A talented Young Players Director can help your PTA or a small group of parents put on a play, making it a joyful and affordable experience for everyone! We call it “Out of the Box Theatre.”

Out of the Box theatre means that:

• Every young actor receives a unique and meaningful part
• The focus is on creating illusion with our bodies/voices, rather than with extravagant sets/costumes
• Rehearsals are held “workshop” style, giving kids an opportunity to grow together and support one another

The results are unique artistic performances that evoke the
wisdom inherent in all children.

2007-2008 Season

Or

Out of the Box Theatre Package:
• 30 hours of rehearsal and performance time
• play selection and scripts
• parts for up to forty students
• complete rehearsal schedule
• casting and directing
• volunteer coordination
• "theatre game party package" to use as fundraiser
• audition announcements, programs and posters

*$2,200
*Event should be self-funding
--Contributions from the participants ($50 suggested), ticket sales, souvenir sales, auction of classroom Theatre Party, should cover the cost of the program

Q: What is usually the first step?
A: The PTA decides when to offer the play, and we produce flyers announcing the opportunity to students. One PTA volunteer keeps track of registrations, and decides if there is enough interest to put on the play. If enough students are interested, we hold our first rehearsal where we get to know the actors; assign the parts; and distribute the rehearsal schedule.

Q: How many rehearsals are there?
A: We can adapt our rehearsal schedule to fit the needs of your school. But we suggest running twice a week for two hours for six weeks. For instance, we would run every Tuesday and Thursday after-school for two hours directly after-school. Not every child would be at every rehearsal. In most cases, students would be assigned half of the days. Then, on the seventh week, we have a three hour dress rehearsal on Tuesday, and a three hour performance night on Thursday.

Q: Is it all after-school?
A: Yes.

Q: What kind of space would you need?
A: For regular rehearsals, we can use a gym, cafeteria, stage, library, music room or multi-purpose room. For the dress rehearsal and performance, we would need an area like a stage.

Q: Does the package include building use fees?
A: No. We would be hired as an artist in residence by the PTA, and this would be a parent-sponsored event. In the unlikely case that we would be charged to use the building, we would need to add that amount, plus a $25 administration fee to the cost.

Q: Can parents pay you directly?
A: No. As a PTA sponsored event, we do ask that a parent volunteer handle the registrations, and process payments for your group. The package rate of $2,200 applies even if fewer than forty students participate. If the PTA raises more than $2,200 by asking for a larger contribution from each family, or raising funds on the night of the performance, that money stays with the PTA.

Q: Do you offer scholarships?
A: We give a “Theatre Game Party Package” to auction off at your yearly fundraiser. Funds generated by auctioning this fun event can be ear-marked for students who wish to participate, but may not be able to afford to contribute.

Q: What if fifty or more kids want to participate?
A: Our first priority is to protect the experience of the kids who are in the play, so we limit participation to forty students. We suggest that the play be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, as we do not “audition.” We believe that all children are born actors, and are capable of playing a meaningful part in the production. If there are an overwhelming number of young actors who want to participate, we can always put on another play in a different season.

Q: We are a small school. What if we only have twenty students who want to participate?
A: We do offer a smaller package that will include up to twenty students for $1,200. The biggest difference is that the rehearsal/production time is 18 hours instead of 30. The schedule would shift to three weeks of rehearsals-then a dress rehearsal and performance on the fourth week.

Q: Do you have rules of participation?
A: Yes, we ask that students be respectful and kind, and keep to the rehearsal schedule when possible. We also find that we experience very few discipline problems in our workshops and productions. We believe this is because we are focusing on nurturing each student’s inherent creativity, rather than focusing on putting on a big, fancy production. We teach from a place of wisdom, love and compassion, and kids usually respond beautifully.

Q: You mentioned parent volunteers, what would that entail?
A: We do handle the major aspects of the play, and whenever we come to a school, there is a group of parents who would like to be part of the process. It’s wonderful to have an “Assistant Director,” who can be available for many of the rehearsals. And while our plays can be staged very simply, there is always room to add to the performance. Small teams can work on props, costumes and set pieces. Younger siblings can help paint sets, hunt down props, or fold programs! Our uplifting performance rules apply to parents as well…we invite parents and siblings to participate if it sounds like fun!