The contents of this catalog have been approved by the staff of the Philly Improv Theater Training Center. Students interested in a fuller understanding of how the PHIT Training center works, and the classes offered here are encouraged to read this approved school catalog.

All students applying to enroll in the Training Center will first have to agree to our Terms & Conditions of Enrollment. Students must acknowledge they have read the Student Handbook, and Code of Conduct, and Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy stating that they understand and agree to all of the following:

1. Student has signed (either electronically or digitally) the enrollment policy and, by doing so, are agreeing to our terms and conditions.
2. Student must be 18 years of age or older.
3. Student has agreed to pay full tuition price for the course before it begins. Placement is not secure until payment is received in full. A payment plan is available for some courses, and must be completed by the specified due date. Students who have not completed their payment plan payments risk the loss of their deposit, may not be allowed to continue in a course, or may be unable to continue into a future course until their balance is paid in full.
4. Students agree that they will be held financially responsible for a portion of the course tuition should they decide to drop the course within a week of its first session (see Tuition & Fees)
5. Students must attend the full duration of the 8 week course in order to move to the next level. Participation in the class showcase is encouraged but not required to advance to the next level.
6. Students must be on time to class.
7. Students are expected to see at least two live long form improvisation performances during their class session.
8. Students agree to adhere to the expected behavior outlined in our Code of Conduct.
9. Student understands for higher-level courses, elective courses, workshops, and master classes they must meet all stated prerequisites and, in some cases, receive approval from their instructor and PHIT Education Director before gaining admittance to the class.
10. Student understands and agrees that in Core classes the instructor may not recommend a student advance to the next level. This may be due to excessive absences, not making progress with skills on pace with peers in class, or other reasons disclosed to the student. In such circumstances, the student will be advised by the instructor and the Education Director copied on this communication, that moving forward to the next level of class is not recommended and what class or classes they may suggest instead.  If requested to repeat a level, the student understands PHIT does not offer any discount, refund, credit, or other financial compensation for repeating a class.  Repeating a level is the choice of the student and they will be required to pay the cost of the class in full as listed in the course catalog.

Consistent and timely attendance is important to the success of individual students and the class as a whole. Absences and lateness are disruptive to the team dynamic we strive to achieve in all of our classes. Students are expected and encouraged to attend all eight classes and arrive at each class before the scheduled start time.

Listed below are the guidelines for Attendance and Lateness during training classes:

• Students are permitted a maximum of two absences during a session. If you expect to miss more than two of the eight classes in the session, you should wait until the next session to take a class.
  • EXCEPTIONS
    • Students may not miss the first or last class and advance to the next level without advaned permission form the Education Director.
    • Students who miss the last class may not participate in the class showcase. Participation in the showcase is *not* required to advance to the next level.
• Students who miss three or more class sessions may be dropped from the class at the instructor’s discretion; no refund or credit will be issued.
  • Students who miss three or more classes will be required to repeat the level before being advanced to the next.
• Students are expected to arrive to class before the scheduled start time ready to participate in warm-up exercises.
• Being more than 30 minutes late to class will count as an absence.
• Leaving class 30 minutes early will also count as an absence.
• Students who are 15 minutes late to class four or more times may be asked to repeat the level, or dropped from the class at the instructor’s discretion. No refund or credit will be issued. Email your instructor if you are going to be late.

Students may appeal decisions resulting in their removal from the course by contacting the Education Director by email. Circumstances that could result in having the removal waived include documented death in the family, severe injury or illness, etc. The decision to reinstate a student is solely up to the discretion of the Education Director. There is no guarantee explicit or implied that a student will be reinstated,

In certain serious cases, and at the sole discretion of the Education Director, a student may be approved for a leave of absence if they are able to demonstrate the need for a leave of absence is imperative.  Students who are requesting a leave of absence should do so by emailing the Education Director with a detailed explanation for the request. All requests for a leave of absence will be addressed on a case by case basis. A leave is not guaranteed.

Students who return from an approved leave of absence within one year of the request, will be placed in a course at the same level in which they left. The student will be expected to start this new course on the first week in the session, regardless of how far along the student was in the previous course when the leave of absence began.

