Winter Musical - ALIVE!

At RPL, our goal is to provide a nurturing, compassionate atmosphere that focuses on the creative expression of each individual child. 

Our upcoming Winter Musical performed in January 2024 is an RPL favorite: "ALIVE!" Kids age 4-18 are invited to audition!  We create a role for every single child participating!  Our tradition of producing original musicals allows us complete flexibility to adjust our scripts & songs in order to give every single child a chance to shine!     

​Keep reading for details!

Quick Links:

* Go here to register for Free Workshops during Open House on Oct 19-20
* Go here to get details about the production of "Alive!"
* Go here to sign up for an audition timeslot Oct 13, 19, 20
* Go here for RPL's Fall Homeschool Activity Schedule

Questions? Contact us here!
A Quick Look at the Production Dates:
  • Free Workshops & Auditions: Friday October 13, Thurs Oct 19, Friday Oct 20
  • Rehearsals begin October 26.  Each child is placed in a group that rehearses once a week, at a designated time on Thursdays or Fridays, as outlined in the rehearsal group details below.
  • Rehearsals are held at Read Play Love in Lowry Crossing (East McKinney).  As a community-based program, we ask parents to stay on site unless an alternative plan is discussed ahead of time.
  • Families can come before or after rehearsals to participate in our RPL Homeschool Activities or enjoy hanging out in the outdoor playspaces or in the library. 
  • Production week is the week of January 8, 2023, with required rehearsals January 9-11, 2024 in Wylie, 3:00-7:00pm.  Some roles will also be required on Monday January 8.
  • Performances at January 12, 13, 14 with performances at 6pm.
  • Performance Location: Wylie Acting Group (WAG) in Wylie.

About the Show

As always, we write our musicals specifically for the kids in the show- so we'll be updating the show for the new 2024 cast.  At RPL, not only does every child get a part, but they get a role actually written especially for them! 

The Story of "ALIVE!": Several weeks after Christmas, the employees at a rather dreary thrift store have no idea that their little establishment is about to turn upside down, when a very special collection of vintage toys come to life to share their special memories from years past.  But when the toys learn that one of their former owners has a dangerous plan for advanced artificial intelligence, they must work together to get help from all their former owners, and help them all learn what it really means to be alive.

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About the Audition Process

First and foremost: RPL auditions are designed to be fun and empowering experiences for kids of all ages.  And best of all, every child not only gets a role, but a part that is specifically designed and tailored for them!

We see auditions as an opportunity to get to know each child, and connect with them 1:1 to celebrate their individual personality.  We love seeing returning RPL performers come back with expanded confidence with each audition! We also love welcoming new kids and getting to know them in a safe and encouraging environment. When it's a child's first audition experience, we go out of our way to make it an ultra-positive one!

Some notes about the audition process:

​* Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis via this online registration form.

* Children age 4-18 are welcome to audition.  Our goal is to make auditions a fun, empowering experience where the kids feel great!

*We create a role for every single child participating!  As we produce our own original musicals, we can freely adjust script and songs to give every child a chance to shine.

​* Audition times are conveniently scheduled during our Open House Days on Oct 13, 19 and 20.

* Attendees to the Free Workshops will be welcome to audition if time as available.  If you want to guarantee a timeslot, we recommend signing up ahead of time.

* Siblings can share a timeslot, but keep in mind that the timeslots are 10 minutes each

* Parents can be in the room while children audition or not - it's up to the child's preference.

* Parents will be sent online paperwork to review prior to auditions, to be submitted at the time of audition. 

* Parents are welcome to ask questions during the audition slot, or can email Marney at any time.

*In-person auditions are preferred, but we also will accept video auditions if none of the in-person times work.  If you plan to submit a video, please sign up on the audition form.
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Preparing for the Audition
* To prepare, we simply ask each child to sing. It can be absolutely any song!   

* Kids can sing with a backtrack, or sing a cappella (without accompaniment.)  If you plan to use a backtrack, please have it ready to play on a device (such as the parent's phone.) 

* Kids may be asked to read a short piece from the script (non-readers can "echo back" lines), but this is not necessary to prepare ahead of time. We do have quite a few non-singing roles, so kids who are more interested in acting than singing are very welcome!

* If a child is interested in participating but is not comfortable singing or reading/speaking by themselves, please don't worry!  Sign up for an audition and we'll just have a conversation.  Definitely don't pressure for any kind of preparation - it's fine to show up, just as they are!

* Each child will be asked if they want to have lines by themselves, and if they want to sing a solo, or only in a group.  If you like, you can talk to them about this ahead of time, but it's also fine to let the conversation unfold naturally during their audition fine.

* A word to "RPL veterans": We encourage you to use this opportunity to show us something new...perhaps a side of your singing voice that we haven't heard on our stage, or a type of character that is new for you.  You already know that our auditions are fun and easy, so take this chance to stretch yourself outside your comfort zone.  Perhaps show something I've not seen you do before, and have fun with it! A well-prepared song in auditions that demonstrates your at-home effort definitely makes a difference....for both of us! 

