MTC Main Stage Production Policies & Procedures

MTC is committed to bringing you quality theater productions while fostering the talent and creativity of our community members. The MTC staff is a group of experienced and devoted individuals who truly love working with youth and adults in the arts. We are so excited to work with you and get started on a MTC Main Stage Production!

This is a 6 to 12 Week Session Commitment (depends on season and production).

• MTC productions are auditioned performing groups, and commitment is expected (please see Conflicts section).
• Dance techniques and singing are required. Additional dance classes are encouraged (please see McLaughlin Studio dance schedule).
• It is also strongly recommended that members of MTC productions take private voice lessons (please see McLaughlin Studio Music Faculty for instructor options and contact McLaughlin Studios to schedule lessons).
• Most productions include the costumes, however parents may be asked to purchase shoes, tights and other needed accessories (please see Costumes section in this packet).
• Parents are required to provide a minimum of 12 hours of volunteer work during each production (please see Cast Member Family Volunteer Hours section in this packet).
• Some productions also offer one or two need based work scholarships. Please contact the studio office if you feel you are eligible for a need based scholarship. (916) 652-6377.

Ages

Ages for MTC Main Stage Productions are based on the needs of the Broadway Production selected. Most Broadway productions call for a wide range of actors. The youngest age eligible to participate in a main stage production is 7. Many productions offer parts for adults, teens and youth. Ages will be clearly posted for each MTC Main Stage Production.

MTC Main Stage Production Tuition

Production Workshop Tuition Includes

Program participation, t-shirt, basic costume, cast party, head shot. Cast members responsible for costume shoes, undergarments, accessories and makeup. Payment must be received at time of final registration. No refund or make-ups. Payment may be made by cash, check, or credit/debit card. Payment may be made in advance or monthly.

Adult Cast Members

Adult cast members have the option of working more volunteer hours to reduce tuition. Those who have construction, costuming, painting, marketing, soliciting, sponsorship, event planning, or other needed skills can talk with the producer to coordinate an area of the production or facility build out in exchange for tuition.

Cast Member Family Volunteer Hours

Parents/Cast Members will be required to complete volunteer hours of 12 hours or may pay a $100 opt-out fee. A deposit of $100 must be submitted prior to the start of rehearsals and will be refunded if Cast Member Family Volunteer Hours are completed. More information will be provided at the MANDATORY cast member meeting.

Costumes

Most productions include the costumes, however cast members may be asked to purchase shoes, tights, and other needed accessories and makeup pertaining to their production role.

Conflicts

MTC production is a 12 week session commitment. MTC productions are auditioned performing groups, and commitment is expected. If a member misses more than 4 rehearsals during a production the student will be placed on probation with the possibility of not participating in the performances. If a student is absent when choreography is taught, they will not be in that number. Attendance at performances is required, unless very sick. Not all cast members will be called for every rehearsal. A rehearsal schedule will be provided at the first rehearsal. All cast members are expected to attend every rehearsal unless specified by the director. Also, NO absences will be permitted during tech week. Cast Members with more than 3 excused absences notated on their conflicts section of the audition and registration paperwork will not be eligible for lead roles in the production.

Cast Bios & Headshots

All cast members will have a printed bio for the production's program. Bio's must be no more than 50 words, written in 3rd party form and must be submitted by the bio deadline in order to be printed in the program. Bios received after the deadline will not be printed. Bios will be due no later than the fourth week of rehearsal. Please e-mail your bio to the theatre email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Headshots will be taken of each cast member for the program. The date will be announced one week in advance on the production calendar.

Script Rental

The script that is given to each actor needs to be kept in the same condition in which it is received. Cast members are required to give a $35 script rental deposit prior to receiving their script. Scripts are handed out after the Mandatory Cast Member Family meeting immediately following the first production rehearsal. Script deposit is refundable at the end of the show's run provided the scripts are returned in good condition and without any highlighter, pen or pencil markings. If notes have been taken in pencil, please make sure they are completely erased before the script is returned.

