Audition Etiquette:

• Be Early
• Be polite to everyone from the second you step out of your car.
• DRESS UP.  If the people auditioning you are over 40, they do not understand the concept of dressed-up jeans, so don't even try it.  Women-dresses or skirts.  Men-dark dress slacks or VERY nice khakis.
• For a musical, have your score taped back to back in a binder.  Don't hand an accompanist a book.  Do not choose a piece you have to explain cuts and endings.  Politely and quietly sing maybe  a line or so to the accompanist before you start to set a tempo (never snap or tap a beat.)
• Introduce yourself and smile.  SPEAK CLEARLY.
• READ the show before you arrive, if possible.
• BE KIND to other auditioners.  DO not comment after they sing, and PROTECT yourself.  If the girl next to you in a call back line is whining that her ex-boyfriend just walked in.  Ignore her.  That is not rude.  It is respecting the process.
• Say Thank you to everyone.  Be friendly to your potential future cast mates.
• Do not throw the score on the floor if you know the lyrics.  The directors will know you do.  If everyone is holding the score, you do too.  Just don't look down at it.
• Do not remove your clothing while trying to be "sexy".  Yes, I saw it happen.
• Never ever ever give advice to anyone at the audition, solicited or otherwise.  If you're wrong, you might lose a friend, if you're right, you might lose th role to her.

Hi there
I have ben part of this non profit community theater group for over 24 years. Our main show is a summer melodrama where about 1/2 the participants are teens. Over the years i seen many changes in the society reflected in the behavior of our youth and adults. As a result one of our orginal founders and an ex-proffessor of theater created what we call the "Code of Conduct". It has alot of basic ideas and things and each year can be modified to chnaging circumstances. But it gives us a chance to go over the expectations of behavior before the rehearsal process begins. There by giving us something to refer back to that is concrete when trying to correct behavior problems. We tried to make it simple and not too insulting to those participating who naturally know how to behave. but I have found it to be a great teaching tool for many.

Here ya go as requested
And please remember we have teens and alot of brand new thespians in our crew every season!
Astor St. Opry Company’s
CODE OF CONDUCT

1) Drug use and/or participation in any form are totally forbidden.

2) Alcohol use is totally forbidden before and during ASOC activities. Adherence to current laws will be enforced all other time.

3) Arrive for all activities 5 minutes early.

4) Contact the appropriate person listed in the rehearsal schedule if you will be late.

5) Schedule eating time at least 1 hr before rehearsal or performance. Food at rehearsal & performance will be seriously frowned upon. Avoid: all dairy products, fried or otherwise greasy foods, anything with sugars -- including soft drinks. Water with lemon & veggies & fruits are best.

6) Help each other in any way possible to be creative, efficient and happy.

7) Encourage each other with honesty and friendliness.

8) Control the corral odor down! Good hygiene and deodorants keep you popular.   
    
9) Handle your own props only!

10) Care for your costumes as you would nice clothes: THEY ARE YOUR COVER IN FRONT OF THE AUDIENCE!   And be respectful to your costumer!

11) Questions about times, places, activities? ASK THE PERSON IN CHARGE!

12) WARM-UPS: warm-ups are crucially important to your effective performance Focus your attention & energy during the time you will be pre-pared to perform.

13) Always wear footwear at the theater. Hazards to skin are plentiful.

14) Cancel all impulses to scream enthusiasms. Regular voices are loud enough.

15) No cell phone , ipods or video games are to be used during rehearsals or backstage during shows. we need your focus on what is happening right in front of you!

16) Notes & critiques are intended to give you information for your use in making your performance as well as we can. PAY ATTENTION. USE NOTES FOR OTHERS TO YOUR OWN BENEFIT. Ask for clarification if any notes are unclear to you.

17) THE STAGE MANAGER IS YOUR LINK TO SANITY & SMOOTHNESS DURING PERFORMANCE.COOPERATE WITH HER/HIM REQUESTS AND/OR DIRECTIONS & YOU'LL HAVE A HAPPY SHOW~ AND A GOOD ONE!   

This is a great idea.
I have an "Anal Sheet" that I distribute at the beginning of hell week. I'm pasting it here unedited, so you'll see some theater-specific stuff as well as general issues. I originally prepared it because I always have some newbies, and getting the rules clear with everybody ahead of time is a lot easier and more pleasant than scolding individuals after the fact!

