WELCOME TO THE PENGUIN PROJECT!!

     We are about to embark on a remarkable journey together!!  We anticipate that this will be a “life-changing” experience for your family. This sheet is designed to provide general information about the program and the rehearsal process in hopes of ensuring that everything goes as smoothly as possible.   If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Storvik at  615-584-4684.

  The Penguin Project prides itself on being a safe environment for creative expression.   We have a NO TOLERANCE policy for bullying, teasing, and physical violence.   ANYONE who violates this policy may be asked to leave the program.

      Please make certain that we are aware of any special circumstances, potential problems, or restrictions, particularly any issues related to behavior or health.  Let us know how we should deal with significant behavior problems. Our standard approach will be to remove the child from the rehearsal area to allow him/her to calm down.  If this does not work, we will call you to come get him/her. 

     Please list any and all conflicts. This will allow us to schedule rehearsals based on conflicts to maximize everyone’s time commitment.  If you are unable to list them today, please bring them to the next rehearsal.

         Group Rehearsals will generally be held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays unless otherwise specified. Rehearsals start promptly at 7:00 at, again unless otherwise specified.  Please arrive 10 minutes or so earlier so your child is “ready to go” when rehearsal begins.

     Artists with leads and their mentors will be rehearsing more frequently once the show is cast. The frequency of rehearsals will increase for everyone as we get closer to the performance.  Rehearsals will typically be held Monday thru Friday over the last two weeks, and may last up to 2 1⁄2 hours.   We will be providing a complete rehearsal schedule with all rehearsal dates as soon as possible. 

     Rehearsals will typically last for 1 hour and a half hours, unless otherwise specified, and will be followed by a social/snack time. This snack time is important for the children to get to bond with the others and their mentors so please give them that opportunity.  Children should wear comfortable clothes and sneakers to rehearsals to allow movement.  Please do not wear sandals, flip-flops, or go barefoot.  

     Parents and other family members are welcome and encouraged to remain at rehearsals to watch their children, as long as they remain out of the “performance area” and do not interfere with the rehearsal.  We want you to sit back, relax, and enjoy watching your children as they do amazing things.  This can also be a time to “network” with other parents.   If you drop your child off, please plan to return to pick him/her up at 8:15, or whenever the rehearsal is scheduled to end.   

      If your child will be unexpectedly unable to attend a scheduled rehearsal, please contact us through email at ewilder@mtctheatre.com or Jstorvik@mtctheatre.com, Facebook Group, or call or text Jamie Storvik at 615-584-4684 or Emily Wilder at 615-964-4110. If a rehearsal is canceled due to weather, we will post the notice on our Facebook page for the show.

    We like to serve “snacks” after each group rehearsal (cookies and punch, etc).  Families of the cast have traditionally taken charge of this responsibility. We will need one or two volunteers to coordinate the treats, so let us know if you are interested. If your child has any special dietary restrictions, please let us know. 

     After three to four weeks of general rehearsals, we will cast the show based on our observations of the children.  We will have a separate rehearsal for anyone interested in a speaking part to hear the children read, but there will be no true “auditions.”  A list of the roles and the size of the roles in terms of scenes, lines and songs will be provided. As indicated previously, those receiving lead roles will be expected to attend more frequent rehearsals, depending on the size of the role.  Until the final 2 weeks, however, I do not anticipate that anyone will need to rehearse more than three times per week.

     Each Young Artist with a Special Need will have a mentor to assist them at rehearsals and on stage. The mentor will be on stage and costumed appropriately, but will be expected to remain “in the background” to provide support and guidance as needed.  Please let us know if you would like a specific mentor for your child.  We will do our best to honor these requests, but will always do what we feel is in the best interest of the child and of the cast.  Over the first two to three weeks, we match the children based on our observation of their strengths and needs.  If an artist and a mentor want to continue as partners, they need to let the mentor coordinator know this.  Everyone will be matched by 3 to 4 weeks.  If at any time you perceive that there is a problem with your child and his/her partner, please do not discuss this with the children directly.  Please bring your concerns to us ASAP, and let us handle any problems. 

     Each Mentor will learn the part of his or her Young Artist including lines, songs, and stage directions.   Mentors will receive additional training in “mentoring” throughout the rehearsal process.   Mentors will be expected to attend all rehearsals of their partner.  Please let us know if you will be unable to attend a rehearsal, so we can find a “sub.”

     Each member of the cast (Young Artists and Mentors) will be given a script book and a link for the songs.  Cast members will be expected to work on their lines and songs outside of rehearsals, at home with their family or their mentors. This will allow us to focus the rehearsal time on group activities. Parent involvement is critical to the success of The Penguin Project.  In addition to helping your children prepare for rehearsals, we will need adult volunteers to assist with sets, costumes, props, stage crew, etc. We will also need adult volunteers to help backstage during the performances.  Let us know if you are interested in serving in any of these capacities. 

 “Our Penguins may not be able to fly; but that does not prevent their spirits from soaring”