Administrative Policies

Contact Information

Students are required to notify the Theatre Office of any email, mailing address or phone number changes. Though parental contact information can be helpful at times, it is more important that we contact you, the student. The Department of Theatre uses this information for department business only.

Library

The university has a large collection of theatre and artwork reference books in the Merrill-Cazier Library. The theatre department script collection is located in the reserve section.

Insurance

It is highly recommended that all theatre participants have medical insurance. The university has one available for purchase through the Health Center. All Participants are required to sign a university liability waiver to participate in any departmental production.

Graduate students are required to have Medical Insurance.

Public Relations

All press releases, announcements and appearances on radio, television or before any organization are subject to the approval of the Department Head. Under no circumstances will any student represent him or herself as a spokesperson for the University, the College, or the Department, or permit any interview without the knowledge and approval of the Department Head.

Visitors

Visitors are not allowed to observe classes or rehearsals without the permission of the instructor or director.

Communications

Mandatory Meetings

The first day of classes in the Fall semester at 4:00, a mandatory fire training is held for all theatre students.

Tuesdays of the first week of classes, both Fall and Spring semesters, from 3:00-4:00 is a mandatory meeting for all theatre students. These meetings allow time for practicum crew sign up, and any major announcements, issues, or new information to be given at once.

Callboards

The call boards are located outside the stage door to the Morgan Theatre. This is where audition notices, rehearsal calls, panel critiques, costume notes, rehearsal notes, etc. are posted.

Notice Boards

In the hall containing the Theatre Office, there are three boards. The one closest to the black box contains notices for casting calls, graduate programs, internships, and professional theatre seasons. The boards near the library are for individual concentrations to post information pertinent to their students.

Students should create a professional email address if they do not already have one, and make sure the department office has that address, and that you use it consistently for department and production communication. Save your creative or personally reflective email address for your friends or family. The department would prefer that you use your aggiemail address for consistency, but professionalism is our primary objective. All students should check and respond to all department email at least once a day (professionals tend to view and respond to their email at least twice a day). The email list is updated at each mandatory meeting and as needed. If your email changes, please notify the department. This is the primary method of communication in the department.

Website

The Department website has all the information contained in this handbook. It also contains show and audition information, theatre history, scholarship info, contacts, bios, and more. Check it out.

Lost & Found

The lost & found is located in the Theatre Office for the first week, after which it moves to the building lost & found in the Production Services office.

Office

The Theatre office is located in the Chase Fine Arts Center Rooms 232-234. You can call the office at (435) 797-3046. Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00pm

Grievances

Grievances should be handled personally and professionally. They are not a tool for Department gossip. Anyone with a grievance toward faculty, staff or peers, are encouraged to first try to resolve the problem directly with those involved.

If a grievance cannot not be resolved on a personal level, then seeking a higher authority may be appropriate. In production-based grievances, the chain would begin with the Stage manager, Director, Production manager, and last, if necessary, the Artistic director. Each production company elects a Deputy that may be used for those wishing to stay anonymous. Academic grievances should be directed to the instructor, then the program area head, department head, and, if all other avenues have been tried, the Dean.

Parking

Parking is limited at the university. It is strongly recommended that students who choose to bring their vehicles to campus purchase a Blue student parking pass. This allows parking at both the Dairy, the Church lot, or across the highway. Parking in the loading docks is only permitted for loading and unloading and requires a special permit from the shop manager. All others will be ticketed.

Lockers

We have a limited number of lockers available for student use. This allows you to store shop, rehearsal, or movement clothing here in the department. Lockers are assigned on a first come first served basis each semester. We recommend that you launder your clothing as part of good hygiene. Lockers must be emptied by the last day of classes each semester, thanksgiving, and spring break.

University Property

Maintenance costs are paid in part through tuition. Help us keep tuition lower by respecting the property you work with. Theatres are notorious for having large upkeep costs, most commonly from damage and misuse. If you don’t know how to use something, don’t use it until you can find a faculty or shop manager that can teach you. Don’t assume another student, however experienced, can teach proper use. If something is broken, don’t use it, notify a shop manager or program head.

Pets

By law only service animals, as defined in the ADA Act, are allowed in federal buildings or campus facilities. The exceptions to this are research, official performance/rehearsals, and facilities built for the purpose of animal habitation. Pets are not considered service animals, nor animals that are for ‘emotional support’. Campus policy is that a pet must be certified through the Disability Resource Center as a service animal, or to have one of the exceptions, to be allowed on campus.