Musical Theatre Green Room Parents Tips

Welcome to the parent's corner of the Musical Theatre Green Room. Please come in and make yourself at home. The point of the parent's corner is specifically to decode the world of the musical theatre for parents who have children exploring or growing their skills on stage. The world behind the curtain is both more unique and more mundane than most people imagine. It is unique primarily because it is the one discipline that can make use of most any skill set an individual can bring. Indeed, when technical theatre is included the disciplines involved range from computer programmers to seamstresses, to craftsmen who specialize in everything from wood to latex. More, top level performers range in personality types from the extrovert that we all expect to be in the spotlight to the introvert - and often the introvert turns out to be the better of the two!

Over time we will cover a wide range of topics specifically written for the parent of youth in the musical theatre to not only foster understanding of the process but to enable each parent to more accurately guide their youth and develop the skills that each possess.

Green Room Parent's Corner Abstracts

Casting Director, Understanding - Like or not the casting director has some considerations that go beyond who is the best singer, actor, or dancer. Understanding what some of the big issues are will help parents guide their children wisely through the peaks and disappointment of life in the theatre.

Choosing Your Child's Musical Theatre Participation - Let's face it, as parents it can be sometimes difficult to know which musical production is suitable for your family's personal values. Even if you have a company who shares your general values you are not going to agree on everything. Here is a guide to determining which musical productions are suitable for your family.

Criteria That Should be Considered in the Musical Selection Process - Who hasn't heard of school theatre programs (or even community theatre groups) that are plagued with problems that boil down to the theatre's play or musical selection. No one is coming so they are struggling financially or ...

Dietary Guidelines for Singers and Actors - Most of us have heard that singers and actors don't eat certain things before a performance, but what specifically should they avoid and why?

How Musicals and Plays are Selected: Understanding Show Selection - The whole show selection process often seems either capricious or shrouded in mystery. Actually, there is no set method, but most cases boil down to a fairly simple and straight forward process.

How to Use Your Child's Theatre Experience to Train them as People - The theatre can be a lot of fun, but to be successful you must have skills that will carry over into life outside the theatre. This provides parents with a great opportunity to raise their children.

Performer's Job Description - It's not as obvious as it sounds. The truth is more performances have been ruined by performers when they were not onstage than any single other cause. Help your child succeed and keep on the good side of your director by reinforcing these essentials.

Physical Demands of the Musical Theatre - What is involved in truly training for a career on stage? As a parent it is often helpful to understand what is required even if our children have not yet reached that point.

Theatre Etiquette: The Call - What is involved in that thing we call, "the call". What are the expectations for the performers? It goes against most children's natural inclination, but provides us parents a great tool to prepare them for their greatest role of all - life!

Vocal Care, Basic - As a parent you want the best for your children. The problem is that children often don't tell us what they have been instructed to do or not do. Here are some simple steps to take to protect and prepare your child's vocal chords before they begin singing or speaking on stage.

Vocal Care, Performing During Illness - What strategy should your child employ to protect the health of their voice when their throat is raw or sore due to a respiratory illness or allergies and they still are required to practice or perform?

What does _____ "Junior" Mean? - There are all kinds of shows that have a "Junior" version of them available. What are they? Does that mean that the shows are family friendly? Or could there be more to the designation?

What Is the Musical About - Deciding which shows to allow your child to participate in is dictated, in part, by what lesson the musical is highlighting. Perhaps it's message is anti-war, perhaps it is about putting family over work, or any number of other themes. So the role of a parent is to choose which musicals correspond with their values. Here is how to tell the difference between storyline and theme.

Why Dietary Restrictions are Important for Singers and Actors - Why should it matter what young performers eat? It's a common question, but when you understand how certain foods impact the vocal folds (vocal chords) it all makes perfect sense.

Why Should You Understand the Theme of the Musical Being Performed? - As performers, directors, and even for parents of performers it's easy to get wrapped up in the work of the production and overlook the single item that will make each role's job go that much more smoothly.


