ST MARY'S YOUTH THEATRE: August 2009

Monday, 3 August 2009

ANTI BULLYING POLICY

ANTI BULLYING POLICY
POLICY STATEMENT
ST MARY’S YOUTH THEATRE acknowledges that bullying behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We will endeavour to ensure that a secure environment is provided for every young person who wishes to participate in the performing arts. ST MARY’S YOUTH THEATRE acknowledges that bullying can take place and may need to be addressed amongst any combination of persons that are present at ST MARY’S YOUTH THEATRE, regardless of their role: participant, volunteer, staff or board member.

DEFINITION OF BULLYING
Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

BULLYING CAN BE:
Cyber: all areas of internet, such as e-mail and internet chat room misuse
(ie Facebook, Bebo, etc)
Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours
Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding possessions, using
threatening gestures).
Physical: pushing, hitting, kicking or any use of violence.
Racist: racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
Homophobic: because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality
Religious: because of or focusing on the issue of faith
Mobile: phone threats by text messaging and calls misuse of associated technology,
i.e. camera and video facilities

IMPLEMENTATION
Bullying of any description will not be tolerated at St Mary’s Youth Theatre. If anyone feels they are being bullied they should tell whoever is in charge immediately so that a swift investigation can take place and the appropriate action taken.

WHO ARE WE

St. Mary's Youth Theatre was formed in August 1993 by Steve Archdale who was concerned about the increasing problems of alcohol and drug abuse in the teenage community of Garforth. With so little for the youngsters to do, especially in the field of theatre arts and drama, the idea of creating a youth theatre seemed appropriate.

A cast of 60+ with ages ranging from 8 to 22 auditioned for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, all were successful, no one was turned away. The show was rehearsed and performed in 8 weeks to thunderous acclaim in a church hall converted into a Pharaoh's tomb by a local artist. The following week they returned eager to find out what they were doing next. What began as a one-off production became the start of many shows to come.

A disastrous fire in 1995 wrecked their headquarters, destroying costumes, props and sets. This could easily have been the end of SMYT but as a result they have pulled together and grown stronger gradually replacing their losses. As members of the Leeds Civic Arts Guild they perform at the new, Leeds Carriageworks theatre which is in the Millenium Square, mainly musicals (i.e., Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fame, Children of Eden, etc.). The National Theatre Connections scheme gives the group the chance to perform new plays written by the very best writers. In 2002 they were fortunate to perform at the Royal National Theatre itself…what an experience! Their latest productions include Little Shop of Horrors, Honk, 17, Feather Boy,The Musicians,We Will Rock You, Rent, Our House, Les Miserables, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, The Passion, Our Cousin Flo, Scrooge, Peter Pan, Whistle Down The Wind and Annie.

SMYT are now based, rehearse and perform at Green Lane Academy and St Mary's Church, Garforth, Leeds and charge a yearly subscription fee of £40.