Letter of Marque Theater Company | Brooklyn Improv Training
Policies and Code of Conduct
General Rules
Ensemble can only exist between members when there is trust, safety, open communication, and respect. As an ensemble company these are the standards that apply to all Letter of Marque Theater Company (L.O.M.) and Brooklyn Improv Training (B.I.T.) staff, students, volunteers, and audience members in any venues used for classes, performances, events, rehearsals, and meetings.
In general, these are the rules that apply to everyone attending an L.O.M./B.I.T. show, class, rehearsal, or event:
Freedom of Expression, Content, and Other Policies
L.O.M./B.I.T. aims to foster an environment that allows for freedom of expression and artistic exploration. This means that certain language or content may arise that may be considered hurtful, insensitive, or inappropriate to some participants. This does not mean L.O.M./B.I.T. will allow language, content, or actions that are intended to deride, insult, intimidate, or abuse anyone or any group of people. It does mean that art is sometimes volatile and revealing, and that if it has gone too far, everyone must respect each other and hold each other accountable to correct the wrong. L.O.M./B.I.T. encourages anyone feeling uncomfortable or offended to speak up at any time, to the group or privately to management. Appropriate steps will be taken to address these issues should they arise.
L.O.M./B.I.T. reserves the right to refuse service to anyone. While all public L.O.M./B.I.T. shows and events are open to everyone, you must be 18 years of age or older to perform with L.O.M./B.I.T. or attend any of its classes or rehearsals. L.O.M./B.I.T. prohibits romantic and/or sexual relationships between staff and students while students are enrolled or under a performance agreement with L.O.M./B.I.T. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action or removal.
Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Harassment
L.O.M./B.I.T. does not tolerate verbal, physical, or written (including electronic communications) discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or lack thereof, or military status.
L.O.M./B.I.T. does not tolerate any verbal, physical, or written (including electronic communications) sexual harassment. Sexual harassment, as defined by the NYC Human Rights Law, is “any unwanted verbal or physical advances, sexually explicit derogatory statements, or sexually discriminatory remarks made by someone in the workplace which are offensive or objectionable to the recipient, which cause the recipient discomfort or humiliation, or which interfere with the recipient’s job performance.”
“Sexual harassment in the form of a “hostile environment” consists of words, signs, jokes, pranks, intimidation or physical violence which are of a sexual nature, or which are directed at an individual because of that individual’s sex.”
“A type of sexual harassment known as “quid pro quo” harassment occurs when a person in authority tries to trade job benefits for sexual favors. This can include hiring, promotion, continued employment or any other terms conditions or privileges of employment. Only supervisors and managers are deemed to engage in this kind of harassment, because coworkers do not have the authority to grant or withhold benefits.”
“Sexual harassment can occur between males and females, or between persons of the same sex. Sexual harassment that occurs because the victim is transgender is also unlawful.”
“A single incident of inappropriate sexual behavior may be enough to rise to the level of sexual harassment, depending on the severity of such incident.”
Reporting
L.O.M./B.I.T. staff and volunteers are required to report any complaint to management immediately. Management is required to conduct an investigation of any complaint received as detailed by the NYC Human Rights Law. Sexual assault will be reported to the police immediately. Should L.O.M./B.I.T. become aware of any other crime committed during or around any L.O.M./B.I.T. activity, it will be reported to authorities immediately. L.O.M./B.I.T. will also comply with any subpoenas issued by authorities against any staff, volunteer, student, or attendee. You may report anything at any time to management via email at [email protected] or by downloading and submitting the Harassment Complaint Form linked at the bottom of this page.
Retaliation
L.O.M./B.I.T. will not retaliate against anyone making a good faith report in accordance with these policies. It is unlawful for any employer, or any agent or employee of the employer, to retaliate against an employee, classmate, and/or attendee who has complained of sexual harassment. The Human Rights Law protects any individual who has engaged in “protected activity.” Protected activity occurs when a person has filed a formal written complaint of sexual harassment, either internally with management or with any anti-discrimination agency, testified or assisted in a proceeding involving sexual harassment under the Human Rights Law, opposed sexual harassment by making a verbal or informal complaint to management, or by simply informing a supervisor or manager of harassment, complained that another employee, classmate, and/or attendee has been sexually harassed, or encouraged a fellow employee, classmate, and/or attendee to report harassment.
Ensemble can only exist between members when there is trust, safety, open communication, and respect. As an ensemble company these are the standards that apply to all Letter of Marque Theater Company (L.O.M.) and Brooklyn Improv Training (B.I.T.) staff, students, volunteers, and audience members in any venues used for classes, performances, events, rehearsals, and meetings.
