PARENT FAQS

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF JAXX EDUCATIONAL THEATRE SCHOOL?

Our mission is to develop creativity, promote self-esteem, and inspire self-expression through fully inclusive arts education programs, youth outreach, and live performances.

DO YOU HAVE A DEI STATEMENT?

Jaxx prides itself on full inclusion. All Jaxx students and staff are welcomed and encouraged to join our team regardless of special need, talent or skill level; race, ethnicity or cultural background; sexual orientation or identity. Story-telling is at its best when EVERYONE has a seat in our circle, on our stages and behind the scenes.

MAY I GET A REFUND?

• We have a very strict no refund policy due to the sensitive nature of casting and budgeting which includes the advance booking of staff for each class and production.
• There are absolutely no refunds within SEVEN days of auditions or classes starting for ANY reason and we are unable to make exceptions or accommodations. We secure our instructors, directors, designers and plan our budgets in advance. Anything with less than SEVEN days notice prior to classes starting does not give us enough time re-staff  if and when applicable in this post-pandemic era. Even when enrollment is sufficient and staffing remains unaffected, we have adopted this stricter, post-pandemic blanket policy to protect our staff, classes and productions.
• The no refund policy applies to students who get COVID and are unable to perform.
• Full refunds less $35 will be granted if requested with MORE than SEVEN days notice.
• Jaxx is made up of a company of artists who thrive in the ENSEMBLE. Therefore, we exemplify and employ the philosophy that there are no small roles, only small actors and must respectfully safeguard our productions. Tuition is not payment for a role or a certain number of lines, but rather it is for an ENSEMBLE musical theatre class and performing arts education experience. We encourage you and your student to adopt this philosophy.
• If your student is unable to participate in the class and production for whatever the reason after the refund deadline, your non-refundable tuition may be pro-rated and used as a tax-deductible contribution. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

 

WHY DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO AUDITION?

All of our classes start with an “Audition”. However, “Audition” can sometimes create unnecessary stress, and we like to keep this first “meeting” as stress-free and fun as possible. The purpose is really to get to know your child a bit and see where they might fit best in the production. All students are assigned a role and no one gets “cut” in Jaxx Educational Theatre School.

More about auditions:

• Each student will have access to our show DropBox after registration & payment is received. The show Dropbox contains songs & scenes to be used for the audition.
• We ask that all students prepare one song to sing and one role in one scene to read. Unless it is a monologue, there will be someone there to read the other part(s) in the scene with your child. If your child chooses a duet to sing, we prefer they sing both parts, but it is not required. Please note: our staff will not sing the other part with your child, so if they choose not to sing both parts they may sit out the parts the other character sings.
• Each student will be given his/her own private time with the directors. (The material does not need to be memorized, but it is very helpful if it is.)
• If your child is interested in a particular role, they should prepare the most challenging one minute of the song that shows off vocal range and character for the role they are interested in playing. If your child is not interested in any specific role, any one minute of any song will suffice. However, if we surmise that your child may do well in a specific role, we may ask if they are familiar with another song or perhaps a different section of the song than the one they are singing. Encourage your child to have fun with whatever is asked of them since we also really want to see their personality. If they do not know or are unfamiliar with whatever we might ask of them that is A-OKAY. It is typically a big compliment to be asked to do something else in the audition process.
• Once audition day is complete the directors usually have a clearer idea about casting for specific roles. Occasionally, there will be callbacks in-person or we may ask you to send in a video (self-tape). If you are asked to do this, one clickable link is always best — nothing we need to log into or download. We recommend “unlisted” Youtube videos whenever possible.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE AUDITION?

When students enter the room, they should do the following:

• Stand on the X and introduce themself with a greeting.
• Tell us their age and grade.
• Let us know which ONE scene and ONE song they will be doing.  We will do the song first and scene second UNLESS the scene leads into the song.
• Inform us if they do any kind of “tricks”. (Tricks include: Cartwheels, RoundOffs, Handsprings, WalkOvers, Splits, play a musical instrument, etc.). If you do not, absolutely NO worries, as it does not count against you and all roles do not have to do tricks!

WHAT SHOULD MY KID WEAR TO CLASS?

Students should come prepared to dance everyday. Please wear appropriate shoes (no crocs, flip flops, or open toed shoes) and comfortable clothing that allows for freedom of movement. Most clothing students wear to school is fine, but occasionally a change into appropriate shoes or clothing for dancing may be needed. Students wearing skirts or dresses should always have something underneath. Students with long hair should make sure it is out of their face for class. Seeing facial expressions and sometimes in or near profile while facing another actor on stage is important.

WHAT ARE APPROPRIATE UNDERGARMENTS?

• We typically do not have “dressing rooms” and with the nature of many of our shows, costume changes in the middle of the show are often needed. Some students will also wear microphones underneath their costumes.
• Black, white, or flesh colored undergarments and black, white, or flesh colored socks (or no socks) are needed for the flexibility and ease for your performer to change in front of others. Black, white, or flesh colored tank tops or camisoles work well on top and black, white, or flesh colored biker shorts or something similar work on the bottom. Black, white, or flesh colored leotards (or things of the like) also work well.
• Occasionally, we will have a specific request such as black, white or flesh colored ONLY so it looks better with costumes. Your child also might have an idea of what undergarment colors might work best once they see or try on their costume. (i.e. if they are in a white costume, we would ask they NOT wear black undergarments and vice versa.)

 

WHAT ARE JAXX APPROVED BLACK SHOES?

