Curious Comedy Theater

Performer Handbook

CONTACT:

Stacey Hallal, Artistic Director

Heather English, Managing Director

Skelly Harrington, Director of Education, Community, and DEI

Curious Comedy Theater

5225 NE Martin Luther King Blvd.

Portland, OR, 97211

(503) 477-9477

info@curiouscomedy.org

Curious Comedy Company Member Agreement

As a Curious Comedy Theater performer, you are an ambassador for our company and the shows we produce. We ask that you promote the shows by using your social media platforms, attending flyering events, street fairs and/or company events as needed, have a good understanding of show dates and times, and understand the Curious Comedy mission (Curious Comedy improves people’s lives through the art of comedy – with an emphasis on providing a platform for underserved voices, including those of the BIPOC, Women and Genderqueer, LQBTQIA+, differently-abled, and/or economically disadvantaged individuals of all ages). We pride ourselves at Curious for having strong performers and a kind, welcoming, and supportive community. We are thrilled to have you as part of the Curious community!

Curious Comedy is committed to fostering clear, effective communication between all parties involved to create a safe environment where everyone is respected and treated with open minded kindness. To that end, Curious Comedy continues to develop and review tools for clear communication, navigating healthy conflict, and restorative practices.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CURIOUS COMEDY PERFORMERS

Rehearsals

• Rehearsals are closed to the members of your cast only. (Guest improvisers or teachers may occasionally join at the director’s discretion.)
• Rehearsal attendance is mandatory. Performers who are unable to attend must contact their director before rehearsal via Slack to be excused.
• Missing rehearsal(s) may result in recasting of upcoming shows or suspension if in excess.
• Unexcused absences may result in performer suspension or termination if in excess.

Show Casting

Casting for shows is based on the following criteria

• Performer availability for shows
• Performer attendance, punctuality, and performance at rehearsals
• Performer attitude and enthusiasm
• Shows will be cast at the Director’s discretion taking all aspects of casting into consideration, including skill and experience levels, representation balance, performer styles, etc. to serve the overall show.
  

Performances

• Call time is 6:30pm for 7:30pm Showdowns. Other shows’ call times will be set by individual directors. Please know your call time!
• If you are running late for a show, the house manager must be notified before call time. Call the Main Stage number 503-477-9477 and post in your Slack show channel.
• No call/no show may result in conversation, suspension, and possible termination.

Availability

• Many Curious shows use Schedgeup. If you are cast in an ensemble using Schedgeup, it is where you will fill out your availability, sub requests, and be able to see your monthly performance schedule.
• Any requests for replacement performers in Schedgeup must be approved by management.

• NOTE: If you are in Showdown, and you have a last minute emergency need for a substitute, please Slack the Associate Artistic Director and post on the Showdown Slack Channel.

Leave of Absence

• Performers are allowed - and encouraged - to pursue other performance opportunities outside of Curious. If the performance/rehearsal opportunities conflict with Curious Comedy performances/rehearsals please talk to your coach or the artistic staff.  If you wish to be excused from rehearsals for a period of time, you can take a LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Please discuss your schedule with your director so they can adjust as needed.

Additional Activities

• In addition to rehearsal and show availability, Curious performers are encouraged to be available for Open Court, Fundraisers, Street Fairs, New Year’s Eve, occasional flyering, and other company meetings/special events.
• Participation in some promotional events is expected from players.

COMPANY POLICIES FOR CONDUCT

Alcohol and Drug Use

• All PERFORMERS are required to report for shows in appropriate mental and physical condition to perform. If you arrive impaired by drugs or alcohol, you will be dismissed from that evening’s performance and may be placed on probationary status

Conduct with Minors

• It is the policy of Curious Comedy Theater to have at least two adults present whenever a minor (anyone under the age of 18) is on Curious property, or involved with a Curious performance or class. No one-on-one interaction with minors shall take place either on or off the Curious premises.

Anti-Discrimination & Harassment Policy

CURIOUS COMEDY THEATER DOES NOT TOLERATE DISCRIMINATION OR HARASSMENT OF ANY KIND.

