Content Policies
As a Christian youth program that serves people of varying ages, backgrounds, and beliefs, we believe that it is necessary to have clear policies about the kinds of content that we will produce, promote, etc.
We would like to be an industry leader in producing and creating family-friendly entertainment that is inspirational, educational, heart-warming, challenging, etc, in ways that are as family-friendly and uncontroversial as possible. When tackling challenging subject matter, we want to make sure those subjects are wrapped up in a story that has positive messages and morals, and clear examples of people doing what is right.
The historic success of the Disney company in relying solely on family-friendly content has proven clearly that stories do not need to be edgy to be powerful, successful, and life-changing, and that businesses do not need to rely on edgy content in order to be financially viable. In fact, the meteoric success of the Disney company in comparison to other companies over a period of decades actually proves that relying on family-friendly content/experiences can be MORE financially profitable, impactful, sustainable, and career-making than edgy content. The Disney company has launched the careers of many of the most successful performers of the last several decades, thereby proving that family-friendly content CAN provide a solid foundation and opportunities for future success.
While there may be a place for edgy content that pushes the limits of what might be considered appropriate to portray on stage or screen, we do not believe that place is in youth theatre, and certainly not at Chrysalis.
As youth arts educators, we also believe that some sensitive topics might be better for students to learn about from their parents or professional counselors, rather than from a youth theatre production. We do not possess the training, experience, or certifications for discussing these topics with children. Exposing children to sensitive topics may also expose Chrysalis to potential legal action, depending on how students respond to those topics.
We take great inspiration from Philippians 4:8, which says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
We would like to be an industry leader in producing and creating family-friendly entertainment that is inspirational, educational, heart-warming, challenging, etc, in ways that are as family-friendly and uncontroversial as possible. When tackling challenging subject matter, we want to make sure those subjects are wrapped up in a story that has positive messages and morals, and clear examples of people doing what is right.
The historic success of the Disney company in relying solely on family-friendly content has proven clearly that stories do not need to be edgy to be powerful, successful, and life-changing, and that businesses do not need to rely on edgy content in order to be financially viable. In fact, the meteoric success of the Disney company in comparison to other companies over a period of decades actually proves that relying on family-friendly content/experiences can be MORE financially profitable, impactful, sustainable, and career-making than edgy content. The Disney company has launched the careers of many of the most successful performers of the last several decades, thereby proving that family-friendly content CAN provide a solid foundation and opportunities for future success.
While there may be a place for edgy content that pushes the limits of what might be considered appropriate to portray on stage or screen, we do not believe that place is in youth theatre, and certainly not at Chrysalis.
As youth arts educators, we also believe that some sensitive topics might be better for students to learn about from their parents or professional counselors, rather than from a youth theatre production. We do not possess the training, experience, or certifications for discussing these topics with children. Exposing children to sensitive topics may also expose Chrysalis to potential legal action, depending on how students respond to those topics.
We take great inspiration from Philippians 4:8, which says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
As such, here are our content policies:
It should be noted that we are not necessarily condemning shows that do not fit our standards. There are many shows that might be a good fit for older groups/audiences, or for groups with different values/missions. However, these shows may not be a good fit for Chrysalis.
It should also be noted that there are some shows that could theoretically be altered and/or creatively presented in a way that is more in line with our mission and policies. However, licensing contracts prevent us from being able to alter some of these shows to the extent we would need to.
Here is a list of existing shows that generally fit with our standards. This list is open to discussion.
- All content produced at Chrysalis must be age-appropriate and as family-friendly as possible.
- All stories portrayed at Chrysalis must have clear positive messages/morals.
- Chrysalis will generally strive to avoid, tone down, replace, or remove sensitive topics. This includes sexual content and costuming, gender identity topics, violence, profanity, glorified substance abuse, rape, torture, abuse, self-harm, suicide, etc.
- Content produced for older age groups will have an age limit for all student participants, and will come with clear content warnings for all participants, including for people coming to watch that content.
- All content produced at Chrysalis must have messages/morals that do not promote or glorify behaviors that clearly go against Biblical standards (i.e. murder, adultery, gambling, drunkenness, etc).
- Chrysalis will generally strive to avoid content that egregiously mocks or denigrates any particular religion/religious figure, ethnic group, or political party/figure.
- We are generally ok with fairy tale magic, since it is usually portrayed more as a plot device than an outright promotion or glorification of witchcraft, and it is usually portrayed within the context of principles that more or less match up with Biblical principles (i.e. teaching children to choose love, kindness, forgiveness, etc). However, dark witchcraft that is glorified or presented in a favorable light is generally not allowed in Chrysalis productions.
- All scripted content included in Chrysalis activities/productions must be approved by the Artistic Director. Any Chrysalis staff member that uses non-approved content in any Chrysalis activity/production will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
It should be noted that we are not necessarily condemning shows that do not fit our standards. There are many shows that might be a good fit for older groups/audiences, or for groups with different values/missions. However, these shows may not be a good fit for Chrysalis.
It should also be noted that there are some shows that could theoretically be altered and/or creatively presented in a way that is more in line with our mission and policies. However, licensing contracts prevent us from being able to alter some of these shows to the extent we would need to.
Here is a list of existing shows that generally fit with our standards. This list is open to discussion.
Theatre Shows That Likely DO Fit Our Policies (Or Can Be Creatively Presented To Fit)
Most Disney shows
Most Broadway Jr shows
Anastasia*
Anne Of Green Gables
Annie
A Year With Frog And Toad
Cinderella
Fiddler On The Roof
Finding Neverland
Get Smart
Godspell
Hello Dolly
Holiday Inn
Honk
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Les Miserables*
Little Women*
Meet Me In St. Louis
Newsies*
Peter Pan
Pride And Prejudice
Ruddigore*
Secret Garden
School Of Rock
Singin’ In The Rain Jr
The Sound Of Music
The Music Man
The Wizard Of Oz
Willy Wonka
You Can’t Take It With You
*Shows with this asterisk mark next to them may be too difficult for younger performers, and/or they contain content that may not suitable for younger students. These shows may or may not be a good fit for our program, but they likely can be presented in a way that does not explicitly violate our policies.
Most Disney shows
Most Broadway Jr shows
Anastasia*
Anne Of Green Gables
Annie
A Year With Frog And Toad
Cinderella
Fiddler On The Roof
Finding Neverland
Get Smart
Godspell
Hello Dolly
Holiday Inn
Honk
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Les Miserables*
Little Women*
Meet Me In St. Louis
Newsies*
Peter Pan
Pride And Prejudice
Ruddigore*
Secret Garden
School Of Rock
Singin’ In The Rain Jr
The Sound Of Music
The Music Man
The Wizard Of Oz
Willy Wonka
You Can’t Take It With You
*Shows with this asterisk mark next to them may be too difficult for younger performers, and/or they contain content that may not suitable for younger students. These shows may or may not be a good fit for our program, but they likely can be presented in a way that does not explicitly violate our policies.
Creating New Shows
We also have a goal of creating new shows, featuring uplifting content that furthers our goals of bringing people together in unity, and helping them to blossom and thrive.