THEATER & PERFORMANCES
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Frequently Asked Questions - HCAT Productions
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To see our full list of sponsors, check out a playbill at any Community Center event!
Want to become a sponsor? Click here
Frequently Asked Questions - HCAT Productions
I'M NEW TO HCAT, WHAT SHOULD I KNOW?
Welcome! The "Auditions," "Rehearsals and Productions," and "Facebook Group" tabs below are great places to start! There you can find answers to a lot of the things you may be wondering or information you may need to know. The HCAT Productions page is also a great place to get information regarding a specific show. If you have any specific questions or concerns, email the Theater Coordinator (contact information can be found in the sidebar on the right side of the screen). We are always happy to help and excited to make new additions to the HCAT family feel at home!
AUDITIONS
- How do I sign up for an audition slot?
- On the HCAT Productions page, find the show you'd like to audition for. In the audition information area, there will be a link to the SignupGenius!
- What is the format of auditions?
- Auditions typically take place in 30-minute blocks. During this time, actors will be asked to read different scenes within the show. If the production is a musical, they will also be taught a short audition dance and perform it for the show staff. Additionally, they will be asked to sing a song from the show in order to determine vocal range. Audition resources are often uploaded to a Dropbox folder to allow actors to prepare with the material in advance. Check out the show page to see if there are any materials for your audition. Tip: it helps to be familiar with the show prior to your audition!
- Should I have things prepared for auditions?
- Most auditions at HCAT do not ask actors to come with monologues or songs prepared, however that is up to the discretion of the director. Audition resources are often uploaded to a Dropbox folder to allow actors to prepare with the material in advance. Check out the show page to see if there are any materials for your audition. Tip: it helps to be familiar with the show prior to your audition!
- Does everyone get cast?
- Typically at HCAT we try to cast as many people as possible, but sometimes this isn't possible. What may surprise you is that the most common reason for not being cast is a bad attitude. If people have been in previous shows and bullied their castmates, or if they don't uphold HCAT values of kindness and respect, they aren't likely to be cast during the next production. It's important to remember that every rehearsal is your next audition!
- When do we hear about callbacks or parts?
- This varies from show to show, but typically callback lists are posted after the second audition day and the cast list is posted after callbacks.
RESOURCES
- Where do I access the Dropbox?
- Each show that has a Dropbox folder with resources has its own individual Dropbox. In order to access it, go to your show's page on the HCAT Production's page. The Dropbox folder for that show will be linked there!
- What sort of materials are in the Dropbox?
- During the audition period, you'll find all the materials that will be useful for your audition, including the Audition Form, tentative show calendar, audition music, and sometimes a copy of the script. During the show, you'll find things like the cast contract, updated calendars, rehearsal tracks, choreography videos, and more!
FACEBOOK GROUP
- Do I really need to join the Facebook group?
- If you or your actor is in a production here, the short answer is YES! All the highlights from any email sent to the cast are posted here. If a rehearsal is canceled or something has changed, the FB group will be the first to know! You can always leave the group if you don't plan on participating again in the future.
- How do I join?
- Simply sign-in to facebook, navigate to our page, and click "Join." You will be approved by an admin fairly quickly. You can also find our Facebook page by click here: HCAT Facebook
VOLUNTEERS
- How do I sign up to volunteer?
- Each show will have its own Volunteer Signupgenius. If you or your actor are involved with the show, this link will be emailed to you and posted on the Facebook page. If you just want to get involved, you can join the Facebook group or email the Theater Coordinator (contact information can be found in the sidebar on the right side of the screen).
- What sort of things can I help with?
- We typically rely on volunteers for help with hair, make-up, and set building/painting. We also ask for volunteers for set-up/tear-down for tech rehearsal and for Will Call help on performance nights. High school student volunteers can also help backstage and with tech! If you're interested in tech/crew or something not mentioned, email the Theater Coordinator (contact information can be found in the sidebar on the right side of the screen).
- How do I get on staff as more than just a volunteer?
- If you'd like to join the show staff, reach out to the Theater Coordinator (contact information can be found in the sidebar on the right side of the screen). We are always looking to bring in new people in any area (directing, costumes, choreography, etc.)
- Do I need to be a certain age to volunteer?
- Not really! We can figure out a way for anyone to get involved! That being said, ages 13 and under may not be able to help with everything. Email the Theater Coordinator with any specific questions regarding age (contact information can be found in the sidebar on the right side of the screen).
- Does this count for programs like NHS?
