• How do I get in a show?
  
  MTYP holds auditions for three of the productions during the school year. One production is reserved as an “enrollment show”. In that type of show, you enroll in advance, and auditions are held at the first rehearsal. We also have camps that do shows.You should get on the MTYP mailing list to receive advance information about auditions and enrollment shows, as well as camps and other activities.
  
  
• Who casts the show?

All MTYP shows are cast by the director, music director and choreographer. No one is allowed to tell them who to cast.

• Are your shows full length musicals?

MTYP only produces the original licensed musical. Exceptions may be made for changing “cuss words” - for instance, Daddy Warbucks, in the script of ANNIE, says a four letter word a lot, and MTYP changed the word to “blast!” Another exception may be made in the case of a length musical, such as THE KING AND I, when offered as a school matinee. In order to offer two school matinee performances, and allow school groups to get to the show and back to school, THE KING AND I will be shortened to approximately 2 hours. The regular public performances will be full length.

• When are rehearsals?

MTYP typically rehearses Sundays, from 2-5pm, and Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, from 7-9pm. Usually everyone comes to Sunday rehearsals, as well as one other day each week. The other two weekdays are used for specific musical number, or blocking specific scenes, with fewer people. The closer to the production, the more frequently everyone is scheduled to rehearse. During tech week, everyone comes to all rehearsals.

• How many weeks do you rehearse for a show?

Most shows rehearse for 7 weeks.

• Where are rehearsals held?

Rehearsals are held at MTYP, 3305 East Douglas, near Hillside, on Douglas.

• What is tech week?

Tech week begins the Monday before Friday’s opening night. Monday is usually used for learning the spacing and set requirements of a show. Tuesday and Wednesday, costumes and make-up are introduced, and Thursday is final dress rehearsal, when everything will be perfect!

• Can I miss a rehearsal?

When you audition for a show, you are asked to list your rehearsal conflicts, including school concerts, vacations, after school activities, piano lessons, everything on your calendar. Then if a rehearsal schedules you to attend, you are excused if your conflict was announced prior to the scheduling. If you are not excused, you may find you miss learning a dance or being blocked in a scene. Communication with the stage manager or production assistant is crucial!

• How many shows do you do each year?

MTYP offers four musicals during the school year. Additionally, one full musical is produced for an enrollment teenager summer camp, and one small cast audition show is produced in the summer.

• Do you do school matinees?

Yes! School matinees are important to introduce more people to live theatre. Some students attending our musicals later audition and are cast in shows. Others continue to attend musicals without the prompting of a field trip! The fall, winter, and enrollment show in the spring usually offer two opportunities for matinees - one at 10am and one at 1pm. The morning matinee usually sells out first. Have your teacher call us if you are interested in attending!

• Who picks the shows, and how are they picked?

Currently, a committee of MTYP board members and several other people active in MTYP consider titles, with input from local theatre experts who know MYTP, and a recommendation is made to the MTYP Board of Directors, who actually select the shows. And they don’t have to select what was recommended to them!

• Where are the performances?

At this time, all full musicals, including Teenager Summer Camp, are held at the Mary Jane Teall Theater in Century II, with 623 seats and an orchestra pit!

• What happens at summer camp?

At summer camp, campers learn songs and dances and lines from a musical appropriate to their age and ability. Auditions for parts are held the first morning of camp. No previous experience is required. Some snacks are included, but the focus is working on the show, and then having a performance at the end of camp for their families and friends.

• What ages go to summer camp?

Summer camp currently is divided into 5-8 year old camp; 9-12 year old camp; advanced 11-14 year old camp; and teenager camp. All camps work the same way - you enroll, get a confirmation letter, go to camp, audition, learn the show, and do a performance. The 5-8 year old camp show is approximately 25-30 minutes long. The 9-12 year olds do a 45 minute show, and the advanced camp does an approximately 60minute long show. Teenagers do a full musical, lasting approximately 2 hours plus intermission.

• What ages go to winter camp?

Winter Camp is for ages 5-12.

• What’s the difference in summer camp and winter camp?

At summer camp, the staff (usually a music director/director and a choreographer) direct and choreograph the show. Several counselors are used as aides and mentors. In Winter Camp, the staff is aided by teenage counselors, who actually get to choreograph musical numbers for small groups. The counselors meet in advance with the staff and demonstrate their plans to the staff for approval prior to the first day of camp. Parents need to be assured the counselors are selected for their ability to work well with children as well as their talent in choreography. Close supervision is provided of all staff.

• Does it cost to be in a show or do camp?

Full productions during the school year have a performance fees for the 2006-2007 school year of $75; a price increase is likely in 2007-2008. Camp cost varies, with typical costs at $75 for Winter Camp, $85 for 5-8 year old camp, $90 for 9-12 year old camp, $120 for Advanced Camp, and $180 for Teenager Camp. All camps include a camp tee shirt, and some feeding of campers, ranging from snacks at 5-8 year old camp to pizza at Teenager Camp.

• Are scholarships available?

YES!! Scholarships are available for all MTYP activities. If cast in a musical, ask for a scholarship application at the first rehearsal. For camps, call and ask for a scholarship form to be mailed to you. All scholarships are need-based, with income, dependents, and extraordinary circumstances considered.

• Where does your staff come from?

MTYP staff are selected after careful consideration of the needs of the musical and the available potential staff. People who love working with young people are the only people considered! When using a staff person for the first time, recommendations from other theatre professionals are solicited by MTYP. Most staff are actors working in the Wichita area. MTYP has been fortunate to include actor/director/writer Michael Roark; actress/director Karen Robu; actress/director/writer Mary Lou Phipps-Winfrey and from Broadway, Nick Saverine (currently on tour with JOSEPH) as recent directors. Recent music directors include Jesse Warkentin, Ken Gale, Kim Dugger, and Tim Raymond. Choreographers include WSU student and performer Maria Tate, performer Angie Bickham, and Kyle Vespestad.
Other local professionals are used for summer camp staff and costumers, lighting designers, set designers, production assistants, and stage managers.

• Is MTYP a not-for-profit 501-c-3?

YES!!! Any contributions to MTYP are tax-deductible. Our federal tax id number is 48-1008353.

• How do I donate to MTYP?

You can mail a donation to MTYP at MTYP, PO Box 8030, Wichita, KS 67208, or call 262-MTYP to arrange for pick-up something that cannot be mailed - like a building!

• And the perennial question ----When will MTYP do RENT?

Until there is a more PG rated version, MTYP will wait. It also is a small ensemble show, and currently MTYP prefers to provide a performing experience to more young people than a small show allows. MTYP's small cast-audition-teenager-summer show will consider more risque’ works, knowing that the teenagers who participate will understand the undertaking. As will their parents and the potential audience.

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