MUSICALS/ PLAYS F.A.Q.S.
Q. What does an audition consist of?
A. First you MUST sign up on the sign up genius. Auditions are for placement purposes only, everyone is accepted into the production! You will need to fill out an audition form
Recite a monologue - it does not need to be memorized.
30 seconds of a song of your choice performed without accompaniment (this is for musical productions only, NOT dramas)
If you are unable to attend the in person auditions, please email a video of your audition to the show’s director with (Participants Name) AUDITION (Show Title) (Location) in the subject line. Be sure to include a copy of the audition form.
Q. What additional costs can I expect?
A. On top of your original participation fee, you will need to provide your own costume (we work with local costume supplier, Spotlight Costume Design who rents costumes, but you may use whoever you want), and any ticketing for the show. (Our in person shows have tickets between $10-$20 when pre-purchased and $12-$25 when purchased at the door; Please note that costume rentals do not include shoes. Occasionally, shows require face paint and or a painted mask (ranging form $8-$15 each). In most cases you will need to print out materials (the full script) for our rehearsals, if you need assistance one can be provided for a $10 fee. The participation fee helps to cover the costs of licensing, props, and the directors time (for everything from the initial information about the auditions, casting, planning blocking/ choreographing, instruction time) and props. PLEASE NOTE ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE - there are no exceptions.
Q: If I can't make it to the Audition can I still be in the show?
A: Yes. If you are unable to make it to the audition you can e-mail Tina@performingartsinc.net a 30 second video clip of your child singing any song of their choice, without background music. The song can be as easy as Happy Birthday. You should then read one of the monologues that can be found on our monologue page "Alternate Auditions" must be received within 24 hours of the audition time and notice needs to be given that you will be auditioning this way before the time of the scheduled auditions. Be sure to include your child’s name, age and which production they are auditioning for with your audition clip. Please make your payment via credit card as the entire participation fee is due with your audition, and no auditions will be considered until payment is received.
Q: Is there wiggle-room on the age ranges for the productions?
A: We set the age groups based on the child's age at the time of the audition. If you are at the lower end of the age range you should be the lowest age level listed before the performance date. If you are at the highest level of the age range you should be in the age range at the time of the audition still. Most productions will have a firm age limit, but some productions may have a little bit of flexibility. Flexibility in age range will be the Directors decision.
Q: If I have to miss a few rehearsals can I still audition and participate in a production?
A: Yes. We would like everyone to be there as much as possible but if you have to miss one or two rehearsals that is OK. Please let the director know of all conflicts as soon as you are aware of them, as it may affect our rehearsal planning. If you miss more than 3 rehearsals, your role may be recast.
Q: Who do I contact about costume information for a musical?
A: You are more than welcome to get or make a costume on your own! If you need to rent you can reach out to Bridget Kamp of Spotlight Costumes. spotlightcostumedesign@gmail.com Please make sure to give her plenty of notice, as she does not have every costume readily available in multiple sizes. Please note that costume rentals are not included in your participation fee. Costume rentals do not include shoes or wigs. All costume rentals are collected immediately following your final performance, so be sure to bring a change of clothes. Again renting is optional - you can get a costume on your own! Spotlight Costume Design is a separate company. Creating your own costume can be a fun bonding experience (feel free to use google images/Pinterest for inspiration)
Q: How do I know what costumes/shoes I need for a production?
A: Feel free to use google images/Pinterest for inspiration. Please direct ALL costume questions to Bridget at spotlightcostumedesign@gmail.com or 513-678-1659 (call or text) even though Spotlight Costume Design is a separate company she will be the contact to make sure the show has a cohesive look and to answer any questions. For most performances jazz shoes (black or tan), character show (black or tan), boys dress shoes (black), girls flat dress shoes (any color) are great options. Please try to avoid athletic shoes that do not blend with your outfit.
Q. How can I make sure I know what's going on?
A. We communicate primarily through e-mail. Generally, an e-mail is sent weekly to the e-mail address you used to sign up on the Sign Up Genius. If you have not received one from us make sure tina@performingartsinc.net is added to your contacts. Always check your spam and/or promotions folders/filters. If you are still not receiving an e-mail please send us as e-mail and request to be added to our distribution list (be sure to include which production). Please notify us if any of your contact information changes.
Q. Can someone not cast in the production attend a rehearsal or dress rehearsal?
A. No. All of our rehearsals are closed and only cast members, crew members, directors, and parent volunteers (in situations where they are asked for - school locations only) are permitted during rehearsals, including our dress rehearsals.
Q. Does an adult really have to be IN the show for the family productions?
A.Yes Our family productions feature performers of all ages, with an adult participating with a child family member- the shows are so much fun. If you really want to try it, we can occasionally offer a participating adult a very minor role (only in one BIG group number with everyone) and they can help move props on/off manage the backstage during the production.
