Once EYT, Always EYT

Dear EYT Kids and Families from 2011-2018,

I have often stated that my goal in creating EYT was to help develop actors with whom I could be proud to share the stage. Over the years I have watched EYT students grow into leaders with whom I am proud to share the world.

I had a difficult discussion with my oldest son last night. What do you do when what feels like the "right" thing also comes with a lot of potential negative consequences? Together, we decided I should stick up for what seems right to me.

Over the last several months, the artistic staff and some members of the Board of Directors have looked for ways to get their own ideas approved without following all of the theater's established rules. In some cases, they have worked really hard to look like they are following the rules while still making decisions that either aren't good for the theater or aren't respectful to the people involved. I have known about these examples but tried to stay quiet so I could still enjoy working with EYT. This weekend, these same Empress leaders tried to manipulate a respected director into making decisions that were not best for her show. When she refused to agree to the unreasonable demands, she was fired.

These recent events combined with similar situations over the recent months helped me finally find the courage to stand up and say that the Empress Theatre is no longer an organization I can be proud to work with. I do not know what exactly that means for EYT, but I am sure the theater will make an announcement at some point.

I hope you know that when I have said "Once EYT, always EYT," I meant it. Call me for audition help. Call me when you're locked out of your house and don't quite know what to do. Call me when life doesn't quite go the way you planned, and you need a safe place to address your mistakes. Call me when you get accepted into that awesome program, or meet that incredible person you're planning to go through life with. Ok... let's be real. Just message me. I don't usually answer phone calls. ;)

I have learned more from each of you than you will ever know.

Saturday Evening Strike

After the show Saturday night, every EYT student is required to stay and help with "strike".  This is the part of the show where we put everything away and clean up the building.

Each child will be assigned a specific task.  When that task is done and he or she has checked out with the adult assigned to that area, he or she is done for the evening.  Not only CAN your kiddo go home at that point, they SHOULD go home at that point.  Strike works best when everyone does a job and goes home.

Half day kids will be assigned to clean their area of upstairs and will then be able to go.  This shouldn't take much longer than a typical evening dismissal.

Full day kids will be assigned a short list of chores which, depending on access to vacuums, amount of post-show tears, and general desire to work hard could take between 30 and 90 minutes.  To speed this process up, you may wish to come work side-by-side with your teen, and you might want to bring your own vacuum or supplies.

Full day kids will sign up for a specific strike job tonight.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z3faoSuyL_W4KAltg0m9j74SAKYSrE7o5zV6cIF9JWo/edit?usp=sharing

There is no official cast activity after the Saturday night show as the focus is on leaving the theater better than we found it.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Cast Party Schedule

Those of you who've been around a while know that in the past we've gone down to the park for cast party.  This year, I decided not to deal with the heat, the bad air, or the walk, and we're just going to party at the Empress.  

Families are invited to any part of the party they wish to attend.

4:00 to 4:30 - Buddy activity

4:30 to 5:30 - Dinner and social hour

5:30 to 6:00 - Cast thank you gifts and presentation of the 2018 Empy Awards

6:00 to 6:15 - Clean up

6:30 - Call time

I have had several parents ask if I need anything for this day.  If you have craft supplies like markers, glue, or stickers, they would be useful during the buddy activity.  Other than that, I think I am good to go!

Apply to be a part of EYT!

Interested in a staff position?

http://empressyouththeatre.blogspot.com/p/staff.html

Or becoming an EYT intern?

http://empressyouththeatre.blogspot.com/p/interns.html

2018 Empy Nominations

Each year The Empress Theatre honors outstanding performers and volunteers for their contribution to the theater.  The Empress Youth Theatre program gets to give awards in four categories:

Best Performance by a Full Day Student is nominated by the production staff and voted on by those invited to the final dress rehearsal.  It is intended to honor someone whose energetic performance in Singin' in the Rain Jr. stands out, even in a very talented crowd.

Best Performance by a Half Day Student is nominated by the production staff and voted on by those invited to the final dress rehearsal.  It is intended to honor someone whose energetic performance in "Swingin' in the Sun" stands out, even in a very talented crowd.

Best Newcomer to the EYT Program is nominated and voted on by the production staff.  It is intended to honor someone whose personal character on and off stage exemplifies The Empress Theatre mission statement to bring family oriented theatre to Magna and the surrounding communities.

Best Volunteer in the Internship Program is nominated and voted on by the production staff.  It is intended to honor an intern whose contributions to the program exceeded the tasks given by their individual mentor and made a positive difference for the entire production staff.

This year's EMPY Awards will be announced and awarded at the closing night cast party held between the matinee and evening performances on August 11th.  Families are encouraged to attend.  Additionally, the EMPY winners will be honored at the annual Empress Theatre Gala on August 25th.  Tickets to the gala can be purchased at www.EmpressTheatre.com.  

This Week's Schedule

MONDAY:
Full Day: Hair, makeup, costumes | promo pictures taken during afternoon costume parade
Half Day: Normal clothing, no hair & makeup

TUESDAY:
Full Day: Costumes, no hair & makeup
Half Day: Pre-Show costumes (yellow), no hair & makeup

WEDNESDAY:
Full Day: Costumes, no hair & makeup
Half Day: All costumes, hair, and makeup

THURSDAY:
All students: dress rehearsal | cast photos

FRIDAY:
Final dress rehearsal with small invited audience
*note: full day students will likely be released between 12:30 and 2:00

Reminder: hair and makeup must be done at home. 

Respect the Tech

We have a very full tech crew this year, each with specific and important jobs to do.  To help keep the tech machine functioning at top capacity, I am asking all the actors to treat our tech crew as professionals who are separate from the cast.  Since I'm all about setting expectations, here they are:

1. Tech crew in the tech booth only unless invited up by the stage manager

• Mena
• Adam
• Bryce
• Sylas
• Skyler
• Lucas
• Brenda
• Anthony
• Tanner

2. Tech crew stays in the booth (or assigned area) during rehearsals/performances.  

• Brenda and Lucas assigned backstage
• Adam and Skyler will have assignments to leave the booth

3. Don't touch the tech crew, not even in the Friend Zone.  They are "on duty" from the time the first microphone is picked up until the last microphone is turned in.  If you must hug a tech crew member, it will need to happen before or after rehearsals/shows.

It is time to settle into the rhythm of a "normal" show, and (no offense to techies everywhere), that means the tech crew is not your friend.  They are a professional team hired to make your show amazing.