LAST UPDATED 2025

POLICIES FOR PERFORMERS

INTRODUCTION

StageWorks is an incorporated organization under 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) not-for-profit status in the state of Massachusetts. By participating in a StageWorks production, you agree to join StageWorks in abiding by all Massachusetts State Laws during rehearsals, performances, and any other StageWorks-sponsored events, in addition to complying with organization-wide and production-specific rules, guidelines, and conduct expectations.

GENERAL RULES AND EXPECTATIONS

Drugs, Alcohol, and Smoking/Vaping: St. Bernard’s High School, which has generously donated their facilities to StageWorks free of charge, abides by all Massachusetts laws applicable to secondary school buildings. As such, absolutely no drugs or alcohol are to be consumed on school property. Smoking/vaping is only permitted outside the building, at least 20 feet from all entryways, as is Massachusetts law for public buildings. Furthermore, StageWorks requests that, apart from prescription medications, all performers abstain from attending rehearsals and performances under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Language: In compliance with business conduct, please make every effort to abstain from using profanity, crude, or otherwise language that might be deemed offensive.

Public Displays of Affection: In compliance with business conduct, please limit displays of physical affection to consensual hugs and handholding. Please be sure you are requesting consent from others before initiating physical touch.

Confidentiality: Please refrain from sharing any audition, show, and casting information before StageWorks has announced it publicly. Furthermore, please also think critically about repeating personal details that you might learn or overhear about StageWorks community members during rehearsals, as not everything that is shared with some is intended to be shared with all. Lastly, kindly remember that remarks that are made about and within earshot of others are likely to be overheard or passed along, so please speak kindly to and about one another.

REHEARSAL RULES AND EXPECTATIONS

Attendance: You will be asked to sign your name and arrival time on a sign-in sheet for all rehearsals and performances. If you are going to be late or absent beyond what was previously denoted on your scheduling conflicts sheet, be sure to let a member of the Production Team know right away. Each production will have a maximum number of absences a performer can miss, so please be sure to take note of this number, which your Director will communicate to you once cast. Tech week rehearsals cannot be missed for any reason apart from serious illness, at which point you may be asked to provide a doctor’s note to determine the best course of action in proceeding forward.

Punctuality: “On time” means being ready to begin at the start time. We encourage you to arrive with enough time to put away your belongings, use the bathroom, and warm yourself up.

Focus: Please pay attention during rehearsal, and do not talk when the Creative Team is talking. One side conversation, even if relevant to the show, could cause several people to not hear, or mishear, the direction given, and thus cause lags in rehearsal time due to notes needing to be repeated.

Schedule: Please be mindful that the rehearsal schedule, while carefully conceived, is just a guideline. If certain scenes or songs need more attention than anticipated, last-minute absences arise, or technical difficulties occur, the schedule may need to change or extend past the expected end-time. The Creative Team is expected to do their absolute best to abide by the schedule provided, and in turn greatly appreciates your understanding and flexibility if the schedule needs to shift slightly.

Giving Notes: Never give another performer notes (i.e. direction, suggestions, or corrections). If anyone other than the Director or Music Director attempts to direct you, please disregard the feedback and notify the Director immediately.

Receiving Notes: Please remember that any notes you receive are not intended to criticize, but to help develop and optimize the production in accordance with the Creative Team’s vision. As it is part of the Creative Team’s expectations to give gracious and respectful notes, it is the expectation of performers to receive notes graciously and respectfully – even if you disagree. If you disagree with, or do not understand, the notes given, please speak with the Creative Team privately. Similarly, if the Creative Team feels you are not executing the Direction as-given, they will reach out to you privately to determine the best course of action.

Intentionality and Respect: We are lucky to have a community of performers who span a diverse range of personalities, experiences, and work styles. Despite these differences, one thing we all share is a desire to immerse ourselves in creating a great theatrical experience, on and offstage. In support of this, StageWorks asks all performers and Creative Team members to make every effort to leave any difficult or negative emotions you may be navigating “at the door or on the floor” so that we can all direct our focus and energy into the limited rehearsal time we have together. Performers are encouraged to speak privately to a member of the Creative Team if they are experiencing significant distress that prevents them from participating in rehearsal as expected so that a minimally disruptive backup plan can be devised. In further support of this, we also ask all community members to join us in refraining from making assumptions or commentary about how others seem or appear (Example: “You look upset/tired” or “You seem overwhelmed.”). We believe these kinds of comments often directly contradict a person’s efforts to be present, as well as risk alienating people who might be shy/less talkative, or taking time to themselves to focus/decompress. While it may look a little different from person-to-person, a positive attitude is everything, so please treat the Production Team, Crew, your fellow performers, and the entire process with respect.