Musical Theatre FAQ
Welcome to The Performer's Academy! Our Musical Theatre program gives students the opportunity to experience the excitement of putting on a full-scale production while developing their skills in singing, dancing, and acting.
Whether your performer is stepping onto the stage for the first time or is ready to take their training to the next level, our program offers an exciting opportunity to grow as an artist, build confidence, develop friendships, and experience the magic of live theatre.
Before enrolling, please review our frequently asked questions to understand the expectations, policies, and commitments involved in participating in a production.
ENROLLMENT & AGE DIVISIONS
1. Does my child need previous singing, dancing, or acting experience?
Not at all! We welcome performers with different levels of experience. Whether your child is stepping onto the stage for the first time or has previous performing experience, our program provides an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop their talents in a supportive and encouraging environment.
2. What age divisions do you offer?
We offer two Musical Theatre divisions:
Youth Division (Ages 6–12)
Our Younger Division focuses on introducing and developing musical theatre skills through Junior (Jr.) versions of popular Broadway musicals. These productions are designed for younger performers and provide opportunities to develop singing, dancing, acting, stage presence, and teamwork.
Teen Division (Ages 13–18)
Our Teen Division is the next level within our Musical Theatre program. Students work on more advanced material through licensed School Edition and Teen Edition productions.
This division requires a higher level of skill, preparation, responsibility, and commitment. Students should be prepared for more challenging vocal, acting, and choreography demands, as well as potentially more advanced subject matter within the licensed productions.
3. Can my child enroll if they are younger than 6?
We are open to discussing enrollment for students younger than 6 on a case-by-case basis. Acceptance will be determined at the discretion of the production directors based on the child's individual abilities, maturity, and readiness for the program.
4. Can a 12-year-old participate in the Teen Division?
Yes! We understand that some 12-year-old performers may be ready for the next level of musical theatre training.
Enrollment in the Teen Division for 12-year-olds will be considered on a case-by-case basis and is at the discretion of the production directors. Placement will depend on the student's skill level, maturity, readiness, and ability to meet the expectations and commitment of the Teen Division.
5. What is the participation fee, and what does it include?
The participation fee is $615. This fee helps cover the costs associated with putting on a production, including:
Costume rentals
Teacher instruction
Props
Licensing fees
Production materials
This fee helps cover the expenses involved in bringing each production to life and providing students with a complete theatrical experience.
6. Is there an audition?
Yes! All students are required to participate in an audition on the first day of rehearsals.
The audition will include three components: singing, dancing, and acting. This allows our directors to evaluate each student's abilities and determine the best role for them in the production.
SHOW SELECTION & LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
7. Can songs, lyrics, music keys, or dialogue be changed to accommodate individual students?
No. Once The Performer's Academy has secured the licensing rights for a production, we are required to follow the licensing agreement provided by the publisher and licensing company.
This means we cannot change musical keys, lyrics, dialogue, lines, or the context and content of the show unless the licensing company specifically authorizes those changes.
These restrictions are part of the agreements we purchase to legally perform each production. We must honor these agreements and cannot make individual modifications to accommodate performers.
8. Are the Teen Division shows appropriate for all ages?
Our Teen Division performs licensed School Edition and Teen Edition productions that are approved for student performers ages 13–18.
These editions may contain more advanced themes and subject matter than the Junior productions offered in our Younger Division.
Because we are required to follow the licensing agreements, we cannot remove, rewrite, or modify the show's material.
We strongly encourage parents to familiarize themselves with the production being offered before enrolling their student to ensure the show and its content are an appropriate fit for their family.
ATTENDANCE & REHEARSALS
9. Is attendance at rehearsals mandatory?
Yes! Consistent attendance is extremely important when preparing for a production. When students enroll, they are making a commitment to the entire rehearsal and performance process.
Students are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals, arrive on time, and come prepared to participate.
10. What if my child needs to miss a rehearsal or will be late?
We ask that parents notify The Performer's Academy in advance if their child will be absent from a rehearsal or arriving late.
For planned absences that are not related to illness or a family emergency, we require at least two weeks' advance notice. If we are not notified at least two weeks ahead of time, the absence will count toward the student's four-missed-rehearsal limit.
We understand that unexpected situations, such as illness or family emergencies, can happen and are not always foreseeable. In these circumstances, please notify us as soon as possible.
Communication is essential to keeping rehearsals organized and ensuring that the entire cast stays on schedule.
11. What happens if my child misses a rehearsal?
If a student misses a rehearsal, they are responsible for catching up on the material they missed. They may need to wait until the instructors circle back to that particular scene or section, or reach out to a fellow cast member to find out what was covered.
Please remember that missing rehearsals can affect the entire cast, as scenes, choreography, music, and staging are built upon one another.
