Professional Code of Conduct

IAMA Theatre Company is committed to creating the most supportive and creative space for all those who work with us. We acknowledge the harm and existence of racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, classism, misogyny, shame, brutality, colonization and all other harmful and toxic behavior in theatrical spaces and expect all those who work with us, both IAMA staff and ensemble, as well as any guest artists, to insist against these and all other harmful and toxic behavior.

IAMA Theatre Company has a no tolerance policy when it comes to any actions that are considered to violate the above statement.

The Professional Code of Conduct for IAMA Theatre Company is comprised of three (3) Sections.

Part 1: Values
Part 2: Community Agreements
Part 3: Protocols and Procedures

PART 1: IAMA Values

We have set forth the following values as we seek to better support the creation of art and the cultivation of artists that challenge boundaries and take risks. We will work to foster an inclusive community that inspires the artists of the future generations. We will hold ourselves and our collaborators to the highest caliber of respect, trust, and integrity by maintaining efficient communication, institutional transparency, and personal boundaries. We want to pride ourselves on actively acknowledging and respecting our artists, communities, histories, and points of view, while being a safe space where artists can create regardless of gender, race, ability, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, and access.

PART 2: Community Agreements

Speak personally, for yourself as an individual. We use "I" statements and speak from our own experiences and feelings.
We seek first to understand and assume good intent while also acknowledging impact - if something we say or do causes harm we commit to addressing it and working on ways to heal and finding ways to prevent those harmful circumstances in the future. Listen thoughtfully and respect others’ opinions.
What we are building together is a priority that we want to focus on.
We are mindful of using folks' correct pronouns.
We acknowledge everyone has different physical boundaries and access needs, and seek to create a space where everyone feels safe and empowered in their own bodies.
We honor confidentiality in order to build trusting relationships and to maintain a safe space and environment because collaborating as artists is inherently a vulnerable process.
Lovingly name the elephants in the room. The space is safe to "Say the thing."
Deepen your tolerance for complexity. We don’t & won’t have all of the answers. Invite curiosity.
Agree to disagree, but please do not disengage.

PART 3: Protocols and Procedures

A. ACTORS

** These protocols and procedures apply to all readings, workshops, productions and any other events where involvement as an Acting artist applies.

All Actors must treat the Playwright, Directing Team, Design Team, Stage Management Team, Producing Team, Artistic Team, fellow Cast Members and Understudies, and all IAMA staff with the utmost respect. To include not only interpersonal dealings but also in written communication.
Actors commit to arriving on time and being fully prepared for all rehearsals and performances. To ensure proper accessibility, Actors will make all efforts to communicate their Access Needs at the beginning of any process to address any potential issues that may arise.
Upon 1st rehearsal for second stage and main stage productions, Actors will vote on and appoint a “Deputy”, who will be the representative of the cast.
There will be no “Deputy” for readings, workshops or other programming.
Chain of Command in the event of a conflict, issue or anything that needs to be addressed:
1. For Second and Main Stage Productions: Actors will report to the Deputy of the cast who will then report it to the Stage Manager.
2. For Readings, Workshops or other programming: In the event that there is no Stage Manager, then Actors will report to the Director or Literary Manager.
Actors are never to give notes or feedback to a fellow cast member, principal or understudy, in the rehearsal room or in any other official capacity.
Actors are encouraged to include Directors in conversations regarding development of plays with writers. All notes and decisions discussed outside the official rehearsal or production capacity must be approved by the Director first.
Backstage Etiquette:
1. All actors in a cast will come to a community consensus regarding the nature of discussing reviews, audience members, etc. prior to the first public performance of the production.
2. Actors understand that no performance notes will ever be posted backstage or anywhere in the theater for public viewing.
3. Actors must only touch or handle their own props unless directed otherwise by Stage Management or Director.
4. Actors must respect each others’ personal space and physical boundaries. If any inappropriate behavior is witnessed or experienced, it must be reported immediately.
If any new and unapproved conflicts arise after the start of any process, Actors must immediately call the Stage Manager if during the rehearsal period and the Producer(s) if during the performance period.
In the event that an Understudy may be needed, Actors must go through Stage Management or Producer(s) and not go directly to an Understudy for any conflicts.
For Actors who are members of the IAMA Ensemble: Any breach or failure to adhere to the IAMA Theatre Company Professional Code of Conduct may result in removal from the production and affect future employment with IAMA Theatre Company, as well as having membership status up for review by the Ensemble Council.
For Non-ensemble Actors: Any breach or failure to adhere to the IAMA Theatre Company Professional Code of Conduct may result in removal from the production and affect future employment with IAMA Theatre Company.

