OTWPA is only successful with EVERYONE'S involvement!
1. ATTENDANCE: Performing arts are a TEAM effort! We want your child to be here and they do too! Every student plays a key role in our program. Students must be in class and rehearsal in order to grow their skills and be successful.
Classes: Students must be present at least 80% of class days. This could be 1 hour per wk or up to 8-10 hrs or more depending on their path. Absences hinder growth!
Rehearsals: We aim for 100% attendance while rehearsing for productions! Any student who misses 2 scheduled rehearsals will prompt an intervention meeting. 3 or more missed rehearsals could result in a reassignment of roles and possible dismissmal from the production. Shows and Tech/Dress rehearsals are mandatory unless otherwise discussed and approved by the director.
2. CLASS ATTIRE: Theatre is very physical. Students must wear all black clothing that they can move in, roll on the floor, and be comfortable in. If a child is wearing a skirt or dress, shorts MUST be worn underneath. Please keep all private body areas covered. Some classes may require a specific uniform.
3. SITTING OUT: If your child is asked to sit out of a rehearsal/class for any reason (not wearing appropriate clothes, being disruptive to the rest of the class) after 2 warnings have been given, etc, this will prompt a intervention meeting with the parent.
4. HOMEWORK: Your child will need help in memorizing their lines, cues, songs and choreography. Rehearsal time is limited and it simply is not enough time for them to be successful. THEY NEED YOU! Please review the script with them at least twice a week or more if they are having trouble. Encourage them to pickup their script for at least 20-60 mins every day. Every production schedule has a set date to be "off book" (loosely memorized) and the students are reminded of this weekly. If a student does not have their part memorized by Tech Rehearsal, the director will re-assign lines, solos or sections. Talk with your child's instructor if additional help is needed. We are happy to help your child succeed.
5. PARENTS IN CLASS: Parents are both welcome and encouraged to attend the first demo day of class. Please do not interupt class, there will be time at the end of class to ask questions. You will have the opportunity to observe what the instructors and classes are like. After the 1st class, we conduct CLOSED CLASSES & REHEARSALS to allow our students to get comfortable and grow in their new environment. Parents may wait in their cars or off premises (In a separate room for remote students). This rule applies to parents, siblings, friends as well. Parent volunteers are allowed on campus to fulfill their duties during designated times.
6. COSTUMES: Under many circumstances we may provide costumes, but ultimately parents are responsible for making sure their child has their costume(s). We will send home an information sheet on what you will need during the first 2 weeks of the production schedule. We try to make the costumes clear and easily accomplishable, but if you have questions, please let us know. Costumes must be complete and wearable by the 1st dress rehearsal. If you have a passion for fashion and are interested in being on our costume team please let us know!
7. EARLY DROP-OFF: Students may be dropped off 15 minutes prior to rehearsal/class time if there is staff present. The staff will be ready to welcome them! Any time before that, the staff may or may not be present and will NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for them. Please coordinate with your child's teacher or the director if you need to drop your student off early. Sometimes siblings are in different classes and parents drop off and pick up both at the same time and each child waits while the other is in class or on stage. Students are more than welcome to do this, but again, the staff must be notified and are NOT RESPONSIBLE for those in the lobby.
8. LATE PICK UP: It is the policy of this theatre that no child is left unattended, however, the staff is on a tight schedule and for any child left 15 minutes after the last class has ended there will be a $10 charge. Payment is due at the begining of next class/rehearsal.
9. TICKETS: Each student will receive 2 free tickets to our major productions and 1 free ticket to minor shows to give to whomever they like. Additional tickets may be purchased as well. Tickets will be general admission.
10. PARENT TEAMS: We love our parent teams! The success of our productions depend on all of us working together! Parents have the option of choosing which team they would like to participate on during our production rehearsal schedules. You will receive a packet during prior to the next production to sign up.
10. VOLUNTEERS: We are always looking for volunteers to help in whatever capacity they can offer! Please reach out to us if you are interested. No prior experience necessary. Volunteers may be age 12 and up!
11. BEHAVIOR: Our students are known for their outstanding behavior. This has been a standard of the Academy since 2017! We take pride in our excellence on stage, in public as well as in classes. Our reputation preceeds us everywhere go and we hold every student to this. We are invited to many events & engagements yearly because of this. We have amazing, supportive mentors & teachers on staff to talk with students who may need it at anytime. If we have recurring behavioral issues with a student, it will prompt a parent-teacher invention meeting. If it continues then your student may be dismissed from our program. Depending on the severity of the behavior, these steps could be excalated quicker.