FAQs

Details Regarding Our Protégé Workshops

At MYART we appreciate that as a parent who is new to the program, you may feel a bit overwhelmed and not know what to expect or what is expected regarding our Protégé Workshops. This program is more intensive, as it pulls together in only a matter of weeks. The MYART staff is accustomed to working with families new to theatre and we work to make it as easy as possible for you to learn the ropes.

Below is a list of common questions you may have regarding these workshops:

How do I register my child for a Protégé Workshop?
There are always opportunities to register your child for an upcoming workshop, either online or in person. Each presentation is listed within this site, and there is access to an online registration page where you can fill out the necessary information and make a payment. 

You can also register your child in person during the first day of rehearsals.  If you have not filled out registration paperwork, your child may attend rehearsal while you do so.

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You should bring a pen, find the registration desk and be prepared to fill out the forms listed below:

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Welcome
Registration
Emergency
Photo release
Photo and video policy
Rules and goals

Is my child required to audition to be in a Protégé Workshop?

Yes. Each child must be prepared to audition, whether he or she wants to be a lead part or not. 

What does the audition process involve?

On the first day of rehearsals, the MYART staff teaches the group a song and they spend some time practicing it. For the audition, your child may use the song he or she just learned with the group, or a prepared track of 16 to 24 bars of any song (this can be on a phone) can be used as well. The track needs to also be an instrumental version of the song so your child is not singing along with the other vocals and we can hear his or her voice clearly. The children are also taught a short dance routine that they perform in a group as part of the audition process. 

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When evaluating auditions, two very important qualities to the overall impression left by the candidate are:

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The familiarity and the corresponding ease in delivering song, dance and dialogue.
The level of energy and enthusiasm that go along with it.

What is a track of 16 to 24 bars of a song?

16 to 24 bars of a song is about 30 seconds to just under a minute. It doesn’t have to be the beginning of the song, just that amount of time. 

Callbacks

Sometimes the director or staff needs more information upon which to base their casting decisions. When this happens, they often “call back” several of the candidates to a second audition.

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It is quite possible to be cast in a role without being called back. Often the director is able to cast an auditioner after having seen them only once. Likewise, being called back does not guarantee that the auditioner will be cast.

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Callbacks for Protégé Workshops are usually scheduled that same day as auditions, or shortly afterward. 

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What should my child bring to rehearsals?

Wear loose comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes that don’t restrict your movement.

Your script. Seems obvious, but some people don’t think they need their script. They’re wrong. You always need your script.

Pencils with erasers. Never write blocking or any other notes in pen. Everything will change, especially in the early stages of rehearsal. Things will change over and over again. Be prepared to take notes and to erase them. Notice that it’s pencils – plural. You’ll misplace your pencil, you’ll outright lose it, you’ll loan it to a friend who never returns it.

Highlighter. You’ll use it to highlight any lines you missed when you highlighted your script as well as any other important information you’re given.

Ideas and energy. You get out of rehearsals what you put into them.

Questions. Are there parts of the script you don’t understand? Were you unsure about what direction you should take? Keep a question list in your script.

An open mind. If you’ve done your homework you’ll have formed some strong viewpoints about your character and the show. These views might conflict with the views of the director or your other actors. Keep your mind open to everyone’s ideas. This is a team effort and your show will become a balance of what everyone brings to the table. 

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What should my child should be focusing on during rehearsals?

A consistent challenge during rehearsals is keeping the noise level down. In a room full of dozens of children having fun it is easy for the noise level to quickly rise to the point the director must yell to be heard. At that time the director must quiet the cast. If the director must continually quiet the cast, rehearsal is less effective. 

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It is very important for parents to communicate with their children the importance of being quiet and paying attention. Even whispered conversations become disruptive if there are enough of them.

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Does MYART supply a costume for my child?

For Protégé Workshops, MYART costumes are created by individual cast members. 

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Costume guidelines and other information are provided to the cast, usually within the first week of rehearsal. 

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This information will either be provided directly in the costume handouts or it may be added to the downloadable documents page  for that specific show on the MYART website. Most of the time, guidance is provided for the different ensemble groups, with lead costumes having their own unique requirements.

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In assembling a costume, most cast members rely upon several sources. Often items from closets at home can be used. Thrift stores, rummage sales and surplus stores may also yield appropriate items. Sometimes other cast members can be of help. In addition, making costume articles from scratch may be a good option for those who are so inclined.

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Costuming may seem like a daunting responsibility at first, but it is just another opportunity to express your creativity and individual style. If you feel like you need some help, contact the show’s costume designer for encouragement and assistance.

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Will the rehearsal schedule change?

Toward the end of the rehearsal process it is common for additional rehearsals to be scheduled. The purpose of these rehearsals is to bring the entire cast together and run the show. These are known as “run throughs” or “runs.”

During a run through, the director will find and fix problems that only become evident when the entire cast is together. Fixing such problems may require making changes to the material that a group has been taught. It is much easier for the student to handle last minute changes if they have a solid understanding of the material being changed. If the student has not adequately practiced what they are taught, dealing with changes can be difficult.