Theater Program FAQ's
How do I choose a class level?
Class levels are based on age and grade level, however there are some overlaps. If your child is on the cusp, you may want consider their experience level, their desire to have a larger roll, and their ability to focus and memorize lines. Stick with a younger class if theater is relatively new or they would like aim for a larger roll. If they have more experience, are up to the challenge to memorize and focus more, but don't mind a smaller part consider an older cast. Please note, though, that age does not always dictate who gets larger or smaller roles.
How are Little Theater parts assigned ?
Casting is always challenging. We'd love to give everyone the part they want, but of course that is not possible. Our youngest Little Theater cast members find this extremely hard to understand. Often we end up allowing everyone to play the "coveted" lead as they sing a closing song. Other times we spilt parts to distribute favored roles. We do our best to highlight how awesome each part is so that they can get excited about all of their options.
Regardless of the role assigned, we encourage you to support the decisions our directors have made - they do not take the process lightly. Good casting efforts requires a holistic evaluation of many variables. When this is done well, everyone benefits. It allows for the best production possible with everyone rising to the challenge.
If your child disappointed with their role, help them to see the value of their particular character and emphasize how many scenes and songs they are in.
How are parts assigned in Youth Theater and Tween-Teen Theater ?
Casting is always challenging. We'd love to give everyone the part they want, but of course that is not possible. Decisions for these age groups rely heavily on auditions and, to some degree, their past "track record" in other shows with us. Actors who come prepared to rehearsals, are willing to stay focused, take direction, and are open to taking risks to perfect their role are factors that may also be considered. Casting is also relative to the skill levels of each particular group. In in one group they might be relatively more advanced and play a larger role while in another they might be relatively less advanced and play a smaller role.
If your child is really hoping for a larger role, these are some suggestions:
1) Help them come prepared with a full song memorized that is similar to the part in the play they are hoping to be. 2) Have them study You Tube clips of their song to get ideas for choreography for their audition. This doesn't have to be elaborate. Directors just look for singing "in character".
3) Tell them that it is important for them to learn their lines and songs quickly in this play so the director can see they are ready for a bigger part
4) Help them figure out what part would suit them best. For instance, if they are younger and smaller they would be more likely to play a child than a parent or if they are more serious they might not want to try to play a comic role.
Regardless of the role assigned, we encourage you to support the decisions our directors have made - they do not take the process lightly. Good casting efforts requires a holistic evaluation of many variables. When this is done well, everyone benefits. It allows for the best production possible with everyone rising to the challenge.
How large are your casts?
Little Theater casts are usually no more than 12. Youth and Teen-Tween casts are between 12-16. This allows for everyone to have plenty of stage time.
How many shows are there?
Little Theater has one show. Youth Theater has one or two shows (check at enrollment). Teen-Tween Casts have two shows.
Are we provided free tickets to shows?
You are provided three tickets per cast. Proceeds from tickets sales help make these productions possible. It pays for hours of extra preparation of sets, added tech staff, back stage support, professional lights and microphones and edited video footage emailed to you. Theater class costs would be prohibitive for many families if we couldn't count on ticket sales.
What if my child doesn't like their part?
Please see "How are parts assigned?"
POLICIES
MAKE UP CLASSES Schedule using this link
We want you be able to take advantage of the money you have invested in classes, so we try to be as flexible as possible with our make up policy. This is a courtesy that we offer when circumstances allow and is not guaranteed.
Our make up policy allows students to make up two missed classes in any dance class that is not full and is age appropriate. Restrictions exist for number of make ups, missed make ups, and make-up class options. See the Q& A's below.
Make ups must be finished within the session that you are in and cannot be extended into the next session. Make ups can not be scheduled on the last day of the sessions as it is presentation day.
We highly advise you schedule make ups as your absences occur. It is much more difficult to find space at the end of the session when everyone is trying to schedule their make-ups.
ARE MAKE UPS GUARANTEED?
