Policies

We are delighted that you and your actor(s) are interested in participating in programming at Youth Actors Academy of Lincoln (YAAL)! The information detailed below provides you a snapshot of YAAL culture and policies. Our goal is to create a positive experience in a safe, inclusive environment for every actor. If you are new to YAAL, we encourage you to send an email (info@yaal.org) with any questions you or your actor(s) may have!

ATTENDANCE

When registering for a program, actors and their families are committing to all dates & times listed on the registration page. Attendance is mandatory for tech week and strike cleanup at the end of the project. We understand that illness or unexpected school events arise, and YAAL works to accommodate those situations. However, multiple unexcused absences or excessive tardiness could result in role reassignment or removal. (See the conflicts section for additional information about absences).

Arrival:

On the first day of each program, parents/guardians will accompany their actor(s) for the first 15 minutes.  We hold a short welcome meeting with board members and introduce crew members.

For all other rehearsal/class days, students can arrive up to 10 minutes early before start time. Please do not drop students off more than 10 minutes early, unless asked to do so.

Please note: Rehearsals/classes are not open for viewing. Only crew members, certified volunteers, and registered students are allowed in the space during rehearsal/class sessions. If you have any questions about this policy, please reach out to info@yaal.org.

Dismissal:

Students should be picked up at the listed dismissal time. If you are running behind, please call YAAL at (402) 417-4137.  In the rare event that a rehearsal is running late, we make every effort to notify families with as much notice as possible.

Conflicts:

All known conflicts should be submitted on or before the first day, prior to casting. Please do not withhold conflicts thinking it will give you an advantage in casting decisions. The rehearsal schedule is set with conflicts in mind. Each week the crew dedicates their time planning for the scheduled scenes. Last minute absences do not allow time to create new content to work on. If understudies are consistently stepping in, and are more prepared, they may be asked to take over the role.

FOOD

  • YAAL IS A PEANUT FREE FACILITY.  We have staff members and usually a few students in each program who are allergic to peanuts. For some productions, there may be additional restrictions, if severe food allergies are present.
  • Water is the only liquid allowed backstage and in dressing rooms.
    Only clear liquids are allowed in other spaces.
  • No gum.
  • Full-day rehearsals/camps/classes:
    • Bring a peanut free lunch & snack, and a water bottle that can be re-filled.
  • Half-day & Evening rehearsals/camps/classes:
    • Bring a water bottle that can be re-filled, and feel free to bring a small peanut free snack, if needed.

CASTING

For performance-based programming, auditions almost always take place on the first day! Each student who registers will be given a role! You will receive a welcome email with specific information about your program before the first day, but our general process is outlined below.

We recognize the audition process can be nerve-wracking for some. YAAL auditions are done in a low-pressure manner and aim to help students feel as comfortable as possible. Though we may not be able to alleviate all the nerves, we strive to make an environment where every student has a chance to show who they are during this process.

All performance-based programs may have students read from a script, play theatre games, or participate in improv activities to show off their acting. Sometimes this will be on their own, and sometimes they will interact with other actors in a group. This allows the crew to find the right fit for every student.

Musicals:

Musical programs will ask students to prepare 60 seconds of a song they love to sing, or they can sing “Happy Birthday.” Students should find a karaoke track on YouTube to practice with. Quick note: It is an unspoken rule in theatre not to use a song from the musical you are auditioning for.

In addition to the singing and acting portions, students will be taught a short group dance to perform!

Cast Lists:

Cast lists go out as soon as possible; however, each crew takes the time needed to make the right decision. Every role is integral to making the story come alive! The crew considers many factors including the audition itself, attitude toward other actors & crew, and overall energy brought on stage.

Once the cast list is sent, actors are encouraged to accept their role with excitement. It’s understandable that there may be some surprises, but it is expected that all actors are supportive and positive when arriving to the next rehearsal. Take time to research your role and embrace your character(s); have fun with the potential choices you can make!

Disclaimer:

YAAL recommends that parents/guardians research the show they are registering their student for.  We choose youth versions and youth titles and make every effort to ensure they are age appropriate. We also understand that everyone has their own threshold for appropriate content.  Scripts and materials will be sent home on the first day so parents/guardians will have the chance to read through everything in more detail.

In theatre, we often need to get creative, depending on the script and/or available roles. This might mean casting someone with a different gendered name, or dancing with a partner of the same gender. There may be elements of stage combat or scenes with age appropriate romances (such as hugging or hand holding), but that is what acting and make believe is all about. We make every effort to help students feel comfortable during the process and create a fun, educational environment.

