Director and Staff Code of Ethics

As a YATA director, instructor, or staff member, I commit to:

Prioritize the physical, emotional, and educational well-being of students in all decisions and interactions.
Foster an environment where every participant feels safe, valued, supported, and respected.
Recognize that our influence extends beyond the classroom and stage and conduct ourselves accordingly.

Model the behavior, work ethic, professionalism, and character we expect from students.
Communicate clearly, honestly, respectfully and in alignment with YATA’s values and policies.
Always maintain appropriate professional boundaries, including physical, emotional, and digital boundaries.

Provide equitable opportunities for growth to students of all experience levels.
Evaluate students fairly, consistently and based on established criteria.
Recognize and encourage effort, improvement, dedication and positive participation.

Collaborate with fellow directors and staff in a spirit of unity, professionalism, and mutual respect.
Avoid undermining colleagues publicly or privately, including through social media or informal conversations.
Resolve disagreements professionally, constructively and through appropriate internal channels.

Protect YATA’s reputation, resources, facilities, mission and student community.
Make decisions that serve the long-term health, sustainability, and integrity of the organization.
Remember that we are caretakers of something larger than ourselves and must act with integrity and accountability.

Teach students performance skills as well as responsibility, empathy, teamwork, and service.
Use theatre as a vehicle for character development and personal growth.
Create opportunities for students to learn leadership through action, collaboration, and mentorship.

Make casting decisions with fairness, objectivity, professional judgment, and transparency in process.
Evaluate students based on the artistic needs of the production, the educational goals of the program, their readiness for the responsibilities of a role, and their demonstrated commitment.
Avoid favoritism, personal bias, conflicts of interest, or the appearance of preferential treatment, including through informal communication and social media.
Balance the artistic needs of the production with equitable opportunities for meaningful student growth and development.
Recognize that casting is both an artistic and educational responsibility, requiring thoughtful, unbiased consideration of each student’s strengths, potential, and developmental journey.
Provide equitable opportunities for students to learn, grow, be challenged and contribute meaningfully throughout their time at YATA.
Communicate casting decisions professionally, respectfully, and consistently recognizing the emotional investment students place in the process.
Encourage students to find value, purpose, and pride in every role, reinforcing that meaningful contributions come in many forms.
Remember that every casting decision reflects YATA’s values and must reinforce a culture where all students feel seen, respected, and supported.

Violations of this Code of Ethics may result in: