Rule 7

[fbhjr]

I see a lot of talk on line about the Olympics and people dropping out.

Back in 2002 when we started our sword troupe we had been in a group that had a 50+ page long charter that went into all sorts of strange rules and such, so I created our charter for Phoenix Swords with only 7, admittedly very broad, rules.

One of the ones I’ve always said is our most important is Rule #7:
“As professionals, troupe members and employees shall determine their own capabilities and comfort levels at our practices and performances. No troupe member shall be forced to do any performance, act or action that they do not feel comfortable doing. They are responsible for communicating their objection as soon as possible, so other plans can be made.”

We have literally had people take their first step onto stage in a show, turn around and say “rule 7, not doing it” and walked off.
I won’t lie and say that made me happy, or inclined to put that person in other shows.
But, the rest of us went on and did a reasonable show given the last second cast swap.

And, I would rather have someone do that then ever be in the situation where someone said “I didn’t really feel right, but knew you needed me to do that act, which is why I slipped and Bob got hit with the sword.” Or set on fire. Or left at a rest area in North Carolina or the many other things that can go wrong with our shows.

And, I’ve fired people for not following it. Someone once told me I had “made them go to a show”, even though when they showed up I had said “Are you sure you want to be here?” And they said “Yes, I can’t do anything at home, and want my mind distracted.”
I let them go on, and when they told me I had made them, I fired them for it.

If folks aren’t up for doing things, then they shouldn’t be forced to do so.
I still believe that 19 years later.

And, I agree with folks making the same decision, even if in a very different field.

Comments

[chris_warrior]

especially (potentially) dangerous things, like swords and gymnastics. <3