FIRST DAY CAST HANDOUT - and Immaculate Heart of Mary Spring 2018 Musical Theater production of

FIRST DAY CAST HANDOUT

                                   and Immaculate Heart of Mary
                                 Spring 2018 Musical Theater production of

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Congratulations on being cast in our spring production of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. In this packet, you
will find a plethora of very useful information for you and your parents including:
    • Director’s Info
    • Costume, Hair, and Makeup Info
    • Rehearsal Schedule

I. DIRECTOR’S INFO
First of all, I should probably introduce myself: I’m Emily McDuffee, and the kids can call me Miss Emily. I
freelance all things musical theatre – I am currently directing/producing Seusssical KIDS at Rosa Parks
Elementary School (we perform January 19 & 20 at Perry Meridian High School.) I am also currently
performing in A Yuletide Celebration with the ISO. I just choreographed Bye Bye Birdie at Center Grove Fine
Arts Academy, and I work sporadically at the Lilly Theater at The Children’s Museum, where I will be directing
Pinocchio this spring. I have three children of my own - one in 8th grade (Ewan) and 2 in 7th grade (twins
Audrey & Ella). My husband, Jake, teaches 2nd grade in Perry Township. I used to be a high school choir
director, but now I get to do children’s theater full time. Ten years ago I started Junior Rebel Theatre at
Roncalli High School, and Perry Youth Theatre (PYT) seven years ago – it is a summer children’s musical theater
camp held at Perry Meridian High School. I love all things musical theatre, I’m goofy, but I can be demanding
on the kids - hopefully in a positive way. My favorite part of the process of putting on a show is watching the
kids grow in their skills and their confidence. I will be directing, music directing, and choreographing this
production.

I hired Chelsea Snyder to costume this show. Chelsea graduated from PMHS several years ago, and started
costuming while still a student there. She has costumed several musicals since graduating from college,
including, Seussical KIDS for me at RPE and The Wizard of Oz that I directed at Center Grove Fine Arts Academy
with a cast of 98. I am grateful to have her on board.

I will do my best to keep everything updated on www.mcduffeemusic.com. I will have this letter and the
rehearsal calendar there so that if you misplace any paperwork, you can find it online. I can be reached at
emily@mcduffeemusic.com and I can be texted at 317-345-5817 if there is urgent information I need to know
like illnesses and family emergencies. I typically don’t respond during rehearsal unless it’s an emergency.

II. COSTUMES, MAKEUP and HAIR:
A. Costumes: All students will need black shoes. Shoes with a white sole are fine. If you have jazz or dance
shoes, that is fine, but do not feel the need to go out and purchase special shoes for this production. Most
students will need provide basic pieces:

• Black pants
   • Solid, bright colored t-shirt
More detailed information about costumes will come home when we start rehearsals.

B. Hair: As a person with blue/purple hair (at the moment; It will probably change before the show) I am not a
stickler on haircuts and colors: no one was cast because of their haircut or color. I have matching wigs for the
Alices already. I do ask that all girls have a headband or hair tie and hair is pulled away from the face so we can
see your eyes and facial expressions and so you won’t have to constantly mess with it.

C. Makeup: ALL students (even boys) have to wear makeup on stage. Stage lights are very bright and they
wash out actors’ facial features. All makeup is due on LONG SATURDAY, March 3 in labeled bags. We will train
the kids how to use it, and be able to help them for performances. Makeup can be purchased at the Dollar
Tree or any drug store, or, if mom is okay with it, students can borrow mom’s makeup, as long as mom is okay
with it being left at Marian for the week. Do NOT purchase the most expensive available.

Ben Nye Makeup Kit: You have the option of ordering a professional makeup kit for $25. I have one and have
used it for every show I have been in. The kit comes with crème foundation, a 4-color palette for eyes, lips,
and cheeks, eyeliner, translucent setting powder, a triangle sponge, a brush, a pouf for the powder, and a
stipple sponge. The kit should last for many productions. If you think your child will do more shows, you
should consider this. It’s hypo-allergenic so it’s good for sensitive skin. And it’s a high quality product. (I have
friends who are professional performers who use this kit.) If you would like to purchase this kit, I would need
$25 and the skin tone by Thursday, February 22.

If you do not want to purchase the Ben Nye Personal Makeup Kit, here is a list of the makeup items your child
will need:
 • Foundation (at your child’s skin shade or one shade darker) – liquid is easiest.
 • Triangle makeup sponges.
 • Eyeliner – dark brown or black (do NOT purchase liquid). There should be NO SHARING of eyeliner at all.
     Ever.
 • White eyeshadow for a spotlight in the inner corner of the eye and for contouring. Cream would be best.
 • Lip color – at lip shade or brighter. Bright is better than dark. Girls aim for berry colors, boys aim for more
     neutral colors. Avoid frost or glitter.
 • Blush – aim for a bright shade of pink.
 • Blush brush.
 • Q-tips.
 • Mirror
 • Eye makeup remover: babywipes, or baby oil/mineral oil and cotton balls all take off makeup.
 • A bag with your child’s name on it to keep the makeup organized.
 • IF YOUR CHILD HAS VERY SENSITIVE SKIN get a foundation primer. ELF sells one for maybe $5 at Meijer or
     any drug store. It feels like velvet and creates a barrier between the makeup and the child's skin.
OPTIONAL:
 • Eyeshadow – dark and light shades of browns, unless otherwise specified.
 • Mascara – black.
 • Lip liner – same shade or 1 shade darker than lipstick.
 • Eye shadow primer.
 • Translucent or finishing powder with brush.

If you are planning on purchasing or already own the Ben Nye Makeup Kit, the only things you need are a
mirror, extra triangle sponges, and makeup remover.

III. REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
At the end of this packet is a very detailed rehearsal schedule. Please keep this on the refrigerator. I try my
best to stick to it. I tried to make it so that ensemble members have rehearsal two days a week up until the
last few weeks. There are a limited number rehearsals for this show. I will do my best to stick to and even
work ahead of this schedule. The only changes I will ever make will be to say that a student is NOT needed at
rehearsal. I will never ask a student to be at a rehearsal when they are not scheduled to be. As a mom, I plan
transportation around these things and it makes it difficult when it changes. I also make a concerted effort to
let kids out on time.

Because we have a tight rehearsal schedule, we need all students at all rehearsals they are scheduled for. If a
student has two unexcused absences, he/she will be removed from the show. If a student is ill or there is a
family emergency, please email or text me to let me know. Any absences put on the audition form are
excused. If a student misses a rehearsal, it is their individual responsibility to try to learn what was missed on
their own from other students in their groups. We will try to catch them up as best as we can, but we will not
have the time to re-teach things.

Please notice the rehearsal marked TBD in March; I always plan a catch-up day and I always end up using it. Be
prepared for this day to be an all call, but know that it may not be.

Again, thank you for sharing your children with me. This is my favorite thing in the whole world and this is a
very fun show. I am excited to see what these kiddos can do and watch them grow! Please feel free to email or
call me if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you
Emily McDuffee
Director of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr

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Makeup Kit Order Form - $25

skin tone choices
(Circle one)

Fair: Lightest                Fair: Light                    Fair:Medium/Tan

Olive: Medium                 Olive: Deep

Brown: Light                  Brown: Medium                  Brown: Dark

Payment method:
Cash        Check (made to IHM)

Total Price: _____________