| Introduction:
Welcome to the Bush High School Theatre Club. Bush High is the home to promising Thespian Troupe 6473, a collection of technical and
performing talent, and a host of theater's latest equipment.The club was formed for two reasons, one reason being for the theater to grow
initiating outside help and outside activities and the other reason for a group to organize these activities. The theater cannot
function efficiently without the support of dedicated and hard working people working behind the scenes to make it when it is
on stage. This is not referring to technical work, but to the work done outside of the actual theater such as fundraisers to
gain money, organizers to organize theater functions, even people to organize socials to keep spirits high and bring the theater
people closer together.
Each time the curtain draws, each time a foot steps on the stage, each time a light turns on, each time a sound drifts from the
speakers, the ties between these people, our people, theater people, grow tighter, closer. But in this closeness, a set of rules must
be followed in order to keep theater from becoming a mere social gathering.
The constitution was written in order to keep a set of code of rules to keep alive the spirit of theater ethics. The rules
are more meant to bind, but to keep order. Within order, nothing can function. The Theatre Club is meant to not only build the theater,
but to build individuals as well. Theatre Club can build character, build ethics, and build responsibility. With this in mind, the
constitution was written to ensure the prosperity of Theatre Club, and in doing so, securing the legacy of Bush Theater.
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| The Code of Theatre Club Members
A)Active Participation is Essential
- Two hour of group community service is required per semester. Community service is an important part of any group or club. It not only helps build an individual and contributes to the community, but it also helps makes the club's presence be known. This does not apply if the Theatre Club Officers do not provide opportunities to volunteer.
- You much come to the Theatre Club meetings and stay for the entire duration of the meeting. In the event that you cannot make it to the meeting, write a note before hand and submit it to the director or to the officer's box a day before hand. If you have to leave early during the meeting, do not come at all, as leaving in the middle of a meeting is disrespectful and distracting. Again, write a note and submit it a day before hand, thus giving you an excused absense. You should make it a point to make it to every meeting, as they are important. It is not the duty of officers to personally remind individual Theatre Club members when meetings are. There are many provided sources - the internet, the calendar, and notices- to let Theatre club members know when meetings are.
- If you are not in the current show, you are expected to come and watch the show to support it. This is your labor going on stage, and your club mates. You are expected to support them and this program by being an audience member. All plays include main stage and production class plays.
- Fundraisers are to your benefit, however, if you do not participate in drama related fundraisers, you will not recieve the benefits
of the fundraisers. It is not fair for you to reap the money earned for the club as a whole if you did not activately participate in the requested
amount of group fundraisers.
B)Becoming an Inactive Theatre Club Member
Being inactive means that you have not participated in the minimum reuired of you as a Drama Club Club Member. If you
are inactive, you will not be entitled to the benefits and privileges of Drama Club. Therefore, you are declared inactive if...
- You didn't watch two plays in a given year. By this, we mean two different plays, not two plays of the same show on different nights.
- You miss two meetings in a row on an unexcused absence.
- You don't participate in the minimum amount of Drama Club fundraisers and community services. You need to participate in at least two
community services. (This depends if they are provided for members to do, but advertising plays and events are apart of helping the Theatre grow so any assignments that are given to the Theatre Club to do, disobeying these rules will result in taking away points.)
- Throughout the year, you earn 3 In School Suspensions and/or 5 detentions. As a member of Theatre Club, you need to set an example.
Getting in trouble with the school reflects badly on the organization.
- You receive suspensions due to fighting, drugs, or other criminal activity. This offense is also ground for immediate expulsion
from Theatre Club, considering the degree of the offense.
- Members will be deducted points for not wearing their theatre shirts.
C)Rewards and Benefits for Active Members
- Actively participating in Theatre Club increases your chance of being inducted into the prominent International Thespain Society.
ITS points are earned when you participate in Theatre Club activities. The amounts of points are determined by the secretary and by the director.
- Participate in the group fundraisers will reduce costly trips. Certain trips (Thespian Convention, UIL State, clinics, etc) cost
the individual and the club a large amount of money when paid out of the pocket. With fundraisers, the cost will decrease. Those who participate
in the fundraisers will have their full benefit.
