Education FAQs

 

 

Does my child need to have participated in Broadway Bootcamp to take other classes or camps?

Our classes are open to anyone, as are most of our camps. Any pre-requisites will be listed in the descriptions.

 

How do I know what is being offered?

The best way to stay up to date on information regarding our education programs, including auditions for Bootcamp, is to sign up for our email newsletter here . You can also check under classes for multi-week or single day offerings during the school semester or camps for week-long offerings during school breaks.

 

How do I sign up for classes?

Visit the classes or camps page and click “register.”

 

I need an invoice to file a flexible spending report. How do I get one?

Email our Finance Manager, Pam Weaver, at finance@redmountaintheatre.org

 

What is the Conservatory?

The RMTC Conservatory is a year-round training program for students. For more information, visit the conservatory page of our website.

 

My child has never done any theatre before. Where should we start?

Our classes are a great place to start. They only last a few weeks and are geared to meet the needs of the students in the class. Also, check out our seasonal Blast Camps. As your child’s interest and skill advance, they can move up in our programming, eventually auditioning for the RMTC Conservatory.

 

Do parents stay and watch the class?

We ask that students be dropped off and then picked up at the end of class. There will be a sharing at the end of the class for the student to show you everything they have learned during the class.

 

What happens if we have to miss one day of class?

It’s okay if students must miss one day of class. We do our best to make sure they get caught up on the material for that week. We do not offer make-up classes; misses are taken at the expense of the participant.

 

Is all of my tuition due at the time of registration?

Yes. If you are unable to pay the full amount, contact education@redmountaintheatre.org to discuss available payment plan options.

 

Who teaches classes for RMTC?

We take great care to find the best instructors who meet all of RMTC’s safety and learning standards. These teachers are both local artists and artists from across the country.

 

 

What if I can’t afford RMTC’s classes or camps?

We RMTC is dedicated to furthering education for youth committed to the performing arts and will not turn anyone away due to financial need. Youth interested in participating in RMTC education programs may apply for financial aid. All financial awards are based on need or merit. To apply for financial aid, visit http://redmountaintheatre.org/education/financial-aid/.

 

RMTC is committed to providing educational opportunities to all students and will not turn away students on basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or gender (including transgendered), or socio-economic status. RMTC provides reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of students in order to facilitate optimal learning.

 

Summer Camps

 

 

What’s the difference in your summer camps?

We offer many different camps in the summer. Some are based in technique (such as Broadway Bootcamp and the Industry Intensive) and some are based in process and experience (such as Blast and Back to Hogwarts). We have three camps that we do every year: Broadway Bootcamp, Blast, and Play Making.

• BLAST: A great introduction for those with little to no theatrical experience; students will experience the process of rehearsing a musical.
• BROADWAY BOOTCAMP: An audition-based camp to enhance performance technique through a rotation of classes.
• PLAY MAKING: Half-day introductory camps for ages 4-6 that engage the imagination and creative play.

 

Do I have to audition to participate in your summer camps?

Auditions are only required for Broadway Bootcamp. You may register for other camps without an audition. If you have not participated in Broadway Bootcamp before this year, you must audition. If you have participated in Broadway Bootcamp in previous years, you do not have to re-audition. All students must audition for Intermediate or Advanced Bootcamp each year.

 

Can I drop my child off early or pick them up late?

We do offer Early Drop Off and Late Pick Up for a price each per week. With this benefit, students may be dropped off as early as 7:30 a.m. and be picked up as late as 5:30 p.m. Just click the box when you register and this will be added to your cart. Continue through the check-out process and your registration will be complete. If children are dropped of more than 20 minutes early, they will be charged for Early Drop Off or Late Pick Up.

 

Can I get a video or photo of my video or photo of my child’s time at camp?

Of course! We sell videos of the showcases for Broadway Bootcamp, and we take camp photos each week. These may be purchased online beginning in March.

 

What happens during lunch?

 

For those attending camp in June (Broadway Bootcamp, June Blast, or Play Making), you can either send your child with a lunch or purchase lunch from RMTC. To purchase, just add lunch to your cart when you register. All other camps, students must bring a lunch with them.

 

What if I register but then can’t attend?

 

All registrations are final and non-refundable. If you are unable to attend the class, RMTC will apply your tuition to a camp or class within the next 12 months.

 

Does my child have to participate in Broadway Bootcamp in order to attend the other camps?

 

No. Our other camps, including our Summer Discovery Theatre Productions do not have any pre-requisites. Anyone can participate in those!

 

Is there an orientation for any of your camps?

 

No. Parents should plan to bring their students early on Monday to sign in and receive information about the week.

 

BROADWAY BOOTCAMP

 

 

 

Why is an audition required?

