What is the cost?

• The cost for the production of $750. We do have incredible discounts available! If this is your first production, you get the “Triple Threat” price of $600. If your child is taking at least one class at Arise Acting Studio, your cost is $675. And for our “Triple Threat” students enrolled in 3 or more classes (Acting, Dancing, Singing) at the studio the cost is $600.

How is the money collected?

• Due to the labor intensive work that goes into the audition and start up process, the production fee is $250 at the time of registration (and must be paid prior to call-back) with the remaining amounts being taken in 2 additional payments on October 15 and November 15th. First time students, class enrollees, and triple threat discounts will be taken off the final payment.

What does the money go for?

• Putting on a MainStage production is a big undertaking. It involves a production team including a director, a choreographer, a music director, and others (lighting, sound, set design and building, props) that work with students at every rehearsal from reviewing video auditions and callbacks through tech week and the final performance. In just rehearsal time alone, your students will be working with our professional team for over 100 hours regardless of their role in the production!

• The shows we do require license rights that are significant and substantial. The cost of the show also goes to our backstage crew that work hard to build the set, run the lights and sound board, and generally do everything during the show to make sure your children feel confident and look great. Finally, the show fees cover your costume. That’s right! When you do a MainStage production with Arise Acting Studios, you will only pay for your stage shoes and undergarments. Our staff handles the rest whether it’s a ballerina tutu or a full furry wolf costume!

• The production tuition really is an ALL-IN fee and parents ARE NOT expected to build sets or sew costumes!

What additional money will I have to spend during the show?

• As mentioned above, you will need to make sure your actor has shoes, and any undergarments needed for their role (including tights and socks). Your tuition gives you 2 tickets to see one of the performances. Additional tickets will need to be purchased. You will also need to make sure your student has food on the long rehearsal or double show days. Finally, you can purchase an optional show t-shirt and that’s really ALL the extra fees that pop up. (Pro Tip: trying to avoid buying additional tickets? Volunteer to usher at a performance. It’s an easy way to help out and watch the show after people are seated). An optional show t-shirt is also available.

How do you audition?

• Your student will need to pick out a ballad (slow song) and an up tempo song (faster, happy song). They need to sing about 16-20 bars from each of these songs. (that’s about 90 seconds). You can look on YouTube for the karaoke versions of these songs and rehearse them at home until you feel comfortable. Then, just record them on your phone or tablet and upload them to a private/unlisted YouTube link. This is free to you. This link will be copied onto the audition form.

• Arise Acting Studio Rockwall will be opening the studio for a free help session on September 15 from 5-7 pm for video auditions (at no additional charge). Think of it as “office hours” where students can come into the studio and we can help with the recording and uploading. It sounds overwhelming the first time around, but it’s really easy and our production team understands that we are all learning the process. We will help you learn what to do.

What are “Callbacks”?

• About 48 hours after the Submission deadline of the video auditions, you will get an email with the possible parts your child could play. There will be some scenes to read and some specific song segments to sing. They should practice these at home and try to feel as comfortable as possible. Then, students will meet at their closest studio and the directors will take it from there.

When are rehearsals?

• The MainStage production schedule is listed above. Not everyone in the cast is called every time, so you will have a schedule of when you are needed for what scene. Accordingly, the total hours will vary for different participants based on the parts, scenes, and needs of the show directors.

What if I have conflicts with rehearsals or a performance?

• We know how busy life gets, so please just list your known conflicts on the audition form and we will do our best to work around them. Since most of our main roles are double or triple cast, we can even work around conflicts on performance nights…though it’s so much fun you will want to be there for all of it.

What if my student just wants to be in the ensemble?

• The ensemble is a fun place to experience a MainStage Production! There is singing, dancing, and an inside joke or two that bond kiddos from different studios together. However, the audition part of the process is really about learning and preparing…it’s those “life skills through stage skills”. We highly recommend that each student put forth an audition and attend callbacks if at all possible. If your student specifically wants the ensemble only this time around, just let us know on the audition form…but still come for the audition experience.

How does tech week work with the drive from Rockwall or other studio locations?

• Well…it takes a village. The week before opening night is intense as the show gets ready to go live at the theater. However, there is a great community full of parents who understand “busy” and are happy to help with carpools. The studio will work to help make communication easy between parents and get kiddos where they need to be.

How long should I be in classes at the studio before I do a MainStage Production?

• Any amount of time is the right time to become part of one of our MainStage productions. First time participants receive special pricing for this show! They are well done, very professional, and SO much fun. This is really what the technique classes are all about so even if you are new, jump on in and see if you were born to be in the spotlight!