California's Premiere Children's Theatre Company

AUDITIONS:

The next auditions will be in August, 2008. Please look back for exact dates or you may email your home address to shantielisa@earthlink.net and information will be mailed to you.

 Details of Our Group:

Belasco Theatre Company is a unique program for young people, providing instruction in the basic components of performing arts (drama, improvisation, auditioning, projection, staging, voice and dance) and allowing students to experience the rigors of musical comedy theatre. Well-qualified choreographers and vocal instructors provide additional training and collaborate with the director during auditions and productions. In addition, professional set, costume and make-up designers contribute to the overall high quality of BTC productions well known to South Bay audiences for the last 3 years.

All children between the ages of 7 and 18 are permitted to join the company and participate in the shows. Students must audition for the director and vocal coach when space is available. There are only 35-40 students accepted into the group each season, allowing students involved to grow with personal attention from teachers.

Once in the group, students audition for roles in each show. Every student is expected to perform at all shows, being fully and enthusiastically involved whether as a main character or in a supporting role. Shows are all double cast to allow for more opportunity. 

Please be aware, being a cast member or a parent of a cast member is a significant commitment.

For cast members:

• Rehearsals are generally 2 to 4 times per week for several hours each (after school and Sundays)
• The week before the production (e.g. tech week) there are practices every day after school until 9 PM.
• Shows typically run for three consecutive weekends (during the school year).
• Cast members must expect to be at the theatre Friday from 5:30PM to 10:30PM, Saturday from 12PM to 10:30PM and Sunday from 12PM to 5PM.
• Absences from rehearsals are strongly frowned upon.
• It is generally very difficult to participate in team sports during rehearsal or show weeks.

For parents:

• There is a monthly student fee (in some cases we will consider scholarships)
• There are expenses for costumes, makeup and miscellaneous items.
• Parents are required to help with the shows as set crew, green room parent, usher or other similar activity. Plan to work about 4-5 shows (about 20 hours of work) each run.
• Parents are encouraged to help build sets, acquire props and in other ways support the production of the show before the show opens.
  

 "This experience left my daughter understanding a very important life's lesson....to be part of a process that requires patience and hard work in order to understand a whole. BTC has the ability to bring out those qualities, and talent, in such young and impressionable children." 

                                      Leslie Tanquary, parent
 

Cast & Crew: