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We are excited to announce our winter production!
The Velveteen Rabbit
1 ACT – CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
Directed by Paulette Gilbert
Margery Williams’ classic tale is one of the most beloved and timeless stories for children. Before Disney’s Toy Story, The Velveteen Rabbit taught readers that toys are forever when their children really love them….
“Real isn’t how you are made. It’s a thing that happens to you.
When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become real. Once you are real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”
This heartwarming musical will leave you and your family enchanted and charmed. Toys, animals, humans, and even a magical fairy are all part of the whimsical tale.
It’s Christmas joy straight to the heart!
Theatre for families and children! Performed in the intimate Off Center Stage Theater
Approx. 45 min. / Best enjoyed by those 6yrs. and older
WINTER PRODUCTION AUDITIONS
Saturday August 26, 2023
• 9am-12:30pm / Off Center Stage Theatre (315 Richardson St. behind CFTA)
• 8-9yrs. ~ 9:00-10:30 ~ Some requested to stay until 11:00.
• 10-15yrs. ~ 10:30-12:30 ~ Some released at 12:00 or 12:15.
• Jr. Stage Management Crew interests (11-15yrs.) should audition ~ 10:30-11:30
• Arrive early to complete paperwork, have picture taken and receive audition number.
• Wear proper clothing for movement. No boots, flip flops or exposed toes.
• Invited Callbacks ~ August 28 ~ 4:00-6:30 ~ OCS
• Free Audition Sign Up is appreciated… helping us prepare for a fun audition day.
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Please read all details regarding auditions, casting, participation fee, rehearsal schedule, costumes, play title & more!
Rehearsals & Performances
• 1 Act Musical Production directed by Paulette Gilbert
• Weekly Rehearsals: Tuesdays 4:30-7:30 / Wednesdays 4-7 / *Mondays 4-7
• Sept. 6,12,13,19,20,26,27 / Oct. *2,3,10,11,*23,24,25 / Nov. 1,6,7,8,*13,14
• Some above dates may be removed… finalized at Auditions.
• School breaks & holidays are considered.
• Tues. Sept. 5 ~ Mandatory Parent/Cast Meeting & Script Read-Thru
• Nov. 27 – 30 ~ Mandatory TECH Week (More info. at Auditions)
• 6 Performances ~ Dec. 1, 2, 3 ~ Off Center Stage Theater
FAQs:
• How old must child be to audition? Child must be 8-15yrs. on audition day for Winter & Spring productions. Child must be 7-15 yrs. on audition day for Summer production.
• How long will the audition last? 8-9 yrs. begin at 9am and will be released 1-2hrs. into audition. 10-15yrs. begin at 10:30. All auditions will be completed by 12:30pm.
• Will my child automatically be given a role? No. We choose large cast scripts, but there are limited roles. Additional characters may be added to the existing script only if we can keep the experience fun, safe, and time-worthy. Our Winter Production performs in the Off Center Stage Theatre. A cast of 10-15 is best for this intimate theatrical space.
• Does the child need to memorize anything for the audition? No. The child may be asked to sing a familiar tune like “Happy Birthday” or “Row Your Boat”. They may be given a scene from the play to read. This is called a cold reading.
• Will the audition be in front of others? Yes, these are group auditions. Children may also be asked to do a cold reading, sing, dance, or explore movement with others.
• What is Jr. Crew? Anyone (11-15 yrs.) interested in our young stage management team should participate in the first hour of older auditions. We want to see children take direction and work with others.
• Do I need a picture or resume? No. A photo will be taken for the director’s use. You will be given an audition form which has a place to list any performance experiences. No prior theatrical experience is required.
• May guardians watch auditions? No. An adult must accompany a child before and after the audition. There will be a place to wait, but it will be limited due to space.
• What if I’m unable to attend the audition date? If unavailable that day, you will not be allowed to audition. There are no individual auditions.
• What is a callback? A “callback” is a second audition giving the director an opportunity to see and hear different combinations of actors. Children may be asked to read scenes, sing or learn a dance. Not every child will be invited to a callback. A callback email will be sent on Aug.27 so you may plan accordingly.
• How will I know if my child is cast? Once all casting decisions are completed, an email will be sent to the addresses provided on the audition form.
• What does it cost to participate? A fee of $175 (actors) or $95 (Jr. Crew) helps cover the cost of scripts, production royalty fees, Director and Set Designer fees, publicity, set and costume supplies, and more. CFTA strives to offer full and partial scholarships for anyone needing assistance.
