Handbook

Welcome to the start of an exciting new school year of Middle School Musical Theater! This handbook is designed to provide you with important information regarding rules and expectations, grading procedures, and performances. As you read through this handbook and have additional concerns, please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to respond in a timely manner.

Performance Dates

Spring Production @ Grandville HS Auditorium

Friday, May 2, 2025 @ 7pm, Call time of 6pm

Saturday, May 3, 2025 @ 7pm, Call time of 6pm

Saturday Rehearsals

There are two Saturday rehearsals scheduled for the spring to prepare for the performance. These rehearsal dates are given far in advance to help you organize your schedule around our performance. Attendance for Saturday rehearsals is mandatory and will affect the student’s grade. Rehearsals will take place in the Grandville HS Auditorium. The dates are as follows:

Saturday, March 29th @ 10am-4pm

Saturday, April 19th @ 10am-4pm

Show Week Dress Rehearsals

@ GHS Auditorium

Monday, April 28th 6:00-8:30 PM

Tuesday, April 29th 6:00-8:30 PM

Wednesday, April 30th 6:00-8:30 PM

Thursday, May 1st 6:00-8:30 PM

Attendance

Attendance at our Spring Performances and Saturday rehearsals are mandatory. Musical Theater follows the same policy as the music department at the middle school. Performances in these classes are the culminating activity of several weeks’ work: they are the equivalent of a unit test or project in a core academic class. Because a large part of performing theater is the experience of doing so in front of a live audience, this experience cannot be duplicated. For this reason, attendance at all performances and Saturday rehearsals are mandatory.

I am aware that illnesses and family emergencies do occur. Certain situations will be considered excused provided the parent/guardian contacts the teacher by the day following the performance.

Pre-arranged absences from school have also occurred near performances. In this situation, a parent must contact the teacher at least two weeks before the performance to excuse the absence. Pre-arranged absence forms from the main office are NOT considered parent notification. These performance dates are given far in advance to help you organize your schedule around our performances.

Parent Volunteer Committee

Our Spring Production would not be a success without the thoughtful care and dedication of the families who assist with building sets, sewing costumes, selling tickets, providing snacks for Saturday rehearsals, etc. As we approach the performance, I will be in contact to seek out volunteers who would be willing to assist our program.

Classroom Expectations

It is expected that each student has elected to be in this musical theater program because of a sincere desire to participate with his/her best effort throughout the school year. Any contrary indication may result in loss of performance privileges and/or dismissal from the program.

Rules

1. Be Respectful

2. Be on Time

3. No Food or Drink

4. No Disruptive Talking

5. Have a Positive Attitude

Middle school can be a very difficult time in a young singer's life as their voice begins to change. As changes in the voice occur, it is important to always lend your support and respect to other students in the musical theater program. If any negative language or bullying occurs regarding effort or performance outside of constructive feedback, the offending student will be removed from the classroom and disciplined according to the offense. It is important to have an atmosphere of teamwork and respect in the classroom and it begins with how the students treat each other.

Grading

This class is pass / fail based on participation.