Q: When will I know the showtimes? Are the shows always on weekends?
A: When signing up for a production it will give you shows are the “Week of” and in some cases “weekend of”. that means shows, and typically (final dress rehearsals) will fall in that time frame. Our numbers of participants are booming and theater usage availability is limited. Shows are scheduled and can take place every day of the week in a lot of cases the shows fall on weeknights and not weekends. If you have any conflicts with the show week please let the Director know at the time of the audition and we will do our best to work around them, when possible. Showtimes are always emailed to the cast as soon as the show schedule is solidified - you may get this info along with your cast list, or it may not be until a few weeks prior to the show depending on lots of factors. Make sure you are receiving our emails with regular updates.
Q: What should I do with my child's hair/make-up for the production?
A: While make-up is not required, we strongly suggest all performers wear makeup. If you choose not to have your child in makeup, we understand. Stage lights tend to wash out colors, so warmer tones will counteract this effect. Stage lighting also tends to "flatten" a face and remove definition, which is why we highly recommend our performers use makeup to emphasize their facial features.
Here are the suggested makeup components:
Foundation (if complexion is light)
Light eye-shadow
eyeliner
eye brow pencil (if eye brows are blonde)
mascara
blush on cheeks
bright lipstick (girls only, boys do not need lipstick)
Also, please be sure hair is secured out of your child's face. If you child wears a hat, it should be worn back near the hairline and tilted upwards away from the face to avoid casting a shadow on your performers face.
Q. Do I need a ticket for the show?
A. Yes. Everyone who is sitting in their own chair will need a ticket for all performances. There are not separate prices for tickets (no Senior, Child, or Student Ticket pricing differences)
Q. Do I really need a ticket for all shows - even if I'm a parent?
A. For every show you attend you will need a ticket that must be purchased. You are more than welcome to wait in the lobby during the performance or drop your performer off before the show and pick them up after if you do not want to purchase multiple tickets for yourself but we cannot let anyone enter the auditorium without a ticket.
Q. How do I purchase tickets for the performances?
A. This is a complicated question to answer quickly. Ticketing is handled online through Seat Yourself for all performances at the Sharonville Cultural Arts Center, Performances at the Anderson Center Theater, and for our West Chester Group (rehearses at EDGE) performances; the Fitton Center handles their ticketing as well as our Harrison/Lawrenceburg groups that perform at their venue directly. Please note that all ticket sales are final and non-refundable and cannot be switched for a different performance. Some of our school programs are handled through PTO’s and information about tickets will be communicated via email to our cast members.
Q. The show is sold out, how do I get a ticket?
A. We do not have a limit on how many tickets can be purchased per family or per performance so we always recommend getting yours early as our performances typically sell out. You can let the person in charge of tickets (generally not the director) know you are still looking for one, and that way if any become available they can reach out to you. There is also the chance someone decides day of they don’t need a ticket and we may be able to let you into an open seat that way if you show up. However, no one is permitted to sit/stand in the aisle ways or stand in the pathways of egress. For every show you attend you will need a ticket that must be purchased. You are more than welcome to wait in the lobby during the performance or drop your performer off before the show and pick them up after if you do not want to purchase multiple tickets for yourself but we cannot let anyone enter the auditorium without a ticket.
Q. What time does my child need to arrive?
A. Unless otherwise communicated, performance call time will be 30 minutes prior to the start of the show(s). Audience doors open 10 minutes prior to the show start time. For rehearsals participants should not arrive more than 5 minutes early, and need to be picked up promptly at the end of rehearsals.
Q. I tried to pay my participation fee online and I’m not sure it went through, how can I check?
A. A receipt is auto-generated and sent from tina@performingartsinc.net - if you do not receive it within 30 minutes of making your payment you may reach out to Melissa@performingartsinc.net to have her check if your payment was processed.
Q. I bought tickets but can’t remember where my seats are?
A. A receipt with your ticket purchase is auto-generated and emailed to you; if you can't locate it you can visit the Seat Yourself website to look up purchase information. You do not need a printout of your receipt/tickets. Just make sure you know what seats you are assigned. If you cannot locate your seat numbers, head to the box office before the show so we can help you look them up.
Q. My child has decided they do not want to participate in the production after auditioning and/or being casted, is there a refund?
A. . THE ENTIRE FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERRABLE. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE NON-REFUNDABLE POLICY.
Q. What if you don’t get enough participants?
A. In the rare case that we do not get enough participants for a production to move forward we will cancel the production. In that event, if you have already made your payment we will apply it to a future production, or this is the only instance in which funds can be refunded. The minimum number of participants varies by show/production/location.