
We are so excited to kick off this year’s McAuliffe school production: “SPACE PIRATES” – a hilarious and action-packed musical filled with Pirates! Aliens! and Space Travel! Brought to you by the McAuliffe PTSA in partnership with Studio East. This fun theater experience is open to 4th and 5th grade students.
Studio East’s ArtReach program is a 6-week show-in-a-box. Auditions will happen March 18-21, followed by M-Th rehearsals March 24th through April 30th (minus Spring Break week: April 14-17), and culminating in performances on May 1st and 2nd. Studio East provides the directors, script, music, set and costumes while McAuliffe provides kids who want to have an awesome theater experience!
What You Need to Know:
- We have 50 spots available on a first come first served basis. If more than 50 students register, we will create a waitlist.
- All parents are expected to chaperone 1-2 rehearsals.
- The funds paid to Studio East for this production are raised through the registration fee and ticket sales.
- While it will be best for students to attend most of the rehearsals, we can work around student conflicts (outside of Tech Week: April 28-30th).
Please be sure to clearly mention ALL conflicts when you fill out the sign-up form. - Registration Fee: $125
- This fee goes to cover the costs of the program, both for the Studio East Directing Team and production materials as well as printing and facility costs. The registration fee is non-refundable unless your child decides not to participate prior to auditions.
- Scholarships are available through the PTSA. Contact Lisa Daniel ([email protected]) for more information.
Registration Process
Following are the steps for registering for the play (Deadline: March 14th)
- Fill out this studio east form.
- Pay the registration fee of $125 here.
- Select a convenient slot to audition on March 17th or March 18th using this SignUp Genius
*Registration fee needs to be paid before audition date. - Attend the March 11th @7pm Parent Zoom call (mandatory).
Topic: McAuliffe School Play Meeting
Time: March 112, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: Coming Soon! - Sign up for chaperone shifts here.
- Sign up for committees here.
Important Dates:
- March 14th: Last day to register and signup for Auditions
- March 11th, 7 pm @ Zoom; mandatory parent meeting
- March 17th -20th: Auditions and Casting
- March 24th - April 30th: Rehearsals Mondays-Thursdays (M/T/Th 4-6pm; W 2:30-4:30pm) - no rehearsals the week of Spring Break (April 14-17)
- April 28th - 30th: Tech Week - Students must attend all days - NO conflicts this week
- May 1st & May 2nd: Performances in McAuliffe Commons
Auditions:
- Everyone gets a part, so relax! Auditions are for showing off how expressive and impressive you are. Have fun!
- Auditions are scheduled on March 17th or 18th based on the slot you picked using the signup form.
- Actors should prepare a short monologue (30 seconds max); they can prepare one from these pages, or another of their choosing: student_monologue_options.pdf
- Students will be taught a short piece of music or be asked to sing a simple melody (e.g. Happy Birthday) at the audition so the Directors can ascertain the strength of their singing voice.
- Callbacks are held with the entire cast on the third day of the process (Wednesday, March 19th). All students need to attend.
- At Callbacks all students will be asked to read scenes and sing songs from the play so the Directors can better place them into roles.
- Students may also be asked to learn and perform a short dance routine at Callbacks so Directors can ascertain any particular dance strengths of the cast.
- Casting Read Through is held the fourth day of the auditions (Thursday, March 20th). All students need to attend.
- Parents are expected to be at the campus during their students audition, callback and casting. However, they are requested to stay outside of the audition room.
All parents will rotate to take on chaperone duty. We need 2 chaperones per rehearsal. Please sign up here.
- Chaperones help directors keep actors focused and on-task.
- Make sure each actor called to rehearsal arrives on time and calls actors who have not arrived.
- Notifies directors of excused/unexcused actors.
- Assists directors with any behavior problems during rehearsal.
- Ensures that the rehearsal space is clean and returned to original condition before excusing any actors for the evening
Have questions or concerns? Email our School Play Chair.
Studio East Training for the Performing Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit providing theater arts education and opportunities for children in Kirkland and surrounding communities. Starting with one theater program for teens in 1992, Studio East has become one of the largest children’s theater training programs in the Seattle Metro area. Today, between the Studio’s camps and classes and its professional, adult touring arm, StoryBook Theater, Studio East serves over 70,000 people annually.
Read more on the Mission and Philosophy of Studio East here or click the logo above to visit their website.
Read more on the Mission and Philosophy of Studio East here or click the logo above to visit their website.
Benefits of Participating in Drama Programs
There is a lot of established research about the positive influences of drama, theatre and the performing arts, especially on young people. The benefits are physical, emotional, social, and they help to develop a healthy appreciation of culture and the arts. Here are 11 important benefits that can help your child blossom:
Imagination
Immersing yourself in the imaginary world of theatre, being creative in a role, and learning to make creative choices helps students think of new ideas, allowing them to view the world around them in new ways. Einstein said,“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Empathy Understanding characters, roles and the subtext of plays and musicals allows students to relate better to different situations, backgrounds, and cultures. It encourages them to show compassion and tolerance for others. Cooperation Theatre is a collaboration of different players. In many cases the quality of any performance relies on an ensemble performance. Combining the creative ideas and the abilities of all participants is required for the best outcomes. This requires all those taking part to engage in discussions, feedback, rehearsing, and performing together. Concentration Playing, practicing, and performing will develop the ability and skills to be able to focus the mind, the body, and the voice. Self-Confidence Aspects of performing arts, especially improvisation, helps young people to understand how to appraise situations, think outside the box and be more confident going into unfamiliar situations. Students learn to trust their ideas and abilities. Confidence gained from learning performing arts skills applies to school, career, and life. |
Communication Skills
It seems obvious to say that drama, theatre and the performing arts improves verbal and nonverbal communication, but it is worth stating that this benefits young people through their life. It improves vocal projection, articulation, tone of speech and expression. It also develops listening and observation skills. Fun Drama brings elements of play, humour, and laughter to those taking part and viewing the performance. Drama improves motivation and reduces stress. Emotional Outlet Acting and drama games allow students to express a range of emotions and encourage them to understand and deal with similar feelings they may be experiencing. Aggression and tension are released in a safe, controlled environment – often allowing for a period of reflection afterwards. Physical Fitness Performing, even the most passive performances, requires physical exertion from cardiovascular to calming nerves. Many performing arts exercises improve flexibility, coordination, balance, and control. Memory Rehearsing and performing lines and movements will improve memory. Your memory requires exercise, just like a muscle. |
Appreciation for Arts and Culture!
...a benefit that transcends cultures and time.
...a benefit that transcends cultures and time.