theatre policies

Policy updates and the adoption of the CTS

Lakewood Playhouse has adopted the Chicago Theatre Standard (Rev. 12-11-2017) into the updated volunteer, contractor, and employment policies. The original Chicago Theatre Standard (aka CTS or the Standard) is available at notinourhouse.org. Any differences between the recommended practices in the CTS and Lakewood Playhouse policies are specific to the black box theatre at 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 and outlined in our Production Handbook.

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Production Handbook

Thank you to our community for suggestions and to Tacoma Little Theatre for sharing their Actor Handbook. This will remain a “living document” that will continue to improve as needed to remain up-to-date and continue to be as comprehensive as possible. This document is a handbook and reference, individual documents such as performance agreements, designer contracts, and Concern Resolution Paths are provided at First Readthrough, after acceptance of a cast role or a contracted designer position.

LPH Actor Handbook

The Process of adopting the Chicago Theatre Standard

The Process

1. The Chicago Theatre Standard states that adopting CTS is a process that is discussed at every level of the organization.
   1. Everyone from the Board, staff, independent contractors and volunteers are encouraged to read the Lakewood Playhouse policies / Chicago Theatre Standard, understand the company’s commitment to its adoption, and any responsibilities on their part.
   2. The Standard was voted into adoption by the Lakewood Playhouse Board of Directors. Any changes to or from the original Standard must be presented to and approved by the LPH Board of Directors.
2. The Chicago Theatre Standard states that adopting CTS is a process that engages every level of the organization and is discussed at every level.
   1. The Standard will be incorporated into season selection meetings and discussions and pre-production meetings. This will allow the Lakewood Playhouse to work within financial means and/or expertise to ensure safety of all participants.
3. Prospective stage managers will be informed of the adoption of the Standard so that they are given enough time to review the document and discuss the additional procedures and responsibilities with the Lakewood Playhouse Production Manager, Technical Director, and Artistic Director.
4. Directors, Music Directors, and Choreographers (the casting and directing team) will be informed of the adoption of the Standard so that they are given enough time to review the document and discuss the additional procedures and responsibilities with the Lakewood Playhouse Production Manager, Technical Director, and Artistic Director.
   1. Special attention will be given to the AUDITION section and the disclosures that potential actors are to have prior to casting.
5. The first Read-through (first rehearsal after casting) will include a discussion of the Standard as it may be the first exposure some participants have to the Standard.
   1. At least 30 minutes will be allocated to discussion of the Standard and special highlighting of show elements that will come up during the production.
   2. Further questions and discussion may be scheduled with the Production Manager as needed.
6. CTS protocols, particularly for high-risk content, will be remembered and enforced throughout the rehearsal process.
7. Safety, privacy, and other CTS protocols will be revisited during Tech Rehearsals as many concerns arrive during this part of the production process that were not evident during rehearsals.
8. The Lakewood Playhouse adoption of the Standard remains a living document. Anyone may suggest (in writing) a change or clarification. Submissions are brought before the Lakewood Playhouse Board of Directors to determine whether any change or clarification is necessary.
9. The Lakewood Playhouse seeks to prevent issues and encourages a supportive and creative work environment for all. Concerns should be reported as necessary to the level that comfort allows (Level 1 or Level 2 or Level 3) with the understanding that Level 2 or above may result in a written record of the concern or report.
   1. The creation of a paper trail will allow the theatre to remain informed of repeat or consistent concerns and make informed judgements on how procedure should be followed.
   2. Anyone expressing a concern has the right to understand next steps once a concern has been reported.
   3. Anyone expressing a concern has the right to withdraw their complaint.
      1. Reports of or witnessed acts of illegal, dangerous, or harassing activities may be investigated and procedures enforced by the theatre as management deems appropriate even if a complaint is withdrawn.

 
Our Commitment to the adoption of the Chicago Theatre Standard:
Lakewood Playhouse is committed to being a safe space for our students, artists, faculty/staff, patrons, and volunteers in which a person can feel confident that he/she/they will not be exposed to discrimination, criticism, harassment, or any other emotional or physical harm. If at any point someone is made to feel uncomfortable, threatened, unsafe, or experience any form of inappropriate or discriminatory behavior, they are encouraged to report it per the Concern Resolution Path or to a trained Lakewood Playhouse staff member.
 
