ACT One To Hold Auditions For A CHRISTMAS CAROL 9/8 & 9/10

ACT One at The Academy of Christian Theatre in Kansas City, MO is holding auditions for A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Visit http://www.act1kc.com/index.cfm.

Enroll by August 31st at midnight and receive a FREE t-shirt! Enroll and PAY in full by August 31st at midnight and receive a FREE t-shirt and $15 off of tuition!

Join us for the timeless story of Ebeneezer Scrooge and his journey to redemption. This version features moving music, beautiful scenes as the story unfolds, and comedy in several places. Contemporary Christian music will be woven throughout the story.

Auditions:
Ages 12 and up: 5:00 to 8:30 on Tuesday, September 8
Ages 5 to 7: 4:30 to 5:00 Thursday, September 10
Ages 8 to 11: 5:00 to 8:30 Thursday, September 10
Callbacks are Friday, September 11 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Our rehearsal dates will be held on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 8:30. There will be three Saturday rehearsals as well. Exact rehearsal dates: September 22 (including first parent meeting), 29 October 6, 13, 20, 27, November, 3, 10, 12, 13 (main characters), 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. The Cast Party will be on Tuesday 11/24 from 6 to 8:30 (please note this is the week of Thanksgiving.) The Juniors cast will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 on Tuesday evenings and for some dress and brush-up rehearsals. Rehearsals begin on Tuesday, September 22nd. There will be a MANDATORY parent meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 on Tuesday, September 22nd and Tuesday, November 3rd.

Performances will be Wednesday, November 18 at 6:30, Thursday, November 19th at 7:00, Friday, November 20th at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 21st at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Harmony Vineyard Church.

The Juniors program was started to give students ages 5 to 7 the opportunity to perform on the stage! Juniors have an abbreviated audition process and are admitted into the program based on their ability to pay attention and learn a 3 to 5 minute dance, drama, and/or song section of the show. Junior members of the cast are featured in a scene or dance of the performance. Actual length of time on the stage is based on the story and contract obligations of each particular show. Tuition includes training, involvement through classes and rehearsals, participation in the production, curtain call, and of course, the cast party. Juniors may be asked to sit with family during actual performances due to limitations with green room size and availability. Junior cast members may advance to the full-time cast based on instructor approval. Junior families are asked to support the show through volunteer hours on a crew and through ticket sales. The Junior group for A Christmas Carol will be cast as carolers. If your child is 7 and you feel that they are ready for the older group, please speak with us about moving up at least one week before auditions.

We will excuse students from rehearsal on an individual basis. All conflicts must be listed on the audition form to be excused. We ask that each student make the commitment to be at every rehearsal and show and agree not to assume a role or responsibility in another production or activity that will conflict with the show schedule. If there are extenuating circumstances, please let us know prior to casting. Missing more than two rehearsals may influence casting decisions.
Are Auditions and Callbacks closed? Yes. We believe that students are more free to be creative and expressive with only the directors as an audience. We try to make auditions as fun as possible!

The audition process on September 8th and 10th will be broken into three parts during the audition time. Students ages 8 and up need to STAY for the ENTIRE time.

Part one is music. Auditionees seeking a solo or main character in the show are asked to perform a 16 bar selection from a Broadway style song, a Christmas song, or praise song. Please bring an accompaniment CD (please keep selections between 45 seconds to one minute). An accompanist WILL NOT be provided. Sample sheet music books are available through our office. Even if you are not trained as a singer, please perform your selection with good characterization, enthusiasm and energy! Please DO NOT audition with a song from the show for which you are auditioning. Students in the Juniors group may choose a Christmas song. Juniors may sing with a CD or a capella. Do I have to sing a solo? NO. Students may also audition as part of a group, but will NOT be considered for a solo or a lead role which requires a vocal solo.

Part two is drama. The drama portion of the audition will consist of a cold reading-lines will be given at the beginning of auditions. Auditionees should include good characterization and energy.

Part three is dance.Students will participate in a very brief dance audition. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes!

The callback list will be posted on the website by Friday, September 11 at noon. Students will be called back for further dance, drama and music performance to determine their role in the show or behind the scenes. Callbacks will be held on Friday, September 11 from 5-9.

Tuition is $135 (Covers the cost of materials, insurance, royalties, sets, props, special costume pieces, facility usage, and director/instructor pay). Juniors (ages 5-7): $80 (meet Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30). Sibling Tuition: $120 ($15 off regular tuition price). *No refunds will be given for ANY reason after the first rehearsal.

Each family or cast member is responsible for putting together a base costume and possibly other assigned costume pieces. Costumes must be approved by the costumer at costume parade on October 10. Costume includes clothing, shoes, socks/tights, jewelry, and hair accessories.

Makeup: $16 OPTIONAL cost for kit if needed (all performers will need to wear stage makeup). T-shirts: $12 (FREE for registrations received by August 31st at midnight). Pictures: $10 and up. Souvenirs: To be determined. DVD: $20. Cast Party: $5 per person. Family Pass: $5 per person.

Scholarships are available and will be approved by a committee. Please apply early, as funds are limited. Families seeking scholarship funds are asked to pay what they can and to please assist with additional projects for the show or auditions, callbacks, or rehearsals. Payment plans are also available.

Producing a show takes a dedicated team of parents and volunteers. We ask that you please consider the time commitment prior to enrolling your child or committing to the show. We ask that each family select an area to serve for the show. Areas include: Green Room, Props Master, Set Design, Technical Director, Souvenirs, Makeup Artist, Costumer, Historian, PR/Marketing Assistant, House Manager, Stage Manager. A member of your family must complete at least 15 hours of volunteer time as part of a production crew.

By accepting a role in the show, cast members are also making a commitment to the show, the staff, and fellow cast members. This commitment comes FIRST before any new activities that come along. If any cast member has more than 2 unexcused absences, their role may be reassigned. Any absences approved PRIOR to casting will be excused. We will do our best to work around approved absences, but once rehearsals have begun, it is difficult to change the schedule. Excused absences will include school and church activities, family commitments, and illness that have been cleared by the directors prior to the rehearsal start time.

Characters in the show are Ebenezer Scrooge, Older Man, Fred, Bob Crachit, Marley's Ghost, Christmas Past, Schoolmaster, Boy Scrooge, Tom, Fan, Mr. Fezziwig, Mrs. Fezziwig, Three Businessmen , Bess Fezziwig, Babs Fezziwig, Young Scrooge, Belle Fezziwig, Dick, Topper, Topper's girl, Fred's girl, Christmas Present, Mrs. Cratchit, Martha Cratchit, Belinda Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Christmas Yet to Come, Old Joe, Mrs. Dilber, Three Angels, Three Businessmen, Mr. White, Mrs. Francis, Miss Peters, Miss Williams, John and Caroline Frank, Grocier, Baker, Butcher, Men, Henry, Christmas Carollers, Phantom Dancers, Angels, Children's Chorus, Ensemble.

All auditionees should enroll in the "A Christmas Carol Production Class" for Fall 2009.