Front of House Application

"Welcome to the CIVIC! We thank you for joining our community of theatre artists and for sharing your talents. I hope you find friends and fulfillment here. I know I have."

-Aaron Nichols, SBCT Executive Director

Welcome to South Bend CIVIC Theatre, volunteers!

We thank you for your interest in volunteering and below you'll find the Volunteer Policies which apply to any and every volunteer, so long as you're volunteering with SBCT. However, before we get to the serious stuff, we want to thank all of you for everything you do and have done for your CIVIC theatre. We couldn't make the magic of live theatre happen without your incredible efforts and our community is a brighter place for it!

As part of that thanks, we'd like to remind/inform volunteers, that when you work on one of our shows you get to watch that show with a complimentary ticket from the CIVIC. For our Front of House volunteers, Loria will release you to go in and watch the show that you're working. For Production Shop volunteers, contact the Box Office (Charlie or Michelle) to select a performance that you'd like to attend. For Backstage/Tech Crew, you'll receive 2 comps to set up with Box Office just like the actors in the show do. 

We will also be hosting Volunteer Appreciation Days semi-annually to gather and celebrate your work with the theater and thank all of you for helping the CIVIC be all that we can! So keep an eye out for messages from us here in Better Impact about these upcoming events and more! 

Conflict Reporting Practices

A cornerstone of this handbook is accountability. South Bend Civic Theatre recognizes that no SBCT sponsored event or activity can be successful and rewarding for all participants involved if there is no recourse for violations of the policies and procedures outlined in this handbook.

Therefore, we have detailed the complaint path to address concerns that volunteers may have regarding the policies and procedures of SBCT. This handbook contains the necessary contact information regarding the complaint path. 

Structure

 Level One–A complaint that can be resolved through conversation with the parties involved.

 Level Two–The following staff should be granted a certain level of authority and trust to determine whether a complaint can be resolved at this level or if it needs to be sent to the next level.

o Stage Manager

o Director

o Relevant SBCT Staff Members (Op Manager, Dir. Education, etc…)

All complaints reaching this level should be reported to the Executive Artistic Directors by the stage manager, even if no further action is needed. The only exception to this would be if the issue involves the Executive Artistic Directors, in which case, it should be reported to the SBCT Board President.

Level Three–These people should be considered the final level of the path, capable of resolving issues that have not been resolved prior to reaching this stage. They are strongly advised to consult with each other and review legal or other implications of any decision.

 Executive Artistic Director

 SBCT Board President 

Alcohol or Drug Use

The CIVIC is a drug-free space. No alcohol or other drugs are allowed on CIVIC property or during any CIVIC programming occurring off-site. No volunteer is allowed to be impaired while engaged in CIVIC activity.

The only exception to this rule is medication prescribed by your doctor (not shared with any other person).

Volunteers violating this policy will be sent home and will be banned from volunteering again.

Workplace Violence

We want the CIVIC to be a safe place for everyone; therefore, no weapons of any kind (guns, knives, etc.) are allowed on CIVIC property or at off-site CIVIC-sponsored activities. This excludes cutlery kept in the CIVIC kitchen for food preparation and stage weaponry. In the case of stage weapons, they must be maintained and secured by a member of the production team when not in use.

Threats, harassment, aggression (or threat of aggression), intimidation, unsolicited communication, vandalism, stalking, etc., are not allowed and are grounds for immediate dismissal and potential ban from CIVIC property and/or events. If you are a witness to or a victim of this behavior, report it immediately to the department head and/or Executive Director. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may also choose to file a report with Red Flag Reporting by providing the client code “SBCT” and visiting www.RedFlagReporting.com, calling 1-877-647-3335, or texting “RFR” to 234-231-9005.

Accidents/Injuries

You are required to immediately report any accident or injury to yourself or another person which occurs either on CIVIC property or in the pursuance of CIVIC business or CIVIC programming. An “Incident Report” form is available in the Box Office and in all first aid kids.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Workplace Harassment Policy

The CIVIC follows and enforces all laws regarding harassment and/or discrimination. Harassment and discrimination are not tolerated at the CIVIC.

Harassment and other prohibited conduct are defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It may include, but is not limited to: sexual advances, or requests for sexual favors; sexual jokes and innuendo; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; commentary about an individual’s body, sexual prowess, or sexual deficiencies; leering, whistling or touching; obscene comments or gestures; display in the workplace of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; and other physical, verbal, or visual conduct of a sexual nature.  Sexual harassment may involve conduct between individuals of the same or different genders.

Other conduct covered is verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability; epithets, slurs or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts; denigrating jokes; and written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion and that is placed on walls or elsewhere on the CIVIC’s premises or circulated in the workplace.

