All participants in Yoh and Speakchorus programs are expected to be fully committed, similar to the commitment expected of High School varsity athletes. The following paragraphs fully describe the commitment and behavioral expectations of Yoh and Speakchorus participants. A signed form, indicating that the student and parent have read and understand these expectations, is required for participation in Yoh and Speakchorus programs.
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YTP Guidelines
We have read and thoroughly understand the YTP participation guidelines; we understand the attendance for all called rehearsals is mandatory and not negotiable and that all participants stay until the conclusion of Strike on the closing night of the show.
Student's Signature____________________________________________________________
Parent's Signature____________________________________________________________
Date_______________________________________________
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Received by_______________________________________ Date ________________________
Participation in theatre is voluntary. It is elected. It is a privilege not a right.
Be supportive and appreciative of all cast members. Strokes are greatly appreciated.
Be appreciative and supportive of the technical staff. Strokes are greatly appreciated.
We are inclusive, not exclusive. We are a team, an ensemble. Cliques are not appropriate.
"We are all at varying stages of experience.
If you are less experienced, say less and be more observant.
If you are more experienced, say less and be more generous.
Keep in mind that when it gets right down to it, I have--by far--the most experience and the most responsibility.
If all of this creates a sort of natural hierarchy, so be it. Respect it. We are not all equal."
Mrs. Worrell
Masters, through hard work and experience, are the leadership of the program.
Every rehearsal, warm up and performance is an audition for further responsibility.
Theatre students become Masters by earning 7 credits: One credit for FULL participation in a YTP production, One credit for participation in two Speakchorus scripts, One credit for full participation in production of a Yoh Junior show or Middle School show. In addition, all credits accrued during a school year are valid only if a student FULLY attends two out of three Theatre Clean-up Days. MASTERS remain in good standing by serving as exemplary leaders. They are the standard bearers of the program. You can't do that in abstentia. Masters credits cannot be earned until the first year of high school (full participation in summer workshop before 9th grade counts as a credit).
***Once you have completed your 7 credits, you need to apply for your Masters Credit within one week of the closing of your "seventh credit". Please present Ms. Worrell with a written summary of your participation.****
YTPs may participate in theatre productions as an independent activity, or sign up for a theatre arts credit under the course title of Theatre Lab.
Participating in theatre as an independent activity, YTPs must:
1. pass 80% of courses in a given marking period in order to stay eligible for participation. This may mean that if you are failing two courses you may no longer participate. It does not matter when marks come out; two failures at a time and you are dropped from the cast or crew.
2. understand that the final grades of the year will determine eligibility for the first marking period of the following school year.
3. if an underclassman, take at least six academic credits a year to remain eligible; if a senior, take at least five academic credits
4. not rehearse or perform on a school day unless in school on that same day. Be in school no later than 11:00 AM in order to participate in rehearsal or performance. Cannot assume that an"excused" absence will allow participation unless specifically cleared with the principal.
Granted you are not considered absent if you have checked into school by 11:00 A.M, but this privilege should not be exploited.
Do not be absent the next school day after a performance. It is less than classy behavior. The Director of Theatre takes notice.
For the good of the ensemble, accumulated absences from rehearsal--for legitimate reasons or not-- may mean that your responsibility will be given to someone else. This is not meant to be punitive nor to exclude you from participation. You will be given another responsibility after you are once again available.
To earn a credit for theatre, a YTP must :
1. sign up before or at the semester's start and each subsequent semester
2. get Director of Theatre's signature of approval
3. be continually involved in theatre activities throughout the semester
4. understand that rehearsals are homework and performances are exams (IMPORTANT: the eligibility rules concerning failing two classes and/or how many academic credits you are signed up for are not applicable if you are taking theatre for credit)
YTPs may not use participation in theatre as an excuse for not completing homework or failing to function in class. If this is the case, perhaps you should not be participating at this time. Using theatre as an excuse for not keeping up in your classes always gets back to the Director.
Theatre takes a special balance of energies and time. If you find yourself in academic trouble, speak to your Director immediately; there may be ways to help.
The spaces we use include the stage, house, booth and lobby.
In the wings of the stage, we have two lofts and a caged technical storage area.
We have a small Green Room, Costume Room, and Prop Room. We use all the hallways down to the art hall.
For performances, we use the band room, Mr. McFarlin's room, and the public bathrooms in our area for dressing and make-up for performances.. Do not touch anything in these rooms that do not belong to you. Keep them clean. They are only available through the good graces of other teachers.
We use the middle school shop for building sets and props. Again, we are in someone else's classroom. Do not take anything out of this room . It must be kept clean.
