What are the Worskhops?
The Workshops are RFKT's most popular program! Kids perform in a musical, hone their skills and everyone gets a chance to shine. 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 performance for family and friends.
What are the ages?
The Jellybeans are open to children in K-2nd grade. The Workshops are open to children in 3rd-5th grade and 5th-8th grade.
How many kids are in each show?
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.
What is the commitment?
A workshop is comprised of nine to eleven sessions. Each session is 2 hours long. The first session is the audition. Although everyone will end up with a speaking role, going through the audition process is an important part of the learning experience. The next six to eight sessions are the rehearsals. The second to last session is a dress rehearsal at the theater. The last session is a final dress rehearsal, followed by the performance. The Workshops meet once a week, except for summer and winter intensives, which meet every day.
What skills do you focus on?
Vocal technique, dance technique, stage presence, projection, improvisation and theater vocabulary, to name just a few!
How can I sign my child up?
All registration is done online. It is first come, first serve. Since the workshops tend to fill up quickly, we encourage you to sign up as early as possible if you know your child wants to participate. If a workshop is full, you can add your child's name to the waiting list. If a spot opens up, you will be notified by email.
How much does a workshop cost?
Workshops cost between $370 and $545, depending on the program. The workshop fee includes your child's costume, though you may be asked to provide some basic additional pieces. Each child will need to provide their own shoes and tights as well. Tickets to the show are additional, as are photographs and the DVD.
Are there refunds?
There are no refunds or credits for the workshops or any other RFKT fee based programs, so please only sign up if you are sure you can commit.
REFUND POLICY (Please read before you register!)
- There are absolutely no refunds or credits given for any reason.
- Even if your child books a Broadway show the day after they register, or you win a tropical vacation, there are still no refunds.
- Please make sure you are able to commit before you register because there are no credits or refunds.
- If your child is not able to participate in a workshop, your child will be replaced (by the producer) by a child from the waiting list; you may not independently find someone to take your child's spot and have them pay you privately for your child's place.
- If your child misses more than 1 rehearsal (for the 1 week intensives, no rehearsals may be missed), or has more than 2 lates, your child will not be permitted to continue with rehearsals or participate in the performance, at the discretion of the Producer. This includes absences due to sickness, auditions and family functions, etc.
- If your child is not able to participate in a workshop, your forfeited registration fee will not be treated as a donation or charitable contribution.
- RFKT is thrilled to be the resident children's theater at The Tarrytown Music Hall. While we do most of our performances there, occasionally a performance has to be rescheduled (to a different date, time and/or location) due to conflicts or "double bookings" at the theater. We do our best to prevent this, but sometimes it is not possible. In several years, it has only happened a few times. Should a performance need to be rescheduled, and you are not available for the new show time or location, you will be refunded the "performance fee" in the amount of $125. Since this is a process-oriented program, children are encouraged to continue attending rehearsals, even if they cannot perform on the rescheduled date.
Attendance Policy
- Children are permitted up to 1 absence for our regular Workshops.
- Children can "shadow" (attend another group's session) no more than twice.
- No absences are permitted during the 1 week intensives.
- No absences (or late arrivals/early pick-ups) are permitted during the last 3 sessions. The last 3 sessions are the run-thru at the studio, the dress rehearsal at the theater and the final dress rehearsal at the theater.
- When rehearsals are missed, or if a child shows up late or unprepared, a Director may take a child out of a scene or song and/or reassign lines and/or solos.
- Children who miss (or are late to or leave early from) the last 3 sessions will not be permitted to perform in the show (even if this is due to illness).
What if I have a rehearsal conflict?
Please do not sign your child up if you have more than 1 rehearsal conflict. However, if you are able to attend another section on the same day, you can have your child "shadow" the child that is playing your child's role in another section. Your child can follow his/her alternate around during rehearsal so that they don't miss out on blocking, choreography or music. For instance, if you are in the 1-3pm section, but your child has a birthday party during that time, you can bring them to the 3-5pm section instead.
During our 1 week intensives, you cannot miss ANY rehearsals. If a conflict comes up, please contact the Producer or Senior Director with as much advanced notice as possible. A pre-arranged conflict may be excused, but this is at the discretion of the staff.