Make ups are not guaranteed. This is a courtesy offering that we are allowing when it is possible and doesn't negatively impact those regularly scheduled in a class. We can not guarantee that classes will have space in them for a make up or that make ups will be available when your schedule allows. Refunds or credits will not be extended if you are unable to schedule a make up.
CAN WE DO A MAKE UP IN ANY TYPE OF CLASS?
- Dance classes can be made up only in dance classes.
- Circus arts classes (not aerial) can be made up in either circus arts classes or dance classes.
- Aerial classes can be made up in any age and level appropriate class type. You can not make up in an aerial class if you are not enrolled in an aerial class.
- You can never make up a class by joining a theater class.
ARE MAKE UPS ALLOWED FOR THEATER CLASSES?
Make ups for theater classes are only allowed if advanced notice of sickness is provided. Notice must be given before the class is missed.Theater class make ups can only be done in dance classes. NO MORE THAN 2 make ups are allowed in a given theater session. Absences not related to illness are NOT eligible for make ups. This is to encourage everyone to make their best effort to attend so rehearsals are able to run without characters missing. We recommend scheduling vacations, play dates, and appointments around the rehearsals.
IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF MAKE UPS ALLOWED IN A SESSION?
NO MORE THAN 2 make-ups for dance, aerial or theater classes are allowed to be scheduled per session regardless of the length of the session. Theater class make ups can only be done in dance classes.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T ATTEND YOUR MAKE UP?
If your can not attend a make up because they are sick we need written notice before the day of the make up. If this notice is given you can reschedule the make up. All other missed make-up are forfeited and can not be rescheduled.
HOW DO YOU SCHEDULE A MAKE UP?
Request a make-up via this link
WHEN ARE MAKE UPS ALLOWED?
Make ups are allowed only within your current session except for the last day of the session when we have presentations.
CAN I EXTEND MY ENROLLMENT FOR A MAKE UP?
No, your make up period ends when your enrollment ends. For example, if you purchase a 4 week series and miss a class, you must makeup the class during the 4 week period. Your make up could not be extended into the fifth week.
REFUNDS
If a class not working out for your child? Depending on the class, you have different options:
DANCE CLASS REFUNDS
Refunds are only given when we cancel a class. Freeze your enrollment if you need to stop taking classes. You must email us and we will withdraw your child from class and put a credit on your account for the balance of classes left that will be good for one year from withdrawal. Must email us to apply the funds to a new registration.
FREEZING YOUR DANCE/GYMNASTICS CLASS ENROLLMENT
If you have remaining classes that you no longer want your child to attend, you may freeze your child’s enrollment for them to use on a later date. All requests to freeze enrollment must be emailed or submitted in writing and confirmation from our office must be provided in order for it to be active.
These classes can only be transferred as a consecutive group of classes and any difference in cost must be paid if moving to attend a more expensive class. For instance, prorated single theater classes and gymnastic classes are more expensive than dance, so if you are applying frozen dance classes you are charged the added amount for those.
In addition to being transferred as a group frozen classes must be applied to another session. The balance of the session must be paid for when frozen classes are used. For example, if you have six frozen classes you can apply them to a new 10 week session and then you must pay for the remaining four in the session. If you have more frozen classes than remain in a current session, you may use them to complete the session and the remaining can be applied to another session's registration. For example, if you have six remaining classes and you would like to register for the last four classes of the session you may do so. The remaining two classes must be used towards a full or half session enrollment as offered. Frozen enrollment classes can not be used for drop in classes.
Frozen enrollment can not be turned into a credit for merchandise purchases. Frozen classes expire one year from the date frozen. It is not possible to retroactively freeze an enrollment. Classes missed prior to notification cannot be made up. Frozen enrollment is non-transferable to other family members or friends.
