Policies

Our policies, terms and conditions, and ways of working.

An improv company is not a typical workplace. It combines a community hub with educational and professional environments. This means that while the below is our best attempt to be balanced, comprehensive, and open, we are sure that there will be circumstances that are not covered or policies that are unintentionally ambiguous. The following represents our best current solutions and are constantly subject to change. We welcome feedback and advice, either at hello@andalsoimprov.com or on the form below. And Also is a new company, and while our staff are very experienced, we do not pretend to have all the answers.

By the end of 2023, among other things, we will appoint an external moderator for our Crisis Communications and create an accessibility and inclusivity policy in line with current thinking.

Our class levels
  • The aim of our syllabus is to create improvisers with a shared skill set and vocabulary who can work together. We do not believe there is one way to do improv, but that does not get in the way of the effort to improve in what we do together.
  • We normally expect students to take the classes in order as shown on the course pathway, but if they have equivalent training at other schools, they can discuss skipping levels. This decision will be at the directors’ discretion.
  • Although we do not have a pass/fail system, we expect students to attend 75% of a course to progress to the next level.
  • We value promptness and, while we understand that students have busy lives, repeated lateness will be treated as a failure to attend.
  • If a teacher believes that a student does not have the skill set to take a class, they will consult with the student and with directors to resolve this.
  • We reserve the right to remove students from any course if we feel their lack of ability is impacting the learning and experience of other students. Credits or refunds for this will be resolved on a case-by-case basis.
  • Our ‘experienced player’ classes are for students who have taken levels 1-4 or an equivalent at another school.
Course pricing

Money should never be a boundary to doing improv with AndAlso, so we have done our best to create a system that is as inclusive and flexible as possible. Our course fees are always payable in installments (via PayPal ‘Pay Later’) and other arrangements can be made by emailing us at hello@andalsoimprov.com.

In addition, AndAlso courses have four price brackets:

Donation/Organisational Rates are for those who are taking a course and are able to make a donation towards the cost of our free and discounted courses. It is also for those whose fees are paid by an organisation.

Concession price tickets are for the low-waged, carers, NHS staff, students and teachers, Equity members, as well those with disabilities or who are living on a pension or benefits. There is no cap on the number of concession tickets we offer per course and we do not ask for proof or documentation of any kind. Just go ahead and book.

Scholarship places are for those who would otherwise be unable to afford to study with us (which may include people in the categories above). These are normally limited to two per course and again, you are free to book these places without need for proof or documentation. If these places are already booked (ie they are not available on the website), drop us a line on hello@andalsoimprov.com and we may still be able to help.

If your situation means you have another request or consideration, please do contact us and if we can help, we will.

Cancellation

After booking a course, drop in or workshop, the following cancellation policies apply:

  • If a cancellation is made more than 6 weeks before the start of the event, the client will receive a full refund, minus any applicable charges.
  • If a cancellation is made less than 6 weeks before the start of the event, you will be charged 50% of the course fee.
  • If a cancellation is made less than 2 weeks before the start of the event, you will be charged 100% of the course fee.

We understand that cancellations may be necessary from time to time, and we will do our best to minimize any inconvenience or financial impact. However, we also need to ensure that our policies are fair and reasonable for all parties. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us on hello@andalsoimprov.com.

Code of conduct and crisis communications

We understand that improvising can bring up uncomfortable and taboo material and that this may trigger some people. We will do our best to avoid that where possible and create an environment where everybody can be who and how they want to be. However, we do accept that this is impossible to do entirely and look to create a community where honest and open conversations can be had. We aim for growth, not blame.

  • Our code of conduct covers behaviour at events and venues run directly by AndAlso and in electronic communications which we manage directly.
  • No behaviour will be tolerated at And Also events which is prejudiced, whether based on race, age, sex and gender, sexuality, disability or any other category, protected or otherwise.
  • To allow concerns to be raised, we have an anonymous reporting form on the website (see below), weekly office hours and an external moderator. All of these methods can be used by staff, audience members, students or any other person in contact with the company to report behaviour that concerns them.
  • No action of any kind will be taken without the explicit permission of the reportee.
  • In a class, the teacher will be responsible for arranging a meeting with those people involved. In other circumstances, this will be the responsibility of the directors.
  • A teacher is free to arrange a meeting with a student without a specific complaint being made.
  • At any meeting like this, the AndAlso staff member is free to invite either one of the directors or the external moderator. Any other stakeholder is free to bring someone along as well.
  • If an initial discussion does not resolve the issue, the complaint may be escalated. Other possible measures include temporary suspension, removal from a class and a temporary or permanent ban. These decisions will be made by the directors in consultation with the people involved.
  • Where we have reason to believe that a crime may have been committed, we will automatically report it to the police and assist them in all enquiries.
  • All teachers will be trained in this system and expected to keep their own records. Patterns of behaviour will be reported to directors and appropriate action taken.
  • If anyone is unhappy with the way an issue is dealt with, they can refer it to the directors by email or on the anonymous form below.

Something to tell us? Contact the directors here

“Awesome class. The facilitators knew how to keep the participants in the perfect zone, both comfortable and out of our comfort zone at the same time. One of my favourite things ever.”

Anon