Variety Show
Each year, the BES PTA Variety Show showcases the talents, creativity, imagination, and whimsy of the BES students. It is important for our kids to have opportunities to shine and do something they feel confident about. This performance is not about being the best but participating in something the kids can feel good about and of course, have FUN! Think of participation in the Variety Show as a unique club for your child.
– Shannon Rosenthal, your volunteer Variety Show Director
(mom of Jordan in 4th grade and Paige in 1st grade)
Your child’s participation includes:
2 – Rehearsals at BES Gym
1 – Dress Rehearsal/Pizza Party at Whitman High School
1 – Performance at Whitman High School
1 – Video of the performance
And a lifetime of fun memories!
Plus 5th graders are eligible to serve as Masters of Ceremony (MC) during the Variety Show by introducing the acts.
So how much for all of the above?
$50 fee per performer
$25 fee for an additional performer (sibling) in the family – We are trying something new this year, if you have more than one child participating in the Variety Show we would like to make the financial burden of participating a little easier.
$25 fee for Master of Ceremony Only. 5th graders who are in both an ACT and an MC only need to pay the $50 performer fee.
PTA scholarships to participate in the show are available; please contact our school counselor Christina Castellano with scholarship requests @ christina_l_castellano@mcpsmd.org.
Please note this is NOT a fundraiser. All of the fees collected go toward covering the expenses associated with the production of the Variety Show. Expenses include renting facilities, pizza party,theater crew, etc.
Registration & Parent Organizational Call:
A. Dec 1, 2016 – Jan 4, 2017: Online registration only through Pay For School Stuff.
https://www.pay4schoolstuff.com
B. Wednesday, Dec 14, 2016: (7:00 pm) Parent Conference Call: an organizational call to answer questions. Instead of an information meeting at the school, we are going to have a conference call.
At minimum, one parent from each Act should dial-in.
Dail-in number: 888-411- 5146 Participant Code: 202-637- 9732
Rehearsal and Show Schedule: Because there are only a few rehearsals, it is very important that all performers and MCs come to all of the rehearsals, and be ready to perform their Act.
A. Wednesday, January 04, 2017: any recorded music used in an Act, must be emailed to Shannon Rosenthal @ shannon.rosenthal@gmail.com
B. Thursday, January 12, 2017 (3:45-6:30 pm BES gym): 1st rehearsal – come ready to perform.
C. Thursday, January 19, 2017: (3:45-6:30 pm BES gym): 2nd rehearsal – come ready to perform.
D. Friday, January 27, 2017: (5:00-9:00 pm Whitman HS auditorium): dress rehearsal/pizza party.
NOTE: all performers must find their own transportation to/from Whitman.
E. Saturday, January 28, 2017: (5:30-9:00 pm Whitman HS auditorium): the evening of the performance. The show starts at 6:30.
About the Acts:
A. Each Act in the VS may consist of one BES student (i.e. performer) or a group of students.
B. Students are permitted to be in only one Act (limited exceptions granted by the director).
C. The 5th graders will serve as masters of ceremony for the show by introducing the Acts. They may serve as an MC and perform in an Act.
D. Each Act may be a maximum of 2 minutes long.
E. Students must come to each rehearsal ready to perform their Act.
F. Acts using music: MUST provide music to director via CD or email BY JANUARY 04, 2017. The director can cut the song to the desired length.
Kindergarten Performers:
It has been a tradition for the past six-plus years for the kindergarteners to participate in a “Kindergarten Group Act.” Last year, several kindergarten parents pulled together a group and choreographed a cute dance to a mix of Star Wars music. It was a hit, and the kids loved it! It takes a kindergarten parent or two willing to take the lead and organize a group Act or Acts to make this happen.
Volunteers:
To successfully run and operate the Variety Show, we need parent volunteers. The expectation is one parent from each family will volunteer at a minimum once at either a rehearsal or the night of the show. The majority of the help we need is kid wrangling so it’s nothing we don’t already know how to do! After registration closes, we will send an email with the volunteer sign-up schedule. The email will be coming from our Variety Show Volunteer Coordinator, Terri Payne @ terripayne@gmail.com.
If you have additional questions or concerns please feel free contact Shannon Rosenthal, Variety Show Director @ shannon.rosenthal@gmail.com
