Show Starters is a unique performance ensemble for GCPA students ages 9 - 13 that will develop and deliver entertainment to various audiences around St. Louis. Through this program, students will receive focused training and numerous performance opportunities throughout the year. Students will also learn and understand the importance of using the gift of song and dance to serve the communities of St. Louis in an impactful way.
Music Director: Sarah Wirthlin
Choreographer: Avery Lux
SHOW STARTERS WILL AUDITION FOR THE 2024-2025 TEAM IN LATE SPRING. CHECK BACK FOR MORE INFO AND SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS BASED ON OUR 2023-2024 TEAM.
2023-2024 APPLICATION
Admission to Show Starters is by application and audition only. Not all applicants will be accepted. All applicants (new and returning) will complete an application form and send a video audition.
Video Self-tape Submissions: Due by 10:00pm Tuesday, May 30th
Students will be notified of callbacks by Wednesday, May 31st, 2023
In-person Callbacks: Thursday, June 1st from 5 - 8:30 pm
Come prepared to dance and sing. You may not be needed the entire time.
You will be asked to include a self-tape submission in your application.
SELF-TAPE VOCAL AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Please video yourself performing one, 16-32 bar cut of a musical theatre song with an accompaniment/karaoke track or recorded accompaniment. No a capella singing. Please slate your name, age, and audition song before you begin your song. Please find a quiet place to film and limit moving distractions in your frame - landscape is preferred
Video auditions are only being accepted as UNLISTED YOUTUBE links or GOOGLE DRIVE links that must be shared with the following emails: sfox@gcpastl.org, averylux@gmail.com and wirthlin.sarah@gmail.com
ELIGIBILITY
Limited spaces are available in this ensemble. Students are selected through an application and audition process. Interested students must meet the following requirement:
Must be ENTERING Grades 4-8 in the 2023-2024 school year
REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES
Regular rehearsals run September ‘23 - May ‘24 and performances are scheduled from September ‘23 - August ‘24.
Students will rehearse a total of 1.5 hours a week. During rehearsal, students will learn music, choreography, and performance etiquette to produce up to three 25 to 30-minute shows, composed of 8-10 pieces each. Rehearsals will also be used to have discussions about the importance of serving others with our skills and talents, and how positive engagement is necessary to a healthy community.
Rehearsals are scheduled for Mondays from 5:30pm - 7pm for the Fall and Spring session:
FALL SESSION:
September 11th - Dec 17th, 2023
SPRING SESSION
January 15th - May 12th, 2023
INTENSIVE
Show Starters attend an intensive at the very beginning of the season. This time is used for cast bonding, catching new cast members up on previous shows and preparing for Raise the Curtain. Attendance is mandatory with limited conflicts accepted. Do not hesitate to reach out with questions about conflicts with the intensive.
August 14th - 17th: 4 - 8 pm
August 19th: 9 - 3pm
PERFORMANCES:
The performance schedule is TBD and will be provided as dates are confirmed. Potential performances include:
Raise the Curtain: September, 2023
GCPA YTC Season Pre-Shows
School performances (during school hours)
Assisted Living Residencies
St. Louis Fringe Festival
St. Louis Cardinals
Kirkwood Greentree Festival
Tower Grove Spring Fling
COMMITMENT
Throughout the first semester, Show Starters will prepare a 25 - 30 minute performance for multiple uses during the Spring semester. Students must enroll in both Fall and Spring semesters with the following requirements. Not meeting these requirements will be cause for removal from the ensemble.
Students will enroll in a Show Starters for the Fall and Spring semesters (Mondays, 5:30pm-7:00pm). This is where rehearsals will take place.
Students may be asked to attend some additional weekend rehearsals.
Eligible students will take at least one hour of dance class at GCPA
Eligible students will take either Group Voice class at GCPA or private voice instruction. Students may take private voice lessons with a non-GCPA instructor. Students in private voice are required to take a minimum of 16 lessons between September and April (bi-weekly). Those taking from an outside teacher must turn in attendance slips signed by your instructor to prove attendance.
Students will be available for the Intensive and GCPA’s Raise the Curtain Fundraiser in September.
REHEARSAL ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students should plan to attend every rehearsal unless otherwise specified. Students may communicate conflicts ahead of time, but understand that they must be in attendance for at least 80% of rehearsals.
-2 unexcused absences per semester (Excused = 2 weeks notice, illness, or bereavement)
-5 total absences per semester (includes excused & unexcused, additional absences will be excused for illness or bereavement)
-Must attend last rehearsal prior to any performance in order to participate in that performance.
CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY: Per semester, Show Starters performers are required to take at least one hour of dance class at GCPA and either a GCPA Group Voice class or private lessons.* To remain in good standing, students must attend 75% of all classes/lessons. Students may utilize GCPA’s make up policy to amend missed classes.
*GCPA’s 2023-2024 Class Schedule will be available soon. Feel free to reach out to sfox@gcpastl.org with questions about your schedule as you plan.*
**Students may audition and be cast in YTC Main Stage Productions with no conflict of interest.**
COST
Cost is based on the 2022-2023 class schedule and is subject to change.
Production Fee
Students will pay a yearly, $125 production fee. This fee covers many production costs, including but not limited to:
Show Starters Intensive
Costumes
Production needs
End-of-year conferences
Classes
Students will receive a 5% discount off of their class total. Payment can be made in full or online with GCPA’s monthly payment plan (1st of Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, March, April, May). Students taking private voice lessons through GCPA will pay $30 per 30 minute lesson which will be broken down into 2 lessons per payment cycle Sept - April..
Yearly Base Cost
Over-all cost will depend on how many hours of class a student takes. For reference, here is the smallest package including private voice:
2.5 hours of class per week: $115.90 per month (regularly $122) x 9 payments = $1,043.10
30 minute private voice: $60 x 8 payments = $480
TOTAL MONTHLY= $175.90
TOTAL CLASSES IN FULL = $1,523.10
DUES: $35 x 1 Payment = $35
PROGRAM TOTAL IN FULL = $1,558.10
COSTUMES
Show Starters have two main costume looks covered mostly under the production fee (you provide basics that are denoted with a *). This includes a personalized Show Starters shirt and jacket (yours to keep) and a dressy look.
The dressy look is rented and will be returned as you outgrow it or leave Show Starters. This will give the group a closet to pull from as students grow through the year.
Additional costume pieces may be added as dictated by the season (such as winter beanies, ribbons, etc)
Show Starters jackets MAY be available and cost will not be included in the production fee. Subject to a minimum order.
Dressy:
Orange or Blue dress with black undershorts* and jazz shoes*
Orange or Blue Vest with white button-down*, black pants* and black jazz shoes*
Suspenders with white button-down*, black pants* and black jazz shoes*
Casual:
Personalized Show Starters shirt with black bottoms* and jazz shoes*
Showstarters Jacket