SCIT Code of Conduct for all Patrons, Performers, Students and Guests.

SCIT Code of Conduct

Introduction and Scope: 
Steel City Improv Theater (SCIT) prides itself on offering high quality improv classes and shows to create opportunities for everyone to come in and experience improv and other forms of comedy and theater. The SCIT’s Code of Conduct applies to all employees (including office staff, teaching staff, house management, box office staff, and tech crew), students, performers, interns, volunteers, patrons, and all other participants within the SCIT community. We set forth this code to model the behavior we wish for all of our employees and community members to exemplify, and provide steps for rectifying potential conduct issues which may arise. As employees, it is our duty to ensure that SCIT strives to create a safe place in which students can make mistakes and learn from them. No one is a born improviser, but everyone can improvise.

This Code of Conduct applies to our interactions in various areas of our shared lives, including Steel City Improv Theater offices, classes, rehearsals, performances, social media and email exchanges, social events, and other events where we represent Steel City Improv Theater. This Code of Conduct may also apply to interactions between members of SCIT community outside of the SCIT spaces and officially sanctioned events. 

SCIT Artistic Statement:

Steel City Improv Theater welcomes free artistic expression and the presentation of difficult or sensitive topics, but always in a manner consistent with empathy and respect. Playing a judgmental or discriminatory character in the context of art is not the same as exhibiting judgmental or discriminatory behavior. If it is determined that the offensive content expressed during a class or performance was done in an effort to harass a particular individual or to express hatred and/or intolerance to an individual or group, then appropriate disciplinary action will occur. 

If it is determined that an action was done without malicious intent, but has nevertheless caused discomfort or feelings of harassment, this behavior will be addressed with the individual or people responsible. If the identified behavior persists, corrective action will be taken. 

Steel City Improv Theater reserves the right to create work that could present discomforting or disturbing topics, but solely in the interest of artistic exploration and enrichment.

Policies and Definitions on Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment:

Discrimination and harassment of employees (including office staff, teaching staff, house management, box office staff, and tech crew), students, performers, interns, volunteers, patrons, and all other participants within the SCIT community is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. Discriminatory and/or harassing conduct by anyone, whether in classes, rehearsals, performances, in the office, at work assignments outside the office, at office-sponsored social functions, online via social media and email exchanges, or elsewhere, will not be tolerated. This policy also applies to all persons involved in the operation of Steel City Improv Theater and prohibits discrimination and/or harassment by any employee of Steel City Improv Theater including co-workers as well as by any person doing business with or for the company, including outside vendors, business partners, customers, contractors, and all visitors to SCIT.

This policy also strictly prohibits any retaliation against an individual who has complained about discrimination or harassment, or any retaliation against individuals for cooperating with an investigation of a harassment complaint. 

“Discrimination” means the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex (gender).
“Harassment” means unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical or visual, that is so severe or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with an individual’s participation in Steel City Improv Theater’s classes, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational or working environment.

Behaviors include but are not limited to:

• Discrimination, harassment, or intimidation of any kind based on:

• • an individual’s gender expression or identity
  • race, ethnicity, national origin, or ancestry
  • religion
  • political affiliation
  • age
  • genetic information
  • sexual orientation
  • education status, socioeconomic background, or military status
  • disability, use of a guide or support animal for disability, or relationship to a person with a disability

• Assaultive or otherwise violent conduct (verbal or physical) directed toward another employee, student, performer, intern, volunteer, patron, or any other participant within the SCIT community.
• Inappropriate or unwanted sexual harassment, conduct, or advances (written, verbal, or pictorial) made toward another employee, student, performer, intern, volunteer, patron, or any other participant within the SCIT community.
• Malicious and deliberate destruction of SCIT property or another individual’s personal property.

“Sexual Harassment” means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually-motivated physical contact or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature.

Examples include but are not limited to:

• Unwelcome sexual advances-whether they involve physical touching or not; Sexual epithets, jokes, written or oral references to sexual conduct, gossip regarding one’s sex life; comment on an individual’s body, comment about an individual’s sexual activity, deficiencies, or prowess;
• Displaying sexually suggestive objects and/or media;
• Unwelcome leering, whistling, brushing against the body, sexual gestures, suggestive or insulting comments;
• Inquires into one’s sexual experiences; and,
• Discussion of one’s sexual activities.

In short, no one involved with Steel City Improv Theater may request or require an applicant, employee (including office staff, teaching staff, house management, box office staff, and tech crew), student, performer, interns, volunteers, patrons, and all other participants within the SCIT community to submit to sexual harassment as a condition of receiving any benefit or avoiding any detriment. 

Sexual harassment also includes sexual assault.

Reporting Procedure and Investigation:

Because Steel City Improv Theater takes allegations of discrimination and harassment seriously, we will respond promptly to any reports of discrimination or harassment. Where it is determined that such inappropriate conduct has occurred, we will act promptly to eliminate the conduct and impose such corrective action as is necessary, including disciplinary action where appropriate. 

As stated above, this policy strictly prohibits any retaliation against an individual who has complained about discrimination or harassment, or any retaliation against individuals for cooperating with an investigation of a harassment complaint. 

The investigation will be conducted in such a way as to maintain confidentiality to the extent practicable under the circumstances. Our investigation will include a private interview with the person filing the complaint and with witnesses. We will also interview the person alleged to have committed the discrimination or harassment. An effective policy and thorough investigation require the support of all personnel. Consequently, anyone apart of or associated with the SCIT community who engages in discrimination, harassment or retaliation or who fail to cooperate with investigations of discrimination, harassment or retaliation may be subject to discipline. If it is determined that inappropriate conduct has occurred, we will act promptly to eliminate the offending conduct by taking appropriate remedial measures. The confidentiality and privacy of those involved will be respected during the investigation.

If any of our employees (including office staff, teaching staff, house management, box office staff, and tech crew)students, performers, interns, volunteers, patrons, and all other participants within the SCIT community believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, or offensive conduct, either directly or in their presence, and whether committed by other employees, students, performers, interns, volunteers, patrons, and all other participants at SCIT that person has the right to report such conduct. This may be done in writing or orally.

Contact one of the office staff members listed below:

Justin Zell, Executive Director Justin[at]steelcityimprov.com

SCIT Office Phone Number: (412) 404-2695

*DISCLAIMER*

The primary purpose of this Code of Conduct is to create a safe and fair environment for all members of Steel City Improv Theater community. This Code of Conduct is NOT a charter for a proxy legal system, intended to replace legal action or offered as an alternative to seeking legal aid. If any member of the SCIT community believes they have been the victim of a crime, the SCIT office staff encourages said individual to seek any and all necessary legal counsel from a licensed, practicing attorney, or immediately contact the police. Our Code of Conduct is primarily intended to mediate and discourage unwelcome behavior that may make individuals feel uncomfortable. If Steel City Improv Theater is made aware of a criminal conviction or a legal order (such as a restraining order), SCIT will support these rulings and abide by them.