CATS: YOUNG ACTORS EDITION (Grades 6-9)

Time commitment: January 13 - April 28

CATS: Young Actors Edition is a one-hour adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical, specially tailored for young actors. The materials have been prepared to give your young cast and crew an exciting and rewarding experience. Due to the special dance nature of this musical, this class includes a required dance intensive on the three Saturdays before regular Tues/Thurs rehearsals begin!

CATS is set amongst a larger-than-life junkyard playground and is alive with purr-fect felines, including Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees, Macavity, Jennyanydots, Old Deuteronomy, Skimbleshanks and Grizabella. The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year—the night of the Jellicle Ball. One by one, they tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

FAMILY MEETING
SATURDAY, January 13th @ 2:00pm

REQUIRED DANCE INTENSIVE:
SATURDAYS
January 13 - 27
2:00 - 5:00 P.M.

REHEARSAL DATES/TIMES:
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
January 30 - April 18
7:00 - 9:00 P.M.

*No rehearsals on 03/07, 03/12 or 03/14

Additional Weekend Rehearsal: Saturday, April 13, 2:00 - 4:30 P.M.

TECH & DRESS REHEARSALS 
TUESDAY, April 23rd, 6:30 - 9:30 P.M. (extended class time)
THURSDAY, April 25th, 6:30 - 9:30 P.M. (extended class time)

3 PERFORMANCES
FRIDAY, April 26th @ 7 P.M. (Actor Call time @ 5:00 P.M.)
SATURDAY, April 27th @ 7:00 P.M. (Actor Call time @ 5:00 P.M.)
SUNDAY, April 28th @ 2:00 P.M. (Actor Call time @ 12:30 P.M.)
Student participation in the dress rehearsal and public performances is required. Please consult your family’s calendar before registering for this class.

TUITION:
$795 - thru October 31st, save $55!
$850 - after October 31st
$25.00 Annual Registration Fee per family account begins Fall 2023 – Summer 2024
*Financial Assistance is available through Scholarship Applications and Payment Plans- click on the corresponding tab above. These applications should be submitted BEFORE registering for the class.*

ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Because of the collaborative nature of production, absences are highly discouraged. Remember, absences affect everyone because theater is a “team sport!” Please inform HITS of all currently known scheduling conflicts before the start of the first class or rehearsal. If there are several rehearsal conflicts, the result may impact the student's casting and/or full participation in the production. In the case of emergencies or last-minute illnesses, please contact the HITS at 713-861-7408 or email HITS Customer Service.

The creative teams and /or the Producing Artistic Director may at their discretion reassign the role/s of any student who accrues more than two (2) unexcused absences or late arrivals to support the integrity of the production and the preparation process of the entire cast.
Attendance during technical/dress rehearsals and performances is mandatory.

ATTIRE:
Comfortable clothing that allows movement and closed-toed shoes with rubber soles. Jazz shoes are recommended.

AUDITIONS/PLACEMENTS:
Auditions will occur during the first 2 rehearsals. All students will read lines from the script and learn a short vocal & dance combination to assess skill levels. Students are not expected to prepare anything in advance for auditions, but some have found taking private voice and acting lessons helpful to boost confidence on audition days.

HITS Theatre performance classes allow students to develop their acting, singing, and dancing skills through a traditional rehearsal process. Each production is supported by a professional director, choreographer, music director, stage manager, and designers. As an ensemble, the students each play an important role in telling the story for a live audience by learning music, choreography, and staging. Our creative team guides the students through character development, proper vocal technique while strengthening motor skills, coordination, and social-emotional learning.

*Financial Assistance is available through Scholarship Applications and Payment Plans. These applications should be submitted BEFORE registering for the class.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION LINK:
https://hitstheatre.configio.com/pd/1765?code=91YFNpTH57

PAYMENT PLAN LINK:
https://hitstheatre.configio.com/pd/1766?code=ZHOdUYzduH