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		Parent's Corner
		Welcome to the parent's corner of the Musical Theatre Green Room. Please come in and make yourself at home. The point of the parent's corner is specifically to decode the world of the musical theatre for parents who have children exploring or growing their skills on stage. The world behind the curtain is both more unique and more mundane than most people imagine. It is unique primarily because it is the one discipline that can make use of most any skill set an individual can bring. Indeed, when technical theatre is included the disciplines involved range from computer programmers to seamstresses, to craftsmen who specialize in everything from wood to latex. More, top level performers range in personality types from the extrovert that we all expect to be in the spotlight to the introvert - and often the introvert turns out to be the better of the two! Over time we will cover a wide range of topics specifically written for the parent of youth in the musical theatre to not only foster understanding of the process but to enable each parent to more accurately guide their youth and develop the skills that each possess. Green Room Parent's Corner Abstracts Casting Director, Understanding - Like or not the casting director has some considerations that go beyond who is the best singer, actor, or dancer. Understanding what some of the big issues are will help parents guide their children wisely through the peaks and disappointment of life in the theatre. Choosing Your Child's Musical Theatre Participation - Let's face it, as parents it can be sometimes difficult to know which musical production is suitable for your family's personal values. Even if you have a company who shares your general values you are not going to agree on everything. Here is a guide to determining which musical productions are suitable for your family. Criteria That Should be Considered in the Musical Selection Process - Who hasn't heard of school theatre programs (or even community theatre groups) that are plagued with problems that boil down to the theatre's play or musical selection. No one is coming so they are struggling financially or ... Dietary Guidelines for Singers and Actors - Most of us have heard that singers and actors don't eat certain things before a performance, but what specifically should they avoid and why? How Musicals and Plays are Selected: Understanding Show Selection - The whole show selection process often seems either capricious or shrouded in mystery. Actually, there is no set method, but most cases boil down to a fairly simple and straight forward process. How to Use Your Child's Theatre Experience to Train them as People - The theatre can be a lot of fun, but to be successful you must have skills that will carry over into life outside the theatre. This provides parents with a great opportunity to raise their children. Performer's Job Description - It's not as obvious as it sounds. The truth is more performances have been ruined by performers when they were not onstage than any single other cause. Help your child succeed and keep on the good side of your director by reinforcing these essentials. Physical Demands of the Musical Theatre - What is involved in truly training for a career on stage? As a parent it is often helpful to understand what is required even if our children have not yet reached that point. Theatre Etiquette: The Call - What is involved in that thing we call, "the call". What are the expectations for the performers? It goes against most children's natural inclination, but provides us parents a great tool to prepare them for their greatest role of all - life! Vocal Care, Basic - As a parent you want the best for your children. The problem is that children often don't tell us what they have been instructed to do or not do. Here are some simple steps to take to protect and prepare your child's vocal chords before they begin singing or speaking on stage. Vocal Care, Performing During Illness - What strategy should your child employ to protect the health of their voice when their throat is raw or sore due to a respiratory illness or allergies and they still are required to practice or perform? What does _____ "Junior" Mean? - There are all kinds of shows that have a "Junior" version of them available. What are they? Does that mean that the shows are family friendly? Or could there be more to the designation? What Is the Musical About - Deciding which shows to allow your child to participate in is dictated, in part, by what lesson the musical is highlighting. Perhaps it's message is anti-war, perhaps it is about putting family over work, or any number of other themes. So the role of a parent is to choose which musicals correspond with their values. Here is how to tell the difference between storyline and theme. Why Dietary Restrictions are Important for Singers and Actors - Why should it matter what young performers eat? It's a common question, but when you understand how certain foods impact the vocal folds (vocal chords) it all makes perfect sense. Why Should You Understand the Theme of the Musical Being Performed? - As performers, directors, and even for parents of performers it's easy to get wrapped up in the work of the production and overlook the single item that will make each role's job go that much more smoothly. Copyright © 2011 www.MusicalTheatreGreenRoom.com ~ All Rights Reserved.