4th and 5th Grade School Play
Spring 2026: Wonderland the Musical
Presented by the McAuliffe PTSA in partnership with Studio East
Join Alice as she tumbles down a rabbit hole into Wonderland, her monochrome world coming instantly alive with colour and innumerable lovable characters, all a little more bonkers than the last. From an always anxious White Rabbit to an always shouting Queen of Hearts, not to mention a pig in a pram and a dormouse in a tea pot, this vibrant musical provides dozens of great roles and plenty of involvement for a large ensemble! Learn more about the synopsis of this adaptation based on the classic Lewis Carroll tale and hear samples of the music here.
About the Program
The McAuliffe PTSA partners with Studio East’s ArtReach program to offer 4th and 5th graders the opportunity to participate in a 6-week musical theatre show-in-a-box. Studio East provides the directors, script, music, set and costumes while McAuliffe provides the space to perform and kids who want to have an awesome theater experience! This is an after-school activity that takes place right here at McAuliffe, Mondays through Thursdays, for two hours a day (tech week and performances have a slightly different schedule). See important dates below for specific scheduling details.
PTSA Chairs
Contact PTSA School Play Chairs Rebecca Harris and Megan Urbaitis with any questions or concerns at [email protected].
What You Need to Know
Important Dates
Family Support and Volunteers
This production is not possible without family support. All parents/guardians will rotate to share rehearsal chaperone duty. We need 2 chaperones per rehearsal. Please sign up here (link to be provided at a later date).
Spring 2026: Wonderland the Musical
Presented by the McAuliffe PTSA in partnership with Studio East
Join Alice as she tumbles down a rabbit hole into Wonderland, her monochrome world coming instantly alive with colour and innumerable lovable characters, all a little more bonkers than the last. From an always anxious White Rabbit to an always shouting Queen of Hearts, not to mention a pig in a pram and a dormouse in a tea pot, this vibrant musical provides dozens of great roles and plenty of involvement for a large ensemble! Learn more about the synopsis of this adaptation based on the classic Lewis Carroll tale and hear samples of the music here.
About the Program
The McAuliffe PTSA partners with Studio East’s ArtReach program to offer 4th and 5th graders the opportunity to participate in a 6-week musical theatre show-in-a-box. Studio East provides the directors, script, music, set and costumes while McAuliffe provides the space to perform and kids who want to have an awesome theater experience! This is an after-school activity that takes place right here at McAuliffe, Mondays through Thursdays, for two hours a day (tech week and performances have a slightly different schedule). See important dates below for specific scheduling details.
PTSA Chairs
Contact PTSA School Play Chairs Rebecca Harris and Megan Urbaitis with any questions or concerns at [email protected].
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.
- Everyone gets a role in the play! Congratulations!
- All parents/guardians are expected to chaperone 1-2 rehearsals (take attendance, assist directors with any behavior problems during rehearsal, help with dismissal). All chaperones must be LWSD volunteer approved. If you need to check your volunteer status or apply, please use this link.
- 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 and performances: April 27-May 1). **Please be sure to clearly mention ALL conflicts when you fill out the sign-up form (i.e. choir, swim lessons, sports practice, etc.).
- 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.
- Auditions are for showing off how expressive and impressive you are. Have fun! Actors should prepare a short, memorized monologue (30-60 seconds) and they 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.
Important Dates
- Mandatory Parent Meeting : March 11, 7:00pm on Zoom (link to be provided soon)
- Registration Deadline: March 13 (registration link will be available on PTSA website soon)
- Auditions: March 16-17, 4:00-6:00pm (sign up for a time slot here - link provided closer to the date)
- Call Backs: March 18, 2:30-4:30pm
- Casting and Read-Thru: March 19, 4:00-6:00pm
- Rehearsals: March 23-April 23 (minus Spring Break week April 13-17); M/T/Th 4:00pm-6:00pm; W 2:30-4:30pm; no rehearsals during Spring Break **April 21 will end early at 5:45pm
- Tech Rehearsals (mandatory rehearsals with zero scheduling conflicts): April 27, 4:00-6:45pm; April 28, 4:00-6:45pm; April 29, 2:30-5:15pm
- Performances: April 30, short “teaser” performance for school audience, 3:10pm; April 30, 6pm call time with 7pm performance; May 1, 6pm call time with 7pm performance
- Cast Party: May 1 after the final performance
Family Support and Volunteers
This production is not possible without family support. All parents/guardians will rotate to share rehearsal chaperone duty. We need 2 chaperones per rehearsal. Please sign up here (link to be provided at a later date).
- Chaperones will help directors keep actors focused and on-task.
- Make sure each actor called to rehearsal arrives on time and calls parent/guardian of actors who have not arrived.
- Notifies directors of excused/unexcused actor absences.
- Assists directors with any behavior problems during rehearsal.
- Ensures that the rehearsal space is clean and returned to original condition before releasing any actors for the evening.
- Stays at school until the last actor is picked up by parent/guardian to ensure safety of all actors.
- All chaperones must be LWSD volunteer approved. If you need to check your volunteer status or apply, please use this link.
- Costume/Set/Props Committee (2-3 volunteers)
- Costumes, set and props are all provided by Studio East. Some responsibilities will include working with Production Coordinator to ensure each actor has a costume that fits, coordinating costumes/set/props before and after rehearsals and performances, and ensuring all costumes/set/props are safely returned to Studio East to be used in future shows.
- Program Committee (1 volunteer)
- Either using a template provided by Studio East or designing from scratch, create the program for the show. The program will include actor photos and bios. Studio East provides a show poster as well as graphics for the front and back of the program.
- Cast Party Committee (2 volunteers)
- Cast party will be at school after final performance. You would be responsible for set-up, clean-up, and chaperoning a simple party.
- Gift Committee (1 volunteer)
- Coordinate with PTSA chairs and families of actors to purchase small tokens of gratitude to thank directors for their efforts to make this opportunity possible for our school.
- Ticket Committee (2 volunteers per evening performance)
- Check off names of online ticket holders as they arrive to the evening performance.
- Help with the sale of any in-person ticket sales. *Must be a PTSA member.
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:
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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.