FAQ Page
We’ve gathered all the most frequently asked questions to help you. Have more questions? Please contact us at office@cteelgin.com or call 847-214-7152 and we’ll be happy to talk with you!
How do I get my child involved with CTE/FVTC?
First of all, we are so glad you’re thinking of getting your child involved in theatre! It is truly our mission to provide a place for children and teens to learn, grow, and enrich their lives through our programs. We offer several ways to participate!
Full-scale musicals. Each year we produce four musical theatre shows on a large auditorium stage. Auditions are held about ten weeks before the show starts. More info on auditions is found below.
Theatre workshops. These are great for any age range and ability level, but we find they are a great option especially for anyone wondering what it’s like to be involved in theatre! Workshops last about 3-4 hours and cover the basics of auditioning with singing, dancing, and acting activities. These are perfect for someone wanting to become familiar with us before jumping into an audition!
Summer camp. Each summer, we offer a weeklong day camp that offers fun theatre-based activities! These camps can help participants prepare for auditions, experiment to see if theatre is something they want to pursue, or just fill some summer days with fun and friends!
We announce upcoming auditions, camps, and workshops through our social media, emails, and on our website. Be sure to sign up here for our emails so you don’t miss a thing!
What is an audition like?
We get it – auditions can be a little scary for anyone doing it for the first (or even after the first) time! Fortunately, our team is made up of educators and seasoned show directors that love working with young people, and we do everything we can to create a safe and welcoming environment. Here are the steps to audition:
Sign up! There will be a link provided with the audition announcement where you can register for your audition time. We ask for basic information like name and age, as well as information about your theatre experience.
Prepare! At your audition, you’ll be asked to read a monologue and sing about one minute of a song. For most shows, there will be monologues to choose from to practice in your registration confirmation email. You’ll also need a song – Disney and Broadway tunes work great. Please print out sheet music (sheetmusicplus.com and musicnotes.com are great resources) and have a copy ready for the accompanist. Finally, there will be a dance portion of the audition. This part is done in a group, where you’ll learn a dance alongside other potential cast members.
Come on time and have fun!
What does it cost to participate in CTE/FVTC?
Show costs range from $130 to $260, depending on the show. These help cover costs associated with the show such as auditorium rental, show staff, and set and costume supplies. Workshops and camps cost anywhere from $50-$150 depending on the class and what is being offered. Payment plans are available for our show costs, and scholarships are available for all CTE-related offerings. Contact office@cteelgin.com for information about scholarships.
How often do rehearsals take place?
Rehearsals for shows are scheduled per show, and may include weeknight evenings as well as weekends.
What are your health & safety precautions?
We are so happy to be producing theatre in-person again, and we are taking steps to help ensure we can keep doing just that while creating a safe environment for our cast members, families, and audiences.
Masks are optional for audience members and cast members.
More information on our COVID-19 policies can be found at cteelgin.com/covid.
What is your refund policy for show participation?
Payment is due on the day of the first rehearsal. Parents may either pay in full or enroll in a payment plan by the first rehearsal date. 100% refund given if cancellation is communicated 1-6 calendar days after the first rehearsal date. If enrolled in a payment plan, CTE refunds the 25% deposit paid at registration. 75% refund given if cancellation is communicated within 7-13 calendar days of the first rehearsal date. If enrolled in a payment plan, CTE keeps the 25% already charged, but does not charge the remaining 75%. 50% refund given if cancellation is communicated within 14-20 calendar days of the first rehearsal date. If enrolled in a payment plan, CTE agrees to not charge anything further, but keeps the two 25% installment payments already made.
No refund will be given if cancellation is communicated 21 calendar days or more after the first rehearsal date. If enrolled in a payment plan, parent agrees that the card on file will be charged the full amount at the time of cancellation.
What is your volunteer policy?
We love our volunteers! Our small nonprofit theatre is able to produce high-quality musical theatre experiences for thousands of young people because our amazing volunteers make our shows happen. We ask that each family member with a child in the show dedicate time to helping on one or two committees. From box office, to costumes, to set building, there is something for everyone to help with! If you’d like to learn more about each committee, please go to cteelgin.com/committees!