For Parents: An Overview of the RFKT Programs
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All rehearsals are held at The Random Farms Performing Arts Center in Elmsford.
All dress rehearsals and performances are held at the Tarrytown Music Hall.
These are large-scale, high-budget, commercial productions that are put on twice a year - once in the winter and once in the summer. They run for two weekends at The Tarrytown Music Hall. Participation is by audition only. Auditions are held in the fall for the February show and in the winter for the August show.
Rehearsals are held in the evenings (4:30-8:30 in the winter, 5:00-9:00 in the summer) 3 times a week (depending on role) for three weeks before the show opens, plus every night the week before the show. Auditions are open to anyone in elementary school through college, regardless of whether or not you participate in the Workshops. No prior experience is needed to audition. RFKT typically has 150-300 actors audition for its Mainstage productions. 4 casts of 35 are cast in the show. The casts rehearse two at a time but perform separately (each cast does aprox. 2 shows).
The Mainstage cast is made up of principal and ensemble roles. Actors cast in a principal role will have speaking lines and/or solos. Actors in the ensemble sing and dance as part of a group but do not always have individual lines or solos.
There is no fee to audition for a Mainstage production. A cast list is posted aproximately one week after auditions. If you are cast in the show, there is a $445 registration fee plus a $50 deposit.
The workshops are RFKT's most popular program! We have taken classic Broadway shows and condensed them into easy-to-learn "mini musicals" that give everyone a chance to shine. It is the perfect place to hone your skills. The workshops are appropriate for kids with all levels of experience. The goal is for children to obtain musical theater training while rehearsing for a show. The "process" - especially teamwork and self-esteem - is stressed as much as the "product" - a 35-55 minute performance for family and friends.
The workshops are open to children in 3rd-5th grade and 5th-8th grade.
The workshops are divided into sections (Group A, Group B, Group C, etc.). Each section has 22 children in it. Each section puts on its own performance. There is no double casting or chorus - everyone has a featured part.
A workshop is comprised of approximately 10 sessions. Each session is 2 hrs. 15min. long. The first session is the audition. Although everyone will end up with a speaking and singing role, going through the audition process is an important part of the learning experience. The next seven sessions are the rehearsals. The ninth session is a dress rehearsal at the theater. The tenth session is a final dress rehearsal, followed by the performance. The ten sessions are usually spread out over a 6-12 week period. A typical workshop will rehearse either on Saturdays or on Sundays (weeknights are sometimes offered as well). When choosing a group, parents can pick the time and day that is most convenient for them
There is a workshop in the fall (September/October/November), winter (January/February/March) and spring (March/April/May). Summer Workshop Instensives (9am-3pm) are held weekly at the beginning and end of the summer.
A workshop costs $395. This fee is paid before the workshop starts (registration begins approximately 3 months before the program starts).
For high school and college students only. The Edge is a company for the serious actor looking to perform challenging material in a professional setting. Upon acceptance into the company, members are guaranteed a role in all productions with The Edge. Members will also help to choose future shows, develop new programs and work on productions in a technical capacity. Members of the company will play an integral role in marketing and publicity, fundraising and production. Company members will be chosen to serve as Assistant Directors, Stage Managers and Associate Choreographers.
Members will work on shows geared towards a mature audience, alongside staff that will include RFKT directors and special Broadway guest artists.
Acceptance into the company is by audition only. Those cast ipay a membership fee of $350. This guarantees you a role in any future productions produced through The Edge. It also pays for participation in one production. If, for any reason, you are unable to participate in the upcoming production, your membership fee may be credited towards any future production at The Edge.
This program was created for kids in Kindergarten through second grade. It is just like the regular Workshop, in that every child will get a part with speaking lines, solos and a terrific costume. However, the actual performance will be much shorter, and the rehearsals will have a greater emphasis on creative drama and improvisation.
Rehearsals are once a week for 1hr. 15min. There are a total of ten sessions: the role placement, seven rehearsals, a dress rehearsal and a final dress rehearsal and performance.
Registration is $350.
RFKT tours educational shows throughout the tri-state area, traveling to schools within one hour of Central Westchester. These 30-60 minute productions are professionally produced and feature young people in all the roles. Open auditions for the tour are held yearly and, if cast, there is no fee to participate. Performers in the show must be able to miss up to one day of school and month and parents must be able to drive their children to the venues.
Random Farms On Tour offers schools an affordable and exciting opportunity for their students to see live theater - performed by actors their own age, at their own school!
The shows deal with relevant and age-appropriate themes. Random Farms brings the actors, sound system, costumes and an adult facilitator to mediate discussions after the show.
Currently on tour: "The New Kid." This one-hour-long musical deals with themes like bullying, hazing, cliques and peer pressure at a middle school. More info at www.randomfarms.com/tour.html.
Every year, RFKT, in conjunction with Marc Tumminelli and The Broadway Workshop, presents a showcase in NYC for top youth agents, managers and casting directors. This is an excellent opportunity for kids and teens who are interested in pursuing theater, film or television professionally. There is no fee to audition or participate in this program. It is by audition only. Auditions are typically schedule in March in both Elmsford and NYC. If selected for the showcase, there is one rehearsal in Elmsford, followed by the performance for one night at a NYC theater (also in March). Past showcases have proven a terrific way for kids to get exposure to NYC industry, and many past participants are currently performing on Broadway, in film, television, commercials, or were introduced to their agent or manager through this program.
Natalie Gray (RFKT resident voice teacher/Sr. Director Jellybeans) will also work on proper voice technique through improving projection, breath support, performance quality, auditioning, expansion of repertoire and healthy belting.
Private lessons are available throughout the year, both during the week and on the weekends.
Group classes introduce a wide range of musical theater repertoire while helping students to support each other in the process. The class aims to introduce young singers (grades K-3) to voice, without the pressures of a more rigorous private instruction. It is a chance for students to sing new music in front of a supportive group of kids, learn from each other, and have fun doing it! Participation in the Voice Recital in December is highly encouraged. For more information, email natalie@randomfarms.com.
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Use the links below for more information, to join our email list or to register.
If you know your child wants to participate in a Workshop, it is best to sign up early. The regular Workshops and Jellybeans often start to fill within the first twenty minutes of registration!
