STAGE DOOR STUDIO Music byCharles Strouse | Lyrics byMartin Charnin | Book byThomas Meehan Based on "Little Orphan Annie" by permission of The Media Tribune Services, Inc. Annie JR Is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com  Performing in a musical is an experience that young people will remember for the rest of their lives, and it is truly our pleasure to work with your child on this exciting project! We want everyone involved to understand both the benefits and responsibilities that go along with being in a musical, so we have detailed some of the basics here. 

 CONTENTS 

● OVERVIEW (pg 1) 

● GOALS (pg 3) ● CASTING (pg 4) ● REHEARSALS (pg 5) ● COSTUMES (pg 7) 

● PERFORMANCE (pg 8) ● MATERIALS (pg 8) ● COVID-19 (pg 9) ● SDS COMMUNICATION (pg 10) ● CONTACT (pg 10) 

 

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OVERVIEW With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.  Song List: 

● Maybe ● It's the Hard Knock Life ● It's the Hard Knock Life 

(Reprise) ● Tomorrow ● Little Girls ● Little Girls (Reprise) ● I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here ● NYC ● Easy Street 

● You Won't Be an Orphan For Long 

● Maybe (Reprise) ● You're Never Fully Dressed 

Without a Smile ● Easy Street (Reprise) ● I Don't Need Anything But You ● Maybe (Reprise) ● Tomorrow (Reprise) 

 Characters: 

Annie Annie is a complex little girl. She is a tough, streetwise urchin who is nevertheless vulnerable when she thinks she might lose what has become most important to her: a newfound "family" who loves her. She has to be motherly in scene one, independent in scene two, overwhelmed in scenes four and five, needy in scene seven, and hopeful for the future in scenes ten and eleven. The actor who plays Annie must be strong vocally and musically. She must be capable of vocal projection without strain. She also needs a good understanding of subtext so she can act appropriately during the various scenes between Warbucks and Grace, and Miss Hannigan and Grace.   

The Orphans - Molly, Tessie, July, Duffy, Kate, Pepper These girls are gritty, neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and potentially lovable. The actors portraying them must be able to have mischievous fun with each other as well as "sibling-style" fights. Each student 

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should be able to create and shape her own character. Children auditioning for these roles need to have vocal strength and be visually expressive. All of their blocking and movements must appear motivated and strong.  

Miss Hannigan This woman is definitely a "has-been." Her distaste for her job and the children that are part of it should be obvious in every line she speaks, every song she sings and every move she makes. The student who plays her must have an excellent sense of comic timing. The acrid delivery of her lines and the torch-like rendition of her songs must distinguish her from the other characters in the show.  

Grace Farrell Grace is mature, calm, cool and "together." She is classy and businesslike when dealing with Miss Hannigan and Warbucks, yet maternal toward Annie. The student playing Grace can set herself apart from the other characters simply by the sophisticated way she walks. Grace should seem ready with an answer for just about anything. Each dramatic situation should seem to come "under control" the moment she glides into a scene. The student playing Grace must be able to negotiate the challenging intervals in "N.Y.C."  

Rooster Rooster and Lily are quite the team -- "team" being the operative word, as the characters play off each other constantly. Rooster is flashy and self-assured. His "moves" should be as smooth as a gambler's, as should be the message he sells in "Easy Street." "Easy Street" is the most challenging number in the show, in terms of vocal range.  

Lily Rooster and Lily are quite the team -- "team" being the operative word, as the characters play off each other constantly. Lily (airhead that she is) is always distracted, although she manages to pick up on any conversation involving money. She never acts as the leader, always bringing up the rear while tripping over her own feet (it is difficult to walk and check your makeup in a compact at the same time). "Easy Street" is the most challenging number in the show, in terms of vocal range.  

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Warbucks He must appear middle-aged, self-assured and confident. At first awkwardly affectionate toward Annie, he soon finds himself completely charmed by her. He begins his transformation when he views "N.Y.C." through Annie's eyes and falls in love with the city again...and with her. His posture, walk and speech patterns are very important.  

Sandy In this production, Sandy is played by a human. Sandy is Annie's canine friend and scrappy in her own right. This dog also has to sing.  

Servants - Drake, Mrs. Greer, Mrs. Pugh, Annette, Cecille From the moment these characters enter the acting area, their presence, posture and speech should suggest the most fastidious of domestic help. Their heads are always held high and they rarely show their emotions.  

Ensemble Characters ● Bundles ● Louis Howe ● Apple Seller ● Dogcatcher 

● President Roosevelt 

● Star-To-Be(s) ● Orphans 

● Servants ● New Yorkers ● Bert Healy 

 GOALS Students will achieve a professional and personal understanding of the arts through rehearsals, and performances.   There are a number of great benefits to being in a musical, including:   

● Active Participation in the Arts: Participating in the arts provides young people with a chance to explore their creativity and imagination in a structured and safe environment. Musical theatre is specifically remarkable because it is the only art form that combines all areas of the fine arts: acting, singing, dancing, music, and visual arts. 

