WHAT WILL IT COST?  There is no participation fee for the musical. The program stays afloat on ticket sales and sponsorships. We know that participating families enjoy seeing the show and by purchasing tickets for multiple friends and family members (or encouraging those purchases), you can do your part to sustain the program. There may be other items/opportunities (show T-shirt, winter dance, etc) for the students to purchase if you and they choose to do so. The price you pay for these things generally covers the actual expense and does not bring income to Muse Machine.

WHERE CAN STUDENTS PARK? ABM Parking Services has been remarkably kind to offer significantly discounted parking to musical participants. This info is included on a separate sheet.

WHERE DO WE DROP OFF & PICK UP?  Students may be dropped off in front of the Metropolitan Arts Center or on First St next to the Victoria Theatre. They should arrive 10 minutes prior to the rehearsal time listed on the schedule.  Any student arriving after the scheduled rehearsal time (without prior notification) will be considered tardy. Every effort will be made to release students at the scheduled time. If students are being picked up in front of the Metropolitan Arts Center, please remember that buses use the curb lane and cars are not permitted to wait along the curb for an extended time. Please stay in a single line of cars “orbiting” the building to pick up students.

WILL STUDENTS BE SAFE DOWNTOWN BEFORE AND AFTER PRACTICE?  Muse Machine utilizes volunteer parents or off-duty Dayton police officers to provide security around the Metropolitan Arts Center following rehearsals and during any weekend meal breaks.  Although volunteers and officers can escort students to their cars, we consider the provided parking garage to be a very safe option. Students can best ensure their safety by simply traveling in groups.

WHERE CAN STUDENTS EAT?  There are several restaurants in the surrounding area, with prices and hours that vary. Vending machines are located on the fourth floor, near the rehearsal room.  Students may bring food and eat on the fourth floor near the vending machines or along the hallway. Absolutely NO food or beverages (with the exception of bottled water) are permitted in the rehearsal studio unless Muse has provided it. Breaks occur during rehearsals and encourage all students to bring a beverage and sandwich, snack, etc to keep up energy and good health.

WHAT IF STUDENTS ARE LATE OR HAVE TO MISS REHEARSAL?  We do realize that there will be times when students will be late or need to miss a rehearsal altogether. However, excessive tardiness and absences will result in dismissal from the cast.  Efforts will be made to accommodate requests for absences (there may be NO conflicts during the Victoria Theatre rehearsals in January). These requests must be submitted (in writing via the website) to the Rehearsal Stage Manager, according to the terms in the cast contract.

HOW DO I CONTACT THE CREATIVE STAFF?  We share lots of info with all of you on the “Backstage” page of our website. Go to musemachine.com, under the  MUSICALS & CONCERTS tab select BACKSTAGE. Among other things, you’re able to “Send a message to the musical creative staff”. This is an especially fast way to send a message to the musical staff. During rehearsals, the Rehearsal Stage Manager will receive those messages as you send them. Phone messages left at 937-222-MUSE ext 401 will be collected once each day, M-F.

WILL STUDENTS BE ABLE TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK?  Most members of the cast will have time to do homework during most rehearsals. Students must be aware of what specific scene is being rehearsed at a given moment, however. It is the students’ responsibility to be in the rehearsal studio for their cues.

CAN PARENTS WATCH PRACTICES?  In order to keep students focused on their characters, lines and movements, parents are not included in rehearsals.  Parents of very young performers may wait during rehearsals on the third floor. There may be an understudy performance in the rehearsal studio for families of understudy performers. The directors and producer reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the understudy performance based on the status of the show at that time. At this rehearsal, understudy families may attend to take photographs, though flash photography and all video cameras are strictly prohibited. All cameras, video and audio equipment are prohibited at the actual performances. A selection of rehearsal and performance photographs will be made available to families following the production.

WILL REHEARSAL BE CANCELLED IF THE WEATHER IS BAD? If the weather becomes severe, an automated phone message will alert all participants to rehearsal decisions. The decision regarding cancellation will be made by 1:00pm each weekday, and by one hour prior to rehearsals on weekends. As a rule of thumb, if downtown Dayton reaches a “level 3 emergency”, rehearsal will be cancelled. Although cancelling rehearsals can pose a significant hardship for the production, we will not ask anyone to travel in unsafe driving conditions.

WHEN CAN WE BUY TICKETS? On November 11 at the Parents’ Association Meeting, families of cast, orchestra and PAs will be able to reserve tickets for any of the performances and also receive very special, one-time-only discounts. You will soon receive specific information regarding this presale. On November 13, tickets will go on sale to the general public.

WILL THERE BE NEWSPAPER, RADIO OR TV COVERAGE? Press photos will be taken (in regional groupings) in December. Watch for articles to run in your local papers in late November or early December. If we have advance notice of appearances on TV or other media, we will share that info, typically on our Facebook page.

WILL THERE BE MERCHANDISE? T-shirts may be pre-ordered (info on the website in November). As mentioned, you may be able to order rehearsal and performance photos of the cast, orchestra and PAs online following the production. Other Muse Machine merchandise may be available for purchase online.

WHAT IS “THE WINTER DANCE”? The Parents’ Association throws a Winter Dance at the Packard Museum on Sunday, December 17. It features the finest big band in the area, refreshments provided by the parents and is often described by those who come as “more fun than prom”. All the students are invited, as are parents and musical alum. There is also an optional dinner (pre-planned by the Parents’ Association) which allows for a complete, no-fuss, inexpensive, wonderful evening. Information on both the dance and dinner will be provided in November.

HOW DO WE DELIVER FLOWERS OR GIFTS TO STUDENTS DURING PERFORMANCES?  If you would like to have gifts delivered to students during any of the performances, the first and last name of the student must be clearly written on the item.  Gifts can be given to a Victoria Theatre staff member stationed near the back right-hand side of the lobby, for delivery to the student.  Only parents who have volunteered for specific duties (and wearing a backstage pass) will be allowed backstage before, during or after performances. * Please consider ordering flowers through the Parents’ Association (information forthcoming in November).