OVERVIEW

Every member in the Curious Comedy Theater Community has a right to work, learn, perform, and enjoy performances in a safe, respectful environment. Creative pursuits require trust and support. Our first job is to create and sustain a positive safe equitable environment so that the learning, creation, and performance we each come here to pursue can occur.

Curious Comedy believes that comedy and improvisation are powerful tools for telling our stories and speaking to our experiences, and all community members have the right to express themselves without a fear of censorship or judgment. Community members are expected to extend that same level of respect and generosity to fellow members, to help Curious Comedy to cultivate an equitable space that serves underserved voices, and to advocate for the wellbeing of all involved.

Also, content nonconsensually commenting on someone else’s body or identity will not be tolerated.

ANTI-RACIST ETHOS

Curious Comedy Theater understands that our policies must be assessed through an anti-racist lens and ethos. Our working ethos is as follows:

We aim to center our community’s most vulnerable by prioritizing BIPOC voices & experiences. We strive to create social, performance, and teaching spaces that are intentionally structured to support BIPOC and marginalized people.

PROTECTED IDENTITIES

Our code of conduct policy prohibits discrimination and/or harassment based on the following grounds, and any combination of these grounds:

QUESTIONS/CONCERNS

If you have any questions or concerns with the following policy, reach out to Curious Comedy’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by emailing skelly@curiouscomedy.org 

I. CONDUCT PROHIBITED BY THE POLICY

For purposes of this Policy, discrimination and/or harassment include the following:

Hostile Environment Discrimination and/or Harassment

Any sexual or non-sexual conduct that is unwelcome and offensive and directed at an individual because of characteristics or identity protected by law or policy (see Protected Identities above) may create a hostile environment. Unwanted conduct does not need to be explicitly targeted towards someone’s identity to be harassment. Conduct may be identified as contributing to a hostile environment if it: (i) interferes with an individual’s work, performance, or ability to learn, or (ii) creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for said individual.

“Quid Pro Quo” Sexual Harassment

“Quid Pro Quo” sexual harassment may occur when there are unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when (i) submission to such conduct is an explicit or implicit condition of employment, performance ability or student advancement, or (ii) submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for employment, performance, or educational advancement decisions.

Ia. NOTES ON PROHIBITED BEHAVIOR

Note On Civility, Professionalism, and the Comedy Environment

Because we are a comedy theater, we discuss topics that would not be discussed in an ordinary work setting. Given the nature of comedy–especially where content is improvised and/or devised with little restriction or preparation–material in performances, in classes, and in the general theater environment, may be considered offensive to some. It is not the policy of the Curious Comedy to stifle the creative environment. It is the policy of Curious Comedy Theater that communicating, maintaining, and respecting healthy boundaries are the responsibility of every member of the community, and discriminatory and harassing behavior will not be tolerated.

If it is determined that the content or behavior of any individual or group was discriminatory or harassing towards a particular individual, on or off of the stage, then appropriate intervention will occur, and any prohibited, inappropriate, or harmful behavior will be pointed out to the community members responsible. If the identified behavior is not remedied, corrective action will occur.

Note On Consensual Banter / Private Conversations

Community members are expected to be sensitive to the fact that the content of private conversations, though not offensive to the parties involved, may be offensive to others if overheard; and such parties will be held accountable if appropriate safeguards are not taken and the overheard conversation is found to create a hostile environment under the same examination as outlined above.

Note On Familiarity

Close community members may accept certain conversations as perfectly appropriate and acceptable between them because they have built a history of consensual respect, trust, and mutual understanding of each other’s sensibilities and boundaries. Witnessing certain behaviors between familiar community members does not mean that these people are open to these conversations and behaviors from everyone. Be aware and respectful that everyone’s level of familiarity, comfort and scope of boundaries may vary on a case by case, person to person, or environmental basis. (The boundaries a performer has within a scene may differ from the boundaries they have outside of that scene.) Accurately assessing one another’s boundaries and tolerances can be challenging in a large comedy community, so communication about boundaries and respect of others setting and/or clarifying their boundaries is paramount. Always check for consent.

II. RESPONSIBILITIES

NON-COMMUNITY MEMBERS

The Theater’s Policy prohibits discrimination and/or harassment by community members against any person. Intervention will take place when such conduct occurs on the Theater’s premises or at Theater-affiliated events at remote locations in connection with Theater activities, performers, or work. The Theater will also take appropriate interventive action in those instances when any community member reports discrimination and/or harassment committed.

