STUDENT SAFETY CONTRACT
A Safe and Respectful Community For All
Students are valued for their diverse backgrounds, cultures, and opinions. Scenes and classroom banter should never be racist, sexist, misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, or bigoted. In general, we ask for kindness, positivity, and an openness to learn.
Because improv encourages free-spirited discovery, there can be uncomfortable situations when hurtful words are inadvertently spoken. Let’s strive to assume the best intentions in each other. If there is an occasion where someone is offended or triggered, their feelings deserve to be validated and respected. If someone calls you out for your own offensive behavior, whether it was intentional or accidental, please try to set aside defensiveness. Often what is needed is simply an apology and a sincere attempt to be better.
Personal Boundaries
In the classroom environment, the level of touching in scenes should be consensual, professional, non-intimate, and non-lingering. Students should avoid sexualizing their scene partners and/or simulating an environment of harassment.
On teams, coaches should lead ongoing discussions with performers about each individual’s intimacy comfort level and their personal preferences should always be honored. Clear vocal consent between fellow performers is highly encouraged before any scenes/ shows.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment, abuse, discrimination, and stalking are unacceptable and may result in permanent expulsion, even if the behavior occurs outside of class.
Teachers are prohibited from having romantic or intimate relationships with their current students.
If you experience or witness harassment, unwelcome behavior, or if you feel unsafe, you may make a report anonymously at improvcincinnati.com/anonymous. All reports will be investigated by our Safety Committee and appropriate action will be taken on a case by case basis.
Other behavior that can result in expulsion or dismissal from classes and teams includes (but is not limited to) coming to class/show drunk, high, or otherwise intoxicated, engaging in violent or unsafe activity, purposefully insulting or dehumanizing others, or destroying property.
Performance School of Comedy Student Bill of Rights
You have the right:
To be and feel safe during classes, rehearsals, and performances.
To be free from all forms of discrimination including, but not limited to: race, sex, gender, age, disability, sexual preference, or faith.
To set boundaries regarding emotionally triggering subjects and what kind of physical touch you receive.
To turn down a suggestion from an audience/teacher/fellow student.
To immediately step out of any scene, performance, rehearsal or class in which you feel demeaned, unsafe, or uncomfortable, and to define what feels fun and what feels comfortable (and uncomfortable) for you.
To inform your teacher or coach of physical and emotional conditions (or any concerns) – and to receive reasonable accommodations.
To speak to any staff of The Performance School of Comedy regarding behavior by any person that you feel infringes on your rights, and to have your concerns heard and addressed.
We recommend that anyone who feels their rights have been violated should address their concerns with the administration by email: admin@theperformanceschoolofcomedy.com
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
It is the policy of The Performance School of Comedy to maintain an educational, performing and working environment free from sexual, racial, ethnic, religious, age-based, disability, sexual orientation and gender expression harassment. Such harassment is expressly prohibited.
No individual should be subjected to any unwelcome conduct that is or should be known to be offensive because of gender, race, age, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression.
Other Class Guidelines:
All students must be age 18 or older, unless the class is specifically for kids.
Make every effort to be on time. Repeated lateness may result in being withdrawn from the class.
We take the issue of consent very seriously. No student should feel uncomfortable being pursued, stalked, bothered, or harassed.
We do not allow the consumption of alcohol, illegal drugs, or use of tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) during class.
Respect the physical classroom space, including but not limited to: ceilings, walls, floors, chairs, lights, doors, and other school property.
Consequences will vary depending on the severity of a conduct problem. Particularly unruly or disruptive behavior will result in a student being removed entirely from a class and not permitted to enroll in future classes. Refunds will not be given to students who are removed from a class due to conduct
Attendance
Improv is a group activity that is best learned in a creative and supportive learning environment. The best way to support yourself and your fellow classmates is to attend all classes. Absences hinder your growth as an improviser and in turn affect your ability to support your classmates in class and on stage. If you cannot attend all scheduled classes, consider waiting until a course you can fully commit to is available.
That said, we understand emergencies do happen. To maintain course integrity we do not allow more than one absence to participate in shows. A second absence still allows participation of the class but not in the shows. Upon a third absence you will be able to audit by watching but may not participate in the class.
Absence Make Up Policy
You can only make up an absence by paying for a one on one 1 hour coaching session. Sessions are not guaranteed. Please contact the administration to make up a class.
Canceled Classes/Workshops
In case of inclement weather or emergency, class may be rescheduled with at minimum 2 hours notice by email. We reserve the right to postpone or cancel a full session if it does not reach a minimum number of students.
Refund Policy
No refunds. If you do not attend the class you may transfer your payment to a new class.
Liability
You agree that you choose to voluntarily participate in the course with full knowledge that the activity may be hazardous to yourself and/or your property. You voluntarily assume full responsibility for any risks of loss, property damage or personal injury, including death, that may be sustained as a result of participating in the activity. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Alphabet City Laughs Productions LLC in partnership with The Performance School of Comedy and its employees, members & volunteers for any loss, liability, damage or costs, including court costs and attorney fees, that may occur as a result of your participation in the activity.
Alphabet City Laughs Productions LLC is not responsible for lost or stolen property. If you destroy any property at a Performance School of Comedy class, whether it is by accident or on purpose, you will be liable for the cost of repair.
Watching Shows
Students are encouraged to watch class shows as much as possible. We offer (limited) free tickets to students for class shows.
Course Instructor
We reserve the right to replace a course instructor at anytime with another equally qualified instructor without notice. (This is very unlikely to happen without a great reason). We will attempt to reschedule a class that is canceled or postponed due to weather, however it is not guaranteed it will be viable for all students’ schedules.
Leave of Absence
If you have not participated in a Performance School of Comedy course within the past three years, please contact us to see which level is appropriate for you to re-enter.
Accept or Deny Anyone
The Performance School of Comedy reserves the right to accept or deny any individual's enrollment.
Building Accessibility
We are a disability accessible venue.
Disability Accommodations
Please contact us for accommodations. We would like to help in any way that we can.
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COVID-19 PROCEDURES
Please do not come to class if you have COVID symptoms, or have had a fever in the past 24 hours. If you should develop COVID please let us know so we can alert your classmates of potential exposure. Please mask if you have been exposed to COVID.