A Parent’s Guide to the Showcase
Dr Dolittle
– 28th to 30th June 2024 –
Introduction
The biennial LWAD/PTW show is a major event in the life of the academy and takes months of preparation. For many of our students this will be their first opportunity to appear on stage and is an event marker for their time with the Academy.
Here is some information to help you understand the process. Keep looking at the website for updates and don’t ignore emails and newsletters from us as they will include important information to help you navigate a complex event.
What is an LWAD/PTW show like?
We have been putting shows on major stages around Coventry and Warwickshire for well over 25 years. This year we are delighted to be performing at the Spa Centre, Leamington. The shows are professionally produced, stage managed. They are always of a high standard with a strong storyline (written by us) designed to engage the whole family.
Our show is : “Dr Dolittle and the Ile de Drach”
Normally students aged 5-15 dance on either the Saturday or the Sunday shows. Please check your child’s class on the colour coded timetable and also the word document for dance titles and by surname.
Saturday Shows 1:30 & 6:30pm
Sunday Shows 1:30 & 6:30pm
Matinees only or Evening only
All 4 Shows (two on Saturday and two on Sunday)
The Four Key Dates (put them in your diary now!)
Whilst your child’s dance will be taught in class there will be two extra rehearsals before the show to help run the show in order and to rehearse the finale. Please be aware that students who miss these extra rehearsals will feel less confident about the show.
SUNDAY 23 June @ 2nd Warwick Sea Scout HQ, St Nicholas Park, Warwick CV34 4PT
Run through rehearsal, timed with:
Saturday Shows 9:00 -1:30pm and Sunday Shows 2:00 – 6:30pm
Children in all four shows will be needed throughout the day. The Finale will be at 1:00pm; we will only do this once so all students in the finale (everyone in act 2 dances 18-31) need to attend.
The day will be timed so that once your child has rehearsed, they will be returned to you. The rehearsal schedule will follow soon and you must arrive 20 minutes before your allotted time slot. Your child will be your responsibility whilst waiting to be called to rehearse and after they have finished. This run through rehearsal is not in costume (unless you have been asked to wear it by your teacher).
FRIDAY 28 June @ The SPA CENTRE, Leamington CV32 4HN – Dress Rehearsal
This is a full dress rehearsal and runs from 1:30 – 9:30pm and is essential for everyone to get their bearings on stage.
Students in the cast and multiple dances, will need to be signed in and out backstage and chaperones/helpers are required (please volunteer to help).
If your child is in one dance or there is a gap between their dance rehearsals, they need to stay with you in the foyer and wait to be called to be taken backstage by chaperones or volunteer helpers (see ‘volunteer to help’ below). Please be aware that we cannot allow any men in the changing area unless they have been allocated to chaperone our boy dancers.
The Dress Rehearsal is carefully timed so you do not have to be there the whole time. We will run the children’s dances from dance 1 to dance 32 in order. Adult dances will be the last to be rehearsed out of order in the evening (dances 11 & 22)
You will need to arrive in costume 30 minutes before your timed slot on stage. If your child has a change of costume, please put it in an open box that the child can carry, no coat hangers or plastic bags please. The auditorium is closed to parents/carers, no one is allowed in unless you have volunteered to be a chaperone or helper for the dress rehearsal and/or the shows.
Finale: The Finale is for students who are Act 2 (dance 18 to dance 31). We do not expect students only in Act 1 (dances 1 to dance 17) to be in the finale of the shows. They can be signed out and picked up in the interval.
There is a Finale rehearsal around 17:30 so the younger children in Act 2 who are doing the finale can leave. You must attend the finale rehearsal to be in the finale of the show.
SATURDAY 29th June @ The SPA CENTRE, Leamington 1:30pm & 6:30pm – Show Day
This is the Pink and Blue cast. Your child will be in both shows on Saturday. People often ask whether a child can just do one of the shows. The answer is generally no because it is disruptive to the rest of the group as the choreography is carefully set months in advance to the number of students in the class. If it’s absolutely unavoidable please discuss this directly with your child’s teacher immediately.
