Community Code of Conduct

Whether you're here to watch a show, jump into a jam, or join a workshop, you're part of our community for the evening, and we want it to be a space where everyone feels welcome, safe, and free to play.

This Code applies to everyone who attends or takes part in our events: audiences, players, workshop participants, volunteers, and guests. By coming along, you're agreeing to help us keep this a good place to be.

What We're About

Improv is built on trust, listening, and saying "yes, and." That spirit doesn't stop at the edge of the stage. It's how we'd like everyone to treat one another in the room.

We are an LGBTQIA+ friendly space, and we welcome people of every gender, sexuality, race, age, ability, religion, and background. Discrimination, bullying, harassment, and abuse, of any kind, towards anyone, have no place at our events. We take a zero-tolerance approach to this.

What We Ask Of Everyone

When you're with us, please:

  • Treat everyone with respect. Players, crew, fellow audience members, venue staff, and our team.
  • Be considerate and kind. Improv can be vulnerable for the people on stage. Cheer them on. Never heckle, mock, or try to derail a scene.
  • Keep your cool. No aggressive, threatening, or violent behaviour, in words or actions.
  • Respect personal space and boundaries. Don't touch people, their belongings, or props without consent.
  • Look after the venue. Clean up after yourself and respect the rules of wherever we're performing.
  • Respect privacy. Many of our players are part of the community and not professional performers. See the note on photos and sharing below.

Harassment And Unacceptable Behaviour

We will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, bullying, or abuse of any kind. This includes, but isn't limited to:

  • offensive, intimidating, or insulting comments about someone's gender, sexuality, race, religion, age, disability, or appearance;
  • unwelcome sexual attention, comments, or advances;
  • touching, following, or photographing someone without their consent;
  • threatening, aggressive, or violent behaviour;
  • deliberately disrupting shows, jams, or workshops.

Whether behaviour is acceptable is judged by how it affects the person on the receiving end, not by whether it was "meant" as a joke. If someone asks you to stop, please stop.

Anyone behaving this way may be asked to leave, without a refund, and may not be welcome at future events.

A Note On Our Humour And Content

We aim to keep our shows and jams broadly PG-13 and family-friendly, and we ask the same of audience suggestions when you're invited to give them. That said, improv is live and unscripted, so the occasional adult theme or bit of strong language may come up. It isn't an absolute rule, but it's the spirit we play in.

When we run events that are open to children and young people, we keep themes and language firmly child-appropriate, both on stage and in the room. If you're attending with kids and want to check whether a particular show is suitable, just ask us beforehand. We're always happy to let you know.

Joining In

A lot of what we do invites the audience to take part, through suggestions, volunteering for a scene, or simply playing along. Participation is always optional and consensual. If you'd rather just watch, that's completely fine, and no one will single you out.

If you do join in, the same standards apply: keep suggestions in good spirit, kind, and in keeping with the tone of the event.

Photos, Videos, And Sharing

Please don't record, photograph, or livestream performances, jams, or workshops without permission. Many performers are community members sharing their growth in a supported space, and what happens in an improv scene is often personal and of-the-moment.

Don't post stories, photos, or videos of our events or performers online without their consent and the okay from our team. If you'd like to share something, please check with us first.

Alcohol, Drugs, And Safety

  • Please enjoy our events responsibly. Anyone whose behaviour, through alcohol or anything else, affects the comfort or safety of others may be asked to leave.
  • Illegal substances are not permitted at any of our events.
  • Follow the safety guidance of the venue and our team. If you spot a hazard, accident, or anyone who needs help, please tell a team member straight away.
  • Everyone has the right to be in an environment that is both physically and emotionally safe.

Accessibility

We want our events to be as welcoming and accessible as possible. If you have any access needs, seating, mobility, sensory, or anything else that would help you enjoy the show, please let us know in advance and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

If Something Goes Wrong

If you experience or witness anything that troubles you, discrimination, harassment, abuse, or behaviour that breaches this Code, please tell us. You can:

  • Speak to a member of our team at the event, who will help right away; or
  • Contact us via our contact form.

You can report something you experienced, witnessed, or were told about. You may give your name and contact details, or report anonymously, though if you report anonymously, we won't be able to follow up with you directly.

We take every report seriously. Your name and details will never be shared outside our core team without your permission, and other than for an urgent legal or medical reason, we won't discuss the details of your complaint with anyone outside that team until we've spoken with you about how you'd like to proceed. We'll create a safe space for you to speak honestly, and we'll be transparent about what we do in response.

Thank You

This Code isn't here to make things heavy. It's here so that everyone can relax, play, and enjoy themselves. Thank you for helping us keep Improv Lore a kind, open, and joyful place to be.

Improv Lore is by Second Circle Consulting L.L.P., which reserves the right to update this Code from time to time. Questions about it are always welcome via our contact form.