Important Information: 

This production cannot happen without parent support. All parents are required to volunteer approximately 5 ~ 10 hours during these weeks. The support includes chaperoning in the rehearsal and serving in at least one committee. Sign up for committees before or at the parent meeting or you will be assigned to a committee. 

FAQ: 

Q: What is the audition like? What will my students be asked to do? 

A: Directors lead warm-ups, explain process and expectations, and tell students about the roles. Music director teaches a few lines of a song and asks students to sing in small groups or solo, and explains opportunities for those interested in solo-singing roles. Students present a memorized monologue of 30-90 seconds. Director may give each student direction and watch for student response. (Because Studio East is a training facility, we ask that monologues be memorized.) Ideas for monologues can be found HERE

Q: What are callbacks? 

A: Callbacks are the third day of the audition process. The entire cast is called to read scenes and sing songs from the musical. (Some directors may prefer a “staggered release” for callbacks, allowing the younger students to leave early.) 

Q: What are Tech Rehearsals? 

A: Tech Rehearsals are the final dress rehearsals that happen at the stage. Directors will help actors to run through the whole show. These are the most important rehearsals before the shows and not to be missed. 

Q: Can my students miss any rehearsals? 

A: Rehearsals are important. But we understand that students are busy with other activities also. We ask families to provide accurate conflict dates prior to auditions. Directors will take absences into account when casting and schedule rehearsals. If students are absent due to illness during rehearsal weeks, please contact the producer immediately. Attendance during final week of tech rehearsals is mandatory. Illness is the only excusable absence. Absences during the final week may result in reduction of role or dismissal. 

Q: How are the drama titles being chosen? 

A: Production titles are on a rotation in order for Studio East to serve as many students per year as possible. All titles are appropriate for young people. All scripts are written in a way so that every actor has a chance to shine. 

Q: My older son can’t participate into this program, but my younger son is really interested in. But he is not a student in Blackwell. Can he join? 

A: This program is exclusively for Blackwell students to participate. But all siblings and community friends are welcome to come as audience on the performance days.  

Q: My student is only a Kindergartener/1^st grader/2^nd grader. Can he participate? 

A: This is a quite intensive program with 2 hours rehearsals afterschool and 4 days a week. Younger students may feel exhausted during rehearsals and not benefit as much as older ones. The scripts are also geared for 3^rd through 5^th graders. We highly recommend this program to older students. Younger students are encouraged to watch the shows as audience.  

Q: What is "What a Knight!" about?

A: Join Arthur and the knights of the Round Table on Camelot's craziest quest in this hilarious musical adventure!

A castle full of colourful characters join in the fun, including precocious princesses, a talking dragon - and not forgetting Merlin and his magic mirror! When young squire Watt Cobblers is expelled from Knight School, he reluctantly becomes Merlin's new apprentice. But trouble is never far away, and soon Camelot Castle collapses into chaos. Merlin has lost Excalibur, King Arthur's daughters have been kidnapped and his brave knights have turned into chickens. Watt and his new found friends Dusty Dragon and wayward Princess Alice set off on the biggest quest of their lives. But can our unlikely heroes rescue the princesses, save Excalibur and defeat the evil Black Knight? The answers are found in this magical production, where everyone is guaranteed to sing a lot, dance a lot and laugh a lot... at Camelot!