If you or your actor have any questions/concerns during the creative process, we ask that you reach out as early as possible. We want to talk through the situation and come up with the best solution.

ACTOR ETIQUETTE

YAAL is an inclusive program that promotes respect and tolerance of all students who are in our space. We want everyone who enters YAAL to feel comfortable being their authentic selves, and ask all who enter YAAL to treat themselves, others, and all property with respect.

General Rules:

  • Students will place their electronic devices such as cell phones and smart watches in the “cell hotel” before the start of each rehearsal/class and during performances/showcases. Parents/guardians can reach their student(s) by calling YAAL: (402) 417-4137.
  • No running inside any of the YAAL spaces, including the shared area with the dance studio.
  • Voices are off backstage during all performances, including dress rehearsals.
  • Quiet feet will be activated backstage during all performances, including dress rehearsals.
  • Eating takes place before getting into costume. No eating while in costume.
  • Water is allowed in costume and ENCOURAGED! It gets hot under the stage lights.
  • During show weekends, actors remain backstage once the house opens for audience members.

BEHAVIOR REDIRECTION APPROACH

When students are having a difficult time with any of YAAL’s policies or rules, we will take steps to redirect a student or group of students.  We use the following approach:

Verbal Redirections:

Our first action step is verbal redirections.  We have a conversation with the student(s) about what is happening, what action or behavior is being addressed, and what we would like to see instead.

Break/Sit Out:

If things continue, our next step will be asking the student(s) to take a break to refocus.  We will work with the student(s) on how they best refocus, which might include sitting quietly, talking it out with a crew member, or group mindfulness, if everyone needs a reset.

Parent Contact:

If the other steps are not helping, we will call home to ask for more help. We may just need a couple tips about what works well at home, or sometimes a quick chat with a parent/guardian can help a student feel better and ready to rejoin rehearsal.

Group Meeting:

If things continue over multiple rehearsals, our final step would be a group meeting to talk through the situation and see what the best next steps would be. 

Inappropriate Behavior/Actions:

YAAL takes the safety of our staff, students, volunteers, and guests very seriously, and we want everyone to enjoy YAAL’s programming and events free from discrimination and inappropriate behavior.

If anyone's behavior at any YAAL program or event is deemed inappropriate and/or is jeopardizing the rights, safety, learning, or enjoyment of others, they may be asked to leave and may be restricted from future involvement in YAAL.

Actions include, but are not limited to: negative comments toward crew or other actors, talking back or over crew members, gossip, intentional exclusion, hate speech, disparaging comments or posts on social media, and/or destruction of property (this includes YAAL property, dance studio property, crew property, or another student’s property).


Please reach out as early as possible with any questions or concerns you may have about this policy or any behavior at YAAL.  Please email: info@yaal.org.

ATTIRE

Rehearsal/Class Days:

Actors should always wear clothes and shoes that are easy to move and/or dance in! Here are some guidelines to help:

  • We recommend a t-shirt and comfortable pants, like athletic pants, leggings, or yoga pants.  
  • The YAAL space tends to get chilly; students may want to bring a sweatshirt or sweater, just in case.
  • Shoes should cover your entire foot, and you should be able to fasten it to your foot.
    • Tennis shoes work great!
    • No open toed shoes, sandals, slides, mules, crocs, snow boots, UGG-like boots, etc.
      • Set pieces could fall on your toes, or stub your toes.
      • These styles can also limit movement, cause slipping, or fly off feet when dancing.
  • Clothing should cover appropriately
    • Shorts and skirts should be at least mid-thigh level. No shorty/bootie styles, etc.
    • No crop tops, drop tanks, mesh tops, shirts showing cleavage, etc.

Tech Week/Performance Weekend/Showcases:

All actors will wear a layer of clothing underneath their costume, referred to in the theatre industry as “blacks.” This helps costume changes go more smoothly, and creates a more comfortable changing environment for students.

  • Depending on the costume, this clothing may need to be all black or all white.
  • Shirts could be long sleeve tees, t-shirts, or thick strap tank tops.  We do not recommend sweatshirts or heavier materials because it can get hot, and can be difficult to layer over.
  • Pants could be athletic pants, leggings, shorts, etc.
  • Actors will be asked to wear a pair of mostly black shoes for performances.  There may times different shoes are worn, dependent on the character being portrayed. 
  • Each actor will bring their “blacks” closer to tech week.  More information will be provided via email as we get closer to that time and know what costumes the students will be wearing.

