The benefits of participating in performing arts programs are valuable and numerous. Some benefits include emotional, social, physical, and even academic. Further, according to David Murphey, Research Fellow and Director of The Child Trends Databank, participation in performing arts programs is related to various positive personal and academic outcomes, improving child development as a whole, enhancing cognitive, motor, and social skills.
Arts programs help build self-confidence. Various aspects of performing arts classes, from improvisation to performing on stage, will help your child build confidence and self-assurance. They will learn to explore outside of their comfort zone, appraise new situations, think outside the box, express their thoughts and ideas in a safe environment, solve problems, cope with performance and presentation fears, and build trust and self-reliance. All of these beneficial tools can be carried through to school, social activities, their future career, and will stay with them throughout their lives.
Drama and performing classes help improve communication skills, concentration, and memory. One of the main advantages of taking part in the performing arts in young individuals is the improvement of communication skills. Acting lessons, for example, will help with their presentation skills, vocal projection, tone of speech, and articulation.
Listening skills will also get refined by taking stage directions from teachers, by collaborating with peers, and working together toward a common goal. From learning new lines, to remembering their acting cues and timing, and rehearsing scenes time and again, your child will improve their focus, memory, concentration, and quick-learning skills.
Social-emotional development. Kids will also improve their social skills by working as part of a team, listening to others and expressing themselves, sharing and making new friends. They will learn to minimize errors and bounce back, solve problems and improvise, giving them the confidence to manage and perform in new situations that come with everyday life. The participation in these types of programs will also help enhance their interpersonal skills because they need to understand their play characters and the different roles, which allows young children to relate better to different situations, people, feelings, and support the ability to be in ‘someone else’s shoes.’ As a whole, the performing arts teaches kids about empathy, compassion, and how to express and understand their feelings and those of others.
Higher academic achievements. Studies have found that creative and critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning increase and improve when arts education is added to the mix. As the Arts Education Partnership Report “Arts Education Has Academic Effect” suggests, arts learning in music, drama, and dance is related to high academic achievements in school. As is well-known, learning to play instruments and read music improves mathematical achievement and proficiency. Performing arts programs have multiple connections to reading, verbal and math skills, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
It’s super fun! Arts programs are a really fun way for your kids to express themselves, their emotions, and explore and improve their unique talents. Whether kids enjoy acting, singing, dancing, or a behind-the-scenes role, they will delight in expressing and improving their special talents. They will also have a fun workout in the process, as many performing arts classes improve flexibility, balance, and coordination.
So go ahead and enroll your child or youth in arts performing classes. See for yourself all of the benefits that come with it while you enjoy watching your child’s self-confidence blossom and their communication, social, and emotional skills develop.
The Bert Church Live Theatre, a live music and performing arts facility in Airdrie, hosts performing arts classes and camps for young people throughout the year. For moreinformation,visit airdrie.caand search for ‘The Bert Church Live Theatre.’
When auditioning for Tuck Everlasting, you will be asked to perform one or more of the following monologues. You do not have to memorize these! The director may ask you to read more than one so please be familiar with all of them.
Winnie Foster: Maybe it’s today, when something exciting happens…or something, just anything… Please not another day when nothing happens. Can I go outside and play before breakfast? Can we have breakfast outside this morning? Remember when Dad made waffles and we ate them outside and you said it was just like as picnic? Can we have an adventure? Please? Please?
Jesse Tuck: Look around you, the flowers, and the trees, and the frogs, they’re all part of the wheel. They’re always changing, always growing, like you Winnie. Your life is never the same, you were once a child, now you’re about to become a woman. Then one day you’ll go out, like the flame of a candle. You’ll make way for new life. That’s a certainty. That’s the natural way of things.
Miles Tuck: Ma, shut the music box, you never know who could hear it. Here Ma, happy ten Birthdays…It’s good to be home but I never felt like I truly belonged here. Perhaps people like me will never have a home. A house yes, but can anyone feel truly at home when so separated from the people around them? – so alienated from something so basic as time?
Mae Tuck: Angus what anniversary are we up to? What’s a marriage after a century passes? Winnie said she wanted to drink the water…that frightened me. Winnie’s going home, the boys are leaving…we’ve talked more in one day than we have talked in years…are you with me or are you just snoring near me? We have to go…I know it’s for the best.
Angus Tuck: Do you like fishing? I didn’t have to teach Jesse; I think he was born already knowing how…both my boys could swim before they could walk. I think you’ve got a fish on your line, pull it up…Well done Winnie, Trout for breakfast! Ok…Ok…I’ll put him back…there you can see him swimming away…you know Winnie, the time before we drank when we could hurt, when we could die, those are the only moments that matter.
The Man in the Yellow Suit: Well, now. Aren’t you wise beyond your – eleven years, is it? I’m a carnival man, young lady! It’s my business to know un-knowable things…We have something in common…I’d do anything to live forever, and I mean anything. Would you? Now, I don’t suppose you’ve noticed anyone strange around here recently… Been up and down the state, looking for a highly unusual family. Used to live here in Treegap, some time ago.
