California All State Production 2014-15
Hello! My Baby
Revised August 25, 2014
Hello! My Baby (H!MB) is a musical by Cheri Steinkellner. Set on the sidewalks of New
York in the 1900’s, Hello! My Baby is a riotous new-fashioned musical comedy chronicling the
beginnings of that original all-American art-form: Popular Music. A new take on the classic
songbook musical, H!MB updates the greatest hits of Berlin, Gershwin, George M. Cohan, and a
score of others, weaving them into a timely romantic farce that sings to all ages.
Table of Contents
What is the CA All State Production. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2
Synopsis of Hello! My Baby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2
Scenes and Musical Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 4
Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 5
Performance Opportunities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 6
Technical Opportunities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9
Application Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..page 10
Rehearsal and Performance Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 11
Financial Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..page 12
Performer and Technician Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 13
Contact Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 14
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California All State Production 2014-15 Hello! My Baby
What is the California All State Production?
High School Thespians in California have a unique opportunity in 2014-2015. We will be
selecting a cast and a student production staff for a new musical, Hello! My Baby. This
ensemble will work with a team: a professional director, choreographer, designers, and the
writer of the show, to produce the first ever California All State Production. The students
who will be selected will need to commit to a set rehearsal schedule. In order for students
to be successful they must have the support of family, troupe director, and Thespian
Troupe. These students will represent the best CA has to offer. Once chosen, cast and crew
only have a limited number of rehearsal/tech rehearsals in which to create an amazing
production. The California All State Production is the featured opening All Festival Event of
the 2015 CA State Thespian Festival, March 27-29, 2015, at the Highlander Auditorium in
Upland.
Our GOAL is to have at least one participating Thespian from each troupe who will be
attending the 2015 Festival. By participating in this project students may need to give up
some activities at their own school. The California All State Production intends to provide
participating students with the experience of working on an advanced level of theatrical
production. Involvement in the California All State Production is a special honor for the
participants and schools, as well as an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. We
hope you consider participating in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
HELLO! MY BABY
SYNOPSIS
HELLO! MY BABY is a new-fashioned valentine to the Great American Songbook and
our musical theater origins, weaving the classics of Cohen, Gershwin, Berlin, and a score of
other classic popular tunesmiths into a fresh and fun tale of teen song-pluggers, gangs of
New York, immigrants, debutantes, love triangles, and gender-swapping.
It’s the early 19-teens and young MICKEY McKEE dreams of writing a crackerjack
classic hit song, to become the next Irving Berlin (PLUGGER’S PROLOGUE). But like Berlin,
Mickey can’t read or write music . . . until he teams up with NELLY GOLD, a feisty Jewish
sweatshop worker who also happens to be a musical demon. Together they make beautiful
music (PLAY IT AGAIN), writing a new song Mickey swears can sell a million – or at least
enough to save the orphaned GOLD sisters’ Delancy Street Music Hall from dual threats of
street-gangster JOHNNY GIOVANNI, and land-baron STANFORD J. TIERNEY who plans to
demolish the Lower East Side neighborhood to build high-rises.
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Nelly yearns to fulfill her Pap’s dying dream – to write and sell songs (I’M ALWAYS
CHASING RAINBOWS), but quickly learns that Tin Pan is a boy’s’Alley. Undaunted, she
dons sweatshop trousers and a newsboy cap to hit the streets and plug her songs as NED
O’REILLY (A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND).
Nelly’s disguise (OH, JOHNNY, OH!). But when Ned outsells even Mickey (JA-DA), to
win his job and become ETHELBERT COOTS PUBLISHING CO.’s new King of the Pluggers,
a fierce rivalry breaks out (SOME OF THESE DAYS).
Not realizing his best girl and worst enemy are the same person, Mickey finds himself
tricked by fate into collaborating with NED to write a new waltz for the society debut of
Stanford Tierney’s precious granddaughter, ALICE (EV’RYONE DANCES WITH ALICE).
At Alice’s Debutante Ball, farce erupts with Nelly arriving as both Mickey’s date and
as Ned to debut the new waltz. Romantic complications ensue as Alice pursues Ned; and
her Yale-man brother, JUNIOR, falls for Nelly’s plain, hardworking sister, FRANCES (IF
YOU WERE THE ONLY GIRL IN THE WORLD). But love fizzles fast when the Gold girls are
booted from the restricted club, leaving Mickey to sing the waltz solos after partner Ned
mysteriously “disappears” along with his girl Nelly.
