Code of Conduct:
A. Attendance
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Attend all rehearsals as scheduled (arriving on time and prepared), including dress rehearsals and technical rehearsals.
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Attend all performances
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Be “off book” as required
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Attend strike.
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Abide by the conflicts submitted at time of casting. Additional conflicts (i.e. illness and emergencies) must be approved by the director.
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Failure to attend rehearsals or performances may result in recasting or dismissal from the cast.
B. Behavior and Conduct
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Please practice toleration, acceptance, kindness, patience, and respect for one another at all times.
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Treat all cast, crew, and staff with professionalism.
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Any comments or actions which are racist, homophobic, misogynistic, body-shaming, or in any way inappropriate will be investigated and dealt with immediately and may result in expulsion from the production. (Please see Levels of Reporting and Investigation as detailed below)
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Please clean up after yourself and keep the theatre and all common use areas clean and safe. Food and drink are permitted in theatre and backstage areas; however, please dispose of all food and/or trash in appropriate receptacles.
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No smoking in the building. (Smoking is permitted 15 feet away from buildings. Please dispose of cigarette butts in appropriate receptacles.)
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Drug and Alcohol Policy: actors and crew should not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs (other than prescription) during rehearsals or performances.
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Cell Phones/Apple Watches: Please turn these off or silence during rehearsals to prevent distraction. You may use it during your breaks.
C. Performances
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Arrive early for call time and sign in.
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Call the stage manager as soon as possible if you know you will be late or have an emergency.
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Lobby restrooms are shared by cast and audience members. Please try to “plan” accordingly; we apologize for any inconvenience. If necessary, there are restrooms available next door at the D’art Center. You may of course use the upstairs restrooms during the run of the show when the audience is in the house. We will make every accommodation possible for your comfort and convenience. Thank you!
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Please check props and costumes before and after all dress rehearsals and performances. All props should be returned for “preset” and costumes hung up properly before leaving the theatre.
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All cast and crew must remain quiet backstage during performances
Levels of Reporting and Investigation of Complaints:
Employees or volunteers who become aware of or are subjected to possible violations of the MPP Code of Conduct should notify a person they feel most comfortable reporting to in a leadership position, this could include the Managing Director, Technical Director, Stage Manager, Show Director, House Manager, Box Office Manager, or any member of the Board of Directors immediately, or as soon as reasonably possible. MPP may ask that complaints be put in writing to facilitate the investigation process.
This notification process is called the Concern Resolution Path (CRP). The goal of the CRP is to provide a documented communication pathway to address issues in a production or within an organization. The CRP seeks to inform participants what to do and who to address with serious issues, and dispel the fear of reprisal for reporting issues of safety, harassment, or other serious concerns.
This Concern Resolution Path will be printed and distributed to all participants and discussed on the first day of rehearsal or training. The goal is to seek to resolve concerns early, before participants are put at risk and before the concern escalates.
The Concern Resolution Path follows a three-level structure:
Level One—We recognize that many concerns can be resolved through conversation with the parties involved. Whenever possible participants should be encouraged to discuss challenges and concerns with one another. Sharing and hearing concerns with openness and respect can prevent situations from escalating further.
Level Two—The following participants (in no particular order) should be granted a certain level of authority and trust to determine whether a concern can be resolved at this level or if it needs to be sent to the next level. All concerns should be reported to Level Three, even if no action is required.
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Volunteer Coordinator
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Stage Manager
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Show Director
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Technical Director
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House Manager
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Box Office Manager
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Board Member
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MPP Staff Member
Additionally, if any of the above listed people, or people in positions of responsibility for others, becomes aware of any incidents or alleged incidents of possible MPP Code of Conduct violations, such person must immediately report, as soon as reasonably possible, the incident(s) directly to the Managing Director or President of the Board of Directors before undertaking an investigation or other action.
Level Three—These participants should be considered the final level of the path, capable of resolving issues that have not been resolved prior to reaching this stage. They are strongly advised to consult with each other and review legal or other implications of any decision.
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Managing Director
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President of the Board of Directors
Any individual with authority (Managing Director, Volunteer Coordinator, Technical Director, Stage Manager, Show Director, House Manager, Office Manager, Box Office Manager, or any member of the Board of Directors) who fails to report allegations, instances or who otherwise fails to deal properly with such allegations may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment or prohibition from any further affiliation with MPP.
MPP will take prompt action to investigate allegations and reports of Code of Conduct Violations.
Based upon its investigation, MPP promptly will take any appropriate corrective action toward any Engaged Person found to have participated in prohibited conduct. Such persons will be subject to appropriate discipline or other corrective action, up to and including termination of employment or prohibition from any further affiliation with MPP.
MPP’s policy is to keep all instances of alleged Code of Conduct Violations confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need for a thorough investigation. If a party to a complaint does not agree with its resolution, that party may appeal to the Managing Director or the President of the Board. MPP prohibits and will not tolerate or permit retaliation against any victim of or witness to a Code of Conduction violation or violations. Any Engaged Person who retaliates against another person because of that other person’s good faith complaint or good faith participation in an investigation, will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment or prohibition from any further affiliation with MPP.
The Managing Director will maintain personnel files, which should include reported concerns. Such files are to be kept confidential and accessible only to the individual(s) responsible for maintaining the files.
In the event of civil or criminal misconduct or liability, the MPP Code of Conduct Policy and the Concern Resolution Path is not a replacement for legal advice or action, nor does it stand instead of any local, state or federal law.