It is the expectation of the faculty that the students’ first priority is to their work in the department and progress towards completion of their degree requirements. Please bear this in mind when considering work commitments outside the department.
If a theatre arts student receives an invitation to interview or audition for an outside professional employment or other external opportunity that conflicts with current classes, production responsibilities, auditions/callbacks, rehearsals or any other IC-related commitments, it requires advance approval from the area faculty. Please proceed as follows:
- If the conflict involves a “Late Arrival” at the beginning of the fall or spring semester, follow these procedures: http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/depts/theatre/handbook/policies/latearrivals/ and email the department chair and the area coordinator for your degree program with a copy of your contract.
- Be prompt, honest and direct with your area coordinator about what the professional opportunity is, and what dates/times are involved, and how many days of class or other activities will be missed. Communicate your situation openly and it will be handled respectfully and proactively.
- As soon as possible, meet with or email the area coordinator to ask for their help in discussing the opportunity and, if approved, the school-related conflicts. You will be asked to communicate with each faculty member who might be impacted by the absence(s) to discuss the potential conflict, and how the work missed will be made up, if approved. This may include the production mentor, director, and your teachers. Current area coordinators can be found here on the tab for each degree program under the faculty and staff directory.
- Bear in mind that approved absences from classes are not “excused” and that students are always responsible for the content covered in missed classes and must abide by all policies and procedures, including attendance policies for classes. Longer-term outside employment may require taking a leave of absence if it exceeds the allowable number of absences from required classes, or if it isn’t possible to make-up the work missed (such as group projects, scenes, or in-class activities).
- Approval of requests for outside employment opportunities that conflict with college responsibilities is made on a case-by-case basis by the area faculty.
- Flexibility with the potential employer may be possible, and the area coordinator can help communicate on your behalf.
If there are any questions regarding this process, or how to communicate when an opportunity arises, ASK! – come to the main office of the Department of Theatre Arts for help.