NCTC Education Policies
See below for information on NCTC Education scholarships, payments, frequently asked questions, and class policies.
SCHOLARSHIPS
NCTC is proud to offer discounted rates and full scholarships to those who qualify. Please complete this scholarship form prior to registering. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively, so be sure to WAIT FOR A SCHOLARSHIP CODE BEFORE REGISTERING AND PAYING FOR A CLASS.
PAYMENTS
NCTC accepts Visa/Mastercard through our online registration system. There is a registration fee of $1.99. Payment plans are available at the time of registration.
CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS
Tuition fees are non-refundable, non-transferrable.
NCTC reserves the right to cancel a class if enrollment is insufficient, at which point any tuition and fees for those classes will be refunded in full. All dates, times, and programming are subject to change.
If you cancel registration prior to 10 days before the first class, you will be issued a tuition refund, minus a processing fee of 6.75% of your original payment.
If you cancel your registration within 10 days of the first class, there will be no refunds unless your spot can be filled by a student on the waiting list.
No refunds will be issued after the first day of class.
Tuition credits must be used for the same student within one year of the date issued and cannot be transferred to another person, including a family member. After one year of their issuance, tuition credits will expire and no longer be available.
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR FIRST-TIME STUDENTS AFTER REGISTERING?
All first-time NCTC students will be scheduled for a new student interview two weeks prior to their first class. We use this meeting to get to know the students, make sure they are in the best class for their needs, answer any questions they may have and give a tour of the theatre facilities. You may also request an interview BEFORE registering to see if we are a good fit for your child.
HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE IN EACH CLASS?
Class sizes range from 8-30 students depending on the age group and content. Please know class size maximums are enforced to ensure the best possible learning environment for your child. Register early to secure your spot!
WHO ARE THE TEACHING ARTISTS?
All of NCTC’s teaching artists are professional educators and artists who participate in regular professional development workshops. Click here to meet our staff.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO CLASS?
Students in all classes should wear clothes and shoes they are comfortable jumping, crawling and rolling in. Please no hats or open-toed shoes. Hair should be pulled back and out of the face. For those with longer classes or multiple classes in a day, you may want to pack a small snack and a water bottle. Please note: to ensure the safety of all of our students, we have a no-nut policy for both peanuts and tree-nuts (including hazelnut products such as Nutella.)
MAY I WATCH MY CHILD DURING CLASS?
We do not allow parents or other guests to observe class. This policy is to protect the privacy of your child and their classmates. We want the students to be focused on the instructors and feel free to take creative risks in a safe, trusting environment.
WHAT IF MY CHILD NEEDS TO MISS CLASS DUE TO AN ILLNESS OR PLANNED APPOINTMENT?
If your child is ill on the day of a class, please send an email to Jamie@nctcsf.org and let us know.
Attendance is very important for drama classes and having the whole team present each week really matters! If a student misses too many classes (due to illness, appointments, or vacation) we may need to scale back their participation, and in some cases, remove them from the final presentation. We want your child and their classmates to feel confident and prepared before going in front of an audience. Role re-assignments will be left up to the discretion of the Director.
IS THERE A PLAY AT THE END OF CLASS?
NCTC is a process-based program focused on building theatre and social-emotional skills. Drama workshops do not always have final presentations. When we do have culminating projects to share, family and friends will be invited on the last day of class.
IS THERE A PLACE I CAN WAIT WHILE MY CHILD IS IN CLASS?
Parents are welcome to wait in our main lobby during class, however, please know that you are responsible for any young children who are waiting with you and that our lobby is not baby-proof. Hayes Valley is a great place to go get a cup of coffee and/or get some work done.
CAN I DROP OFF MY STUDENT EARLY?
NCTC is unable to provide extended supervision before or after our classes. We staff our lobby fifteen minutes prior to and after each class. Please arrange for punctual drop off and pick up.
WHERE DO I PARK/DROP-OFF/PICK-UP?
There is metered street parking on our block. You might also have more luck if you go out a little further. If you plan on staying longer than a simple drop-off, there are two paid parking lots between Oak St. and Market St. There is a building-appointed security guard in the upper lobby.
Drop-off: You may drop off your child on Van Ness Ave. and watch them run into the building. We will have them sign in once they arrive downstairs in the NCTC lower lobby.
Sign-in: All students are required to sign in and out at our lower lobby desk.
Pick-up: Most parents of our younger students (grades 3-5) choose to park and pick up their child from our lower lobby. Older students (grades 6-12) have the option of signing themselves out and waiting unsupervised in the upper, street-level lobby or waiting out front for pick up. We recommend them staying inside the building until they see your car pull up. Some parents choose to pull over in the alley on Hickory St. or Oak St. and text their child their location or have the child text them they are ready by the door. Do what works best for your family and your child.
WILL I BE ABLE TO PHOTOGRAPH AND/OR FILM MY CHILD’S FINAL PRESENTATION?
NCTC does not allow photographs or video to be taken during any performance. We want you (and your fellow audience members) to be able to enjoy the performance as it’s happening–not through an iPhone screen. We also want our students to be able to focus on their performance and not be distracted by or feel self-conscious because of a roomful of cameras. So, go ahead and turn off your phones and enjoy your child’s performance in the moment.
HOW DO I GET MY FREE STUDENT TICKET TO A FAMILY MATINEE PRODUCTION?
All enrolled students receive one free ticket to each Family Matinee production of the season in which they are enrolled. Please contact the Box Office at 415.861.8972 or boxofffice@nctcsf.org to arrange for your complimentary ticket.
WHAT ARE YOUR COVID-RELATED POLICIES?
NCTC follows the guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control, the California Department of Public Health, the San Francisco Public Health Department for in-person activities. All students and NCTC staff must show proof of COVID vaccination in order to participate. Masks are optional during class and families are expected to self-screen students for any COVID-related symptoms prior to arrival and keep them home if they are sick. Families are also expected to report any COVID exposures or positive testing for their child. During performances, masking may be required for the audience.
NCTC has upgraded our facilities, installing new air sanitizers, more sanitizing stations, and implementing additional cleaning protocols. Hydroxyl Generators that sanitize air and surfaces will be run throughout the space before and after performances. Our ventilation system exceeds approved ACH (air change per-hour) standards and our air filtering exceeds approved MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) standards.
CODE OF CONDUCT
In order to provide students, staff and guests with a safe and supportive environment, we do not tolerate any form of physical or verbal abuse, nor any form of harassment, vandalism, or the use of illegal substances. No refunds will be issued to students who are removed from the program due to violations of the Code of Conduct.
NCTC does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for students, families, guests and all members of our staff.