Mission Statement: Culture Shock LA utilizes Hip Hop dance and culture to cultivate meaningful education, empowerment and entertainment programs that inspire positive change in the communities we serve.

"We are a troupe of individuals who, through the power of music and dance, cultivate self-worth, dignity, and respect for all people."

3 Areas of Service: Entertainment, Education & Empowerment

PROFESSIONALISM and ETIQUETTE

a) All members will represent themselves and the CULTURE SHOCK (CSLA), FUTURE SHOCK (FSLA), MIGHTY SHOCK (MSLA), MINI SHOCK (mSLA), and AWESOME SHOCK (ASLA) DANCE COMPANIES positively and respectfully when at rehearsals, performances, and events.

b) Mutual respect, collaboration and communication are expected of every member of this company. Acts of unprofessionalism are not tolerated.

c) Everyone is required to keep the dance studio and your personal dance space clean and safe. PLEASE throw away your trash. No gum, food or drinks (except water) are allowed in the dance rooms.

d) Use of studio equipment and other dance rooms is only permitted with permission from studio staff or your team directors.

e) Any aggression (including emotional, physical, verbal, sexual, spiritual) towards others will not be permitted.

f) All cell phones must be turned off or on silent during rehearsals and can only be used outside of rehearsal times in designated areas.

g) Smoking and use of of illegal substances such as alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited. Dancers in violation will immediately be expelled from the team.

h) Dancers may not leave the dance studio/event space without adult supervision. All dancers will only be released to a parent/legal guardian or a similar authorized adult. 

i) All members will be mindful of how they portray themselves on social media, particularly when it relates to their association with the Culture Shock Los Angeles organization.

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT DEFINITION/REPORTING

a) Discrimination and harassment will not be tolerated within the Culture Shock Los Angeles organization. Culture Shock LA does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all our members and program participants.

b) Sexual harassment is behavior of a sexual nature that is unwelcome and offensive to the person or persons it is targeted toward. Examples of harassing behavior may include unwanted physical contact, emotional manipulation, use of degrading language, sexual propositions, sexual jokes or remarks, obscene gestures, and displays of pornographic or sexually explicit pictures, drawings, or caricatures. Culture Shock LA is committed in all areas to providing an environment free from harassment. We are requiring our leaders to undergo racial, gender, LGBTQIA+, and sexual harassment sensitivity training, background checks, and mandated reporter training and will also make these trainings accessible to our dancers. Sexual harassment or harassment based upon an individual's sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion or any other legally protected characteristics will not be tolerated.

All Culture Shock/Future Shock/Mighty Shock/Mini Shock/Awesome Shock Los Angeles directors, staff, and dancers are prohibited from engaging in discrimination and/or harassment. Violators of this policy will be subject to dismissal.

If you feel you've been subjected to discrimination and/or harassment or would like to anonymously report any concerns, we encourage you to contact our impartial external designee: Kimmy at kimmymaniquis@gmail.com.

CREATING A SAFE SPACE & MODELING A CULTURE OF CONSENT

As an organization, we are working to model a culture of consent and create a safe environment for all members. As such, we encourage bodily autonomy and will be:

• Normalizing non-physical/non-hug means of greeting in both the adult and youth troupes, and empowering our youth to greet us adults based on their level of comfort
• Staging and correcting dancers either without physical touch or after receiving consent
• Implementing an opt IN process for the casting of all pieces, as opposed to an opt-out one. By reframing casting through a consent model, the onus is no longer placed on dancers to go against expectations, voice their discomfort, and opt out of a piece
• Removing all social traditions that encourage the objectification of each other

We also require all members to maintain healthy and clear social boundaries, particularly between adult and youth team members.

• Outside gatherings (i.e. Troupe Buddy/Family events) should include at least one parent in attendance and not be 1:1.

COMPANY STRUCTURE

 

Future Shock Los Angeles, Mighty Shock Los Angeles, Mini Shock, and Awesome Shock Los Angeles are a division of Culture Shock® Los Angeles. Each team consists of a Board of Operations and company members. Company Members consist of all active dancers.

ATTENDANCE

It is important that dancers attend all scheduled rehearsals, events and performances on time. Rehearsal days and times are subject to change. If your child is unable to attend a rehearsal, we ask that you contact your team’s designated director at least 24 hours in advance. An absence reported with less than 24 hour notice will be considered an unexcused absence.