Adults: If you’re in a Matinee dance you are needed for the 1:30pm performance only. If you’re in an Evening dance, you are needed for the 6:30pm performance only.
Please sign in 45 minutes before the show wearing your first costume.
You must collect your child(ren) between the shows and sign them in for the evening as LWAD/PTW are unable to take responsibility for children between the shows.
SUNDAY 30th June @ The SPA CENTRE, Leamington 1:30pm & 6:30pm – Show Day
This is the Pink and Green cast. Your child will be in both shows. People often ask whether a child can just do one of the shows. The answer is generally no because it is disruptive to the rest of the group as the choreography is carefully set months in advance to the number of students in the class. If its absolutely unavoidable please discuss this directly with your child’s teacher immediately.
Adults: If you’re in a Matinee dance you are needed for the 1:30pm performance only. If you’re in an Evening dance, you are needed for the 6:30pm performance only.
Please sign in 45 minutes before the show wearing your first costume.
You must collect your child(ren) between the shows and sign them in for the evening as LWAD/PTW are unable to take responsibility for children between the shows.
The run time for each show is approximately 2 1/2 hours including a 20 minute interval (we don’t actually know how long it is until we run it!).
Showtime! What to do with your child
If your child is only dancing in Act 1 then we will expect them to be collected at the interval.
If your child is only in Act 2 then we will expect them to be signed in at the interval.
We strongly suggest you buy them a ticket to watch the other act in the show. We are willing to pair up families that may wish to share a child’s seat before you buy your tickets.
Tickets go on sale 22nd April
Tickets can be purchased on-line or at https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalspacentre/events or by phone 01926 334418. Tickets are £14.00 concessions (12 and under only) and £17.00 adults. The Spa Centre takes an additional £2 per ticket booking fee over and above our price.
Normally tickets sell very fast and some shows will sell out. We strongly advise parents to purchase tickets as quickly as possible to avoid disappointment.
Photographer and Memory Stick
At the Dress Rehearsal we have a photographer who will be set up in the lobby area to take individual and group shots. The company we use prints while you wait and are reasonably priced so please enjoy and make the most of a professional photographer. Please don’t offend the company by taking your own photos when the children are posing for the official photographer. They will also be taking professional dress rehearsal photos which can be purchased.
Each show will be videoed and two shows produced for sale on a single Memory Stick. Order forms will be available at the show.
Backstage Help/Chaperones
This show would not be possible without an army of volunteer helpers. Please help us by volunteering to help in one of the four performances. Where possible we will place you with your children’s class but we may need you with a different group. If you are with your child then you will be responsible for the whole of their group (usually 2-3 helpers per dance). If you’re helping at the dress rehearsal or performance, please arrive 60 minutes before the show starts. All helpers must sign in and collect a badge on arrival. We cannot admit children until their chaperones have arrived. Please fill in a volunteer helper form and return to belinda@lwad.co.uk.
What to bring and Backstage etiquette
Arrive in your first or only costume. Bring your other costume/s in a box so all your kit is contained, easy to access, and easy to carry. No coat hangers, no plastic bags, no fizzy drinks, no sticky food, no electrical items, no phone chargers, no hair straighteners and absolutely nothing containing nuts. Please bring water and remember whatever students bring with them, they need to be responsible for it and take it home. If you need an inhaler or other medication then please bring that too.
Make up is up to you as parents to be appropriate. The lights will drain faces, so a bit of foundation and emphasis on eyes, cheeks and lips is a good idea.
Getting Advice
The website will shortly be riddled with information so please try and find what you want from here first before asking the teachers. Alternatively contact our Administrator Belinda on belinda@lwad.co.uk.
Profits
A percentage of the profits will go to the Lukkumano School in Mazabuka, Zambia. This is a school for children orphaned particularly by the AIDS pandemic in Zambia. We will send round a newsletter shortly with further details. Over the past years LWAD has donated more than £45,000 to worthwhile charities.
We hope you enjoy the whole experience.
Vivienne Kibble,
Principal LWAD & PTW