By registering for our class and production, you are agreeing to provide your own Jaxx approved ALL BLACK dance or dress shoe (All black Tom’s, Van’s or the generic equivalent also work). Shoes can usually be shiny, flashy, sequined, etc., but should not have white soles, laces, insignia, or any other color on the show. Gym/Tennis/Sneakers typically do not work and look to clunky on stage, however if the laces and soles are also black they might work. Send us a pic at [email protected] if you are unsure. These shoes do not need to be work for weekly classes, unless desired.

Please note: If your child does not have black shoes by TECH WEEK, we will charge your card on file $10/day for each day that we either need to provide a rental or use costly gaff tape. Please be sure to plan ahead to avoid this additional fee.

WHAT IS THE ‘MAINSTAGE’ PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE? WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR TICKETS TO THE SHOW? WHERE DOES ALL THAT MONEY GO?

As part of the ‘MAINSTAGE’ PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE, Jaxx employs ALL of the following” personnel in addition to its Executive Team of Producers:

• Director
• Choreographer
• Musical Director
• Backstage Crew
• Costume Designer
• Graphic Designer
• House Manager
• Lighting Designer
• Light Board Operator
• Set Designer
• Sound Designer
• Sound Engineer
• Stage Manager
• Tour Manager
• Wardrobe Supervisor

Please note: Team members may occasionally take on two of these positions.

In turn, Jaxx provides ALL of the following included in the ‘MAINSTAGE’ PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE:

• Costumes
• DropBox link for music, videos, audition material, etc.
• Licensing rights to the shows, when applicable.
• Lights
• Microphones & Sound Equipment (Limited in quantity)
• Pipe & Drape, when applicable
• Playbills (Black & White
• Props
• Scripts
• Sets
• Storage Facilities
• T-shirts

WHERE ARE THE CLASSES & PERFORMANCES?

Classes and performances are typically held in your school’s theatre, auditorium, or MPR. Some sites have classes at your student’s schools, but travel to another location for the performances. If travel is required, it will be indicated when you register. The Jaxx Theatre in Hollywood is almost always available to house your tech week and performances when needed.

WHY ARE YOUR CLASSES CLOSED?

We have found in our many years of teaching arts education classes that students behave and perform to the best of their abilities when they are in a closed, safe environment. To ensure the highest level of professional, quality instructional time and education, all Jaxx classes and auditions are closed. Thank you for understanding.

DO YOU PROVIDE COSTUMES?

As mentioned above, costume rental is included in the tuition and costumes should be treated with care. Occasionally, we will ask if your student has stock items such as black pants, white button down shirts, or other general items for use in the show. If you ever do not have items such as these, you do not need to go shopping for them. Jaxx will provide. However, we do not provide black shoes or undergarments.

DO YOU OFFER SNACKS or PROVIDE MEALS?

We do not offer snacks or provide meals. Please be sure to pack a non-perishable snack or meal for your student when appropriate. It is also helpful if your student has his/her own water bottle. During tech week, students may monitor their own snack time and breaks with the help of our backstage crew based on when they are not needed on stage. Jaxx staff members are always available to help a student determine when the best possible time may be to take a break throughout tech week. Getting into microphones and sound check takes over an hour from the rehearsal time, so breaking for additional snack/meal breaks is not always possible. In the event, we do take an official break, it is important your child wears a microphone cover to protect the mic while eating and drinking. The downtime during mic’ing aound check often at the top of rehearsal is often a good time to have a snack or meal. Students are no longer permitted to order food delivery to the Jaxx Theatre. Please be sure to pack snacks/meals.

MAY I VOLUNTEER WITH JAXX?

Certainly!

Opportunities to volunteer are always available after a training with the Director of Operations & Staff. Some of the opportunities include:

• Each production needs extra help with the front of the house. Duties may include:
  • Concessions and/or gift-o-gram sales and deliveries before the show, at intermission, and after the show
  • Ushering
• Hair & Make-up before the performances or Dress Rehearsal (no more than two volunteers)
• Meals/Monitors on Days with Official Breaks

• • During tech week and performances, we need meal monitors to help feed the kids on the performance days. This ensures our hardworking staff is able to get a break.
  • Provide/Sponsor meals & healthy snacks for staff & students during performances & tech week
• Video/Photograph performances when needed

If you would like to volunteer, please email us at [email protected] and we will let you know what might be needed.

DO I NEED TO HELP MY STUDENT AT HOME?

Please check in with your student frequently to make sure they are practicing all their lines, solos, dances, blocking, entrances, and exits. Please run lines with them to make sure they are off book by the deadline.

WHEN DOES MY STUDENT NEED TO BE OFF BOOK? AND WHAT DOES OFF BOOK MEAN?

Off book is a theatrical term for when all lines, solos, lyrics, choreography, blocking, entrances, and exits are committed to memory. Jaxx allows students to say “LINE” all the way up until tech week if they need help remembering their line. Jaxx requires students to be off book one month before the first performance. During tech week, our students must apply the art of improvisation if they forget a line.

SERIOUSLY, MAY I PLEASE HAVE A REFUND?

Seriously, no you may not. We are not in the business of selling roles or lines. We have heard EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING! Please do not ask for a refund. Please encourage your student, and we will too, to complete the class and production in the role assigned. There is so much to learn by being a member of the ensemble with only ONE line or NO lines. The ensemble in a show is asked to create an entire world for their character in all of the group scenes and songs. We do not encourage pulling focus, but we do encourage motivated, thoughtful acting choices from our ensemble members. We recognize when our students make smart decisions and choices on stage (and off). This informs us during tech week if/when lines, songs, solos, or roles need to be reassigned which students are reliable and ready to receive more material. When a student demonstrates they are ready for more material, we recognize this and assign them with more whenever possible.