If you are enrolled in CYT classes (and are age 8-18), you are invited to audition for that session's productions. Please see specific show information below to find out what needs to be submitted for the show you are auditioning for. The audition process may also include a “callback” in which you may be asked to read, sing, and/or dance for a specific role in the production.  Auditions are a wonderful way for you to gain self-confidence and to show the best of your talents!

Auditions for spring shows will be in January 2021. More information regarding dates, video submissions and callbacks coming soon!

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Rehearsals & Performances
Cast members are required to be present and on time for all rehearsals. Arrive or log in 10 minutes early. You will be asked to sign in at all live rehearsals. In audition paperwork, you will have the opportunity on your forms to tell the Artistic Team about any planned absences, such as scheduled family vacations. If you have any unexcused absences, you will be taken out of the scene being taught, and may possibly be removed from the production. Note: Taking a cast member out of rehearsal early is the same as an absence and needs to be planned just like any other absence.

Cast attendance is mandatory for Tech Week and ALL performances. Arrive 10 minutes early for all call times. If you have an emergency, and will be late or will miss a rehearsal or performance, you must email Gina Milbourn at artistic_director@cytkc.org or call the CYT Office at 913-681-3318. 

Important Note: Regardless of reason, excused or unexcused, if a cast member misses rehearsal (or is late for rehearsal or leaves rehearsal early), unless it was previously stated AT AUDITIONS - there is a strong possibility that they will be cut from any scenes that were rehearsed that day. This is NOT a punishment; it is simply a natural consequence of the pace of our rehearsal schedule. New material is learned each week and then we move on. We don’t have the time to back up and re-teach material for cast members who were not present.

Illness 
In order to have productive rehearsals, each student needs to be well enough to fully participate. If your student will be missing rehearsal please email artistic_director@cytkc.org or call the CYT office at 913-681-3318. If your child is not feeling well, it is imperative that you keep them home; this will help to keep the rest of the cast and crew healthy and the production on track. If your student misses rehearsal more than two times due to illness, it will be evaluated by the artistic team whether they will need to be pulled from a scene. This is not a punishment; it is the nature of the pace of our rehearsal schedule.

Inclement Weather 
In the event of inclement weather and/or poor road conditions, classes/rehearsals may be canceled for the safety of our students. Cancellations due to weather will be posted on our website: www.cytkc.org. Many times the weather may be dangerous in the mornings, but by class/rehearsal time, road conditions are fine. A decision will be made by 3pm regarding any cancellation of evening activities. If class/rehearsal is canceled for any reason, an email will be sent to all participants. Updates can also be found on CYT’s website: www.cytkc.org, as well as on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. We always encourage checking our website first for the most up-to-date cancellation information.
Please note: CYT Kansas City does not credit, refund, or pro-rate tuition for classes canceled due to inclement weather.

CHOOSING TO DROP A SHOW POLICY
It is the policy of Christian Youth Theater Kansas City that if an actor auditions for a show and is cast, they must accept the role they are given. If the actor chooses not to participate in the production following the cast list being posted, they may NOT audition for another show in the same session. That actor will also NOT be considered for a principle role in the next production they audition.  In addition, this action may be considered in future casting decisions and any written references. Not only is dropping a show unprofessional, it is disrespectful to the directors, cast members, and above all to the craft of theatre itself.

PRODUCTION FEES
In normal times, production fees are one of multiple sources of income that support each production. During these unprecedented times, the restrictions brought upon due to the COVID-19 pandemic means that not only will we have decreased cast sizes, we will see losses in ticket sales, concessions, special activities, advertisements, and more. This means that the production fees will be crucial in funding the numerous production costs including rights, artistic team costs, production costs, streaming fees, and more. Production fees are paid online, using your CYT account.

The production fee is a one-time fee per student of $190 for musical productions and $170 for non-musical productions.

PLEASE NOTE: Fall 2020 production fees will not include t-shirts, DVDs, or tickets.