* Want to sing a song from the show? This is completely optional, but we offer it as a possibility for children who may be motivated to learn something new.  Here are details about the opening number, "Awake and Alive" - the show's opening number.  It is not necessary to learn the whole song; a portion is fine.
Rehearsals
​Rehearsals for ALIVE! will be held once a week, and each child rehearses with an assigned group for the duration of the rehearsal process, until everyone comes together during the final production week.   A couple of roles may need to move among groups  and have changing rehearsal times.

After auditioning, each child is placed in a group that is the best fit, taking into account the child's age, performance goals, family's schedule, participating siblings, and overall needs for the production.

The schedule has been set up so that every child should have a couple of options that could be a good fit. At auditions, you’ll indicate which group(s) match your availability, based on your schedule and child’s age.   

ALIVE! Rehearsal Group Schedule:
  • Thursdays 3:00-4:00 - Toy Ensemble (Generally age 10 and under. Primarily group numbers, but can also have solos/lines if they wish)
  • Thursdays 4:00-5:30 – Shopkeepers and Principal Toy Roles (These roles have more in and at-home prep and will be best for very motivated kids; heavier lines, more memorization, more stage time. Generally 8+)
  • Fridays 3:00-3:45 - Snowglobe Fairies & Magicians (generally age 7 and under.  Primarily group numbers, but can also have solos/lines if they wish)
  • Fridays 4:00-5:00 (sometimes until 5:30) -  Vogue Dolls, Investors, Storytellers (generally age 7-12. Mostly group numbers, but can have solos/lines if they wish.)
  • Fridays 5:00-7:00 - Teen Ensemble (13+) to be cast as the adult characters​

​* While we are primarily a homeschool organization, we welcome any family who is able to make rehearsal times work, and we will work with your schedule as best as we can.

* At-home practice is required, especially for roles with significant stage time, and we need each family to commit to rehearsing at home.  We will give you tools to help kids with repetition and memorization in between group rehearsals.

* Our rehearsals are held at Read Play Love, a combination of both indoors and outdoors.

* As a community-focused organization, we ask that parents stay on site during rehearsals, unless other arrangements are needed.  Rehearsal times are enjoyable social times for parents, and offer opportunities to contribute on projects for the production.  If you have multiple kids, you'll love having a place where everyone can have fun, even when they aren't in rehearsals.

* Production week is the the week of January 8 2024. You can expect required rehearsals on January 9-11 from 3:00-7:00 at WAG (Wylie Acting Group) in Wylie.  Some roles may be called on Monday Jan 8.
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* Performances are January 12-14 2023 at 6pm, at WAG.

What Makes Read Play Love Different?

* Our primary focus is simple: building confidence & nurturing the creative self-discovery of each one of our kids!

* Even our auditions are designed  to be 100% empowering, inspiring experiences where the kids feel GREAT!  

* We create a role for every single child participating!  Our tradition of producing original musicals allows us complete flexibility to adjust our scripts & songs in order to give every single child a chance to shine! 

* We mentor kids where they are and help them feel great, stretching them a bit further than they expect...all while being part of a high quality production!

* Busy schedule? We always do our best to work around the schedules of busy families.

* We are known for developing new musicals as part of our series of "New Musicals for a New Generation!"  Our musicals feature rich storytelling with affirming, positive messages for our kids. 
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* RPL is the ideal place for kids to try theatre for the first time, as well as  more experienced performers to stretch their wings & grow!

What Does It Cost?

* Non-Member Production Fees: $250/1 child
Family Friendly Pricing: $100 per additional child 

* Read Play Love Members: For current RPL Members in a six-month membership commitment to the RPL Community, there is a one-time production fee of $90 for 1 child, $130 for two children, with a family-friendly cap of $170 for 3 or more children. Membership is $30/month for 1 child and $60/month for 2+ children. Click here for info about RPL Membership.

* Costume costs are the responsibility of parents, but  parents work together to decide and make everything as easy and most importantly, cost-effective as possible, often using shared, donated, or secondhand materials to keep costs minimum and much less expensive than other theatre production opportunites.

* Printed Script:  Each actor who reads is responsible for the printing and binding of their script at their own cost.  For music, we will send song links of MP3 tracks, which you can download to a playlist or burn to your own CD.

* A Concessions/Supplies Donation of $10 per production is requested of all families to help with paper/cleaning products and concessions needs. 

* Fundraisers, such as t-shirts, photobooks, and production videos, are optional and up to the discretion of each family. 

* Parent Crew - Parents are expected to volunteer in a capacity, based on their interests, skills and time available.  A form for indicating preferences is given at the time of auditions. This investment of time is crucial for an all-volunteer production, and we work with each family to find the best fit that works with your schedule.

Quick Links:

* Go here to register for Free Workshops during Open House on Oct 19-20
* Go here to get details about the production of "Alive!"
* Go here to sign up for an audition timeslot Oct 13, 19, 20
* Go here for RPL's Fall Homeschool Activity Schedule

Questions? Contact us here!