For our students

Each University Players production is to be allotted 90 hours over a period of usually no more than five weeks (exclusive of technical weekend). No rehearsal period is to commence prior to its scheduled starting date, as listed on the UNIVERSITY PLAYERS MASTER REHEARSAL SCHEDULE. The first show in the first semester and the first show in the second semester can start rehearsals before classes begin. There are to be no rehearsals seven days consecutively, except during the run of technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and opening week performances. Offering Preview Nights is at the discretion of the production director. Monday and Tuesday of the second week of the performance will be off for cast and crew. Wednesday of the second week will usually be dark but are available for potential special performances or a brush up rehearsal at the discretion of the production team. Extra rehearsal time not appearing on the University Players master rehearsal schedule must be approved in writting by the Director of the School of Dramatic Art and may only be added by mutual agreement between the director of the production, actors, and required production staff. Except under unusual circumstances, such extra rehearsal time shall not exceed six hours per week per cast or production staff member and shall not exceed beyond 11:00 p.m. Note, however, that rehearsals are class time and directors should make every effort to plan within the regular rehearsal hours. Excessive hours represent an abuse of student energy and time in relation to other classes. Note: Hours of rehearsal - 3 hours per night (7:00-10:00 p.m.) and double on Saturdays (10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; 2:00-5:00 p.m.)

Professional conduct requires that actors attend the following events -measurement charts for each season -costume fittings -make-up consultations and pre-show application -quick change rehearsals -performance dates (in enough time to prepare) Costume Shop keys cannot be loaned out without written authorization from the Staff -Costume Designer. Items from the University Player's Costume Shop cannot be removed from the shop or used for purposes other than Costume Shop activity without the written consent of the Costume Designer and the knowledge of the Director of the School of Dramatic Art. All costume running crew are to be treated with respect. Any personality conflict must be reported to the Stage Manager and Costume Designer at the earliest appropriate and private moment. Performers are expected to provide their own basic stage make-up. All performers are responsible for learning, practicing, and applying make-up, as well as dressing their own hairstyles as specified by the Costume Designer. A hair and make-up assistant be made available to help, only with particularly difficult character specific or quick hair & make-up challenges. Costume replacement by any person other than the Costume Designer is forbidden, except in cases of extreme costume failure (i.e., broken zipper, spontaneous combustion, etc.). In such a case, the head of wardrobe will supply an interim costume until such a time as the original costume may be repaired. Purposeful destruction of costumes will result in automatic dismissal from the role or serious disciplinary consequences. The Costume Shop, Dressing Rooms and Green Room are SCENT FREE ZONES! This includes perfume, cologne, strong body washes and perfumey deodorants. There are light or unscented options to all of these things today. Choose one. Failure to do so may result in your being turned away from a fitting. For rehearsal purposes - Female Performers are expected to provide their own character shoes, rehearsal skirts, tights, pantyhose, and appropriate undergarments as specified by the Costume Designer. Male performers are required to own a pair of lace up hard sole dress shoes, a blazer, dress shirt and slacks. A vest would also be a good idea. (consider purchasing a 3 piece suit from Value Village rather than using a suit you already own. There is every chance you will be sweating, crawling, and otherwise using these pieces in a fashion that could prove destructive). Exceptions will be made for unusual requirements, e.g., special effects, wigs, corsets, etc. at the discretion of the Costume Designer. For performance purposes - All Male and Female performers are expected to provide appropriate under-garments, i.e. bras, briefs, dance belts, hose, tights, etc., as specified by the Costume Designer. Performers are required to attend measurement and fitting sessions in a prompt and professional manner, wearing appropriate undergarments (ie. a regular bra, not a sports bra. Underwear, NOT a thong). Eating and drinking (except for water) is not allowed in the dressing rooms, laundry area, or Costume Shop. Eating and drinking is permitted in the Green Room only. Either eat before you get into costume, change to eat something at intermission or bring a robe or coat that COMPLETELY covers your costume. Exceptions will be made for medical reasons only with a written statement from a doctor. Performers are required to make such a condition known to the Costume Designer no later than the first week of rehearsals. Costumes are to be worn in the dressing room, green room, backstage, or onstage areas; never outside or in front of house areas. No costume pieces may leave the theatre area. Not all costume pieces can or will be laundered nightly or at all. It is the performer's responsibility to find out from the costume crew which pieces can be laundered and to place then in the hampers provided. Performers are individually responsible for each costume piece and must properly hang or store each piece neatly in the designated changing areas. Crew will be available for instruction as to proper care, but performers are responsible for keeping the changing areas neat at all times. All performers must be checked out by the costume crew before leaving the dressing room area after each dress rehearsal and performance. It is the responsibility of the performer to be familiar with and plan for the required amount of hair / dressing/ make-up preparation time prior to the places call. After warm-up, a half hour call is often not enough. Costume concerns should be brought directly to the Costume Designer or to the Design Assistant without hesitation. Costume notes from actors during the run of a show must be given to the wardrobe supervisor in writing. The wardrobe supervisor / costume mistress must relay all costume notes in writing to the Stage Manager for inclusion in the Performance Report directly following each performance. University Players will not be responsible for any items of value lost or stolen at rehearsals or productions. Wallets, purses, and valuables should be left with the Stage Manager to be locked in a secure place.