Act Two opens on Mickey and Junior waking a sleeping neighborhood, trying to win
back Nelly and Frances (HELLO! MY BABY). But all goes bad-to-worse when Junior’s
furious father shows up, forbidding him from coming back to the Lower East Side ever
again; and Mickey comes to the mistaken conclusion that Nelly is not really in love with
him – but with her own alter-ego Ned (I DON’T CARE)!
Back on the Upper East, Junior Tierney formulates a plan that will please his father,
and take him back to the woman he loves (I’LL BUILD A STAIRWAY TO PARADISE). While
down on the Lower East, gangster Johnny strong-arms Mickey and Ned into writing a new
song for his mail-order bride (BALLIN’ THE JACK). But best-laid plans collapse when
Junior must deliver an eviction notice to Frances, who leads the melting-pot neighborhood
in protest (AIN’T WE GOT FUN); Ned and Mickey can’t work through their feelings to work
together (MY BUDDY); and Johnny’s gang plans to send both to sleep with the fishies.
Facing heartbreak, homelessness, and the Hudson, all decide THERE’LL BE SOME
CHANGES MADE: Junior runs away from home, Tierney hires Johnny to torch the Golds’
neighborhood, Johnny muscles Mickey into doing his dirty work, Ned saves Mickey from
the deed, inadvertently revealing “his” true identity (YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU), and
Mickey at last sees Nelly for all she is, as the kids save the neighborhood with a series of
even-turns, and a cracker-jack MGM style finale (HELLO! MY BABY), at last fulfilling
Mickey’s dream to write the songs we’re still singing a hundred years later!
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California All State Production 2014-15 Hello! My Baby
Scenes and Musical Numbers
Act One
Scene 1
West 28th and Broadway
Plugger’s Prologue (Hello! My Baby,
Swanee, I’m Just Wild About Harry,
Toot-Toot-Tootsie, Put Your Arms
Around Me Honey, There’ll Be a Hot
Time In the Old Town Tonight, And The
Band Played On, Rock-A-Bye Your
Baby, Pretty Baby, Yessir That’s My
Baby)
Scene 2
Delancy Street – Dusk
Inside Gold’s Music Hall
Won’t You Play a Simple Melody?
Scene 3
Fire Escape
I’m Always Chasing Rainbows
Scene 4
Ethelbert Coots Music Publishers
Gilbert and Sullivan 1 (Modern Major
General, Three Little Maids)
Simple Melody Reprise
A Good Man is Hard to Find
Scene 5
Gold’s Music Hall
A Good Man is Hard to Find
(continuation)
Scene 6
Outside Gold’s Music Hall
Simple Melody Reprise
Oh, Johnny, Oh
Scene 7
Outside Ethelbert Coots
Gilbert and Sullivan II
Ja-Da (Plug Off)
Some of These Days/Oh, Johnny Oh
(reprise)
Scene 8
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A Dark Alley
Some of These Days/Oh Johnny Oh
Reprise
Scene 9
Gold’s Music Hall
Alice Blue Gown
Scene 10 The Beekman Club Ballroom
If You Were the Only Girl in the World
Act I Finale: Alice Blue Gown Reprise
Act Two
Scene 1
Delancy Street
Hello My Baby
I Don’t Care
Scene 2
Tierney Mansion Library
Only Girl (Reprise)
Stairway to Paradise
Scene 3
Ethelbert Coots & Company
Gilbert And Sullivan III
Ballin’ the Jack
You’d Be Surprised
Scene 4
Inside Gold’s Music Hall
Alice Blue Gown (Reprise)
McKee and Gold Breakdown
Scene 5
Delancy Street
My Buddy/I Ain’t Got Nobody
Ballin’ the Jack (Reprise)
Scene 6
Gold’s Music Hall
Alice (Reprise)
Ain’t We Got Fun?
There’ll Be Some Changes Made
Scene 7 Delancy Street
Ballin’ the Jack (Reprise)
Finale: You Made Me Love You/Hello
My Baby
California All State Production 2014-15
Hello! My Baby
Staff List
Producer…………………………………………………………………………………Krista Carson Elhai
Company Manager ................................................................................................ Gai Jones
Associate Producer/CFO ........................................................................... Kathleen Conner
Director………………………………………………………………………………………Brian McDonald
Production Coordinators. ……………………………………Alison Johnson and Kathleen Woods
Assistant Director………………………………………………………………………………………..TBD
Music Director.............................................................................................. Brian Kennedy
Assistant Musical Director ........................................................................................... TBD
Dramaturge .............................................................................................. Cheri Steinkellner
Technical Director…………………………………………………………………………. JP Rosenveldt
Technical Coordinator……………………………………………………………………….Jamie Brown
Stage Manager Mentor…………………………………………………………………………..Tori Nagle
Stage Manager………………………………………………………………………………………….….TBD
Choreographer……………………………………………………………………………………………..TBD
Set Designer ................................................................................................................. TBD
Lighting Designer ......................................................................................................... TBD
Sound Designer............................................................................................................. TBD
Costume Designer ........................................................................................................ TBD
Make-Up/Hair Designer…………………………………………………………………………………TBD
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California All State Production 2014-15 Hello! My Baby
Performance Opportunities
Must currently be in 10th, 11thor 12th grades to audition.
