ELF JR.
Student AND Parent Information
Congratulations for deciding to participate in this year’s musical at Carl Sandburg, “Elf Jr.”! We are looking forward to working with all of our Sandburg Stars! Please read the following information carefully.
COMMITMENT
As with any sport or activity commitment and dedication is a priority. We as directors understand the balancing act that students (and parents) have between various afterschool and evening events. Therefore, it is important that each student (and parent) keep a copy of the schedule for rehearsals, meetings, and performances. Attached you will find a calendar for December and an informational page for important dress rehearsal and performance dates in March. PLEASE mark your own personal calendar with the dress rehearsal and performance dates and times. If at any time you or your child has a conflict it is very important that you contact one of the directors via email or written note as soon as possible. The DAY of rehearsal is not appropriate.
All members of our cast and company are expected to maintain the highest academic standards. Being in the show is not an excuse for letting schoolwork slide. If you find yourself having difficulty balancing your responsibilities, please see Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Hastings, Miss Agger or Miss Douglas as soon as possible. Asking for help is a very mature thing to do!
As members of the cast/company, you will become a close “family”. EVERYONE is important. Start thinking about your character’s personality. What are they like? How do they respond to things that happen around them? How old are they? How do they walk? Think? Talk? Dress? Do they have any quirks or habits that you can bring out? Better yet, WATCH the DVD!! That should give you GREAT ideas!
Being part of the lead cast is an honor and a big responsibility! You set the example for everyone else in the show. Everyone else will only be enthusiastic and committed if they see that the leads are enthusiastic and committed to the show. If you decide to audition for a lead role please keep this in mind.
Musical Fee
The musical fee for 2017/2018 show will be $30. This applies to all lead cast and company members. This fee will go towards the costumes, scenery (we are renting drops again), cast t-shirts*, cast party, musical rental fee, script and license fee to produce the show. *You may opt out of the fee for the t-shirt if you are not interested however, orders for the t-shirts will be placed by October 27th, 2017. After that date I cannot place any late orders.
PARENTS: We are in need of parent volunteers to make the rehearsals and performances run smooth and successful! I know that giving up time for some of you is difficult however the students will be working VERY hard for the next 2 ½ months and need your support. Please take a moment and look over the list of various volunteer items/services needed for our show. Sometime in late November a “sign-up genie” will be emailed to all parents. If you are not familiar it is a program where you electronically sign up for the volunteer position(s). Again it is important that every parent sign up for at least ONE position.
DONATED FOOD ITEMS FOR STUDENTS
Every year I ask that every parent please donate some type of beverage and snack at any time (chips, pretzels, etc. - small bags work the best, case of water SMALL BOTTLES please, juice, Snapple, etc PLEASE NO SODA). Mark your donation with your name and either drop it off after a rehearsal or in the main office. We use the items for the students during our dress rehearsals or if we have any Saturday rehearsals. In addition during our performance evenings we will need parents to bring in baked goods or snacks to sell in our lobby. This information will come out later.
CONNECTIONS J
If any of you have connections to places that can donate water, food, flowers, etc for our lobby area during the performances please contact a director. We welcome ANY and ALL donations (provided we can use them).
BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION/SEWING
If anyone is handy at building items, painting, sewing, or is able to show up and be put to work helping with whatever is needed please let us know! Just send me an email!
AUDITIONS, REHEARSALS and CANCELLATIONS
Auditions will be on September 28, 29 and October 1 (call backs) from 3-5pm. Any student who wishes to audition for a lead role must attend on their specified audition day.
September 28 is for 5th and 6th grade only.
September 29 is for 7th and 8th grade only.
October 2nd is call backs. (Not all students will be called back).
If you are unable to make your specified day for auditions you need to see Mrs. Phillips ASAP. You MUST attend one of the days otherwise you will be a part of our company. Rehearsals will begin for everyone October 2nd from 3-5pm and will continue every day after. All rehearsals (unless otherwise specified) will run from 3-5pm and will meet in the auditorium. Please be aware that there MAY be Saturday rehearsals that will take place sometime between 9-12pm. All rehearsals will be listed on my web page and every student will be given a calendar in October (after auditions). Any cancelled rehearsal will be listed on my web page (as soon as possible), the school’s web page, and will be announced at school. Sometimes after school buses are cancelled due to inclement weather so check often if weather conditions arise. I also encourage you to list an email that you check often as I send out cancellations and important information throughout the month. Many times I’ve had parents state they aren’t receiving my emails and most of the time it is because I haven’t received an email address from you. PLEASE put your email below. If you have any further questions or concerns:
There will be a PARENT MEETING on OCTOBER 24th at 6:30pm in the auditorium to discuss volunteer services, costuming, and any other questions or concerns you may have. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Lastly, I want to thank all of you ahead of time for any help and support you can give to our show. We are looking forward to working with all of Sandburg’s finest talent!
