At Read Play Love, our productions provide a nurturing, compassionate atmosphere that focuses on the creative expression of each individual child.
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Upcoming Auditions...
How Does the Process Work?
1. Free Workshops & Auditions
*We typically hold free workshops before auditions, as a way to introduce kids to RPL and give them an opportunity to learn a song from the upcoming show. Workshop dates for "HATTER" are July 13-15 and you can sign up for a Free Workshop here!
*Children age 4-17 are welcome to audition. Our goal is to make auditions a fun, empowering experience where the kids feel great! 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, and when it's a child's first audition experience, we go out of our way to make it an ultra-positive one!
*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.
*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.
* Suggestions for preparing for auditions are below, in the "Audition Details" section.
Click here to reserve an audition spot for "HATTER".
2. Rehearsals
* Rehearsal times for both productions will be Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 4:00-7:00pm, during the rehearsal dates, but not everyone is called for every rehearsal or for the whole time. Most roles will rehearse 1 day week until August 18, with some principal roles rehearsing two days.
* We try to accommodate conflicts whenever possible, and ask that families indicate conflicts with audition paperwork, so we can create the rehearsal schedule around these needs. We work with you and your conflicts - just keep in mind that the flexible your schedule, the more casting options there are.
* While we are largely a homeschool organization, we welcome any family who is able to make rehearsal times work - especially during summer! We work around your schedule as best as we can.
* Since our rehearsal time is limited, we need each family to commit to rehearsing at home and coming to rehearsals prepared. We will give you tools to help kids with repetition and memorization in between group rehearsals.
* Our rehearsals are held at Read Play Love in Lowry Crossing (East McKinney). In summer, we will most often rehearse with small groups indoors in our cottage, and use our outdoor stage for practicing larger production numbers. Masks are optional indoors.
* We have a large outdoor play area where kids are welcome to play before and after rehearsal, as well as during breaks. We ask all families to be prepared for summertime outdoors (i.e., sunscreen, bug spray, and plenty of water.) We also have an air-conditioned children's Library with toys for younger kids and a gameroom for older kids.
* We ask parents to stay on site during rehearsals, unless alternative arrangements have been discussed prior.
* Parents are expected to volunteer for one of the parent crews in the production. We work with each family to find the best fit for your schedule, availability and interests. Parent Crews include things like are props, costumes, set, backstage, lobby decor, fundraising, management.
3. Production Week & Performances
* "Production Week" refers to the last week of the production, which includes technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances. During Production Week, our final rehearsals are onsite at the venue. (At WAG for "Less Miserable" and at Cox Playhouse in Plano for HATTER.)
* Everyone should expect to rehearse 3:00-7:00 on Tuesday-Thursday during Production Week. Some principal roles will also be called on Monday at 3:00-7:00 for the "dry tech" to set lights and sound prior to having the whole cast present.
* Performances are Fri, Sat, and Sun at 6:00pm. Plan for a 4:30 call time for each performance, which will accommodate for things like touch-up rehearsals, announcements, actor notes, and photoshoots.
*We typically hold free workshops before auditions, as a way to introduce kids to RPL and give them an opportunity to learn a song from the upcoming show. Workshop dates for "HATTER" are July 13-15 and you can sign up for a Free Workshop here!
*Children age 4-17 are welcome to audition. Our goal is to make auditions a fun, empowering experience where the kids feel great! 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, and when it's a child's first audition experience, we go out of our way to make it an ultra-positive one!
*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.
*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.
* Suggestions for preparing for auditions are below, in the "Audition Details" section.
Click here to reserve an audition spot for "HATTER".
2. Rehearsals
* Rehearsal times for both productions will be Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 4:00-7:00pm, during the rehearsal dates, but not everyone is called for every rehearsal or for the whole time. Most roles will rehearse 1 day week until August 18, with some principal roles rehearsing two days.
* We try to accommodate conflicts whenever possible, and ask that families indicate conflicts with audition paperwork, so we can create the rehearsal schedule around these needs. We work with you and your conflicts - just keep in mind that the flexible your schedule, the more casting options there are.
* While we are largely a homeschool organization, we welcome any family who is able to make rehearsal times work - especially during summer! We work around your schedule as best as we can.
* Since our rehearsal time is limited, we need each family to commit to rehearsing at home and coming to rehearsals prepared. We will give you tools to help kids with repetition and memorization in between group rehearsals.
* Our rehearsals are held at Read Play Love in Lowry Crossing (East McKinney). In summer, we will most often rehearse with small groups indoors in our cottage, and use our outdoor stage for practicing larger production numbers. Masks are optional indoors.
* We have a large outdoor play area where kids are welcome to play before and after rehearsal, as well as during breaks. We ask all families to be prepared for summertime outdoors (i.e., sunscreen, bug spray, and plenty of water.) We also have an air-conditioned children's Library with toys for younger kids and a gameroom for older kids.
* We ask parents to stay on site during rehearsals, unless alternative arrangements have been discussed prior.
* Parents are expected to volunteer for one of the parent crews in the production. We work with each family to find the best fit for your schedule, availability and interests. Parent Crews include things like are props, costumes, set, backstage, lobby decor, fundraising, management.
