Humanitarian Theme ~ World Servers

In taking entertainment to institutions, Bread & Roses is primarily concerned with creating a relaxed and rewarding experience for both the performer and the inmates or patients of any institution.

1. Promptness is very important for people confined in institutions. They are on regular schedules. In most circumstances, the patients or inmates become anxious and unhappy if the expected and anticipated entertainment is late.

2. Communicating with the audience is as important as entertaining them. We encourage you to visit with the residents before or after a performance. However, please be aware that expressiong personal beliefs and philosophies (religious, social, political, etc.) is inappropriate and perhaps alienating. The quality of your performance itself will express inherent beliefs and messages.

3. Please don’t make promises or commitments to the inmates or patients that you don’t intend to keep; i.e., future visits or continued correspondence.

4. Cleanliness and good health are most important, particularly when you are visiting a health care facility. Many residents have a very low resistance to disease. If you are not feeling well the day before a scheduled performance, call the office to rearrange your visit.

5. Neatness in appearance is pleasing to the eye, and any special costume is particularly well received as it makes the audience feel that you have made a special effort for them.

6. Children generally are not allowed in institutions. However, if and when they are, they may enhance a performance. Pets are not allowed, so please don’t bring them along.

7. Bringing extra people along to a show adds a level of confusion. The only way that they should attend is with the assignment of a specific job that has been cleared with the Bread & Roses office in advance. For instance, they could be assigned to carry equipment, to greet the audience or to help the patients, etc.

8. If, at your convenience, you decide t meet us at the institution before a performance rather than at the office, please make sure that you make contact with a Bread & Roses person before the performance commences. (A Bread & Roses staff member will attend each performance.)

9. Bred & Roses has been established as a liaison with the institutions. If you have any questions or problems – please call our office rather than the institution and we will be happy to help work them out.

10. If for any reason you have to cancel a performance, please notify the Bread & Roses office as soon as possible, as the date will have been counted on by the institution and the office will have to get a replacement.

11. Always remember that, as a performer going to an institution, you are entering someone’s home and act accordingly.

12. You have been chosen to be a Bread & Roses performer because of your unique talent. The above suggestions may not pertain to you, but we feel that they are worth remembering.