NO SHAME THEATRE
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE,
GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

for use with performance space's
policies, records and for general information


     -Original compilation by
      Todd Wm Ristau 1-1-91
     -revised 7-1-93 by
      Brett L. Neveu

=====================================================


STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

     No Shame was created to provide for people interested in working in the
theatre a place where they could "Dare to Fail".  It also was created to
provide performance opportunities not available to those taken in by
most professional theatres.  The focus is on experimentation, low
production values, and creative expression in a low risk, non-judgmental
environment.  It is open to all and all are encouraged to participate. 
No Shame is a place where anyone may take on any aspect of theatre which
interests them, whether it be writing,  performing, technical theatre,
or a combination of elements.

     In addition to being an alternative in style and content to that of
most professional theatre performances, No Shame is committed to
providing hands on experience in all aspects of the performing process,
and to putting into action personal initiative in the creation of
original theatre.  It is our hope that No Shamers will not fall into a
kind of theatre where they will have no power, nor base what they do on
the opinions and criteria of others.  

     Those involved with No Shame come to the theatre not to find work, but
to make work.  That is, theatre that enables us to teach and to learn,
to discover and to then express those discoveries in ways mutually
fulfilling to both artist and community.

     Finally, it is important to remember that No Shame is a philosophy, not
a building or a stage.  No Shame began as an idea which has found its
feet in the bed of a pick up truck, the front steps of a building, and
at times, on a stage with a computerized lightboard...even a weekly show
in New York City.  It is not the space, but rather the commitment we
bring to it that is No Shame.  Wherever there is light enough for a
script to be read and people to gather to hear it, No Shame can happen.


GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

GUIDELINES:

No Shame is an alternative vehicle and exists outside the space in which
its performance take place, however, No Shame has its own structure and
guidelines which must be respected.  Although No Shame exists outside of
the theatre, we must remember we are its guests.  If a No Shame
performer or writer intentionally breaks any rules previously set forth
by the performance space, or endangers the health, safety, or well being
of any other performer or observer, the No Shame Administration is
prepared to exclude that offender from participation in future No Shame
performances.  This exclusion period will be determined by the severity
of the infraction.  

No committee chooses scripts, No Shame has no written censorship
policy.  We do, however, rely on participants to respect our forum
enough to present theatre they themselves feel is interesting, dynamic,
and ultimately, worthwhile.  There is no attempt to weed out pieces
which might seem gratuitous or even masturbatory...we simply hope that
participants will censor themselves in such a way that no one will feel
cheated by the experience.  "No Shame" should never be construed to mean
"no pride".

Participants are free to present anything they wish, in whatever style
or level of preparedness they are comfortable with.  This may include
published material, although our emphasis is on original work.  No Shame
encourages low production values and an emphasis on creative responses
the difficulties a "fly by the seat of your pants" atmosphere gives rise
to.


PROCEDURES:


1.)  Each performance should begin at 11:00 either on a Friday or Saturday
     night.  (preferable is Friday)

2.)  At 10:30, the Artistic Director or Stage Manager will begin to take names
     for the order and collect scripts.  A flexible maximum of 15 will be taken,
     with the knowledge by the Artistic Director or Stage Manager that "a little 
     goes a long way".

3.)  Each piece must be accompanied by a typewritten script indicating 
     desired light cues.  This script will be given to the Technical Director for
     this purpose.  These scripts are retained by No Shame for the archives
     and for reference of a "Audience's Choice No Shame" or a "Best of No
     Shame" performance.  It is helpful to note the cast of your piece on the
     text.  In the case of an improv or performance piece, an outline must be
     submitted.

4.)  The lights which are in employ in whatever space No Shame is in for the
     night will be all that is available.  At no time will a writer or performer be 
     allowed to change lights hanging in a rig for another show, unless 
     authorized by that show's director and lighting designer. Writers must 
     bear in mind that they will never know where they will be performing  or 
     under what conditions, so it is to the person's advantage to remain as self 
     sufficient as possible.

5.)  Props may not be used from the performance space's stores or shops 
     without permission through the appropriate channels and proper 
     personnel.  It must be clearly understood that the writer and/or performer,
     not No Shame, is taking direct responsibility for the safety and return of 
     that property.  Further, No Shame takes no responsibility for loss or 
     damage to materials personally provided for that individual's 
     performance.

6.)  Pieces are to be between 3-5 minutes in length.

7.)  The writer of each piece is responsible for casting that piece.  Often, there 
     are people milling around before the show just hoping to be used in a 
     piece, and No Shame encourages the use of fresh faces and new 
     people.  Giving performance opportunities to those without much 
     experience in one of the things No Shame exists for.

8.)  The writer also is responsible for rehearsing the piece as much as 
     needed for the level of preparedness desired.  If the writer wishes to 
     rehearse in the space No Shame is currently performing at, permission 
     must be received by the proper personnel.


9.)  Writers and actors should extend the same courtesy they would expect 
     from other performers and remain as quiet and orderly backstage as
     possible.

10.) Even though the performer has requested a certain position in the order 
     when turning in their script, it is important to for them to listen at the top of 
     the show to confirm it.  The Stage Manager or Artistic Director reserves 
     the right to re-order the list if, for example, too many monologues follow 
     each other.  This is to keep the evening from bogging down in the middle.

11.) Each piece will follow the next without individual introduction.

12.) The performers and/or the writer are required to clear the stage after they 
     finish their piece so that the next one may begin promptly and without 
     obstruction.

13.) After the evening's performance the writers of all of the pieces are 
     REQUIRED to clean the stage and house, returning the entire theatre to a 
     neutral condition.

14.) It was in the days of the truck, as so it should remain, that the audience is 
     free to let you know what they think of your work.  They are encouraged 
     to exercise their own unique brand of quality control.  An exciting aspect 
     of No Shame is that its audience has little or no regard for its role in 
     theatrical convention and will interact with most pieces quite 
     unexpectedly.


Any questions about information included should be addressed to the most
current Artistic Director and/or persons either current or alumni
members of the No Shame administration.

NO SHAME THEATRE
"DARE TO FAIL"