LITTLE THEATER OPTIONS (AGES 4-8) AFTER EARLY WITHDRAWAL
Before the first class: Inform us in writing at least 72 hours before the start of class and you can get frozen enrollment for the number of classes in the session that can be used for dance or theater. This is treated as an even exchange class for class and the difference in cost is not credited (i.e.: 14 theater classes = 14 dance classes regardless of difference in cost)
Less than 72 hours before the start of class and BEFORE scripts are emailed out: Your child may drop theater if we are notified by the day after the first class, before scripts are emailed out and receive an exchange of class option. There are NO CREDITS, REFUNDS, or FROZEN ENROLLMENT options in this situation This is because there is no opportunity for us to fill that spot once the class starts. Your child may, however, transfer to a dance class during the same semester. This is treated as an even exchange and the difference in cost is not credited.
After the first class AFTER scripts are emailed out: If your child drops out after scripts have been emailed, there are NO REFUNDS, CREDITS, FROZEN ENROLLMENT or EXCHANGES. It is challenging to re-write scripts and rehearse with new lines when a cast member drops out..
MUSICAL THEATER OPTIONS FOR YOUTH & TWEEN/TEEN CASTS AFTER EARLY WITHDRAWL
Before the first class: There are NO REFUNDS, CREDIT, OR FROZEN ENROLLMENT OPTIONS unless your spot gets filled prior to the first class. Ask us to check our waitlist. A $35 administrative fee is deducted from your credit if a replacement is found. Your credit would expire in one year. Or you may have a refund minus a $50.00 admin fee if the spot gets filled.
After the first class: Once your child signs up for the show, s/he is signed up for the entire play from beginning to end. If a child is having second thoughts, we ask that you encourage your child to participate and finish the show. It is challenging to re-write scripts and rehearse with new lines when a cast member drops out. If a child drops out after the first class, there are NO REFUNDS, CREDIT, OR FROZEN ENROLLMENT OPTIONS.
SCHOOL SITE MUSICAL THEATER REFUNDS
Your child may drop theater and receive a refund if we are notified by the day after the first class, before scripts are emailed out. There are no NO REFUNDS, CREDITS, or EXCHANGES otherwise.
WATCHING YOUR CHILD IN CLASS
Parents love to watch their children and younger children often are more comfortable with parents near them, however the flow of the class often gets disrupted by dancers checking in with their parents and the overall quality of the class deteriorates. In addition, some dancers become more self conscious in front of an audience and we want to give them the freedom to feel comfortable in class. Our way of “meeting in the middle” is to provide flat screen TV for parents to watch dancers from the lobby.
Our Oakland facility has two studios. The front studio, Studio A, has a screen in the front lobby. The back studio, Studio B, has a screen in the back hallway and in our upstairs lobby. During school days, the upstairs lobby is closed as it is used by our after school program.
WHAT IF MY CHILD REALLY NEEDS ME IN CLASS?
Our Creative Movement classes are designed just for this reason. Parents are allowed in the class, but don’t fully participate as they would in a Parent & Me class. If your child is new to classes with us, is Pre-ballet aged and tentative, we allow you to come in for the first couple of classes. If you child is still uncomfortable without you after that time, staff will brainstorm options with you.
CHECKING-IN
When you arrive for your dance class, you can check-in using the i-pads located near each entrance. Follow the directions posted. If it is not working for you, we appreciate letting our staff know.
LATE PICK UP
We are not in a position to properly supervise a child after class is dismissed and it is often very stressful for younger children. We reserve the right to charge you $1/minute for every minute after dismissal if you are not present.
ENTERING THE DANCE STUDIO
Class begins when students are invited into the dance room by their instructor. Please do not allow your child to enter the studio before that time.
POTTY NEEDS DURING DANCE CLASS
Please make every effort to have your child use the restroom before class. It is disruptive to class when a restroom break is needed – usually it has a domino effect. Sometimes it can’t be helped, though. If your child needs to use the restroom during class, they should tell their teacher and they will be directed to the restroom. If they can’t do this independently, please sit outside of the studio so that you can be called to assist your child.
If your child happens to have an accident, we ask that you address your child’s needs and if possible, help us clean the floor.