Participation Policy

Overview

Arlington Children’s Theatre (ACT) is dedicated to nurturing young artists in a safe, respectful, and collaborative educational theatre environment. 

Our programs are most successful when participants, families, staff, and volunteers work together with mutual respect, clear communication, and shared responsibility. This policy outlines the expectations and responsibilities that help create a positive experience for every member of the ACT community. Failure to meet behavioral expectations by participants and/or their parent(s)/guardian(s) may result in corrective action, up to and including dismissal from the program.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us create the best possible experience for the ACT community.

Expectations for Child Participants

All participants in ACT programming are expected to:

  • Treat fellow students, staff, volunteers, and community members with courtesy and respect
  • Refrain from bullying, harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate language or behavior
  • Respect ACT property and all rehearsal, classroom, and performance spaces
  • Remain attentive and respectful during instruction and rehearsal, even when not actively participating
  • Follow all instructions from ACT staff promptly and respectfully

Expectations for Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians are expected to:

  • Review and adhere to all ACT policies, schedules, and program communications.
  • Interact with ACT staff, volunteers, and families in a respectful and professional manner.
  • Support their child’s preparation and participation outside of scheduled program time, including learning lines, music, choreography, or classwork as applicable.
  • Complete all required forms by stated deadlines.
  • Ensure timely payment of all fees and tuition according to ACT’s payment schedule
  • Respect instructional, artistic, and placement decisions made by ACT staff.
  • Refrain from interfering with classes, rehearsals, or program activities, and address concerns privately and constructively with an ACT representative.
  • Understand that inappropriate parent or guardian conduct may impact a child’s continued participation in ACT programs.

Attendance & Participation

Attendance is vital for the success of our productions. To ensure a smooth and cohesive performance, we have established the following guidelines:

  • Missing more than two (2) rehearsals may result in a child being recast or removed from a scene or song. 
  • Absences or lateness must be communicated in advance whenever possible. Excessive absences or tardiness may affect a participant’s progress, role assignment, or continued enrollment. We understand that illness and emergencies happen, and we will work with families when unforeseen circumstances arise.
  • No absences are permitted during tech week and dress rehearsals. These sessions are essential for finalizing the production and ensuring that all elements come together seamlessly.

Health & Safety

The health and safety of all participants is our top priority.

  • Children must stay home if they exhibit symptoms of illness including: fever (100.4°F or higher), vomiting, diarrhea, persistent cough, contagious rash, or other signs of contagious illness
  • Children may return to programming when they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and are well enough to participate fully

Medications & Medical Needs

  • ACT staff do not administer routine medications
  • Parents must inform staff of any medical conditions, allergies, dietary restrictions, or special needs
  • For children requiring emergency medications (EpiPens, inhalers, etc.), families must:
    • Complete an emergency medication authorization form
    • Provide clearly labeled, non-expired medication with current prescriptions and train staff on proper administration if applicable

Food Safety

ACT is dedicated to providing a safe space for all participants while recognizing that we cannot guarantee a completely food-safe environment. 

 ACT cannot be responsible for providing, preparing, or verifying the content of any food items that participants may have access to during our programs. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Snacks provided by other families
  • Items sold during fundraising events
  • Catered meals or refreshments
  • Food brought by staff or volunteers

Participants with serious food allergies or those requiring special dietary considerations must have all appropriate food items provided by their family. This ensures the safety and dietary needs of the student are met according to their specific requirements and family preferences.

Students with airborne allergies or dietary restrictions that require special environmental adjustments or accommodations must have a family representative meet with theater staff at least one week prior to the program start date. This advance notice allows us to:

  • Discuss necessary precautions
  • Develop an appropriate safety plan for the student
  • Determine if ACT can reasonably accommodate the student’s needs
  • Identify any limitations or modifications to programming

General Safety

  • Child participants must follow all instructions from ACT staff immediately
  • Any injuries, hazards, or unsafe conditions must be reported immediately to ACT staff
  • Participants may not leave the program area without staff permission

Drop-off & Pick-up Procedures

  • Children may only be released to adults listed on their emergency contact form
  • If someone different will be picking up your child, notify staff in advance in writing (email acceptable)
  • Children must be picked up promptly at the end of each session; repeated late pick-ups may result in additional fees or program consequences

Anti-Bullying

ACT does not tolerate any form of bullying or cyberbullying. We also do not tolerate retaliation against any person who reports bullying or cyberbullying, or who in good faith provides information during an investigation of bullying.

In addition, bullying, cyberbullying and retaliation at a location, activity, function, or program that is not school-related, or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by ACT, are prohibited if that conduct creates a hostile environment for a targeted student, infringes on the rights of a student at rehearsals/performances, or materially and substantially disrupts the ACT educational process.

Massachusetts law, M.G.L. Chpt. 71 sec. 37O governs the prohibition of bullying and the adoption of bullying prevention and intervention plans in schools in the Commonwealth.  Although the law does not directly apply to ACT as a non-profit organization, we nonetheless use these definitions as helpful guidelines for our own organization.

We ask all members of the ACT community to report any allegations of bullying to staff and/or the Board.

In response to bullying, ACT may implement progressive corrective measures, including:

  • Verbal redirection or warning
  • Conference with parents or guardians
  • Temporary suspension from the program or activity
  • Dismissal from the program or activity. Dismissal may affect eligibility for future ACT enrollment or participation.

Media Release & Consent

By enrolling a child in ACT programs, parents and guardians consent to the use of photographs, video, or audio recordings for promotional, archival, or educational purposes.

Acknowledgment

By enrolling a child in Arlington Children’s Theatre programs, parents/guardians acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with all policies outlined in this document. Both child participants and their parent(s)/guardian(s) commit to upholding these expectations to ensure a positive, safe, and enriching experience for the entire ACT community.

Compliance with this policy is a condition of participation in all ACT programming. ACT reserves the right to update these policies as needed.