The School Play is back with Madagascar!

What’s Different This Year: Two casts!!

Cast A: Grades 2–3, supported by 1st grade as chorus

Cast B: Grades 4–5

Register

• Register your child for the play using the play registration form. The form must be completed in full, including allergy/special-needs information, gender-role selection, and confirmation that you have reviewed the school play policies.
• Registration will open on November 30th.
• Everyone who auditions will receive a part!

Auditions

• Cast A: Thursday, January 8 (Grades 2–3 only); Grade 1 chorus does not audition
• Cast B: Friday, January 9 (Grades 4–5)
• Auditions will be from 3:15 - 5:15 pm; more information to follow
• If your child would like to participate but cannot attend the audition, please let us know.

Part Distribution and Script Distribution

• Parts and scripts will be distributed by the week of January 17th. Google classroom access will be sent with the cast lists.

Performance Dates

February 28 (Snow Date: March 1)

Cast A: 11:00 am

Cast B: 2:00 pm

Registration Fees (per Student)

• Cast A: 1st grade chorus: $175, Grades 2–3: $200
• Cast B: Grades 4–5: $200

Sandbox Theatre, our new vendor, will cast and direct the show. They currently work with 3 other Scarsdale Elementary Schools.

Rehearsal Schedule

*Note: Winter break from Feb 16 to 20

Please note : There are NO REFUNDS, so please be sure before registering.

Fees/Payment Information

The cost for the program is $200 per cast member and $175 for children’s chorus (Grade 1). You must be a fully paid member of the Heathcote PTA to participate.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available if the cost of the program would represent an economic hardship. Please email the school psychologist, Ms. Turetzky at jturetzky@scarsdaleschools.org. All inquiries will be kept in the strictest confidence.

Children’s Casting

Children may not be assigned the role they audition for. Roles assigned could be the opposite gender of the child auditioning. We will provide the song choices and scripts for audition to you shortly after registration. Children’s choir (Grade 1) do not need to be present at casting!
Role assignments are determined solely by Sandbox. The PTA plays NO PART in assigning roles. Sandbox Theater and it's staff will not accept emails or phone calls from parents regarding auditions or casting.

Attendance

Attendance for every rehearsal and performance is required. However, if your child has a scheduling conflict, please contact the school play chairs before registering and we may be able to accommodate it. 

In order to properly prepare all of the children in a limited amount of time, our director has the discretion to change any assigned roles for children who miss rehearsals, are not prepared, or have not memorized their lines. Please do not leave early or have your child absent for these two weeks of rehearsals due to the amount of practices that needs to take place in a short amount of time to make our play a success.

Illness

If your child has called in sick to school or has left school early for any illness, they should not attend the theater program that day. Please let us know and we will coordinate to make sure your child can catch up when they return. If your child misses 2 days of rehearsals their part will be reassigned. If your child is unable to attend rehearsal due to illness, please send an email to the school play chairs so we know your child will be absent that day.

Parent Volunteering

The success of our theater program depends upon you, the Parents! If you register your child in the theater program, we ask that one parent be available to volunteer; to assist at the rehearsals and/or at the performances. You will be able to sign-up to volunteer online after casting.

Rehearsals

Each child will receive a script, and there will be labels on the script to identify your child’s part/s and all of the scenes that your child participates in.

• Please carefully review your child’s role and scenes listed on the front of the script.
• Please do not rely on your child to interpret which role they may have.
• Students should take the time to review the scripts and work on memorizing their lines before the program begins.

Things your child should bring to every rehearsal:

• SCRIPT: Required daily, so please make sure they are taken care of (it would be a good idea to provide a folder for their safe-keeping).
• SNACK/WATER: Nut free snacks ONLY! 
• HOMEWORK/BOOK TO READ: Please make sure your child has a book, homework, or another activity in his/her backpack for down time. 

Rehearsal Dismissal

Children will be dismissed from Front Circle Door according to their rehearsal schedule (see above). 

Costume Requirements

Costumes will be supplied by Sandbox theater. Students will be required to wear a t-shirt, shorts, and/or a sleeved leotard under all costumes.

Discipline and Phone Policy

The Heathcote PTA offers this theater program for your child’s enrichment and enjoyment. If your child’s behavior is disruptive to the program, the Heathcote Play Chairs, Sandbox employees, and parent volunteers will adhere to the following protocol:

1. After the first incident, the child will receive a warning and a note will be sent home. A copy will also be sent to the PTA chair.
2. After the second incident, the child will be removed from that day’s rehearsal and the parent will be notified in person or by telephone.
3. After the third incident, the child will be required to withdraw from the play. Fees are not refunded after casting.