• HMS Theater is a place where everyone is welcome. Whether you're on stage, behind the scenes, or just getting started, you belong here. We celebrate what makes each person unique and work together to create a fun, respectful, and supportive community where everyone can learn, grow, and shine.
  
  

• Everyone who wants to participate in HMS Theater will have the opportunity, as long as they adhere to the theater expectations.

Anyone who wants to be on-stage during the shows are required to audition, for the purpose of allowing the directors to make casting decisions.

• Please remember that participation in HMS Theater is a privilege. Students are expected to consistently meet all school and theater expectations. Failure to meet these expectations may result in school-based consequences, up to and including removal from the opportunity to participate in HMS Theater.

• In order for students to participate in after school activities they are required to be in school for at least a ½ day (arrive by 11:15 am or leave after 11:15 am to meet this requirement). Exceptions will be granted if there is an approved medical appointment with a signed note regarding the absence. This is in correlation to Board Policy 123. 

• Approved student absences from school are considered excused absences from rehearsals.

• Any student sent home from the nurse is unable to participate in afterschool theater department activities.

  • Students with a fever 100° or over, they’re unable to participate until 24 hours fever free.

• Director Requirements for Cast, Crew, and Set Design members

  • Cast 

    • Excused absences follow the policy above. 

    • Unexcused absences, excessive tardies, or early dismissals follow the policy outlined below: 

      • 1 unexcused absence = director check in

      • 2 unexcused absences = direct & cast member conversation

      • 3 unexcused absences = warning and reminder of expectations

      • 4 unexcused absences = family and director conversation

      • 5 or more unexcused absences = removal from the show

  • Tech Crew & Set Design

    • Excused absences follow the policy above. 

    • Unexcused absences will be addressed individually with students and families. Remember that missed meetings will slow the process for others to get the work of set design completed and ready for performances.

• HMS Theater staff expect that any known conflicts with rehearsal or meeting dates will be communicated ahead of time (24 hours) with a rationale. We ask that you try and refrain from scheduling appointments after the calendar has been made available to avoid missing rehearsals if possible. 

• During auditions and sign-ups, families are asked to share any known conflicts that they are aware of so that we can ensure proactive communication.

• Any and all students participating in HMS Theater activities are expected to follow schoolwide PBIS Expectations of being Ready, Respectful, and Responsible, as well as the HMS Theater Matrix shown below.

• We strive to be inclusive to all, and expect students to engage in respectful cooperative teamwork to ensure a smooth production experience for all members involved.

• Phone Usage

  • Cell phone and technological device usage during rehearsals and performances follows the same expectations as during the school day. Student devices are to be kept out of sight or in the designated areas at all times. Failure to comply with these expectations will result in PBIS conversations, and consequences as needed. 

• Photos & Recordings

  • There are to be no personal photographs or videos taken during auditions, rehearsals, or performances. This is due to copyright infringement of material licensed to us for performance usage, as well as to respect boundaries of fellow students.

  • In alignment with our performance license, we will take a set of photographs available for families to view at the end of the production. 

  • We will make dance rehearsal recordings available for students to access through their Haverford School District G-Mail account. 

• Social Media

  • At no time should students be using or posting to social media during their time at HMS Theater activities. 

  • We will adhere to and expect participants to adhere to SDHT policies regarding social media at all times.

• Theater Equipment

  • At different times, students will be responsible to help manage and use various pieces of equipment within the theater or backstage locations. Students are expected to treat all equipment with care and use them as/when directed. Equipment includes but is not limited to wireless microphones, headsets, sound board, light board, spotlights, backdrops, moving scenery, curtains, etc.

  • Students are expected to report any defects observed promptly so that they can be addressed by the directors.

• HMS Theater Directors will communicate with participants in the following ways. It is imperative that students complete the digital sign up forms at the beginning of EACH show process in order for us to obtain contact information. This must be submitted for EACH SHOW SEASON students are participating in. 

  • Email 

    • This is the main method of communication with the theater directors. 

    • Please use the following to contact all directors/managers for HMS Theater: hms-theater-club@haverfordsd.net

  • Theater Calendar

    • The theater calendar is a working document that is updated with changes as needed. Please plan on checking this every week to ensure the updated information is correct and email any new conflicts as they arise.

  • Response Expectations

    • Please allow up to 24 hours for responses. Both directors are also full time teachers at HMS but will work diligently to keep up with any email communication! 

• Illness/Medication

  • Please alert the theater directors if there are any illnesses that they should be aware of or medications that students need to obtain from the nurse during after school hours. 

• Emergencies

  • In the event of any school closing, rehearsals will be cancelled. 

  • In the event of any emergency within the school building while a rehearsal or performance is happening, we as directors will follow all HMS Emergency Procedures to ensure the safety of those in our care and in the building at that time.

  • During the winter months, we will keep track of inclement weather to ensure we are safe to hold our rehearsals/performances. We will work with SDHT Administration and Facilities to make any decisions regarding any weather-related cancellations. 

    • Any changes or cancellations made due to inclement weather will be communicated via email to participants and ticket-holders, and on the home page of the HMS Theater Website.

• Fees

  • The HMS Theater Department asks for a participation fee for participants. This fee goes towards the purchasing of show t-shirts for participants, props, costumes, paints, and additional materials needed for that given production. 

• Program Ads

  • For some of the productions we will have the opportunity for families and businesses to purchase ad space within the show program to be used for personal or business use. Purchase price depends on the size of the page space they want to purchase, and all ads must be submitted to HMS Theater Staff to be included.

• Payment Dates

  • Payment dates for any participation fees and ad purchases will be provided at the start of the show process. Anything turned in after those dates will not be included in the program. Please note: If participation fees are not submitted on time, T-shirts will not be purchased for the student. 

• Tickets

  • Performance tickets will go on sale at least two weeks before the opening night of the show. Tickets will be sold digitally via Hometown Ticketing as our auditorium is all reserved seating. Please note tickets are non-refundable.

  • Link will be emailed to all participating families as well as shared with the HMS Family Community and posted on this theater website.