ACTOUT Theatre Group Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, and Respectful Conduct Policy
ActOut Theatre Group
Lexington, Kentucky
Adopted: November 15, 2025
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
1. Purpose
ActOut Theatre Group is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants.
We believe that artistic excellence thrives in an atmosphere where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.
Harassment, discrimination, bullying, intimidation, retaliation, and abusive conduct are contrary to the values of
ActOut Theatre Group and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. This policy applies to all cast members,
crew members, directors, designers, board members, volunteers, staff, contractors, patrons, students,
and guests participating in any ActOut activity.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
* Auditions
* Rehearsals
* Performances
* Production meetings
* Workshops and classes
* Social events sponsored by ActOut
* Fundraising events
* Travel related to productions
* Electronic communications
* Social media interactions connected to ActOut activities
* Any location where an individual is representing ActOut Theatre Group
3. Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
ActOut Theatre Group does not discriminate on the basis of:
* Race
* Color
* National origin
* Ethnicity
* Religion
* Age
* Sex
* Sexual orientation
* Gender identity or expression
* Disability
* Marital status
* Military or veteran status
* Genetic information
* Any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
4. Prohibited Conduct
The following behaviors are prohibited:
* Harassment
Harassment includes unwelcome conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, humiliating,
or offensive environment.
Examples include:
* Derogatory remarks, slurs, or insults
* Mocking or ridiculing another person
* Repeated unwanted comments about appearance
* Intimidation or threats
* Offensive jokes
* Deliberate exclusion or ostracism
* Repeated unwanted communication
* Stalking or following another participant
* Sharing private information without consent
* Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to:
* Unwanted sexual advances
* Requests for sexual favors
* Sexual comments or jokes
* Unwanted touching
* Sexual gestures
* Displaying sexually explicit material
* Repeated requests for dates after refusal
* Comments regarding a person's body, clothing, or sexuality
* Any conduct that makes another participant feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
* Bullying
Bullying includes:
* Verbal abuse
* Public humiliation
* Deliberate sabotage of another person's work
* Excessive yelling
* Repeated criticism intended to demean
* Abuse of authority or position.
* Physical Misconduct
The following are strictly prohibited:
* Physical intimidation
* Unwanted physical contact
* Assault
* Threats of violence
* Property damage
* Reckless behavior that endangers others.
5. Respect for Personal Boundaries
All participants must respect the physical, emotional, and personal boundaries of others.
Consent must be obtained before physical contact that is not part of approved staging.
Stage combat, intimacy, and physical interactions shall be rehearsed and supervised appropriately.
Participants have the right to voice concerns regarding physical or emotional safety without fear of retaliation.
No participant shall be pressured into physical contact, intimacy, or performance choices that exceed agreed-upon boundaries.
6. Online Conduct
This policy applies equally to:
* Text messages
* Social media
* Messaging apps
* Virtual rehearsals and meetings
Participants shall communicate in a respectful and professional manner. Harassing, discriminatory, threatening,
or defamatory online behavior related to ActOut activities is prohibited.
7. Reporting Concerns
Any person who experiences or witnesses conduct that may violate this policy is encouraged to
report the matter as soon as possible.
Reports may be made to:
* The Director
* Stage Manager
* Producer
* Board President
* Any designated Board Member
Reports may be made verbally or in writing.
ActOut will make reasonable efforts to maintain confidentiality while conducting a fair investigation.
Anonymous reports may be accepted; however, anonymity may limit the ability to investigate fully.
8. Investigation Process
Upon receiving a complaint, ActOut Theatre Group will:
* Acknowledge receipt of the complaint.
* Conduct a prompt and impartial review.
* Interview relevant individuals when appropriate.
* Evaluate available evidence.
* Determine whether this policy has been violated.
* Take appropriate corrective action.
All parties will be treated respectfully throughout the process.
9. Protection Against Retaliation
Retaliation against any individual who:
* Reports a concern,
* Participates in an investigation,
* Provides information regarding a complaint,
is strictly prohibited.
Any act of retaliation shall itself constitute a violation of this policy and may result in disciplinary action.
10. Corrective Action
Violations of this policy may result in one or more of the following actions:
* Verbal warning
* Written warning
* Mandatory training
* Removal from a production
* Suspension of participation privileges
* Permanent removal from ActOut activities
* Removal from leadership positions
* Notification of law enforcement when warranted
The severity of the response will depend on the nature and seriousness of the conduct.
11. Responsibility of Leadership
Directors, producers, stage managers, board members, and other leaders are expected to:
* Model respectful behavior.
* Address concerns promptly.
* Promote a culture of inclusion and safety.
* Take reports seriously.
* Avoid conflicts of interest during investigations.
Leaders who knowingly ignore violations of this policy may themselves be subject to corrective action.
12. Commitment to Inclusion
ActOut Theatre Group values diversity in all forms and is committed to creating an environment where individuals
of all backgrounds can participate fully, express themselves creatively, and contribute to the organization's mission
without fear of harassment, discrimination, or exclusion.
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Casa Valentina by Harvey Fierstein is a warm, poignant, and thought-provoking drama set in the early 1960s in the Catskills of New York. Inspired by true events, the play takes place in a secluded bungalow colony where a group of heterosexual men gather to express a hidden part of themselves by dressing and living as women—finding freedom, companionship, and identity in a world that otherwise demands secrecy.