3. Production Week & Performances
* "Production Week" refers to the last week of the production, which includes technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances. During Production Week, our final rehearsals are onsite at the venue. (At WAG for "Less Miserable" and at Cox Playhouse in Plano for HATTER.)
* Everyone should expect to rehearse 3:00-7:00 on Tuesday-Thursday during Production Week. Some principal roles will also be called on Monday at 3:00-7:00 for the "dry tech" to set lights and sound prior to having the whole cast present.
* Performances are Fri, Sat, and Sun at 6:00pm. Plan for a 4:30 call time for each performance, which will accommodate for things like touch-up rehearsals, announcements, actor notes, and photoshoots.
So...What Makes Read Play Love Theatre 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? No problem! 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. One of our new musicals, The Whimsical World of Sherlock Holmes, just made its New York debut in New York City in September 2021, performing Off-Broadway in the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival.
* 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!
* 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? No problem! 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. One of our new musicals, The Whimsical World of Sherlock Holmes, just made its New York debut in New York City in September 2021, performing Off-Broadway in the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival.
* 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 Participation Cost?
* Non-Member Production Fees: $199/1 child and Family Friendly Prices for more than one child in show
25% off both when 2 = $ 298 total for 2 children (Non-Member)
35% off all when 3 = $ 390 total for 3 children (Non-Member)
50% off all when 4+ = $ 398 total for 4 children (Non-Member)
* 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 $60 for 1 child, $90 for two children, with a family-friendly cap of $120 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 opportunities.
* Printed Script: Each actor is responsible for the printing and binding of their script and lyrics at their own cost. For music, we will send you links to all songs as MP3 tracks, which you can download to a playlist or burn to your own CD.
* A Concessions Donation of $10 per production is requested of all families.
* Tickets are reserved on a donation basis. Ticket revenue from performances of our original musicals has historically been a lifeblood for Read Play Love. In the past, we sold tickets for $10-$12 each for adults, and kids’ tickets for about half of that. But for these summer productions, we are taking reservations on a donation basis. This way, those who are able to donate more can do so, and if any family would find regular ticket prices cost prohibitive, they can donate what they can.
* Fundraisers, such as t-shirts, photobooks, and production DVDs, are optional and up to the discretion of each family.
* Parent Crew - As explained above, parents are expected to make an investment of time to contribute to the production, in a way that is a good match to your interest, skills and schedule availability.
25% off both when 2 = $ 298 total for 2 children (Non-Member)
35% off all when 3 = $ 390 total for 3 children (Non-Member)
50% off all when 4+ = $ 398 total for 4 children (Non-Member)
* 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 $60 for 1 child, $90 for two children, with a family-friendly cap of $120 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 opportunities.
* Printed Script: Each actor is responsible for the printing and binding of their script and lyrics at their own cost. For music, we will send you links to all songs as MP3 tracks, which you can download to a playlist or burn to your own CD.
* A Concessions Donation of $10 per production is requested of all families.
* Tickets are reserved on a donation basis. Ticket revenue from performances of our original musicals has historically been a lifeblood for Read Play Love. In the past, we sold tickets for $10-$12 each for adults, and kids’ tickets for about half of that. But for these summer productions, we are taking reservations on a donation basis. This way, those who are able to donate more can do so, and if any family would find regular ticket prices cost prohibitive, they can donate what they can.
* Fundraisers, such as t-shirts, photobooks, and production DVDs, are optional and up to the discretion of each family.
* Parent Crew - As explained above, parents are expected to make an investment of time to contribute to the production, in a way that is a good match to your interest, skills and schedule availability.
More Audition Details
* First and foremost: RPL auditions are designed to be fun and empowering experiences for kids of all ages.
* Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis via this online registration form.
* Audition times are conveniently scheduled before and after our Free Workshops.
* Attendees to the Free Workshops will be welcome to audition after those who have signed up are complete. 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 10-minute timeslot is firm.
* 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 be submitted after the audition. The paperwork includes family conflicts & rehearsal preferences, RPL's terms of participation, parent volunteer preferences, and liability release.
* Parents are welcome to ask questions during the audition slot, or can email Marney at any time.
Preparing for the Audition:
*We write a role for every single child participating. During the audition, I’ll ask each child if they want to have lines that they say by themselves, and if they want to have a solo. Their preferences, along with your family’s schedule for rehearsals and the overall needs of the show, will determine their role. At Read Play Love, every child gets a chance to shine.
* For the audition, we simply ask each child to sing. It can be absolutely any song! (If you've been in a RPL show before, feel free to sing a favorite RPL 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.)
* Children 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 always have 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!
* Callbacks, held via Zoom, might be used if we would like additional time with children under consideration for some roles.
* 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 might try to use this opportunity to perform " in character" and deliver your song as if you were onstage. You already know that our auditions are fun and easy, so take this chance to stretch yourself outside your comfort zone. A well-prepared song in auditions that demonstrates your at-home effort definitely makes a difference....for us, and for you!
Questions? Contact Us here!