Wasaga Community Theatre
Code of Conduct
Wasaga Community Theatre is dedicated to bringing the joy of theatre and theatre related experiences to the community of Wasaga Beach and surrounding area. We offer an open, welcoming space for those to enjoy and share their love of theatre and acting. To that end, members of WCT have a duty to conduct themselves professionally and to treat members of the public, one another and staff at venues and events with kindness and respect, creating an environment free of discrimination, all forms of harassment, bullying or violence. All members and volunteers are expected to know and follow this policy during all Wasaga Community Theatre Activities
Policies
All members, volunteers, patrons, employees, and visitors must:
- Act with honesty, integrity and respect
- Respect individual beliefs of others
- Respect the privacy and personal space of others.
- Be fair, considerate and honest
- Exercise control, respect and professionalism in all activities representing the theatre
- Show understanding and sensitivity when dealing with sensitive issues
- Adhere to all policies and procedures
- Be consistent with your commitments
In addition, Board Members, Coordinators, employees and volunteers are expected to:
- Maintain good governance
- Be responsible to the Membership
- Be willing to collaborate
- Be transparent
- Take responsibility for yourself, your actions and your duties
- Be mindful of course language/subject matter and refrain from excessive use, especially in public spaces visible to patrons and minors.
Zero-Tolerance
Wasaga Community Theatre has zero tolerance for:
- Physical, verbal, or sexual violence, unnecessary force, behaviour that is either prohibited or not authorized by law
- Malicious gossip, rumour or innuendo creating a toxic and poisoned environment. Save the drama for the stage.
- Intoxication of any kind while representing the theatre, including but not limited to rehearsals, productions, community events etc.
- Bullying or any other attitude or behaviour that may be perceived as discriminatory, or that contradicts the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Constitution Act, 1982) or the Ontario Human Rights Code (R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19).
Privacy & Use of Contact Information
Wasaga Community Theatre values the privacy of its cast, crew, and volunteers. Contact information shared for the purposes of production or project coordination (including phone numbers, emails, and other personal details) must be used exclusively for production-related communication.
- Personal contact information is to be kept confidential and not shared with individuals outside the production without explicit permission.
- Contact lists may not be used for personal, promotional, or non-production-related purposes.
- No member shall contact any members or the public on behalf of Wasaga Community Theatre without prior board approval.
- If a cast or crew member wishes to stay in touch beyond the production, they must obtain direct consent from the individual.
- Any concerns about misuse of contact information should be reported to the production team or leadership.”
Definitions
Discrimination:
Harassment:
- Engaging in a course of vexatious (i.e. distressing, offensive) comments or conduct against a person that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome. “Course of” implies repetition; however, a single egregious act can constitute harassment (for example, an assault).
- Any conduct by an individual that is offensive to another person or persons and that the individual knew or ought reasonably to have known would cause offense or harm. It comprises any objectionable act, comment or display that demeans, belittles, or causes personal humiliation or embarrassment, and any act of intimidation or threat.
- As you can see, the test is “unwelcome comments/conduct”; in other words, if the comments/conduct are welcome, then they do not constitute harassment. However, keep in mind that what may be welcome to one person may be unwelcome to another, so it is important that you are aware of your audience. When in doubt, don’t say or do it!
- In the theatrical context, examples include continuing onstage behaviour (as part of character portrayal) outside of the production context (i.e., rehearsal or performance).
Sexual Harassment:
- Engaging in harassment (see above definition and test) against a person because of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
- Making a sexual solicitation or advance where the person making the solicitation or advance is in a position to confer, grant or deny a benefit to or take advantage of another person and the offending person knows or ought reasonably to know that the solicitation or advance is unwelcome.
- Material such as pornographic or sexually explicit images, posters, calendars or objects;
- Sexual activities, conduct, advances, comments, innuendos, humour, gestures, electronic communications or messages that are all unwelcome or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.
- Sexual exploitation, exposure, leering, stalking, or invasion of sexual privacy;
- Direct or implied threats that submission to sexual advances will be a condition of involvement with the organization and/or a production; or
- In the theatrical context, comments or conduct of a gender-related or sexual nature, outside the boundaries of consent or the production context (i.e., rehearsal or performance) including attempting to engage in sexual conduct or comment offstage that is specifically choreographed for the stage and/or is part of a character portrayal.
Sexual Abuse or Misconduct:
- towards or with a person who is a minor (under 18 years old); or
- towards or with another who is legally incapable or otherwise unable to give consent.
Substance Abuse:
- Engaging in the intake of substances to the point that leads to impaired performance or inappropriate behaviour, endangering the safety of others, or violating the law.
- Illegal drugs at rehearsals, performances or events are strictly prohibited.
- If a cast member or board member has reasonable suspicion to believe that a person’s use of drugs and/or alcohol may adversely affect the person’s performance or safety of the person or others in the environment, the member may make a report as explained below.
- A reasonable suspicion of substance abuse may be based on objective symptoms such as the person’s appearance, behaviour, or speech.
Reporting:
In instances where it is safe to do so, people are encouraged to advise the perpetrator that the behavior is unwanted and offensive. However, it is not necessary that you directly confront the perpetrator before reporting the incident. It is recommended that complainants keep a record of incidents, including time, date and the nature of the behaviour or activity and any witnesses, if any.
Investigation of Complaints:
During the course of any investigation, the Director may require the alleged perpetrator to suspend their involvement with WCT pending the outcome of the investigation.
WCT will cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by law enforcement or other regulatory/protective services agencies.
Anti-retaliation and False Allegations:
Making knowingly false or malicious accusations of harassment, discrimination or misconduct can have serious consequences for those who are wrongly accused. Accordingly, WCT also prohibits the making of false or malicious allegations, as well as deliberately providing false information during an investigation.