WELCOME

Welcome to our KIDS camp! This informational page will hopefully answer some of your questions about this class. If your student has taken our KIDS production classes or camps in the past, it may be a little different.

EXHIBITION & AUDITIONS

All students will perform in a scene for exhibition as well as musical theatre number(s). Auditions for casting roles in scenes and solo opportunities in the musical theatre number(s) will take place the first day of camp for our 1 week camps, and within the first few days for our two week camps. It will be helpful for your student to rehearse materials at home, especially if your student is new to theatre. Materials will be provided to students in class as well as via the class Callboard.

• VOCALS: There will be audio recording cuts from songs as well as sheet music provided to students. Students are encouraged to listen and sing-along to the songs at home. The songs do not need to be memorized for the audition, but it will be very helpful if students are comfortable with the material to be properly prepared. Students who are interested in a vocal solo must be willing to sing a solo during the audition process.

• ACTING: Sides will be provided (these are portions of the script used in the audition process). These do not need to be memorized for the audition, but it will be very helpful if the student is familiar with the content, especially if they are not strong readers. All students will have the opportunity for speaking lines in their scene.

• CHOREOGRAPHY: All students will dance in the musical theatre number for exhibition. The instructor(s) may choose to hold a movement/dance audition to assign features or solos in the number if their choreography calls for it.

GUIDANCE REGARDING CASTING DECISIONS

When auditioning for a show, or in this case a variety of theatrical material, students typically have a goal and/or desire to be considered for a specific role. While it’s great to have goals, it’s also helpful to understand that casting may not always turn out the way one would hope. We find it helpful if you start preparing your student for potential disappointment if they aren’t cast in the role that they were hoping for. We encourage you to start having those conversations with your student now, before the first night of class.

There are many factors that are considered during the casting process. It’s not just about the students ability to sing, dance and act. How a student behaves during class and the audition process is just as important. Do they listen and take direction well? Are they willing to sing a solo? Do they show effort and energy in their performance? These are just a few examples.

It’s also important to note that if a student isn't cast as they had hoped, it doesn’t mean that they did poorly on their audition. In this class format all students will perform together; students who show directors they are able to take on more responsibility with performing may be given more and placed in a leadership position for their peers. All roles are important and necessary to tell the story.

Thank you for your understanding and support in helping to make this class experience a positive one for your student. It’s our hope that your student will enjoy the process, embrace the role(s) that they are assigned and have a fun class!

PRACTICE AT HOME

It will be very important for your student to put in time outside of camp time to work on their material (acting, singing & dancing). This will include learning and memorizing lines, songs and dances. In your welcome email, you will be provided access to our class Callboard. This will be our main means of communication with you after the first class night and will contain all the necessary information and materials your student will need to be successful in this class. The instructors may provide choreography videos, vocal part tracks, etc. to aid in at home practice; however, students are encouraged to take notes during class as they're able and not rely on these supplemental materials.