After school drama program information:

Crossroads provides after school art based programs for youth grades 3 to 8. Programs focus on building self esteem through the arts with hands on activities in drama, music, stage management, set and scene building and design. Our self awareness program promotes community  building ethics with a focus on citizenship, bully prevention, respect, honesty,  self respect, self confidence, integraty, citizenship and fairness.

Here is some information regarding our theatrical programs for the coming  school year. Crossroads offers two programs for the students with some fun with film editing and movie making. Our first program is a general drama class  offering acting, stage management and scene design on Fridays. Performances are in December and April. We also have a special drama club on Wednesdays that promotes bully prevention and mentoring. Shows are performed during the school  day in the spring for grades K-2 in the Saco school system.

Please read carefully and feel free to call us at anytime with questions:

1. Email is the best way to communicate to the students and especially parents. Please email us at
   cgifford@crossroadsyouthcenter.org.  Emails are usually send out an email on Sunday with any information or changes for the week. If you are not getting an email, please contact me to make sure the address is correct and if you have address changes.
2. Drama classes are held on Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays for the social awareness plays. In March we will extend our rehearsal schedule to Wednesdays but only for specific scene work.
3. Special classes for community service projects are held on Wednesdays. Tryouts for our annual anti- bullying campaign or prevention programs are held in September and approximately twelve students will be chosen to present a show to the districts K-2 grades in the late winter early spring. You will miss classes  for about 3 days if you are participating in this program.
4. We are fortunate to have professional and community theater volunteers join  us for our productions. We are very lucky to have such talented volunteers. If you are interested in assisting please contact us.  The volunteers help  us tremendously in maximizing our time and talents in the short time we meet.
5. Drama club is free to all participants and funded by Crossroads. On  occasions we send emails looking for items the actors may need in the play and  also ask them to collect their own costume. We have a wide variety of costumes, scenery and props, but there may be some items the actors will be responsible  for. The best place to look is Goodwill, Salvation Army and your own closets.
6. Actors need to learn their lines, this is probably the most important area that parents can help us with. Memorization is their homework. Dramatic memorization is an effective why to strengthen students skills to learn and comprehend. A great family activity is reading the scenes with your child. Class time is for blocking, (setting up the scenes), choreography, and music rehearsals. If the students are unprepared for the scenes, then it makes it difficult for the rest of the team. Again the club meetings are to focus on the  acting instructions.
7. To some students this may be a new experience. We want it to be a positive and fun time for everyone as the main purpose is to build self esteem, community  values and teamwork. It is also a great outlet for students of all levels. There  are projects for all levels of skills and talents. Please let me know at anytime  if you have any questions. A complete calendar will go out each month and be  posted on our website for your convenience. The schedule does change from time to time due to school cancellations, storm days and unforeseen circumstances. So please check your email.
8. We will perform a Holiday Show the first weekend of December and a spring  show is scheduled for late April early May. The two weeks prior to the shows, we  will have a rehearsal every night, which is mandatory. In order to have a  quality show and to be fair to all participants, a commitment to be at practice is important. Please consider this when deciding to participate in another extra curricular activity such as dance. We feel choice and commitment are a must to participate in drama or any program. Please do not over commitment yourself and  keep us informed of conflicting events. Students may join drama at anytime. If  the shows are already cast, late students will be assigned to the technical or  backstage crew. For our major spring production all students will need to  audition for a major or speaking role. You may still participate in the chorus  or ensemble if you do not wish to audition.
    
   The Rules

1. Give, earn and keep respect

2. Listen

3. Support each other

4. Do the right thing

5. Treat others as you want to be treated (no bullying)

6. Tell an adult

7. Learn your part for yourself and your team

8. Attend each class

9. Bring scripty, pencil, snach and water each week

10. Have fun

We ask that all participants respect the property of Crossroads and of the school. Saco Middle School and CK. Burns has graciously allowed us to offer this  program and we return that favor by honoring their space.

SMS Drama and Burns School Drama is sponsored by Crossroads. This is a joint agreement between SMS, CK Burns and Crossroads. Crossroads supports and complies  with the rules and regulations of SUD# 7. Students must also maintain passing  grades to participate in the program.

102 Fernald Road   Newport, Maine    04953
207-735-5295
Email