Sixth Grade Musical

Kids pose at the end of scene without costumes

Dear Sixth Grade Parents,

Every year, the sixth grade class performs a musical. In addition to being a whole lot of fun for everyone involved, musical theatre provides young people with an opportunity to develop the skills necessary for success in the 21st century. Some of these benefits include:

Ensemble Building: By its nature, theatre requires the creative input of all its participants. Students work together to rehearse, construct, perform and promote their show.

Self Confidence: Young performers discover how to take creative and emotional risks and learn to trust their abilities throughout the rehearsal and performance process.

Reading & Literacy Skills: From constantly reading their scripts, immersing themselves in the story, memorizing their lines, and taking notes at rehearsal, putting on a show is an active and engaging approach to improving literacy at an individualized pace.

Public Speaking Skills: Young performers become comfortable speaking in front of a group. Whether performing for their peers during rehearsal or for their school and local community during a performance, students gain expertise and confidence with this valuable life skill.

Self-Discipline: Students learn the importance of being reliable and trustworthy members of an ensemble. Through learning their choreography and lines and actively participating throughout the process, students acquire valuable self-discipline techniques.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills: Due to the show’s collaborative nature, all students become valuable in troubleshooting elements of their production. Working out the nuances of a character or a tricky scene change allows participants an opportunity to creatively tackle challenges.

Engaged Imaginations: Theatre is most dynamic when the imaginations of its creators are fully engaged. Throughout the process, students create another world through acting, dance, music and design.

Communication Skills: Young performers discover how to clearly articulate their thoughts and questions throughout the rehearsal process.

Creative and Emotional Outlet: Having a creative outlet on a regular basis is not only part of a well rounded education, but also vital to a child’s well being and emotional health. Producing a show provides growth opportunities for all varieties of learners: kinesthetic learners explore dance and their bodies in physical space, linguistic learners dive into the spoken and written word, and spatial learners devise inventive sets and the arrangement of objects in space.

Enhanced Empathy: Young performers explore the lives of others through character work and exploration of story. Providing participants with first-hand perspective aids in the development of well-rounded students and citizens.

Cross-Curricular Opportunities: The themes and worlds of a musical provide a rich springboard for cross-curricular connections.

As you can see, our students are gaining valuable life skills through this production. We’re looking forward to jumping into rehearsals and hope you will join us on opening night! Thanks for your continued support in providing our students with this educational experience.

Sincerely,
Scott Forney

Dates at a Glance

Monday, Dec. 9 - Audition Preparation Meeting - 11:40 am-12:20 p.m., in music room
Wednesday, Dec. 11 - Audition Preparation Meeting # 2 11:40-12:20
Dec. 16, 17 and 18 - Auditions after school - 3:15-5:30. Sign up outside of Mr. Forney’s room!
Thursday, Dec. 19 - Call Back Auditions. Some students may be asked to come back for a second audition.
Friday, Dec. 20 - Audition Results are announced and Full Company Rehearsal (all 6th grade students) - read through during school 10:40-12:20
Jan. 6 - Classes resume
Monday, Jan. 13 - Parent Volunteer Meeting - 6:00 p.m.
Feb. 17 - 21 - Winter Break
Friday, March 20 - Dress rehearsal - Full Company (all 6th grade students)
Monday, March 23 - Dress rehearsal - Full Company (all 6th grade students)
Tuesday, March 24 - Dress rehearsal - Full Company (all 6th grade students)
Wednesday, March 25 Performance @ 7:00 p.m. for parents and guests
Thursday, March 26 Performance @ 7:00 p.m. for parents and guests
Friday, March 27th - Cast Party! All 6th Grade students

Musical Policies

Click on the policy name below to display the information.

Taking Liberties with the Script

Tickets

Visitor Policy

Audition Process

Auditions are a very important part of the process as we prepare for our show. The Audition Committee is made up of a panel of teachers who will give you a score based on your performance. You will want to come prepared to the audition with a short singing solo and a small part of the script prepared. We will score you based on singing, spoken diction, stage presence, concentration and dance/movement.

You can find an overview of the process, the needed materials and audition tips below.

Audition Overview

Audition Schedule:
- There will be specific days for each character. Students should attend for their character day.
Students should audition for one part, and let the audition committee know any additional parts in which you are interested.
By accepting the part, you agree to commit to the show's rehearsal schedule and communicate responsibly about potential absences.
- Rehearsals in will generally go until 5:00. Rehearsals are for specific scenes. Students only need to come to rehearsals for their specific scenes and dances.
- Dress Rehearsals (3) are mandatory and will go until 5:30
- You can find all of the specific rehearsal dates and times in our Rehearsal Calendar.

Audition Materials

For the song and script requirements, please go this website: http://www.mtishows.com/broadway-junior/audition-central
- Go to “select a show” menu and scroll down to select our show. Be sure to select the ‘KIDS’ version.
- Prepare the “score” and “script” for your character
To listen to the song, please join Google Classroom
- Go to classroom.google.com/
- Sign in to google using your Oakwood school email address (lastname.firstname@oakwoodschools.org)
- click “join class”
  - Click on the plus sign in the upper right corner.
  - Our class code is: khgyx
- We will use Google Classroom to post important information about the musical - including the rehearsal tracks for students to practice singing with at home.

Audition Tips

BE PREPARED: Memorize the lyrics and melody of your song. Memorize the script so you can concentrate on acting and movement.

SMILE: The audition committee wants you to do a good job. Try to relax and enjoy the process!

SHOW GOOD BEHAVIOR: Directors are often more concerned with how you behave than how well you sing, act, or dance

BE FLEXIBLE: Do your best at whatever you are asked to do, even if you are reading for a role that you find challenging.

TRUST US: We will assign each student to the most appropriate role.