The call board is immediately beside Mrs. Worrell's office. Look at it often.
During rehearsals, store your books, bags, and coats in the back of the auditorium in the "dead end" section of the cross aisle. During performances, leave books, bags, and coats in the short hall that houses the audio-visual storeroom.
Bring as few items of value to rehearsals and performances as possible. We do not have a way to watch over valuables left in public spaces or out in book bags.. During performances, the adult costumer can safely hold some small items like eye glasses and small jewelry.
"Picnic" in the lower hall or on the upper landing on the way to the small gym. In the Green Room are a microwave and ice box for food storage and preparation.
Lounging in the Green Room is reserved for Masters.
The halls are used for quiet social visiting and to await entrances. During rehearsals, the director and actors on stage do not want to hear noise and distractions from off stage areas.
The teachers' lounge is completely off limits.
Mrs. Worrell's office is available for study or line learning or resting upon request. Ask before using. Do not take any of her materials without asking.
Auditions are open. If a part is pre-cast, it is announced in advance.
Auditions are announced over the PA in the morning announcements and are also posted on the theatre bulletin board. The audition process is different from production to production. Announcement s will specify how to be ready.
Be in attendance at least 10 minutes prior to rehearsal so that I can check in with the Stage Manager and be ready for warm-ups at the called rehearsal time.
Use non-stage rehearsal time to learn my lines, work with another performer, assist with elements of production, or study.
The study area is in the theatre lobby; respect the quiet and structured environment necessary for learning.
Sometimes you will be at a rehearsal and never get on the stage. This is not by design, nor is it poor organization. Productions are always a work in progress. The process is not exact or tidy.
Working with inexperienced actors can unexpectedly take more time than the director can foresee. Some technical repair may take extra time. We may have to shift the set one evening or make a pressing costume decision. It may be that the rehearsal process requires some "playtime" if we are all too intense to be productive. There are many reasons for altering the process and time allotted.
At any rate, if you are not on stage, your time will not be wasted if (1) you use the time to learn your lines, (2) help with some aspect of the production, (3) study or read a book. Plan for such rehearsals.
Be aware that all rehearsal schedules are subject to change.
Eating and drinking will happen only in the assigned eating areas designated by the Stage Manager; never embarrass the company by leaving trash or food or cans or the like anywhere in the theatre area, music room, lobby,170, bathrooms, or the adjoining halls.
Never send a message about absence through someone else. Be responsible and personally communicate with the Director. Do not ask parents, family members, or friends to deliver your messages for you.
Never sit in the rehearsal area and visit. You are welcome to observe.
Extraneous noise (from halls, Green Room, etc.) that interrupts or disrupts stage rehearsals is seriously inappropriate and suggests tro the Director that you have no respect for the creative process at hand.
During rehearsals and performances, you are not to be in the light booth without a direct need of the technical staff
Please do not bring guests to rehearsals without checking with the Director. Do not balk if the answer is no. There are reasons.
Plan how not to be hungry. Bring snacks. We sometimes send out a technical person for a "Cumby Run" or "Farmer's Market Run", so having change on hand is also helpful. Please do your eating in the entry hall and upper landing outside of the indoor stage doors. Do not leave trash or cans or bottles about.
Feel free to bring a pillow and blanket if rest is more important than studying (when you are not on stage).
To consciously prepare for the rehearsal process, be aware that usually rehearsals
~last 5-6 weeks ~include weekends, some holidays and/or free-from- school days ~start off at about two and a half hours ~grow to three hours ~at mid-process lengthen from three to four hours ~non-school day rehearsals are longer ~weekday rehearsal call times vary; often 5:30 PM ~weekday rehearsals can last as late as 9:00 PM ~Friday and Saturday rehearsals may go past 9:00 PM ~Sunday rehearsal call time is 3:00 PM ~Sunday rehearsals can last as late as 10:00 PM ~stay as late as 11:00 PM one weekday before opening ~Saturdays are kept free of rehearsal if possible ~tech calls are after school or during rehearsals and Saturdays ~are subject to change as dictated by needs of production
Help straighten up, shut down, and lock up the theatre area after rehearsals so that everyone can leave as soon as possible.
Noone in the theatre has time to babysit you.
No roaming the school halls or property on theatre time. No crawling in the upper spaces above the stage lights. No crawling on top of the school building or any other territory you know to be inappropriate. Do not be out of doors during rehearsal. Do not make trips to your car. No skateboards on theatre time.
