We are thrilled about this awesome opportunity for the kids of Marshall to explore theater locally, and our next show is sure to be paw-some! Come join our family-oriented team! You will have a great time working together, learning about theater, and making friends and memories that last a lifetime. This production is limited to ages 6 to 11, but we invite 12 and up to come participate as a part of the technical crew.

We’re excited to announce that this production will feature opportunities for older kids to learn the other elements of the theater experience beyond acting! Our technical crew will be taking on the role of mentor and sharing their expertise with these kids, guiding them and teaching them all about what happens behind the scenes. In addition to auditions, we will be hosting interviews for these technical positions, so if you have a 12+ year old be sure to go over the interview process section!

The Plot

Pet owners, Roger and Anita, live happily in London with their Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, stalwart dogs devoted to raising their puppies. Everything is quiet until Anita’s former classmate, the monstrous Cruella De Vil, plots to steal the puppies for her new fur coat. The Dalmatians rally all the dogs of London for a daring rescue of the puppies from Cruella and her bumbling henchmen.

PLEASE READ ALL THE INFORMATION AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS FOR AUDITIONING.

Steps for the Audition Process:

• Auditions will be held on two days: Sunday, August 13th from 4pm to 8pm, and Monday, August 14th from 5pm to 7:30pm at Marshall Fine Arts Academy (401 S Washington Ave, Marshall, TX).
• There are multiple time slots to choose from, so pick the one that works for you.
• Sign up for one audition time slot through SignUp Genius – click here!
• Compare your calendar with the rehearsal and performance schedule. List any sure or potential conflicts on your audition application.
• Kids will be auditioning alone for the singing part, and then together with other kids reading excerpts from the script. The parents are welcome to wait in the foyer or drop them off and pick them up in an hour.
• If you don’t have any theater experience, and don’t know what to prepare for the auditions, just come as you are, and we’ll read from the script together. However, you have a higher chance of being cast for a role if you come prepared, so read the “Audition Preparation” section carefully. 

Audition Preparation:

1. Prepare a script excerpt. You don’t have to have it memorized, but you need to know it well. You can choose a role you want to read from one of the provided excerpts. We will also try out other parts with other kids involved. The more roles you’ll read for, the higher change you’ll have at a good part.
   
2. Learn one of the song excerpt provided when you click here. These are the songs that will showcase your singing abilities. Remember, we don’t only listen for a good sound, but we are looking at the stage presence. Act out your song!
   

If you are unable attend the auditions, contact Elena Sleazina ASAP at (903)742-2127.

Audition Process:

1. Complete all the paperwork and have your picture taken by one of our volunteers.
2. Wait quietly in the foyer until your name is called. This is a good time to practice and prepare.
3. When you hear your name, enter the audition room.
4. Give your application to the audition panel and introduce yourself – give your full name and age.
5. Take a breath, plant your feet, and sing your prepared song.
6. Thank the audition panel for their time and return to the foyer to wait for your script reading audition.
7. Return to the audition room and read from the script with others.
8. You did it! Now you wait for the cast announcement and then rehearsals begin!

For kids that are 12 and older…

Steps for the Interview Process:

• Interviews will be held on two days: Sunday, August 13th from 4pm to 8pm, and Monday, August 14th from 5pm to 7:30pm at Marshall Fine Arts Academy (401 S Washington Ave, Marshall, TX).
• There are multiple time slots to choose from, so pick the one that works for you.
• Sign up for one interview time slot through SignUp Genius – click here!
• Complete the interview application and turn it in to the interviewers panel. We will have it available for you at the interview location, or you can print it out and bring it already completed.
• Compare your calendar with the rehearsal and performance schedule. List any sure or potential conflicts on your application.
• Kids will be interviewing alone with the panel and may be called back to the panel during their time slot. The parents are welcome to wait in the foyer or drop them off and pick them up 30 minutes later.
• The panel does not expect interviewees to have former technical theater experience. They will ask about what interests the interviewee has, what elements of theater interest them, and what experience they may have in other applicable categories. The interview application will help them know what they will be asked about.

Interview Preparation:

• Prepare your interview application and be sure you know the information presented on it. Be sure you are aware of the many technical roles a production has and feel free to research the roles you are particularly interested in. You will have about 5 minutes to speak with the panel, though you may be called back if needed.
• Technical roles to research or know of may include the following: Director, Stage Manager, Costume Design, Make-up Design, Set Design & Construction, Lighting Design & Board Operator, Sound Design & Board Operator, Stagehand

If you are unable to attend the auditions but are interested in joining the production, contact marshallkidstheater@gmail.com with the email subject line “101 Dalmatians Auditions.”

Interview Process

1. Wait quietly in the foyer until your name is called. This is a good time to prepare.
2. When you hear your name, enter the audition room.
3. Give your application to the interview panel and introduce yourself – give your full name and age.
4. Listen carefully and answer all questions asked honestly.
5. Thank the interview panel for their time and return to the foyer to wait for the remainder of your slotted time in case you are called back to the panel.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals will be held on

• Mondays from 5:45pm to 7:00pm and
• Fridays from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. There will be rehearsals where we don’t need everyone when working on different scenes, but we will let you know about them ahead of time. The week of the production we will have rehearsal every day (Monday – Thursday) leading up to the show dates (Friday & Saturday). Parents! Make sure your kids come to rehearsals prepared, well fed, and dressed appropriately and comfortably (tennis shoes or closed-toed shoes; no heels or sandals).

Work at Home

All cast members are required to work on their lines, songs and dances at home. We will provide all the materials needed, but parents are required to help their children work on their parts and come to the rehearsals prepared. Songs and lines need to be memorized by the end of September.

Costumes

Some parts of the costumes will be provided for all cast members, however, there will be some items that will need to be supplied by the students such as shoes, possibly jeans or shorts for girls, accessories, undergarments, stage make-up items, etc. Keep in mind that the show is set in London and many cast members will be playing the role of a puppy.

Fees

There is a $75.00 participation fee for each student to help cover the costs of the production.

Parent Meeting and Parent Committees

A parent meeting of cast members will be held on August 14th at 6pm. Please have at least one parent/guardian attend the meeting. Every production requires much preparation, so all parents are encouraged to sign up for an area in which they can assist. This is a community theater and its success relies on volunteer involvement of the community, so we hope that you help your kids succeed!

If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to contact us! We know we’ll all have so much fun together!

Marshall Kids Community Theater
Email: marshallkidstheater@gmail.com
Call/Text: (903) 721-2127

LINKS

Sign Up for Auditions
Choose one spot for each child that is auditioning.

Auditions Application
We will have these printed and ready for you to fill in before auditions.

Characters Breakdown
See what roles the show has if you want to choose a script to work on.

Script Excerpts
Choose a script excerpt and learn the lines of your chosen character.

Music Excerpts
Fill in and bring with you, or we will give you a copy when you come to the auditions.

Rehearsals Calendar
Click the link to check for any schedule conflicts.

Interview Application
Fill in and bring it with you, or we will give you a copy when you come to the interview.