F.A.Q's
(Frequently Asked
Questions)
What is the age range of participants?
There are opportunities for all ages
ranging from children over the age of six to teens and
adults. The minimum age to participate is 6 years old (by
the first audition workshop). We strive to
have participants take on roles within their own
realistic age ranges. Adults play adults, children
play children and older teens can stretch into younger
adult roles when appropriate.
Is experience required?
No, as part of our educational process,
each participant will receive training in dance, voice
and acting as required for the production. We have a
variety of skill levels with many performers being new to
theater with little or no previous acting, dancing or
singing experience. Many of our performers are also
returning participants from previous e.T.c shows or have
experience through classes or other theaters
companies.
Do you offer specific acting or singing
classes?
At this time, we do not offer specific
classes. Our education process takes place during
the workshops/rehearsals as we prepare for each
production.
Where are the rehearsals and performances
held?
Currently, rehearsals are held at Parkside Elementary
School in San Mateo. Performances will be
held at the Bayside Performing Arts Theater in San Mateo.
Click here for directions.
What is the time commitment involved for
participants?
At the beginning of the program, ensemble
workshops/rehearsals are held on Saturdays and Sundays
for 2-3 hours each day. As the production
progresses, workshop/rehearsal hours will increase.
Saturdays usually begin with the first ensemble group
arriving at 11:00 AM, on Sundays the first group session
usually begins by 1:00 PM. Participants with
speaking or specialty roles may have additional rehearsal
time one evening per week.
How are ensemble groups assigned?
Ensemble groups are assigned based on the
director's discretion. Often groups are divided by age,
but sometimes they are divided by ensemble role or other
criteria.
What is the parent commitment?
e.T.c. relies on our volunteers to
ensure a quality production. Parents are required
to volunteer AT LEAST 20 hours (per family) and be
on at least one production committee! Participation
is mandatory. There are a variety of committees and
ways to help with each production. Click here for a
listing of our committees.
What about conflicts?
We request that all known conflicts be
listed at the time of auditions. Due to our compact
schedule, conflicts must be kept to a minimum in order to
keep the continuity of the rehearsals. Excessive
absences may require that a participant perform in a
reduced amount of ensemble numbers. For the benefit of
the show, please look at the rehearsal schedule carefully
and make sure you can fully commit to the
production. Due to the importance of Tech Week
there can not be conflicts during this week.
How can I register myself or my child?
When registrations are being accepted for
our production, simply complete the registration forms
(links will be at the bottom of the registration guide
page) and mail it along with the appropriate registration
fee to our office. Everyone who registers, with
payment, will be in the production, unless there is a
waiting list (you will be notified if this is the case).
When do I need to pay the registration fee?
The registration fee is due with the
initial registration application/forms.
What if I register my child and he then decides
he is not ready to participate or we find we have too
many conflicts?
Our refund policy is: 100% refund prior
to the first audition workshop; 75% refund prior to the
first audition day. In order to promote the
ensemble atmosphere, there are NO REFUNDS following
auditions and casting.
What other costs should I expect?
There are a few items that are optional
for purchase, such as our show t-shirt, one-liners
(messages to our stars that are printed in our show
program), raffle tickets, business or personal ads for
the program, meals that are available during Nitty Gritty
Day and Tech Week, and Rehearsal Snack Bar items.
Required purchases include a headshot taken by our
professional photographer for our lobby display during
the show (A previous e.T.c headshot or a 4 x 5 black and
white approved picture other than a school photo, may be
substituted); costumes; and tickets to see the
show. Parents are required to purchase their own
tickets to see the show, regardless of what committee you
are working on, if you want to sit and watch without
having to work during he performances. It is well
worth it to sit and view the show at least once, in a
non-volunteer capacity.
Who provides the costumes?
Costumes are the responsibility of each
participant. Make-up, costumes and
shoes are the financial responsibility of each cast
member based on the creative team's concept. If
specifically asked to purchase, rent or create a special
costume, each cast member is only responsible for the
first $100 (not including shoes or make-up).
Will I be able to watch my child during the
workshops/rehearsals?
e.T.c. had a strict closed door policy with regards to
watching the workshops/rehearsals. We have found
that both the participants and artistic staff
become distracted when parents watch or interrupt the
workshops/rehearsals. Parents are welcome to
register as participants and join the cast as part of the
production, making e.T.c. a fun family activity.
Alternately, they are welcome to wait outside the
rehearsal area. There is a rehearsal snack store
which is manned by volunteer parents. This is a way to be
on the premises as well as put in your volunteer hours.
Do all participants need to audition, even if
they only want to be in the ensemble?
Yes, auditioning has a two-fold purpose.
As part of the educational process, each participant is
asked to audition to gain audition experience as
well as stretch one's personal boundaries.
