JOINING THE CAST AND CREW OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

We are so pleased that you plan to join us for CET’s fall 2024 show: A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Please read the following in full, as it includes very important information about working on the show.  Don’t hesitate to contact Emily Wilson-Tobin at wilsontobine@aaps.k12.mi.us with any questions. Please read our cast and crew policies as you prepare to join the show.

Show dates are November 21-24, 2024

All of those dates and the tech week dates leading up to the performances (November 16-20) are non–negotiable in terms of conflicts (unless there’s an emergency situation).  All cast and crew are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances during this time.  Tech week rehearsals usually go until 9 or 10 pm, with meals provided. 

Rehearsals and crew days are always important

While we can accommodate some conflicts, we expect a serious commitment from everyone involved on this show.  Please fill out all forms with as much detail as possible about your conflicts.  We expect you to communicate with us in a timely manner (as early as possible) about conflicts that come up during the process.  We can offer understanding and flexibility when unexpected conflicts come up, but we want to emphasize that the show is a big commitment that should not be taken lightly.  Rehearsals happen most days after school and sometimes on the weekend, and the number of rehearsals you are called to varies depending on the size of your role.  At the beginning of the production period, crew typically meets on Tuesdays after school and Sunday afternoons.  Crew meets more regularly as we get closer to the performances, and the full cast will be called to every rehearsal once we start running the show.  

I will create a full production schedule once I have cast the show, allowing me to build our schedule around the way that our cast comes together in terms of conflicts and potential doubling of roles (crew days will be included in the schedule).  The schedule will likely shift along the way, but this first version of the schedule will provide you with a pretty good picture of our time together working on this production.  

Our first rehearsal will be a full company call, which includes all cast and crew, on Tuesday, September 17, from 3:45-6 pm.  We will do quick introductions, distribute scripts, and read through the play at this rehearsal.  

Student Tech Directors and Crew Leaders

We require folks to apply for leadership positions, and you are asked to fill out an application at the end of the crew form if you are interested.  Those leadership roles include: Student Tech Director, Stage Management, Assistant Director, and Crew Heads.  If you have any questions about these positions, please contact Emily.  Email information above.  

Cast and Crew Forms

You must fill out a registration form (either the Audition and Registration Form or the Crew Signup and Registration ) in order to receive communication about casting, scheduling, etc. Crew forms are due by 10 pm, Saturday, September 7, 2024.  Cast forms are due by 2 pm on Monday, September 9, 2024.  

  1. If you are participating in the cast, you need to fill out the registration form and sign up for an audition slot.  

  2. If you are participating in crew, you need to fill out the registration form.  There is a section at the end of the form for those of you interested in a leadership role.  

Audition format

For auditions, you are expected to prepare one of the scenes OR monologue selections included in the cast materials folder.  

  • You are not expected to memorize your audition selection, but we encourage you to spend some time preparing before the audition.  If you choose to audition with a partner, the two of you should rehearse your scene selection before auditions if possible.  

  •  If you prefer one of the scenes with two roles but you don’t have a partner, no problem - we’ll have someone read in with you.  

  • We will have some paper copies of the selections at auditions and I generally prefer that you use paper rather than cell phones or other devices during the audition unless using a device is an important accommodation for you.  

  • The first round of auditions will take place in front of adult directors and the assistant director.  Callbacks (if needed) will include everyone auditioning that day.  

  • Callbacks are scheduled for Thursday, September 12 after school.  It’s possible I will be able to cast the show without callbacks, and I will let you know as soon as I can after auditions are complete on Tuesday.  The cast list will be sent out on Saturday, September 14, or Sunday, September 15.  I’ll keep you posted through email about timing.  

We understand that auditions and the process leading up to them can be overwhelming.  We can’t take away all of the stress, but we can reassure you that we want to make the process accessible and manageable for everyone.  

Know that you have our support and that you can reach out anytime with questions, concerns, or even if you’re just looking for a general word of encouragement.  The CET student board (Ionie, Claire, ) are also eager to offer support.  

We are so excited about this show, and we can’t wait to start putting it together with all of you.  

Emily