• For the first 3-4 weeks we will start in room 14 with a basic dance warm up. We will work on different techniques in dance that will develop into their dance routine to be performed on stage within their musical.
• We will then move to the stage to start working on our singing. After a few weeks of song practice and memorization, we will start practicing and learning microphone technique. Microphone technique includes do’s and don’ts for holding a microphone and not being afraid of the loud voice you hear when you talk/sing into a microphone.
• Then we will start our adventure on stage. In my unique style of teaching, the children feel as if they stepped into a storybook. I, (Valerie) become a narrator; helping them along with their stage direction so their focus is acting and fun. Together; we all begin the acting adventure, going thru the story. I focus on children understanding what is going on in the story and on stage. When the children need a certain part of the story to change (for fear, or lack of understanding) together we allow the adventure to go the way of the class, creating our own unique story. They will have lines to learn and practice. Memorizing them makes the musical go smoother, but I will be there with them every step of the way.

• We have a lot that needs to be covered in the class, and we are doing things that bring up insecurities and nerves in everyone. Because of these reasons throughout the last ten years I have learned that its best for your precious ones to be dropped off at the beginning of class with a “have fun!” Then you are welcome to enjoy your break as well! You do not have to wait on the grounds during class time, if you do decide to leave the grounds please make sure that I have your information form with your emergency contact information. Thank you.

• The only additional cost that you may occur is your costume. This will be talked about in a few weeks and your expense is up to you. We will talk as a group if there are costumes within the cast that could be borrowed, and/or; if On the Stage needs to purchase the costume, then the costume will have to stay apart of the On the Stage costumes.

• The most exciting and difficult part is picking characters. The following is the process that I have found to be successful throughout the years. 
• We will start out by learning/reading the story that we are doing the musical about. We will talk about every character in the story, their personalities and all the types of people needed to make a good story. 
• From there they play games on stage with my staff as I call each child over to me and quietly ask them what three characters they would want to be. 
• I then take all the characters they have attached themselves to and make a decision, based on age, personality, memorization skills, and lastly how attached they are to a character and I decide who will be who. 
• I then explain to the children that I just received a phone call from a lead character in the story they are going to portray.  That that ‘lead character’ heard about us putting on this musical and “they” are going to send a special letter letting them know who “they” want to be in the musical and what part “they” want them to play. 
• We head out to the letter box, following Tinkerbell dust sprinkled on the ground. The letters arrive and the children are so excited to see who they were chosen to be. 
• Know that I have crossed the bridge where three little kids want to be that lead “princess” or character. I am happy to make our own version of the story if it means the children walk away happy with being who they want to be. My main focus is that they are happy, confident, and proud of whom they get to portray in the musical.