b. DIRECTORS

** These protocols and procedures apply to all readings, workshops, productions and any other events where involvement as a Director, Associate Director or Assistant Director applies.

All Directors must treat the Playwright, Design Team, Stage Management Team, Producing Team, Artistic Team, Actors and all IAMA staff with the utmost respect. To include not only interpersonal dealings but also in written communication.
Directors commit to arriving on time and being fully prepared for all rehearsals and performances. To ensure proper accessibility, Directors will make all efforts to communicate their Access Needs at the beginning of any process to address any potential issues that may arise.
Chain of Command in the event of a conflict, issue or anything that needs to be addressed:
a. For Second and Main Stage Productions: Directors will report to Producers if production or HR related and Associate Artistic Director(s) and then Artistic Director, if artistic.
b. For Readings, Workshops or other programming: Directors will report to the Literary Manager or Producer(s).
c. Directors may give notes to Actors, Playwrights, and all members of the Design and Production team up until Opening Night. In the event that a note or change is needed after the show has officially opened, it must be discussed with Producer(s), Producing Director and Artistic Director prior to it being given or implemented.
For Directors who are members of the IAMA Ensemble: Any breach or failure to adhere to the IAMA Theatre Company Professional Code of Conduct may result in removal from the production and affect future employment with IAMA Theatre Company, as well as have membership status up for review by the Ensemble Council.
For Non-ensemble Directors: Any breach or failure to adhere to the IAMA Theatre Company Professional Code of Conduct may result in removal from the production and affect future employment with IAMA Theatre Company.

C. WRITERS

** These protocols and procedures apply to all readings, workshops, productions and any other events where involvement as a Playwright, Composer or Lyricist applies.

All Writers must treat the Directing Team, Design Team, Stage Management Team, Producing Team, Artistic Team, Actors and all IAMA staff with the utmost respect. To include not only interpersonal dealings but also in written communication.
If present, Writers commit to arriving on time and being fully prepared for all rehearsals and performances. To ensure proper accessibility, Writers will make all efforts to communicate their Access Needs at the beginning of any process to address any potential issues that may arise.
Chain of Command in the event of a conflict, issue or anything that needs to be addressed:
a. For Second and Main Stage Productions: Writer will report to Producers if production or HR related and Associate Artistic Director(s) and then Artistic Director, if artistic.
b. For Readings, Workshops or other programming: Writers will report to the Literary Manager or Producer(s).
c. Writers must go through the Director for all notes to actors, designers, stage management, etc. Writers are not allowed to give notes directly to any actor in any official rehearsal or production capacity.
d. Writer must run all rewrites and revisions by the Director before dispersing to cast, crew and production. All rewrites and revisions will be distributed by Stage Management. For readings, workshops or other programming where a Stage Manager is not present, Writer or Director may disperse new material.
e. Writers are encouraged to include Directors in conversations regarding development of plays with actors. All notes and decisions discussed outside the official rehearsal or production capacity must be approved by the Director first.
For mainstage and second stage productions: Final production draft approval comes from collaboration with Director(s) and Artistic Team.
Writers may make revisions to the script up until Opening Night. In the event that an edit or revision is needed after the show has officially opened, it must be discussed with the Director, Producer(s), Producing Director and Artistic Director prior to it being implemented.
For Writers who are members of the IAMA Ensemble: Any breach or failure to adhere to the IAMA Theatre Company Professional Code of Conduct may result in removal from the production and affect future employment with IAMA Theatre Company, as well as have membership status up for review by the Ensemble Council.
For Non-ensemble Writers: Any breach or failure to adhere to the IAMA Theatre Company Professional Code of Conduct may result in removal from the production and affect future employment with IAMA Theatre Company.

