Parent Information
Any Parents interested in joining Spack Onstage Parents Association please fill out the form below!
SHOW PRODUCTION/OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP
It takes a team to make a theatrical or musical production happen. The team includes directors, producer, cast members, stage/technical crew, pit orchestra and parent volunteers. Parent volunteers are an essential part of the Drama program. Without our volunteers we would not be able to offer the excellent productions for which Spack Onstage is becoming known. There are many opportunities and parents are asked to volunteer any way they can. If every parent signs up to help, everyone gets an opportunity to see their child perform and, in addition, provide the kind of support their child and the production needs. Commitment to working together is what makes our theater family ... and ultimately, a successful show and a positive experience for all.
The Spack Onstage Parents Association (SOSPA)
The Spack Onstage Parents Association (SOSPA) is a group of parents who appreciate the arts, particularly theater arts, and the role it plays in our children’s school lives. Our mission is to support theater activities of the Spack Onstage organization at Spackenkill High School. We provide an array of services to benefit the Fall Drama and Spring Musical as well as support workshops, field trips and financial assistance. Some of the task include but not limited to meals and snacks for some of the long rehearsals, advertising, assisting with props , helping with costumes if needed, fund raising and cast party are just some of our fun multi-faceted services we enjoy providing. Handling the lobby designs, concessions, themes and much more.
Would you like to join us? Questions? Need more information?
Contact us at via our website at spackonstage.com should you have any questions, or if an issue of any nature arises, please do not wait to contact us so that we can resolves any concerns in a time manner.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS
All member's first responsibility is as a student. Students on academic probation will not be eligible to participate. Actors need to manage their academic responsibilities and take every effort to stay ahead of assignments.
Both the fall play and the spring musical require commitment. Sometimes arrangements can be made with athletic teams, but it requires advance notice to everyone (parents, coaches, director, etc.). Students holding a job, being on a sports team, or participating in time consuming outside of school activities must be willing to be flexible, proactive, and responsible if they are attempting to balance those obligations with rehearsals. It certainly is possible, it will just require lots of communication!
Actors and crew will be required to help as needed with set building, painting, costume needs, etc. All actors and crew are required to attend tech rehearsal (typically the Saturday before opening) and strike (directly following last performance). More information will be provided at cast/production meetings.
WEBSITE
Our Calendar/Schedule, Ticket information and purchases, Communications and
Announcements are located on our NEW Website: spackonstage.com
ORIENTATION
Once the cast list has been posted, the process of show production begins. It, typically, begins with an orientation meeting for cast members. We first have a kick-off production meeting which includes all cast members, stage/technical crew, and advisors and mentors.
REHEARSALS
Shortly after auditions and casting, rehearsals begin. ALL students will be given a schedule via the calendar that is located on our website (spackonstage.com) look at the schedule carefully! Leads, be prepared to rehearse almost daily and chorus and ensemble member rehearsal schedules vary initially. As the production grows closer, rehearsals will be longer and involve everyone. The whole cast is working together and when members are absent it makes it difficult for everyone involved.
THE WEBSITE CALENDAR IS THE ONLY ACCURATE SCHEDULE THAT WE FOLLOW FOR CAST AND CREWS.
Stage/Technical crew members will begin production process at the same time. Again, please check the calendar carefully and know when you are needed to report for rehearsal. Ask if you have questions!
DRESS REHEARSAL
Dress rehearsal week is a very busy week (Production Week). Cast members need to be prepared with their make-up, costumes, and shoes, and must have their parts memorized. Rehearsal times during Production week vary, we will make every effort to finish by 9:00 pm or shortly after.
All cast, crew must be available this week. Volunteer needs are explained in further detail within this handbook and parents are encouraged to sign up to help.
REMIND
Everyone is urged to sign up for REMIND, this is an important tool for the
Spack Onstage, updates and notifications are posted via this process as well as emergency changes. Link is available on the website.
SHOW PRODUCTION OVERVIEW LIST
(Please see Spack Onstage Parents Association)
PARENT DATA BASE - Rather than ask parents to sign up for individual assistance we would like to create a database and request help as needed.
Here is an overview of the details that must be attended to before and during performance time, who, typically handles the task and what volunteer opportunities are available. Many of the referenced forms, along with further details are included at the end of this handbook. We
SET CONSTRUCTION - Director, volunteers: We REALLY need your help here, we need Mentors for our students and especially for Set Construction. All are welcome and many hands make light work. Parents who have building knowledge and are capable with tools are highly encouraged to participate. BYOT (please bring tools.)
COSTUMES- Volunteers: Help is needed with coordinating costume needs, sewing, mending, and hemming, embellishing, finding, organizing, and laundering the costumes. Many volunteer hands make the work easier. Sewing is not always a necessary skill to help with costumes. Costume needs are explained as needed.