The Stage Manager did not take you to raise. Keep the territory clean and neat and orderly. Help put things away at the end of rehearsals. Help turn off the lights and lock up. Your help will mean that all of us get out expeditiously. Mrs. Worrell
Most costumes are provided. Each performer is generally required to provide his or her own shoes, socks, tights, or stockings. Occasionally students are asked to help provide a costume piece. Students are often asked to iron, wash, do hand sewing, or other small costuming tasks.
Once a prop has been issued to you to use on stage, you are responsible during the rehearsal period for being sure that it is appropriately locked up at the conclusion of rehearsal. Do not pick up a prop that you do not use. Do not play with props--they are not toys.
Costumes are to be treated similarly. You are responsible putting costume pieces away during the rehearsal period. Costume pieces are not to be played with or picked up or moved.
None of the costume collection is for you to play with or remove without permission from the Director of Theatre. These costumes are being kept for future productions. We cannot afford to have them strewn about, played with, or removed.
Simply because you participate in Yoh does not mean that the theatre program's equipment, props and costumes are there for your amusement or discretionary use. All materials belong to the program.
Lighting equipment on stage or in the booth is not to be touched or played with. Only assigned technical staff should handle lighting equipment.
Do not put on the headphones or speak into them unless directed to do so.
When we use a microphone back stage, do not pick it up or talk into it unless directed to do so.
During many rehearsals and performances, there is technical equipment in use backstage or on stage. Be conscious. You will be given ample warning about its presence. Listen carefully to instructions and steer clear of it unless directed to do otherwise.
Do not play on the Geni hoist. It is not a toy. It is a very expensive piece of equipment that many Vermont schools would cry to have. We are fortunate to have one for our use; it makes our work much easier. You may be asked to help move it from time to time; be helpful. Unless directed to do so, do not ride in it or crawl on it.
If you perceive a safety or comfort problem with the set or technical equipment, alert the Director or Stage Manager immediately.
PERFORMANCES The protocol during performances mean you must be punctual. Check in on time and stay after each performance until dismissed by the Director or Stage Manager. We will police the area before anyone is dismissed.
STRIKE Remain for strike until the entire process is completed and you are dismissed by the Director or Stage Manager. Strike will most often be immediately after the photo session that happens after the last performance. Be sure your family knows you will stay for the entire strike. They are welcome to stay and help if they wish.
Please do not ask the director to make an exception.
Be sure you take home any personal items that you loaned the production. We are not responsible for them after Strike.
Traditionally we take pictures on closing night at the conclusion of the final performance. Parents are invited to bring their cameras. Setting up shots takes time; this is not a short activity.
Please be quiet and calm for this process. We will schedule the photos moving from the end of the show to the beginning. If you are not in a photo, please be seated in the front rows of the auditorium unless you are changing costumes or you are excused.
"Cast parties" are parties that include every cast and crew member no matter their age; they include attendance by adult staff. They should not be held evenings when a rehearsal or performance follows the next day.
Under no circumstances will drugs or alcohol be in the theatre working or ensemble environment. We will not tolerate its use or presence to touch our work or this program.
Treat others in the company with respect for their creativity, their individual contributions, and collective contributions.
Be gracious to custodians. Do not leave your personal trash for them to clean up. Trash cans are always available.
Familiarize yourself with all staff and their responsibilities. Know how things happen and who makes them happen. Be helpful and cooperative with staff. They are only interested in your impressions to a point.
No whining. We just don't have time for it. Find out what you need to know and if you have a concern, get it settled. If you need help, ask for it. Leave your personal baggage at the theatre door.
Be considerate of your family by keeping them notified of changes, ways they can volunteer to support the event, required costume contributions, and any other pertinent communications given out by the Director, Stage Manager, Costumer or other staff members.
Let your family know that they can check Yoh news on the yohplayers.org web site.
Alert your family to changes in rehearsals, dismissal times, and adjustments as the schedule progresses. Dismissal of rehearsal will-- of necessity-- sometimes vary from the anticipated time. Expect it. Running overtime is not frivolous or casual.
YTPs have access to telephones and have the option to contact family about late rehearsals, running over, or simply that when they are about to start home
Urgent family messages will be taken and will be posted on the call board. Phone calls from friends will not be taken.
If your ride has an emergency and is unable to arrive on time, a responsible person (usually Director of Theatre) will stay until the ride comes. On week-nights, Custodians are in the building until at least 11:00 PM, and students may wait inside in their company. Noone will be left unattended.
The commitment to the theatre program is not unlike one to an athletic team. Absence is unthinkable. Ensemble is everything. Goals are clear. We are looking for excellence both individually and collectively. We all stretch. We count on each other. We are not exclusive. There are no specialists and no stars. If you come with commitment and responsibility, you are welcome. Talent is icing.