The following are our rules regarding venue, membership, and play. These are very important and all participants in our scenarios should be familiar with them and follow them.

1. Rule Seven Always Applies . . . Never Take the Piss. Yes, the very first rule is Rule Seven. That's because Rule Seven is Important! This rule has been around LARPing and Interactive Drama for years and while it is called Rule Seven, many troupes consider it the first rule. These are fun scenarios and we expect folks to have fun, but you should work at preserving the reality of the scene and the suspension of disbelief by staying in character as much as possible without screwing around or making fun or the like. Now, Rule Seven B is cited by many interactive drama troupes as unless it's funny but even then we prefer that the laughing be with one another and never never at other players or the activity in general. Stay true to the context and situation and have fun by playing your role well. Don't worry, you still get to socialize and have fun. We're not compete fuddy-dudders here.

2. Interactive Drama means no voyeurs. There is no audience in the traditional sense of the concept. The participants in an Interactive Drama are both actor and audience. This goes far beyond even the most intense environmental or interactive theatres. You are actor and audience and author. So, this means that if you wish to attend a performance then you will participate as a character.

3. Scenarios are played in English. Since so many of our players are American, Canadian, Australian, or other Expatriates living in Taipei - at least a few with very limited Chinese conversation skills - our games are conducted in English. Sorry, but we can only accommodate players with at least oral fluency in English. This does not mean that Chinese is not allowed. If two players are conversing in character amongst themselves and they wish to use Chinese, then there's no problem as long as they are using the language of highest common fluency. However, all official correspondence, instructions, and group discussions will be conducted in English. Those who are inspired by our efforts and wish to create a Chinese-speaking troupe are certainly encouraged to do so. In fact, we're happy to give advice and to point you in the right direction for resources. This web site is an excellent starting point.

4. This is NOT an English class. While we conduct most sessions in English, this is not an English course (the only obvious exception to this rule is those events that are organized specifically for English learners). Yes, many of the expatriates who participate are professional English teachers and some folks do find these sessions to be great English-practice opportunities (Dr. Phillips has presented a number of papers to academic conferences on this very subject). However, the purpose of the troupe is for folks to get together for a chance to perform interactive dramas. Sure, interactive dramas are a great language teaching and learning tool (some of our members use them regularly for that purpose). However, that's not what the Taiwan Interactive Theatre Society is about. If you just want a chance to practice conversational English with some native speakers, please go elsewhere (of course, if your club, company, or organization would like to invite or hire Dr. Phillips to run a workshop or symposium on using interactive dramas for English practice or learning purposes, feel free to email Lorraine Phillips for more information on contracting a scenario or workshop or to join one of our professional English-environment events, but that's not what the general troupe events are specifically intended for).

5. This is a Non-Smoking venue. If you feel you need to smoke during a scenario, you won't be able to, c'est la vie (sorry, but the only smoking allowed is outside away from the building). We do not take smoking breaks during a scenario for folks to run outside and light up. If you smoke before coming, please give yourself time for the smoke smell to air out of your breath and clothes. This is not merely a matter of taste as there are folks in the group with strong hypersensitive reactions to both the odor and the particles (for instance, Brian has occupational asthma which can be set off by cigarette particulates). The no smoking rules apply to indoor and outdoor venues. When this troupe meets, there is no smoking. Period.

6. No drinking or drugs. This should be a no brainer but we spell it out here just so you know.

7. Bring your own goodies to eat and drinks with plenty to spare for the goodies pile. Everything gets shared and we all contribute something. Mooching is strongly discouraged as is being stingy. Think of it as a potluck kind of affair for snacking during the event. Junk food or packaged snacks is fine (actually, it is pretty much expected). You do not have to overdo it but do contribute and participate.

8. Help clean up the mess after the game. Please don't wait for the game reveal or your experience points and then leap for the door. The help is appreciated. If we have to pick up a disaster zone every time we have a performance, we won't host events very often. Folks who do not help straighten up may find themselves not invited to future events.

9. Membership is open to Ages Seventeen and Up, but there are a few extra restrictions on those under 18 so know them . . . for the most part, we're open to anyone playing who is at least seventeen years of age as long as they can carry on a basic conversation in English. However, those under eighteen must have parental consent and that does not mean you say your parents are good with it, that means that at least one of your parents or a guardian actually has a real life conversation with Lorraine where they give explicit permission for their teenager to join the activities. No permission, no play. Simple enough. We just want to make sure that your parents know where you are and that they're okay with you travelling across Taipei to participate in the activity. Minors who do not have parental consent will not be able to play. We don't have many rules regarding who can join us but that one is very firmly fixed. The only exceptions to the age minimum are made by Brian and Lorraine for very exceptional cases typically with direct parental consent and involvement (for instance, a particularly bright fifteen year-old whose mother is playing might be given a role . . . while a typical twelve-year old probably wouldn't find the experience very worthwhile). Obviously, Adults Over 18 do not need such permissions (well, on our end, some folks may need permission from their spouse or significant other to play but we encourage folks to bring 'em along and let them play too!). This is a private troupe intended for socializing with particular circumstances and restrictions so we really don't want to have to hassle with liabilities or other legal responsibilities that come into play when you allow unaccompanied minors into the mix. So, only adults over the age of 18 may become regular members with the exception that responsible, creative, intelligent teenagers of age seventeen or older may play with parental consent and approval of the troupe organizers. This is easier and safer for all concerned. For the most part, troupe members are adults with special teen memberships for those who qualify. There may be very few exceptions to this but in such cases the absolute minimum age for participation is seventeen and even then parental approval and participation is generally expected. Prior approval for minors is required (speak to Lorraine and Brian for approval well in advance). Another exception is events that are tailor-made for young people (such as educational events for high school programs - contact Lorraine to arrange such events). Some rare events may be labeled as adult participants only so even exceptional minors may not attend those events.

