Heartstrings Theatre Company Policies and Procedures:

Heartstrings Theatre Company is committed to the safety and well being of children. As our primary demographic is students, we are committed to ensuring the highest standards for our staff and will constantly work to maintain these so we can create a safe and inclusive space for students.

We welcome actors of all abilities, regardless of race, gender (conforming and non-conforming), religion, sexual orientation, body type and/or size, disability, and/or personal background.

  • Adult:

    any person who is 18 or older interacting within Heartstrings space or events such as an actor, part of a production team, employee, independent contractor or teaching artist

  • Youth:

    any person 17 or younger involved in Heartstrings Theatre Company programming involved as a student, actor, volunteer, or employee both onsite and off site

  • Private Space:

    All non-public spaces including dressing rooms, bathrooms, rehearsals, and classrooms

  • Public space:

    any common space, accessible to the general public or those granted access to spaces such as lobbies, theatres and hallways

  • Background checks including criminal history and Sex Offender Database search is conducted for every position and volunteer working directly with students.

  • Heartstrings Theatre does not endorse arrangements or romantic relationships between employees and students.

  • There should always be three people in a space at all times in order to not have instances of one-to-one ratios between adults and youth. In instances this is unavoidable, have both youth and adults move to a public space to ensure accountability and safety.

  • The use of obscene language, discussions about sexual content, drugs, or other adult content around any child or volunteer is strictly prohibited. Not knowing that a child is in earshot is not an excuse. Staff should not be in contact with students, actors or volunteers outside of their job duties. Any music, video, or illustration used in programming must be age appropriate for all ages in the room. Any media with sexual or drug references, adult themes or adult language is not permitted.

  • All staff will be required to use teaching tools including positive reinforcement, trauma informed education, and fixed vs. growth mindset in their management of students.

  • Under no circumstances are staff permitted to friend or follow any children/performers(students/children?) on any social media networks. Staff are only permitted to take photos of students within the context of their job for use of the social media account.

  • Any adults working with students on scenes, choreography or vocals requiring physical touch such as staged fight scenes, choreography, proper breathing techniques, etc. need to use another adult staff to model what they are demonstrating. All adults educating on stage combat, choreography and vocal technique need to have prior training/knowledge and follow all professional theater guidelines for modeling that.

  • Physical contact on stage/rehearsal should only happen between students if absolutely necessary (such examples could be adjusting alignment/position, bringing awareness to physical use, partnering for demonstrations, correcting actor placement or costume fittings) instructions will follow these guidelines: -Be specific about contact (where/what purpose) -Ask Open Questions (does that work for you?) - Be prepared for no (honor boundaries ALWAYS) -Use Button; if at any space students feel unsafe they use the word Button and instructor immediately stops.

  • Educators are prohibited from administering any medication. Parents need to be notified if students take anything during rehearsal.

  • Any person, private citizen or professional, who has reason to believe that a child under the age of 18 is a victim of abuse or neglect, is required to immediately report the matter to CYFD.

  • All restrooms are single use. Students are welcome to use whichever restroom they prefer but they are not allowed to have more than one student in the restroom at a time.

  • All students are required to have tank tops, shorts underneath their costumes worn at ALL times during tech week and shows in order to maintain efficient and safe costume changes.

  • All adults backstage with students during tech week and shows need to be background checked.