Parent Guidelines
Thank you for allowing your child to participate in Boxcar Youth Theatre Company programming (workshops or productions). The goal of BYTC is to help these young performers not only enjoy theatre, but also to help them learn, perform and grow. To achieve this, we need the help and cooperation of all parents/guardians of the participants. We hope the information provided will help you understand a little bit about theatre and BYTC policies.
Our mission
The Boxcar Youth Theatre Company, a non-profit venture, exists to nurture the intellectual, artistic and personal development of youth through theatre arts education and performance opportunities. We offer a safe, family-oriented environment where kids can learn, grow and perform.
Staff
Boxcar Youth Theatre Company has paid staff members, a Productions Director and Educational Director, who work year-round to help us plan and oversee our programming. A Board of Directors oversees these staff members. In addition, each summer, we hire directors, music directors, stage managers and instructors. These staff members are hired on a case-by-case basis. In addition, we have many unpaid volunteers, including some parents, who step in and help our programs run seamlessly.
Directors and casting — productions
Each year, BYTC employs directors who create an artistic vision for our shows. Sometimes that vision may be simple with little set and minimal costumes. Sometimes, the director’s vision will lead to creating intricate costumes, set and acting. This vision is mainly the choice of the director as long as it remains family friendly. We would like parents to know that the artistic nature of theatre means that different directors will choose different actors for roles based on their vision for the production. That means no student or parent should be disappointed about what role their student receives. At BYTC, we feel that every role in the production, no matter how small it may seem, is important. We want all students to work together to create the best show possible without having hard feelings about the size of the part. Even if you had a leading role one summer, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will always have a large part. It depends on how suited each actor is to the role and the director’s vision. Sometimes, role assignment also depends on how many conflicts the student has during the summer. We do strive to include everyone who auditions, whether it be on stage or behind the scenes.
Commitment
It also is our goal as an organization to value the time of you and your family yet putting on a production does require a large commitment from you and your student. We will strive to be on time ending workshops and rehearsals. However, please be aware that during the last two weeks of rehearsal before a show, we reserve the right to keep your child later if necessary. Part of BYTC is community service: putting on family-friendly entertainment for the community. We want our shows to be the best that they can be, and if necessary, to run rehearsals a little longer if needed. For those of you who are unfamiliar with theatre, please think about it just like a sports practice. If a team is unprepared prior to the big game, the coach makes the call to run long on practice time or schedule extra practice. We will make every attempt to allow our child to call you in the event that rehearsals will run long. Thank you for your patience.
Transportation
Our staff would like to keep your children as safe as possible. Please make sure your student has a ride. Staff will stay at our production/workshop location 15 minutes after rehearsal has ended to assure pickup. If you will be late picking up your student, or if a young student is allowed to leave the premises with someone else, please let us know. If, after 15 minutes, your child has not been picked up, staff will attempt to reach you via the phone numbers provided. Please try to be respectful of the time of our directors/staff and make sure your student has a way home.
Discipline
Our discipline policy is re-direction, problem-solving and removal from the situation. When there is a behavioral issue, staff will attempt to re-direct the behavior, assist the students in solving the problem and, when necessary, removing the student from the situation to calm down and reconsider his or her actions. A report will be sent to the parent/guardian, along with a request for assistance in ensuring improved behavior.
If the behavior results in injury to another student, it may result in his or her removal from the production or workshop. Workshop tuition will not be refunded. If you have questions about a behavior issue, it should be directed to our Productions Director. Please see our web site for a list of phone numbers.
At BYTC, we try to encourage any student to participate in our programming. If your child would need some extra help in meeting the contract below, please chat with us about filling out an “Other Information” form. This will help us help your child to be successful.
At BYTC, we will hold your child to a high standard of courtesy and professionalism. Please take a look at the following expectations, which are part of the participant contract you and your student will be asked to sign.
Parent/student participation contract
Students and parents of any workshop, camp, activity or production at Boxcar Youth Theatre Company must agree to the following terms:
— The Director and/or Instructor are the leaders in any BYTC activity. I (my child) will treat them with respect.
— I (my child) understand that the Director will make final choices pertaining to my role.
— I (my child) agree to attend all rehearsals for which I am scheduled unless excused in advance by the director.
If I (my child) must miss a rehearsal for any reason, I (my child) will personally contact the director prior to the beginning of rehearsal.
— If I miss a regular rehearsal for any reason without being excused, I understand that I may lose my role.
— I (my child) am (is) aware that attendance at ALL dress rehearsals and performances is required. The only excusable absences are medical reasons or family emergencies.
— I (my child) agree to meet “off book” deadlines by having my lines, songs, blocking and choreography memorized.
— I (my child) understand that I may be personally responsible for parts of my costume and my script/score.
— I (my child) understand that as part of a team effort, I must have a positive attitude even on days when I have a million reasons not to be open-minded and willing to work. I (my child) agree to make rehearsals the best that they can be.
— I (my child) understand that during rehearsals I am to remain quiet (no talking) until my part begins onstage.
— I (my child) agree to leave my cell phone in my bag until the Director says it is OK to call parents.
— I (my child) agree to clean up after myself, including throwing away my trash in trash cans.
— I (my child) understand that everyone in the cast/crew/staff is important. I will treat them with respect.
— If I cause problems by disrupting the cast or the Director during rehearsal, I understand that I may lose my role in the show.
— I (my child) understand that he/she must listen to requests made by the Director/Music Director/Stage Manager/BYTC Productions Director or BYTC board members pertaining to the show.
— BYTC is committed to providing a safe environment for all participants.
I (my child) am (is) aware that inappropriate behaviors will not be tolerated. Inappropriate behaviors include:
— Swearing, crude language
— Damage to any property
— Prank phone calls
— Rough play, roughhousing or goofing around during rehearsals
— Accessing restricted areas in rehearsal/performance spaces
— Alcohol, drugs, smoking
— Acknowledgement of dating relationships, including public displays of affection
— Bullying, teasing, name-calling, racial slurs or inappropriate practical jokes
Consequences of inappropriate behavior: The Two-Strike Rule
· First Strike – a meeting with the student, parent, Director/Instructor and Managing Director is arranged. A warning is given.
· Second Strike – the parent is contacted and the student is asked to leave the activity/production.
— I (my child) agree(s) not to bring friends backstage during rehearsal or performances. A family member or friend may be allowed at rehearsal ONLY with advance approval or at the discretion of the Director/Instructor.
— As a parent of a student participant, I agree to make restitution for any property damage intentionally caused by my child if BYTC so requires.