CLASS ACT PRODUCTIONS

CLASS ACT PRODUCTIONS THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS PRODUCTION HANDBOOK FALL 2011 CLASS ACT PRODUCTIONS 25275 Budde Road, Suite 25 The Woodlands, Texas 77380 (281) 292-6779

OUR MISSION The mission of Class Act Productions is to provide opportunities for youth through education, training, and participation in professional quality musical theatre productions. ABOUT CLASS ACT PRODUCTIONS For thirteen years, Class Act Productions has been the premiere theatrical production company in the area. Founded in 1997, Class Act continues under the leadership of Keith Brumfield and has produced 37 full-scale Broadway-style productions since its inception, and each has earned great acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Year after year, hundreds of youth and adults benefit from training and participation in our professional quality musical productions and classes. CLASS ACT PROGRAMS Class Act Productions offers a variety of theatrical experiences and instruction for young performers: Full-scale Broadway-style musicals Junior musical productions Three-week Summer Stock camps and productions Class Act Academy offers targeted instruction in acting, dance, audition coaching, clinics & workshops Performance opportunities through C.A.S.T. with Encore, Act One and Overture Opportunities to travel around the country to learn about and experience musical theatre Class Act also offers adults the opportunity to perform through The Woodlands Repertory Theatre. In its third year, The Woodlands Rep has produced several musicals, including South Pacific, The Sound of Music, and White Christmas.

SEUSSICAL PRODUCTION CREW Producer... Keith Brumfield Director...Tony Smith Musical Director...Rae Moses Choreographer...Tony Smith Stage Manager... Kelly Juneau Volunteer Coordinator...Stephanie Newlun Set Design & Construction...Jon Shelledy, Kent Hale Technical Director...Dom Gaucher PAYMENT INFORMATION Participation Fee: $250 This fee must be paid prior to the start of the rehearsal period. Sibling Discounts: There is a10% tuition discount for siblings in the same production. Payments: Personal checks, cash, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express will be accepted for payments. Checks should be made payable to: Class Act Productions. Refunds: Participation fee is non-refundable for voluntary withdrawal. A refund request will be issued in the case of withdrawal due to illness or family emergencies. Optional Expenses: During the course of rehearsals, parents will be given the opportunity to purchase additional cast t-shirts, photos, program ads and other optional items to enhance the experience and create lasting memories for your student.

REHEARSAL INFORMATION Rehearsals are structured, but lots of fun! They are a time of growth, creativity, and bonding. The cast becomes family; the students build close friendships and lasting relationships; and memories are created that will last a lifetime. You will find that often students will not want the show and rehearsal times to end. Rehearsal Times: Specific rehearsal schedules will be issued by the director for each production and may change on a weekly basis. Rehearsals for this production will generally be: Monday - Friday 6:00-9:00 PM Saturdays - 1:00-4:00 PM (as scheduled) Tech Week for this show will be September 26-29, 2011. Tech Week: 6:00-10:00 PM Monday-Wednesday prior to opening night. This is the time when lighting, set changes, costumes, orchestration and other production items are finalized and incorporated into the show. These will be mandatory rehearsals for the entire cast each evening. These rehearsals generally end at 10:00 pm but could run slightly later. What to Bring: Script, Pencil Music Score Water Bottle Something to read or work on (when you are not rehearsing or on stage) A good attitude What to Wear: Comfortable, non-restrictive clothing Tennis shoes or Jazz shoes - NO sandals, flip flops, boots, or thick-soled shoes (It is difficult to dance in them.)

