Can you explain what OCCT is and what you do?

OCCT was founded in 1969, and is the longest, continuous running children’s theater in Orange County, CA. We cast children ages 8-18 in our main-stage productions, of which we perform 3 per year. We maintain a high production value for our comparatively low cast fees in the industry.

 

 

What is an audition workshop?

The audition workshop is designed for prospective cast members to meet the directing team, hear the director’s vision for the show, and become familiar with how OCCT auditions work. The audition dance is taught on this night.

 

 

What if I can’t make it to the audition workshop?

No problem! You do have the option of paying for the workshop, which entitles you to receive the audition dance video via email that night. This will help your child be better prepared for dance auditions. If you choose not to pay for the workshop and receive early access to the dance video - do not stress! On audition days, the choreographer or assistant will be running the dance continuously from the start of auditions. If you haven’t learned it prior - it’s absolutely doable to learn on audition day.

 

 

How do auditions work?

We aim to make our auditions fun and not stressful. The entire point of this is to have a good time! Each child needs to prepare a 32 bar (roughly 1 minute cut) of a song in the style of the show. We prefer that you do not sing a song from the show we are doing. Character songs will be done in callbacks. For ease, we recommend you have a screen recording of your karaoke track on your phone or device that has your desired start/stop times already edited and set. When you go to the green room before your audition, you will text your track to the producer, along with your name and audition number.

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We take 5-8 kids at a time into the audition room. This will be your audition group. Each performer will take turns and stand up in front of the directing table. (comprised of directing team, producers, and board members) Performers will ‘slate’ (i.e. - “My name is ________. I am ____ years old and I will be singing _________”) After each performer sings their audition song, the group is released outside to continue practicing the audition dance. After all groups have completed their vocal auditions, everyone is called in to perform the audition dance. They will dance in their audition groups - usually running the dance 1-2 times.

 

 

Can I watch my child audition?

Our initial audition process is closed to viewers. We do, however, allow parents of performers who have received a callback to sit in and watch, provided they are quiet. No photos or videos are allowed to be taken by viewers during callbacks.

 

 

How do I know if I got a callback audition?

Each performer will leave auditions with a feedback form that will tell them if they need to return for callback auditions on Saturday afternoon. If you don’t receive a callback - do not worry! It just means that the directing team has seen all they need to place you in the show.

 

 

How do callback auditions work?

If you receive a callback, you will likely get callback material early - either from our website, or handed to you at the end of initial auditions. Sometimes, we hand these materials out at the start of callbacks and give a certain timeframe for performers to go work on it outside. You may be reading and/or singing for more than one role. This will be communicated to you at callbacks.

 

 

I got in the show! Now what?

Congratulations, you’re in for a fun time! The first step when you see the cast list come out, is to either accept or decline your role to the Production Secretary at jlgwaltney00@gmail.com.

 

This is just a simple email, “My name is _______ and I {accept / decline} my role.” Pay attention to your audition paperwork because it gives you a deadline as to when you must complete this email.

 

 

What is the cost to participate?

Our current base cast fees are $450 for the main cast and $200 for our Telegrammers. Additionally, each performer is required to purchase a minimum $30 ad in our program. Ads can be used to highlight your cast member or advertise a business, etc. Your cast member receives a show t-shirt that will have the show logo on the front and the entire cast list on the back. Extra shirts/hoodies are available for purchase order at the parent meeting.

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The majority of your costumes are provided by OCCT. We may occasionally ask for you to bring in an item or two for yourself. If this is ever a hardship, simply talk to the producers. Each family is also required to be a member of OCCT. Our General Membership is $35 per family and is valid for one year from date of purchase. Your membership pays for insurance for your performer at our rehearsal space and performance venue, as well as entitles you to a vote at our Annual General Member Meeting. There are higher levels of membership which give additional benefits. We will go over those at the initial parent meeting.

 

 

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes! Thanks to the ‘Aly West Memorial Scholarship Fund’, we can offer either one full scholarship, or two half-scholarships for each show. Participants are required to fill out an application and turn it in by the audition workshop night. The Executive Board decides on scholarships and will alert you prior to auditions if you have been awarded one. This information is strictly confidential. Scholarship recipients are still responsible for membership and ad fees, as well as all volunteer hours.

 

 

Do you offer discounts or payment plans?

Yes! We have a discount for multiple children participating in a family. For the second child, your required minimum ad is free. For the third child, you get the free ad as well as $100 off your base cast fees.

We also offer payment plans. After your initial audition deposit, your total remaining fees at the parent meeting can be divided into three payments. Our treasurer determines the payment dates, and will discuss with you as needed. All fees must be paid in full before the first tech day.

 

 

 

What are the volunteer requirements for parents?

In order to keep cast fees low, we rely heavily on our parent volunteers. All board members and producers are also volunteers. We have a requirement of 15 pre-show volunteer hours per family, as well as working 2 tech nights and 4 shows during the production run. We make it fairly easy and fun to fulfill your volunteer requirements. You can volunteer in pre-show anywhere from costumes, props, sets, assisting during lunches with supervision and cleanup, etc. At showtime, we have many jobs including ushering, concessions, merchandising, backstage help with sets, props, costumes, hair/makeup, supervision, etc. We also offer a buyout option if your job or lifestyle makes it impossible to volunteer.

 

$250 buys you out of pre-show hours, and $250 buys you out of tech/show days. For families that are volunteering, we do hold either 2-postdated checks for $250 each, or our credit card auth form to guarantee your volunteer hours. After the show wraps, we verify that all hours have been completed, and then shred the checks/cc form. *please note - pre-show volunteer hours are your responsibility to track on the lanyard chart we issue you at the parent meeting. Please treat this as $250 cash. Any lanyard that is not verified by the Production Secretary is subject to being invalid for your hours, and will result in being charged the volunteer fee. The same goes for the sign in sheets for tech/show days.*

It takes a village to pull off our productions - and we are SO thankful for our OCCT parent volunteers!

 

 

How do rehearsals work?

The very first rehearsal typically takes place the Monday night right after casting the show. This is a table-read, with a laid back environment. We will focus a bit on cast info and bonding. Then we will read-through the whole show. After that night, you will be emailed a rehearsal schedule.(usually in increments of a couple weeks at a time) You will see, based on your role and ensemble, when you are to show up at rehearsals. We do not allow kids to attend rehearsals to which they are not called.

 

 

What if I have conflicts on rehearsal days?

Conflicts are definitely allowed - the key is writing them all down on your audition packet calendar prior to auditions. Aside from illness/emergency, added conflicts can be tough on the production and should be avoided. We suggest taking a photo of your conflict calendar after you fill it out and before you turn in your paperwork. That way, we are all on the same page with the dates your performer will not be here. **please note - no conflicts during tech week or shows are allowed without discussion and approval from the board. If you think you might need an exception, please ask to speak to a board member prior to auditions.*

 

 

Further questions?

Feel free to reach out to us at info@occt.org