Running Your Theater: Parent Problem...

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Parent Problem...

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Running Your Theater
Forum Discription: General questions about how to make it work
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3069
Printed Date: 11/22/24 at 10:19pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Parent Problem...

Posted By: landon2006
Subject: Parent Problem...
Date Posted: 3/23/08 at 5:47pm

We are about to start casting for our Production of Annie soon, but I just saw a nice little note on the State of Indiana Website that reads:

The Indiana Child Labor Board does not require a work permit for those under the age of 16, if the following conditions are met:

The child or teenager, who is under 16, must be accompanied by parent or guardian to all rehearsals and performances. If the child or teenager is taken out of school, the school system must be notified and permission must be granted by the school. If the child or teenager will not be attending school for two days or more, an alternate form of education must be provided (e.g., tutor or teacher on the set). Rehearsals and performances cannot hinder the child or teenager's health, welfare or morals. Areas of concern include number of hours worked in one day, temperature in the working area, scheduled rest periods, and proper meals. Children cannot appear in nightclubs or locations where alcohol is served.

Does this mean that I need to have a parent present during all rehearsals and performances In Theater as well (I pulled this from the Indiana Film commission website. Don't know of Film and Stage are different according to IN law though)? I've worked in other community theater in Indiana which this was not the case. I don't like the idea of parents there during rehearsals. Performances I don't really care about though, as long as they stay in their seat out front.

Is this an issue with anyone else?

Thanks..

Replies:

Posted By: gaftpres
Date Posted: 3/23/08 at 9:34pm

Are you paying them? If it is volunteer or CT then wouldn't to be considered an extra curricular activity like little league or soccer? We have never had that problem as a CT in Michigan, so no advice other then the comment above. Good Luck, My daughter was cast as Annie in 2002 what a great show to do.

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Old volunteers never die, they just get recycled!

Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 3/24/08 at 4:02am

Yes mate I think so!

A lot of localities have chaperone legislation these days, also restrictions on the number of performances & length of rehearsal time, per wek.

I know in my day, back in Uk in the dark ages, I had to be licenced by the local authority & checked by a Docktor, prior to performing.

I'm sure it would be the same legal mine field there, as it is in other areas!

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[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 3/24/08 at 8:13am

Never heard of this being an issue in Virginia --there are youth theaters and programs all over the country and there's no way a parent is there at every rehearsal for every child. But if you want to make sure you could contact the Indiana Child Labor Bureau :

http://www.imcpl.org/cgi-bin/irnfull.pl?MAIN0451AD

Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 3/24/08 at 9:35am

Most of my kids walk to rehearsals from home or school. My rehearsals are also closed, so no one is allowed into the theatre during rehearsals except cast and crew.

I believe that may only pertain to children who are working professionally (EG: being paid). CT is a horse of another color.

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In a world of margarine, be butter!

Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 3/24/08 at 3:10pm

I agree with Nanette. I believe the law you're referring to is only applicable to EMPLOYEES. People working in CT are usually classified as VOLUNTEERS.

The same situation would refer also to voluntary sporting activities. I'm sure there are plenty of kids in Indiana currently involved in baseball, basketball, soccer or maybe even training for the Olympics who are ice-skating, doing gymnastics, or other events and are training twice as long and ten times harder as any rehearsal you might require.

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"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

Posted By: spikesgirl
Date Posted: 3/30/08 at 11:22am

Whenever we do a show with kids, there is always a 'rehearsal parent' designated and it rotates so that no one parent would be saddled with it for the entire show. That parent would stay back in the green room with the kids, monitoring what was going on so that our focus could remain on the stage. In most cases, the kids were more caught up on homework than they were normally. We've used this for several kid heavy shows and it's always worked out well.

In CA, as long as you're not paying the child (or parent) it's considered volunteer and doesn't fall under the child labor laws. Just be sure you have them on first and out the door at a reasonable time.

Charlie