POWER DIFFERENTIALS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

All levels of Theater management, supervisory employees, coaches and/or Academy instructors will:

• Reject any offer or promise of favors (sexual or otherwise) made by community members in anticipation of, or in exchange for, employment, performance, or educational opportunities. (Quid Pro Quo arrangements violate Theater policy and will not be tolerated.)
• Avoid discrimination and/or harassment by refraining from actions that could reasonably be anticipated to cause another community member to feel unsafe in the Theater environment.
• Report to Theater management, in accordance with the procedures set forth below, any discrimination and/or harassment that they observe, that is made known to them by others, or that they reasonably suspect has occurred.
• Support Curious Comedy in communicating and upholding expected standards of conduct.

III. PROCEDURES

Any community member should feel free to discuss or report any exchange that made them feel unwelcome or unsafe, regardless of its severity. Below are recommended processes for evaluating and reporting experiences of discrimination and/or harassment.

TIME OUT/MEDIATED MEETINGS

In the event of boundary overstepping, discriminatory behavior, or harassment, the Theater has created a Time-Out tool which can be used to halt proceedings, and a Mediated Meeting tool, which can be used to schedule a discussion in a neutral location with a third party present.

In the moment, if a member is able, they are invited to say “Time-Out.” They can then choose whether or not to speak to what transpired that felt hazardous, harmful, or crossed a boundary for themselves or another member of the group.  

The Theater also implements a “Quest Meeting” code. When a community member requests a Quest Meeting, it operates as an indication that a situation is serious and needs further attention, and a staff member will make time to schedule a meeting with you as soon as possible. Mediated Meetings are meetings at a neutral location with a third party present, following restorative conflict practices. Quest Meetings are prioritized conversations between a community member and a Curious Staff or Admin.

• MORE INFORMATION ON Time-Out (tool)
• MORE INFORMATION ON Mediated Meeting (tool)
• MORE INFORMATION ON Quest Meeting (tool)

IN THE EVENT OF POTENTIAL DISCRIMINATION AND/OR HARASSMENT

If you determine that an incident qualifies as discrimination and/or harassment, promptly report it to any coach, teacher, director, Theater management, board member, or DEI member as listed below.

IV. REPORTING SYSTEM

We are working on developing multiple avenues for reporting any form of misconduct at Curious Comedy Theater. For the time being if you have any issues you would like to discuss please directly report to stacey@curiouscomedy.org or contact the Director of Education and DEI by emailing skelly@curiouscomedy.org

Theater representatives who receive reports of incidents will catalog the event for further review. This information will be kept confidential amongst theater administrators and those responsible for investigating the incident.

All reported or reasonably suspected occurrences of discrimination and/or harassment will be investigated (in accordance with the procedures outlined below) as promptly and thoroughly as is practicable and necessary. Theater representatives will keep all information confidential from the greater Theater community, notifying only the management and board members deemed necessary to ensure proper, thorough and fair steps have been taken on behalf of all parties. Where discrimination and/or harassment is found to have occurred, the Theater will make all appropriate efforts to restore community relationships and hold responsible parties accountable. This includes potential suspension or termination from a class, employee or board position, or team membership at the Theater without compensation for time spent, refund of tuition, or dues paid.

NO RETALIATION

Encouraging people to raise concerns is important for a transparent and healthy culture. No one will suffer punitive effects from raising a concern at Curious Comedy. Please feel empowered to report any incidents of discrimination or identity-based harassment. We are committed to working with victims of inter-company abuse to rebuild their sense of trust and safety within the theater.

INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE

All reported occurrences of harassment will be investigated as promptly and thoroughly as is practicable and as is required under the circumstances. The individual who makes the report or is the target of the alleged harassment will be assured that all forms of harassment are expressly prohibited, that the Theater will conduct a confidential investigation and take appropriate interventive action if discrimination and/or harassment is found to have occurred. The Theater will designate the individual who will be responsible for conducting the investigation of the reported incident. The timing, scope, and extent of the investigation will be determined by the Theater on a case-by-case basis, considering the circumstances of the alleged discrimination and/or harassment. All investigations will be conducted to protect, as much as practicable, the privacy of all persons concerned. Leadership will be notified for the record. The Theater expects Theater community members who are contacted in connection with an investigation to cooperate and respect the confidentiality of the investigation fully.

