Comedy Class Policies

Anti-Harassment Policy

ArtsQuest is committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Each individual has the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal employment opportunities and prohibits unlawful discriminatory practices, including harassment. Therefore, ArtsQuest expects that all relationships among all persons we come in contact with will be business-like, respectful and free of bias, prejudice and harassment.

ArtsQuest will make every reasonable effort to ensure that all staff, volunteers, artists, musicians, instructors or vendors are familiar with these policies and are aware that any complaint in violation of such policies will be investigated and resolved appropriately.

Students are expected to respect each other’s boundaries on stage, in class, and in our personal lives (both on and off-line). Reported incidents of harassment that occur off of ArtsQuest’s campus will be handled with the same weight and urgency as those occurring on campus.

We ask that our students and instructors report any harassing behavior, whether experienced, observed, or informed of, to ArtsQuest staff immediately, via any means.

If you are uncomfortable with the idea of contacting ArtsQuest staff regarding harassing behavior, we encourage you to call the hotline for Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley at 610.437.6611. This hotline is staffed 24/7 by a trained counselor who can help you figure out the next steps to take. We partner with CVC to offer seminars and trainings to our instructors, directors, and staff.

Age Policy

All ArtsQuest Comedy Classes, unless specifically geared towards children, are for adults ages 18+. Students must be 18 or older by the day of the first session of the class they’re taking.

Refund Policy

For our multi-week classes, we can offer a full refund up to 24 hours before the first class of the session. After that, we can offer a 50% refund until the moment the second class begins. Once the second class has started, we are not able to offer any refunds.

Full refunds for one session workshop classes are available up to 24 hours before the workshop in question. After that, no refunds are available.

Refunds must be claimed by writing to ArtsQuest Programming Director Ryan Hill at rhill@artsquest.org. The timestamp of that e-mail will determine how much of a refund the student is entitled to.

Attendance and Lateness

There are attendance requirements for classes that dictate whether a student can move on to the next level and/or participate in the graduation show associated with the class. These will be presented to students at the beginning of classes. Keep in mind, however, that should you fully expect to miss more than two classes in a multi-week session, it is not advisable to take that class at that time.

Please contact your teacher if you are going to be late. Just like an absence, a teacher might structure their lesson differently if you are going to be late, so this is helpful for our planning! Also your teacher and your fellow students will worry about you!

Release of Liability

You understand that participation in improvisational theater involves the risk of personal injury or loss due to the physical, mental, and emotional challenges in the programs and activities offered by ArtsQuest. You also understand that participation in these programs or activities is entirely voluntary and requires participants to follow instructions and abide by all applicable rules and the standards of conduct. You are not aware of any conditions that increase my likelihood of experiencing a personal injury or loss while engaging in ArtsQuest’s programs or activities.

With appreciation of the risks associated with ArtsQuest’s programs or activities, you hereby fully and completely release and waive any and all claims for personal injury or loss, including costs and attorneys’ fees, that may arise against ArtsQuest, including its teachers, staff members, volunteers, students, or other persons associated with its programs or activities. This release and waiver applies to any personal injury or loss that may occur as a result of any other program or activity of ArtsQuest.

Weather or Cancellation Policy

If a class must be cancelled for weather or other reasons, ArtsQuest staff will notify students as soon as possible. ArtsQuest will do their best to reschedule the missed class on the same day of the week and time if possible, and if not at a date assigned by class quorum. ArtsQuest will send a substitute if the teacher is unable to attend to class, but the class can continue as scheduled.

Questions? Email Programming Director Ryan Hill at rhill@artsquest.org.