Sowams School

Arts Alive! & the Sowams School PTO 1st Grade Theater Program
“Mermaids & Pirates”

Students will learn the basics of performing for theatre: using the voice correctly, posture, controlling the body, focus, movement, dance, and singing. Improv games will be combined with introduction to scripts and poetry, exploring how to bring words to life and tell a story as a group. Children will also be exploring music and dance techniques as an intro to Musical Theatre. This FUN class will allow children to experience the JOY of the performing arts while building life-long skills. The group will work towards an end of session small performance.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE 2024 1ST GRADE PROGRAM!

Day/ Time: Wednesdays Afterschool-4:00pm

Dates: October 2nd – December 4th (No class on 11/27)

Location: Sowams Multipurpose Room

Performance: Parents/ family members are invited to an informal performance at the conclusion of the program on the last day of class (12/4) at 4:00pm. Performance will be held in the Sowams Multipurpose Room.

Arts Alive! & the Sowams, Nayatt & Primrose Hill PTOs present the 2025 production of
“Aladdin, JR”

The story you know and love has been given the royal treatment! Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim, are down on their luck until Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of the princess, Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his will and his moral character. With expanded characters, new songs, and more thrills, this new adaptation of the beloved story will open up “a whole new world” for your young performers!

Registration: Registration opens Tuesday, February 4th at 6pm – Friday, February 14th. Rehearsals will be held every Wednesday afterschool-4:30pm & select Mondays afterschool-4:30pm at Sowams School. The Sowams School Cast will be limited to 55 students. The Sowams Cast will combine with the Nayatt & Primrose Hill Cast for this production. Students may only register for the program at their respective school. Registration will close when we have reached 55 students and then interested students will be added to a waitlist. This may be prior to 2/14.

Auditions: Everyone gets a part! Auditions will be held at Sowams on:
Wednesday, March 19th Afterschool-4:30pm in the Sowams Multipurpose Room

Rehearsals: Rehearsals will take place at Sowams from on Wednesdays Afterschool-4:30pm & on select Mondays Afterschool-4:30pm (for small groups) in the Sowams Room Wednesday, March 26th – Wednesday, May 21st. (No rehearsals on Holidays or BPS PD Days: 4/14-4/18).

Tech Week/ Performance Dates:
*Walk-Thru Rehearsal BHS Auditorium 5/19 or 5/20 (Time TBC)
*Tech Rehearsal 5/27
*Dress Rehearsal 5/28
*Performance Opening Night Friday, May 30th, 6:30pm
*Performance Matinee Saturday, May 31st 12:30pm
Barrington High School

Program Fee: $175 for all registrants. Sibling discount of $25 off second and subsequent students’ registration fees in the Sowams 2nd/3rd Grade Arts Alive! Play Program. Scholarships are available through Mr. Callahan. The deadline for scholarship applications is February 14th.

2nd & 3rd Grade Registration (Open on 2/4/25 at 6pm)

Policies for Sowams School

Communication

All communications are through email from Arts Alive. Please do not call the office with questions about the play.

It is imperitive that we have the correct email for you and any other caregivers for your child. Also, please ensure that you are able to receive emails from [email protected].

Rehearsal Dismissal + Late Pick-Up Policy

Unless otherwise noted, rehearsals at Sowams School end at:

4:00 pm for 1st graders

4:30 pm for 2nd & 3rd graders

You do NOT need to send in a dismissal note for rehearsals. Arts Alive! staff will provide a list of children participating in rehearsals each week for sign-out.

Please be on time to pick up your child. If your child remains in our care 15 minutes beyond the designated pick-up time, you will incur a $10.00 late pick up fee per family for every 10 minutes beyond the 15 minute grace period (i.e., 1-10 minutes late, $10.00; 11-20 minutes late, $20.00, etc.). Late fees must be paid in full at the time of pick up. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Refund Policy

While we are confident that your experience with Arts Alive will be a positive one, we have outlined our refund policy below. All refund requests must be made in writing and submitted to [email protected].

If a registered student decides not to participate in the Arts Alive school program:
– A full refund, minus a $30 processing fee will be given if the student withdraws, prior to the first day of auditions
– A 50% refund will be given for withdrawal after auditions have started but before the cast list is posted
– A 25% refund will be given after cast lists have been posted but prior to the first rehearsal
– No refunds will be given once rehearsals have begun. Extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis.

School Attendance/ Sickness & Health Policy

School Attendance/ Early Dismissal/ Sickness
If a student is absent from school or dismissed from school early due to illness or health concerns, they will not be permitted to participate in any Arts Alive! after school activities, including rehearsals, tech week events, or performances.

Head Lice
If a participant is diagnosed with head lice, Arts Alive! will require that they receive at least one treatment prior to returning to rehearsal, tech week events, or performances. Given the nature of our programs in which students are in close proximity and may often have costume pieces stored together in backstage areas during performance, we want to do our due diligence to ensure there is no further spread.

Rehearsal Attendance

The play consists of an ensemble cast. Even if you think your child has a small part, they are a significant part of the play. Their absence affects the entire cast. Please do your best to ensure that your child is present for every rehearsal for which they are called. If your child has to miss a rehearsal, please notify us as soon as possible. More than two (2) absences may result in a student’s lines being reassinged to another actor.

Discipline Policy

All participants and their parents will be required to review and sign the Arts Alive! Discipline Policy. The Discipline Policy will be reviewed at the start of the program. In addition, a hard copy will be provided to be signed and returned.