1. Be prepared! This seems really obvious but make sure that you know what’s expected of you. Show up early and be prepared to sing straight away.
2. Be in good voice. If you haven’t sung in a while, you can’t expect to go into a singing audition and perform well. Singing every day is essential for keeping your voice healthy and strong.
3. Know the show. In musical theatre, there are numerous methods to becoming familiar with the show you’re auditioning for. When preparing your audition material never sing something from the show you’re auditioning for, unless you’re specifically asked to. On the other hand, choose a song that’s similar in style and range to the character you’re auditioning for. Choose a song which is written for a role that’s close to your own age.
4. Always give yourself plenty of time to learn your audition material. Rehearse with your karaoke track or a pianist and don’t solely rely on learning from a recording since that version may be considerably different from the sheet music you have.
5. You have one minute to SHINE! Be sure that you have a karaoke track on iPod (cd’s don’t always work). Never sing a Capella. Never audition without the music! If you make a mistake while singing, do not stop! An audition is like a performance; just keep going and do not let your face or body language reveal the fact that you’ve made a mistake. (Oh, and never glare at the pianist)!
6. Know your lyrics and your music. Although this may seem obvious, choose a song that suits you. Many singers do not. Avoid choosing songs that are over-done at auditions.
7. Have properly prepared sheet music when working with an accompanist. Make sure it’s written out in the right key, and that any tempo changes, and change in musical directions are all clearly marked. Don’t choose a song that’s notoriously difficult for a pianist to play. Never give a pianist sheet music in the form of a music book. That makes it too difficult to turn the pages. Make a photocopy of your song, and tape the edges together accordion fashion. When you hand the pianist your music, make sure you smile and say hello. Give them a good idea of the tempo by singing a few bars quietly for them. If there are tempo changes or the like, point them out. Never Snap your fingers or clap your hands at the pianist, even if you’re just trying to help them with the tempo.
8. Enter the audition with confidence – first impressions are key here. Keep good posture and walk with confidence, even if you’re terrified! Directors know you are nervous, and they want you to succeed!
9. Don’t apologize or make excuses for any reason. Always be professional. Remember that God created you as His unique and one-of-a-kind person!
10. Dress for an audition in a smart/casual way. Don’t wear uncomfortable shoes, or something that’s too tight. Don’t come in costume and wear modest clothes!
11. Be friendly but don’t be overly talkative. Smile and be personable. When it’s your turn to audition, slate your name and what song you will be singing. Be friendly, humble and confident in who God has made you to be.
12. When you sing, just stand and sing. Never do choreography or blocking to accompany your song. Also, don’t use any props or dress in costume. Don’t wander around. But do use hand and arm movements providing they are natural. This is no time to be shy, so sing out and give a performance. Keep your hands out of your pockets.
13. Have confidence in your dance audition. Whether or not you have dance training, do your best to perform the dance combination with energy and lots of smiles! Remember – if you smile through your dancing, the judges will not look at your feet (as much)!
14. Don’t Give Up! Your voice may crack or you might forget a lyric – keep smiling and don’t get down on yourself!
15. PRAY! Remember that God is with you every step of the way. Also, the more you can audition the easier it gets.

Casting a show is a complex process. We want to help you understand some of the factors that go into casting decisions.
There are some things you can do absolutely nothing about which may have a bearing on casting. These include your height, the height of others, your vocal range, what specific parts are available in a particular production, the sizes of previously constructed costumes as well as a myriad of other uncontrollable factors.
However, there are some things you can do that may affect the outcome of your audition.

• PREPARATION: Prepare the best audition that you can. For callbacks, research the show and learn about the parts. If sides are provided, work with them until your callback.
• BEHAVIOR: Directors want to work with people who behave well, and they may ask your Chapter Coordinator and others about you. Don’t harm your chances of being cast in a show by exhibiting poor behavior in class, at rehearsals, at shows, and even at auditions and callbacks.
• PARENTS: This is also good advice for parents.  Don’t harm your student’s chances by exhibiting poor character or behavior.   Your behavior is also factored into difficult casting decisions.
• VOCAL TRAINING: Take CYT classes and/or private voice instruction to improve your vocal range and performance.
• DANCE TRAINING: Lack of dance ability often keeps good singers and actors from getting parts in musical theater. Take CYT classes and/or dance instruction to improve your skills.    
• READINGS: Show the director good character development and appropriate emotion at callbacks.

Good advice:  do what you can do, don’t worry about what you can’t do, and leave the final decision to the Lord!