Every student at the Philly Improv Theater Training Center has a right to learn in a safe, respectful environment.  Creative pursuits require trust and support, and our first job before all others is to create this type of environment so that the learning, creation, and performance we each come here to pursue can occur.

The Training Center does not shy away from controversial topics, and all students have the right to express themselves without a fear of censorship or judgment. That stated, all content including but not limited to dealing with race, gender, gender expression, sexuality, age, body image, religion, politics, police etc. must treat these topics (and the individuals affected and impacted by them) in a creative, intelligent manner that embraces PHIT’s values (found in our mission statement), and demonstrates empathy – and never in the spirit of hurtfulness or mockery.

If a student is ever uncomfortable with the subject matter displayed, performed or referenced or is given an assignment that makes them uncomfortable, they may pause or step away in the moment, raise these concerns with their instructor, or contact the Education Director or another member of the Philly Improv Theater Senior Leadership. Separate from our Student Handbook, Philly Improv Theater maintains a Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy which may be accessed on our website.

In order to create a safe, open, and respectful creative environment, students are asked to agree to certain ground rules in regard to class conduct before enrolling in a class.

Inappropriate class conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Engaging in discriminatory behavior related to an individual’s sex (gender), race, national origin, ancestry, color, religion, age, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, education status, socioeconomic status; or disability, or the use of a guide or support animal for disability, or relationship to a person with a disability, with other students or the the course instructor. Notwithstanding, Philly Improv Theater recognizes that greater tolerance is necessary for verbal or non-verbal expression or language pertaining to a protected characteristic made during the course of an artistic performance or theatrical production when such expression or language is related to the theme or message of the performance or production and not devoid of any literary, artistic or political value.
• Inappropriate verbal, physical or sexual conduct with other students, guest instructors, guest performers, or PHIT staff including the class instructor.
• Consumption of drugs, alcohol, or use of tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) during class.
• Participating in class, or class performance under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
• Destruction of the physical classroom space, including but not limited to: ceilings, walls, floors, chairs, lights, doors, and other Training Center property.
• Bringing uninvited guests to class.
• Eating in class when not on a break. (exceptions may be made verified medical necessity)
• Talking or otherwise pulling the attention of others while the instructor is talking or while your classmates are performing.
• Giving notes to other students on their performance.
• Using electronics in class – including audio and/or video recording devices and cellular phones (this includes reading or writing text messages or emails, or using the internet in class).

Inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated and will result in removal from class and a FAIL at the discretion of the instructor. No refund or credit will be issued to students who are removed from a class due to conduct.

Students who wish to appeal their removal from class should follow the appeals procedure detailed below.

Students who have been terminated or placed on suspension are eligible to appeal those decisions. Listed below are the guidelines for filing an appeal:

• All appeals must be emailed directly to the Education Director, within 7 calendar days of the negative action taking place.
• The written appeal should contain the student’s full name, phone number, and clearly state the reason for the appeal.
• Appeals should include any supporting documentation or names of witnesses that may support the appeal.
• Some examples of circumstances that may qualify for appeal:
  • The circumstances were temporary in nature.
  • The circumstances were beyond the student’s immediate control (health problems, death in the family, etc.)
  • The circumstances are to be appropriately resolved by the time the negative action is to be lifted. In the judgment of the Education Director and the Senior Leadership, the student has demonstrated an understanding of the inappropriate nature of the behavior that resulted in their suspension, and they have expressed a desire, willingness, and ability to change this behavior.

The Education Director and Senior Leadership will review the student’s appeal and respond via email, with a decision within four to six weeks after receiving the appeal. Decisions reached by the Education Director and Senior Leadership are final and not subject to further review.

If a student’s appeal is approved they will be reinstated and permitted to continue at the training center, but may be subject to contingencies related to their behavior in the future. If the appeal is denied, the student will be dropped from any courses in which they are enrolled in for the current session. If the student has registered for courses in the upcoming cycle, they will be removed from those classes.

All refund requests must be submitted in writing via email to the Education Director (classes@phillyimprovtheater.com).

Students seeking a refund or a partial refund, assuming that their withdrawal from class follows all provisions outlined in our Cancellation and Refund Policies, should send an e-mail to the Education Director as soon as they have decided to withdraw. The Class Registrar will act on each refund request within four (4) weeks of such request.