FAQs about being in an EDMT production


	FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS About Participating in an EDMT Show
		This list of commonly asked questions that should give you more information about participating in EDMT's productions. Please read it thoroughly before registering for a show. If you have any questions that are not answered here, please ask us by e-mail. When are rehearsals and how often are they scheduled? Show rehearsals for each EDMT production are scheduled in advance and listed in the "All About" information page. Usually, rehearsals are scheduled Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with some Saturday & Sunday rehearsals closer to the show opening. Not all cast members rehearse every day. Monday rehearsals are usually for the lead characters only. Tuesday and Thursday rehearsals are for the full cast, however depending on progress of performers special calls may be scheduled as needed. Weekday rehearsals are usually from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, rehearsals are usually from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. During production weeks, all rehearsals are MANDATORY for the entire cast. Mandatory rehearsals may run until 7 or 8 p.m. You may not miss any rehearsals during production weeks, or you may be removed from the show. The Parent Meeting, scheduled after the cast list is posted is the first Mandatory event. You will incur one full absence if you miss this meeting. Where are rehearsals? Rehearsals primarily take place at EDMT, 5011 Golden Foothill Pkwy, Unit #4, in the El Dorado Hills Business Park off of Latrobe Rd., however during summer and fall productions we must utilize the Golden Hills School Multi-purpose room located around the corner from EDMT, or at another school’s facility, to be determined prior to each production. Specific rehearsal locations are listed on the calendar and published in the weekly news bulletins. Where are the performances? Venues will be announced prior to each show. In the past we have performed at Oak Ridge High School and Folsom High School. What if I have a schedule conflict? All known schedule conflicts must be noted on your audition form. You are allowed up to 3 pre-noted absences. An Appeal for Reinstatement form must be signed in order to continue rehearsing if more than 3 regular rehearsals are missed. Conflicts will NOT be allowed during production weeks or during the performances, period, or you may not be able to do another EDMT production. (Extenuating circumstances such as a death in the family will not have consequences.) Who do I go to when I have a question? Please go to the Parent Coordinator(s) or your specific Volunteer Coordinator for a specific committee. Please avoid disrupting rehearsals by going directly to the Director, or artistic staff. You will meet the Parent Coordinator(s) at the Mandatory Parent Meeting. A Contact List is also distributed at the Parent Meeting. What is Sidelining? Sidelining is a disciplinary action in which a cast member is temporarily removed from rehearsal activities for inappropriate behavior. The authority administering that sideline determines each sidelining duration. Once the sideline duration has been completed, the cast member may return to rehearsal. Each sidelining results in an automatic half (1/2) absence. A cast member may incur multiple sidelines in a single day. Cast members may be permanently removed from the production immediately upon their total absence count (including absences, tardies, early departure, and sidelines) exceeding three (3) days. Any and all EDMT staff may administer sidelining or staff designates. This includes but is not limited to: Director, Choreographer, Choreographer’s Assistant, Vocal Director, Rehearsal Monitor, and other EDMT representatives. What does it cost to participate in an EDMT production? The Tuition Fee, or your cost to participate in a show, is typically $250. (Training Shows and Encore Productions are different. Please see the specific audition information for those shows.) In addition there is a Parent Participation Deposit fee of $75 (see below), and each family is also responsible to purchase one raffle ticket book of 20 tickets for $5.00 each for a total of $100 to help underwrite the production expenses. You may choose to sell the tickets and reimburse yourself or donate it to EDMT in which case your name will appear on the Friends page of Sponsors in each playbill. Some additional costs you can anticipate include: a make-up starter kit (approximately $20), show sweatshirts/t-shirts, personal messages or advertisement in the program, photographs, tickets to the shows and the cast party (which is optional). Cast members do not receive complimentary tickets. Individual ticket prices range from $12 - $17. A Parent Participation Deposit of $75 is required at auditions/registration. This deposit is returned at the end of the production if the 20 hour minimum participation is met. (more information.) If I have more than one siblings in a production, is there a price break? Yes, if two or more siblings participate in the same show, the second, third, fourth, etc. siblings receive discounted tuition of $225 each (instead of $250). Are there scholarships available? Yes. The EDMT Board of Directors awards up to three (3) full scholarships for a show with a cast size of 50, or up to six (6) full scholarships for a show with a cast size of 100, to individuals deemed most appropriate from the pool of applications. Each scholarship is equivalent to one tuition charge. In addition, EDMT will waive the $75 parent participation deposit, but not the parent participation. High school students may opt to complete the parent volunteer hours on their own. Award decisions will be made by the board of directors based on desire to attend, potential benefit to applicant, and financial need. Scholarship recipients must be in good standing with the company and commit to remain in the show regardless of whether or not a lead role is obtained. They also may be asked from time to time to help out at the facility on set work days or painting days. The deadline for applications is Noon the Wednesday before auditions. Recipients of scholarships will be notified by phone no later than 3 p.m. the following Thursday (two days before Audition/Registration). To apply for a scholarship, please submit in writing via mail, fax or e-mail a letter which begins: Please consider me for an EDMT scholarship because.... Include reasons that would motivate the board of directors to offer you a scholarship. Include your name, address and a telephone number at which you can be reached on Friday. Please e-mail letter to jeanettecaruso@edmt.info or fax to 916-941-7465. If mailing, send to EDMT Scholarship, 5011 Golden Foothill Parkway, #4, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762. What is my volunteer time commitment as a parent? Without a certain number of volunteer hours from every cast member family, the show cannot go forward. By having a performer in an EDMT production, as a parent or guardian, you agree to contribute at least 20 hours of your time. Depending on how involved you wish to be, your total volunteer hours will average from one (1) to ten (10) hours per week during the next six (6) to eight (8) weeks. More details will follow at the Mandatory Parent Meeting. If you choose not to participate as a parent, you will forfeit your $75 parent participation deposit. If you decide you do not want to volunteer you may fill out a Forfeit form (on the EDMT parent page) and turn it in. If you do not sign up after 3 weeks into rehearsal the show staff will automatically assign you to unfilled positions and notify you. It is then your responsibility to fulfill that role or find an appropriate substitute. Is the volunteer time commitment for EACH child I have participating? No, parent participation is per family, per workshop/performance commitment and does not increase with additional children you have in the show. Am I required to sell Raffle Tickets? Each Family registering must pay $100.00 as part of the registration fee for their child, up front. There is a prize for the winning raffle ticket holder as well as prizes for those cast families selling the most raffle tickets. It's a fun and worthwhile way to get your neighbors and friends informed, involved and supporting EDMT. How am I kept informed during the production? E-mail is the primary source of communication. This communication will be sent on a weekly basis and at times on a daily basis. It is extremely important that you check your e-mail for periodic updates regarding details of the production. In addition, EDMT has a parent web page that information is posted to on a daily basis. What else should I know? Being a part of this show will require all the members of your family to make this production a priority within their schedules. It will require teamwork, support and flexibility from everyone. It will also require you to smile and laugh a lot, have fun, meet new people, watch your child grow as a performer, and enjoying the time spent within the entire El Dorado Musical Theatre family. We are glad you are here. Welcome. If you have any questions that have not been answered here, please ask us by e-mail or call (916) 941-SING.

Frequently Asked Questions about EDMT Shows Parent & Family Participation