Hugo: Look at him go…he’s got legs like a cricket. We can’t let him get too far ahead. But then again, a fellow dressed in yellow isn’t going to be too hard to track. But not a nice yellow like chicks and daffodils or butter, or corn or ducks, or lemon wedges. I got a feeling this is all gonna come apart like wet bread.
Betsy Foster: No, I’d like to hear your essay before you go out and play. Go on dear… good girl! Afterwards we can have breakfast in the parlour. How would you like that? I know it’s not as fun as eating outside but the world is a dangerous place and we have to stay safe and keep busy. Good girl, now you can fill in a map with all the state capitals and when your done you can go outside but you must stay within the gate!
Nana: Elves…the Elves interrupted first …Did you hear them, Winnie? The Elves did you hear them? I first heard them when I was a little girl playing in the wood. You know Elves are green and shiny like leaves. Stories are everything…one small story and the earth opens up wide. (beat) Ohhh… thy are going the Elves are going…
Constable Joe: Slow down Hugo, I’m hotter than a griddle in a pancake supper. Now this being your first case, I suggest you keep your eyes open and your mouth closed. Betsy Foster, I came as soon as I got your message. Maybe Winnie ran away, maybe she went to the fair… I’m gonna take a good look around. Don’t worry Betsy, we’ll find her.
What is Expected When You Audition for a Musical Production?
Tuck Everlasting: The Musical
Director: Ally Tierney
Music Director: Emily L. Sergo
Choreographer: Sierra Basilio
Age requirements:
CTA makes every attempt to provide a fair and equal audition opportunity for all actors ages
12-18 (as of the audition date; must not have graduated from high school). No experience is
required and selection is made entirely by the artistic staff and based solely on each
auditioner’s performance on the day of auditions. Actors are cast based on their ability and
suitability for the parts.
Volunteer requirement:
If cast in the show, each actor will be REQUIRED to volunteer five (5) hours to a technical area
(set construction, set decoration, costumes, props, lighting, and/or sound).
Auditions:
Actors should sign up online for auditions and submit the audition form electronically through
the provided links on the website. Actors should only sign up and attend one day of auditions.
Auditions are held at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, 1661 Bay Head Road, Annapolis, MD
21409. Auditions for this show require singing, acting, and dancing.
Auditioners should come with sheet music, or digital recording, as accompaniment of a song in
the style of the show. Please prepare approximately 16-30 bars of music. No recorded music
with vocals or a cappella singing is allowed. A piano accompanist will be provided.
Tuck Everlasting Dance Audition Combo
Please learn the dance audition prior to the audition. You will be asked to perform the dance at
the audition.
We added a pre-audition Dance Workshop on Saturday, July 20 @ 12-2 p.m. Participants must
register in advance so we know you are coming. View details at https://cta.ticketleap.com/dawtu/
Auditioners should wear attire appropriate for movement. Dance shoes, character shoes, and
sneakers are acceptable. NO open toed shoes, flip flops, crocs, or bare feet are allowed.
Auditioners should look over the monologues that are on the website. The auditioners should
be familiar with the words, phrases, and meanings. Auditioners may be asked to engage in
warm-ups, script readings, or similar acting exercises, at the director’s discretion. Actors should
come prepared to engage in these acting exercises during auditions.
If you are unable to attend auditions, you may submit a virtual audition. You will need to send
in a video of your dance, a song and the reading of one monologue. The videos can be shared
through a YouTube link or a google drive link and sent to executiveproducer@childrenstheatreofannapolis.org.
Callbacks:
Some actors auditioning will be asked to return for a “callback” that is, a second look. The
called-back actors may be asked to do more extensive acting than in the first phase of
auditions. Please remember that an actor may be cast even if not called back, and an actor may
be called back but not cast. For example, an actor who only wants to play the lead role will not
be cast if the director decides that someone else is more suitable for that role.
Ensemble: Yes or No?
When you fill out the audition form for any CTA show you will come across the question, "Will
you accept an ensemble role?” Please answer truthfully. Please only answer "Yes" if you truly
intend to accept an ensemble role in the production.
We understand that many people desire a lead role, however the ensemble is an integral part
of every production. Participating in the ensemble gives every actor valuable experience. If you
really feel that ensemble is not acceptable for you for this production, please answer "No" to
the ensemble question. You will be given equal consideration for the specific roles you indicate
on your form. Please remember that you have a better chance of getting cast if you are willing
to accept any role or an ensemble part. The fewer roles you indicate that you will accept, the
fewer the director’s options for casting you.
Time commitment:
Participating in a production is a HUGE time commitment. Be sure you are prepared to commit
to all rehearsals and mandatory dates before you audition. You may not miss more than 3 non-
mandatory rehearsals. You will be asked to submit a list of all possible conflicts at the audition.
If you have a definite conflict with any mandatory or tech rehearsalsl, you should not audition.
