For Students:

How do I audition for a play?

Soon after school begins there is a meeting for all students interested in being involved in the year's theatre program. You are encouraged but not required to attend. There you will learn a lot of valuable information about the year's schedule including dates and various projects we will be tackling ( if that information is available). It is an excellent opportunity to ask questions of the director and make sure that he knows who you are and what your interests are.

Before each individual production there is an informational meeting where the director discusses the play, roles available, and his expectations for casting and auditions. Traditionally, for a straight play (non-musical) auditions are simply comprised of cold readings from the script. The director chooses a variety of short scenes that you will perform during the audition session. You should also be prepared to complete the audition form that asks for a variety of contact, background, and schedule information. The cast list will be posted on the theatre program call board when completed.

For a musical, students auditioning are expected to have a song prepared. See the director for a selection of songs from the show or for other musical theatre resources. You do not have to audition with a song from the show but you are encouraged to audition with a song of the same genre/style. There will also be a short acting audition with cold readings from the script as well as a simple dance/rhythm audition.

I don't want to perform but I want to help backstage. How do I get involved?

There are numerous ways that you can help with the creation of a production! Stage managers are the backbone of each production serving as the center of communication, tracking rehearsals, and running the production the nights of the show. The time commitment and responsibility are very high but the reward is exceptional.

You may serve as a member of the running crew. This is typically a one week commitment, every night the week leading up to the show. Listen for an announcement about three weeks before the show to sign up to be on the running crew.

There are always positions for lights, sound, backstage, props, and costumes and makeup. If you would like to be instrumental in the creation of the set or learn how to run the lights or sound, you can volunteer to get involved earlier and work after school to help get all of these setup. No experience is ever needed - just a whole lot of enthusiasm!


What is the rehearsal schedule like?

We typically rehearse daily for 2-3 hours a night for the 8 weeks leading up to the production. Rehearsals typically run between 3:30-5:30 in the afternoon. Cast members are only required to be at rehearsals of scenes for which they are onstage. Sometimes closer to the production rehearsals are added on Friday afternoons and Saturday afternoons as necessary. During the week of the show (known as tech week), the rehearsals move into the evening as we add the various tech elements and begin to imitate the schedule of the production nights themselves.

I am involved in another school activity/ have a job. Can I still be in the cast?

There is no blanket answer to this question and it must be handled on a case by case basis. It all depends upon the degree of the conflict as well as the role in question. If the conflict is with another school activity, then time between the rehearsal and the other school activity will be split in half. Regardless of the conflict, it is expected that you make it known on your audition form so that the director casts the production with a fair understanding of the commitment of all involved. The two weeks prior to the production are a no conflict period. It is simply too difficult to rehearse for a production effectively with any cast members missing. It is unfair for the rest of the cast members to waste time while another cast member is not present.

What if I don't make a production? Am I a bad actor?! 

Absolutely not! It all has to do with the roles available. We all find that there are some characters we are able to play better than others. There have been numerous occasions where a student has not made a production, but has then turned around and been a lead role in the next. It all depends upon the individual play/musical, so you are encouraged to always audition and see if you are the perfect fit for the production. Remember also that just because you were not cast in a production does not mean that you shouldn't still be involved. Help out with set, costumes, and other tech elements. We always appreciate enthusiastic involvement.

What is the difference between drama club and the theatre program?

These two programs largely intertwine. The THS drama club is a student organization dedicated to the promotion of performing arts events for THS students. This is done through activities that help the theatre program's productions by sponsoring a one acts production of our own, and by encouraging/providing opportunities for students to see a variety of theatre events beyond Tipp City. The theatre program works to focus on the mainstage productions as well as the Stagecrafters Summer Theatre Program. All students should be able to find their niche through the combination of these groups which share a common purpose.

For Parents:

How can I stay involved and help a production?

Help is always needed to bring together all of the various aspects of a production. Be willing to share your time and talent to make your student's production a great success. There is always help needed in the gathering of props, set decorating, and costuming. Each production has a series of set construction days where cast members and their families are encouraged to come in and help create the set. No experience in any of these fields is ever necessary. We have a good group of designers who are always willing to teach! All we need is for you to have enthusiasm as you help support your student's interest! 

If volunteering of your time and talent is not really an option for you because of your schedule, be sure to ask your student about the patron/sponsor forms so that you may help out the production financially. Helping in these backstage activities is by far the most effective! You don't want to be that parent who is cutting into rehearsals telling the director where he/she went wrong or giving your student contradictory advice of that of his/her director.

Finally, your help on the nights of productions is critical to help with ticket sales and manning our fundraiser tables. Please be ready and willing to donate one performance to help with this (and don't worry you will still be able to see the show!)

When can I get tickets to a production?

Cast members are given the ticket reservation form four weeks prior to the show. Multiple copies are given to each cast member so that they may be submitted as each order is ready to go rather than waiting for all of the distant relatives to phone in their orders causing you to have to wait until the last minute to submit your form. Seats are distributed on a first come first serve basis. The sooner your student turns in your form, the closer to the stage your tickets will be. Two weeks prior to the production, the tickets are made available to the general public as well.

For Community Members:

How do I get tickets to the next production?

Tickets may be ordered through any cast member or may be reserved by calling the theatre program office at 669-6384. Please leave a voicemail message with the number of student and adult tickets, the performance you wish to attend, and a phone number by which you may be reached if they are any questions about your order. Ticket reservations will be available for pickup at will call the night of the performance. Ticket sales will also be available at the door for all productions.

What is appropriate theatre etiquette?

1. Please don't talk!!!  Just don't!  There's plenty of time after the show to share your thoughts and to socialize.  Talking not only distracts the listener but also those around you.  Be courteous! 

2. Don't take photographs. The noise/or and the flash are disturbing to the audience and dangerous to the performers.

3. Don't pull out your cell phone for any reason during a production. Silent or not, those little LCD screens are especially bright and distracting in the theatre.  Texting is a distraction!  There's a time and place for everything, and during a show is neither the time nor the place.

4. Don't bring food! It is not permitted in the CPA (we want to keep it looking great for years to come) and the noisy wrappers can be distracting to people even rows away from you. 

5. Never leave the production during the bows. Believe it or not the performers can see from the stage into the audience. Don't worry, your car will still be there if you wait that extra sixty seconds.

Why do you do all of that fund raising?

The theatre program is primarily self-funded. We cover all of our own production costs as well as those of keeping the CPA in beautiful working order. Needless to say, it's an expensive job! Tipp City Schools covers the director stipends, but all other expenses are paid for by the ticket sales and other fund raising put on by the theatre program. We like to see students introduced to the new technologies such as high-end wireless microphones, intelligent lighting systems, and beautiful sets. Audiences of course enjoy the benefits of all of these as well. So next time you are asked to be a patron or sponsor, please consider it so that we may continue to provide a professional level experience for our students and audience.

How can I help?

We can use help through your time, talent, and treasure. There are always a variety of production projects we need help with. these include set construction, set decoration, lighting and sound setup, costumes, and props. No experience is ever needed, just plenty of enthusiasm. If you do not have any time to spare please consider donating from your treasure to one of our fundraisers by being a patron/sponsor, advertising in our program, or buying flowers for one of rising stars from the table in the lobby before and during performances.