In general, these are the rules that apply to everyone attending an L.O.M./B.I.T. show, class, rehearsal, or event:
- Take care of yourself. This means don’t do things that are dangerous or might get you injured. This also means that you are expected to speak up when you feel unsafe, physically or emotionally. You the responsible for you.
- Look out for others. If someone else is about to do something unsafe, tell them! Or tell management! Or tell the cops, if you have to. If you see someone needing help, please try to help them.
- Don't hurt the space. We are very grateful of the venues and rooms that we use. And we want to continue to be able to use them. Also, property damage is unacceptable and a crime.
- Have Fun. You’ve chosen to be here, so please arrive to be part of what’s going on. And please be honest about what you need from us and others.
Freedom of Expression, Content, and Other Policies
L.O.M./B.I.T. aims to foster an environment that allows for freedom of expression and artistic exploration. This means that certain language or content may arise that may be considered hurtful, insensitive, or inappropriate to some participants. This does not mean L.O.M./B.I.T. will allow language, content, or actions that are intended to deride, insult, intimidate, or abuse anyone or any group of people. It does mean that art is sometimes volatile and revealing, and that if it has gone too far, everyone must respect each other and hold each other accountable to correct the wrong. L.O.M./B.I.T. encourages anyone feeling uncomfortable or offended to speak up at any time, to the group or privately to management. Appropriate steps will be taken to address these issues should they arise.
L.O.M./B.I.T. reserves the right to refuse service to anyone. While all public L.O.M./B.I.T. shows and events are open to everyone, you must be 18 years of age or older to perform with L.O.M./B.I.T. or attend any of its classes or rehearsals. L.O.M./B.I.T. prohibits romantic and/or sexual relationships between staff and students while students are enrolled or under a performance agreement with L.O.M./B.I.T. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action or removal.
Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Harassment
L.O.M./B.I.T. does not tolerate verbal, physical, or written (including electronic communications) discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or lack thereof, or military status.
L.O.M./B.I.T. does not tolerate any verbal, physical, or written (including electronic communications) sexual harassment. Sexual harassment, as defined by the NYC Human Rights Law, is “any unwanted verbal or physical advances, sexually explicit derogatory statements, or sexually discriminatory remarks made by someone in the workplace which are offensive or objectionable to the recipient, which cause the recipient discomfort or humiliation, or which interfere with the recipient’s job performance.”
“Sexual harassment in the form of a “hostile environment” consists of words, signs, jokes, pranks, intimidation or physical violence which are of a sexual nature, or which are directed at an individual because of that individual’s sex.”
“A type of sexual harassment known as “quid pro quo” harassment occurs when a person in authority tries to trade job benefits for sexual favors. This can include hiring, promotion, continued employment or any other terms conditions or privileges of employment. Only supervisors and managers are deemed to engage in this kind of harassment, because coworkers do not have the authority to grant or withhold benefits.”
“Sexual harassment can occur between males and females, or between persons of the same sex. Sexual harassment that occurs because the victim is transgender is also unlawful.”
“A single incident of inappropriate sexual behavior may be enough to rise to the level of sexual harassment, depending on the severity of such incident.”
Reporting
L.O.M./B.I.T. staff and volunteers are required to report any complaint to management immediately. Management is required to conduct an investigation of any complaint received as detailed by the NYC Human Rights Law. Sexual assault will be reported to the police immediately. Should L.O.M./B.I.T. become aware of any other crime committed during or around any L.O.M./B.I.T. activity, it will be reported to authorities immediately. L.O.M./B.I.T. will also comply with any subpoenas issued by authorities against any staff, volunteer, student, or attendee. You may report anything at any time to management via email at [email protected] or by downloading and submitting the Harassment Complaint Form linked at the bottom of this page.
Retaliation
L.O.M./B.I.T. will not retaliate against anyone making a good faith report in accordance with these policies. It is unlawful for any employer, or any agent or employee of the employer, to retaliate against an employee, classmate, and/or attendee who has complained of sexual harassment. The Human Rights Law protects any individual who has engaged in “protected activity.” Protected activity occurs when a person has filed a formal written complaint of sexual harassment, either internally with management or with any anti-discrimination agency, testified or assisted in a proceeding involving sexual harassment under the Human Rights Law, opposed sexual harassment by making a verbal or informal complaint to management, or by simply informing a supervisor or manager of harassment, complained that another employee, classmate, and/or attendee has been sexually harassed, or encouraged a fellow employee, classmate, and/or attendee to report harassment.
| lomharassmentcomplaintform.docx |
