Dear parent/guardian, For the first time in many years, the O’Donnell Middle School will be producing a musical. Your child has expressed interest in participating in the production. This year’s musical will be Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. The performances will take place on Thursday, March 31 and Friday, April 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the OMS cafeteria. I would like to take a few moments to outline the audition process as well as my expectations for those who make the cast. Auditions will take place on Tuesday, October 27 and Thursday, October 29 from 2:30-4 p.m. in the OMS chorus room. Students need to attend only one of those two dates and should sign up in advance. At the audition, students will be asked to sing an excerpt from “Ten Minutes Ago,” which can be found on my website: www.omschorus.weebly.com. In addition to singing, they will learn a short dance and may read some lines from the script. Call-back auditions will take place on Tuesday, November 3 and Thursday, November 5 from 2:30-4 p.m. in the OMS chorus room. Students will be informed by Friday, October 30 if they will need to attend a call-back audition and if they should prepare any new material to sing and/or read. Rehearsals will take place on most Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The first rehearsal will be on Tuesday, November 17. There will be no rehearsals on Early Release Days. On some occasions, not every student will be required at a particular rehearsal, and I will make every effort to alert you in advance if your child does not need to be present. On Tuesday, October 20, I will be showing a DVD of Cinderella for students who are interested in seeing it. I have chosen the 1965 version starring Lesley Ann Warren (rated G). Attending this movie-showing is entirely optional.

Choosing to participate in a musical production is a serious commitment, and students who are accepted to the musical are expected to be present at all of their rehearsals. Please be sure to discuss with your child the importance of this commitment to the production and his/her fellow cast members. Just like being a member of a sports team, every member of this production will be valued, and when someone misses a rehearsal, the entire team will suffer. In the rare instance that your child must miss a rehearsal, please notify me via e-mail as soon as possible. Acceptable or excused absences are prescheduled doctor’s appointments, personal family emergencies, or absence from school.

Please read the attached rehearsal schedule and help your child fill out the audition forms. Putting together a musical production is a large undertaking, but as they say, “many hands make light work.” There are many ways in which you may volunteer your time, if you would like to be a part of the production. Please indicate how you would be willing to help on the form.

Thank you for supporting your child’s passion for performing. I am excited to embark on this theatrical journey together. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions throughout this process. Ms. Betty Bauman O’Donnell Middle School B_Bauman@stoughtonschools.org

Cinderella Rehearsal Schedule

Tuesdays

October 20 (movie) October 27 (auditions)

November 3 (call-backs) November 17 December 1 December 8 December 15

January 5 January 12 January 19 January 26 February 4 February 9

February 23 March 1 March 8 March 15

March 22* March 29*

April 5 (cast party)

Thursdays

October 29 (auditions) November 5 (call-backs)

November 19 December 3

December 17

January 7 January 14 January 21 February 2 February 6 February 11 February 25

March 10 March 17

March 24*

All rehearsals will take place from 2:30-4 p.m., except for March 22, 24, and 29, which will end at 5 p.m.

Performances

Thursday, March 31 Friday, April 1

Performances will begin at 7 p.m. Students should report at 5 p.m., having eaten dinner before they arrive.

Cinderella Parent Form (please print clearly)

Student:____________________ Grade: ____ HR: ____ Parent/guardian contact information: Name:__________________________ phone: ___________ E-mail:__________________________________________ Emergency contact information: Name:__________________________ phone: ___________ E-mail:__________________________________________ Transportation: How will your child get home after rehearsals (on most days)? ____ ride ____ walk ___ late bus* If he/she will be getting a ride from someone other than the contacts listed above, please include the driver’s name and phone number here:__________________________________________ *Please note that students who take the late bus will have to leave rehearsals early, so I prefer for students to get a ride instead. Volunteer opportunities: Please indicate off any area in which you would be willing and able to volunteer your time and skill to assist with our production. ____ costumes (finding/creating/keeping track of costumes)

____ make-up (helping on show nights) ____ props (finding/keeping track of props)

____ ticket sales (in advance and/or the night of the show) ____ publicity (fliers, social media, etc.) ____ programs (design and/or printing) ____ other: _________________________

Feel free to elaborate on your interest/skills here: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Cinderella Audition Form (please print clearly)

Student:____________________ Grade: ____ HR: ____ Please circle everything that you are interested in doing in this show. singing: large solo short solo group speaking lines: many a few none dancing: complicated steps simple steps Roles desired: ____________________________________ Will you accept any role? (circle one) yes no Any Performing Experience: (dance, singing or acting) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ Do you have any conflicts with rehearsals? Please list here: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Commitment: I understand that I must attend all required rehearsals. I understand that if I miss a rehearsal, I may be replaced. Student Signature: ________________________________ Parent Signature: _________________________________

Audition Materials For the audition, you will be asked to sing, dance, and/or read lines from the script. The song you will sing is “Ten Minutes Ago.” You will need to prepare the song in advance. There is a practice recording on the website: www.omschorus.weebly.com/musical Here is the sheet music. You should sing up to the word “news” in measure 116. Everyone will sing the same audition song.

All audition results, such as call-backs and the final cast list, will be posted in the chorus room AND on the website. Students should acknowledge that they have seen the list and that they accept their part(s) by initialing next to his/her name. Student who are called back for a specific role may be asked to learn a new song to sing. Recordings and sheet music will be available on the website, and Ms. Bauman will also have hard copies of the sheet music.