Theatre Troupe Policies
Age Requirement
This program is for students ages 8 through high school graduation. Students must have turned 8 by August 31, 2025. Seniors graduating in 2026 are invited and encouraged to audition or interview for a crew role.
Program Fee
Each student who is selected to be part of the cast or crew will pay a non-refundable fee of $100.00 and will be due at the first rehearsal. The fee will be applied to costumes, props, and other necessities for the production.
Mandatory Parent Meeting
Parents of students auditioning or interviewing for a crew position must attend ONE of the mandatory parent meetings listed below and sign the statement indicating their attendance and their understanding of the policies. If a family moves to the Pella area or begins homeschooling after the scheduled mandatory meetings are held for the group but before auditions are held, a one-on-one meeting may be scheduled for that family.
Program Ads
To help fund our theatre program, each cast and crew member is asked to obtain 2 ads for our show programs. More information about the ads will be given at the mandatory parent meeting held during the first practice.
A Word About Auditions
Auditions are hard. We sincerely appreciate the courage it takes to put oneself on the line and face what feels like rejection if a student doesn't get the role hoped for or is not cast. Casting decisions may disappoint some of the students and their parents. Casting is a challenging and complicated process, involving multiple variables. Several key elements that go into a casting decision are simply out of a student’s control. Once the cast list is posted, casting decisions will not be reconsidered. Once a casting decision has been made, it is final. The casting team will not offer explanations for, entertain complaints about, or discuss in any way the decisions that have been made. Gossip will not be tolerated regarding casting decisions. This is to ensure conflict is kept to a minimum.
This program is not only intended to give students a chance to perform but also to instruct them. If a student would like feedback about their audition, the student may make a written request (via email) for audition feedback. The response will include kind and constructive criticism regarding a student’s audition, and specific advice about where to most effectively direct efforts for improvement.
Rehearsal Schedule
Rehearsals will be held on Mondays from 12:00-4:00 PM and occasionally on Thursday evenings from 6:00-8:00 PM. Not all performers will be needed at every rehearsal. A rehearsal schedule indicating who is needed at which rehearsal will be distributed before rehearsals begin. Students will be allowed to share possible conflicts on their information form at auditions. Please note that there are mandatory rehearsals that all cast members must attend. Missing a mandatory rehearsal may result in removal from the program, and the student will be replaced. Missing a performance may affect a student’s eligibility for future productions.
Mandatory Rehearsals
Monday, April 13, 2026, from 12:00-4:00 PM
Monday, June 15, 2026, from 12:00-4:00 PM
Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 6:00-9:00 PM
Performances
Friday, June 19, 2026, from 5:00-9:00 PM (Show @ 7:00 PM)
Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 11:00-3:00 PM (Show @ 2:00 PM)
The following expectations and policies are to ensure a good learning and rehearsal environment:
1. To be on time is to be in your seat with the necessary materials for rehearsal when rehearsal begins. Being late for rehearsal is unacceptable.
2. Since not all performers will be needed at every rehearsal, we will try to work around schedules, but once the rehearsal schedule is set, students are only permitted two absences for any reason, including illness. There will be a calendar available at auditions for students to note any known or potential conflicts; however, limited availability on the part of the student may affect casting decisions.
3. Dress rehearsals and performances are MANDATORY. If a student misses either of these events without a valid excuse (illness or emergency), it may negatively affect the family's eligibility to participate in future productions. Each situation will be handled on a case-by-case basis and is up to the discretion of the director or ICCA board of directors.
4. Talking or other disturbance during rehearsal is prohibited. If a particular student is a distraction, making it difficult for students to stay focused during rehearsal, they will be dismissed (after a gentle verbal reminder is given), and it will count as an absence.
5. Cast members must be prepared. All cast members must have their script, music, and a pencil with them at each rehearsal. If a dance rehearsal is scheduled, proper attire and shoes will be required.
6. Unless a cast member is recording their part, the use of cell phones or other electronics during rehearsals is strictly prohibited.
7. Each student is expected to be polite, use proper language, take care of the property, show respect to those in authority, and try to the best of their ability.
8. All students will need access to Google Classroom. Rehearsal schedules, cast notes, and all important information will be posted on Google Classroom.
9. Practice is only held once a week; students are expected to practice as much as possible at home. In preparation for the performance, cast members will have deadlines to be “off-book”. If a cast member is struggling to keep up with deadlines and it negatively impacts the production or the cast, the cast member may be replaced after being given a written warning.
SCRIPT & MUSIC CARE
Each cast member is responsible for the replacement cost of any script or music issued to him/her that should become lost or irreparably damaged. All marking must be in pencil. DO NOT USE PENS OR OTHER MARKERS TO MARK YOUR MUSIC. ALL ISSUED SCRIPTS AND MUSIC MUST BE RETURNED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FINAL PERFORMANCE.