DIRECT DISCUSSION

The notified member of the Theater community may feel that the best course of action is to address the offending parties directly. The Theater emphasizes that it is imperative that the individual receiving this feedback maintain a respectful discourse. Retaliation or otherwise lashing out in any way is not acceptable behavior. The person receiving feedback may request the inclusion of Curious Comedy Theater leadership or DEI Committee members if they disagree with the feedback or believe it is unfair. The Theater encourages all community members to be open to receiving challenging feedback. The notified Theater representative will also notify Theater management of the incident for Theater records in case of repeated violations and to ensure proper steps were taken in resolving the situation safely.

This discussion will be held under our Restorative Justice model. You can find relevant information and guidelines for this on our website’s policy page.

V. REPERCUSSIONS

Pending the outcome of investigation, reasonably necessary and prudent interim measures, such as the separation of the complainant and the alleged offender, suspension from Theater activities for the alleged offender, or temporary leave for the complainant, will be taken at the Theater’s discretion, taking into consideration the complainant’s wishes, the seriousness of the accusations, the background of the situation, and any other relevant information.

Note On Reported Criminal Activity

If any Theater-affiliated person is accused by anyone of criminal activity that, in the judgment of the Theater, places in doubt the safety of the Theater’s students, performers, instructor, employee, team members, directors, vendors or patrons, then the accused will be immediately and without investigation removed from all Theater-related activities until such time as the Theater is satisfied that the accusations are and were unfounded. Should the accused appear at any Theater- related activities or venues following this removal, they will be considered to be a trespasser on Theater property and the Theater will not hesitate to call authorities to remove the accused from Theater property. This revocation of Theater privileges will not be influenced by the failure of authorities to investigate or charge the accused with a crime. The reinstatement of the accused to any Theater-related activity or venue will be at the sole discretion of the Theater.

RESOLUTION AND OUTCOME OF INVESTIGATION

Following an investigation, the Theater will take such action that it deems necessary or appropriate under the circumstances.

No Violation 

In the event that the investigation discloses insufficient grounds or basis to substantiate a violation of this Policy, all necessary parties will be so informed.

Violation 

In the event that the investigation discloses a violation of this Policy, the Theater will communicate its findings to both the complainant and the alleged offender. Based upon the totality of the circumstances, the Theater will make all attempts to restore community relationships and hold responsible parties accountable. This process may include suspension, termination, or removal or termination of employment of any community member from any position at the Theater and any type of engagement  at the Theater without refund or compensation. It may include the revocation of a performer’s ability to perform or attend Theater-related events. The action taken will be reasonably calculated to prevent any further unacceptable conduct. It is within the Theater’s discretion to determine the appropriate action.

In lieu of or addition to suspension, termination, or removal from Theater engagement, repercussions may also include the following depending on the severity of the incident:

• Conversation/Documentation of issue and resolution
• Apology as needed
• Apology/One week suspension
• Apology/One month suspension and documentation of counseling
• Apology/indefinite suspension

If the complainant or the alleged offender is not satisfied with the resolution, they are encouraged to follow the Curious Comedy Grievance Policy. In the event an investigation reveals that a person has lodged a knowingly false or frivolous complaint, fabricated facts, or failed to tell the truth, the Theater will make all appropriate efforts to restore community relationships and hold responsible parties accountable.

Confidentiality Policy

Emergency contact information and personal contact details are kept on file for company members. These are shared on a strictly need-to-know basis and only with approved parties. Some company members need to keep their information private for security reasons.

Performer Etiquette

Pre - Show

• Arrive punctually to the theater by call time.
• If delayed or an emergency arrives where you cannot perform, the house manager must be notified before call time. Call the Main Stage number 503-477-9477 and post in your Slack show channel.
• Upon arrival, check-in with the House Manager or Coach and put any personal belongings (jacket, purse, etc) neatly in the available green room.
• Only the cast and crew is allowed backstage or in the green room.
• Come to the theater ready to connect, warm-up and support your fellow players and have a great show!

