Read the “About Us” section on the Home  website www.dougskidsonstage.com  Or ask us your questions in the “Contact Us ” section – be sure to leave us your email so we can reply.

Does my child have to give up all other interests in order to be a part of your program?

What is the time commitment?

Rehearsals are every Saturday from August 28th through October 30th, 2010, excluding Sept 4th. There will be extra Thursday & Friday rehearsals some weeks (see below).

*Rehearsal times: Generally 9:30 to 4:00, but may vary depending on cast size and production requirements

*Rehearsal times will be modified as rehearsals progress.

Extra rehearsals will be scheduled on many Thursdays & Fridays (4:15-5:45) from September 2 through October 29. These rehearsals may include music, choreography and blocking. For more detailed rehearsal info, Click here for Rehearsal Schedule   (coming soon).

You must commit to the MANDATORY Tech & Dress Rehearsals in full at Lakeshore High School as follows:

Sat - Oct 30(8:30 - 4:00)

Sun - Oct 31 (1:00 -5:00 pm) - Although we are asking you to commit to this date, it is likely there will be NO rehearsal Oct 31.

Mon thru Thur - Nov 1, 2, 3 & 4 (all 4:30-8:00 pm)

The following sums up the rehearsal schedule (subject to change):

Date	What	Time		Instructions	Where
Saturday, Aug 28	Learn Music and Audition "How-to's"	9:30 - 4:00		Bring lunch	The Chapel - 4250 Washington Ave., St. Joseph
	Parent Orientation Meeting	3:00 - 4:00 pm
Thursday, Sept 2	Learn Music	4:15 - 5:45			The Chapel
Saturday, Sept 4	No rehearsal
Thursday, Sept 9	Learn Music	4:15 - 5:45			The Chapel
Friday, Sept 10	Learn Music	4:15 - 5:45			The Chapel
Saturday, Sept 11	Auditions	9:30 - 4:00		Come prepared to audition and Bring Lunch	The Chapel
Saturdays, Sept 18 thru Oct 23	Blocking	TBD	TBD		The Chapel
Saturday, October 30th					Lakeshore High School

Auditions for principal parts will be September 11th during regular rehearsal times for both Super and Junior Troupers. Kids winning principal parts should be prepared to attend extra rehearsals -Thursdays & Fridays (4:15-5:45) from September 18 through October 23.

*Note: All Troupers in major roles and their parents will be asked to sign a contract in order to assure their attendance at extra rehearsals, mandatory rehearsals in entirety and performances.

• All Troupers must commit to being at all of the following in their entirety:
• MANDATORY Tech & Dress Rehearsals: Sat - Oct 30 (8:30-4:00), Sun - Oct 31(1:00-5:00), Mon thru Thurs Nov 1, 2, 3 & 4 (all 4:30-8:00 pm)
• Performances (Number & Times TBD): Nov 5, 6 & 7, 2010
Please do not register your child if they will fail to attend any one of these MANDATORY rehearsals & performances in full. 

*Times and location are subject to variations based on the availability of the rehearsal (church) space. See Rehearsal Calendar

Many questions can be answered easily and promptly through email! doug@dougskidsonstage.com or jeri@dougskidsonstage.com

Parent Meeting - August 28 at 3:00 pm. It will last approx. 45- 60 minutes and include audition teaching.

Will my child get the lead role? (This question is from all you “stage parents”):

Kids On Stage accepts performers at every level.  All you have to do to be in the show is to sign up (until class size is full)! We do not guarantee the “spotlight” for every child, but we do guarantee they will be on stage as much as is possible within the limitations of the show.  Our goal is not to raise up the next American Idol or Oscar winner, but to help performers grow incrementally from where they start.

While there are abundant roles in Beauty & the Beast Jr., principal roles must be "earned" by audition as part of the rehearsal process. We believe that auditioning in front of their peers and the directors gives kids experience and confidence to face their fears of public speaking/singing. While they may not earn a principal role the first time they audition, it is a process that helps develop confidence and which builds on itself every time they audition.

Cast of Characters for Beauty and the Beast Jr.

• The NARRATORS (at least four)
• BELLE is a smart, confident young woman from a small village.
• MAURICE is an eccentric, older inventor, yet more importantly, the adoring and protective father of Belle.
• The BEAST is the master of the castle who was transformed by the Enchantress's spell.
• GASTON is pompous and dim-witted and will do whatever it takes to win Belle's hand.
• LEFOU is Gaston's equally dim-witted lackey.
• The SILLY GIRLS are in love with Gaston and will do almost anything just to be near him.
• LUMIERE is a self-confident, charming, French mâitre d' who (under the Enhantress's spell) is becoming a candelabra.
• COGSWORTH is the English major-domo of the castle who is becoming a mantle clock.
• MRS. POTTS is the castle's endearing cook who has been enchanted to become a teapot.
• BABETTE is the maid and "resident flirt" of the castle who is turning into a feather duster.
• MADAME DE LA GRANDE BOUCHE is an opera singer who is becoming a wardrobe.
• CHIP is Mrs. Potts's son, who is becoming a teacup.
• The OLD BEGGAR WOMAN/ENCHANTRESS
• MONSIEUR D'ARQUE is the dark, creepy proprietor of the lunatic asylum who adds more tension to the story. Cast an actor who can believably interpret this sinister personality.
• The SERVANTS of the castle can include Statues, a Dust Pan, Flatware, Plates, an Egg Timer, Napkins, a Carpet, Salt & Pepper Shakers and other household items or kitchenware.
• The VILLAGERS provide a colorful background singing throughout the show, and several also step into the action when needed to play in certain scenes.

Auditions will be held Saturday, September 11th during rehearsal.   Yes! During rehearsal (stage parents are asked to go shopping during this time).

Those earning a principal role should be prepared to attend a few extra rehearsals on Thursdays and Fridays.

Where do you Rehearse and Perform?

Rehearsals are at The Chapel (Multi Purpose Room), 4250 Washington Ave., St. Joseph, just south of Glenlord Rd .

Performances are held at Lakeshore High school Auditorium in Stevensville.

Yes!!!! Many Parents (and grandparents) have found their true calling working behind the scenes.  Please fill out your areas of interest at the bottom of the registration form, call Jeri at 269-313-2796 OR fill out and send the VOLUNTEER PAGE on our website: www.dougskidsonstage.com OR print and fill out the Volunteer Form and bring it to the parent meeting on August 28 at 3:00pm.

Also, we usually ask you to help with your child's costume, but we give you lots of help and instructions.

Do you need my email address so you can answer questions and communicate with us?

Registration Fees and policies are on the registration form. Please read the ENTIRE form. Also, there is an EARLY BIRD discount if you register before August 26, 2010.

In addition to the Registration Fee, other expenses to expect:

1. Optional Tee shirt fee of $15
2. Official Disney Beauty & the Beast Jr. rehearsal CD for $15 (added to registration)
3. Optional Student Book with Songs and Dialogue for $15
4. Optional Chorus Book with Songs (no dialogue) for $6
5. Costume expense for your child (KOS will provide if parents are not able)
6. Tickets for the performance
7. Optional photos
8. Donations of food to the concession stand
9. Optional Video of the performance
10. Participation in fundraisers for the KOS scholarship fund.

Scholarships are available. Just call Doug and ask! 269-313-2795. All scholarships are provided by our Volunteers doing fundraisers such as our concession stand. All we ask from our Scholarship recipients is that you volunteer in some capacity and there are plenty of opportunities!