 ● Improving Literacy Skills: From reading scripts to memorizing lines to 

learning to tell a story, young people continually improve their literacy skills while rehearsing and performing in a musical.   

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 ● Becoming a Confident Public Speaker: It takes a lot of guts to stand up 

and sing or dance in front of your family, peers, and what may seem like the entire community. Experience with public speaking at a young age gives students confidence that will be important to them for the rest of their lives. 

 ● Gaining Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving Skills: Putting on a 

musical is a group effort, and every member of the team must work together to make it happen. Throughout the rehearsal process, the students will learn to solve challenges as they arise. Students will learn to trust and depend on themselves and their castmates.  

 CASTING Here at Stage Door Studio, ALL students registered are cast in a role! Cast size is limited based on rehearsal space, number of teachers and musical requirements. Cast Size: 30 Casting is done at the first rehearsal. So, what does the first rehearsal look like? 

1. Students are introduced to the production staff (directors/ choreographers) and to each other! It is important that we all get to know each other as a musical is a GROUP effort. NOT one star and a bunch of back-up performers.  

2. We review EXACTLY what we are looking for in each of the characters. There are no secrets to our casting! I always say… LEADS are given to the LEADERS of the group. If you want to be front and center, you need to show that you are responsible, respectful and a great role model to the cast.  

3. Students are taught a few songs from the musical so I can get an idea of what vocal role may be appropriate for them. Some characters sing higher notes (soprano), some sing lower (alto). It is difficult to expand a students comfortable range in an 8 to 12-week timespan, so I want to make sure they are cast in a role that will fit their vocal range. We sing as a full group, then students who are interested in solo singing roles perform the song as a solo in front of the class. 

 

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4. We talk about the “demand” of the role. Students are aware of the amount of commitment they can handle. Some want the challenge of learning many lines and singing solos, others prefer to be featured in a few areas. Our goal is to showcase the students strengths and give them as much “stage time” as possible!  

5. I ask the students for their TOP 3 preferred roles. Many times, students are OPEN to any role. NOTE: The theatre is dominated by girls, but there are so many fun male characters! I encourage the females to be open minded about trying these parts, especially if they have a lower singing voice.  

6. We explore the script and characters further through acting out the parts. Scenes are given in small groups to practice for 10-15 minutes then are performed in front of the class. Students are encouraged to be creative with their characters and staging. I love incorporating the kids' ideas to the show!  

7. At the end of class, we announce the roles! Some ensemble roles may be left uncasted to be given to cast members who would like more parts during the rehearsal process. 

 REHEARSALS Rehearsal Location: Curious Kids Preschool, Chandler AZ 2715 S Alma School Rd. (Queen Creek Rd/Almas School Rd)  

As with any group activity, every participant has responsibilities. Please look over the following items to make sure you and your child feel you can honor the commitment to being a part of a show.  

Rehearsals are always ONCE A WEEK for 2 hours. There are never any added rehearsals or extended times. You can expect us to start and end ON TIME.  

Attendance: Attached in this packet is a basic rehearsal schedule for the show. Please look it over closely to make sure your child has no conflicts with the rehearsals or show dates. Since we only meet once a week, students are expected to attend all rehearsals unless prior approval has been given. Failure to do so can result in dismissal from the show. 

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Homework: Students will have some homework for the show, including memorizing lines and songs, rehearsing their dances, researching their character, etc. Work with your child to create a schedule so they have time to finish both their school homework and their musical homework. We will learn the choreography, music, stage blocking and scene changes in rehearsal, however we will NOT learn lines/lyrics during rehearsal. This needs to be done before your child comes to class.  

Attitude: The rehearsal room and theater are safe spaces where young people can take positive risks and be themselves without the fear of being laughed at or alienated. This principle is essential to artistic growth and exploration. Participants are expected to respect these ideas and are encouraged to remember it themselves when trying new things.  

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE  TUESDAYS 5-7pm 

Week 1 (Feb 2)  Casting! 

Week 2 (Feb 9)  Miss Tiffany: Choreography - Maybe, Hard Knock Life Ms Burke: Music Rehearsal - NYC 

Week 3 (Feb 16)  Miss Tiffany: Choreography - NYC Ms Burke: Music Rehearsal - I Think You’re Gonna Like It Here /  Easy Street 

Week 4 (Feb 23)  Miss Tiffany: Choreography - Little Girls (Reprise) / I Think You’re  Gonna Like it Here  

Ms Burke: Music Rehearsal: Maybe, Hard Knock Life, You’re  Never Fully Dressed... 

Week 5 (Mar 2)  Miss Tiffany: Choreography - Easy Street / You’re Never Fully  Dressed… Ms Burke: Music Review + Solos/Duets 

Week 6 (Mar 9)  Acting / Blocking Scenes / Scene Changes 

Week 7 (Mar 16)  Spring Break: No Rehearsal! 

Week 8 (Mar 23)  Acting / Blocking Scenes / Scene Changes 

Week 9 (Mar 30)  Acting / Blocking Scenes / Scene Changes 

Week 10 (Apr 6)  Run-through & clean choreography 

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 Please bring a water bottle, face shield (provided during first rehearsal) and wear comfortable clothes/closed toed shoes to all rehearsals. 

