Class Policies

Registration, Cancellation, & Changes

Course registration is open as soon as the course is announced. All open courses will be posted at http://CATCh.theater/improv-classes as well as on our Facebook page.

Please review the class description to ensure you meet any prerequisites for the class you select. Attendance to all classes of your course is vitally important. Check your calendar carefully before registering.

Payment

Payment must be received prior to the first class, unless other arrangements have been made with the class instructor and approved by the Business Director.

A limited number of scholarships as well as payment plan options are available for students with financial hardship. Please contact us if this applies to you.

Accessibility

CATCh does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, sexual preference, or disability. That said, students with disabilities or any special needs are asked to contact CATCh before registering for a course so that we can ensure the best possible class experience.

Cancellations

Students that have registered for a course and are unable to attend some or all of the classes should notify the instructor immediately. Refunds will be given for students who wish to withdraw at least 8 days prior to the first class. All other withdrawals will be given credit towards another course.

Course Changes

Students who have registered for a course and wish to transfer to a different session of the same course may do so at no charge, provided they have not attended more than 2 classes of their current course.

Students who have attended 3 or more classes may transfer to another session of the same course with a prorated charge. 

You may only transfer your class registration once.

Advancement

Advancement in course levels is not automatic. Students pass a class when they meet attendance requirements and/or their instructor assess they have met the goals for the level. 

If it has been more than two years since you were enrolled in class you may be asked to repeat a level. Please contact us before signing up.

Repeating a Class

Repeating a class is a common occurrence and students often choose to repeat or revisit a level of the curriculum to build greater mastery. Since space is limited in classes, students who wish to repeat a class they have already completed can ask to be placed on a waitlist for the class in question. Preference is given to new students and those who have been asked to re-take a class.

All students wishing to re-take a class they previously completed may do so for 1/2 off the posted registration costs. Please contact your instructor to learn more.

Attendance

Attendance to all classes of your course is vitally important.

CATCh courses meet 3 hours each week for either 6 or 8 weeks. Please check your calendar carefully before registering. If you expect to miss more than 1 class in a 6-week course, or 2 classes in an 8-week course, please consider registering for a different session of that course.

Students who miss more than 2 classes in any course may be asked to re-take the course before proceeding to the next level.

Late for class

Late arrivals are disruptive to the class. Please plan on arriving at your classroom at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. This gives you and your fellow classmates a chance to catch up before class.

Students who are regularly more than 15 minutes late to class may be asked to repeat the course at the instructor’s discretion.

Being 30 minutes or more late for class will be counted as an absence. Likewise, leaving class early by 30 minutes or more will count as an absence.

Communication is key

If you know you will be absent or late, please email the instructor as soon as possible. We will do what we can to accommodate unexpected issues (they happen!), but your timely communication is critical.

Make-up classes

CATCh does not offer make-up classes.

Classroom Expectations

CATCh works hard to create a welcoming, vibrant, and respectful atmosphere for all while encouraging creativity and boldness. Students are integral to achieving this community and those whose conduct violates our standards will be removed from class, with no refund given.

CATCh retains absolute control over its class enrollment, and has the right to remove any student from class at any time for any reason, on a temporary or on a permanent basis, at our sole discretion. We also reserve the right to restrict registration to any student, on a temporary or on a permanent basis. CATCh does not remove a student from class lightly, but sometimes it may be necessary to maintain a welcoming and respectful creative atmosphere.

As part of maintaining a great learning community, students are asked to agree to certain rules in regards to course conduct before registering. Inappropriate conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Consumption of drugs or alcohol during class, or showing up for class visibly under the influence;
• Destruction of physical classroom space, including but not limited to walls, chairs, lights, restrooms and doors;
• Inappropriate verbal, physical or sexual conduct with other students or the course instructor;
• Bringing uninvited guests to class;
• Eating in class when not on a break;
• Talking while the instructor is talking or while classmates are performing;
• Students must also abstain from using electronics in class, including audio or video recording devices and cellular phones (this includes reading or writing text messages and using the internet in class).

Inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated and will result in removal from the course. Refunds will not be given to students who are removed from class due to conduct.

Students are expected to read and agree to abide by the CATCh policies on Discrimination, Harassment, and Inappropriate Behavior On Stage.

Transferring from another theater

All theaters are different, with their own style, approaches, and even terminology. For example, the “game of the scene” is integral to UCB’s curriculum while CATCh doesn’t even use the concept.

If you have not completed a long-form curriculum at an established theater, or if it has been more than 2 years since you last performed, Level 1 is generally the best place to start.

Established long-form improvisers who are not familiar with CATCh style or similar patient, character-driven scenework should start at Level 2.

If you are unsure, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you find the right spot at CATCh.

Legal Stuff

By registering for and attending classes, you agree to the following.

Release of Liability

You acknowledge 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. 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 your likelihood of experiencing a personal injury or loss while engaging in programs or activities at CATCh.

Understanding the risks associated with CATCh’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 CATCh, 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 CATCh.

Media Use Release

You authorize the reproduction, sale and/or use of your images, including recordings of your performance, for all purposes with or without the use of your name in the production and marketing of activities at the Comedy Arts Theater of Charlotte, LLC in all forms of media and in all manners, including advertising, trade, display, editorial and exhibitions.

In other words, we use pictures and video to promote CATCh classes and shows. Those media may include you, and we don’t have to ask your permission before using that media. We don’t use images or video that is demeaning or defaming to anyone. If you don’t want your likeness shared as part of our promotions, including posts on Facebook, please let us know immediately. We don’t want to jeopardize your status with the Witness Protection Program.