Must be initiated as a Thespian and accompanied by the Troupe Sponsor to CSTF in March, 2015
CHARACTER/VOCAL BREAKDOWNS:
NELLY GOLD/NED O’REILLY - 16, a feisty, funny and fearless factory-worker who passes as a boy to make a
living plugging Tin Pan Alley tunes. Strong comedy required, a belter with strong high notes who can talk and
sing like a boy. Prototype: A young Judy Garland
MICKEY McKEE - 17, a cocky, comedic, supercharged Irish kid from the Bowery, he dreams of becoming the
next Irving Berlin; in love with Nelly and fierce rival with her alter-ego, Ned. Strong dancer, juvenile tenor with
strong falsetto.
Young Mickey Rooney. Mickey and Alice: Mickey Rooney and June Preisser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RAyJeIAv5Q
FRANCES GOLD – 18, plain and plainspoken. The eldest of the orphaned Gold sisters, she is forced into
maternal responsibility, and finds herself a surprised Cinderella when a dapper young gent from the Upper East
Side falls in love with her strength and good heart. Strong belt/mix.
Frances Gold - Rosalind Russell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir2bg_Josmg (Preview) (Compiled Clips)
Collected Young Movie Moms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRO90Dj-VSs
Junior Tierney and Frances Gold - Peter Lawford and June Allyson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slNgYtSbFZc (Good News) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr0qpw6rZos
(Good News)
VIOLET GOLD – 13, the baby in the Gold family, buoyant, irrepressible - no thought goes unspoken. She's
fiercely devoted to her sisters, wants nothing more than to bring music back to their family Music Hall, and to
that end, she's Mickey's greatest ally. Strong belt/mix. Prototypes: Virginia Weidler, Margaret O'Brien, Jane
Wyatt.
Frances & Violet: Spring Byington and Jane Withers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxuoXpNDZGc
(Chicken Wagon Familly)
JUNIOR TIERNEY – 20, a callow Yale-man, with a good heart, a strong social conscience and a romantic streak
that just won't quit; he finds his true love on the Lower East Side. Lyric baritone – legit, but not operatic. Young
Peter Lawford.
ALICE TIERNEY– 15, a sweet and spoiled debutante, crazy for the fellas until she falls for one Ned O'Reilly and
sets out to make "him" her own. Sweet lyric soprano who can belt. Prototype: June Preisser.
Junior Tierney and Frances Gold - Peter Lawford and June Allyson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slNgYtSbFZc (Good News)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr0qpw6rZos (Good News)
STANFORD J. TIERNEY – 60s, stuffy and grand - the grandfather and guardian of JUNIOR and ALICE, rich and
powerful, he will not be denied. He's on a mission to demolish the Gold's Delancey Street neighborhood and
build skyscrapers.
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William Powell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI04icAcRao (Life With Father)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG3NZjRv2nM (The Thin Man)
Stanford, Junior and Alice Tierney (and all the young socialites) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZhLiJowzNY
(Preview) (The Lady Eve)
JOHNNY GIOVANNI - A teen mug from Five Points, who, due to a childhood accident, speaks only in
rhyme. Tough and comical - a character baritone and strong physicality.
Johnny Giovanni - Leo Gorcey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzDAjUEDLds (The Dead End Kids)
MARIE - Johnny’s teen mail-order bride, fresh off the boat from Sicily with a natural, earthy charm that melts
the gangster's heart - until she learns one song and won't stop singing it for the rest of the show. Belt/mix.
DICKIE THE DUCK and KID VICIOUS – Johnny’s dumb and dumber henchmen. Comedic character-types until
you cross them - then they're not so funny. Tight harmonies and dancing - tumblers, if possible. Character
baritones. Johnny,
Dickie and Kid - The Bowery Boys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pienya0R3P4 (The Bowery Boys)
ALBIE & ARTIE COOTS – mid-late teens, song-pluggers and Mama’s boys, they long to defy their over-bearing
mother and bring the family music-publishing business into the 1900s. Baritones with strong falsetto, must
hold tight harmonies.