Rehearsals are typically Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7-9 p.m., and Sunday afternoons
from 1-5 p.m. Times and days change for tech rehearsals and shows.
Parent/Guardian Information:
There is also a time commitment for parents/guardians. CTA is an all-volunteer organization
that relies upon parents/guardians to provide the much-needed support to make each
production a success.
Parents/guardians are required to attend meetings, volunteer time to the production, ensure
that their actor arrives to rehearsal prepared, and provide costuming support. This is a
commitment each parent/guardian must make in supporting their actor in the production.
Please be sure you, as a parent/guardian, are also aware of the commitment to the production
before your actor auditions. Theatre is a cooperative effort and every part of the team is
essential!
Winnie Foster – (Female-presenting, pre-teen or teen, vocal range: A3-E5). Winnie is an 11-year-old girl from Treegap, New Hampshire whom the story centers upon. Growing up in a strict household, she longs to discover the world beyond her own backyard and ends up going on the adventure of a lifetime when she meets Jesse and the rest of the Tuck family. Specific age is not important for the casting of Winnie, just that the actor cast must believably be able to play an 11-year-old girl full of excitement, spunk, and wonder.
Jesse Tuck – (Male-presenting, teen or young adult, vocal range: F3-C5 ) Jesse is the youngest and most optimistic of the Tuck family at 17. He quickly becomes friends with Winnie, attempting to show her how life can be filled with fun forever. Again, specific age is not important for the casting of Jesse, just the ability to play a fun-loving, cheerful 17-year-old.
Angus Tuck – (Male-presenting, 30s-50s, vocal range: E3-B4) Angus is the patriarch of the Tuck family, married to Mae. Along with the other members of the Tuck family, he teaches Winnie about the beauty of living life in all its seasons.
Mae Tuck – (Female-presenting, 30s-50s, vocal range: A3-E5) Mae is the matriarch of the Tuck family, married to Angus. She loves all her boys, and is kind to Winnie.
Miles Tuck – (Male-presenting, 20s-30s, vocal range: F3-C5) Miles is the oldest son of the Tuck family. He has traveled the world, and is much more mature than Jesse.
The Man in the Yellow Suit – (Male-presenting, 40+, vocal range: G3-B4) The Man in the Yellow Suit, who is never given any other name, is the show’s antagonist. He has traveled with the circus most of his life in hopes of finding the Fountain of Youth.
Constable Joe – (Male-presenting, 40+, vocal range: F3-B4) Joe is the town’s law enforcement, and Hugo’s mentor.
Hugo – (Male-presenting, teen or young adult, vocal range: G3-C5) Hugo is a 15-year-old self-starter who assists Joe with the very few investigations that arise in Treegap. Specific age is not important in casting Hugo, only that the actor must be able to play an eager, questionably competent, young investigator.
Winnie’s Grandmother – (Female-presenting, 50+, vocal range: A3-C#5) Winnie’s grandmother who lives with her and her mom.
Ensemble – (Any vocal range, Ages 12+) The ensemble in this show play a variety of roles, including townsfolk, travelers, spirits, carnival workers and patrons.
Did you know 72% of business leaders say creativity is their biggest priority in a new hire? That’s according to statistics put out by Americans for the Arts. The idea that arts as a necessary part of a child’s education and development has notoriously been called into question throughout the years, because when the powers that be have to make the choice between a core subject, such as math or science, and an arts class, they see the arts class as being unnecessary.
The reality is that study after study tells a different story: The arts are a vital part of children growing up into well-rounded, successful adults, hence why so many business leaders look for creativity when they’re looking at job candidates. In fact, a study commissioned by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021 found that students who study the arts:
Have better social-emotional development
Do better in school
Are more engaged in their community
With all of that in mind, let’s consider some of the ways a student can benefit from an arts program such as theater.
They’re more confident. The arts encourage children to take risks in a low-stakes environment. Children learn that many of the risks they take will end up being rewarding. The risks that end up flopping? It’s okay—they learn that it’s not the end of the world and they’ll have a chance to try again.
They have better public speaking skills. Kids get over stage fright very quickly when they’re in theater. They learn how to control their voice and body language, keeping their cool in front of a big crowd.3.
They learn teamwork and collaboration. Theater is a discipline that involves everyone working together toward a common goal. Students learn how to support one another and trust that they are supported in turn.
They learn to be adaptable. Have you ever heard the expression “The show must go on”? In theater, not everything goes as planned. Kids learn how to make changes at a moment’s notice and go with the flow.
They learn discipline and time management. Being in a show is a big commitment, with lots of rehearsal time and even some extra effort at home. Kids learn to show up prepared and focus on their task at hand.
These are just a few of the many benefits young people gain from being in theater. They’ll also make new friends, meet people from outside their immediate community, get exposed to stories and music, and much more.
At Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, part of our mission is to provide opportunities for growth, development, and learning for all children involved. To learn about upcoming workshops and other opportunities, click here.
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