Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Casting: Summer Program

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   I've been asked to direct a summer program for students grades 3rd-8th. The practices will take place over three weeks, Mon-Friday for three hours a day.  There are a couple things I'm concerned about, beyond being able to put on a one hour show at the end of the three weeks for students and parents.  They are:

1) It looks like there is going to be a huge number of students signing up.  If I hold casting auditions, I'm afraid that the older kids will be so advanced in relation to the younger kids, that if I were to cast based off talent alone, the entire play would be made up of 7th and 8th grade students, with maybe only one or two 3rd and 4th graders. Would it be wrong to cast strictly based on talent? Or should I try and cast a balanced number of kids from each grade, even if the pool of acting talent in the younger grades are less desireable?

2) Should I hold auditions at the end of May as soon as everyone has signed up, OR should I wait until the very end of the school year (June 21st) to begin to cast.

3) The play takes place at the end of July. After I cast, should I provide every one with a script to immediately study their lines? Can I count on kids actually STUDYING their lines in the one month of summer vacation before summer theater camp starts?

4) Does anyone think I'll have difficulty putting on a quality production with the large age range I'm working with (3rd-8th grade)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

PS: (Anyone know of any good plays for kids that would run between an hour and an hour and a half?)

Author	Message
Harper Walk-On Joined: 5/13/10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Casting: Summer Program Posted: 5/13/10 at 8:08pm
	I've been asked to direct a summer program for students grades 3rd-8th. The practices will take place over three weeks, Mon-Friday for three hours a day. There are a couple things I'm concerned about, beyond being able to put on a one hour show at the end of the three weeks for students and parents. They are: 1) It looks like there is going to be a huge number of students signing up. If I hold casting auditions, I'm afraid that the older kids will be so advanced in relation to the younger kids, that if I were to cast based off talent alone, the entire play would be made up of 7th and 8th grade students, with maybe only one or two 3rd and 4th graders. Would it be wrong to cast strictly based on talent? Or should I try and cast a balanced number of kids from each grade, even if the pool of acting talent in the younger grades are less desireable? 2) Should I hold auditions at the end of May as soon as everyone has signed up, OR should I wait until the very end of the school year (June 21st) to begin to cast. 3) The play takes place at the end of July. After I cast, should I provide every one with a script to immediately study their lines? Can I count on kids actually STUDYING their lines in the one month of summer vacation before summer theater camp starts? 4) Does anyone think I'll have difficulty putting on a quality production with the large age range I'm working with (3rd-8th grade)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. PS: (Anyone know of any good plays for kids that would run between an hour and an hour and a half?)

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KEB54 Celebrity Joined: 7/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 227	Posted: 5/25/10 at 10:23am
	Have fun! Personally I don't do our summer musical because I can't stand the hassles of all those kids!! With that said, here are a few comments: 1) Huge number of kids is good. That means lots of ticket sales. It also means participation, future casts and crews, and future supporters. Occasionally you'll get new adults involved because of their child's participation. You should have auditions AND you should cast as many as possible. You should have a show that has children chorus parts. Cast according to talent, but I think you may be surprised. It will probably be more evenly distributed than you think. 2) Hold auditions as close to the start of rehearsals as possible, but advertise now. Have perusal scripts available and a calendar of performance and rehearsal times. 3) See above and give their scripts after they have been cast. 4) Define "quality production". Get them onstage and knowing their lines and songs and you will have a successful production. Remember the purpose/mission, which I assume to be something like giving them opportunity to be in a play, having fun, making friends, and learning a bit about theatre ; and having an appreciation of theatre. Remember, too, your audience make-up, which will be parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends of the cast. Other advice: Have "kid wranglers"-- ie volunteers that are responsible for watching the kids off-stage and getting them on stage in time for their cue(s). Have detailed information/rules/expectations written out. Use it as a contract that both the child and parent signs. This should cover behavior, theatre etiquette, rehearsals, performances, costumes, etc. I guarantee you will have to refer to it often. Expect the unexpected. Remember these are people new to theatre and may not realize the time commitment. I can't tell you the number of times actors didn't show up because of family vacations and the parents didn't think it any big deal because their child knew their lines. No understanding of ensemble, etc. For the record: I think you are nuts. My hat's off to you. I can't do it.
	KEB
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MpmsDramaMama Walk-On Joined: 7/27/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 7/27/10 at 2:42pm
	In the past, my community did a series of summer productions for students ages 8 - 18. Everyone who tried out got a part (maybe not a speaking part, but a part) Parents were required to sign up to help in at least one area and there were always kid wranglers who wanted to participate. There were always 70+ kids participating. There was always a group that would do the costumes and it always turned out beautifully. The people who directed stopped directing 3 years ago. I have been asked to pick it back up next summer. I don't know if I want to, but I might do it.
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lparks Star Joined: 1/12/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Posted: 9/14/10 at 12:50am
	Our company is doing a youth musical this Christmas (Narnia). So far, I have decided that we do any others - I will not direct. I love kids to death, but dealing with the whole issue of managing 20 or more kids can be a nightmare. We are not even into rehearsals yet, and I already have complaining children / parents about roles they received, slight rehearsal schedule revision, etc. Overall, I applaud anyone who can successfully tackle a youth theatre production and not feel an immense amount of pressure... Not only do you have to please the audience, but you have to please the parents too.
	Landon Parks, Producing Artistic Director, Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co
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Theatermama Star Joined: 7/23/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Posted: 9/14/10 at 4:55pm
	Harper - I was wondering how did the summer show work? I have worked in youth theater for over 10+ years, I prefer children to adults if the truth be known. The trick is having a very good rehearsal schedule, don't waste their time and make sure everyone stays busy. You absolutely can put on a quality show with ages 3rd -8th grade - we have done youth musicals for 8 of the 10 years with just those ages and did some amazing shows. You need staff that works well with children and a stage manager that knows how to communicate with parents. Parent communication is key - being very clear on schedule, sending reminders, have a parent handout at auditions so they know what they are getting themselves into before they accept the role. Parents need to feel their child is safe and they need to know what they must do. Kid wranglers can be useful but often there would be myself and my assistant director and that was it with 30 kids and we had no trouble whatsoever. Downtime is what causes difficulties - try to make use of all time. Expect the best from kids and they will give it to you and set the bar very high.
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Topic: Casting: Summer Program( Topic Closed)