ETHEL COOTS- 50s, The real pants in the Coots family. She runs her husband and sons with an iron fist and a
gimlet eye. She and Nelly strong belt, Sophie Tucker/Merman sound.
BERT COOTS – 50s, a mild-mannered milquetoast, he just wants everyone to get along. Solid character
baritone, and strong Gilbert & Sullivan (Modern Major General). Wally Cox, Sterling Holloway, John Fiedler
prototypes.
FEATURED ENSEMBLE ROLES:
PICKLE SELLER – Yiddish dialect
SAUSAGE MAN – Italian dialect
APPLE SELLER – Irish dialect
PLUGGERS – (strong singer and dancers, can double ARTIE, ALBIE, DICKIE, KID)
FEMALE CUSTOMER
PUBLISHERS WHO SAY “NO”
DEBUTANTES 1 & 2
ESCORTS 1 & 2
BEEKMAN CLUB BAND-LEADER
BEEKMAN CLUB BOUNCER - non-speaking but plenty threatening
NOSY NEIGHBOR
CRANKY NEIGHBOR
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FLOOZY NEIGHBOR
HELPFUL NEIGHBOR
RADIO ANNOUNCER
RADIO CROONER (a la Rudy Vallee)
Note: ADDITIONAL ENSEMBLE ranges from as few as 4-6 to as many as 40-60, to portray:
PLUGGERS, CUSTOMERS and SONG PUBLISHERS on TIN PAN ALLEY,
PEDDLERS, NEIGHBORS and GANGSTERS on THE LOWER EAST SIDE,
DEBUTANTES, ESCORTS, SERVANTS and SOCIALITES at BEEKMAN CLUB.
California All State Production 2014-15 Hello! My Baby
Technical Opportunities
At this time we are not looking for any more student Technicians.
California All State Production 2014-15 Hello! My Baby
Performer Application Information
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Please do not apply/audition if you cannot guarantee your time. All documents will be
uploaded to the Get Acceptd website. See the Thespian website for Get Acceptd How to
document for Students & Teachers.
Must currently be in
10th,
PERFORMERS
11th or 12th grades in 2014-15 to audition.
AUDITION Information: Due September 27, 2014
1. Upload a video of a song performance. It is also preferred for you to also upload a monologue
performance and a recording of you involved in a musical dance number.
2. Upload signed Agreement and Contact/Contract form to the Get Acceptd website
3. Upload a resume with all Musical Theatre Experiences, Training, Vocal Range and Productions.
4. Upload 8 X 10 headshot to the Get Acceptd website.
5. Upload letters of recommendation: one from your Thespian Sponsor (Director) and one from a
second adult who has worked with you on Theatre productions.
6. Get Acceptd fee $25.00 (pay directly to Get Acceptd).
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (2): Due September 27, 2014
One letter of recommendation should be written by your current Troupe Director; the other an adult,
other than your Troupe Director that has good knowledge of you and your ability as a
performer/technician. Those asked to write a recommendation should be told by you, what you are
hoping to accomplish by auditioning and/or interviewing, and what your time commitment will be
Letters of recommendation should address the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Writer’s relationship to student
Writer’s knowledge of your work and your work ethic
Student’s ability to work with others
Any information which the Troupe Director wants the H!MB staff to know about the student
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS and DUE DATES are explained on the next pages.
If you have any questions or concerns, email Kathleen Woods at kwoods@pasud.org, o
Krista Carson Elhai at the8turwoman@aol.com. Please check the website with your
Thespian Troupe Director first, prior to emailing.
California All State Production 2014-15 Hello! My Baby
Rehearsal and Performance Schedule
GetAcceptd Applications DUE
September 27, 2014
Skype Callbacks
Individual Appointments as needed
Full Company/Casting Announcement
October 1, 2014
$250 Fee DUE
October 7, 2014
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Rehearsal/Show Dates:
November 8-9, 2014
H!MB Rehearsal
Claremont High School
February 13-15, 2015
Dress/Tech Rehearsal for CA State
Thespian Festival
Claremont High School
March 27, 2015
Rehearsal 9:30 am-5:00 pm (First day
of festival)
Highlander Auditorium, Upland
March 27, 2015
Evening performance at CST Festival
Highlander Auditorium, Upland
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California All State Production 2014-15 Hello! My Baby
Financial Obligations
Please do apply/audition/interview if you cannot guarantee your time
and financial commitment.
It is the responsibility of the student, parents, and troupe to plan and raise the funds
necessary to support every Thespian from the troupe who would like to participate.
Fees will cover the following:
• Food, boarding, and transportation (flights only) for all rehearsals
• 2015 CA State Thespian Registration (this includes the basic Registration ONLY. It does not
cover IEs,, Scenefest, or other Festival fees).
