Section One: THE HANDBOOK

All members of St. John's Theatre are required to maintain the academic and disciplinary standards as outlined in the St. John's Student Handbook. Failure to maintain the outlined standards, regardless of whether or not those standards are directly applied to Theatre, may result in expulsion from the company.

1.1.2 - PRIORITIES

It is the expectation of the Theatre staff that each student involved with any particular production will keep in mind AT ALL TIMES, that they are a 1) a child of God, 2) a member of family, 3) a student at St. John's, and finally, 4) a member of the production. As such, it is the belief of the Theatre staff that the priorities of each student should be as follows, and in this order:

GOD
Family
School
Production

Auditions for St. John's Theatre productions are open to any St. John's student who meets both the academic and disciplinary standards of St. John's College High School or Middle School. At it's own discretion and with the permission of the school administration, the staff of St. John's Theatre may audition guests artists for special roles in a production.
All Auditions are closed. No one other than Theatre Staff and the auditioners are permitted in the room. Auditioners who have been called back and/or cast will be notified by a call sheet on the St. John's Theatre Bulletin Board, located in the Activity hallway outside the Cadet Room and Auditorium.

1.3.1 - Basic Rehearsals
Rehearsals for any production are weekdays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. (depending on the discretion of the Theatre staff). Breaks will be taken at the discretion of the Theatre staff.

Saturday rehearsals, used often for musicals and seldom for non-musicals, run from 10:00 am to 5:00 p.m., with a 45 minute lunch break. Students are not permitted to leave the auditorium/cafeteria area during a rehearsal lunch break.

Occasional Sunday rehearsals are required for arranging technical elements of the production. Sunday rehearsals are almost always confined to the Sunday proceeding Opening Night. Sunday rehearsals run from 10:00 am to 5:00 p.m., with a 45 minute dinner break. Students are not permitted to leave the auditorium/cafeteria area during a rehearsal dinner break.

Meals are the responsibility of the student company member; not the Theatre staff and not the parents of any company member. As such, students should bring with them to rehearsals any and all nourishment they require during the rehearsal period. St. John's Theatre does not partake of the "Company meals" tradition.

1.3.2 - Production Week Rehearsals
Rehearsals during Production Week are runs of the show and/or dress rehearsals. Rehearsals begin immediately after the final bell and last until 9:00 p.m. No student will be asked to stay later than 9:00 p.m. for any rehearsal during Production Week. On show nights, students are to report to the auditorium immediately after the final bell and will be dismissed as a collective body by the Production Stage Manager after the completion of the show and all necessary cleanup/strike.

1.3.3 - Rehearsal Standards
Company members MUST turn off all cell phones, beepers, and pagers during rehearsals, techs, dresses, performances, and strikes. ANY PARENT WHO MUST GET IN TOUCH WITH THEIR SON OR DAUGHTER MAY DO SO BY CALLING MR. EMERSON'S CELL PHONE. The company member will be told the number orally and should convey it to their parents. PLEASE NOTE: This number is to be called ONLY IN THE CASE OF ANY EMERGENCY! (Sorry, arrangements for being picked up are NOT emergencies and should be scheduled before the Theatre student leaves for school.

All company members are required to be present at and prepared for any assigned rehearsals, techs, dresses, shows, cleanups, and strikes. Tardy members should check-in with the Production Stage Manager or his/her representative, and then join the rehearsal, tech, dress, show, cleanups or strike in progress. The tardy member should not interrupt any other staff member or company member when arriving late. Company members who have not arrived on-time may be called at home.

Not every performer will be required to attend every rehearsal. Company members will receive a schedule at least one week in advance of assigned rehearsals and will receive a Production Schedule at Final Read-Through.

All rehearsals are closed; that is to say that no one other than company members may be in attendance at any time.

Company members are not permitted to leave rehearsals without first checking with the Production Stage Manager or his/her representative.

Company members are not permitted into the academic corridors (and lockers) or the music room past 4:00 p.m. All company members should gather their belongs prior to rehearsal, tech, dress, show, cleanups or strike.

All company members who do not drive should be picked up in the front of school and should wait for their rides inside the Kimsey Center lobby. Parents should NOT pick up their child in the back parking lot.

1.3.4 - Breaks
Breaks are taken at the discretion of the staff and are not necessarily scheduled. Company members are required to return promptly from breaks. (To know what makes a good "break", see HINTS).

1.4.1 - Calls & Signing-In
All company members will have set calls during Production Week. Call information is located on the final Weekly Schedule. Calls will be different for the various types of company members: actors, crew, musicians, and staff. Upon arriving in the auditorium during Production Week, all company members need to sign-in at the Call Board before continuing on their proper work area: dressing rooms, back stage or booth.

1.4.2 - Make-Up
All performers are required to wear makeup during dresses, previews or shows. Any medical problem that would dictate otherwise should be directed, in writing by the performer's parents), prior to production week Performers will be required to purchase their own makeup.

