Murray Avenue Theatre Arts 2010-2011

General Information

Registration: We will place an announcement in Tiger Talk when the Registration and Code of Conduct forms become available in September.  The forms will be available in hard copy by the front office and on this website.  Once available, the forms can be sent out immediately, and must be postmarked by October 15th, 2010.   A complete registration application must include three items: the registration form; payment; and the Code of Conduct to be considered complete.  Material not postmarked by October 15 and/or incomplete will not be considered. A form must be postmarked to be considered – no drop offs.

Each cast is limited to 80 students, so a total of 160 children can participate in the musical (i.e. Cast A & Cast B will be 160 students combined).  We try, to the extent possible, to make it distributed equally between grades 2-5, i.e. about 20 students per grade per cast and to honor your cast preference.  But this is not always possible, so please be flexible. While registration is on a first come first served basis, if we receive registration forms for more than 40 students from one grade level, some students may be placed on a cast that was not their preference or even on a waitlist for the following year – even if they sent in their forms early.  While this is unfortunate, it allows us to maintain a balance of age groups.  Clearly, it is unlikely that the numbers will work out perfectly and we will take more in one grade if another grade does not fill up to 20 per cast. You will find out if your child was registered and into which cast they were placed by November 1st.  If they were placed on a waitlist, they will get priority next year (except for 5th graders).

Casting:  Casting will be held on December 13th.  Second graders do not attend casting as they are part of chorus and have no individual roles. Before casting, children will receive a lyric sheet and CD to help them practice songs. Cast A and Cast B will attend at different times. During casting, the production company will split the children up into 3 groups, each group having a mixture of ages.  The groups will rotate through singing, choreography and acting “auditions.”  This is typically fun for the kids and not stressful.  They learn the songs, lines and movements in groups, and then are asked to either do things in smaller groups or individually.  They are never forced to do anything they do not want to do.  But their willingness to perform and abilities are taken into consideration when the production company chooses their role.  If your child wants to be part of the musical, but does not desire a speaking part, please let us know in advance of the casting date.  While the Theatre Arts Committee has nothing to do with choosing roles for the children, they will give this information to the production company. 

Within two weeks of casting, your child will receive a script and label which has his or her role(s) listed.  Often, children will have more than one role, and girls may be cast in “boy” parts if necessary.  Children should start reviewing the script and memorizing their lines/lyrics right away.

Rehearsals & Attendance:  A tentative rehearsal schedule will be posted on the website in September.  Please review it carefully and mark your calendars (January 10th-21st, including MLK, Jr. Day).  The rehearsal period is fun, but demanding.  The times are different for 2nd graders and do change slightly the second week of rehearsals for everyone when full dress rehearsals begin.  Your child should come each day with his or her script and a pencil.  Cast A children will go directly from school to the cafeteria for rehearsals (second grade teachers will receive a list of involved students) and should also have an extra peanut-free snack for after school.  

Attendance at each rehearsal is mandatory.  Please clear your children’s calendar ahead of time.  Coaches, religion school teachers and others are understanding if you explain the musical commitment in advance. We sign a contract with the production company which outlines its attendance requirement, and we will enforce it without exception: each child is allowed one absence due to illness.  After that, s/he may be asked to leave the production or his or her role may be changed.  If your child attends school, they should attend rehearsal. While the absence of one individual may not affect the production, when exceptions are made for many children, it is extremely disruptive. 

The rule is a result of the production company’s years of experience. This is a team effort with numerous group numbers during which dialogue, choreography and singing depend on cues from one another. We need all children present whenever possible for the limited 10 days of rehearsals.  We cannot stress this enough.  If you know that you will have commitments that you cannot miss (including those on MLK Jr. Day), please do not sign up for the musical and put us in the position of asking your child to leave the production.  It is the absolute last thing that we want to do!

Costumes:  Costumes are provided by the production company.  However, students are asked to bring in supplementary items, such as a leotard or bathing suit for costume changes, a white t-shirt, socks and dark shoes.  We will provide you with a list.  Many items you may already have at home or can readily borrow.  If you need to purchase items, we urge you to spend as little money as possible and go to chains such as Payless or Target.

Performances:  The performance dates are on January 22 & 23rd, 2011.   The performance lasts approximately one hour with no intermission. The children are asked to come in 45 minutes before the start time with their leotard/bathing suit on and makeup/hair all done.  After the performances, one adult from your party can pick up your child from the large cafeteria.

Tickets and DVD sales: Information on ticket sales and DVDs will be in Tiger Talk and in your child’s backpack closer to the performance dates.

Communications: Email will be the sole method of communication between the musical coordinators and the parents of cast members.  Please check email daily and respond quickly to any information requests.

Volunteer Positions:  We need a huge amount of parent support to make this musical a success.  A sheet describing each position is available.  We ask that you try to volunteer in some capacity since we need over 70 parent volunteers to make this production a success. Please consider taking a large role.  You will not regret it!

Have questions or want to help?
Contact Amy Psaila or Rachel Goldman