Important things to know...that have already been discussed in class and at
rehearsals with the students.
- What if I am in Drama I - will there be any costs to incur?
- What are Club membership dues and Thespian Membership dues?
- What is I.E. District Competition?
- What is One Act Competition?
- Who may compete at state competition?
- How are selection made for I.E. Competition?
- or her I.E. group or performance selection once it has been chosen to compete?
- What do I need to do to be in a play or musical?
- If I am in the Comprehensive Theatre class do I have to audition for the plays?
- If I am in the Comprehensive Theatre class must I audition for I.E.?
- May I audition for the season performances if I am not in the Comprehensive Theatre class?
- What is the rehearsal process like?
- Do I have to be at every rehearsal?
- If I am absent how will I make up the rehearsal?
- What are production fees, ad fees and costume fees?
- How do I contribute to fundraisers?
- What type of pieces may I use for I.E. performances?
- Do I need a copy of the play that I am performing from?
- What is the MSD Drama Booster Club?
- Do parents have to volunteer their time?
- How do parents and students find out about events, calendar dates, deadline, etc?
What if I am in Drama I - will there be any costs to incur?
We ask for donations of "arts and craft" type, items, pencils, tapes, markers,
glue sticks, costume pieces, etc., that
can easily be found in the home. Everyone shares these items throughout the year.
What are Club membership dues and Thespian Membership dues?
Club membership to Drama Club is different than Thespian Society - Drama Club
- anyone can join
- the membership fee is $20 for the year. Our Drama Club partakes in several
community events
throughout the year and allows for students to get involved in Thespian
Society eventually through a
point system established through the EdTA Educational Theatre Association. We
have 2 induction
ceremonies each year based on student status. Membership into ITS is
approximately $27 for induction and is a one
time fee. All seniors THESPIAN graduate with the prestigious ITS Medallion.
What is I.E. District Competition?
I.E. District Competition stands for Individual Events Competition. This is a
district wide performance competition where students can compete in the
following categories: solo musical, duet musical, small group musical, large
group musical, monologues, duet acting, ensemble acting, playwrighting,
pantomime, set design, costume design, publicity etc. These events are held
once a year. Participation at this event enables students to be eligible to
attend and/or compete at state level. I.E. also covers One Acts meaning a
student who performs or participates backstage in the One Act competition may
also be eligible to attend and/or compete at state level.
What is One Act Competition?
One Act Competition is held in a festival style within our district annually.
From our district a selected number of One Acts are chosen to perform their
play at state level – representing our district. In the past anywhere from 1-3
plays have been selected. This number is based on the number of selection that
compete within our district.
Who may compete at state competition?
Student performances are evaluated at district level. Each area of performance
is evaluated by a judge and those evaluations are given a value by your
Thespian Director. Highest scores are invited to perform at state level-
Critic Choices- Superior in that order. 5 performance Individual Events are selected and 3 technical events are selected. Playwrighting may only be selected through the district standards. Highest scoring competitors will attend and compete however all who competed at District level are certified to attend with approval from your Theatre Director.
How are selection made for I.E. Competition?
Being that only 8 selections from each category may compete your Thespian
Director chooses the most promising performances to represent the troupe.
Typically each performance is given a rating 1 being the first choice and so
on and so forth.
or her I.E. group or performance selection once it has been chosen to compete?
No. All performances are based on the material and it’s promising value so
changing the material or selection changes the performance altogether.
What do I need to do to be in a play or musical?
Students must prepare a one-minute monologue and 16 bars of a Broadway style
show tune - unless otherwise indicated. Students must also be prepared to audition in
dance as well(students will be taught a routine) - all musicals require either simple movement or large scale
dance numbers. Students are encouraged to be available for all productions as
they might not be selected for every production.
If I am in the Comprehensive Theatre class do I have to audition for the plays?
Yes. All students that are in the Comprehensive Theatre class must audition or
interview for all of the productions.
If I am in the Comprehensive Theatre class must I audition for I.E.?
