What you can expect

DRAMA CLUB IS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 4-8. STAGE CREW FOR STUDENTS IN 6-8.


Student Commitment:
I realize that participation in the St. Ann Musical will require my responsible behavior throughout the production in order to be successful. The following is a list of responsible behavior that will be expected of me:
I will have a positive attitude no matter the role I receive.
I will be kind to the staff and all my peers.I will be present and punctual for rehearsal and performances.I will be respectful of other people and the property of others.I will not bring expensive items or electronic games.I will follow specific rules told to me by the directors, music director, choreographer, or supervising parents.If I am an actor/actress or member of the stage crew, I understand that I MUST attend all technical and dress rehearsals.

Parent Commitment:
The Staff of The Little Mermaid Jr. appreciates your help in providing your child with a positive experience in theatre. There are many opportunities to volunteer whether you can come in to assist or do projects from home.
I will be pick up my child on time or sign them up for extended care.I understand that my child should attend all rehearsals unless it has been decided before casting that there is a conflict. I understand that every role no matter how big or small is important to the show. Regular attendance is expected. I understand if my child misses learning a song or dance there may not be time to go back and reteach it.
There are 2 excused absences due to sickness or doctor appointments. Please email me dbinder@stann-emmaus.org or let the school office know when you call in. If your child has a doctor's appointment the earlier you tell us the better. If you tell us before the schedule goes out, we will try not to schedule your rehearsal that day. We cannot guarantee this but we will try.
Please note: We do not want any students to attend school if they are not feeling well in any way. This will not count toward their two absences. All choreography will be videotaped and music will be posted. It is your child's responsibility to learn what they missed. Students will be required to wear masks.



Casting a show is a very careful and thoughtful process. The goal is to place a large number of students into a limited amount of roles. It is not an easy job.

Students should come to the audition having reviewed the material given to them. This year, everyone will submit a video audition and only some students will be asked to come to the in person audition.

When we cast the shows we are looking at the following:

RESPECTFUL AND RESPONSIBLE TEAM PLAYERS!

  • Numbers. Do we have the right number of actors to fill each part?

  • Skills. Who can play these parts? Who has the range to sing each role? Who has the emotional depth – or the comedic timing? Who has the physical qualities that are required? Who is right, in a variety of ways, for which part? (We will not discuss casting with parents/guardians).

  • Age. Older does not mean a better actor. Some of our youngest students are working at the same artistic level as our oldest students. Actors of all ages learn from each other and become friends when they are cast in a show together.

  • Gender. Is there a gender requirement – does the role need to be played by a boy or a girl? Or can we mix it up and cast non-traditionally?

  • Who needs to be challenged in a specific way and what challenge is each actor ready for at this moment? Some actors may play two leads in a row. Some actors may often be in the ensemble. We must do what’s best for each individual actor, as well as what is best for the play as a whole. An actor may wish for a bigger role, but if the requirements of that role are going to present challenges to the actor, at this point in his/her process, is not ready to tackle – on a stage, in front of an audience – we will find a role that will challenge, but not defeat that actor. It is our job in casting to always stretch our kids as far as we can - to challenge them as much as we can - without ever crossing the line and casting them in a role in which they will not be successful.

  • The ensemble. Do these actors fit together—will they all work well together and will they sound or look right together?

  • Schedules. The schedules of the shows (when they are performed and when they rehearse) and your schedules play a HUGE part in casting. Often, we may want an actor for a specific part of the show, but he/she can only rehearse on limited nights thus taking him/her out of the running for a role we are considering him/her for.

  • Did you follow instructions and work hard during audition rehearsals?

The following has been adapted from the playgroup theater.