CPTheatre

Everything a Show Parent (and Student) Needs - All in One Place!

Welcome Parents! We are thrilled you are here! Christian Performance Theatre (CPT) relies heavily on the support of our parents and we want your involvement behind the scenes to be as rewarding and fun as your child's experience on stage! This is your "one stop shop" for all information and forms related to the show: everything from the audition process ... to parent production teams... to the cast party.

Welcome New Families!

Is this your first show? Here's a quick timeline-based overview of what to expect (for both students and parents):

Classes - you need to sign up in order to be in a show
Auditions - you need to sign up to get an audition time
Callbacks - you may or may not get called back for more auditioning
Parent Meeting- if you are cast, this meeting is a must for parents
Show Crew - if you are not cast, you can still sign up to work behind-the-scenes
Rehearsals - Friday nights and Saturdays for about 10 weeks
Parent Teams- Parents meet to work on their pre-production teams (sometimes during rehearsals)
2nd Parent Meeting - information about tickets, costumes and show week
Costume Parade- a time for the Artistic Team to see cast members in full costume
3rd Parent Meeting - Kick-off tech week with lots of information for show week
Performances - there are 5 performances (including at least one School Day Show & final dress rehearsal)
Strike - after last show, everybody cleans up.
Cast Party - usually on Sunday after show week, there are awards, thank you's and party!

Audition & Casting Information

Auditions are a wonderful way for students to gain self-confidence and experience in performing in front of people. Currently enrolled CPT students ages 8-18 are invited to audition for any one of the CPT productions each session.

AUDITION PROCESS

SIGN UP Once you have registered for classes, you may sign up for an audition time. You will find the Sign-Up link on your class confirmation page. Log into your MyCPT and click "View Confirmation".
PREPARE: You will need a 1 min. Broadway-style audition song downloaded to provided link or you may bring your own accompanist.
AUDITION DAY: Show up for your audition 30 minutes early. Bring your Audition Form, including headshot, Costume Form, and Parent Committee Form to check-in (see the show "Production Manual on the "Audition Information" page).
Note: you will not be able to audition without the completed online forms. Link to forms document can be found on your class confirmation page.

Auditions will be open for all to watch. We will take 10-12 at a time. Following the vocal audition, your group will rehearse a short dance routine to perform for the Artistic Team. The audition dance will be made available to all auditioners a week before auditions. Callbacks will be closed. Callbacks will be only for those we need to see again for any number of reasons.

Audition Tips

Keep your song limited to one minute or less.
No acappella singing; download an accompaniment track without vocals or bring an accompanist.
Choose a broadway-style song or a children's song.
Do not sing a song from the show for which you are auditioning; this is considered poor theatre etiquette.
In most cases, an upbeat song is best. Show energy and enthusiasm!
Make sure your song is within your vocal range.
No costumes, props or choreography; the directors want to see you at your best.
Practice your song in front of people until you are comfortable enough to perform.
Confidence is key! If you are not a singer, that's okay!
Give the directors a show and win them over.
Directors want actors who will look comfortable on stage.
You will be asked to perform a short dance routine with a group - so wear comfortable clothes that you can dance in.

If you are cast...

You must be at all rehearsals for which you are scheduled. If an absence is necessary, permission must be received from the Show Coordinator. Any cast member missing more than two rehearsals may not be able to participate in the show. Conflicts (other than illness) after casting are not allowed.
All conflicts must be listed at the time of auditions, and will be taken under consideration during casting. Conflicts, other than illness, reported after casting may require that you drop the show.
You may not leave rehearsal early.
You must be at all performances. This may include missing two days of school.
You must pay a Production Fee of $130. If you need to work out a payment plan, please contact the office.
Your parents must agree to attend three parent meetings and to serve a minimum of 20-25 hours on a Parent Production Team. An "Adult Sponsor" may volunteer these hours in the place of a parent and designate the hours to a cast member.
Please download the show Production Manual on the Audition Information page. The Manual contains all forms, schedules and other important Audition/Production information.

Parents must agree to the following:

I realize that if my child is chosen for the cast, I will be responsible to make sure he/she attends every performance and every rehearsal for which he/she is scheduled. In case of illness, I will notify the Show Coordinator in advance. In order to ensure the quality of rehearsals and the production, I understand that two or more unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the show. I understand that students who audition are NOT eligible for a class tuition refund. I understand that I will be charged a $130 Production Fee for the 1st child, $120 for the 2nd child and each additional child. I am also responsible for personal items (i.e., shoes, tights, make-up). I understand that I will be required to attend three parent meetings and to volunteer 20-25+ hours as part of a Parent Production Team.

Parent Involvement in a CPT Show

Unlike many children’s theatre programs, parents are essential to CPT. Not only does CPT welcome parents to all aspects of our program, CPT requires parent involvement at a number of levels. First and foremost, CPT depends on parents to get their children to class, to rehearsals, and to shows on time and prepared.

CPT parents partner to help fulfill this dream of our kids!

If your child is cast in a show, there are three mandatory Parent Meetings (one during the first rehearsal, and one midway through the session and one the Sunday before show week) that will give you all the information you need for the weeks to come. Each cast member must have at least one parent (or representative 18 years or older) attend these meetings.

Likewise, at least one parent (or adult family representative) is required to be involved in preparing for the session production. CPT has found that “Parent Production Teams” are the best way to get the essential jobs done! You will actively serve on one of the many Parent Production Teams throughout preparation for the show and during the show. Working side by side enables families to share a common goal.

Print and read the Production Manual for all forms, schedules, show information and specific committee assignments. Contact the Show Coordinator at shows@cptheatre.org with any questions.