BE POSITIVE: If you don’t get the part you auditioned for, try to be happy for the other students who did get a part. Sometimes it is just another person’s “time to shine”. Remember, whether it be through chorus, dancing, or stage crew, every student will have a role in the success of the show.

“There are no small parts, only small actors!”

Parent Volunteers

A musical is a big undertaking and we will need help from many parents and teachers. We will need help in areas listed below.

Props

Costumes

Scenery

Program

I am looking for one parent to be in charge of designing the program, and organizing a group of students to pass it out at the shows. This program must follow certain guidelines from Disney and I have a sample that can be used as a guide. The program is due two weeks before the show so I can proof it and make changes if needed. We will print the program at the school.

Publicity

I’m looking for one parent to send a photo and short article about our show to our Community Relations Director Traci Hale at hale.traci@oakwoodschools.org. Ms. Hale will submit the article(s) to the Oakwood Register. Two different articles would be nice.

General Announcement of our show due in February. Announce the performance Dates and times and how to get tickets.
Follow- Up Article the week of the show

Cast Photo

Tickets

Cast Party

Staff Roles

Director

The director is the captain of the ship and is ultimately responsible for managing the team and ensuring everything comes together

Develops creative vision
Develops calendar and timeline
Runs rehearsal
Blocks the show
Gives notes to cast and crew after rehearsal

Mr. Forney

Music Director

The music director is in charge of all music throughout the show.

Teaches all music for the show through music class and rehearsals
Helps students sound their best
Conducts vocal warm ups, rehearsals, and performances

Mr. Forney

Choreographer(s)

The choreographer is in charge of all the dance in the show.

Creates choreography
Teaches choreography to students
Maintains and adjusts choreography as needed throughout the process

Mrs. Davidson/Mr. Forney/High School Helpers

Stage Manager

The stage manager oversees the management of all things happening backstage both during rehearsals and the show.

Develops roles for student stage crew
Manages and organizes the stage crew
Teaches students how to “call the show,” “stay on book” during the show.
Ensures the movement and placement of scenery is smooth and efficient
Manages behaviors and flow of traffic backstage

Mrs. Davidson

Set Designer and Artistic Director

Designs the set and oversees its creation
Utilizes stage crew and students to help in the creation of set pieces and backdrops
Designs and creates puppets or masks needed for show

Mrs. Kuntz

Costume Designer

Designs and creates costumes for characters and chorus
Works with parent volunteers to develop special costumes
Collects money from parents to offset cost of materials

Mrs. Duell

Technical Director

Oversees and directs all technical aspects of the show like lights, sound and video.

Sr. Dear

Student Stage Crew Roles

Stage Manager

Assists the adult stage manager with the logistics of the production. Is in charge of all backstage students. Is responsible for calling the sow and giving cues. Will be posted in hallway stage left.

VERY organized, VERY responsible, calm, patient, student with leadership skills who prefers to be behind the scenes. Will need to work well with adults and be able to problem solve in the moment. MUST understand the story and flow of the show.

Assistant Stage Manager

Assists the student stage manager with calling the show and giving cues. Will manage stage right.

Music Sound Manager

Works with music director to learn and master all music and sound cues. Controls the computer and music through all rehearsals and shows.

VERY responsible, tech savvy student who can pay very close attention to detail, timing, etc. Will need to work well with adults and be able to problem solve in the moment. MUST understand the story and flow of the show.

Light Manager

Works with music and technical director to learn and master all light cues. Will manage light board/ipad throughout most rehearsals and shows.

Microphone Captain

Will work with technical and music directors to ensure all microphones have FRESH batteries and are organized and ready to go for each rehearsal and show.

Responsible student who can lend organization to this task. Will need to take the initiative to understand the technology and how to replace the batteries. No cutting corners.

Costume Captain

Will work with stage manager to ensure that all costumes are accounted for and in the right location at the beginning, during and end of show.

Responsible student who can lend organizational skills to this task. Will need to take initiative to make repairs or get help with repairs. Sewing/craft knowledge helpful.

Prop Captain

Will work with stage manager to ensure that all PROPS are accounted for and in the right location at the beginning, during and end of show.

Responsible student who can lend organizational skills to this task. Will need to take initiative to make repairs or get help with repairs. Artistic skills helpful.

Scenery Captains

Will work with stage manager to ensure that all scenery is in place and ready to go at the start and end of each show. Will be responsible for learning, adjusting, and mastering the flow of large scenery movement during scene changes.

Responsible students who are looking to be physically active while backstage. Must have working knowledge of story and flow of show. Can behave maturely and under control while working quickly and quietly. Can problem solve in the moment.

Dance Captains

Will work with choreographers to learn and master all parts of dance routines so they can lead during rehearsal and show.

Skilled and experienced dancers who are patient, like to teach others and perform.

Student Production Crew Roles

House Manager

Will work with Stage Manager (adult) to ensure the house is ready for all rehearsals and shows. Organizes space and chairs. Will need to communicate with custodians.

Responsible student who doesn’t mind hard work and moving chairs, etc.

Publicity Team (Posters)

Will work to create posters to advertise the show

Students who are artistic or good with computer graphics - independently responsible

Publicity Team (Video)

Will take photos/video to create imovie trailers

Students who are creative and tech savvy - independently responsible

Set/Scenery Crew

Will assist Mrs. Kuntz with the creation of certain set and scenery pieces.

Artistic, creative students who will follow directions and be responsible with materials and supplies.

Ushers

Will welcome audience members to auditorium, hand out programs, assist those needing special seating, and make sure house is prepared for show

Friendly, well-spoken, mannerly

Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile

Ticket Time

The two evening performances Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. require tickets. We have a limited seating capacity and tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. More information regarding tickets will be coming soon.