Three Strike Rule: A dancer will receive a strike for all unexcused absences, and/or 3 tardies. After three strikes are given, the dancer will be placed on probation.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

A written form must be completed and given to your team’s designated director regarding any leaves of absence. A leave of absence is considered 3 or more consecutive absences from rehearsal. Any single leave of absence may not exceed 3 months. Upon return, dancers will be placed on probation status and will be responsible for catching up on material taught during missed rehearsals. Please see mSLA/MSLA/FSLA directors for Leave of Absence form.

INJURIES & ILLNESSES

Any injuries/illnesses shall be reported to mSLA/MSLA/FSLA directors prior to attending rehearsals, performances, and events. If any injuries occur during rehearsals or events, dancers must notify their directors immediately and an incident report completed by an mSLA/MSLA/FSLA director. If your child tests positive for or is exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19 we ask that you notify your company directors immediately.

DRESS CODE

a) Clothing and accessories that distract from or disrupt classes and/or rehearsals will not be permitted.

b) Dancers must come to classes, rehearsals, and events in appropriate dance clothing and accessories.  Clothing and accessories must be appropriate, respectful, and not provocative.

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENT

1. All dancers must maintain satisfactory grades or a minimum grade point average of 2.6 in order to rehearse and perform. Report cards will be asked of all dancers. If their GPA falls below a 2.6, dancers will be placed on probation until academic improvement is made. Dancers who fail to submit a report card cannot participate in rehearsals or events until grade report is submitted.
2. In order to receive credit toward the community service requirement, dancers must attend/ participate in a minimum of 3 community service events planned for the team during the season.

DANCER STATUS

Each company member will be evaluated and assigned either Company, Alternate, or Probation status by the mSLA/MSLA/FSLA Board of Operations. The Board reserves the right to change a dancer’s status at any time based upon professionalism, academic grades, and artistic development.

1. Company Dancers are those who have met or exceeded academic grade, professionalism and artistic requirements. Company Dancers will receive all benefits that mSLA/MSLA/FSLA is entitled to and will be given priority in performances and blocking.

   Alternate Dancers are those who need to improve their academic grades, professionalism, and/or artistic skills. Alternates, if available to perform, may be staged in performances based upon their improvement and at the discretion of the directors. 

   Probation Status: Excessive strikes, unsatisfactory grades, and/or acts of unprofessionalism can result in probation status for an indefinite amount of time. While on probation, dancers are required to attend all mSLA/MSLA/FSLA classes and rehearsals. He/she/they will not be able to perform until probation status is lifted by the Board of Operations.

RELEASE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY LIABILITY

I assume all financial responsibility for the personal property of my child and furthermore release Culture Shock Los Angeles, Future Shock Los Angeles, Mighty Shock Los Angeles, Mini Shock Los Angeles, Awesome Shock Los Angeles, Elements Dance Space and Culture Shock Dance Troupes, Inc. from any liability resulting from loss, damage or theft of said property.

This release is applicable to all related activities both on-site at rehearsals and off-site at any other rehearsal/event space, and remains in effect for as long as my child is a member of the Culture Shock/Future Shock/Mighty Shock/Mini Shock Los Angeles Dance Company.

DANCER CONTRIBUTIONS

All dancers are asked to pay Dancer Contributions of $280 for the season. Active members of mSLA/MSLA/FSLA receive all benefits that come with being a part of the Culture Shock Los Angeles family; these include access to Culture Shock LA/ Future Shock LA/ Mighty Shock LA / Mini Shock LA company classes, rehearsals, and special events. Dancer Contributions are due by December 1 and are non-refundable.

Dancer contributions can be paid by cash, Zelle (cultureshockla@yahoo.com) or Venmo (@Culture-ShockLA).

GRIEVANCE POLICY

In the event dancers or parents have any major concerns or issues they feel are not being addressed at the company (mSLA/MSLA/FSLA) level, they may submit a letter expressing their grievances to the Youth Teams Coordinators (chelsi@cultureshockla.org and lauren@cultureshockla.org) and Culture Shock LA Executive Director (allison@cultureshockla.org). A meeting will be scheduled with the Culture Shock LA Executive Director, Youth Teams Coordinator, and appropriate youth team director to discuss and resolve the issue. 