10. Children are usually welcome . . . but . . . the flip side holds true too . . . we are not your collective babysitter. Some folks can't play unless they bring their children so that's kool. Heck, the hosts have a daughter who has been around interactive dramas since she was a baby and so we think kids are great and we understand that sometimes folks can't play unless they bring their kids. You should let us know if you're bringing your kids though. Parents are responsible for managing the behavior of their own children and for looking after them although kids should be encouraged to play with one another when possible. Unruly or destructive children are not welcome (neither are unruly or destructive adults for that matter). Lorraine is not the group babysitter and neither is Kaye.

    Of course there is a caveat that some scenarios may not be appropriate for children if they address mature themes or subject matter or if there are adult situations, props, or costumes. In such cases the scenario director should let folks know well in advance so that they can decide if they wish to participate and so alternative venues or childcare can be arranged. Usually though kids will be around so scenarios should be kid-friendly. If you don't like to play around kids, then you're free to find a new venue and another group of players. Please do understand that while children of players are welcome we do not confer regular membership to minors. Older children who are with their player parents may participate in some games, but only under special circumstances.

11. Membership is Open but . . . We're friendly folks, we welcome beginners and old hands into our events. If established players wish to bring a guest, please clear it with the event director AND with the hosts. If you live in the area, feel free to email Brian David Phillips and introduce yourself. However, do keep in mind that we don't want the numbers to get unmanageable. If for any reason Lorraine and/or Brian decide that someone is not welcome in their home, then boom that person is no longer invited, there is no voting on this as it is not a democratic point. Simple personality differences between players will be handled on a case by case basis but if we decide not to invite you anymore, c'est la vie, that's life, get over it and move on. In all honesty, if there's a personality conflict between someone in the group who is also a close friend outside the interactive drama context and someone who just comes for the events, we'll usually go with the closer friend. We don't like to make those sorts of decisions so please try everything else to resolve the matter before it gets to that. We play these scenarios because the activity is fun and it's a social activity. We'd like to think the people we play with are our friends. We want to enjoy the experience as do you, so we need to work together to that end. Honestly, we have had very very very few cases come up where this was ever even an issue and those were exceptionally rare circumstances. For the most part, people interested in participating in interactive drama events tend to be really good folks, friendly and helpful. You are more likely to make some really cool new friends than have any other issues with folks.

12. Especially for wouldbe members . . . If we invite you into our home to play with us, membership in the group is always conditional on seeing how things work out. It's an audition of sorts that goes on for awhile. We want to see if you can fit in with our group of friends and our style of play and you should be checking us out for the same reasons. If we decide your playing style doesn't really mesh well with ours, don't take it personally (it's probably us and not you). If you are new and you don't like how the scenarios are played, you have the choice of continuing with us and enjoying the parts you do like or of moving on and finding another group. Taipei is a big city, there are lots of folks out there with whom you can play - feel free to consult the helpful articles here and on the Interactive Dramas site on how to start your own interactive drama troupe.

13. Gender and Experience Mix. If at all possible, we'd like to maintain a nice balance between novice and experienced players as well as between young and older players as well as between novice and experienced players - although, most folks have no prior experience with this sort of thing when they join us and even most of the veterans haven't been doing it all that long. We would also like to have a good mix of men and women so couples are very welcome. Given the nature of the beast in our experience and typical gender balance in scenarios, while new single women tend not to create a problem with troupe balance, new single male players are encouraged to join with a new single female players to balance things out. Normally, we don't turn folks away if they show an honest and sincere interest in becoming dedicated and contributing members of the troupe who we can depend upon. Couples or mixed-gender friends are especially welcome. Parents with older children interested in playing are encouraged to encourage them to play as well, likewise young people are certainly welcome to encourage their own older friends or parents to play as well . . . or, not, if that's more comfortable for you. As long as you're interested and as long as we have some balance, we're usually good. If you're really interested, let us know . . . regardless of your experience level, age, or gender. If there's space, we'll most likely give you a try. If not, then we'll tell you straight up. If you have any questions, just email the Coordinator.

14. This is a Social Interactive Drama Event NOT a Dating Service. While we think it is nice for single members of the appropriate age and-or appropriate gender to find one another at our events, that's not why we're here. The purpose of the troupe is to get a group of open-minded interesting folks together, play interactive dramas, and have fun doing so while enjoying one another's company. Of course, on the flip side, we're just thrilled when in the course of a season of interactive dramas folks in no relationship or an appropriate alternative discover they have more in common than our little scenarios and through a process of informed consent begin a journey down the road to a caring, mature, and loving life together. However, that should not be the expectation from the get-go.

1. The Scenario Director is always right. Okay the director is usually mostly right. In the course of a scenario session, the director may make instant rulings regarding rules, conflicts, situations, or what-have-you. Within reason, the outcome of that ruling holds. If someone discovers later in a chronicle series that the ruling was not quite whatever the official rule states, then future runs may follow the official interpretation (or the director's official ruling on that interpretation). We learn from our mistakes but we move forward and don't whine about it later. Of course, players may object to what may seem to be grossly unfair rulings, but for the most part we go with whatever the director has decided at the time of the ruling and most decisions would not be reversed. Note Please: Directors should try very hard not to abuse this power in favor of being an arbitrary toad or use it as an excuse not to learn the rules or their scenarios.

2. Actions have consequence. Although this is just a game, players need to feel that there are real consequences to their actions. If they screw up, then there has to be some sort of retribution - in fewer experience points but also in terms of plot. The Director will not let them burn the village and then leave it's smoldering ashes never to return again.