BMYP Code of conduct

Attendance and Communication

It is vitally important that cast members attend rehearsals on a regular basis. We appreciate that everyone is busy, and there are sometimes rehearsals which cast can’t attend.

Please ensure that commitment to BMYP is a priority.

We are very proud of the consistently high standards of our productions, but this requires a lot of hard work. This can only be achieved if cast members are present at rehearsals to practice.

Please also notify the production team as soon as possible if you know in advance that a cast member is unable to attend any rehearsal. With enough notice, it is often possible for the production team to accommodate absences and schedule rehearsals appropriately. However, late notification of pre-planned absences can make organising rehearsals very difficult for a production team who will already be juggling a lot of priorities.

Birthdays/family parties, last minute holidays, surprise meals booked by a family member are not however considered valid reasons to miss a rehearsal.

Please note that there is no such thing as cast member being “only in the chorus” for a BMYP show. Every cast member has an equally important role. The chorus is vital to our productions.

If more than two sessions are missed without a formal and reasonable explanation a warning will be given. BMYP reserves the right to remove a cast member from individual numbers/roles or from the entire production.

We keep a register of attendance at rehearsals for every show. During auditions for principal parts in any productions, a committee representative will be on the audition panel. Part of their responsibility will be to bring to the attention of the production team if there are concerns about the commitment to rehearsals for anyone who is auditioning for any
principal role.

BMYP use an app called “Heja” to schedule rehearsals. All cast members and families will need to download this app and sign up to the show specific BMYP rehearsal groups at the start of every production rehearsal period. All cast members need to review the schedule as soon as the dates are published and mark up whether they will be going/not going to every scheduled rehearsal. This information will then be used by the production to review the rehearsal schedule to ensure that the rehearsal time is used appropriately, and the production progresses as planned.

Behaviour at rehearsals and in theatre.

The high production standards that we strive to achieve require full concentration during rehearsals from all cast. Cast members who are talking excessively, disrupting rehearsals, distracting other cast members, or not focussing sufficiently on rehearsals may be asked to leave either an individual rehearsal or the production.
Mobile phones will not be permitted in the rehearsal room or dressing rooms. This includes adult helpers. Cast can bring their phones, however they must be left in their bags in the breakout area.
No Chewing Gum.

We expect all cast members to be kind to each other and to always give support and encouragement to all fellow cast members during rehearsals and productions.

Cast members have a responsibility to:

• Be reliable, punctual and dependable particularly at times close to or during a production
• Treat organisers, official helpers and stage crew with respect
• Respect others personal space and belongings
• Work as part of a team
• Follow instructions given in rehearsals, on stage or in the changing rooms
• Take care of equipment, costumes and premises whether it be in the rehearsal room, venue or theatre.
• Adhere to theatre etiquette in all its aspects
• Adhere to rules relating to mobile phones and wearing appropriate clothing and footwear.

Cast members have the right to:

• Feel safe at all times
• Have protection from any bullying or violence from others
• Have their personal property respected at all times
• Have responsible persons they can talk to about any problems or concerns they have relating to the club or its cast members
• An atmosphere and culture of mutual respect and cooperation
• Information that directly affects the cast member and their participation in BMYP

Support from parents

BMYP is run entirely by volunteers. We need commitment from all parents/carers to support and help run production week – backstage, chaperones, building set, quick changes, front of house, hair/make up and many other roles (including making tea and coffee for the rest of the support team!). We expect that at least one parent/carer will make themselves available to provide support in some capacity during show week, on at least two evenings (more if that is possible). Show week is hard work but so rewarding. (Often, we wonder if the parents and helpers backstage are having more fun than the cast themselves!) Sometimes we find that parents enjoy it so much that even after their children have turned 19 and have left BMYP, the parent will stay on with the club as part of the support team.

Rehearsals are an open door. Please feel free to stay any Friday or Sunday and have a cuppa with us.

We often find that parents and families like to buy tickets to watch the final performance, however that sometimes means we are short of helpers. Please bear in mind that if we don’t have enough people to help backstage, the show cannot go ahead! Please try to arrange to see alternative performances.

Roles we need help with

• Theatre get in – Assisting with unloading of cars and vans. Setting up changing rooms, green room and most importantly the stage and set building.
• Theatre get out – Taking down the set. Boxing and bagging the dressing rooms and green room. Transferring everything to cars and vans. Clean
• Girls/Boys dressing room – monitoring the changing room in general, assisting with costumes and changes, keeping room tidy and ensuring they are ready for next scene
• Quick changes – assisting with backstage and sometimes side of stage quick changes.
• Mics – attaching correct mics to cast and mic changes
• Hair and Makeup – ensuring the girls have enough colour on their faces to be seen on stage. Assisting with putting hair up and attaching hair pieces. Pictures will be taken of each cast member with how they should look we will need assistance with achieving these looks. Some productions may include face painting.
• Props – making sure the correct props are with the correct cast members on time each night. Collecting props at the end of scenes or performance. Re-setting for following scene/day
• Continuity – ensuring the correct cast members are on stage and ready at the side of stage for their scenes. Continuity will need to attend some Sunday rehearsals to get an idea of what is needed before tech runs
• Backstage – manoeuvring set and props.
• Sewing – repairs and alterations mainly. General help with costumes. Sundays and show week.
• Licensed Chaperone – DBS check. Interview with council and possible NSPCC course in keeping children safe in entertainment. We need council approved chaperones on site every night.

Does anyone have access to a van?

Tickets

You may be surprised at how much our shows cost to produce – they are usually around £20,000-£25,000, but costs can be even higher! We are entirely self funded, so we rely on ticket sales and income. We therefore need all cast members and their families to sell as many tickets for shows as we possibly can. It is also far more satisfying for the cast members to perform to a full house.

We expect all cast members to sell a minimum of 25 tickets for each show.