are responsible for the proper use of all equipment.
• Horseplay or improper use of tools is not permitted.
• Only trained and approved personnel are permitted to use power tools.
• Dismantling or playing with broomsticks or paint sticks is not permitted.
• Wasting of supplies is not permitted.
• Any tool/utensil used must be properly cleaned and put back in its proper place.
• Crew will not be dismissed until all tools and equipment have been accounted for and returned to their proper place,
  and the work area is clean.
• Any student who triggers the Saw Stop blade recession mechanism will be responsible for replacing the saw blade and mechanism, regardless of intent.
• Damage of any tools will be the financial responsibility of the student.

Expectations for Understudies/Alternates:

• Understudies/UIL alternates are expected to be prepared to perform their roles at an equivalent level to those
  whom they are assigned to understudy.
• In the event of a re-casting situation, an understudy would be considered for but not guaranteed a role;
  however, that role will be defined by the Director.
• All understudies/UIL alternates are called for every rehearsal/performance for which that part is called.
• Understudies/UIL alternates should be very familiar with the production and be ready and willing to step in at
  any time.
• Every person in the production needs to be aware of the script and be able to mark another part.
• The understudy’s focus should be onstage at all times, especially when their character is performing.

Performance Etiquette:

• “Breaking Curtain” (peeking out) before the show, during the show, or at intermission is considered extremely
  bad etiquette and is not permitted.
• Being seen in the theatre before or after the performance is not permitted. This includes the downstairs lobby
  unless instructed otherwise by a Director.
• Leaving school campus during a performance is not permitted.
• On days with two shows, students are not allowed to leave in between the call of the first show and the
  conclusion of the second.
• In American theatre, the presentation of gifts and flowers in front of the audience at curtain call is considered
  very bad etiquette and is not permitted.
• The hallway to the right of the theatre is referred to as the “Reception Hall”.  It serves as a theatre green room
  where congratulations, hugs, gifts, and flowers can be exchanged after the performance.  This is the most
  appropriate place for the cast and crew members to greet audience members.  The cast may greet them in
  another location that is specified and approved by the Director.

General Rules:

• The pursuit of interpersonal relationships with romantic intentions will not be permitted during rehearsals or
  performances.
• Any form of graffiti in and around the Fine Arts Department will not be tolerated.
• Eating and/or drinking in costume is strictly forbidden.
• All production participants should be prepared to perform assigned role/duties at rehearsals, crews and
  performances.
• Trash left around the Fine Arts area will not be tolerated.  Please clean up after yourself.
• Students are to be responsible for designated dressing room areas, and must keep these clean and neat.
• Costumes, clothing articles, accessories, make-up and props are not to be used unless designated/assigned to you by a
  director or designer.  Students are required to wear assigned costumes.
• The use of all electronic communication and entertainment devices is not permitted during rehearsals, performances, or meetings, and these devices must be turned off (not just set on silent).
• After a scene is blocked, actors have one rehearsal when they may use their script onstage.  During the two subsequent rehearsals, actors are permitted to call for a line when needed.  Lines must be memorized as written at the following
  rehearsals or the actor is subject to disciplinary actions.
• With the exception of cast, crew, Directors, and Director approved parent organization members fulfilling
  their duties, absolutely no one should be backstage (dressing rooms, Blackbox, etc. inclusive) during Dress
  Rehearsals and Performances.
• All students involved in a production must participate in strike with the exception of House Staff, who are
  encouraged to attend. 
• Points will not be awarded to the student until triple the time of strike they missed is made up. If a student misses strike
  due to a pre-approved school sponsored event, they are only required to make up the time of strike missed.
• Any outstanding debts (fees, fines, laps, scripts, strike hours) will render students unable to participate in any subsequent performances.
• All scheduled medical procedures (such as donating blood, cosmetic procedures, etc.) must be cleared by a director.  (Donating blood for charitable reasons is prohibited during the production process.)
• Tomball STAGE offers opportunities for the students to leave the campus during rehearsals or other activities for scheduled breaks, in which case Tomball ISD will not be held responsible.  Each student should get permission from their parents to ride/drive other students if that is their choice.  Also, it is against the rules for directors to drive any student in their car at
  any time. Dressing rooms, classroom, hallways, costume shop, little shop, and Black Box are considered back stage.
• Inappropriate public displays of affection are not allowed and will not be tolerated at rehearsals, back stage, or at any STAGE sponsored events.

Procedures and Expectations of Ushers and House Staff:

• All House Staff and ushers are to obey the House Manager at all times (as they would the Director).
• The House staff and house crew must help set up the lobby, including the concession area, and prepare programs before the opening of the house. When not fulfilling an Usher duty, all Ushers should stay in room 1512 until the opening of the House.
• Ushers are to hand out programs, solve problems, handle emergencies, and answer any questions that may be asked by the audience.
• At the end of each performance, the House Staff must clean up the house, lobby, and concession areas and return all equipment, including signs, tables, chairs, t-shirts, and programs to their appropriate places before they are dismissed.
• When working the Sign-in/Sign-out table, sign-ins can only be signed before the beginning of Act I and sign-outs can only be signed after the end of Act II. The usher working the table is responsible for making sure the sign-in/sign-out forms are out during the appropriate times.
• All ushers and House Staff should be familiar with the seating arrangement in the auditorium so they can assist the audience members in locating their seats.
• All House staff must be dressed professionally and in compliance with the TISD dress code. You are the first impression of the department and must dress the part.
• Flashlights and Usher tags will be assigned nightly to the House staff and must be turned in each night to the House Manager.
• To receive points, a student must sign in and out using approved procedure.
• During the course of the show, the ushers and House Staff are to remain in the auditorium in their designated areas. They are not to leave or go backstage (unless otherwise told to do so by the House Manager or a Director).
• Ushers and House Staff are not allowed in the dressing rooms during the performance process.
• Ushers are to enforce all rules stated in the Theatre Rules section of this document.
• In the event of a disrespectful, unruly, or inappropriate audience member, the Usher is expected to remain respectful at all times. If the problem cannot be solved, alert a House Manager, Director, or School Administrator (in that order) if additional help is necessary.
• All House Staff members must be professional, respectful, courteous, and helpful to all audience members at all times. Any disrespect to a theatregoer or the House Manager can result in disciplinary consequences.

