Mission
Dojo Comedy strives to provide instruction, practice, and demonstration of comedy in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area. Dojo's classes aim to teach leading philosophies and theories on improv and sketch comedy, bringing new thoughts, methods, tools, and skills to students. Shows work to cultivate the best local talent, showcasing improvisers and sketch performers from the DC area in addition to guest performers from out of town.
Class Policies
Attendance
Improv is a group activity that is best learned in a creative and supportive learning environment. The best way to support yourself and your fellow classmates is to attend all eight classes. Absences hinder your growth as an improviser and in turn affect your ability to support your classmates in class and on stage. If you cannot attend all eight scheduled classes, we recommend you wait until a course you can fully commit to is available.
Dojo Comedy understands that emergencies do happen so absences are allowed, but to maintain class integrity we do not allow more than TWO absences. Upon a third absence you will be REMOVED from the class. Removal from class means you cannot attend any more classes or participate in the student showcase(s). Once removed, if you wish to continue your training, you will have to repeat the level at full tuition price.
Lateness
If you are more than 20 minutes late, you will be marked absent. If you are more than 40 minutes late, you will not be allowed into class. Prompt attendance is expected from all students. Arriving late requires the instructor to explain exercises and concepts again and is considered too disruptive to be allowed. If you show up more than 40 minutes late and beg your teacher to let you in, this is even more disruptive and is considered inappropriate conduct which could result in removal from the Dojo Comedy Training Program.
20 Minutes Absence
Students are expected to be present for the entire class. If you miss more than 20 minutes of any session, you will be marked absent for that session. Depending on the circumstances, you may be asked to leave for the remainder of the session. For instance, if you arrive 15 minutes late and leave 15 minutes early, it will be considered an absence (30 minutes total). Or if you leave in the middle of class for 30 minutes, that will also be considered an absence, and you may not be allowed to return. If a student leaves class more than 20 minutes before the official end time, this will be considered an absence.
Dress Code
Students should plan on moving, so wear clothes and shoes you can move in comfortably and without exposing too much of yourself.
Show Requirement and Student IDs
As a student it is important for you to see long form improv in action. In order to move on to the next level, one of your requirements is to see one longform improv show. Your show must be seen while your class is in session and before class #8. If you do not see your required show by class #8, you will NOT be allowed to participate in the final class performance or move on to the next level. To make this easier for you, you will receive a student ID in class #1. The ID gives you access to free stand-by tickets for all Dojo Comedy shows.
Graduation Show
Free admission. Please invite family and friends.
No Large Items
Dojo Comedy is not equipped to store large student possessions like massage tables or bicycles. Please lock these items up outside or leave them at home.
Conduct
Dojo works to provide every student the right to learn and practice their craft in an open, non-threatening, creative environment free of harassment and discrimination. Please see the Conduct Policy section.
During class, please do not:
- Eat
- Drink alcohol
- Use tobacco products (including e-cigarettes)
- Use electronic devices in class (including reading or writing text messages)
- Talk while your teacher or fellow classmate is talking
- Damage the walls, chairs, or any other part of the space
- Bring uninvited guests to class
Competency
Students are not guaranteed promotion to the next course level. Graduation is contingent on attendance, seeing shows, and a demonstration of course concepts through application in class.
Instructor Attendance
Dojo Comedy reserves the right to replace a course instructor at anytime with another equally qualified instructor, without prior notice.
Inclement Weather
We encourage students to use public transportation whenever possible. Please allow for extra travel time if there is a storm or other situation that might cause delays. In the event that classes are canceled or postponed, students will be contacted. If you do not hear from us, assume that classes will proceed as planned.
Conduct Policy
On Premises
Inappropriate physical or sexual behavior whether by improvisors on or off stage, or audience members, or Dojo student, at any time will not be tolerated. Inappropriate conduct will result in suspension and removal from the premises. Dojo works to provide comedians the right to learn and practice their craft in an open, non-threatening, creative environment free of misconduct, harassment and discrimination.
Dojo Comedy defines misconduct to include actions which endanger the life or safety of another person, negligent or otherwise. It also includes engaging in criminal conduct or acts of violence or making threats of violence toward anyone on the premises or when representing Dojo Comedy. Fighting or damage to Dojo property may result in removal from the property.
Dojo Comedy defines harassment to include verbal or physical conduct, including written, spoken or visual material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of his/her race, sex, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, handicap, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, veteran, or marital status, or that of his/her relatives, friends or associates.
Reporting Misconduct
Any instances of misconduct or harassment, whether in class, a show, or otherwise representing the school, can be reported to Dojo by emailing contact@dojocomedy.com.
Dojo Comedy is obligated to act on any report of alleged misconduct.
A complaints report should be specific and truthful. It is expected that the specific charges, details of the incident or incidents, names of the individuals involved, the names of any witnesses and any other evidence in support thereof are important. Complaints are handled in a discrete manner and maintained as confidential as possible.
Performances
Equal Opportunity for Performing in Shows
Dojo Comedy’s mission is to cultivate and showcase improvisers and sketch performers from the DC area in addition to guest performers from out of town. It aims to promote the diverse and unique comedic voices of the area and provide as many opportunities for comedians to evolve in their crafts. It also strives to be a safe space for improv and sketch and the performers, students, and audience members.
Instances of misconduct or harassment whether by improvisors on or off stage, audience members, or Dojo students, at any time will not be tolerated. Inappropriate conduct may result in suspension and removal from the premises and may be suspended from returning to the theater.