BACT’s Education Program offers high quality classes to children that focus equally on teaching interpersonal and performance skills.

Bay Area Children's Theatre classes emphasize ensemble-building and teamwork, creative problem solving, and empathy. Our professional teaching artists encourage students’ confidence as they teach specific, accessible performance techniques appropriate to each class.

FAQ

Why is attendance mandatory?

New material is learned everyday and it can be challenging for absent students to catch up on missed rehearsals. The progress of the cast as a whole is also affected by absences. Much like in sports, the cast works together as a team and can only succeed with every single member participating each week!

Why are there no absences allowed during the final two weeks of the program?

The last two weeks of our programs are critical in getting our show together. Two weeks before show time, it is vital that we have everyone there to do a final run-through before introducing technical elements. Our final rehearsal is known as a technical rehearsal. This is when we will add costumes, set, props, lighting and sound elements that we have not worked with yet. Navigating these new elements is exciting and we need everyone there to succeed in this endeavor!

Why are there no make-up classes?

While two classes may be working on the same show, they may be at a different part of the rehearsal process. Each cast is working together as it’s own individual ensemble and therefore it is not beneficial to attend a class other then your own. Please ask your director the best way to learn any material missed where applicable.

What kind of work needs to be put in at home?

Putting on a show is an incredibly fun and exciting endeavor, but it is also a lot of work! We will learn new parts of our show in rehearsal each week, but the only way to lock in new material is to practice at home. Just like in learning a new instrument, the songs, dances and lines that we work on in class should be practiced every day at home.

Here are ways to help your child practice:

-Listen to the tracks both with and with out vocals. Repetition the key to success! Put it in the car, play it while brushing your teeth; if everyone in your family knows all the lyrics to the songs, then you’re doing it right!
-Get up and dance the moves learned in class along to the music. Have your student teach you or a sibling the dance moves, to help solidify the learning kinesthetically.
-Help them to memorize their lines and lyrics by…
-Making sure all lines and lyrics with-in songs are highlighted
-Reading through scenes with only you holding script, prompting students when they are unsure
-Helping them to know cues (signals in the scripts that tell you what to do. Usually the line before their line.)
-Have students write out their lines or lyrics on a piece of paper.

What happens if my student loses their script?

BACT has a limited number of scripts provided by Music Theater International. If you lose your script, you are responsible for borrowing another student’s script and making a copy.

Do I need to provide costumes and makeup for performances?

We will provide costumes for all characters. For the dress rehearsal and performances, students will be required to supply their own base-layer of clothing, which will be designated by the director (for example, black leggings and a solid color shirt). You will receive more information about this closer to the performances.

How do I get the music for my student’s show?

Instructions on how to access music for your students show will be emailed prior to the first class. It is very important that you follow these instructions, in order to provide your student the opportunity to listen at home. If for any reason you are unable to access the music, please email your director or classes@bactheatre.org.

How do I get tickets to my student’s show?

Each student is allotted one complimentary ticket to the first performance only. This ticket is automatically held at the box office under the name of the adult who registered for the program. Additional tickets will be available for purchase via our website up to 4 weeks prior to the first performance date.

My student is upset with the role they were assigned. What can I do?

It is common for a child who does not get a role they desire to feel some level of disappointment. Unfortunately, this is a normal part of the theatre experience. While it’s difficult as a parent to watch your child experience these emotions, we encourage you see disappointment as an opportunity to help your child grow. Here are some things you can do:
-Talk to your child. Allow them to share their feelings.
-Help them see the big picture. There will be other plays.
-Encourage them to see how they can make the role they did get into something they can be proud of.
-Every character can be fun and provide a child with the opportunity to be creative.

Why can’t you re-assign my student’s role?

Casting is a giant jig-saw puzzle that out teaching artists work very hard to fill in the way that will best set up each and every student for success! Once casting has been announced, we can not make any changes because roles can not be taken away from other students once already assigned. Once the puzzle is complete, there is no way to rearrange the pieces.