Please read all of the following carefully:
1. General. The production for 2006 is The Little Mermaid,
A Westside Story an original rock musical with lots of production
numbers and lots of speaking parts. There will be about 70 children in the
cast. The youngsters will not only act, sing and dance, but (as time allows)
help build props and scenery, and create the posters. Everything happens
at Park Hall, 9370 Mill Street in Ben Lomond (next door to Ben Lomond Market).
2. Eligibility. The age range of actors is 8 through 14 (jr. high
p; no highschoolers). See admissions policy
3. Casting. Children are cast by musical ability (pitch, range, harmony),
improv and acting skills, and dancing skills- also the "look"
needed for a certain character. Group requests are honored whenever possible.
All children get a chance to shine!
4. Rehearsals. Sessions will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday, starting Monday, June 26. Most children will not
have to come every day, until about the second week of July. The schedule
for the first week, during which we cast the play, is as follows:
**** Actors should attend one half-day session, Monday
through Thursday during the first week. The same material is covered in
each session. But please consistently attend either morning or
afternoon (not both) for all four days unless asked otherwise by Directors.
You are welcome to stay and watch. Send a snack with your child. Kids should
wear old, comfortable clothes to rehearsal-shorts, jeans, sneakers, etc.
No skin-tight or overly- revealing clothes, No short dresses or skirts,
No sandals (bad for dancing). Occasionally we ask an actor to come at a
different time in order see him/her in the company of other specific actors.
Calendar updates will be posted via email daily!
5. Performance Dates. There will be nine performances: July 27, 28,
29, 30, and Aug. 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6. Closing performance Aug. 6 will be
followed by striking of the set and cast party. Sunday matinees start at
2 p.m., all other shows start at 7:30 p.m. Your child must be present
at all performances, run-throughs, and dress rehearsals! Run-throughs
and dress rehearsals happen the week and a half before opening. Cast members
arrive at least one and a half hours before curtain. You'll receive two
complimentary tickets for each child you have in the show. These comps can
be exchanged at the box office.
6. Fees. The cost of this recreational program is $155 per child,
and $130 for additional siblings. Please include the check in an envelope
along with registration materials (make check payable to "LPRT").
Work scholarships are available for those with financial need. Also, fees
may be reduced if you are a low income family and are a participant in the
SLV school district's Free Lunch Program. To qualify, include a photocopy
of your Letter of Authorization in your registration envelope. If you have
lost your Letter of Authorization, call the SLVUSD's Child Nutrition Services
at 335-5384.
7. Donations. LPRT is funded in part by a small grant from POSCS
(County of Santa Cruz, Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services). Our primary
funding source is the program itself (participant fees, ticket sales, etc.).
In recent years, production costs have risen (stipends, rent, printing,
materials, etc.). We have made small increases in participant fees and ticket
fees to help meet the demands. As always, our primary goal is provide a
high quality theatre program for children at the lowest cost possible. We
strive to find fabulous mentors whose guidance and support will enhance
your children's lives. We occasionally request small donations to increase
our costume and set building budgets (actual materials and of course, your
time, are most valuable and welcome). These are not mandatory fees and all
donations are met with our heartfelt thanks. We have also had generous individuals
in the past whose donations have enabled a low- income child to participate
at reduced or no cost. Any profits realized by our productions are immediately
reinvested. Our overwhelming success keeps families coming back year after
year and draws many wonderful new families as well. We humbly ask your family
to consider making a donation above the registration cost.
8. Snacks, Lunches. Please send a healthy snack with your child to
rehearsal. No gum, candy, or soft drinks, please. If it's an all-day rehearsal,
send a snack plus a brown bag lunch. Youngsters will not be allowed to
go to the store during the day without their parent. Please also include
a drinking cup for water, since we have no drinking fountain in the Hall.
Donations of drinking water would be most welcome.
9. Phone Calls. We have no permanent telephone available at
Park Hall, so please arrange pick-up times, etc., ahead of time. A cell
phone number for emergencies only will be given out at our mandatory
parent meeting.
10. Arrival and Departure Times. If your child is scheduled to
arrive at 9:30 a.m., please don't drop him /her off early! There will no
one there to supervise them before that time. The staff needs any time prior
to 9:30 a.m. to prepare for the day and children will not be admitted inside
Park Hall until 9:30 a.m. Similarly, afternoon session children should be
picked up promptly at 3:00 p.m.; the staff generally leaves about 3:15 p.m.-but
we can't leave until the last child has gone home, since no child can be
left unsupervised. We'll have to charge an overtime fee of $1/minute if
you arrive after 3:15 p.m.
11. Walking Home. If you live close to Park Hall and feel
your child can walk home safely, it's okay with us-but we need a note of
permission from you before we can let any child go.
12. Parent Participation. LPRT is a family-participatory program.
Parents are our greatest strength! We need your help to make it happen.
Parents are asked to lend a hand during rehearsals and performances. Sign
ups at the parent meeting.
13. The Staff. All staff members have had extensive experience
working in theatre, in music, and with youngsters. Kid-to-adult ratio is
usually about 12 to 1. Meet this year's staff on June 12 at the meeting.
14. Removal from Program. We reserve the right remove any
child who is unduly disruptive. (This is a rare event.) Bullying or disrespectful
behavior towards others will not be tolerated.
15. Mandatory Parent Meeting. This year's mandatory meeting will
be held on Monday, June 12th at 7:00 p.m. at Park Hall. Job
sign ups will happen at the parent meeting. This is a time for parents
to meet this year's staff, ask questions, receive policy and volunteer job
info, network with potential carpools, etc.