Terms & Policies

Cancellation Policy

• Absences with 3+ days’ notice: Credit will be provided to the value of the missed class.
  

• Course withdrawal: If a student withdraws from the remainder of a Term, a refund will be given for all classes one week or more in advance.
  

• Class cancellations: Refunds will be issued if a class is cancelled by the organiser.
  

• Credit use: Credit may be applied to other services (e.g. headshots, private coaching, audition taping). Unused credit expires after 6 months and will not be paid out if Amalia stops providing services.

In other cases, credit or refunds may be considered at Amalia’s discretion.

Safety, Consent & Scene Content

My priority is to provide a space for learning where you can safely and comfortably challenge yourself to go beyond your comfort zone. 

• Acting training can involve challenge and discomfort, but students will never be expected to cause themselves physical or emotional harm for performance.

• Students/parents must communicate any boundaries or sensitivities, whether physical or emotional. Willingness to continue working on a scene will be taken as consent to its content.

• Teachers cannot always tell the difference between stage fright and genuine distress. Clear communication of boundaries is essential to avoid pushing a student beyond their limits.

• Students must respect the boundaries of others. Responsibility for crossing boundaries lies with the individual, not the teacher.

Unless otherwise communicated, students are presumed comfortable with:

• Physical touch (to the extent no major pain is caused, and excluding contact with breasts, lips, buttocks, or genitals);

• Being shouted at;

• Exposure to swear words;

• (Ages 16+ only) Mature themes such as violence, intimacy, references to drug use, sex, assault, or mental illness.

Additional consent will always be obtained before:

• Simulated violence or demanding action (stunts)

• Intimate moments (e.g. kissing)

These will be carefully choreographed within each performer’s boundaries.

Students/parents are encouraged to contact Amalia at any time to discuss concerns or boundaries.

Filming & Privacy

• Classes involve filming and photography. Footage belongs to Amalia and may be used for:

  • Educational purposes within the class

  • Sharing with participants for their own use

  • Promotional material, unless consent is withdrawn

  • Referring students for acting opportunities
    

• Students consent to being recorded unless this is explicitly withdrawn. Requests not to be included in promotional material will be honoured.

• Consent cannot be withdrawn for use of a student’s voice if it appears incidentally in another student’s footage, as this unfairly restricts others’ benefit from the class.

  Students’ privacy is protected by the NZ Privacy Act. Please raise any concerns before attending.

Equipment Damage

• Students must treat all equipment with care.

• If equipment is misplaced or damaged due to careless, reckless, negligent, or wilful behaviour, the student (or parent) is fully responsible for the cost.

• If damage occurs accidentally despite reasonable care, liability is limited to 50% of the repair/replacement cost, capped at $600.

• Students/parents are not responsible for normal wear and tear.

• The teacher will determine the cause and cost of damage in good faith.

Supervision of Minors

• Children under 14 will be under the teacher’s care and supervision only during class time.

• Parents are responsible for ensuring safe arrival and pickup, and must provide a contactable emergency number.

Student Suitablity & Removal Policy

A safe, respectful, and supportive environment is essential.

• Amalia (or any relief teacher) may remove a student for any reason, including: unsuitability for the class, disruptive/disrespectful behaviour, inappropriate conduct, tardiness, or the need to reduce class size.

• If removed, unused classes will be refunded in full.

Classes are group-based and rely heavily on pair and ensemble work. To make sure every student has a fair, positive, and productive learning experience, class places are at Amalia's discretion. The assessment of a student's suitability is based on consistent criteria applied equally to all students.

These criteria include: Language and speech ability; memorisation ability; confidence and focus - ability to participate without extreme nervousness and to maintain focus so everyone has equal time; acting potential – developing ability to work on scenes and grow from feedback.

Because the classes involve collaborative work, students also need to be at a reasonably similar level to their peers. Where I believe a placement would compromise the learning experience of others, the class may not be the right fit at that time.