• Please arrive 30 Minutes before your audition time to fill out registration paperwork. This may be completed in advance.
• Closed toe shoes are required. If inappropriate shoes are worn, you will not be allowed to participate.
• NO FLIP FLOPS or BARE FEET!
• Hair should be out of eyes and pulled back off face.
• Clothing should allow actors to move freely.
• Open Cast Call, all participants will be accepted (kids and jr productions Only). Lead parts will be given out after callbacks.
• For musicals please prepare and bring sheet music or karaoke CD for a 1 minute portion of a song from a Broadway show (not from the show you are auditioning for). Children under age 10 can sing a simple song of their choice.
• For plays please prepare a one minute family friendly monologue.
• Headshots and resumes are recommended but not required.
• Please bring a list of dates that conflict with rehearsals to your audition day and time.

To sign up for auditions you may follow the link on the mtctheatre.org website to schedule your audition time online or you may call the studio to ask questions and register by phone. You are also more than welcome to stop by McLaughlin Studios and register in person. We are always excited to help. 916-652-6377 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Callbacks

After all auditions are completed for a Kids, Jr. and Main Stage Productions, the artistic team will schedule callback auditions. Callbacks are second auditions that help the team decide the best actors for certain roles in the production. Some actors may not be involved in callback auditions. We will only schedule callbacks for actors that we need to see a little more from.

Cast List

Cast lists will be posted 48 hours after callback auditions. Actors will have 24 hours to accept or decline rolls. It will include the actors name and the name of the character they have been cast as for the production. In the case of large production casts, we may double cast some roles. In this instance the double casted actor will perform 50% of the performances as the double casted character and 50% of the performances as an ensemble member of the cast. Each cast member of the production will participate in every performance.

Normal rehearsal times will be:

• Days and times vary with productions. Usually two week day evenings and one weekend day are scheduled.
• Rehearsals times will be added as needed as we near opening of our production.

Individual cast members will not be called for every rehearsal. It is important to check the posted schedule frequently to notate scheduled rehearsal times, dates and to keep up on schedule changes. The rehearsal schedule is posted and updated on the mtctheatre.org website under production calendars.

Cast Meeting

A mandatory cast meeting is held immediately following the first rehearsal for all MTC Productions. Each cast member must have an adult family member in attendance at the cast meeting.

The majority of MTC Productions will consist of six performances as well as one to six community performance dates. Dates and details are dependent on the time of year our show is produced, the number of cast members in the production and available community activities. It is the responsibility of the cast member to be aware of all production activities including rehearsal schedule, performance dates, bio deadlines, etc. All of our dates and details are available online in our production calendar.

Tech week is a very important part of all MTC Productions. It is where we polish the show and have the opportunity to work with sets, props, and sound for the first time. It is mandatory that all cast members attend each and every tech week rehearsal. Tech week is five to seven consecutive days of rehearsal to get ready for opening night. It’s fun, it’s exciting and exhilarating. Please make sure you gets lots of sleep, eats well, and is ready for this rigorous week of rehearsal.

There is a MANDATORY STRIKE DAY for all cast members. "Strike" is a load-out work day which consists of tearing down sets, returning all costumes and props, cleaning out the theatre space, etc. For all MTC Productions, strike will take place immediately following the closing performance. Strike contributes to the 12 hours of cast member family volunteer hours, and the opt-out fee will be incurred if cast member family does not participate in strike.

There will be a cast party immediately following the final performance and strike of most MTC Main Stage Production.

• Be familiar with the rehearsal schedule and attend all scheduled rehearsals.
• Be on time.
• Wear proper attire for rehearsal.
• No open-toed, or backless shoes. Dance, character, or tennis shoes only.
• Please have hair pulled back and out of actors face.
• No short skirts. (wear clothes that can be easily moved in)
• No cell phones or any other electronic devices during rehearsals.
• No gum chewing at rehearsals or performances.
• Be prepared for rehearsal.
• Always bring a PENCIL for taking notes/blocking.
• Bring only WATER to drink.
• Be familiar with scenes before you rehearse it.
• Memorize all lines and songs by their deadline.
• Be prepared for all entrances and exits.
• Do not distract other actors or disrupt the rehearsal.

If you are going to be late to rehearsal for any reason, please contact MTC at (916) 652-6377 to let us know!

Still have questions? We are always happy to answer your question. Please feel free to give us a call or email and we will do our best to get back to you promptly.