POSTERS- A poster is developed for each show. Students and parents are asked to assist in putting posters up in the community, and in surrounding area businesses and work places.
SHOW PROGRAM – A show program is developed for each show. It includes a synopsis of the show, student bios, business advertisements, parent ads and one liner wishes to students, patron listings, and other pertinent information. Funds raised through the show program benefit the Spack Onstage which financially supports many aspects of show production - such as costuming, props, help with set construction materials, and other show production needs. Forms are provided with deadlines for submission.
MAKE-UP/HAIR- Volunteers: Stage make-up is an essential part of production. In addition, often volunteers are needed for dress rehearsals and performance dates, backstage, to help students with the right hairstyle for an era or to assist in applying make-up backstage. Information is provided regarding make-up and hairstyling needs as production progresses.
PROPS – Director/Volunteers: A list is provided and a committee of parents is needed to search for and possibly design and create certain props for each production. A relatively small inventory of frequently needed props is maintained through the Spack Onstage. The perfect item can often be found right in someone¹s garage, attic or basement. If you cannot commit to working constantly on this committee, updated lists are often sent home regarding remaining prop needs. You might just have the right item or know someone who does. In addition, some creative parents volunteer to create the perfect item while working from home.
CONCESSIONS – Volunteers: In order to help offset the cost of production, concessions are made available during performances. Help is needed in setting up, selling and cleaning up. One parent per table, per night will be needed to be in charge of the stand during each performance, and numerous volunteers are needed at the concession stand during intermissions. We run concessions before and during intermission of each show. We need volunteers to help set up, tear down, and work the tables. Please note that you WILL NOT miss any part of the performances when you volunteer for these areas.
SALES/Donation Baskets – Volunteers: A variety of traditions accompany show production, available for sale as a gift for cast members during performances. In addition, the Spack Onstage run fundraisers and raffles, which require volunteers.
FLOWERS/GIFTS – Volunteers: Theater attendees, parents and cast members have the opportunity to purchase bouquets and/or single flowers as traditional gifts for cast /crew members. Coordinate with the Production Assistant for setting up and selling flowers.
SET STRIKE – Volunteers: After the last performance, the cast, crew are required to help with set strike, which involves the disassembly and tearing down of the set, putting all items related to the production away, cleaning the theater arts room and cleaning the stage. PARENTS ARE NEEDED to help.
CAST PARTY – Volunteers: The cast party will begin after the set strike is complete. Parent volunteers, including cast party coordinators, are needed to help plan, set up, supervise and clean up after the cast party. The party is held on school premises, as well as food and drinks. The cast party is for the cast, crew, ONLY. Although we would love to celebrate with other friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, neighbors and siblings will not be allowed to attend.
Additional Notes:
• All member's first responsibility is as a student. Students on academic probation will not be eligible to participate. Members need to manage their academic responsibilities and take every effort to stay ahead of assignments.
• Please stay on top of school work.
• Consideration will be given to Regents/Midterm week and rehearsal schedule may be altered as needed.
• Both the fall and the spring plays require commitment. Sometimes arrangements can be made with athletic teams, but it requires advance notice to everyone (parents, coaches, director, etc.).
• Students holding a job, being on a sports team, or participating in time consuming outside of school activities must be willing to be flexible, proactive, and responsible if they are attempting to balance those obligations with rehearsals. It certainly is possible, it will just require lots of communication!
• Actors and crew will be required to help as needed with set building, painting, costume needs, etc. All actors and crew are required to attend tech rehearsal (typically the Saturday before opening) and strike (directly following last performance). More information will be provided at cast meetings.
• Attendance at rehearsal is critical. However, if a student is absent from school, they may NOT attend rehearsal that evening (same as the athletic policy). Please do your best to stay healthy during rehearsal season. It is frustrating to work around missing actors. Please notify the proper parties if you will not be attending rehearsal. Directions about how to do this will be presented at the first cast meeting.
• If absences are unexcused it is the director's discretion if that actor will remain in the show. If an actor has missed numerous rehearsals they may be removed from certain scenes, or from the production totally. If you, as an actor, miss a rehearsal it is your responsibility to find the Stage Manager at the next rehearsal and collect any stage directions you missed.
Cost to Actors/Crew
• There are certain things an actor will be asked to provide.
• Actors will need to provide their own shoes for productions. These include specialty dance shoes if they are required for a production (tap shoes, character shoes, etc.). Instructions on what shoes are needed will be given as early as possible. Many times shoes can be borrowed from the Spack Onstage costume storage, maybe shoes an actor already owns, or may be purchased at a thrift store.
• Actors also need to provide their own socks and hosiery.
• Details about makeup vary per production.
• Costumes are provided by the Spack Onstage. However, due to our limited budget, actors are sometimes asked to provide basic costume pieces (for example black pants, white button down dress shirt, leggings). This also varies based on the show.
Thank you!