Respect Comes First

One of the hardest parts of running an arts academy is knowing when to say enough is enough. We had to do it today. We love our students and families, and we want everyone to feel welcome here. But welcome does not mean we will accept toxicity in favor of growth or capitalism.
There’s a book I love called FIRE Your Customers by Humza Chowdhry. The message is simple: not every customer is worth keeping. Some drain time, morale, and resources and letting them go frees you to focus on the ones who bring real value. A few of the takeaways stick with me: quality is more important than quantity; disrespect and constant negativity are red flags; bad customers lower morale and drive away good people; and most importantly, staff should know that leadership will always back them up. By “firing” bad customers, you create more room for the ones who truly value what you do.
If you have an issue or concern, come talk to Cory McRae, our President and CEO, or to me as Artistic Director. Don’t be a toxic presence in the lobby. Don’t take it out on our staff, volunteers, or dancers. We can talk it out, and yes, you can be upset with me, even rude to me if that’s where you are that day. We’ll have a bad day together. But I will not allow that energy to fall on the people who are here to teach, to give, and to learn.
Cory and I have both witnessed firsthand what a toxic dance environment can do to students long before we came onto the board to Alamo City Arts. We have also seen how a toxic lobby environment can discourage parents from wanting to be a part of a program. Those experiences shaped us, and we are committed to making sure Alamo City Arts never becomes that kind of place.
That means we have clear boundaries:

• We do not tolerate teachers being disrespectful to each other, parents, or students.
• We do not accept parents being rude to each other, our staff, teachers, students, or even their own children.
• We do not accept students being disrespectful to anyone — including their own parents.

Because here’s the truth: we do dismiss families. Not lightly, not casually, but when behavior threatens the safe and supportive environment we promise our community. That includes:

• Rudeness or hostility toward staff, volunteers, or dancers
• Damaging property, costumes, or sets
• Bullying — whether in person, backstage, in the lobby, or online
• Toxic behavior that disrupts our community

Why? Because creating a safe space for everyone matters more than keeping every tuition dollar. We are growing, and we’re proud of that. But growth cannot come at the expense of respect.
At Alamo City Arts, our mission is bigger than productions and classes. We are here to build community, to inspire creativity, and to help people discover themselves through the arts. That only happens in an environment where people feel safe, valued, and respected.
So when I have to choose between tolerating toxicity or standing by my people, I’ll choose my people. Every. Single. Time.