Circle Theatre Company
Welcome to Circle Theatre Company! Our on-going mission is to provide young people with terrific experiences in the world of theatre. Here are the answers to some of the questions you may have about our classes, rehearsals, and production process.
What is Circle Theatre Company?
Circle Theatre Company is an out-standing youth theatre program offering Circle Christian School students the opportunity to explore their God-given talents.
Our mission is "educate our students by providing professional theatrical instruction; enrich the lives of our students and their families through their involvement in the arts; and entertain our students, our families, and our community by producing family-friendly shows."
With our programs, we seek to stimulate, celebrate, and enhance young actors' and audiences' understanding of themselves and others through the shared magic of live theatre.
What ages does Circle Theatre Company serve? Circle Theatre Company is open to all Circle Christian School students; however to participate in our highly acclaimed "Family Series" or "Company" productions, students in grades 7-12 must also be enrolled in a core drama class. For younger students, Circle Theatre Kids, is available for our K-6th graders.
What shows and classes are being offered, and where/when do they rehearse and perform? Our 2010-2011 season will be announced in June. Classes and most rehearsals are offered at Metro Winter Springs on Fridays. Our Family Series and Company shows are held at The Orlando Repertory Theatre in Loch Haven Park.
Does a child need to have acting experience to participate? Absolutely not! We do our best to provide a safe yet exciting experience for beginning students, as well as a healthy challenge and more advanced training for "seasoned veterans".
Are there auditions to get in? If the description says "BY AUDITION," then your enrollment in that show will be contingent on a successful audition. Most of our shows and classes, however, do NOT have auditions to get in; we accept all interested students up to our enrollment limits, regardless of previous training or experience.
How do you cast the parts in shows? Once rehearsals begin, friendly, supportive "in-house" auditions are held to determine casting. We pride ourselves on our ability to find developmentally appropriate and rewarding roles for all of our young performers.
How much does it cost? Students must pay fees to participate. The registration fee is currently $50 per class. The second fee is a $300 class fee for any of our elective, core, or Company Kids classes.
If students in grades 7-12 wish to enroll in one of our production classes (Company/Studio Players) they must be enrolled in a core class (Actors Lab, Drama I/II or Drama III/IV) and pay an additional registration fee of $100, class fee of $700 (helps to underwrite the cost of the class, specialty instructors, and facility rental), and a performance fee of $250 (fee covers the cost associated with our spring musical of headshots, DVD, cast photos, meals, etc.). In addition, we require cast members to participate in fundraising activities to cover production expenses such as theatre rental, sets, costumes, lighting, sound, props, orchestra, and other technical elements.
Do I have to attend an Orientation Meeting? Yes. Orientation meetings attendance by both student and at least one parent is required. If students are enrolled in Studio Players and Company (7-12 grade production classes), our Orientation Meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 18, 2010 at Metro Winter Springs from 1:00-3:00pm. Additional Circle Christian School orientation meetings may also be required.
How do I get more information regarding Circle Theatre Company? Visit the website at www.circletheatrecompany.com to read more about us including production history. You can also sign up to receive our e-newsletters, join our Facebook fan page, read our blogs, and follow us on twitter.
How do you integrate faith and the dramatic disciplines? It is difficult to imagine in today's media saturated, postmodern, narrative-focused culture, that one can consider him/herself adequately educated without having developed an understanding of how dramatic art works and impacts its audiences and practitioners. It is our prayer that students here are prepared to become "missionaries" to the dramatic professions. That is to say, we seek to help them become both skilled in dramatic craft and mature in Christian discipleship, that they might one day enter the community or professional stage worlds in order to produce fine art, but also to reach out to lost people who will not very likely be reached. The dramatic arts are arguably the most influential mode of cultural communication today. We would be foolish to neglect proclaiming the Kingdom of God in this vital marketplace.
Family Series at the Rep
Circle Theatre Company is proud to continue our partnership with The Orlando Repertory Theatre and will produce four additional shows at the Orlando Repertory Black Box Theatre for our 2010-11 season.
Who is eligible to audition? All currently enrolled Circle Theatre Company students for 10-11 school year.
I'm new to Circle Theatre this year, am I eligible to audition? Auditions are scheduled for Company students first. If shows can not be cast from Company students, then additional auditions will be scheduled for Circle Studio Players (new Circle Theatre students). Occasionally, auditions may be opened to guest actors from the community.
What shows are "audition" only? Shows will be announced in June.
What if I do not get cast, am I still in a show for the school year? Yes. All students who enroll in a production class are automatically in two shows for the 10-11 school year. Company and Studio Player students will perform in their own fall shows. Second semester, Studio Players and Company students will come together to rehearse and perform our spring musical.
Can I choose which Family Series shows I would like to be considered for? Yes. During the audition you will be given a form to complete. You can check off one or all four shows you would like to audition for. Please be aware of the rehearsal schedule and make sure there are NO CONFLICTS prior to the audition.
Rehearsal Schedule? I thought rehearsals were scheduled on Fridays? For our Family Series shows all rehearsals are scheduled outside of class time. This is considered an extra-curricula activity such as participating in sports. Generally rehearsals are scheduled after normal class times in the afternoon into the earlier evening on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays with Tuesdays scheduled as a full day rehearsal.
What am I rehearsing on Fridays at Metro? First semester, Company and Studio students will be rehearsing their fall shows. During second semester, Studio Players "merge" with Company students and the entire "company" rehearses our spring musical.
Am I required to audition for the Family Series to participate in Circle Theatre? No. Our Family Series of shows are considered extra- curricula. They have been scheduled to provide additional performance opportunities for interested students.
What is the rehearsal schedule for the Family Series? Most shows have three weeks of rehearsal, a tech week, and two weekends of performances.
Where are the rehearsals scheduled? Our Family Series rehearsals are tentatively scheduled at Calvary Assembly on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00-8:00pm, Tuesdays from 10:00am-4:00pm, and Wednesdays 4:00-8:00pm (location TBA).
Are there any additional cost or fees associated with the Family Series? Yes and no. Circle Theatre Company does not charge a tuition, registration, or participation fee for students cast in one of our Family Series. It is an extra benefit from your enrollment in Circle Theatre Company. There will however be cost associated with participating in the shows. Students will be responsible for purchasing or acquiring their own costumes, shoes, and other personal items. Similar to our policy with our Company Fall Show and Studio Players Show. In the past, the cost has ranged from $100 to $200.
Where do I find the rehearsal schedule dates/times and performance dates/times? Please email auditions@circletheatrecompany.com to receive more detail information once our season has been announced. Please include in your email which Family Series show(s) you would like to receive additional information.
What do I need to do to prepare for the audition? Read the detail information per Family Series show or shows you requested; go over your family calendar and verify you have NO CONFLICTS with any of the rehearsal dates/times and performance dates/times; research the show(s) and the character(s); prepare your audition material(s).
When are the auditions scheduled? Auditions for our Family Series are scheduled for Friday, June 18, 2010 from 3:00-7:00pm (by appointment only) directly after our Orientation Meetings. Please email auditions@circletheatrecompany.com to schedule an appointment.
When will I know I have been cast in one of the shows? Casting will be announced no later than July 10.
What if I don't get cast, can I still work backstage or tech for one of the shows? Absolutely! Please indicate on your audition form if you are interested in volunteering with any of our Family Series.
Visit the Circle Theatre Company Web site.