- Yes! If you need volunteer hours of any kind, helping with an HCAT production counts. If you need someone to officially sign off on your hours, we would be happy to do so.
REHEARSALS AND PRODUCTIONS
- What time are rehearsals?
- This can vary from show to show. Find the show on the HCAT Production's page to find out more about a specific production.
- When do you typically have productions and workshops?
- Our production season typically includes 3-4 shows throughout the year. Our shows are usually for either K-5, 4th-8th, or 6th-12th grade. We also have a Christmas Production (K-5th grade) roughly every other year, and we partner with the Yellow Jacket Theater of Greenville Public Schools to put on a Shakespeare in the Park Production in the summer (ages 12-20). However, all of this is subject to change, so keep your eyes on our Facebook page.
- We typically offer two workshops per year. In the summer, we have a two-week-long theater day camp for elementary students, and in the fall we have a Musical Theater Workshop that helps students prepare for the Winter Musical auditions. Sometimes we host other workshops as well, so keep your eye on our Workshops & Camps page!
- The Community Center also holds a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater fundraiser event every fall, so be sure to keep an eye out for tickets!
- How much are fees?
- This varies for each production. Typically cast fees are $15, but for some of our bigger productions they are $20. If fees are ever an issue, please contact the Theater Coordinator (contact information can be found in the sidebar on the right side of the screen).
- If I have time conflicts, can I still be in a show?
- As long as you are available for ALL performance dates and a majority of rehearsals, directors are often flexible with scheduling. However, it is up to the discretion of the director to dismiss anyone from missing too many rehearsals. If you are concerned, be sure to put conflicts on your audition form or email the Theater Coordinator (contact information can be found in the sidebar on the right side of the screen).
TECH SUNDAY
- What is Tech Sunday and do I need to go?
- Tech Sunday is your first performance! Tech Sunday's include a cue-to-cue and press review. Cue-to-cue is a quick run-through of the entire show where we skip to each cue for tech, allowing them to be sure everything is in order and figure out timing. After a break, the cast gets full hair, make-up, and costumes for the press review. This is when a member from the Daily News comes and watches the performance and reviews the show for the paper. So yes, every cast member is essential on Tech Sunday!
- How do I sign up to volunteer?
- A volunteer SignupGenius will be posted prior to Tech Sunday.
- When is Tech Sunday?
- This can vary depending on the show, but Tech Sunday typically takes place the Sunday before performance weekend. Some shows opt for a Tech Monday or something entirely different, so be sure to check your calendar and ask production staff so you don't miss this very important day!
OTHER
- How do I hear about upcoming opportunities?
- You can stay updated by checking out the HCAT Productions page often, looking at the GACC Facebook Page, joining the HCAT Facebook Page (for more specific and regular updates), and joining the GARCC emailing list. If you'd like to be put on our email list, contact the Community Center through the information in the sidebar. If you think you're already on the list but aren't receiving emails, check your spam folder for something from the Greenville Area Recreation and Community Center!
- What is the typical production season (ages, times, etc.)?
- Our production season typically includes a Winter Musical (6th-12th grade), a Spring Production (K-5th grade), a Spring Musical (ages 16&Up), a Summer Danish Production (6th-12th grade), and a Fall Production (4th-8th grade). We also have a Christmas Production (K-5th grade) roughly every other year, and we partner with the Yellow Jacket Theater of Greenville Public Schools to put on a Shakespeare in the Park Production in the summer (ages 12-20). However, all of this is subject to change, so keep your eyes on our Facebook page.
HISTORY OF HCAT
In 1990 the Greenville Creative Arts Council approved the support of a pilot program for children’s theater entitled The Hans Christian Andersen Theater. The purpose was: (1) to present Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales with student actors during the Danish Festival; and (2) to give the youth of this community an opportunity to be involved in a total arts experience. The sponsorship and direction of the group moved from the Creative Arts Council, to the Danish Festival Board, and in 1994 moved to the Greenville Area Community Center. Recently, the Hans Christian Andersen Board was formed to help plan and staff programming for HCAT.
Over the years, Hans Christian Andersen Theater has expanded the program to include workshops, plays, and musical theater. The age of the students involved has been extended to Kindergarten thru 12th grade. Older students are also given an opportunity to become involved with directing, music, producing, and other aspects of the theater.
DIRECTOR APPLICATION
Thank you for your interest in directing a show for HCAT. The GARCC and HCAT are dependent on the creative skills a director provides; we could not operate without people like you. Please complete the application and submit it to the Greenville Area Recreation & Community Center office.
Click here for HCAT Director Application