The Lakewood Playhouse policies apply to all Lakewood Playhouse Mainstage productions and Lakewood Playhouse events such as fundraisers, auctions, award shows, and hosted events. The policies apply to all events that take place within the Lakewood Playhouse theatre and approved alternate rehearsal spaces. All LPH Mainstage events are under the banner of the Lakewood Playhouse Policies.
 
The Lakewood Institute of Theatre policies apply to all Lakewood Institute of Theatre sanctioned events and protocols involving minors have been adopted into Lakewood Playhouse mainstage procedure.

Responsibilities of Participants

• Lakewood Playhouse Board Members – Understanding of procedures and process, enforcement of policies, and carrying out of procedures as necessary. Any changes to or from the original Standard must be presented to and approved by the Board. Changes to the policies will be noted with amended dates.
• Lakewood Playhouse Management – Provide training on procedures and process, reporting of incidents as necessary, appropriate records filed appropriately, enforcement of policies, and carrying out of procedures as necessary.
• Lakewood Playhouse Staff – Receive training on procedures and process (know the Concern Resolution Path), reporting of incidents as necessary, and enforcement of policies. 
• Contractors and Volunteers including the Non-Equity Deputy – Understanding of procedures and process (or request information about) and reporting of incidents as necessary using the Concern Resolution Path provided for each production.

What can Artists expect at First Readthrough?

1. Discussion of the Chicago Theatre Standards for the first 30 minutes to review the purpose of adopting it into the Lakewood Playhouse policies and introduce it to new participants.
2. Discussion and distribution of the Concern Resolution Path (CRP) that is designed to provide confidential reporting channels that support and protect everyone, including the person(s) that create concerns. The purpose is to inform participants of the communication pathways for resolving concerns before they get out of hand, who to talk to if issues arise, to avoid repeated unsafe practices, and to mentor those who violate boundaries.
   1. The standard Concern Resolution Path will be provided at First Readthrough.
3. Discussion of the Non-Equity Deputy (NED) who is a confidential reporting channel between participants, the stage manager, and others on the CRP. They are not a deciding or problem-solving individual; they are an open communication path and assists the Stage Manager with Health and Safety walks.
   1. The NED is selected by the participants of each production by the end of the first rehearsal week or following a getting-acquainted period by an agreed upon process.
   2. A NED at Lakewood Playhouse will differ from the CTS suggestion that the NED not be an ensemble member. To ensure that the NED is able to monitor all or most rehearsals, productions will be encouraged to pick from the ensemble as past Safety Monitors were selected from the cast to increase safety and awareness during performances and throughout the production process.
4. Discussion of the parts of the Chicago Theatre Standard that are most pertinent to the production and any additional Lakewood Playhouse policies and procedures.
   1. The Lakewood Playhouse will NOT provide a copy of the Chicago Theatre Standard to each participant of a production or event. Participants are instead encouraged to download the full free document off of the Chicago Theatre Standard website at www.notinourhouse.org.
5. Director overview, distribution of rehearsal schedules and contact sheets.
6. Designer presentations
7. First Readthrough of the script

Future plans and implementations to come

Background Checks

• All participants - volunteers, staff, production team members, and artists - must submit to a background check once selected for a position at Lakewood Playhouse.
  
  

Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation (much more to come)

• Auditions and rehearsals will include information for all actors regarding the Sexual Content and Nudity clause, violence and movement, how cultural representations are presented, and other information that should reasonably be disclosed prior to auditioning for or accepting a role.
  
• Policy training as needed for all designers and production teams to familiarize themselves and follow policy as outlined under sections regarding sexual content and nudity, violence and movement, diversity and inclusion in casting, and cultural representation on stage.

We also continue to seek out and recruit new board members to help better reflect our community.

Training
Mandatory annual training for permanent staff will address:

• Recognizing and preventing forms of discrimination and harassment
• Cultivating safe environments
• Cultural competency and inclusion
• Policy and procedures training (documentation, reporting, conflict resolution, procedures after a report is made)
• Mandatory reporting procedures