Vertebra Theatre is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of the artists and the communities we are working with, and we believe that the members working with and are associated with the company, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. 

 

We aim to create the environment of a collaborative, open, mutual, supportive, and inclusive working and learning culture where as well as developing artistic projects we can also build a more accessible and inclusive experimental visual theatre practice.
Therefore, artists, collaborators, members and communities are encouraged to share any feedback, concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of Vertebra Theatre Company. We encourage this to happen in a direct, curious and non judgmental way where possible. From 2024, we establish a bi monthly 'action learning' platform using the principles of co production and social therapeutics practices, where all the core members and associate artists of the company gather to discuss themes, issues, concerns and share artistic practice in an attempt to develop together both artistically and personally. 

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Our Code of Conduct 2024

As a member of Vertebra Theatre, you are expected to abide by the following code of conduct:

 

Company members are expected to:
• Be supportive and committed to other members.
• Not get involved in peer pressure or push others into something they do not want to do.
• Keep within the defined boundary of the rehearsal or performance areas.
• Participate within the rules and respect the company directors and their decisions when are created from a co-devising, collaborative environment.
• Take care of equipment owned or hired by Vertebra Theatre.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, cultural background, religious beliefs or sexual identity.
• Raise any concerns of inappropriate behavior or risky situations.

Company members have the right to:
• Be safe and happy in their chosen role.

• Be listened to.
• Be respected and treated fairly.
• Privacy and to enjoy their art in a protective supportive environment
• Be treated as a professional at all times.
• Be protected from abuse by other members or outside sources.

• Participate on an equal basis to all other members.
• Be believed.
• Ask for help.

 

Any bridge of the Code of Conduct will be encouraged to be addressed by the immediate Vertebra Theatre member. Persistent bridge of the code of conduct will result in dismissal from the company.

 

Inclusion and accessibility
Inclusion and accessibility is an ongoing and open dialogue between the communities. We want to keep conversations alive around accessibility and inclusivity so we can learn, share and mutually grow. 
 

Names, pronunciation and pronouns
We will always start the day / session by inviting everyone to share their names and pronouns. Not wanting to share those or not knowing your pronouns is valid, we are all onto different journeys. Please, try to use people’s names and pronouns as they introduce themselves. If in doubt, ask again. 

Consent
Our personal and group boundaries as shared and stated by all members are valid. Vertebra Theatre sees consent as a fluid contract and can change at any point. Our work being movement-led, we will be working at times in contact with each other. If a point of contact doesn’t feel right, feel free to verbally communicate to your peer(s) or to non-verbally communicate it by moving the point of contact elsewhere or step away from the contact overall. If someone communicates their boundaries to you, you hold the responsibility to respect the boundaries they have been communicated to you.

 

Social model of Disability
Vertebra Theatre is a disabled led company and we work with the social model of disability which moves away from the medical model in which the idea of disability is seen as a problem to be fixed or cured and where disabled people have to adapt to the environment. Instead, the social model of disability pushes for political, social and creative change, recognising that people with impairments are being disabled by the way society is organized, and aiming to break down barriers currently disabling people. We then use “disabled people” instead of “people with disabilities”.

Not all impairments are visible. At the beginning of any project the AD and producer will share with the collaborators an Access Needs Rider for us to know how we can better support and facilitate an accessible environment. Any information provided is strictly confidential. Sharing your access needs is also completely optional. Do let the people you are training with know if you are feeling exhausted, in pain or in any discomfort. If working with wheelchair users, be mindful when talking to use inclusive language such as moving rather than walking and ‘using a wheelchair’ rather than ‘wheelchair bound’. Bear in mind that wheelchairs are part of the user’s personal space and an essential access equipment, not a toy or a prop. Interact with the person, not the wheelchair and ask for consent about putting weight on the chair in the same way you would ask for consent in putting weight on a person. Don’t assume a person using a wheelchair can’t use their legs, when working together ask them what is ok to do or not. Bear in mind each wheelchair is constructed differently so just cause it works with one chair it might not be safe with another.

This Code of Conduct is a tool to enable a supportive, safe and mutual creative space. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out at vertebratheatre@outlook.com