Be part of An Awfully Big Adventure this summer!
Peter Pan Jr, The Elgiva’s terrific summer project, is packed with acting, singing, technical skills and more than a sprinkling of fairy dust!
It’s time to get off of the sofa and get onto the STAGE!
DON'T FORGET TO BOOK FOR THE SHOW!
📢 We’re calling all young performers aged 8 – 17...
⚙️🛠🔦⚡
...and young technicians aged 13 – 17!
THE ELGIVA SUMMER YOUTH PROJECT IS BACK!
Following on from the success of last year’s fabulous production of Annie Jr, our team return to provide local young people with a memorable two-week experience and THREE performances of Peter Pan Jr on the amazing Elgiva stage.
WHY PETER PAN JR?
This year we have chosen the junior edition of the original musical adaptation of J M Barrie’s Peter Pan. This high-flying Tony Award-winning musical has been performed around the world and delighted audiences for 60 years and is now adapted so that our young performers can bring their favourite pirate-villains, brave adventurers and magical fairies to life! With lots of parts we can offer every child a chance to shine!
IMPORTANT DATES
Summer project & rehearsals: Monday 31st July to Friday 4th August 9:30am to 4pm* (principals until 5pm)
Monday 7th August to Thursday 10th August 9:30am to 4pm* (principals until 5pm)
Friday 11th August 12pm to 5pm
Performances: Friday 11th August 7pm
Saturday 12th August 2:30pm and 6pm
*Wrap around care available 4pm to 5pm for £5 a day (book closer to the time)
COST
£280 (£140 per week)**
10% discount for returning members or EYT members
** Cost includes costumes, Friday ‘tea’ on the day of the first show, after party on Saturday, professional photos AND a video of the performance!
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Our project is designed to provide an amazing experience for ALL participants – not just the lead parts. We are asking everyone to commit to the project BEFORE our casting day on Saturday 29th April. In return for your commitment, we will ensure that every child is given a chance to shine; whilst we cannot guarantee everyone a main part, by meeting everyone on 29th April, we can offer EVERYONE either a featured speaking, singing or dancing role (if they want one).
During the rehearsal process we schedule lots of activities for everyone so if you don’t get cast in a lead role, we guarantee that you won’t be sitting around feeling bored.
WHAT IS THE CASTING DAY?
On Saturday 29th April we invite all participants to spend the day at The Elgiva so we can get to know each other and, of course, cast the show. There’ll be warm up games, singing, dancing and acting. Anyone who wants to be considered for a lead role or a featured role will need to sing a few lines solo and read some script in front of others.
WHO WE ARE
Director & Producer Danielle Gaglione: Danielle led the Youth Project in our 2022 summer smash of Annie Jr. She is known for her energy and passion for ensuring that all young people get a chance to shine! Many attendees will already know Danielle as the leader of The Elgiva Youth Theatre (EYT) and her own company Dramarama Clubs.
Musical Director: Jill Neenan : Jill is a celebrated local MD, working with adults and children across Bucks and Herts in large and small choirs and productions. Jill was our MD for Annie last year, bringing wonderful energy and a passion for bringing out the very best of every member of the group.
Liberty Hobbs: Choreographer : Liberty is a talented choreographer with a knack for pitching her dances at just the right level for her students. She demonstrated this as choreographer for Annie last year, and now as The Elgiva Youth Theatre’s weekly Musical Theatre teacher.
Assistant Director: Ben Parkinson: We’re delighted to welcome back Ben to The Elgiva following the success of Annie. This year he’ll be supporting Danielle and Liberty with both acting and choreography.
We also have an amazing team of additional helpers. Dot and Pat will be back and of course the incredible Technical Team will be there to bring that real-theatre magic to the production.
FAQ
Q: My child only wants to take part of they are cast in a lead role. What can I do if they are not cast as a lead?
A: We are asking everyone who signs up to commit to the project by paying a non-refundable deposit of £50 upon registration. If your child is not offered a lead role, we will use the casting day to identify everyone’s strengths and offer everyone who wants one a featured speaking, singing or acting role. If they still do not want to take part then they may withdraw but the £50 deposit is non-refundable.
Q: What is a featured acting, singing or dancing role?
A: At the casting day we will identify everyone’s strengths and preferences and either split lines, or add lines to offer more children speaking roles, their own line to sing or to be one of our main ‘dancers’.
Q: My child is not a featured dancer or singer, will they still take part in the songs?
A: Yes! Our ensemble will all sing and dance together but featured dancers will have more complex routines.
Q: We want to take part in the project but cannot attend the casting day. What can I do?
A: Please make a note of this on the registration form and we will be in touch to advise how you can submit a digital ‘audition tape’.
Q: My child wants to take part but there are some rehearsal days or performance days that they cannot attend – can they still come?
A: Yes! But we cannot offer them a lead or featured role if they will miss any of the performances. Please make a note on the registration form.
Q: I’ve paid the £50 deposit, when is the final balance payable?
A: Once the parts have been announced (within one week of the casting) you will have two weeks to pay for their place (details will be sent). If anyone doesn’t pay or make contact within this time frame we will be obliged to offer their place to another person.
Q: My child is very nervous about the casting day – what can they expect?
A: We know that castings can feel a bit nerve-wracking, but we promise that everyone feels the same! We’re trying to pitch this as more of a ‘let’s get to know each other’ day and the team will do everything we can to help everyone feel at ease. We’ll play games, sing together and learn a dance routine. And there’s no pressure for anyone to do anything that they don’t want to do.
ARE YOU MORE INTERESTED IN TECHNICAL WIZARDRY AND AND WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES?
We are giving young people aged between 13 – 17 years old, the opportunity to take part in the Summer Youth Project behind the scenes (where the magic happens!).
You will learn about the technical side of theatre: lighting design, sound design, props, set, wardrobe and stage management. You will experience first-hand the process of getting a musical ready to be performed from a technical point of view and be a part of the production team for the performances, getting creative making the set and the props
Gain masterclasses in Stage Management, Lighting and Sound!
An exciting experience to be part of a production team in a professional theatre using costumes and stunning sets.
For more information please contact Danielle: youththeatre@elgiva.com.
The tech team places are strictly limited and will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.
18 OR OVER BUT STILL WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
CONTACT US TO FIND OUT ABOUT VOLUNTEERING!
EMAIL youththeatre@elgiva.com OR CLICK HERE!
