Essex Improv Code of Conduct

CODE OF CONDUCT
Essex Improv is committed to building a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment for all to express themselves through improvisation. In order to keep Essex Improv safe and supportive, we have put together this Code of Conduct policy. It applies to not only events at Off Cabot but also all theater-related social functions regardless of location. We have the right to terminate a member based on any breach of our code of conduct. 

PROFESSIONALISM

• Respect and honor the diversity and culture of our audiences, performers, staff, and all persons in our community.

• Be on time for all commitments. If you will be late, inform your instructor, coach, or Essex Improv leadership before your call time.

• Be respectful of the theater space. Help keep Off Cabot's appearance clean and professional. Pick up and clean up after yourself before leaving the premises.

• No drugs or alcohol may be consumed leading up to a performance or practice. If you are visibly intoxicated, you will be asked to leave.

• Be a good audience member. Let non-improvisers give suggestions. Don’t heckle, get over-intoxicated, or leave in the middle of a show. Sit in the audience for other teams' performances.
• By appearing in Essex Improv performances, events, classes, and workshops, you consent to the use of your image for marketing and promotional purposes as long as you are an active member of the theater. If no longer an active member of the theater, images may still be used by Essex Improv unless otherwise requested in writing by the performer/student.
  
  

Essex Improv prohibits discrimination or harassment of its community members by any other community member, for reasons including, but not limited to, a person’s race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, size, genetic information, sexual orientation, political beliefs, gender identity, marital status, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Examples of behaviors that could be considered harassment include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Intimidation, sabotaging, physical assaults, or threats

• Slurs or name-calling

• Posting offensive messages on social media sites

• Unwelcome or unsolicited behavior, including:
• Sexual flirations, advances, or propositions
• Leering, staring, unwelcome touching or physical closeness
• Offensive jokes, messages, images, insults, ridicule or mockery, told by any means (in person, via telecommunications and social media, etc.)
  
  

Conduct with Minors
All community members associated with Essex Improv shall refrain from private, one-to-one communications with minor audience members, or any other minor associated with Essex Improv who is not a member of their family. Essex Improv community members and minor(s) shall interact in public spaces. Otherwise they may only interact when monitored by at least one other adult.

Conduct with Current Adult Students
It is against Essex Improv policy for students and instructors to enter and/or engage in romantic and/or sexual relationships with one another while the instructor is teaching the student in a class and/or is supervising the student’s work. If a relationship has been established prior to the student’s enrollment in the class (marriage, domestic partnership, etc.), the leadership of Essex Improv must be notified by the instructor prior to their partner's enrollment in the class.

Consensual romantic and/or sexual relationships between instructors and students not enrolled in a class the instructor is teaching, while not forbidden, are generally considered unwise and inappropriate. The nature of the instructor/student relationship is one that relies on an imbalance of power, which is why we advise to use caution or refrain from engaging in relationships of a romantic or sexual nature in any situation where a power imbalance exists.