Attendance: Attendance at rehearsals is required and extremely important. Students are expected to show respect for their fellow cast members and directors by being punctual in arriving for rehearsal and returning from breaks. Parents are expected to be punctual in picking students up for breaks and at the end of rehearsals. Staff/volunteers can t leave until your child is picked up. Conflicts and Absences: Cast Members/Parents will be given a rehearsal conflict sheet that must be turned in at the time of auditions. All requests for excused absenses must be included on the conflict sheet. If you are absent without prior notice, when your scene is blocked you could be cut from the scene. Program Bios: Each actor is responsible for submitting a biography to the ON STAGE playbill director by the published deadline for each production. Photos may be taken of cast members prior to the show to be used on the cast wall in the lobby or in the program. Program Ads: Parents will be given information about business advertising and sponsorhip. As a non-profit organization, we rely on the support of local businesses, and we greatly appreciate parents helping us to secure advertisement and sponsorhips from businesses with which they are associated. Costumes: Costumes are provided by the Costume Designer as part of your participation fee. All costumes are the property of Class Act Productions. However, cast members are expected to provide shoes appropriate for dance, the character and period as recommended by the Costume Designer. In addition, any hair pieces or special makeup needs will be communicated before Tech Week by the Director or Makeup Designer. Haircuts: Students are required to check with the director before making any changes to their hair; this includes haircuts, color, style changes, etc.

Hair & Makeup: Preliminary wig, hair pieces and basic makeup information will be communicated to the cast during our costume parade. Specific instructions will be communicated to the cast, via email, following each of the dress rehearsals, the week of the show. It is very important for all cast members to check their email before each rehearsal but most especially the Mon-Thurs prior to opening night. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS Being a part of a large production requires a great deal of self-discipline and sacrifice. By accepting the role offered you, you are agreeing to do whatever it takes to ensure that our rehearsals and performances are of the highest quality and run smoothly. Your efforts will enable us to offer another Class Act production. In addition, we ask each of you to be aware of the following guidelines: 1. All actors must stay out of the hallway during the performance until they are called to the stage. 2. All actors must stay in the dressing areas during intermission until they are called. 3. No talking in the hallway or backstage while waiting for your cue. 4. While waiting in the hallway to go on stage, please stay against the wall away from the prop tables. The middle of the hallway must remain clear at all times. 5. The noise level in the dressing rooms must be kept low enough that the actors can hear their cues to come to the hallway and/or backstage. 6. Absolutely no food or colored drinks are allowed in the dressing rooms or stage areas. If someone sends you candy, drinks or food during a show, please wait until after the performance to enjoy it. Water is the only beverage allowed in the designated dressing rooms and backstage and the only thing you may consume while in costume. 7. If you are planning to bring a meal to your actor at any time during rehearsals and/or performances, he/she must eat it outside the building before they are in costume. 8. Do not leave the designated backstage areas while in costume prior to the performances.

9. Please understand the dressing rooms committee volunteers are responsible for seeing that these guidelines are followed. Therefore, a respectful attitude is expected of all cast members at all times. 10. If you are an actor with a lot of down time between scenes, please consider bringing something to quietly entertain yourself while waiting for your cue(s). Books, magazines, card games, board games, etc. are all good choices. Please do not bring anything that makes noise. VOLUNTEER PRODUCTION COMMITTEES It takes many people working together to create a successful production and we depend heavily upon our volunteers. We require at least one person from each cast member s family to volunteer on one Rehearsal and one Show Production Committee. Please read the descriptions below and either sign up online or fill out a Committee Sign-Up Form. REHEARSAL COMMITTEES Work time is during rehearsal weeks. It is expected each volunteer will work a minimum of 2 shifts. Costumes: (2 Co-Chairs Needed) Assist Chairperson to Construct/sew costumes as needed Help arrange costumes, label with performers name for backstage dressing rooms Timeframe: Rehearsal weeks On Stage/Program Ads: Karen Cahill, Chair Assist Director and Chairperson to plan and promote ways to sell advertising for the program: On Stage Organize individuals & cast members to promote/sell business and personal program ads Assist with typing cast member biographies as needed Solicit ads from local businesses Timeframe: Rehearsal weeks prior to opening week. Props: Cam Hale, Director/Chair Assist the Director/Chairperson to assess prop needs

