Frequently Asked Questions
Questions:
- There are so many performing arts programs. Why
should we choose Kids Take the Stage?
- You say the instructors are "experienced and educated
professionals." Can you expand on that?
- You say your program allows "opportunities to shine?" Don't
all theater companies do that?
- In the production classes, is all of the class time spent
rehearsing for the show?
- What are "technique" classes?
- The Summer Drama Camp is much longer than all
of your other classes. Why do you need four weeks?
- Why do some classes have different prices even though the
descriptions are identical?
- My son/daughter really wants to pursue acting as a career.
Is your program a good choice for him/her?
- I'm curious how you teach drama to children
ages 3-6. What
can they really get out of it at such a young age?
- Do you have a program in my area?
- How do I go about getting a program started in my school
or city?
- Is Kids Take the Stage a non-profit company?
- What is the Kids Take the Stage Refund Policy?
Answers
There are so many
performing arts programs. Why
should we choose Kids Take the Stage?
Kids Take the Stage offers high-quality programs run by experienced
and educated performing arts professionals. Our programs
act as vehicles for empowering and enriching the lives of children
and, therefore, give each and every child opportunities to shine. We
encourage feedback from parents and participants and seek to
constantly update and improve all of our programs for maximum
enjoyment and effectiveness. Although other programs may
state similar goals, we believe that the individualized attention,
fun, and learning of our classes and camps are unsurpassed.
You say the instructors are "experienced and
educated professionals." Can you expand on that?
Yes, please go to our Staff Bio page to read more about the impressive credentials of the Kids Take
the Stage team.
You say your program allows "opportunities
to shine?" Don't all theater companies do that?
Kids Take the Stage values inclusion and diversity, and this
is reflected in our philosophy and practice. Here
are just a few of the ways in which our program may differ from
other theater companies:
- We do not require previous acting experience
or auditions prior to admission to our technique or production
classes. Since
we recognize that tons of untapped talent is out there, students
are encouraged to audition for any part regardless of previous
acting experience.
- All students are guaranteed a role
in our productions. While
we can't give everyone the role he/she may have auditioned
for, each director weighs casting decisions very carefully
in order
to give each participant a role which is a good fit.
- Great
attention is paid to staging such that each student is
an active participant in his/her scenes. Even if one
has no speaking roles in a particular scene, that doesn't mean
he/she need be lost in the crowd.
- Teamwork, cooperative learning,
and mutual support among actors is actively modeled and encouraged. These
activities, too, present opportunities to shine--both on
stage and in life.
- The enthusiasm of the actors speaks
for itself. You
are encouraged to attend any of our upcoming
performances and experience the palpable
energy and excitement for yourself!
In the production classes, is all of the class time
spent rehearsing for the show?
Given the many demands of staging a full-production, much
of the time in the production classes is directly related to
rehearsal. As much as possible we integrate drama games
and activities to reinforce dramatic expression and other concepts,
which will add both variety to the class time and depth to the
artistic merit of the final product
What are "technique" classes?
It is helpful to think of technique classes as the foundation
of a solid performing arts education. The skills you gain
in these classes will carry over into all facets of your dramatic
expression. Though technique classes are not a prerequisite
to our production classes, we strongly encourage our students
to participate in these foundation-building courses.
The technique classes we currently offer cover such topics as: Creative
Drama, Improvisation, On-Camera skills, Voiceover, Vocal development,
and beginning Dance.
The Summer Drama Camp is much longer than all of
your other classes. Why do you need four weeks?
When you see the culminating productions, you will immediately
recognize the tremendous amount of effort that has gone into
creating performances of this length and level of professionalism. Rest
assured: There will be plenty to keep everyone busy for
at least four weeks!
During the Summer Drama Camps participants get the opportunity
to delve into the work and the joy of the performing arts. Whereas
many performing arts programs demand that participants
come in well-versed in dance, voice, and stage acting, our instructors
actively teach all of those elements. Regardless of prior
experience, kids finish drama camp having actually learned dance
techniques, vocal techniques, and methods for enhancing presence
and dramatic flare. Other elements essential to the
performance, such as stage make-up, backstage duties, and set
and prop design, are also be instructed.
Please see "A Day in the Life
of Summer Drama Camp" for
a sample day.
Why do some classes have different prices even though the descriptions
are identical?
Because we believe that all children deserve a solid performing
arts education, Kids Take the Stage strives to keep our prices
extremely reasonable. The difference in price between cities
or sponsoring organizations typically reflects a difference in
the fee structure involved in offering classes with that organization
or city. In some instances, Kids Take the Stage must also
bear the cost of additional facility rentals for performances
or other specialized presentations. To subsidize these
costs, an additional fee is sometimes added to the total cost
of the class.
My son/daughter really wants to pursue acting as
a career. Is your program a good choice for him/her?
Kids Take the Stage is an excellent option. We are
not a "talent-search" agency, and do not make money
by earning commissions off of your child. Instead,
we are in the business of teaching, and our top-quality instruction
will provide the foundation of acting techniques essential
to your child's potential success in the industry. Our
production classes offer a true experience of professionalism
on stage. In
addition, most of our instructors can offer suggestions and
insights based on personal experience in the competitive
world of show biz.
I'm curious how you teach drama to children ages
3-6. What can they really get out of it at such a young
age?
If you have little ones at home, you have no doubt experienced
the vividness of their imaginations and the extent to which stories
and fantasy exhibit themselves in their daily interactions. We
simply build on those natural propensities to introduce very
basic drama games and techniques and focus on helping children
gain a greater comfort level acting in front of an audience. There
is, of course, no reading requirement for this age level, and
any memorization is achieved through repetition, music, and choral
recitations of lines. Each class is fast-paced, hands-on,
and appropriate to this developmental level.
You won't want to miss the unforgettable presentation for family
and invited guests held on the last day of each class session!
Do you have a program in my area?
We currently offer classes at a variety of locations throughout
the San Francisco Bay Area. You
may contact us for more information
about expanding Kids Take the Stage programs into your
area.
How do I go about getting a program started in my
school or city?
Typically our programs are arranged directly with school administrators
(public and private) and/or city-sponsored recreation departments. We
can customize our programs to fit a wide-range of formats.
Encourage
your school or city recreation coordinator to contact
us directly. We usually schedule programs
2-6 months in advance, so the sooner you contact us, the better.
Is Kids Take the Stage a non-profit company?
We recently initiated the process of applying for non-profit
status and are eager to become recognized as a California Non-Profit
Corporation. Once we are classified as such, we have plans
to create a scholarship fund in order to make our programs more
accessible to all.
What is the Kids Take the Stage Refund
Policy?
KTTS Class Refund Policy (not including Spring and Summer Camps)
Full refund available upon request before 1st class meeting.
1/2 refund available upon request between 1st class and
3rd class meeting.
No refund available after the start of the 3rd class meeting.
KTTS Spring and Summer Camp Refund Policy
Full refund available upon request, up to one month prior
to the 1st day of camp.
1/2 refund available upon request, from one month prior,
up to the 1st day of camp.
No refund available starting from the first class of the
first day of camp.