DISCLOSURE POLICY

a) Disclosure policy: In order to protect the rights and privileges of its members and its contributors, it is the policy of the Culture Shock Los Angeles Board of Operations that everything possible be done to prevent organizations, agencies, and individuals not associated with Culture Shock Los Angeles from gaining access to sources, information and/or choreography/music from the Culture Shock Los Angeles organization. The CSLA/FSLA/MSLA/mSLA/ASLA Board of Operations insists that all artistic materials (choreography, music, etc.) be strictly and scrupulously respected by all of its troupe members and in all of its fellow Culture Shock Dance Troupes. If any artistic materials are used without the permission of the Board of Operations/choreographers/mixer, those involved shall be subjected to disciplinary action, including possible dismissal.

b) Any video, audio, or digital recording of a class, performance, or rehearsal, must be approved by the CSLA BOO prior to being posted on the web. Upon approval, CSLA will post on appropriate web medium. In addition, any posting, comment, blog posted on the web (ie. Facebook, YouTube, CSLA website, etc shall not "badmouth" or purposefully negatively impact the Culture Shock Los Angeles organization or individuals associated with the Culture Shock Los Angeles organization. Doing so will result in disciplinary action.

c) All activities and events (including performances and fundraisers) using the CSLA/FSLA/MSLA/mSLA/ASLA name or any use of the CSLA/FSLA/MSLA/mSLA/ASLA logo shall be made known to and must have prior approval from the Culture Shock LA Executive Director.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

All members will represent themselves and the Culture Shock, Future Shock, Mighty Shock, Mini Shock, and Awesome Shock Los Angeles dance companies positively and respectfully at all times. All dancers and parents are expected to choose their words wisely and to refrain from negative behavior and attitudes (this includes personal representation on social media). Acts of unprofessionalism are not tolerated and may be subject to a strike on the dancer's record, or removal from the company at the discretion of the Board of Operations.

Promotion of all Culture Shock LA/ Future Shock LA/ Mighty Shock LA / Mini Shock LA and Awesome Shock LA classes and events is expected. When posting, feel free to include the following handles/hashtags:

• @cultureshockla @futureshockla @mightyshockla @minishockla
• #cultureshockLA #futureshockla #mightyshockla #minishockla #ForAllPeople #ShockFamLA

TRANSPORTATION

All dancers and parents are responsible for dancer transportation to all rehearsals, events, and performances. We encourage carpooling. Mini Shock LA/Mighty Shock LA/Future Shock LA/Culture Shock LA directors and staff are unable to provide transportation for dancers.

A sign-in and out sheet will be provided at all Mini Shock LA & Mighty Shock LA company rehearsals, events, and performances. A parent/guardian or authorized adult must sign the dancer in at drop off and out at pick up. Dancers may not leave until after they are signed out by a responsible adult.

Drop-Off: Please do not drop off your child and leave them unattended if the dance studio is not open or proper adult supervision is not available.  

Pick-Up: Dancers will only be released to a parent/legal guardian or to a designated adult. If your child will be picked up by someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, please notify your company directors. It is expected that dancers are picked up in a timely manner.

Should any dancer fail to fulfill his/her/their obligation to these policies, disciplinary action will be considered on a case-by- case basis, and in extreme cases may result in the dismissal of the dancer from the company. Parents will be informed whenever disciplinary action is required.

As a parent/guardian, I have read through and understand the Mini Shock LA, Mighty Shock LA, Future Shock LA, Awesome Shock LA General Policies. I will uphold these rules for the benefit of my child, the other dancers, and the entire Culture Shock Los Angeles® organization.

PHOTO/IMAGE &  LIABILITY RELEASE

I absolve and hold harmless Culture Shock LA organization and staff, Elements Dance Space, Culture Shock Dance Troupes, Inc., and its employees, directors, and instructors from any liability which may result from my participation, or the participation of any minor in my legal custody, in the selected activity.  I shall not hold any of the above parties liable for any personal injuries, loss or damage that might occur as a result of participation in events and/or while I am on the Elements Dance Space premises. I attest and verify that I have full knowledge of the risks involved with my/my child’s participation, and that I am/they are in good health and physically able to participate in Culture Shock/Future Shock/Mighty Shock/Mini Shock/Awesome Shock Los Angeles activities. If the participant is a minor, I also give my permission for him/her to receive necessary medical treatment in the event of an emergency.

I hereby grant the right to use the image and/or video of my child named below in any Culture Shock/Future Shock/Mighty Shock/Mini Shock/Awesome Shock Los Angeles commercial, publicity and/or promotional use.