Mark Your Calendars

It's July, which means that between sunbathing and vacations, it's time to start planning for the 2014 Dickens Festival.  For those who've been with us awhile, you know that no two years have ever been the same, so lets start with a rundown of similarities and differences:

• SAME venue (South Town Expo)
• SAME rehearsal space (Thompson Lane Entertainment, 2933 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City)
• NEW rehearsal dates/times: Wednesdays 7-10, Fridays 5-9, Saturdays 12-4
• FEWER performances: Dec 11, 12, 13 (no matinee)
• RETURN to the street theater of yore (everyone will have an assigned character and route)
• SAME director (Andrea) and music director (Jackie)
• ADDITION of a new assistant choreographer (Michelle)
• STRICTER conflict policy (I really need a committed cast!)
• SAME great family atmosphere
• SAME great vocal training and extra stage time in our Orphan Choir
• HOPEFULLY lots of our same Dickens Family back for another year of Victorian Christmas

If you're hoping to be back for another year, here's what you should know so far:

• AUDITIONS will be Friday, September 19th from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Look for more information on how to schedule your audition.  If you're starting to prepare your song already, plan a 1 minute song in the style of the show (with sheet music, please).
• CALL BACKS will be Saturday, September 20th from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Please set this time aside in case I need you.
• REHEARSALS begin Saturday, September 27th.  We will hold rehearsals over UEA weekend (Oct 17-18), so please plan accordingly.  We will NOT hold rehearsals at all during the week of Thanksgiving (Nov 23-29).
• Because of the shortened performance window, it is possible that some of our old pickpockets now turned high school choir students may be able to participate!  If this is you, take the following dates to your teachers on the first day of school: Dec 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.  If your choir director is willing to sign the waiver I will be providing, allowing you to commit to the final two rehearsals and performances, I am willing to excuse you from any other rehearsals that conflict with your high school choir performances.

What should you do now?

• Comment here or on Facebook letting me know you are planning to audition (I'd love to know who is coming back!)
• Share these dates with your friends and family.  Let's have a killer turnout at auditions this year!

I'm excited to start another year of this crazy thing we call the Dickens Festival!

--Andrea