Theatre Arts at Curtin and the Hayman Theatre Company
Collaborative Guidelines
Our Mission Statement: We are collaborative theatre workers making collaborative theatre work.
The above mission statement underpins our approach to working in the Hayman Theatre Company and with each other. We are all encouraged to reflect on the levels of meaning in the Mission Statement and work to reconcile the conflicting challenges presented by developing and employing collaborative processes and the desire to realise our individual ambitions as artists.
As a company:
Be careful with your words. When you speak, consider whether what you say is in the best interests of all the members of our company. Be kind. Be truthful. Act with integrity, generosity, and collaborative purpose. Take care not to partake in gossip or negative talk. Sometimes a show takes time to get where it needs to. Keep your conversations about a show, in and out of the rehearsal room, positive. Negativity breeds negativity! And negativity shuts down creativity.
If something is bothering you, you are encouraged to go to the source to seek clarification. Often second-hand information can be misconstrued and/or misinterpreted and a simple open conversation can resolve something before it becomes a problem.
Working on Shows:
We recognise that the Hayman Theatre is first and foremost a place of learning and, accordingly, process takes precedence over final product.
At all times we need to:
• communicate openly with each other;
• discuss what we need;
• listen to what others need;
• consider what others need;
• compromise and be flexible with what we think we need;
• cooperate to assist others to realise their visions;
• seek each other’s successes more than our own.
To achieve this, we all need to communicate with each other – face to face. If problems arise between each other that can’t seem to be resolved, seek the assistance of the Theatre Arts Course Coordinator (Leah Mercer L.Mercer@curtin.edu.au), the Hayman Theatre Production Coordinator (Stephen Carr stephen.carr@curtin.edu.au) or if you are working on a Lunchtime Production the assigned staff mentor.
If you are experiencing difficulties or concerns in relation to your studies, including during creative productions and are not satisfied with the responses from the above staff you are encouraged to contact the following Curtin Support Services: The Student Wellbeing Advisory Service; Curtin Guild Student Assist; or the Integrity and Standards Unit.
If you are finding the experience positive at the Hayman Theatre you are also encouraged to email the people involved to let them know, promote each other’s shows, encourage others to get involved and enjoy the journey!
The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz)
The Four Agreements are a great starting point for each of our individual approaches to collaboration. These should be read as agreements you make with yourself, not a standard by which to judge others. We all progress at different paces and ideally, we are respectful of this.
Be impeccable with your word. “Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.”
Don't make assumptions. “Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.”
Don't take anything personally. “Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.”
Always do your best. “Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.”