The Big Kid Rules — Code of Conduct

These are the sacrosanct rules by which you agree when working with So Say We All, whether as a performer, producer, coach, teaching artist, or volunteer. Some may apply to one role more than another, but it is important to read and understand them all:

1. You agree to treat producers, volunteers, performers, coaches, audience members, venue representatives, and SSWA staff with the utmost professional respect, at all times. This explicitly means you will refrain from making sexual or romantic advances, threats, personal insults, racist / sexual / homophobic / transphobic statements, through any form of communication, while engaged in So Say We All's programs at the risk of being removed from future consideration in any capacity, and possibly being blacklisted by our partnering venues, who reserve the right to refuse service based on their independent criteria.

2. You agree not to engage in So Say We All programming while drunk or chemically intoxicated in any capacity. If notified at any time by a So Say We All representative (officer or Board member) that your behavior is unacceptable, you agree to recuse yourself of your duties. If notified by a venue representative that you need to leave the venue, you agree to do so.

3. As an accepted performer: If SSWA staff explicitly demand cuts be made to a piece in order for a performance to meet time or quality requirements as determined by SSWA staff, that is a non-negotiable directive, expected to be adhered to within a stated amount of time, with the understanding that failure to do so will result in possible removal from the performance you are currently engaged in, as well as consideration opportunities.

4. Producers and Program Director have final say over any elements you would like to include in your VAMP (Visual, Audio - just don't don't do it, Monologue, Performance) piece.

5. Accept feedback. Some of the honest feedback provided by your coach and your peers in critique sessions will be harsh, or even imperfect, and sometimes they will result in drastic changes. We expect you to be open, take feedback like a champ, and at least consider all the suggestions. Remember: if two people are telling you the same thing, they just might be right.

6. Do not blow off critique sessions. Attending a critique session is mandatory and it's likely the best FREE feedback on your writing ever. If there are schedule conflicts, let the Program Director and producers know right away, and we'll do whatever we reasonably can to accommodate.

7. Do not blow off or be disrespectful to your coaches. We truly believe that the one-one performance coaching we give our performers is what sets us aside from other literary events out there. This isn't a "reading." This is a performance. Our audience isn't a bunch of stuffy lit nerds. They need to be entertained! You're the gateway drug to art appreciation, so give our audience a reason to think and explore. That said, coordinating with your coach is your responsibility. We recommend you schedule your session with them as soon as possible, to avoid conflicts.

8. Don't be a dick. Look, we're proud of you as you are! If you've written a book or you have extensive stage experience, that's great! But we've been doing this show for ten years now, and we have a pretty good idea about what we're doing, too. If you think you're too good for us, you probably are. Our goal is to bring up new artists and expose the people of San Diego to art in new and unexpected places. Please be invested in helping us put together the best show possible and not more wrapped up in your own agenda.

Coming on board with our show is a commitment to putting on the best performance you're capable of. We provide all the tools through critique sessions and coaching, but we're going to expect you to put in work too. We reserve the right to kick you off the show at any time for any reason if we feel like you're breaking any of the above "big kid" rules. It doesn't happen often, but the occasion has come up where we've had to remove someone. The reasons have usually boiled down to one of the above items. So be open, mature, respectful, and willing to work well with other people.

We don't say all of this to scare you. We say it advance so that if you end up being removed from our show (and possibly other opportunities), you can't say we didn't warn you. If you have any questions at any point, never hesitate to contact our Program Director or producers at info@sosayweallonline.com.