Additionally, auditions give the director insight into
how to best organize the ensemble group as well as cast
speaking and specialty roles. Audition workshops
are provided prior to the auditions to help educate
participants in how to prepare for an audition and to
help ease audition jitters. Following
auditions, each participant will be given an audition
feedback form. This form will help give
constructive information regarding strengths and give
suggestions in areas that the participant may wish to
improve. Click here for more audition
information.
What is a call-back?
Call-backs are follow up auditions when
the artistic staff wants the opportunity to view a
participant again to see if he/she may fit into a
speaking or specialty role. Frequently, a person is
called back to read or sing with another person being
considered for a different role. This enables the
staff to see how certain people/characters look
together. A call-back is not always necessary to
cast a role. When the artistic staff may feel the
person is right for the role from the onset, they may not
require a call-back, the role may not be announced until
all preliminary casting is announced. Callbacks are
generally for actors that the director has questions
about and needs to see more of in order to make an
informed decision as to what spot (ensemble and/or
speaking) the participant best fits in.
Why are there two casts for each
production?
Dual casting enables more participants to
have the opportunity for a speaking or specialty
singing/dance role. Whenever possible, each role is
double cast to allow more opportunities among the
participants.
Will every participant get a speaking/specialty
role?
While every participant will be in at
least 3 ensemble musical dance numbers, not every
participant will have a speaking role. We average
about 90 participants per show. The number of
speaking and specialty singing or dancing
opportunities is based upon the number of roles
available in the script. We try to double cast each
role to provide more opportunities for participants.
Being an ensemble based company, we stress the importance
of every participant working together and being an
important part in building the ensemble numbers.
How many shows will each participants be part
of?
Each participant will perform in all
8 main stage (Fri, Sat & Sun) performances.
There are 2 additional Field Trip shows that participants
should perform in. Regardless if a
speaking/specialty role is offered ALL PARTICIPANTS are
in EVERY SHOW. All Participants are asked to attend
both Field Trip performances to maintain the continuity
of the show, unless there is a hardship case relating to
school. Hardship cases (school/work related) will be
dealt with on an individual basis and must be presented
well in advance of a performance to the stage manager
& director. Participants who accept a pivotal
speaking/specialty role are required to participate in
their role during the field trip shows, unless it is
arranged well in advance with their counterpart to fill
the role for the performance.
What is Nitty Gritty Day?
This is a specific workshop day that is
set aside for volunteers to get all the necessary, but
cumbersome, tasks completed. One representative
from each family is asked to come and help on Nitty
Gritty Day. Tasks are generally simple, such as cutting
and bundling school backpack flyers, cutting postcards
for distribution, getting our newsletter ready for
mailing, and putting together our raffle ticket booklets
for the show. In addition some people may volunteer
to go to local businesses and solicit help with publicity
by displaying our posters. Chaperones are required (if
they haven't already done so) to complete a 1 1/2 to 2
hour Child Abuse Protective class which is usually
arranged to be held during this time.
What is Tech Week?
Tech week is the most crucial week of the pre-production
portion of the show. It usually begins with full
Saturday and Sunday rehearsals followed by Monday through
Thursday evening rehearsals (6:00PM - 10:00PM). It is
generally the first time the participants are at the
theater with the full set, costumes and orchestra.
The lighting, sound and stage cues are being set at this
time. Chaperones and stage crew are also
learning the cues. It is vital that there are no
conflicts during Tech Week.
What are Field Trip Shows?
Field Trip shows are designated weekday
morning performances at the theater that schools or
organizations are invited to attend at a reduced
price. There are two field trip shows during
the week leading into opening night (Tech Week). The
shows are at 10 AM (with a call time of 8:30 AM) and are
usually finished by 12 noon. Most participants are able
to go back to school or work following the show. The
field trip shows give our participants the experience of
being in front of a live audience, prior to the weekend
main stage performances. They also provide
educators with the opportunity to give their classes
a chance to view live, quality theater at a reduced
price. Pivotal speaking participants are required
to participate in their cast performances, unless it is
arranged with their counterpart to fill the role for an
individual performance. All performers are expected to
attend both field trip shows in order to maintain the
quality of the production and benefit from the additional
performances. Hardship cases (school/work related)
will be dealt with on an individual basis and must be
presented well in advance of a performance to the stage
manager & director.
How many productions does e.T.c. do each
year?
e.T.c. usually puts on two main-stage
productions per year (fall and spring). In
addition, e.T.c. works in conjunction with the San Mateo
Park and Rec. Department on a summer musical theater day
camp. Please check the San Mateo Park and Rec.
Spring/Summer guide for information. e.T.c. also
had a pilot Summer Teen program in 2002.
How can I contact someone for additional
information?
Email us at contact@bayareaetc.org or
leave a voice mail at (650) 802-0493 and a
representative will return your call.
If you have a question that is not answered on this page,
please email it to us so that we may include it here.