Your Directors,
Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Hastings, Miss Agger, Miss Douglas
STUDENT COMMITMENT FORM and PARENT INFO
Please turn this form into Mrs. Phillips or place in the box outside of her room A-3
CAST members are expected to commit to the show by:
1. Cast members MUST complete and return this student commitment form ASAP.
2. Musical payment to be paid by October 31st unless you are a lead role then payment is made when you pick up your script.
3. Attending every rehearsal that pertains to your character or company. A calendar showing when you are needed will be given to you each month AND will be posted on my web page. You may miss two rehearsals due to unforeseen emergencies, but after that, you are in jeopardy of losing your role or dropped from the company.
4. Attend all dress rehearsals and performances. Failure to do so (without prior notice and approval from the director) will terminate your participation immediately and may terminate your involvement on our music adjudication trip.
5. If you are active in sports or other activities, you must make arrangements ahead of time to balance your time between activities and still honor your commitment. Most students will spend one hour at practice and an hour at musical rehearsal. I prefer having students from 4-5pm.
6. Learn your songs. Remember your blocking. Memorize your lines. Take the responsibility to do any extra practicing necessary on your own.
7. Be positive! We believe in you and your abilities. This is your show and we want what’s best for you and your performance.
8. Arrive at rehearsal on time. Be enthusiastic! Keep an open mind. Allow yourself and the rest of us to enjoy the rehearsal process. Help others stay focused.
We know this year’s production is going to be fantastic because of you!
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I, ______(your name) have read and understand my responsibilities and commitment to participating in the musical “Elf Jr.”.
Enclosed is: (check one)
______$30 – complete fee (includes t-shirt and cast party)
______$15 – fee (includes cast party and mega dress snacks but NO t-shirt)
______I am a company member and will pay my fee before October 31st.
Make all checks out to Carl Sandburg Middle School
Parents please enclose an email below that you check regularly. This will be used for important information like rehearsal cancellations due to weather or other unforeseen event, announcements, etc..
Parents Name:______Parents Name:______
______
Email PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY Email 2 if needed PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
SOME of the MANY VOLUNTEER POSITIONS NEEDED:
BAKING/LOBBY:
Selling concessions at a performance
Decorating our lobby (to be done as the musical approaches)
Selling tickets the night of performances
ORGANIZING:
Programs – physically putting them together (stapling in booklet form)
Mega dress rehearsal evening (ordering pizza and getting drinks organized)
Show Shirt collection and distribution
Cast party (set up/clean up)
Costumes (help with sewing, cutting, whatever is needed!)
BACKSTAGE:
Green Room (holding tank for the students while not on stage)
Girls dressing room
Backstage hallway area/boys dressing room
Make-up application in dressing rooms
USHERS
Distributing programs, helping people find where their seat is located
If you have any connections, hidden talents, (whatever) that you would like to share please email Mrs. Phillips.
Important Dates!!!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Students MUST attend every dress rehearsal AND every performance. If any student neglects to participate (without approval and contact with the director…if you are ill you MUST inform the director asap) you will lose your opportunity to participate in future shows. In addition if you are in any other musical group you will lose your opportunity to participate on our music adjudication trip.
DRESS REHEARSALS:
Dress Rehearsal – Thursday, December 7th 3-6pm
Dress Rehearsal – Friday, December 8th 3-6pm
Dress Rehearsal – Monday, December 11th 3-6pm
Dress Rehearsal – Tuesday, December 12th 3-6pm
**OPTIONAL DRESS REHEARSAL IF NEEDED Wednesday, December 13th 3-6pm
PERFORMANCES:
Opening Night! Cast “A” – Thursday, December 14th, 7pm
Opening Night! Cast “B” – Friday, December 15th 7pm
Final Performance Cast “A” – Saturday, December 16th 11am
Final Performance Cast “B” – Saturday, December 16th 3pm
***We will be providing cast party cake, pizza, and other goodies between performances on Saturday
Students will also have an “in school” performance and a performance for the 3rd and 4th grade students of Schweitzer and Miller. These performances will be announced as it becomes closer. Each cast will participate in one of the above performances.