The Tempest: Some Notes from your Director's Anal Dimension

• Please, for dress rehearsals and of course performances, ARRIVE BY THE CALL TIME!!! This is essential if the whole cast is to be costumed, made up, and ready by curtain. To get through the rehearsals and not drive home at sunrise, starting promptly is necessary. It is also essential for the Stage Manager's peace of mind for performances. If you are not in the theatre at call time (door will be open for you at least half an hour before that), the Stage Manager will call you looking for you. The Director, a neurotic, arrives at the theatre on performance nights well before call—usually around 6:00—so if you come early you can get in.

• When you arrive, remember to flip your tag from white to colored side. Flip your own tag ONLY.

• On performance nights the cast and crew are expected to park in the upper lot. As you see, the space is limited. Car-pooling is encouraged!

• Each cast member, please be responsible for your own costume and personal props from the point at which you receive them until Strike day. This means making sure your costume (etc.) is safely and carefully stored in the dressing room where you can find it, keeping it presentable, and checking that all pieces are accounted for. If you want to take something home to clean, press, or mend,, please do so at the END of the weekend, and bring it back at the BRUSH-UP rehearsal: Let's not run the risk of leaving it home on a performance night (which has been done). DO NOT wash a costume without checking with the Costumes mistress (or Director)!!! Some pieces CANNOT be washed. If your costume or prop is damaged, please mark the spot with a red stick-on dot and put it in the designated area.

• Make sure you have come to an understanding with the Stage Manager about the placement of your props. You are responsible for double-checking them before performances and for returning them to their place after use. No props or set pieces are to be moved except 1) as scheduled in the performance or 2) at the Stage Manager's request.

• Space in the dressing room is limited. Please be considerate with access to the make-up mirrors. (A second dressing area will be available downstairs but should be used only by those who have quick changes to make.) Please also remember to be QUIET in dressing areas and backstage—on performance nights, from 7:30 on. (Walk softly, too—backstage, in the dressing room, and ON THE STAIRS.)

• During performances, please, NO CONVERSATIONS BACKSTAGE. As You Like It veterans know particularly why! If someone asks you to be quiet at any time, do so without question. If there is an emergency, alert the Stage Manager and she will deal with it.

• VERY IMPORTANT: In this production, Ariel has entrances through the dressing room onto the catwalk. When Elise comes upstairs for an entrance, please expect the lights will be turned off; they must stay off while she is on the catwalk and you must be silent! Be sure she has re-closed the catwalk door before you resume normal activities.

• Although the Stage Manager will keep an eye on things, you are ultimately responsible for being on time for your entrances. There is a sound monitor in the dressing room; the mirror lights must be ON for the monitor switch to work. If you choose to spend between-scenes time in the parking lot or lobby instead of the dressing room, be sure to keep tabs on the action. Time your visits to the bathroom wisely.

• Please, no smoking anywhere in the building. And help keep the backstage area clean: don't leave cups, food wrappers, tissues, etc., sitting around; put them in the trash or appropriate recycling bin. PLEASE DO NOT BRING FOOD OR BEVERAGES INTO THE DRESSING ROOM!! (exception: water.) Please do not eat or drink ANYWHERE in costume.

• If you find a place backstage or onstage that needs to be marked with glow-tape, please tell the Stage Manager.

• Note the frequency of the term "Stage Manager." Before and during performances, the Stage Manager (or her Assistants) will be IN CHARGE. Any request or directive from said Stage Manager is to be complied with immediately, without discussion.

• Ticket reservations should be made by telephone (270-9144) or entered in the Reservations book, in the front (undated) section. Town Players policy does not provide for complimentary cast tickets.

• The Director prefers that cast NOT appear in the lobby in costume! Your true fans will wait . . . .

• Brush-up rehearsals will be in costume but not make-up; they will be run-throughs and may involve fine-tuning or revisions.

• Please be sure that the white side of your tag lists your cell phone number, or the number where you can be reached before a performance. Also make note of the stage manager’s and director’s cell phone number.s, in case of emergency. Director: 203-382-3769.

Show Calls: Evening Performances 7:00 (start at 8:00); Matinée 1:00 (start at 2:00). Brush-up rehearsals 7:00 (start at 7:30).

Great list! I found some great items that were missing in our theatre code of conduct.