Procedures and Expectations of the Video Crew:

• All Video personnel must attend a video crew orientation prior to filming performances.
• During the strike of the show, it is the recorder’s job to put up the equipment in its proper place, label all tapes, and note which recording is the best quality.
• The cameras should be checked out and returned to the Historian.
• The tapes should be obtained from the Historian and returned immediately to the Historian after the
  performance.
• All Video personnel must attend at least one dress rehearsal to or performance to become familiar with the show prior to
  recording a performance.
• All Video personnel must dress professionally and in compliance with the TISD dress code.
  

Travel Guidelines:

• Students must maintain eligibility during the school year in order to travel with Tomball STAGE.  If eligibility
  is lost, refund is not given.
• All TISD, sponsoring organization, Travel Company, hotel and transportation rules are enforced on trips. Any serious infraction will result in immediate dismissal with the parents logistically and financially responsible for the student’s immediate return.

Transportation:

• The student shall be on time in arriving to the designated meeting point for the trip.
• Students shall pack appropriately for the length of the trip.
• Officers or Management shall check equipment to be packed in order to ensure the security of Tomball
  STAGE property.
• Travelers should respect the rules of the bus driver and be courteous at all times.
• Flash photography is not permitted in the bus.
• Voices should be kept at an appropriate level for the bus.
• All trash should be deposited in the appropriate receptacles.
• When vehicle arrives at the designated destination, students should become quiet in order to receive instructions or information.
• If you are ever away from a chaperone or director when we are traveling, you must be with at least 2 other people from our troupe.
• Any student leaving the designated campus we are visiting, you must be accompanied by a director or a chaperone's
• When stopping at railroad track, become quiet for the safety of the company in the vehicle.
• No standing in a moving vehicle.
• Upon returning from a trip, be sure you've made proper arrangements for a ride home.

Hotels (Overnight Accommodations):

• Students shall respect the curfew given by sponsors and/or hotel policy.
• Rooms shall be kept clean and neat for the duration of the trip.
• Be respectful of roommates and fellow guests of the hotel.
• Students should not fraternize with other guests of the hotel.
• Students will not enter the rooms of the opposite sex nor enter rooms of any other guest of the hotel.
• Any practical jokes, hazing, or inappropriate conduct directed toward another person may result in
  serious, if not legal consequences.
• Voices should be kept at an appropriately low level in common areas of the hotel.
• Students should be prepared to be flexible and plan ahead for showers, dressing, etc. as permitted.
• Students are charged for any bills credited to their room.
• After lights out, electronic communication must cease. (including phone calls, texting, video chatting, video games, etc.)

Personal Driving Guidelines:

• When student’s driving to and from a Tomball STAGE activity or driving other students to or from activities involving the Tomball STAGE, they must abide by the restrictions provided by the State of Texas.
• Teachers are not permitted to have students in their personal vehicles.
• Students should never have or be asked to have teachers in their personal vehicles.
• Students must have a ride arranged when crews, rehearsals, and performances end.

Thespian Membership and Point Policy:

• To be eligible to become an Official Thespian, ten points (in multiple categories i.e.; business, acting, or technical) are required.  If the points are strictly in one category, 12 points are needed.  To become an Official Thespian, you must pay dues for International Thespian Society, and be initiated at the Drama Banquet.
• Points are assigned in a manner based on the intention of the International Thespian Society Points Policy,
  which states that one point is equivalent to ten hours of work.  However, they will be adjusted and fairly
  distributed on a case-by-case basis.
• All hours for strike must be completed before any points will be awarded for that show.
• Any outstanding fees will result in no points being awarded until fees are paid.
• Any points required that don’t directly benefit THS will be classified as miscellaneous and will not be counted
  towards letter jackets.
• Seeing or viewing a show is ¼ of a point. These points are miscellaneous. Ticket stub or program must be turned in to receive points.
• No points are awarded for any class assignment or when financial compensation is received.
• To receive points the guidelines must be followed as laid out by the Points officer.
• Students transferring from a different school must have a letter from their previous director stating all work
  done and all points earned.  (These points will not count toward a Tomball HS letter jacket.)
• In order to attend a Thespian Convention, a student must be eligible to be a Thespian (see requirements), unless cast in a production that is being taken.

The 2011-2012 Tomball STAGE Student/Parent Commitment

I understand the rules and expectations set forth by the Tomball STAGE Manual of Policies and Procedures
vital to the safety and success of all students involved in the Tomball STAGE.

I also understand that the directors reserve the right to amend or revise this document in order to ensure the
safety of each student and the standards and practices of the department.

I have read and reviewed the Manual of Policies and Procedures in its entirety.  By signing this document, I
understand violation of these rules may result in disciplinary action.