What does it take to make a Musical at Yavapai College?

The Dean of the Yavapai College Performing Arts Department, Dr. Craig Ralston will need to choose a musical to perform for the Fall semester.  Then he will apply for the rites of the show.  After he gets approved then he’ll find his crew, while waiting for the scripts to arrive.  His crew will include the Stage Manager, Choreographers, Costumes, Set Designer/Builders, Musical Director, Sound Manager, Lighting Manager (sometimes some of these titles will be one person,) and if he decides not to be the Director then calls will be made to find the Director as well.  There will be volunteers to help before, during and after the show.  The number of volunteers will  range from 50-150 depending on the size of the show.

An email will be sent to past cast members for auditions and a day will be set aside to have anyone interested in being in the show to call and get an audition time.  The actor will need to perform 26 bars of any musical.  They will be given lines to read from the musical being performed.  The choreographer will have a dance number that will be performed as well.  

After the auditions if you are given a part, you’ll receive a phone call or email asking if you will accept the part.  Once the entire cast is set, then you’ll get information as to when the first read through will be.  This will be with everyone in the cast along with directors and sometimes stage hands.

Months before opening night, there will be weeks of rehearsal where everyone will need to get their lines memorized.  There will be a set date of getting “off book.”  Which means if you can’t remember a line during rehearsal you’ll have to ask for “line.”  About a week before the show opens some directors will state no more giving lines, and you’ll have to help each other out.  It does happen when all of a sudden, someone forgets a line or someone will jump over someone else’s line.  This is one reason I feel there are many, many days/nights of running lines with other actors when there might not even be rehearsal to be very beneficial.

Before the actors get on stage, there is a great amount of behind the scenes that happens. Sets have to be built in the shop.  Costumes have to be designed, sewn, bought or pulled from previous shows.  Actors will be called in for measurements and fittings. Dancers will be scheduled for rehearsals with the choreographers.  Musicians will have been given the score so they can learn it on their own time.  Then a couple weeks before the show this will all come together and there will be even more rehearsals.

A week before opening dress rehearsals will start, which will include hair, make-up, costumes, music, sets, props, lighting, and sound.  Don’t forget to get your tickets for Yavapai College’s current fall show - Singin’ in the Rain, https://ycpac.com/Online/mapSelect.asp.

The night of shows, actors have set times to show up.  They’ll need to get their hair and make-up on.  One of our actresses prefers to do her make-up first then her hair as she stated “it makes her feel pretty” to wait to do her hair. If gals are wearing wigs they’ll need to braid their hair and put a wig cap on.  Then they’ll need to go get their mic, go to the center of the stage for sound check.  

If there are any quick change and/or stage combat scenes, actors will work those at a specific time before the show.  This ensures that everything will run smoothly and there are no hic-ups.  There will be a time for stretching and vocal warm ups.  If a dance is having issues that dance may be run a couple more times so everyone’s steps and arms are in correct positions.

Overture starts and then it’s curtains up! Break a leg!

If you are interested in participating in front or behind the scenes, Yavapai College has a great theatrical department.  Check it out and come have fun with us!  https://www.yc.edu/v6/schools/arts/performing-arts-aos.html

Behind the scene photos: