Community Agreement

Below is a copy of the Community Agreement that all cast and crew members sign at the first rehearsal of every show:

🎭 Drama Guild Community Agreement 🎭

Our Core Values

1. Positivity & Respect

• Drama Guild is a supportive and inclusive space.

• We do not engage in gossip, rumors, or toxic behavior.

• If you have negative feelings, you “take them up, don’t spread them out.” That means you talk to a class officer or the Director/Music Director/Choreographer to process it in a healthy way, instead of spreading negativity.

• If you need to vent, do it outside of Drama Guild (to a parent, sibling, or trusted friend).

2. Lifting Each Other Up, Not Tearing Each Other Down

• We celebrate each other’s talents and hard work, and we treat each other with respect and kindness (this includes people outside of Drama Guild who are helping with the show, like Stage Crew, Designers, and Parent Volunteers!)

• If you don’t have something kind or constructive to say, keep it outside of rehearsal and away from other Drama Guild members.

• Bullying will not be tolerated. Anyone who tears others down, excludes others, or creates a negative environment will face consequences.

3. Teamwork Over Ego

• Theater is not about individual egos. It’s about collaboration, and creating something special that is bigger than ourselves.

• Every role, large or small, onstage or behind the scenes matters. Every person is vital to the success of the show.

• If someone starts making things about themselves instead of the group, they’ll be reminded that they are on “Team <Show Name>” and need to focus on what’s best for the show.

4. Commitment

• By joining the cast, you agree to take rehearsals seriously.

• You will attend all rehearsals you are called for and arrive on time.

• If you must miss a rehearsal, tell the stage manager as soon as possible, and explain why. You may copy Ms. Maletz on your message, but notifying her alone is not sufficient. Communication must come directly from you. Messages from parents will not be accepted.

  • Emergencies = excused absences.

  • Forgetting or overscheduling yourself = unexcused absence.

• Absence policy:

  • 1-2 unexcused absences = warning

  • 2+ unexcused absences = possible loss of your role

5. Social Media and Performance Behavior

• If you post about Drama Guild on social media, keep it positive and respectful.

• No subtweeting, vagueposting, or negative comments about cast, crew, or the show.

• Pranks or intentional changes to the show during performances are strictly prohibited. These actions can violate licensing agreements and may result in serious consequences, including disqualification from awards consideration. All performers are expected to present the show as rehearsed so that every audience experiences the same production.

6. Collaboration & Feedback Expectations

Theater is a collaborative art form and a team effort. Every production involves a large number of moving parts, changing needs, and real-time problem solving. Because of this, flexibility, communication, responsibility, and mutual respect are essential to maintaining a healthy and successful program. The following expectations exist to help our Drama Guild function as a supportive, productive, and collaborative environment for everyone involved:

• Changes are a normal part of live theater. Rehearsal schedules, blocking, choreography, costumes, props, sets, and production plans may occasionally need to change as the process develops.

• Not every decision will make sense to every student immediately. Many production decisions involve factors happening behind the scenes that students may not be aware of.

• Students are expected to approach the process with flexibility, patience, and a willingness to adapt when needed.

• Rehearsal time should be used productively. If there is downtime, students should use that time to review lines, choreography, blocking, music, character work, or production responsibilities.

When providing feedback:

• Focus on specific, observable issues rather than assumptions about intent, motivation, or fault.

• Avoid blame-focused language directed at specific individuals.

• Communicate concerns respectfully and professionally.

• Whenever possible, include constructive suggestions or solutions alongside concerns.

• Understand that directors and production staff may not always provide detailed explanations or justifications for every decision, schedule adjustment, or production change.

Feedback that is respectful, specific, and solution-oriented is far more productive and helpful than feedback centered on frustration, assumptions, or personal criticism.

7. Shared Responsibility and Respect for the Process

The success of a production depends on the full team, not just directors or student leaders.

• Student leaders, stage managers, crew members, cast members, and production staff are all responsible for completing their assigned duties and meeting any assigned deadlines.

• Students are expected to help maintain a rehearsal environment that is organized, respectful, and ready to work.

• Individual mistakes or miscommunications may happen during the production process. The focus should always remain on problem-solving and teamwork rather than blame. 

Drama Guild is not a customer service environment where every individual preference can be accommodated at all times. Theater is a collaborative creative process that requires compromise, trust, teamwork, and adaptability from everyone involved.

Students are expected to:

• Treat fellow cast members, crew members, band members, directors, choreographers, designers, and production staff with respect.

• Assume good intentions from others whenever possible. 

• Contribute positively to the culture and morale of the group.

Our goal is not perfection. Our goal is to work together to create meaningful, high-quality theater while supporting one another throughout the process.

If Problems Arise

Nobody’s perfect, and sometimes people have rough days. If someone struggles to follow this agreement, we’ll work together to make things right. Possible steps might include:

1. A friendly reminder or conversation about expectations.

2. Checking in with parents/guardians if the issue continues.

3. Temporary loss of privileges.

4. If problems are serious or repeated, removal from the show.

Our goal is always to help each other succeed, not to punish. These steps are just here to make sure Drama Guild stays a safe, positive space for everyone.

Commitment

When you sign the community agreement, you’re not just agreeing to rules. You’re joining a team that depends on each other. We succeed when everyone shows up, supports one another, and brings their best to rehearsals and performances.

This agreement is a reminder that you matter, your presence matters, and the energy you bring helps make Drama Guild a safe, creative, and uplifting place for all of us.