Your full payment of $250.00 is due October 7, 2014 (Non-refundable). If financial assistance is
needed, please contact Kathleen Conner at katwcon@aol.com.
Cast/Crew and Adult Staff will participate in additional fundraising.
Checks/ Money Orders should be made payable to California State Thespians and mailed to
Kathleen Conner, P.O. Box 1318, Venice, CA 90294. The check should have student’s name
in the memo area. Make sure the person or organization giving the money has their
information on the top of check or money order. (name, address, and phone number.)
If you are asked to leave the show for any reason or you drop out,
none of the money, which has been paid for your commitment,
will be refunded.
Some ideas for fund raising:
 Have you asked your Troupe Director for help?
 Have you given a copy of this packet to your school principal to see if he/she has any
funds to contribute? You are representing your school.
 A letter will be given to you to use as part of fundraising efforts by the H!MB Staff.
 Have you approached booster clubs/PTA at your school? They may have some money
they can contribute.
 Have you approached civic clubs in your town? A call or a mailed letter might be all it
takes to get a contribution.
 Have you asked a group you are involved with outside of school? (church, Rotary club,
Kiwanis club...)
We are looking forward to working with CA Thespians.
With everyone’s help, this will be a great process and production.
California All State Production 2014-15 Hello! My Baby
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Performer and Technician Agreement
Being in a show requires time commitment, a good attitude, and maturity. Please review the contract,
financial responsibilities and rehearsal calendar. It is important that you and you and your
parents/families/teachers understand the responsibility and commitments involved in being a part of the
show before auditioning or interviewing.
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Participants must make ALL their scheduled rehearsals and shows. If a participant misses a
scheduled rehearsal without permission in advance he/she will be asked to leave the show.
Rehearsals are very important and should not be missed!!!
Participants will be expected to register and attend the 2015 CA State Thespian Festival.
Participants will be asked to pay and/or help raise $250.00 This will help cover participant’s
registration for 2015 Thespian Festival, and food at rehearsals. This does not cover your hotel
during the 2015 CA State Thespian Festival.
Participants must provide their own transportation to all rehearsals.
Participants should expect minor clothing costs (i.e. shoes and basic undergarments for actors,
show blacks for techs).
Participants’ parents are asked to avoid restricting their child’s involvement from the play as a form
of punishment after the child has already been cast. The play is contingent on all participants. If
there are problems that could bar a participant from continuing in the show, we need to know as
soon as possible to arrange a replacement.
Participants’ Troupe Directors are asked to not punish or penalize participants in the All-State show
by scheduling mandatory performances at their school during the rehearsals or shows of the AllState show.
Participants who do not follow direction, cause conflict, or break this Performer and Technician
Agreement during the rehearsal process will be asked to leave the show. It is an honor to be
involved in this show.
By signing below all parties agree to support the student through the completion of this process.
Student Name (print)____________________________________________________________________
Student Signature_______________________________________________________________________
Parent Name (print) _____________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature________________________________________________________________________
Thespian Director Name (print)__________________________________________________________
Thespian Director Signature_____________________________________________________________
Principal name (print)____________________________________________________________________
Principal Signature______________________________________________________________________
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California All State Production 2014-15 Hello! My Baby
Performer and Technician Contract & Contact Information
Parents and Thespian Troupe Director:
By signing this form you are giving permission for your student to be a part of the show. It also states that
you and your student understand the responsibility and commitments involved in being in the show and
agree to the Agreement, financial responsibilities and rehearsal calendar.
If you have any questions regarding your student’s involvement please do not hesitate to email:
Krista Carson Elhai at: the8turwoman@aol.com
This permission slip must be submitted online at the same time as
your application no later than September 27, 2014.
Student’s Name (Last/First)
Troupe Number:
Date of Induction (month/year)
Student’s Home Street Address:
Student’s City
Student’s School:
Zip Code
Student’s Age: (as of October 1,
2014)
Student’s Home Phone
Thespian Troupe Director
Thespian Troupe Director email:
Student’s Cell Phone
Thespian Troupe Director’s cell phone:
(
(
)
)
Student’s Email Address:
Thespian Troupe Director’s Home Street Address
Student’s Grade
(as of September, 2014)
Thespian Troupe Director’s Home City and Zip
Parent’s Name (Parent/s with whom the student lives)
Principal’s Name
Parent’s Cell Phone
Principal’s Email
Is there any health concerns the director should be aware
of?
Is there any other information the director should know?
Parent Name (print)
Parent Signature
Sponsor Name (print)
Sponsor Signature
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