• Are costumes provided? You are responsible for providing the child’s base costume. This base may be altered or embellished in order to achieve a cohesive look. If needed, additional pieces/accessories will be provided by CFTA. Discussed more at Parent/Cast meeting.
Invited Callbacks:
• August 28 / 4-6:30 / Off Center Stage (OCS)
Based on audition turnout, director may need to see some again before casting. A callback does not guarantee a role in production. Likewise, not being called back does not mean child has not been cast. Callback email is sent 1-3 days prior to date.
Mandatory Parent/Cast Meet & Greet:
Tues. Sept. 5 / 5:15-7:45 / OCS
Parent & Cast Meeting / Cast Picture / Reading of Script
Costume Parade: TBA at Auditions / More specifics during meeting.
Weekly Rehearsals:
• Tuesdays, Wednesdays & occasional Mondays
• Finalized dates given at Auditions.
• Rehearsals are in OCS or a studio room.
• Calls are based on roles/scenes that will be rehearsed.
• Child may not be called to every rehearsal.
• Calls are emailed 2-3 days prior to each new week.
• All rehearsal dates/times should be saved for availability.
• Audition form asks for rehearsal conflicts.
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The Velveteen Rabbit
1-Act Musical / Directed by Paulette Gilbert
Margery Williams’ classic tale is one of the most beloved and timeless stories for children. Before Disney’s Toy Story, The Velveteen Rabbit taught readers that toys are forever when their children really love them….
“Real isn’t how you are made. It’s a thing that happens to you.
When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become real. Once you are real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”
This heartwarming musical will leave you and your family enchanted and charmed. Toys, animals, humans, and even a magical fairy are all part of the whimsical tale.
It’s Christmas joy straight to the heart!
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Cast of Characters (10-15 actors)
Several actors will play multiple characters for this Ensemble Theater production!
Names and/or roles may be changed to accommodate casting.
(song) = Sing alone and/or with others. All songs piggyback familiar Christmas carols.
• Velveteen Rabbit (song): Toy bunny made of velveteen fabric & sawdust.
• Skin Horse (song): The shabbiest but wisest toy in the nursery.
• Michael/Michelle (song): Receives toy bunny from Uncle Archie.
• Mother & Father (song): Dearly love their child.
• Aunt Ruth & Uncle Archie (song): Love Michael & the holiday season.
• Nana (song): Nursemaid determined to keep a tidy nursery.
• Doctor: Diagnoses Michael with Scarlet Fever.
• Nursery Fairy: Uses magic to turn bunny into a real rabbit.
• Gardener: Caretaker of the house & yard.
• Ruby & Rosie (song): Red birds of the woods.
• Buttons & Ivy (song): Wild rabbits of the woods.
• Robbie Robot, Jack-In-The-Box, Tin Soldier, Raggedy Anne, & Pin-the-Tail Donkey: Nursery toys who narrate story & befriend the toy bunny.
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Thanks for reading all above information. We hope to see you at auditions or attending a performance in December!
The Main Stage Playmakers aims to provide a theater experience for children *ages 7-15, and produces three plays throughout each year.
The Center is thrilled to bring live theater to our stage for our youth community.
*Age range may vary depending on each production throughout the year.
Paulette Gilbert has worked with children for nearly 30 years as a teacher, actor and director. She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Theatre from Louisiana Tech University. Her extensive experience with professional companies across the country includes a national tour with the Missoula Children’s Theatre. For the past 16 years she has taught and produced theatre for young people in Nevada County. She is thrilled to be the Director of The MainStage Playmakers productions which include Silver’s Secret: A Pirate Adventure, The Reluctant Dragon, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and The Emperor’s New Clothes. Paulette is also a regional theatrical costume designer and proprietor of SANDbags. www.SANDbagsStudio.Etsy.com
"Theater is so impactful because it encourages and enhances a child's capacity for self-expression and their sense of self-esteem. To make this possible, the most important thing about being in a play- is that it should be fun! Beyond it being fun, it is exciting and rewarding for kids to be part of creating something memorable while working closely with others. Every child has something special to add to a theatrical production, and it is deeply fulfilling to explore possibilities and find out what those special things will be. As a director, I love to work on plays with children of all ages and levels of experience, and am always searching for the rich rewards that theater can provide to children and their families."
A special thank you to EventHelper.com for their generous gift of $25,000 that directly funded the launch of our Children’s Theater Program.
Thank you to our annual youth arts sponsors