Assist in locating and/or creating props used in the production Timeframe: Rehearsal weeks Publicity: Christine Cherry, Director Assist the Publicity Directors/Committee Chairs as needed Chair will assist as communication liaison to cast members/families Assist with cast special appearances to promote show ie: daycare visits, Market Street, etc. Help distribute posters, etc. and publicize the show in the community and to friends, neighbors, groups, etc. Timeframe: Rehearsal weeks Set: Jonathan Shelledy, Set Designer Assist CAP Staff/Crew by helping to construct, paint, etc. the sets at the CAP studio Unload sets at the theater and help set up-after last show help move pieces to CAP storage studio Timeframe: Rehearsal weeks and immediately after last show to strike/ tear down set/move to storage, etc. Cast Party: Only 1 or 2 volunteers needed who will Chair or Co-Chair Plan party for Cast Members to be held after the show closes Help to secure location for party and the activities (games, karaoke, etc.) Plan, order and pick up food & paper products (pizza, drinks, paper goods) Create invitation flyer to be displayed at rehearsals and emailed to all cast members Timeframe: Planning- several weeks prior to show, day of party event. SHOW COMMITTEES It is expected each volunteer will work a minimum of 2 show shifts. Cast Supervision: (1 Chairperson Needed or 2 can Co-Chair) Chaperone students during rehearsals and productions Assist performers with costume changes and ensure they properlycare for their costumes Assist performers so that they are ready to go on stage for their call Ensure that dressing rooms stay neat and clean, especially at the close of each show.

Timeframe: Tech/Dress Rehearsal week, 90 minutes before show, intermission and 30 minutes after show. Shifts divided among committee members. Concessions: (2 Co-Chairs Needed) Help Chairperson purchase food items from predetermined shopping list Help with all aspects of set-up, sales, and tear down of concessions table for 2 or more shows. Timeframe: 90 minutes before show, intermission and 30 minutes after show if needed. Shifts divided among committee members. Costumes: (2 Co-Chairs Needed) Help arrange costumes for backstage dressing rooms, help with costume repair as needed Assist in laundering & returning costumes to CAP studio for proper storage as assisted by the Costume Chair. Timeframe: Tech/Dress Rehearsal week, 90 minutes before show and intermission. After last show to sort, launder & put away costumes. Shifts divided among committee members. Flowers & Gifts: (1 Chairperson Needed or 2 can Co-Chair) Assist Chairperson as needed to design/create 4-6 telegrams to be sold with flowers & candy Assist Chairperson in pick-up of flowers prior to shows Help with all aspects of set-up, sales and tear down of Flowers & Gifts table at 2 or more shows. Timeframe: small amount of time 1-2 weeks prior to show, 90 minutes before show and during intermission. Shifts divided among committee members. Hair & Makeup: Kirsten Berger, Designer/Chair Chairperson will contact committee members Assist with set up and clean up of makeup area Assist the Makeup Designer as needed prior to all dress rehearsal and performances. Timeframe: Tech/Dress Rehearsal week, 90 minutes before each performance and during intermission. Shifts divided among committee members.

Props: Cam Hale, Director/Chair Assist during show to make sure all props are available at Prop Table at all times. Timeframe: Tech/Dress Rehearsal week and 30 minutes before/during each show/30 minutes after. Shifts divided among committee members. Raffle: (1 Chairperson Needed) Assist the Raffle Chairperson Assist with raffle ticket sales at each show before show & during intermission Timeframe: Rehearsal weeks, 90 minutes before each show and during intermission. Shifts divided among committee members. Tickets: Susie Doyle, Ticket Chair Assist Directors as needed Assist during shows at WILL CALL Table, and as needed Timeframe: Rehearsal weeks and 90 minutes before each show. Shifts divided among committee members.

CONTACT INFORMATION Class Act Productions Studio 281-292-6779 Producer: Keith Brumfield keith@classactproductions.org 281-382-9384 Director/Choreographer: Tony Smith tony@tonysmithonline.com 832-435-3480 Musical Director: Rae Moses rmoses@mac.com 281-259-9276 Stage Manager: Kelly Juneau kellyjuneau07@yahoo.com 832-385-9153 Class Act Volunteer Coordinator: Stephanie Newlun classactvolunteers@yahoo.com Director of Publicity: Christine Cherry publicity@classactproductions.org 281-389-8684