Peter Kirk PTSA's

Parent Information Packet

Missoula Children's Theatre Overview

This is the Peter Kirk PTSA's eighth year of hosting the Missoula Children's Theatre traveling directors. Two MCT directors will arrive on April 29^th, ready to work with our kids for a one weeklong casting to rehearsal to performance drama production. For them, we are just one stop on a year-long tour, taking this show around the country.

Show Synopsis

The Missoula Children's Theatre is presenting TREASURE ISLAND, an original adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s epic novel. Young Jim Hawkins, a mischievous lad, lives with his mother and six sisters in a seaside village on the coast of Maine. The year is 1782 and the American War for Revolution is in its last days. Longing for adventure, Jim comes under the hypnotic spell of the legendary pirate, Long John Silver. While waiting tables in the family Inn, Jim finds a treasure map and, with the villainous Silver as his seeming mentor, sails uncharted seas with only the ragged map and a flock of Gulls as guides. Always up for adventure, Jim’s ruffian friends say farewell to their mariner parents and serve as cabin boys for Silver and his band of hilarious (although unsavory) Pirate types. Once on the island, nights are sleepless as true colors are revealed in our hero’s quest for the proverbial happy ending. Then, at last, the treasure is found and hand in hand we’re homeward bound. 

The show is about an hour long and does not include an intermission.

Play Week

April 29^th to May 4^th - This entire show will be cast, rehearsed, and performed in the span of one week! We will go from casting on Monday, to rehearsals Monday through Friday and two full performances on Saturday. It's one fun, crazy, busy, hilarious, exhausting time!

KEY DATES

• March 21st (Thurs) Parent/Guardian only Informational Meeting: 7p(ZOOM)  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86316488101
• March 25^th (Mon) Registration Opens (through Membership Toolkit) Fill out Bio, Emergency Contact Info and Allergies
• March 25^th (Mon) Parent Volunteer Sign-up:  MTK
• April 12^th (Fri) Registration Closes
• April 15^th (Mon)- Tickets on Sale
• April 25^th (Thurs)- Cast Call: 7pm ZOOM, parents and participants can join and ask any questions they may have.
• April 29^th (Mon) – Casting: 3:20p-5:20p AND Rehearsal: 5:35p-7:35p 
• April 30^th (Tues) – Rehearsals: 3:20p-5:20p and 5:35p-7:35p 
• May 1^st (Wed) – Rehearsals: 1:50p-3:50p, 4:05p-6:05p and set set-up 6:05-8:05
• May 2^nd (Thurs) – Rehearsals: 3:20p-5:20p and 5:35p-7:35p 
• May 3^rd (Fri) – Dress Rehearsals: 3:20p-6:20p (ALL) and 6:35p-7:35p 
• May 4^th (Sat) – Costume: 1pm in rooms 155/156 AND Performances: 2:00pm and 5:00pm

On Monday April 24^th, following casting, the MCT Directors will provide a cast list outlining which rehearsals are required for your performer to attend based on their role. However, performers are expected to be available for every event.  In the first few days of rehearsals please send your child with a paper bag with handles for their costume.

PARTICIPATION: School Play Sign Up Process

Registration will open beginning Monday, March 25^th at 7am through Membership Toolkit Sign Ups, Once the maximum number of students in each category has been reached, students may sign up to be waitlisted. In the event a registered student drops out prior to casting, the next person on the waitlist will be contacted. **Registrations are not transferable to friends, siblings, etc.

Students may also sign up for the Marketing Team. The team will promote ticket sales for the play through a variety of creative advertising.  Additionally, on performance day, the team will help with admissions and guide attendees to the performance space. 

PARTICIPATION: School Play Sign Up Process

Registration will open beginning Monday, March 25^th at 7am through Membership Toolkit Sign Ups, Once the maximum number of students in each category has been reached, students may sign up to be waitlisted. In the event a registered student drops out prior to casting, the next person on the waitlist will be contacted. **Registrations are not transferable to friends, siblings, etc.

Students may also sign up for the Marketing Team. The team will promote ticket sales for the play through a variety of creative advertising.  Additionally, on performance day, the team will help with admissions and guide attendees to the performance space. 

Parent Agreement

By registering your student, you are agreeing to the terms below. This program space is very limited. Registering a student who does not meet these requirements will take away an opportunity from another student who does.

Students Must: 

• Truly want to participate in the play process.
• Have the ability to focus and follow directions during 2 or 4 hour long rehearsals.
• Have access to quick, portable meals and timely transportation to/from rehearsals and performance day.
• Be respectful to directors, fellow cast members, parent volunteers and the school building (ex: using polite language and picking up their garbage).
• Be able to attend every rehearsal they are called for. Students will NOT be excused from casting, rehearsals or performances for other appointments or activities.

Cast members who are not able to agree to these terms may be dismissed from the School Play by the Committee Chair at any time during Play Week. Refunds will not be available in this situation.

CASTING: April 29^th, 3:20pm (Peter Kirk)

*Participants must be registered through Membership Toolkit Signups.

No preparation for casting is necessary! This is a group casting event and every registered student must participate for the full two hours for the MCT directors to cast each role. The casting and all rehearsals are closed to parents to allow all students a more fair and comfortable experience. Some of the cast members will be asked to stay for the first rehearsal immediately following casting.

Please keep in mind that your student may need encouragement if they did not get a part they were hoping for. The MCT directors work to ensure each actor is placed in a role where they will be successful. It's our job to ensure the students understand there are no small parts.

REHEARSALS

Rehearsals are two, 2-hour sessions each day with a 15-minute dinner/snack/transition break in the middle. Most cast members will not be required to attend every rehearsal. Their roles will determine their rehearsal schedule, which be announced after casting on April 29^th. Students should plan on bringing their own dinner and/or heavy snacks for rehearsal breaks.

***Parents, please plan to sign your student out when leaving the rehearsals. Students will sign themselves in at the beginning of each session. ***

Assistant directors

Assistant Directors help teach and direct the show early in the week and then take on technical responsibilities at performance time. They provide important logistical help and creative ideas. Assistant Directors must also take part in the casting session and be available for every rehearsal and performance.

Marketing Team

The goal of the marketing team is to get other students excited about attending the play. They will meet on Monday, April 29^th and Tuesday, April 30^th from 3:20-5:20. With assistance from the play committee marketing chair, students can write, direct and/or act in a commercial to be performed during school lunchtimes along with crafting other digital and physical advertising promotions. They should come ready with ideas!

PARTICIPATION FEE and Costs

The fee for the play is $75 for Performers, $50 for Assistant Directors and $20 for the Marketing Team. If this fee creates a hardship, scholarships are available from the PTSA through the website.

In addition to the participation fee, the following are optional costs associated with the production:

• Performance Tickets (purchased through the PTSA store in the weeks prior to the performances or at the door)
• Professional Video (purchase through our vendor during Play Week)
• T-shirts (purchase through MCT directors during Play Week)

Volunteers

Chaperones are needed for each rehearsal and performance.  Duties include checking students in, helping with dinner, signing students out, stage breakdown, assisting on the day of play. Since rehearsals are closed, volunteering ensures you get to see a glimpse of how a full play is pulled together in less than a week! By registering your child for the play, each family is committing to fulfilling at least one volunteer slot.  All volunteers must be approved by the district.

COMMUNICATION

During Play Week, parents will receive important communication from the Committee Chair via email so make sure to check your email regularly. Feel free to reach out to the play committee with any questions at: SchoolPlay@PeterKirkPTSA.org