Policies & Procedures
Updated June 2026
WELCOME
The Young Actor’s Guild program at Playmakers! Theatre School program provides transformative theatre experiences for students in Grades 3 through 12, emphasizing self-discovery, creativity, and personal growth through classes and live performances.
This page outlines expectations for participating students and their families, as well as our policies and their benefits, ensuring a collaborative and rewarding environment for everyone involved.
MISSION & VALUES
Mission:
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Provide theatre arts training and performance opportunities for young people in Southwestern Ontario.
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Foster confidence, creativity, teamwork, and personal responsibility through theatre activities and performance.
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Develop critical thinking and cognitive skills through the exploration of challenging texts, including Shakespeare and other classical works.
Values:
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Theatre fosters personal growth, socialization, and cultural awareness.
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Classical texts enhance literacy, critical thinking, and historical appreciation.
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Performance consolidates learning and provides meaningful demonstrations of students' growing skills.
COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY
For our students, we will:
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Treat every student with respect, kindness and fairness.
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Encourage imagination, experimentation and artistic risk-taking.
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Provide quality instruction focused on personal growth, creativity, and development of performance/presentation skills.
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Help students develop not just as performers, but as collaborators, leaders, and thoughtful individuals.
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Nurture confidence, self-discipline, collaboration skills, empathy and a lifelong appreciation for theatre.
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Respond quickly to any issues or concerns arising during classes or performances
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Balance discipline and structure with spontaneity, humour and play – FUN!
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Provide opportunities for lasting friendships based on shared interests
For their parents/guardians, we will:
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Maintain transparent communication regarding schedules and expectations.
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Respond to parent/guardian inquiries with courtesy and transparency.
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Communicate promptly with families regarding incidents or concerns that may arise during classes/performances.
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Encourage two-way communication between staff and families.
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Invite feedback and volunteerism through participation in the Parent Committee
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Safeguard student/family information and ensure confidentiality.
EXPECTATIONS & POLICIES
Support In a Group Setting:
Our theatre classes and camps are structured as collaborative, group-based experiences. Participants work in age-appropriate ensembles led by trained staff. While we welcome children with a range of needs and learning styles, participants must be able to engage safely and respectfully within a group environment.
If a participant requires consistent one-on-one support to succeed (due to challenges with focus, communication, personal boundaries, toileting, transitions, or safety), a family-provided support person must be present during all program hours. Our team is not able to offer individual supervision since that would compromise the group experience.
Please let us know in advance if your child has any support needs that we should be aware of. If we determine that a participant cannot safely or successfully take part without one-on-one assistance—and such support is not in place, provided by the family—we may need to remove them from the program. In this case, refunds will not be issued.
Registration conditions:
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By registering, you agree to receive communications about your child’s program, including welcome emails, updates, and reminders.
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Please add our email address to your contacts to ensure you receive important information.
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Theatre programs are team efforts. If a child’s behaviour consistently affects the safety, comfort, or ability of the group to work together, we may ask that they be withdrawn from the program.
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Program fees apply to the registered child only and are not transferable.
Cancellation & Refund Policy:
Fall/Winter Programs
Young Actors' Guild: Apprentice, Journeyman, Master Class levels
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Withdrawal before September 1, 2026: Full refund minus a $250 non-refundable deposit.
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Withdrawal after September 1, 2026: No refunds.
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No changes will be accepted after September 1, 2026.
Class Act
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Withdrawal at least one month before the start of each session: Full refund minus a $50 admin fee.
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Withdrawal less than one month before the start of each session: No refunds.
Come Out & PLAY!
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· Withdrawal at least one month before the start of each session: Full refund minus a $50 admin fee.
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· Withdrawal less than one month before the start of each session: No refunds.
SUMMER CAMPS
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Withdrawals requested at least 30 days prior to camp start date: Full refund minus a $100 admin fee.
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Within 29 to 14 days prior to the start of the registered camp session, cancellation requests will not be accepted; however, fees paid can be applied to a different camp session or toward an equivalent program in the same calendar year (less a $100 admin fee).
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No refund or transfer will be available for cancellation requests received 14 or fewer days prior to the start of the registered camp session.
MARCH BREAK CAMPS
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Cancellations before January 31, 2027: Full refund minus a $100 admin fee.
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Cancellations after January 31, 2027: No refunds.
PA DAYS & OTHER FULL- or HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS
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All cancellations are non-refundable.