Yes. All students that are in the Comprehensive Theatre must audition for I.E.
in either a performance category or a technical category.
May I audition for the season performances if I am not in the Comprehensive Theatre class?
Yes.
What is the rehearsal process like?
Every play’s rehearsal process begins with a full cast and crew read through.
Blocking and simultaneous musical and choreography rehearsals continue along
side. Once the entire is play is blocked for basic movement the show is run daily.
Do I have to be at every rehearsal?
All rehearsals in which you are part of a scene, movement or song you must be
present. It is imperative that you keep excellent attendance. More than 2-3
absences (depending on the rehearsal process) may be cause for dismissal from
a role in which case your understudy will take over. You may also lose your lines or blocking if you miss a rehearsal.
If I am absent how will I make up the rehearsal?
It is up to you to schedule time with your stage manager to go over the day’s
work and to keep up with the process. Once lines, blocking or roles are reassigned they will not be returned to the original actor.
What are production fees, ad fees and costume fees?
Productions fees vary depending on your “role” in each show. Most fees range
from $150 - $75. Additionally there are costume fees which can be
anywhere from $0 to $150 per costume, depending on the costumes and show. Ad fees are your
contributions to our program. Most shows we ask that you account for at least
2 -3 advertisements – depending on the size of the cast and crew. We try to
make these fees relative to the size and cost of each show.
How do I contribute to fundraisers?
All cast and crew members must contribute to all fundraisers that we have
throughout the year. There are ample opportunities for everyone to work for
the better of the group so we can keep individual fees as low as possible.
Exceptions will be made for academic obligations. Drama Boosters will also keep money on account for each child who participates in specific individual fundraising such as Macy's Shop for a Cause and our upcoming Discount Card Sale.
What type of pieces may I use for I.E. performances?
You may only use a performance piece from a published play. In order to verify
this be sure the piece comes from a play by looking for the publisher’s name
in the index pages of the collection you are using.
Do I need a copy of the play that I am performing from?
Yes. You will need a copy of the full work that your monologue or scene or
technical piece is from. The only exceptions are musical pieces where you will
have karaoke music already on a CD. You will need a full copy of the script for the actual day of competition.
What is the MSD Drama Booster Club?
The MSD Drama Booster Club is a not-for-profit parent organization that began
several years ago to help promote and support drama productions and student
activities related to drama and performance. This organization has a club
membership fee which helps benefit our students as well as the extracurricular
program. MSD Drama Booster club supports all fundraising activities during the
school year and provides support to the Drama Director and students during
both the rehearsal and competition process. Additionally it has also provided
senior scholarships to students accepted to and attending a theatre arts
program leading to a degree in the performing arts or technical theatre arts
as well as providing awards and medallions for thespian members. MSD Drama
Booster Club meets monthly. All families of students participating in the
performance season are called upon to join in this organization and lend their
support.
Do parents have to volunteer their time?
Yes. As we know parental involvement has been a driving force in the
development and success of their children in education. There are numerous
ways to volunteer your time. We have several events throughout the year:
Performances, Concessions, Competitions (local and state), Coffee House,
Haunted High, Candy Sales, Car Wash, Holiday Boutique (new), Pick ups and
deliveries of various theatre items such as t-shirts, programs, flyers,
posters, Printing, etc. This year we are asking that one parent from each
family volunteers at at least 4-5 events in any capacity. You can choose to
volunteer for as many as you wish as well as many times you will find yourself
part of the event anyway. Either way each parent volunteer MUST register for a
background check through the Broward County School Board - you can find
information at www.douglashigh.com - this must be done annually. We are also
asking that you get fingerprinted as well as it is highly likely that you will
attend an event and supervise students on your own. Fingerprinting is a free
service and you must make arrangements with your Theatre Director in order to
do so. Please get this done promptly as it does take time and planning.
How do parents and students find out about events, calendar dates, deadline, etc?
Sign up for regular email communication AND check your email on a daily basis. Sign up for NEWSFLASH features on the various pages with this website. COME to meetings and be an active listener and participant. Set a good example for your child to be timely and responsible.