Everything you need to know
to participate in our 2018 production of
"Tumbleweeds"
Welcome! We’re glad you chose to take a look at our website to learn more about the Prairie Arts Center and Prairie Arts Council Children’s Theater opportunities.
You can download a copy of the AUDITION FORM from the link at the very end of this page
We are excited to be able to continue to provide the young people of our community with opportunities to grow as citizens and as performers. For 20 years, the Gorenz family has produced, directed, and acted in shows on the PAC stage, starting with a 1998 children’s production of “Tumbleweeds.” To commemorate this anniversary (as we did for the 10th anniversary), we are again producing the children’s musical, “Tumbleweeds.”
You will be able to learn about “Tumblweeds” at auditions. It features a chorus and both singing and speaking roles.
Our philosophy:
The goal of the Prairie Arts Council is to promote the ARTS for the entire community. Our goal, as PAC Theater Directors, is to offer options for music and theater activities to our youth, particularly for those who may not have an interest or aptitude for sports. In so doing, we strive to build character, to teach skills, and, just as important, to have fun.
Casting:
“Tumbleweeds” features a large cast, so we will need plenty of young actors to audition!
Show Dates:
April 27-29, 2018. We will offer Friday and Saturday night performances as well as Saturday and Sunday matinees.
Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will take place weekday evenings, Saturday mornings, and Sunday afternoons (approximately 1-2 weeknights in addition to the weekend for cast members with speaking roles; everyone with a singing role needs to be available for the Sunday afternoon music rehearsals). Chorus members will generally be asked to come only to music rehearsals (Sundays) for the first month or so. We make every effort to work around everyone’s busy schedules, but we do ask that children with conflicts alternate commitments so that they do not consistently miss play practice. During the last 2 weeks before the show, the rehearsal schedule increases.
This spring PAC is producing a show in March featuring adult actors, so we will need to have some rehearsals off-site as we are sharing the theater. Once we know when children are available to rehearse we will be able to determine the locations of rehearsals.
Communication:
Our primary method of communication with the cast for rehearsal and general information is email. If you do not have email or if your family does not check email regularly, please find a friend or neighbor who will contact you with announcements. If the parents live apart, please consider providing both of their email addresses to us, so that both parents can be made aware of schedule changes, expectations, requests for volunteers, etc. This is particularly helpful if children spend some weekends or evenings with the non-custodial parent.
Cast List:
Will be emailed to the cast. It will also be posted in the information box next to the Theater door.
Scripts:
Will be provided at the cast read through (this helps us to teach proper pronunciation and inflection during the initial read through).
Expectations:
Attendance at rehearsals is very important. We all have busy lives, and many of our children are booked in numerous activities. Unfortunately, everyone suffers if anyone is missing from a rehearsal, so we ask that you make this a priority. If your child has conflicting activities, we ask that you spread the times you must miss an activity among them rather than have your child miss play practice and attend the other activity on a consistent basis. The last two weeks of rehearsals is very important, so we ask that your child not miss rehearsals during that time. Extra rehearsals are added at that time, particularly the weekend before the show.
Parental involvement is crucial. Parents are expected to be responsible for their child’s attendance and for calling us if your child is ill or otherwise cannot be there. We also require that parents participate in production aspects of the show: chaperone several rehearsals and shows, provide refreshments for intermission, sell tickets, write press releases, put up posters, organize the cast party, arrange for T shirts and videotaping, type the programs and cast bios, assist with set construction, painting, costumes, and props, and assist with strike (tear down of set and PAC clean up). Detailed instructions are available, so these tasks are not as overwhelming as they may appear; of course, many hands make light work! We have had difficulties in past years getting enough parental support to be able to get all of the work done. If we find that our parents are not coming forward to volunteer in the first 2 weeks of rehearsals, we may be forced to cancel the show.
Critical Expectations of Cast Members
We strive to create a safe, wholesome environment for your children. We ask that they behave at all times with kindness, support, encouragement, and acceptance of all cast members and volunteers.
We ask that cast members memorize their lines in the first 2 weeks (this is not as difficult for children as you might imagine).
We also want to emphasize the importance of cast members and families supporting PAC productions by volunteering and coming to see shows that you are not in! No one likes to perform to an empty auditorium, so please remember to come to see other productions here at PAC. This is not an idle expectation. PAC cannot continue to produce community theater shows without a volunteer base and an audience! Please support community theater in Bureau County by coming to our shows, concerts, and revues.
Each cast family is requested to sell at least 10 tickets; each child who sells 15 tickets will receive a free T shirt with the show logo.
Costs:
There is no mandatory cost involved in participating in our shows. However, the PAC board has asked that parents join PAC if their child is cast in the show. PAC exists only because of the hard work of many volunteers. Joining PAC is a demonstration of support and appreciation for the opportunities that this organization is providing for the children of our community. Any cast member from a previous production whose family has not joined PAC or made other arrangements with the directors will NOT be cast.
There are some optional expenses: T shirts, video of the show, snacks for long rehearsals, and cast party.
Membership Expenses:
Family: $35
Individual: $25
Student: $15
(Membership requirement may be waived due to financial hardship. Please talk to one of the Directors)
Auditions:
Auditions are open to children in 3rd-8th grades, although select 2nd graders may be cast, so second graders with a strong desire to perform and an ability to follow direction are welcome to audition. A parent is REQUIRED to attend the auditions unless prior arrangements are made with the Directors. If a parent/guardian does not come to the audition, their child will not be allowed to audition.
Auditions are scheduled for Friday, February 16 at 6:30 PM and Saturday, February 17 at 9:30 AM at the Prairie Arts Center, 24, Park Ave. East, Princeton (children may audition either time). Children will be asked to sing “America the Beautiful” in a small group and individually; those interested in a speaking role will be provided with a scene selection at the audition. Separate arrangements can be made if a child has conflicts at those times.
If you have any special needs accommodations, please contact us ahead of time at 815-875-1267 or gorenzfamily@gmail.com so that we can make appropriate adaptations.
Thank you
for your interest in PAC Children’s Community Theater. Please print the Audition Information Form, fill it out (we MUST have your child’s sizes and a list of conflicts!), and bring it to the auditions. We will have copies available if you cannot access a printer. We look forward to seeing you there!
David and Shelley Gorenz
and Rachel Gorenz-Johnson
PAC Theater Directors