During the Show

• Please do not loiter by the bar area, order your food and drink when you arrive and try to only pop out quietly if you need a refill etc.
• Please use your best stage whisper when in the green room and other performers are the stage.
• Have each other’s backs, 110%. Find the joy and follow the fun while achieving excellence.
• Be your awesome self. Trust your castmates and connect with the audience.

Post - Show

• Always clean up after yourself in the theater, backstage, and green room.
• Ask staff if there is anything you can do to help ready the theater for the next show or close down for the evening.
• Greet the audience and interact as ambassadors of Curious Comedy Theater and Improv comedy.
• Remember to say “Thank you” to the front of house staff, the bar staff, and volunteers. Treat them as the welcome members of your community that they are!
• If your show was live streamed or filmed, give it a peak, a social media boost, or let friends and family from afar know that they can watch the show from their own homes.

General Theater Etiquette

• Act professionally on and off stage: Approach interactions in and around the theater with an improvisational attitude: Have fun, be inclusive, say "Yes AND," pay attention, laugh, agree, build, avoid arguing or defensiveness. Advocate for the wellbeing of yourself and others.
• Accept notes given after shows and in rehearsals. Even if you do not agree with the note, listen, think about it, and accept it. Then, if you have an issue/questions with a note, you can speak privately with the Coach after rehearsal or show notes, but not during.
• If you have an issue/question with another performer, you can also let your coach or management know. Mediated Meetings are available as option. Use tact; do not discuss it before–or immediately after–a performance unless absolutely necessary.
• Keep interpersonal relationships professional when you are at the theater to work. Please use your discretion to assess interpersonal relationships with other adults and how your behavior may differ “at home”, “at the bar,” and at Curious Comedy when working.
• Props and costumes backstage are for a show. Remember the old saying - “If it’s not your prop, don’t touch it!”

Performer Compensation Breakdown

7:30pm Showdown  = All players 2 drink/food tickets

ALL OTHER Curious Shows = the ensemble should confirm per player compensation / drink/food tickets

GUEST Performers and participants in Non-Curious Shows do not receive compensation unless otherwise specified by an Artistic Director.

Player Dress Code

Dress to represent Curious Comedy Theater!

SAFE. PROFESSIONAL. NOT DISTRACTING.

 Helpful Suggestions on WHAT TO WEAR:

• Fun, comfortable, bright colors, fun patterns or things you love that do not have writing on them. Video safe
• Clothing that can have a microphone safely and securely attached to it (Showdown & other Main Stage Shows which live stream)
• Shoes, closed toes that stay on your feet and you are able to do physical activities in.

                                                         Helpful Suggestions on What NOT to wear:

• Ripped, unwashed clothing, or clothing in poor repair/condition.
• Clothes with potentially offensive labels or logos on them.
• Accessories that may interfere with microphones or visibility (the audience being able to see your face.)
• Any footwear that makes doing your job harder. Consider how you move and not be limited.
  
  Feel free to express yourself and have personality, be safe, and remember that your clothing choices are your first impression for the audience, and part of the lens through which they will experience your fabulous performance. Professional - not necessary

Company Communication

Artistic Director  - Stacey Hallal - stacey@curiouscomedy.org - 503-380-3516

Managing Director - Heather English - curiouscomedymd@gmail.com

Director of Education, Community, and DEI - Skelly Harrington - curioucomedytc@gmail.com

SLACK! Get on the SLACK and pay attention to your TEAM, COMMUNITY-BOARD & COMMUNITY-BUSINESS

Schedgeup! Get on it for casting, shows and scheduling information!
Discord Here is a link to the new on-line community on Discord. This will be the place to maintain social contact with each other on-line, the Curious community, but the broader Portland improv community as well. https://discord.com/invite/7cHA6g9x?fbclid=IwAR0szGsf92pASAf0Lq6rvg98WF2eov86CnNkSKKa_I9mj-Rj9_vP60pXeSw

There are two Facebook groups that you are encouraged to be a part of -

Curious Comedy Company - which is used as an official communications tool, for things that need immediate responses or general company information.

Curious Comedy Play Date - which is used for community building! Both online and off!