 COSTUMES Costumes are provided by the parents. Why? 

1. There are multiple different casts, resulting in over 100 students participating. 

2. You know what size clothing your child is, and what they are comfortable wearing. Plus, you can practice costume changes at home! 

Some costumes that need to be exactly the same will be provided by SDS.   

Costumes can be made, purchased, or rented in any budget.  

CLICK TO VIEW COSTUME INFORMATION:   COSTUMES.PDF 

 This information is a suggestion of what they should resemble. It is not required to look EXACTLY like the picture. Well known characters (Annie, Elsa, etc.) should replicate the well known costume.  

Students will need their costumes by DRESS REHEARSAL, which is the week before the performance. If you have your childs costume early, they are more than welcome to wear it to rehearsal and practice whenever they’d like!  

Week 11 (Apr 13)  Run-through & clean choreography 

Week 12 (Apr 13)  Dress Rehearsal 

Week 13 (Apr 20)  Dress Rehearsal 

TECH REHEARSAL  Thursday, April 22, 5-7pm 

PERFORMANCES  Friday, April 23 & Saturday April 24 

CAST PARTY  Tuesday, April 27 5-7pm 

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If your child is cast as multiple characters, they will need multiple costumes . It is important to note that these musicals run very quickly, and students will not have a lot of time to change between scenes. I suggest having a base costume (all same color pants/shirt) either tan, black or any other color similar to the character to wear underneath their costumes. Then, costumes can be made up of different accessories or layers. Please reach out to Tiffany with any questions about costumes! 

 Costume Resources: 

● Amazon ● Party City ● Second-hand stores (Goodwill) ● Hidden Treasures Costume Rentals (Queen Creek, AZ) Facebook: 

@HTcostumerentals.  

PERFORMANCE Outdoor Performance Venue: TBA  

 

CAST CALL TIME: TBA (warm-up/sound check). Please arrive in costume.  

Due to COVID-19 event restrictions, we have to limit audience attendance to 50 per show. tickets will be on sale first to immediate family and friends, then open to the general public. Because of the limited amount of tickets, please be cautious with the amount of tickets you purchase.  

Audience seating begins 15 minutes before showtime. All tickets are General Admission (no assigned seating) to allow for social distancing.  

Tickets: $15/ea. Tickets will NOT be available at “the door”. All tickets must be pre-purchased online. Ticket sales begin March 1st. 

Friday, April 23 Time TBA 

Saturday, April 24 Time TBA 

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 MATERIALS Scripts will be given at the first rehearsal. 

Access the rehearsal and performance music through Google Drive!  Click below to view: 

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD MUSIC:  MUSIC.MP4 

COVID-19 ● All classes have MAXIMUM class sizes of 15 students per teacher for 

musical theater rehearsals.  

● Students are required to wear clear mouth shields, or regular cloth face masks during all musical theater classes and rehearsals. One mouth shield will be provided to each student with their class materials. Additional face shields will be available for purchase. If your child forgets their shield and requests a new one, they may bring $2 cash to the studio, or the CC on file will be charged $2.  

● Closed toed shoes, socks or appropriate dance shoes are required - no student will be allowed to practice barefoot.  

● Temperature checks before students enter the building.  

● As soon as the student enters, they must immediately wash their hands (there are 2 sinks in the classroom) or use hand sanitizer.  

● Scripts are disinfected before class starts, and after the kids use them. One script per student, no sharing allowed. I have attached the link to the scripts above under “Materials” so you may print your own to use if you do not want to use the class set I have available.   

● Main classroom doors will be propped open during rehearsal to allow for ventilation. If it’s cold outside, please make sure your child dresses appropriately since the doors will be left open!  

● Floors are mopped and high-touch areas (sinks, door handles, bathrooms, scripts) are disinfected before and after each class.  

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● Students are REQUIRED to bring their own water bottle. There is a drinking fountain to be used for REFILLS ONLY.  

Any child experiencing symptoms of illness will not be allowed into the building.  Only participating students are allowed in the classroom. Parents may drop-off and wait in their vehicles or return once class is over for pick-up. 

 COMMUNICATION We are working on implementing a new form of communication for parents as we know your inbox is FLOODED with emails. We don’t want to get lost in the mix! We are currently looking into Google Groups, Google Rooms or Slack. Expect to use one of these forms in the near future.  Parents, with your permission, students' emails can be added to Stage Door Studios communication. Please email Tiffany hello@stagedoorstudioaz.com with your child’s email. This request MUST come from a parent.  

CONTACT QUESTIONS? Please feel free to reach out to Tiffany (Founder + Artistic Director) or Sarah (Director) with any questions you may have. We’re here to make sure you and your child’s experience in musical theatre is UNFORGETTABLE!  Sarah Burke sarahsings@stagedoorstudioaz.com  Tiffany Sivak 480.751.9698 (Call/Text) hello@stagedoorstudioaz.com