1.4.3 - Dinner Breaks
Dinners during production week are the responsibility of the individual company member and no one else. Company members should bring both lunch and dinner with them to school during Production Week. Group dinners, "Company Dinners" are not permitted. Fast food, scheduled to arrive during rehearsals, are GREATLY discouraged because lunch breaks are never set but rather at a convenient breaking point in the rehearsal process. (To know what kinds of food are best for rehearsal lunch breaks, see HINTS).

1.4.4 - Dressing Rooms and Personal Valuables
The School cafeteria and Faculty Dining Room serve as the Theatre dressing room with the kitchen being the main entrance to the stage area. Given the health and dietary nature of these areas they are to be treated with absolute respect is at all times. Kitchen equipment and utensils and school food is never to be touched. When the company is dismissed, the dining areas are to cleaner than the condition we found them in.
Any company member who wished to have any personal items secured during dresses, previews, or performances, may do so be giving them to the Production Stage Manager or his/her representative prior to 15 warning. Green Room is not the time to be handing the PSM watches, jewelry, wallets, etc.... Theatre accepts responsibility for only those items left in the direct care of the staff. Any valuables that disappear during a dress, preview, or performance, that were not left in the care of the staff are the responsibility of the owner. (To know the best thing to do with valuables.. see HINTS)

1.4.5 - Dress, Preview and Performance Standards
The staff of St. John's Theatre expects every member of the company to behavior in a totally professional manner at all times:
- All lines are memorized by the line deadline. Any feeding of lines during a rehearsal, tech, dress, preview or performance to another performer is unprofessional and as such, strictly forbidden.
- Any unsolicited advice, direction, or coaching from one company member to another is strictly forbidden and the height on indiscretion. Only those members of the artistic staff or their representatives, may provide direction of any kind in any production.
- No company member is ever to touch a prop or costume unless they have been designated to so by a member of the Theatre staff or their representative.
- No "playing" with the show is EVER permitted. Performance should be identical, one from the other.
- No company member, not part of the acting element of the show, is ever to enter the performing area during a dress, preview or performance unless otherwise expressly told to do so by a Theatre staff member; this includes curtain calls.
- No member of the company is ever to stop a dress, preview or performance in any way, shape, or form. This right belongs to the staff only.
- No performer is permitted to exit the dressing room area during a preview or performance (or any time when an audience is present) while still wearing makeup and costumes.
- No member of the company is permitted to exit rehearsals, techs, dresses, previews, performances or strike with permission of the Production Stage Manager.

1.4.6 - Previews & Special Performances
For each production, St. John's Theatre offers a Preview for the faculty of St. John's and their families and special guests. This preview has two purposes: to prepare the company members for a performance before a live audience and to encourage positive PR for the show. The Faculty Preview and Reception is usually planned for the Tuesday evening prior to a Thursday Night Opening.

Special Performances are never performed without ample notice to all company members.

1.4.7 - Dismissals, Clean-Up & Strike
St. John's Theatre, aware that it does not operate in a vacuum but rather in a educational & business environment, is always concerned about the condition of our work area after we exit for the night, or as we "close down" a production. Company members are always to dispose of their own refuse before exiting the auditorium/cafeteria area.
After each tech, dress, preview, and performance, the PSM directs Clean-Up. All work areas are to be left in BETTER condition than the way we entered them and the company as a whole is responsible for cleaning our work areas. During rehearsals this may be as simple as closing curtains, stacking chairs, and disposing of trash. During dresses, previews, and performances, Clean-Up is far more detailed and may include cleaning bathrooms and washing floors. In either case, no company member is ever dismissed from any Theatre work session until the PSM allows and this allowance never comes until a complete Clean-Up is complete.
All members of St. John's Theatre are required to participate in strike. Any company member cannot attend strike, must inform the PSM prior to Opening Night.
(To see how the director feels about cleanups and strikes, see HINTS)

In the case of home emergencies, the best way to reach a company member is via Mr. Emerson's cell phone. The pay phones located in the hall behind the auditorium are for outgoing calls only. Beepers, pagers and portable phones are not permitted in rehearsals, techs, dresses, previews, or performances.

The PSM maintains a Lost & Found. Any company member looking for misplaced items should see him or her.

Occasionally, in the interest of proper theatrical research and role preparation, field trips are deemed necessary buy the staff of St. John's Theatre. No company member will be permitted to attend a field trip without 1) appropriate permission, as approved by the school administration, from parent or guardians and 2) having seen each and every one of their teachers PRIOR to the field trip and making arrangements for any missed work.

In the interest of proper theatrical research and role preparation, St. John's Theatre whole heartily embraces the proper use of internet research. Much of this research, when it has a collective use to the entire company, will be designated a special place on the St. John's Theatre Home Page (http://www.stjohns.pvt.k12.dc.us/theatre/sjc008.html). Therefore, it is wise for all members of St. John's Theatre to applied for a password from the Director of Technology by Final Read-Through.

The St. John's Theatre Organization is a student run drama club that exists to support St. John's Theatre and to provide the students with both a social and artistic outlet.

See the St. John's Theatre Organization Web Page for more information.

