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Children's Theatre Experience (CTE) is an organization dedicated to providing
children of all ages the opportunity to experience the magic of live, musical theatre.
This non-profit educational organization is designed to expose children to all aspects
of professional theatre productions, including:
- Training in all theatre arts, from acting to choreography to voice training.
- Learning the art of appreciating live theatre as part of an audience.
This environment is designed to foster self-confidence as well as the satisfaction of
successful performance, both solo and as part of a large ensemble. And, parents are
offered the unique opportunity to train and perform with their children.
(Many members have suggested that maybe we should change our name to "Family" Theatre Experience....hmmm?)
CTE currently has programs in Claremont, Conejo Valley, Inland Empire,
Orange County, South Orange County, a State Repertoire group that is comprised
of children from all of the programs, who made their debut in Honolulu, Hawaii, in the
Spring of 1995, and an Adult Repertoire group that is comprised of children from all
of the programs, working side by side with industry professionals, who annually perform
the classic "A Christmas Carol", as well as many other productions.
Children experience every aspect of theatre, from weekly rehearsals to dress
rehearsals to opening night. They learn to follow instructions, develop discipline,
appreciate the other cast members, and most important, see their own unique talents
emerge and expand. The program includes training in stage presence, voice control,
voice projection, pantomime, dramatic readings, singing, dancing, stage movement,
and improvisation. Our staff consists of experienced, trained professionals in their fields,
and all instruction is based on sound and accepted educational techniques, which reflect
an understanding of the child's perception of the world. Our primary goal is to help
build each child's self-esteem through the gratifying experience of performance in live,
professional, quality, musical theatre.
A typical program runs approximately 14 weeks in length, rehearsing once a week
in each area. Rehearsals are broken down into age and grade groupings with each
group rehearsing for one to one and-a-half hours per week. Each rehearsal is staffed
with a Musical Director, Choreographer and Artistic Director, among other staff.
The final week (in the actual performance venue) is spent entirely in the theatre.
There are evening rehearsals normally on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings*,
with school field trip performances during the morning on Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday (these are optional performances for the cast member with 95% of all
schools allowing independent study while cast member is out), and public
performances on Friday night, Saturday afternoon (matinee) and Saturday evening.
* This is a "typical schedule". Each production is unique in the amount of time necessary
to rehearse and produce in the theatre. Also, venue size reflects the number of performances
given per production. An Advanced Rehearsal Schedule is always made available the first
day of rehearsals.
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