The Program
2011 Season
A WSYT Summer
It's not just a production.
The 12 weeks of a WSYT season are full of traditions and special events. Here's a glimpse of how our summer works:
Orientation
Orientation Night is a preview gathering for WSYTeers and parents, with "get to know you" icebreakers and info-sharing to help everyone know what to expect. WSYTeers are assigned to their specific companies: Junior Company, Senior Company, and Advanced Acting.
Auditions
Divided into three separate nights, the WSYT audition process is designed to be as fun and non-intimidating as possible. With the vocal audition (Deb & Teri), the choreography audition (Kait & Rachele), and the new acting audition (Carolyn & Greg), there are plenty of opportunities to showcase all different performance skills.
Casting Night
Casting night is one of the most anxious nights in WSYT. All students must wait until the end of the night before receiving their own gold-sealed envelope containing casting decisions for the musical.
Workshops
During the first weeks of the program, WSYT focuses on company workshops. Participants learn more about the craft of acting and the art of the theatre game, as well as exploring other types of theatre beyond the musical. WSYTeers are split into companies by age: Junior (Rachele & Greg), Senior (Kait), and Advanced Acting (Deb & Carolyn). Every company has its own style and identity, and participants really have an opportunity to shine.
T-Shirt Toss
It's a WSYT tradition to never reveal the color or look of the year's t-shirt until the infamous T-Shirt Toss, taking place just before Sharing Night - where the WSYT t-shirt is required dress. It may not sound like much of an event, but it gets to be a memorable night when t-shirts are delivered: the staff tosses the shirts to WSYTeers, often across long distances and with very little aim.
Sharing Night
Finally, the parents get to know what's going on! Since only the WSYTeers and staff are allowed in on the workshops and rehearsal processes, this is the chance for others to see what's going on behind closed doors. The cast photo is taken on Sharing Night, with everyone in their official WSYT t-shirts. WSYTeers perform a number from the musical, as well as numerous games, dramatic scenes, and skits prepared in workshop. There's even some audience participation!
Rehearsals
After Sharing Night, workshops become sparse and rehearsals begin in earnest. Cast members learn their scenes, their songs, and their dances, as well as skills for character and scene development. Even cast members with the smallest roles do a great deal of rehearsing, so attendance is very important. WSYT often holds multiple rehearsals with different people simultaneously.
Field Trip
WSYTeers don't just perform in theatre, they have the opportunity to see it as well! Every summer, WSYT takes a field trip to see a theatrical production in order to observe how other theatre groups work and how other people perform----and have a good time! Past destinations have included the historic Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, as well as New York City in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2011 to see shows on Broadway!
Family Fun Night (Talent Show)
Family Fun Night is a time for WSYTeers and their families to showcase their talents and to lay back and forget about the rigorous rehearsal schedule for a little while. It's also a chance to see several staff members show their talents and perform. Some WSYTeers get really creative with their unusual acts, which range from rock bands to comedy sketches to constructing balloon animals. Whether the acts are funny, strange, or outright amazing, it's definitely an entertaining evening for WSYTeers and their families!
Sing-Throughs
Many community theatres (especially youth theatres) aren't fortunate enough to get the chance to work with an orchestra, but WSYT offers this chance. At the Sing-Throughs, cast members meet the orchestra for the first time and get to see conductor Paul Coffill in action. They rehearse singing with the orchestra's full accompaniment, which is always a surprising experience.
Dress Rehearsals
Performances without an audience, dress rehearsals are done with full sets, lighting, and costumes, even with the orchestra. They're the final preparation before the audience comes in on opening night to see what WSYTeers have been working toward all summer!
Performances
At last! After twelve weeks of hard work, it's time to show audiences what WSYT has accomplished. The full-scale musical production opens to the general public, and cast members get to feel what it's like to be an actor and feed off the audience. It's WSYT's big event, but most audiences don't realize what goes into it!
Final Bows
Because WSYT is a program only open to grades 5-12, it follows that some participants will grow too old for the program and "graduate." Before the final performance, these "seniors" are given a final bow on the WSYT stage in front of family, friends, and fellow WSYTeers.
Cast Party & Star Ceremony
After the last performance and striking the set, the cast and crew get together for the last time to party and say some (usually very tearful) goodbyes. Music, games, pizza, cake, and lots of picture-taking. But no worries: most will be returning next year for another summer with WSYT!
The cast party also includes some special traditions. The seniors always amaze their fellow WSYTeers with the ways they choose to pass the torch on to the next generation. The staff lead the Star Ceremony, where special stars are given to WSYTeers who have been with the program for five years or more.
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