COSTUMES & PROPS

YAAL uses costumes and props for performance-based shows. We make every effort to provide all of the costumes & props to students! On occasion, we may ask to borrow items from home and will ask for parent/guardian permission before students bring anything to YAAL.

Costume & Prop expectations:

  • Each actor is responsible for the care of the costume & props they are using.
  • Actors should not touch other actors’ costumes or props without permission by a crew member or board member.
  • No eating or drinking in costume, other than water.
  • Costumes should be hung up on the appropriate hanger when not in use.
  • All props should be stored in their spot on the prop table when not in use.
    • Props should be set, so the actor using it will have it for their scene.
  • Props are meant to enhance a theatre production, and should not be played with.
  • Actors will return all of their costume & props pieces during strike.

AUDIENCE ETIQUETTE

  • Tickets are required for admittance to a performance. Seats are reserved during ticket purchase.
  • Only cast and crew are allowed in the backstage area.
  • We ask that audience members refrain from getting up or leaving during a performance. However, if it’s needed, please do so during a scene change or moment of applause.
  • Late arrivals will be seated as soon as an opportunity allows.
  • YAAL asks that there be no flash photography or video recording during performances.
  • Turn off or silence cell phones. It doesn’t take much to distract young actors!
  • Laugh, clap, hoot, holler, cheer! These actors have worked hard and are eager for your reactions, so make them BIG!
  • On occasion, we allow tomato tossing as a means of conflict resolution between audience members. Tomato supply & subsequent cleaning is at the tosser’s expense.
    • Please note: we do not allow tomato tossing toward actors.
    • Dance battles may also be allowed under the right circumstances.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

Rehearsal/Class Days:

YAAL does not always follow the decision made by Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) for weather related closings. LPS has many different considerations to make and different hours than YAAL.  There may be times when extreme cold or morning weather will affect LPS, but YAAL will still hold rehearsal.  It is difficult to find a make-up day, so we will try to hold rehearsal when it’s safe to do so.

Please be sure to check your email, as well as our Facebook & Instagram pages when we are having weather events.  If rehearsal is cancelled, we will communicate through all of these methods.  We make every effort to notify of a cancellation at least 2 hours before students are scheduled to arrive at YAAL.

Please note: In the case of an unexpected snow squall or extreme wind storm, please use your judgement on whether it is safe for you to travel.  Our first priority is maintaining everyone’s safety, so if a random weather event pops up as you are leaving and we have not had time to make a call, please assume that you will be excused from rehearsal or allowed to be late.

Performances:

We do not cancel performances except in an extreme weather emergency. In the event of a cancellation, emails will go out to all actors and their families, notification is posted to YAAL’s Facebook & Instagram pages, and ticket purchasers receive email notification.

We will try to accommodate attendance at a different show time on a first come first serve basis in accordance with maximum occupancy. In some instances, another performance date may be added to accommodate for the cancellation.

TUITION COSTS

Tuition costs can be found on the programming page and are dependent on the project.  Full payment is expected at the time of registration and is paid through PayPal. However, if you experience any difficulty in meeting the tuition cost, please contact us to discuss possible options. YAAL works to help all students participate in programming and does not want tuition cost to create a barrier.

YAAL is a non-profit organization run by a group of volunteer parents that make up The Board of Directors. We are dedicated to keeping tuition costs as low as possible while still being able to compensate our teaching artists as fairly as possible and providing everything that’s needed for the program!

TICKETS

Information is sent via email on how to purchase tickets for each show. If you or anyone in your party needs accommodated seating, please email info@yaal.org to make arrangements.  

Available tickets for each performance are set in accordance with maximum building occupancy. When a show is sold out, additional seating cannot be added. Please read your update emails closely to reserve tickets as soon as they become available.

REFUNDS

Programming:

REFUNDS ARE NOT GUARANTEED. Any registration must be cancelled at least two weeks in advance to receive a full refund. Other requests are handled on a case by case basis and at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Please make cancellations notices in writing via email to info@yaal.org.

Tickets:

All ticket sales are final, and there are no refunds. We are happy to exchange your tickets for another show time, if there are seats available.

QUESTIONS/CONCERNS

Your questions and concerns are always welcome! Please reach out to us anytime!

We do not have full-time staff regularly in the building; therefore, the YAAL phone is only answered during regular rehearsal or class times.  Phone calls are best in instances when you need to contact your student during the rehearsal day, or to communicate same day attendance situations on a rehearsal day. 

All other questions or concerns should be directed to the email: info@yaal.org.  Board members are checking this more regularly and can respond in a timelier manner.