Young People's Theatre Newcastle

Young People’s Theatre Newcastle Inc (YPT) is a voluntary organisation administered by a Committee elected by the adult members at the Annual General Meeting each March. General Meetings are held at the Theatre on the third Tuesday of each month at 7.00pm. All parents/carers are encouraged to attend the meetings and to become members of YPT.

Students are accepted into the Theatre School on the condition that:

• they are in Year 3 or above at school
• a place is available
• the prescribed fee is paid on or before enrolment
• they are prepared to behave appropriately, accept direction and participate in class activities

Students are placed in class according to the class they are in at school, ie. a Year 4 school student is placed in a Year 4 YPT class. Placement at YPT is by application – not by audition.

While YPT does not discriminate against students or prospective students on the ground of disability, it is essential that you notify us of any health or other issues that could affect your child’s welfare and ability to work safely and successfully in a theatre class. These may include general medical or custody issues, learning difficulties or physical disabilities. At enrolment we would appreciate a letter identifying any issues and your suggestions of how to best handle the situation.

Fees per semester (2 school terms) from Semester 1, 2012 are:

• $230 for the 1st child
• $220 for the 2nd child
• $210 for the 3rd child

Payment of fees using a Credit Card attracts a 3% oncost.

Enrolments are renewed each semester. Enrolment of new students and re-enrolment of existing students is held prior to the commencement of classes. Enrolments/re-enrolments must be finalised before students attend classes.

Classes are held in venues in the Hamilton/ Broadmeadow area. Most junior classes are held on Saturday mornings for 1½ hours, i.e. from 9.00 to 10:30 and 10:30 to 12 noon. Senior students usually attend classes on Monday evenings between 6.00 and 7.30pm. Theatre classes do not operate during school holidays.

Regular class attendance is essential. Attendance at less than 75% of classes could result in the place being offered to a child on the Waiting List for the following semester. It is necessary to notify the Theatre if a student is to be absent from class. An application for a Leave of Absence maybe made for family holidays or prolonged illness but not for weekly sport events.

Punctuality in arriving at class is required – late arrival is disruptive to the class. Parents are asked to pick up their children promptly, within 10 minutes of class completion.

Students need to wear comfortable clothing so that they can move freely without embarrassment. T-shirts, shorts, leggings, bike pants, track pants, etc. are appropriate. Footwear should be soft and flexible. High heeled, strappy shoes/sandals and thongs are not suitable. For safety reasons, tutors may limit the activities in which students may engage if they are inappropriately attired. Students are encouraged to wear black YPT T-shirts to class. Printing of the YPT logo on student provided T-shirts is organised at a minimal cost.

Students may be invited to audition for productions, providing:

• they have been enrolled in Theatre Classes for at least one semester, and
• they have a regular attendance and positive participation record in class, and
• they can make the required commitment to rehearsal and production times, and
• their parent/s are willing to assist with production activities

Parental commitment for productions includes:

• making or altering their own child’s costume using materials and patterns provided by the Wardrobe Coordinator, and
• assisting with one or more of the following activities during the rehearsal phase: canteen; set construction on Friday evenings/Saturdays; Bump In, ie. preparing the stage area, dressing rooms immediately prior to the first performance; assisting with ticket sales and distributing publicity materials, and
• assisting with one or more of the following activities during the production season: front of house, ie. ticket sales, ushering; dressing room supervision; canteen; stage door supervision; Bump Out, ie. packing up the stage area, dressing rooms and costumes after the last performance.