- Active members have a guaranteed spot in participating in the end of the year Drama Awards. It is an honor and privilege to be
part of the Drama Awards. If you remain active, you are guaranteed to have a spot in performing, presenting, or being on the technical crew
for the awards.
- Active members can go on the Theatre Club sponsored field trips. You will be excused from school on the field trips that occur
during school hours.
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| The Code of Thespians
As members of the International Thespian Society, more is expected of you. Being inducted into the society is a great honor, as well as a great
responsibility. As a Thespian, it is required of you to be an active member of Theatre Club. In addition, you also have other obligations.
A)Becoming a Thespian
- You have participated in at least two shows in either Cast or Crew
- You need to have earned 10 ITS points. The secretary and the director will determind the point system.
- You must come to your own Induction. Induction night is the night where new Thespians are sworn in and recognized as an active part
of Bush's Thespian Troupe, Troupe #6473.
- You must be an active Theatre Club member. By being a member, you show your support for the theater, as well as give your support. It is essential for
you to contribute to the theater as a whole through Theatre Club activities.
B)Becoming an Inactive Thespian
- All mentioned in "Becoming an Inactive Theatre Club Member" applies to all Thespians as well.
- You are declared an inactive Thespian if you didn't audition for two plays in a row. Thespians are the heart of the theater.
Not auditioning for the plays, for either Cast or Crew, is not tolerated for Thespians. The only condition where you are excused
from this is if you speak to the director. Even if you cannot be in the actual show, you must show up for the audition with a prepared monologue or song. Furthermore, you must tell the director your reason[s] for not being able to be in the play,
and he/she will decide.
- You are declared an inactive Thespian if you disobey several of the rules from the CODE OF ETHICS.
- You are declared an inactive Thespian if you disobey administration and faculty members.
- You are declared an inactive Thespian if you quit a play. What do you mean by "quitting"? Quitting means you don't show up for the required amount of rehearsals or you bluntly say "I quit".
- Inactive Thespians will not recieve a cord.
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| Code of Officers
Being an officer is a great responsibility that involves leadership, dedication, patience, and hard work.
Officers, who are the leaders of Theatre Club and, essentially, Bush Theater, have an even higher standard to live up to. The officers
must work together, and each one, no matter what their position is, must contribute their leadership and skills for the good of the theater.
A)Requirements of an Officer
- You must participate in all Theatre Club activities and events. As a leader of the club, it is your responsibility to oversee all events.
- You must abide by the Constitution. Officers are not above the rules of the Constitution.
- You must be a positive role model for the rest of the members. As an officer, you represent the leadership of the club, and the club itself.
Officers must show the other group members how to conduct themselves.
- You must live up to the expectations you presented in your campaign. At the end of the year, the members who run to be officers have
to have a campaign. During their term, officers have to live up to the promises that got them elected.
- The President and Secretary must be a Thespian. The Secretary can be inducted as an officer if the secretary has enough points and will be inducted in the next available induction.
- The President must be a second term officer.
- Both the President and the Vice President can not be seniors.
- Although some of the officers are not Thespians, ALL officers must abide by the Thespian Code of Ethics and the rules that apply to thespians.
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| The Flexible Articles
The following articles are the flexible articles. As times change, future members of Drama Club might find it necessary
to add articles to the Constitution. They shall be added here and followed with the same respect as if they were part of the original
Constitution, and will carry on through the years, unless the club needs to remove it.
A) Adding/Removing a Flexible Article
- Idea is proposed by either a member or an officer
- Idea is then voted by only officers to see if it should be presented to the club.
- Idea is presented to the Club for open consideration.
- Officers vote to ratify idea. Must have a majority difference of two votes to be ratified.
- The sponsor/director must give their consent.
- Idea finally added to the Flexible Articles of Constitution.
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| Conclusion
Knowing your expectations and obligations as a member of Theatre Club is essential in building and maintaining a strong theater
program. Bush's Theater foundation has been laid, but in order to build its walls, it relies on the efforts of the people dedicated
to it. Whether your are an active member, an inducted Thespian, or an officer, Bush theater will forever benefit from your efforts.
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