Section Two: APPENDICES

For a complete lisitng of all St. John's Drama & St. John's Theatre productions since 1977, as well as company list, photos, resource pages and alumni remembrances, click on the Past Productions entry in the index to the left of this screen or click here: Past SJC Productions!.

For information about the St. John's Theatre Organization, it's purpose, elected officers, and constitution, click the SJTO in the index to the left of this screen or click here: St. John's Theatre Organization..

MANAGING DIRECTOR	The Managing Director of St. John's Theatre serves primarily as the artistic head of the theatre. His/Her responsibilities include but are not limited to: - picks the shows. - the development of the Theatre program and it's philosophical statement within the spiritual, academic and disciplinary philosophies of St. John's College High School. - serves as the final voice for the overall artistic design of any show as to insure the continued quality of the Theatre. - the securing of the building after any use by St. John's Theatre. - the safety of all students while on campus because of or for a St. John's Theatre function (including but not limited to rehearsals, performances, masses, etc...). - is irresponsible for the hiring of all staff members. The Managing Director is also the primary representative from St. John's Theatre to the administration of St. John's College High School.
DIRECTOR	The Director of St. John's Theatre serves as the artistic head of an individual production. His/Her responsibilities include but are not limited to: - responsible for the overall artistic design of the show, relating that design to the staff, and the execution of that design. - is responsible for all blocking and staging of each production. - is the primary contact with the performer, on both an artistic and disciplinary level. - the safety of all students while on campus for a particular rehearsal or work session. - assists the hiring of staff members.
PRODUCER	The Producer of St. John's Theatre is fundamentally the financial and business director of the theatre. His/Her irresponsibilities will include but will not be restricted to: - the overseeing of the preparation of the annual budget. - the preparation and submission of all purchase orders to the administration and business office of St. John's. - the obtaining of all rights and royalties of all copyrighted material, either in part or in the whole, for use in performance. - the obtaining of all scripts, scores, music, etc.... needed by the theatre. - the obtaining of all discount "rights" for the theatre. - the submission to the Business Manager of all monies collected by the Theatre. - the supervision of the box office. - the obtaining of any and all special permission, either within the school or outside of it, required for production. - the procurement of all awards. - the planning and execution of all faculty receptions. - the preparation of a final financial report at the close of each show and the close of the season. - the moderating of the St. John's Theatre Organization. In addition, the producer will serve as the director/moderator's primary representative at the school and to the administration of St. John's College High School
SET DESIGNER	The Set Designer is the primary designer of all physical elements of each production and his / her irresponsibilities will include but not be limited to: - the design with the consultation and consent of the director) and the sharing of said design with the rest of the staff of all settings for the production. - the executing (building, painting, shifting, etc....) of said design. - the supervision of all properties need for the production. - the supervision of all tools owned by the theatre. - the recruitment of all staffs needed to meet the requirements of his / her job description. - the striking of all physical elements of the production, excluding costumes. - adhering to the production calendar as set by the staff. - other duties as assigned by the director / moderator.
LIGHTING DESIGNER	The Lighting Designer is the primary designer of all electrical elements of each production and his / her responsibilities will include but not be limited to: - the design (with the consultation and consent of the director) and the sharing of said design with the rest of the staff of all lighting for the production. - the execution of said design. - the supervision of all "lighting tools" (the board, instruments, etc...) need for the production. - the recruitment of all staffs needed to meet the requirements of his / her job description. - the striking of all electrical elements of the production. - adhering to the production calender as set by the staff. - other duties as assigned by the director / moderator.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS	- designs and has printed the posters, flyers, and mailers for the production. - designs and has printed the St. John's Playbook - is responsible for publicizing the show in the local media (radio and newspaper) - the coordination with the Alumni Office of all matters concerning the St. John's Drama Alumni.
CHOREOGRAPHER	UNDER CONSTRUCTION
MUSICAL DIRECTOR	UNDER CONSTRUCTION
CONDUCTOR	UNDER CONSTRUCTION
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER	The Production Stage Manager is responsible for the execution of all events pertaining to St. John's Theatre, including but not limited to auditions, callbacks, rehearsals, all technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals, performances, and strike. His / Her duties include but are not limited to: - the execution of both the audition and callback processes - the running of all rehearsals, techs, and dresses. - the supervision of the company at all times. - the procurement and training of an Assistant Stage Manager. - making sure the company is aware of all calls and keeping them on time. - the maintenance of the Master Book. - the recording of all blocking. - the routing of all notes from the director during rehearsals to the appropriate parties. - the calling of the show. - the proper strike of each rehearsal, performance, and production. - the dismissal of the company after any rehearsal or performance. - other duties as assigned by the director / moderator.
STAGE MANAGER	UNDER CONSTRUCTION
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER	The ASM serves at that the discretion of the Production Stage Manager and his / her duties will include but not be limited to: -other duties as assigned by the Production Stage Manager. -other duties as assigned by the director / moderator.
HOUSE MANAGER	UNDER CONSTRUCTION