Parent Meeting Notes
Communication
  • Please come to us first with any questions or concerns.  Please do not go to the choreographer, the director or the principal.  We are the parent contacts.  Please email us at theplaylg@gmail.com
  • All information about the play will be at hsc.blossomhill.org/the-play.html

Parent Participation Requirement
  • It takes a village to put our play on.  We require each family with a performer to volunteer 22 hours (20 hours prior/during to the show and 2 hours for strike).  Crew families are required for 6 hours (4 prior/during the show and 2 hours for strike).  We do have a Buyout option for those who cannot do this - $350 for performer families and $100 for crew families).
  • Buyouts are available until October 28th at the first rehearsal! Once we get started, we are truly counting on everyone to pitch in!  It does take a village!! We will be asking performer families to give a deposit volunteer check of $350 and crew families to give a deposit volunteer check of $100 if you don’t buyout. This is new this year.
  • We’re working on volunteer committee assignments, trying to align with what you put as your 3 choices in the application…but, it’ll be impossible to please everyone, so please be patient and flexible! You will be notified by us soon…we will email you once we post the volunteer committee list on the website.
  • We’re all working for one purpose: enriching our kids’ lives
  • A few of the kids might continue in musical theater, but all will use skills learned here:​
    • time management
    • memorization
    • public speaking
    • team work
  • ​Refunds:  If you find that the play or these expectations are not a fit for your family, a partial refund of $100 will be given if drop is after cast list is posted but before the second week of rehearsals. No refunds given for drops after the second week of rehearsals.

Team Work Just Like Sports
  • All the kids are important to the production…leads and ensemble members
  • Maybe even more so than in sports, because once all are cast, there’s no competition, just cooperation and camaraderi
  • All performers are critical to the end result.
  • So, please don’t constantly prioritize sports teams over the play. Try to keep a balance the first few months, then, in January, please prioritize the play over other extra-curricular activities!

Casting
  • We are happy to say that absolutely none of us, no parents, are involved in casting. It’s Mr. Houg and the artistic staff casting.
  • Help turn those kids’ frowns upside down!
  • There may be some disappointed kids who wanted a solo and don’t get one (great life lesson---not everyone gets a trophy, but you still stick it out once you’ve committed to the ‘team’)
  • In the end, all will have a wonderful time (maybe more fun to be in the ensemble, with less pressure to memorize lines, etc!)
  • Especially during the final weeks of rehearsal and then performances, the kids will all be so proud of their show!  They’ll be backstage, in the Green room, watching their cast mates perform, cheering them on, and having a great time!

Rehearsal and Performance Locations

  • Rehearsals will rotate between Daves, Van Meter & Blossom Hill during the first months of rehearsal, until the stage set is built at Blossom Hill. Once the set is built, most all rehearsals move to Blossom Hill in January.
  • Until January, Rehearsals will typically be held as follows:
    • Monday, Tuesday @ Van Meter
    • Wednesday @ Blossom Hill
    • Thursday, Friday @ Daves
    • Saturday @ Blossom Hill
    • Sunday no rehearsals
  • Performances are all at Blossom Hill because the stage and backstage area are bigger there, so can accommodate all the cast and crew members during shows.
  • Once cast lists come out, get to know your child’s doubles’ parents…you might be able to carpool if they are at the same school. 
  • You’ll definitely want your child’s doubles’ contact info when your child has a conflict or is sick and needs one of their doubles to cover a crucial rehearsal or even performance! Email theplaylg@gmail.com to request contact info for your child’s doubles.

Rehearsal
  • Kids need to come prepared to rehearsals as follows:
    • Eat a snack beforehand (so, on school days, send an after school snack in their backpack) 
    • Kids can bring water only to rehearsals…no other drinks!
    • Kids with hair past their shoulders must wear it tied up to all rehearsals…this is so they can see better while dancing….and also, maybe more importantly, for lice prevention! Long hair mingling increases the spread of lice.
    • Kids must wear closed-toe shoes that aren’t so loose or clunky as to make dancing difficult (no flip flops, no crocs, no rainboots, no Ugg’s—they are too loose and heavy). Clothes should be comfortable to move around in.
    • Your child should bring a script to every rehearsal. Kids may also bring a book or homework just in case they have some down time during which they can quietly read or do homework.
    • Parents may be called and/or children may be asked to sit on the sidelines if they did not come to rehearsal prepared.
  • Parents are not allowed in the rehearsal room to watch unless working as a rehearsal supervisor.
  • ​Parents need to be prepared to pick up their child safely from rehearsals as follows:
    • At Daves, you must pick up your child at the door to the room where the kids are rehearsing (usually the multi-use room). YOU MAY NOT USE THE CARLINE AT DAVES FOR REHEARSAL PICK UP BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF THE REHEARSAL SUPERVISOR’S SIGHT. We are trying to keep kids safe, so none of the kids will be released except to an adult just outside the rehearsal room.
    • At Blossom Hill and Van Meter, you may pick up your child in the car line just outside the MPR (not the Cherry Blossom side at BH). Be sure your child knows to look for you in car line. KIDS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WALK INTO THE PARKING LOT TO FIND YOU AT BLOSSOM HILL or VAN METER. Again, we’re trying to keep kids safe. Rehearsal pickups can be hectic and crowded and are usually in the dark…no kids walking unattended out to the parking lot.
      • Also, if you plan to use the car line, please remain in your car and move to the next available space.  DO NOT leave your car unattended.
      • If you plan to walk to the MPR, please park in the parking lot and walk in and not use the car line.
  • Please wait away from the rehearsal room doors – we tend to get very loud while waiting for our children and it’s distracting to them.
  • Please, please be on time to pick up your child.  Plan for traffic. Check the rehearsal’s end time.  Please don’t make the volunteer rehearsal supervisor wait for you.  
What do you need to do next?

  • Complete On Line Application
  • Have your child complete the Audition form
  • Submit Audition form with Volunteer Deposit Check attached to it.  There is a box in your school's office.
  • Reply to theplaylg@gmail.com that you have read this information and ask any questions,
  • Bookmark hsc.blossomhill.org/the-play.html
  • Get ready for a great time!!​