D. STAGE MANAGEMENT

** These protocols and procedures apply to all readings, workshops, productions and any other events where involvement as a Stage Manager or Assistant Stage Manager applies.

All Stage Managers must treat the Playwright, Director, Producing Team, Design Team, Artistic Team, Actors and all IAMA staff with the utmost respect. To include not only interpersonal dealings but also in written communication.
Stage Managers commit to arriving on time and being fully prepared for all rehearsals and performances. To ensure proper accessibility, Stage Managers will make all efforts to communicate their Access Needs at the beginning of any process to address any potential issues that may arise.
Chain of Command in the event of a conflict, issue or anything that needs to be addressed:
1. For Second and Main Stage Productions: Stage Managers report to the Director if artistic and Producer(s) if production or HR related.
2. For Readings, Workshops or other programming: Stage Managers will report to the Literary Manager or Producer(s).
Stage Manager shall relay notes to Actors after approval from Director during the rehearsal process.
Stage Manager will not disperse any new script, pages, music, etc. without approval from the Director.
Post Opening Night, Stage Manager shall give all notes to the Actors privately in person or in email form. Notes may not be posted backstage or anywhere in the theater for public viewing.
During all public performances, Stage Manager is allowed to give notes pertaining to the locked show, directly to actors and Stage Management team at their own discretion.
In the event that a note or change is needed after the show has officially opened, it must be discussed with the Producer(s), Producing Director and Artistic Director prior to it being given or implemented by the Stage Manager.
For Stage Managers who are members of the IAMA Ensemble: Any breach or failure to adhere to the IAMA Theatre Company Professional Code of Conduct may result in removal from the production and affect future employment with IAMA Theatre Company, as well as have membership status up for review by the Ensemble Council.
For Non-ensemble Stage Managers: Any breach or failure to adhere to the IAMA Theatre Company Professional Code of Conduct may result in removal from the production and affect future employment with IAMA Theatre Company.

E. PRODUCTION TEAM AND DESIGNERS

** These protocols and procedures apply to all readings, workshops, productions and any other events where involvement as a Playwright, Composer or Lyricist applies.

All members of the Production team and Design team must treat the Directing Team, Writers, Stage Management Team, Artistic Team, Actors and all IAMA staff with the utmost respect. To include not only interpersonal dealings but also in written communication.
Production team and Designers commit to arriving on time and being fully prepared for all meetings and technical rehearsals. To ensure proper accessibility, they will make all efforts to communicate their Access Needs at the beginning of any process to address any potential issues that may arise.
Chain of Command in the event of a conflict, issue or anything that needs to be addressed:
a. For Second and Main Stage Productions: Producer(s) report to the Producing Director.
b. For Second and Main Stage Productions: Production Manager reports to the Producer(s).
c. For Second and Main Stage Productions: Designers - report to Production Manager
d. For Readings, Workshops or other programming: If applicable, all roles report to the Literary Manager or Producing Director.
Producer(s) must go through Producing Director and Artistic Director for all overall Artistic notes to actors, designers, stage management, etc.
Production Team and Design Team must go through the Director for all notes to actors, writers, stage management, etc. Producer(s) and Design Team are not allowed to give notes directly to any actor or other designer in any official rehearsal or production capacity.
Designers may make changes to their design until Opening Night. In the event that a change is needed after the show has officially opened, it must be discussed with the Director, Producer(s), Producing Director and Artistic Director prior to it being implemented.
For Production Team and Design Team who are members of the IAMA Ensemble: Any breach or failure to adhere to the IAMA Theatre Company Professional Code of Conduct could result in removal from the production and affect future employment with IAMA Theatre Company, as well as have membership status up for review by the Ensemble Council.
For Non-ensemble Production Team or Design Team: Any breach or failure to adhere to the IAMA Theatre Company Professional Code of Conduct could result in removal from the production and affect future employment with IAMA Theatre Company.