There is no doubt about the importance of working together as an ensemble in order to achieve the most appropriate and provocative final product. In order for a production to truly be successful, whole team from the top of management down to the greenest of performer, must conduct themselves according to simple matters of etiquette. Cast and crew must enter the theatre through the Jackman Dramatic Art Centre. Sign-in sheets posted at the stage door must be signed upon arrival by every individual personally. Do not sign-in for others. Eating is forbidden in Essex Hall Theatre and the Hatch Studio Theatre in the following areas: the auditorium, inner lobby, dressing rooms, on stage and backstage. Coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages are permitted in the theatres. However, they must be contained in a resealable cup or bottle. All personnel are responsible for their own belongings and should endeavour to protect them as the School of Dramatic Art and University Players are not responsible for any loss or theft. The green room must be kept tidy and clean for the duration of a production. Empty food and drink containers must be disposed of in the available garbage cans. Plates and cups must be washed and neatly stored immediately after use. It is to be understood that the House Manager and the Stage Manager (or their designates) are in charge of their respective areas and their authority is to be acknowledged and respected. During performances any one not directly involved with the production is not allowed in the backstage areas. Areas include: the hallway outside the green room, the green room, the props/laundry room, the backstage, and the dressing rooms. After ‘house opening’ and during performances, there is to be no passage through the house to the backstage areas. At no time is the House (including the lobby) to be used as a warm-up area. On-stage warm-ups should take place from 6:30 -7:00 pm (for an 8:00 pm curtain). Sound equipment in the control booth is strictly “off limits” for playing warm-up music. The stage is to be clear of actors 20 minutes prior to the house opening. Technicians should be clear of the stage area at least 5 minutes prior to the house opening. All cast and crew shall remain in the stage, green room, hallway, or dressing rooms after arriving for the scheduled call. All actors should allow adequate time to warm up (and smoke, if necessary) before getting into costume. In order to avoid any last minute emergencies, actors should be in full costume and make-up a minimum of 5 minutes prior to curtain time. There will be no eating or drinking in costume unless appropriate cover-up is worn. And at no time is smoking allowed in costume. Cast members should personally check their own pre-sets including: props, costumes, hats, parasols etc. at least 20 minutes before the house opens. At no time are alcoholic beverages to be allowed in the backstage, green room, or dressing room areas. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is forbidden in the theatre area, except for special functions licensed by the University of Windsor. Actors are required to appear in full costume and make-up for the curtain call. Under no circumstances will there be any signing or graffiti allowed on the walls or masking flats backstage. Shoes must be worn backstage to protect your feet at all times. Many accidents with toes and feet can be avoided by wearing proper footwear. Let crew members know as soon as possible when something breaks, spills or is missing. Speak softly, and only when absolutely necessary in backstage areas. Sound travels easily to the house. Be respectful of the way others get ready for a show and give performers space or quiet if they need it. Be conscientious and respectful of any rituals or superstitious beliefs others may have as well. Do not touch or move another performer’s props or costumes. If you feel something is out-of-place, let someone on the crew know, or the performer themselves. Be conscious of audience “sight lines” when you are onstage and off. If you can see members of the audience, they can see you. Avoid bumping the curtains, legs, cyc and other theatre drapery. The audience will see even the tiniest movement. Always say “please” and “thank you!” and be courteous and kind to everyone around you. You’re a part of a big team and each individual is a valuable part of the show. Though there is often a dynamic and volatile artistic temperament associated with the theatre, our creative world cannot be allowed to encourage a code of conduct that is distinctly more liberal or casual than society’s parameters of acceptable behaviour. Just as the theatre is a respected profession, so too must our theatre society’s etiquette and ethics be respectful, fair, unprejudiced, and support individual rights and freedom. Therefore, under no circumstances will HARASSMENT of any kind, by anyone, be tolerated. Though harassment can be a complicated matter, it can specifically be defined as one or a series of unwanted, unsolicited remarks, behaviours or communications in any form, which has the intent or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive psychological or emotional climate for study and learning.

All students enrolled in the School of Dramatic Art are entitled to one complimentary ticket (called a SODA comp) to each University Players production. A limited number of tickets will be available for the Thursday Preview performance of each production. Tickets are available to be picked up in the UP Box office, usually the Tuesday or Wednesday before opening night. Exact days and times will change for each production, so please see the information board or emails for exact days and times to pick up your tickets. All students directly involved with a production receive one additional complimentary ticket for any night of that production. Students involved in the show wishing to request tickets must do so by emailing Kristen Siapas at kristen.siapas@uwindsor.ca. All comp tickets must be picked up, in person, at least 24 hours before the performance date. Phone orders will not be accepted. Your student card must be presented whenever you pick up a SODA comp. If you wish to sit with your friends please pick up your tickets together. Students cannot pick up tickets for anyone else.