Q: Does my kid need theater experience to be in this program?

A: At Inspirations Theater we strive to welcome students to their next step in theater, wherever they may be on their theatrical path. We welcome students of all backgrounds and confidence levels to achieve something new. For some, that might be speaking in front of an audience for the first time; for others, perhaps someone who has been part of 10+ theatrical productions, this could be really honing one aspect of their dramatic expression, such as becoming accomplished at showing mood without words on the stage. We are happy to have a range of students with a wide variety of theatrical backgrounds.

Some larger parts in the shows ask for experience in singing and/or acting, and a certain vocal range.

We do ask that all students have an interest in theater, learning, and experiencing new things. See more at Casting and Culture

Q: Does s/he need to be a singer or have a good voice?

A: In our programs we have students who have lots of experience and training with their voice, and those who are just beginning to explore how fun singing can be.

'If you can talk you can sing' --African proverb. Even for the children who can't (or don't think they can) sing, we find ways to engage them in song. As far as their singing and how that pertains to the show we put on, we balance two values.

First, we welcome students of all singing backgrounds and abilities, and invite them to take their next step in singing while at camp, be that holding pitch, singing with more confidence, expanding their range, or bringing dramatic expression while they sing. There are plenty of places in the show these students will be able to enthusiastically (or shyly!) share their singing voices.

Second, for some of the songs that are sung solo or in duets for the show, to ensure that the songs can be most enjoyed by a wide variety of listeners, we have students who have more experience holding melody and pitch sing these songs.

Q: Why do you have group parts for younger kids, and lead or solo parts for older kids in your programs?

A: Our main motivation for our casting model is pedagogical: we strive to meet each age group with a theater experience that is best for them. In our programs for 8-14 year olds, 12-14 year olds have begun or are beginning to explore their individualism in the world different than their earlier years. Taking on a larger, strong role in a play can really meet this age group as they balance their budding sense of self. We cast 12-14 year olds in group parts as well, as sometimes that theater experience meets the needs of that particular individual.

For our younger campers: we feel that 10-11 year olds have a certain sophistication and awakening of awareness. We strive to meet this age by giving them both fun group parts and smaller individual roles—a few spoken lines in a street scene here, a short solo or small-group part of a group song there; and in our younger camp (aged 7-11), these 10-11 year olds can be considered for a larger role, should they wish. 

Our 8-9 year olds, while often quite expressive as individuals, are more served by group roles or small individual roles (though they may vocalize otherwise!), and do not need the spotlight of individual attention quite yet at that early age.

Finally, at our combined 10-18 year old programs, we appreciate the experience and talent that our high-school aged students can bring, and encourage those who desire to try out for lead roles (12-13 year olds can also apply for larger parts in these programs).

See Casting for more information.

Q: Why do the performances have variable orchestrations, or sometimes just piano?

A: We enjoy making this a community production, which means tapping into the local talent wherever we are. We may not know until ~2 months before the program begins that one parent volunteer plays the bassoon, and would love to be part of the orchestra; or that half a block down from our theater venue lives a retired high school band teacher, and has offered her talents playing flute. Hence, our orchestra could be 3 people or 10; we could have 4 saxophonists show up who we somehow put to use, or we find creative use for a part-time ukelele player. Occasionally we have (student) participants join the orchestra for a song or two as well!

Happily, our orchestration works fine if we are only using piano; and since we usually keep things uncomplicated by not using mics / amplification for our actors, a smaller orchestra (or piano only) is often all we need to support the singer on stage. See our volunteer positions for more on orchestra positions.

Q: What if I can't come through with a volunteer service I agreed to do?

A: When you sign up to volunteer, the we are counting on you for that position. If something unforeseen comes up that prevents you from fulfilling a volunteer agreement you have made, you have three options. 

• You can find someone who can help in the ways you had agreed to

• You can find a different way to fulfill your agreement, perhaps in a different role.

• You can find another creative way to help, either during this session or in the future.

Q:  What is the Electronics / Media policy?

At Inspirations Theater we are here for theater and each other, not for the Internet, computer games, or phone calls.

We strive to create an atmosphere where students are engaged with our theatrical activities, present with their fellow students and staff, and aware of themselves and their inner moods as they explore their theatrical expression. While we value alone time, reflection, and our students' need to unwind, we find that electronics and other media bring an atmosphere that is at odds with the goals we strive for in our time together here.

Although people use electronics and media in different ways, we have found that some can use them to isolate themselves, escape, or create cliques (certain people 'allowed' to see certain content, or play certain games, while others are excluded). During our sessions we want all students engaged with themselves, with each other, or with the theatrical activity at hand: being on a cell phone or playing a computer game do not support that goal. During our breaks we want our students to either enjoy each other's company or one of a variety of healthy reflection / rejuvenation activities, including outside play, games, and/or artwork / journaling--or just some time to oneself, perhaps reading. We believe that this array of options available during our breaks serve to balance our other activities in ways that are healthy and socially inclusive.

EMERGENCY / NECESSARY CONTACT EXCEPTION

We realize that on certain days, communication between campers and their parents and/or people who are picking them up is necessary. For example, a parent still needs to work out who is picking a student up, and when; and that parent needs a way to leave a message with the child during the day, or communicate live / in real-time with their child sometime during the day. For this situation, we allow students to bring a cell-phone (or computer, if absolutely necessary) that day, and arrange a time where the student can use it away from the other students in the staff room to make a short call.