 

The theatrical process almost always starts with an audition. The Broadway Bootcamp audition is a chance to see how the audition process works in a safe, encouraging environment. It is our goal to facilitate your child’s growth and success, helping boost their confidence and give them tools to access the arts. Recruit, Intermediate, and Advanced Bootcamps require an audition; our other camps do not.

 

Do I have to pre-register for an audition?

 

If you can pre-register, please do as it helps us get an idea of how many to expect. However, if you don’t get a chance to, please come to the audition at your specified time (see above).

 

What if I want to audition but have a conflict on the audition dates?

 

If your conflict is with your specified audition time (according to your last name), feel free to come at a different time that day. If you cannot make it at all that weekend, contact education@redmountaintheatre.org to discuss possible solutions.

 

I want to audition for Recruit Bootcamp–what do I bring to the audition?

 

For the audition, you need to bring a picture of yourself (so that we can remember who you are) and a list of the classes you’ve taken and performances in which you have participated. We then look forward to hearing you sing part of a song, about 16 measures or 45 seconds (usually a verse or a chorus), from memory. If you have the sheet music for that song, we will have a pianist to play for you. If you can’t find a song, we will have a book of familiar songs, such as Happy Birthday and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, from which you can choose. After you sing, we’d like to hear you say a short joke or a poem (no more than 30 seconds). We also suggest bringing a water bottle and wearing comfortable clothes for dancing.

 

I want to audition for Intermediate or Advanced Bootcamp–what do I bring?

 

You will need to bring a headshot and resume to this audition. Bring your prepared with 16 bars of an audition song and a 30 second monologue. You should have sheet music for the song for our piano accompanist. Also, bring a water bottle and wear comfortable clothes for dancing.

 

What happens at the audition?

 

You will arrive at the venue and be greeted by our education committee and staff. After signing in, children are escorted into the audition room. Parents are not allowed to view the audition process; we have found that students are more successful when they are able to conquer an audition on their own. Students will wait together until time for the audition to start, at which time they all learn a short dance combination together. After dancing, each child will sing their audition song and tell their joke or poem individually. Once they have sung, children will be dismissed to be picked up by their parents.

 

Can I sing to a karaoke track or a cappella for my audition?

 

No, you may not sing to a karaoke track. A cappella singing (singing without music accompaniment) is accepted for Recruit Bootcamp, though it is better to sing with the piano. Those auditioning for Intermediate or Advanced Bootcamp must provide sheet music with appropriate markings for cuts and tempos. It is important to the audition process that performers sing with a piano so that we can hear how well they match pitch and tempo. Plus, it is an exciting element of the theatrical process to work with another artist at the piano.

 

When will I find if I am accepted into Bootcamp?

 

We will notify via email all those who auditioned within a few weeks of the audition.

 

Registration, Bootcamp Day, and Showcase

 

Where and when do I drop my child off/pick my child up for Bootcamp?

 

Bootcamp starts at 9:00am and ends at 4:00pm. We ask that students be dropped off no more than 20 minutes before camp starts and be picked up no later than 15 minutes after camp ends. If you do drop off your children early or pick them up late, you will be charged the Early Drop Off and/or Late Pick Up fees. There will be one carpool line. If students are more than 5 minutes late, they must be signed in to camp.

 

What is the Broadway Bootcamp Showcase?

 

At the end of Broadway Bootcamp, there is a showcase for family and friends to see everything that the students have been working on during the camps.

 

How do I get tickets to the Showcase?

 

Each child gets two complimentary tickets to their primary showcase (Recruit Camp for Intermediate and Advanced). Additional tickets can be purchased at the door. Cost is $5.

RMTC Conservatory

 

What is the difference between the Conservatory and other educational programming?

 

The Conservatory is an audition-only pre-professional training program within our educational programs. You must attend Broadway Bootcamp in order to be eligible to audition for the Conservatory. Conservatory ensembles rehearse and perform throughout the year.

 

When are the auditions for the Conservatory?

 

Auditions are typically held during Broadway Bootcamp.

 

When do Conservatory members rehearse?

 

Most Conservatory rehearsals are held on Sunday afternoons, although we do have weekend-long commitments during the year. Members are given a schedule at the beginning of the Conservatory year and should consult it for specific details. We also have a weekly newsletter called “The Hot Note” that updates families during the week.

 

When do the Conservatory ensembles perform?

 

The Conservatory ensembles perform in two full-scale productions in our season – the Holiday Spectacular and the Conservatory Showcase. We also perform from time to time throughout the year at events such as the Summit’s Lights Up event and for civic groups like the Optimists’ Club. We also occasionally perform with other Birmingham arts groups and for major city events.

 

My child is in the Conservatory and I have a question about this weekend’s rehearsal. What do I do?

 

Check “The Hot Note” for the most up-to-date information about schedule, rehearsal and performance details. If the answer isn’t in the Hot Note, you may contact Katie Holmes, Conservatory Manager.