12. What happens if my child misses four rehearsals?
If a student misses four rehearsals, The Performer's Academy reserves the right to reassign their role to another student.
Absences without the required two weeks' advance notice, when they are not related to illness or a family emergency, will count toward this four-absence limit.
This policy is in place to ensure that the production stays on schedule and that all performers are adequately prepared for the final performances.
13. How will students receive music, rehearsal materials, and updates?
We utilize Google Classroom as our primary communication and resource platform for production students.
Through Google Classroom, students can communicate with one another, receive important updates, and access uploaded music, scripts, and other rehearsal materials.
Students are expected to check Google Classroom regularly and stay up to date with their production responsibilities.
14. Can parents watch rehearsals or classes?
No. Parents and family members are not permitted to observe rehearsals or classes.
This allows our students to stay focused, build independence, and work together in a comfortable and productive rehearsal environment.
PERFORMANCES & PRODUCTION COMMITMENT
15. Does my child have to participate in every performance?
Yes! When students enroll in a production, they are making a commitment to the entire experience.
All cast members are required to participate in every scheduled performance and technical rehearsal.
Each production includes:
Two scheduled performances at a local theater.
One technical rehearsal day at the theater.
Attendance and participation at all scheduled production dates are mandatory.
16. Where are the performances held?
Our productions are presented at an outside venue, typically a local theater in the surrounding area.
This allows students to experience performing in a theater environment and brings their hard work in rehearsals to life on a professional stage.
17. How do I purchase tickets for the show?
All performance tickets must be purchased online through our designated ticketing process.
Once purchased, tickets must be picked up in person at The Performer's Academy studio.
18. Are performance tickets refundable or transferable toward other studio expenses?
No. Ticket proceeds go directly toward covering the cost of renting the theater space for the production.
Because these funds are allocated to the venue rental, tickets are nonrefundable and cannot be credited toward tuition, participation fees, or other studio expenses.
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO POLICY
19. Will professional photos be taken of the students?
Yes! We arrange for professional photography during our technical rehearsal at the theater.
These photos capture the students in costume and on stage, giving families beautiful memories of their production experience.
Once the photos are ready, they will be shared with families through our Constant Contact email communications. Each parent or guardian is added to our production email list upon enrollment, so please make sure your contact information is current.
20. Can parents take photos or videos during performances?
No. We ask that all parents and audience members refrain from taking photographs or recording videos of the performers during performances.
There are three important reasons for this policy:
1. Respect for the performers
Camera screens, flashes, and recording devices can distract students while they are performing on stage and interfere with the audience's experience.
2. Student privacy and safety
Not every family wishes to have their child photographed or recorded by other parents or audience members. We have a responsibility to respect the privacy and safety of every student participating in our productions.
3. Licensing agreements
The shows we produce are protected by licensing agreements. Recording or distributing performances may violate the terms of those agreements. We must adhere to the restrictions established by the licensing companies.
Please note: Anyone observed photographing or recording children during a performance will be asked to leave the theater.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us protect our performers, respect family privacy, and honor our production licensing agreements.
CANCELLATIONS & CREDITS
21. What happens if my child enrolls in a production but can no longer participate?
We understand that circumstances can change. However, production enrollment involves planning, casting, licensing, costume rentals, materials, and other expenses that begin before the show reaches the stage.
Our cancellation policy is as follows:
Cancellation more than 24 hours before the first rehearsal:
If a student withdraws before attending any rehearsals and provides notice at least 24 hours before the first scheduled rehearsal, a studio credit will be made available. Applicable costume, prop, licensing, and material expenses will be deducted from the participation fee. Any remaining eligible balance will be issued as a studio credit valid for six months.
Cancellation less than 24 hours before the first rehearsal:
If a student cancels their participation less than 24 hours before the first scheduled rehearsal, no refund or studio credit will be issued. Their enrollment will be forfeited.
Withdrawal after attending at least one rehearsal:
Once a student has attended at least one rehearsal, their enrollment is considered a commitment to the production. If they subsequently decide to withdraw, no refund or studio credit will be issued, and their enrollment will be forfeited.
We appreciate families’ understanding that productions require significant preparation, financial commitments, and coordination among the entire cast and production team.
OUR COMMITMENT TO EVERY PERFORMER
At The Performer's Academy, we believe that participating in a musical theatre production is about more than learning lines and performing songs.
Students develop confidence, responsibility, teamwork, creativity, discipline, and a deeper appreciation for the performing arts.
A production is a team commitment, and every cast member plays an important role in bringing the show to life.
Whether your performer dreams of Broadway, loves singing and dancing, or wants to discover something new, we look forward to helping them grow, learn, and shine on stage!
We can't wait to see you under the spotlight!