Attendance:
Theatre programs thrive on collaboration and mutual commitment. Consistent, punctual attendance isn't just about individual progress; it's about the team and being there to support your fellow ‘players’. For the group to grow, develop skills, and make effective use of valuable rehearsal time, our young actors have a crucial responsibility to be consistent in their attendance.
Therefore:
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Regular and punctual attendance is essential for individual growth AND production development.
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Attendance “as called” during the final two weeks of rehearsal is mandatory.
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Unapproved absences may result in changes to roles or exclusion from performances.
To let us know about an absence please text 519-274-1525 or email info@play.makers.ca . Families are asked to give as much notice as possible of absences, whether anticipated (vacation) or unplanned (illness or emergency).
Behaviour:
A positive, respectful environment is essential to creative exploration. Theatre is a team effort—and the stage is a space where everyone should feel safe, supported, and free to take creative risks. Our goal is always to support students in learning, growing, and succeeding—together.
To help create this kind of space, we expect all students to:
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Treat their fellow actors, instructors, and staff with kindness and respect.
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Follow class guidelines and respect the rehearsal/performance space.
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Remain focused and participate fully while allowing others to do the same.
If challenges arise, we’ll address them with care and clarity. This may include reminders or check-ins with instructors, communication with families, or—if necessary—more serious steps to ensure the well-being of the group.
Learning Lines:
Memorizing lines on time is essential to the rehearsal process. It shows commitment to the production and respect for fellow cast members.
Please be aware that:
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Students must meet memorization deadlines.
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Lines must be learned at home, between classes.
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Private coaching may be required (at an additional cost) if deadlines are not met.
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Students are responsible for maintaining their scripts. Replacement of lost or damaged scripts may incur fees.
Only after the lines are memorized can the real fun of developing a production begin.
Dress Code:
A clear dress code supports safety, ease of movement, and a professional rehearsal environment.
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Soft-soled dance or exercise slippers are mandatory for rehearsals and some performances.
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For classes and rehearsals, students must wear clothing that is comfortable and allows free movement while maintaining modesty.
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An “under-costume” is required for most performances—typically black leggings and a plain white top. Details will be shared in advance of the dress rehearsal period.
DRESS REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCES:
Performances are a vital part of the Young Actors’ Guild experience at Playmakers! They give students a chance to apply their skills, grow in confidence, and connect with an audience.
To support professional-quality productions and promote engagement with both classical and contemporary theatre, the following policies apply:
Dress Rehearsals: The "Final Two Weeks"
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Students may be called to rehearsal at non-class times and days during the two weeks leading up to performance.
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Attendance ‘as called’ at all scheduled dress rehearsals is mandatory.
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Rehearsals may be extended or rescheduled as needed to prepare for performance.
Audience Etiquette
At Playmakers!, we believe audiences play an important role in the theatre experience. Please help us foster a respectful, focused environment:
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Cell phones and devices must be silenced.
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Photography and video are not permitted during performances.
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Young children should be supervised and able to remain seated throughout the show.
Tickets & Seating
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Each student receives two complimentary tickets per production.
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Additional tickets will be available for purchase closer to performance dates.
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Seating is general admission unless otherwise noted.
VOLUNTEERING & FUNDRAISING:
Playmakers! depends on the generosity of families and volunteers—this is what keeps tuition affordable and allows us to offer financial assistance. This season, we're asking each Young Actors' Guild family to commit 12 hours of volunteer time between September and May. We’ll reach out with lots of ways to help: at performances and special events, between performances and behind the scenes and more.
Expenses increase every year - but we don't want to pass those increases on directly to our families through tuition hikes. We've instituted a separate Production Fee of $250 this season BUT by selling tickets, raising donations, getting sponsorships at various levels and participating in fundraising activities each family can earn up to a full rebate on this fee.
Families’ time and energy aren’t extras; they’re essential to making our program possible. Those who’d like to be more involved are invited to inquire about joining our Parent Committee.
Students may also take part in community performances, and Master Class students (14+) are encouraged to join our Leaders in Training program by assisting in younger classes.
We’re deeply grateful for all the ways families have contributed to Playmakers! over more than three decades.
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
Access is limited to registered students, instructors, and authorized personnel during rehearsals.
Lost & Found
Unclaimed items are stored for two weeks before donation.
Communication
Updates are provided via email, weekly reminders, and in student binders.
Email to info@play.makers.ca is the most effective way to contact us. Families can also contact us by texts to 519-274-1525.
CONTACT INFORMATION: