Senior Cooperative Theatre Handbook

SR COOPERATIVE THEATRE HANDBOOK (Revised September 2016)

COMMITMENT Many children audition for the play and don’t make it. If your child has been selected but is not 100% committed to the play, please let us know so that we may give someone else a chance. It is MANDATORY that the children are available during the entire two weeks before the play, including weekends. Rehearsals often run late and there will be two evening rehearsals the week of the show.

PARENT PARTICIPATION This is a cooperative effort. We need parents to help with many aspects of the play. You will be asked to indicate your preference on your child’s release form. Please lend a hand. Also, if you have an email address, please indicate that. Parents are asked not to stay during rehearsals. It is distracting to the children. However, we encourage you to call us anytime if you have a question or need assistance.

TUITION NON-REFUNDABLE tuition is $495 per child, payable at the parent meeting, along with the signed release form. Checks should be made payable to Winchester Cooperative Theatre. Scholarships are available, please let us know if you need one.

REHEARSALS Rehearsals will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays, 2;30-5:00PM for the entire cast, and on Thursdays and Fridays for small groups. Please make a point of checking our website, www.winchesterchildrenstheater.com on a regular basis to know when you will be needed. Also, please arrive on time – every moment counts! We also need you to pick up at 5:00pm- please be ON TIME!! If your child is absent from school, he or she is not allowed to attend rehearsal that day. We ask that you notify us if your child will be absent from rehearsal for any reason. It is very important that you leave a message regarding your child’s status, including how long he or she will be absent. It is the only way we know that your child is safe at home with you. There will be MANDATORY rehearsals from 8:00AM to 1:00PM on the two Saturdays before the show. Illness is the only excuse for not attending these rehearsals. Despite our best efforts, rehearsals sometimes run over, especially as we near show time. Please be patient. Remember that we are only trying to help your children to have the best performance that they can. Have your child call you if you do not want to wait. We are not responsible for the children after they are released from rehearsal, so be prepared to pick them up promptly if you are concerned about their waiting alone. Rehearsals and performances will be at McCall Middle School.

PERFORMANCES Performances will be on November 18 at 7:30; Saturday November 19 at 7:30 and Sunday November at 1:00 and 4:00pm. All cast members will perform in all shows. Attendance is mandatory at all performances. In order to give more children a chance to have speaking roles, the speaking parts are double cast. Your child and someone else will have the same part. The children will play their main (speaking) part at half of the shows, and a chorus part in the other shows. The casts will be named to make it easier to keep track of the performances.

Cast pictures are taken after one of the first two shows and are available for sale. Information will be sent home. We generally have someone video the shows and parents may purchase a copy of this DVD. Parents and guests may NOT come back stage. The children will come out as soon as they have changed and put away their costumes. After the last show for each cast, cast members will be allowed to stay in costume and visit in the auditorium.

TICKETS Your child will bring home ticket information and order forms 3-4 weeks before the show. Children are encouraged to sell as many tickets as they can, but each cast member must sell at least 25 tickets. Tickets go very quickly, so we suggest that you place your orders as soon as possible in order to get the best seats. Seating is reserved. Please let your guests know that parking is limited, and that they should plan to arrive early. We strongly urge that children under the age of three not be brought to performances. For the sake of the performers and the audience, children who become disruptive will be asked to leave.

COSTUMES The Cooperative Theatre provides costumes. Certain accessories will need to be supplied by cast members. These will include tights and ballet slippers and may include additional items as well. A list will be provided as costume needs are determined.

All accessories are to be labeled with your child’s name and placed in a laundry basket type container which is also labeled. All tights and shoes look alike! If your child’s accessories are not labeled, they are easily lost, which is upsetting and frustrating for the child and the costume staff. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS LABELED.

COMMUNICATION If you have questions or concerns, please call Cathy Alexander at 781 249-7529. We communicate by email, so please make sure we have your email address and check your email regularly. In addition, notices regarding rehearsals, costumes, tickets and other special announcements will be posted on our website. Please check it regularly! We want this to be a happy experience for all, and communication is essential.

Email: [email protected] Website: www.geocities.com/cooptheatre

PLEASE SAVE THIS HANDBOOK FOR FUTURE REFERENCE