Studio East FAQ's
Audition
Q: How do I know when auditions will be?
A: Audition information will be posted on our website, www.studio-east.org, well before the audition dates, or you can find it in the quarterly brochure.
Q: How do I sign up for an audition?
A: Just call us at 425-820-1800 or come into our office and talk to the person at the front desk, and we’ll tell you the time slots we have available on the days auditions are being held, and you can choose from them!
Q: What do I need to prepare?
A: A memorized monologue, 1 minute or less. For a musical, also a memorized song, 1 minute or less.
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Sheet music for your song, a resume listing your performing experience and performing arts training, and a recent photo.
Q: How do I find a good monologue?
A: For younger students, any piece of text that tells a story is appropriate. You can find these in monologue books at the library, on websites, or take a passage from your favorite novel. You can come to the Studio East office and ask to look through our “Young Actor Audition Book” for ideas. Please come before 4:00 to allow enough time to peruse the materials. We charge $.50 per monologue copy. For older students (12 and up) you can find monologues from plays appropriate to your age, again in book at the library, on websites, or from plays with young characters (Anne of Green Gables, Annie, Oliver, A Little Princess, Alice in Wonderland, etc.). Come to our quarterly Audition Monologue Workshops for examples and more details!
Q: How do I choose a song and find sheet music?
A: This can be tricky, so it’s best to find a musical person to help you. You should choose a song that you enjoy, that fits your vocal range, and that is of a similar style to the show you’re auditioning for. It’s best not to use songs from the show you are auditioning for. Use YouTube to see other performers sing the songs you’re interested in. You can come to the Studio East office and ask to look through our “Young Actor Audition Book” for songs from summer camps you might have performed in. Please come before 4:00 to allow enough time to peruse the materials. We charge $1.00 per song copy. You can often find scores or song books at the library or sheet music on websites. You can also find songbooks to purchase online that come with accompaniment CDs that are very helpful. Come to our quarterly Musical Audition Workshops for examples and more details!
Q: Can I sing my song a cappella? (without piano)
A: We would prefer you have sheet music in the correct key for your song. If you cannot get sheet music, tell the Directing Team you’d like to sing a cappella. The Musical Director may ask you to sing “Happy Birthday” or some other simple song with piano accompaniment after you sing your prepared song.
Q: What happens after the audition?
A: You’ll get a phone call letting you know if you’ve been “called back”. Callbacks are the second round of auditions, when you’ll read scenes and/or sing songs and/or learn a dance from the show. After that day, you’ll get a call letting you know whether or not you’ve been cast. To help you prepare, come to our quarterly Callback Workshops for practice reading scenes and more details!
Q: How can I get feedback on my audition?
A: Studio East staff will always be happy to give you feedback from the Directing team. Call and ask to speak with Lani Brockman for details.
Sign up for our Audition Workshop series for more information!
Education Program FAQ's
Q: When does the Studio announce Quarterly Classes?
A: The Fall Quarter class schedule will be posted on the website and brochures will be mailed in August. Winter Quarter brochures are mailed in December, and the Spring Quarter brochures are mailed in March. You can get advance e-mail notification by contacting our Education Director. Our Summer Camp schedule will be posted in February!
Q: When can I start registering for Quarterly Classes?
A: Class Registration starts as soon as class schedules are posted on the website or made available in hard copy, which is usually 6 weeks or so before classes begin.
Q: How does the Studio choose classes?
A: Classes vary from Quarter to Quarter based on the availability of Instructors and perceived student interest. We try to offer at least one Technique and one Performance class for each age group on different days each Quarter.
Q: What's the difference between a Technique Class and a Performance Class?
A: Technique Classes are focused on the process of building skills. Students may approach a different topic or theme each class, testing and applying skills in different ways. Memorization will not be necessary, or will be minimal. The final day of class usually involves a showcase of activities for parents that highlight the skills students have learned. Performance Classes are focused on creating a performance piece. Lines and/or songs are memorized, movements are polished, and each class builds on the work done the previous week. The final day of class includes a performance of the finished play, dance, or musical revue, usually with costumes and props.
Q: How will I know which class is right for my child?
A: You know your child best! If there's a particular theme or aspect of a class description that excites her, that's the right class. If your child is particularly shy, then perhaps starting with a Technique class will give him a chance to build some self-confidence without the pressure of a performance at the end. If she is a major drama queen at home, then perhaps a Performance class is the right place to focus that energy. If he really enjoyed working with a particular Instructor, then perhaps engaging with that teacher again is a good idea. There is no "right" pathway through Studio East classes. Each class will give your student new skills and experiences. The Education Director is always happy to talk through the specifics of each class with you to help you make the right choice.
Q: What happens in Mini-Classes?
A: The same great drama education that happens in regular Quarterly classes, but in only five weeks!
Q: My child is just outside the posted range for a particular class, but I think she'd be an excellent addition to that group. What can I do?
A: Occasionally the Education Director can make exceptions to posted grade levels for classes, depending on the age range of the students enrolled in the class. Social maturity as well as skill level is an important factor to consider when making the best choice for your child. Posted ranges are set to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved, and the Instructor can work best with a small range of skill levels. Please talk with the Education Director if you have any questions.
Q: When does the Homeschool Drama Program happen?
A: For the 2009-10 school year our Homeschool Drama classes will run in two sessions from September 14th - April 23rd, plus a Spring mini-session from May 1st - May 28th. We start registering for classes in April for the next year, so check out our class listings on our website!
Q: When does the Studio announce Auditions for its Mainstage shows?
A: For the first three productions of the season, audition information will be included in the Fall Brochure and posted on the Studio East website in August. Audition information for the last two shows of the season and our Summer Teen Musical will be included in our Winter Brochure and up on our website in December.
Q: How does the Studio choose its Mainstage shows?
A: Studio East chooses the season's Mainstage shows based on the anticipated skills and interest of actively participating students and those likely to audition. Other factors include the availability of show titles (meaning the rights and royalties), diversity of material, focus on different age groups, and activities of similar organizations in the region.
Q: How can I get Studio East programs to come to my school?
A: Contact the Education Director, Laura Shepherd, for information on in-school and after school classes and workshops. Studio East Instructors will provide Outreach classes and workshops tailored to your class! You can email Laura at laurashepherd@studio-east.org, or you can call her at 425-820-1800. Studio East's After School ArtReach! program, a six-week musical production residency, currently provides performing arts experiences to 17 elementary and junior high schools each year. At this time our ArtReach! schedule is full, but you can contact Laura to be added to our waitlist
Q: How can I bring my class to a Studio East or StoryBook Theater performance?
A: Bring your class to a Studio East Mainstage school matinee or a StoryBook Theater weekday performance by calling the Box Office Manager, Frankie Rentas, at 425-820-1800, or emailing tickets@studio-east.org. Check out our website for current performance schedule.
Q: What kinds of financial aid are available for Studio East programs?
A: We understand that not all families can afford full tuition for our programs. Studio East has a Scholarship Fund which allows us to give partial scholarships to a limited number of deserving students. Financial Aid forms are available on our website, via email and fax and in person at our office. If your family needs financial assistance to participate in our classes, please submit your completed Financial Aid Form to the front office as soon as possible.
Students age 12 and older may be able to earn Tuition Stipends for Studio East programs by interning as an assistant for classes and camps. Skilled teen dancers with an inclination to choreograph may also earn Tuition Stipends as Intern Choreographers with our elementary school ArtReach! program. Contact Laura Shepherd, Education Director, for more information, at laurashepherd@studio-east.org, or 425-820-1800.
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