If you believe you have been the target of harassment or discrimination, or have directly observed such behavior, report it immediately to the Director of Production. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may also choose to file a report with Red Flag Reporting by providing the client code “SBCT” and visiting www.RedFlagReporting.com, calling 1-877-647-3335, or texting “RFR” to 234-231-9005.   If the Executive Director has engaged in the negative behavior, report it immediately to the President of the Board of Directors.

Retaliation against an individual for reporting harassment or discrimination or for participating in an investigation of a claim of harassment or discrimination is a serious violation of this policy and, like harassment or discrimination itself, will be subject to disciplinary action. Acts of retaliation should be reported immediately.

False allegations of discrimination or harassment will be dealt with in the disciplinary process.

Summary of CIVIC's Youth Protection Policy

To ensure all CIVIC programs and facilities provide a safe environment for minors (people aged 17 and younger), the CIVIC has adopted a Youth Protection Policy. This document is only a summary of the policy; a copy of the full policy may be obtained from the Executive Director or Education Director. The policy is also given to all education instructors as well as both the Director and Stage Manager of productions with a minor either in the cast or crew. 

The following conduct is prohibited for all CIVIC Participants (at all locations and times):

• Sexual activity at any CIVIC location or during any CIVIC Program
• Sexual activity between an Adult CIVIC Participant and a Minor anywhere at any time (Note: This is a serious crime.)
• Sexual Abuse
• Explicit, lewd, or obscene conduct or conversation at any CIVIC location or during any CIVIC Program
• Provision of any alcohol, illegal drug, non-prescribed prescription medication, or other illegal substance or item to a Minor
• Consumption of alcohol or other illegal drug by any Adult responsible for the supervision of a Minor Participant at any CIVIC location or during any CIVIC Program

The following guidelines apply to all CIVIC Programs (including Productions and Classes):

• No adult should be alone with a Minor in a room with a closed door or in another private area.
• In any Program with a Minor Participant, there must be at least two (2) unrelated Adults present at all times (including during rehearsals and performances).
• A designated Adult is responsible for ensuring no Minor is left alone at a CIVIC location following an event.

In any CIVIC Production with a Participant age fifteen or younger, a Youth Supervisor must be present at all rehearsals and performances. Youth Supervisors are background-screened volunteers charged solely with ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Minor Participants. A director, teacher, or other individual whose duties in the rehearsal, classroom, or performance would prevent them from giving full attention to the Youth Supervisor duties is not eligible to fulfill this requirement.

In any CIVIC Class with a Minor Participant, the lead instructor is responsible for compliance with the Policy. CIVIC Staff instructors may lead a Class without a second adult present, so long as the instructor has passed a background screening.

Miscellaneous Terms

• All Participants have an obligation to report any suspected abuse of a Minor to both the Executive Director of the CIVIC AND to Child Protective Services, as required by Indiana law. The Executive Director can assist in that reporting if needed.
• Before being allowed to participate, the CIVIC performs background checks for all Staff members, Youth Supervisors, and individuals performing a supervisory role in a Youth Program or other production with a Minor Participant. The CIVIC may also perform a background check on any Participant at any time.
• The CIVIC will disqualify individuals from participation in CIVIC Programs and presence at CIVIC Facilities based on confirmed or alleged violations of the Youth Protection Policy or other laws.
• All protections afforded Minors under the Youth Protection Policy also extend to any Adult who is known or reasonably believed to be incapable, by reason of mental illness, intellectual disability, dementia, or other physical or mental incapacity, of managing or directing the management of his or her person and/or property.
• CIVIC Participants are also expected to adhere to the Policy at unofficial events affiliated with CIVIC Programs (e.g., a cast party), even if the event is not held at a CIVIC Facility or sponsored by the CIVIC. 

Social Media Policy

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and other social media are awesome but dangerous tools. Social media constitutes a major component of the theatre’s marketing plan. Therefore, you are encouraged to use all types of social media to help advertise, promote, or market the show and theatre. As a member of the theatre, you are encouraged to join our Facebook group and our electronic mailing list.

When posting about the theatre or production on public forums, please keep your posts positive and respectful. Do not insult your show, your cast-mates, your audience, or this theatre in a place where the general public has access to it. If you do choose to engage in negative social media activity in a public forum, the theatre reserves the right to remove you from the production and prevent you from volunteering at SBCT in the future. What you say or share in private messages is your own business. However, if a private message demeaning the theatre or its members is made public by a third party that you have shared that message with, you will be held accountable. 

Press Interaction

Media requests must be passed on to the Marketing Manager. When interviews or interactions involving employees or volunteers are solicited, they must be done with the approval of the Marketing Manager.