PROTOCOLS & DRESS CODE
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
NO ONE WHO IS INAPPROPRIATELY DRESSED WILL BE ALLOWED IN CLASS
DRESS CODE: A tee shirt and slacks or knee-length shorts are best. No short dresses, skirts or short shorts are allowed in class. No low cut blouses or low hanging pants are allowed. Leggings should be worn with a shirt long enough to reach mid-thigh.
Keep a tee shirt or sweater in your car so that if you arrive at class and realize you are inappropriately dressed, you have a means to cover up.
Shoes: Our liability insurance prevents the wearing of any type of open-backed or high heeled shoes on stage. That means only flat or low-wedge closed toe shoes with soft (quiet) soles are allowed. No flip flops or sandals without straps and no open-toe shoes are permitted.
Keep a pair of sneakers, boat shoes or loafers in your car. If you do not have the proper footwear, you will need to go on stage barefoot.
These requirements are both for your comfort and to allow freedom of movement on stage.
REMEMBER:
First impressions are made in the time it takes to blink your eyes. No matter how wonderful you might be after that blink, no one will ever forget the first impression. Make it the best impression ever!
PROTOCOLS FOR A SUCCESSFUL ACTING CAREER
Below are our protocols for class attendance. These protocols will prepare you for what will be expected once you begin to audition and get hired, whether for stage, screen, or television.
1. Answer your weekly reminder email immediately. A simple “Yes,” “No” or “Maybe” is enough. If the answer is “Maybe,” be sure you follow up with a definitive answer asap.
2. While we will not turn walk-ins away, not responding to the weekly reminder emails is a sign you are not taking these lessons seriously. When it comes to casting in our productions, your attendance will play a big part in the type of consideration you are given for a role.
3. Do not tell another student or the teacher that you will or will not be attending without first telling Donna.
4. Bring a mask and whatever else makes you feel safe. We will do our best to ease your safety concerns. However, we no longer require masks to enter and we do NOT socially distance. The Institute is big enough that if you feel a need to separate yourself from other students, there is room to do so.
5. Mr. Reynolds was fond of saying, “If you are on time, you are already 15 minutes late.” In the entertainment industry, those words should be taken as gospel. A shoot… a play… a class may start at a certain time, but the director or teacher will be giving notes BEFORE the call to action. Get to a set early. Come to class at least 15 minutes early. The Institute is open an hour before class time. You are welcomed to use that time to rehearse on stage.
6. If you have been asked to bring different sets of clothing, makeup, shoes… pencils and notebooks… whatever instructions you have been given, follow them to the letter. If the instructions say to enter a set hopping on one foot, do it. Many directions are an attempt to see if you can actually take directions.
7. If you are working with another student in a scene, have the courtesy to let them know if you will not be attending class.
8. Every teacher likes to be asked questions because questions are a sign that you want to learn. However, do not interrupt while a teacher is speaking and do not argue with a teacher in front of the class. Same goes for a director. Wait until you can speak privately with them. Explain your concerns and, again, listen to their response.
9. Follow the dress code. Not every school or venue has a dress code, but we do because our liability insurance dictates that we must. Even without a dress code, keep in mind that no one - not casting directors, talent agents, crew members, other actors - is impressed by seductive attire. Dress and act professionally at all times.