Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pied Piper Players?
Pied Piper Players is a non-profit, volunteer-driven community theater organization that:
• uses theater to give children, young adults and other cast members meaningful exposure to collaborative teamwork
• fosters a positive learning environment, where teaching and study are highly valued
• presents challenging theater productions, striving to meet rigorous standards
Participants have the opportunity to work with theater professionals in a supportive, fun environment.

Where is Pied Piper Players located?
Pied Piper Players is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our rehearsal and performance locations are usually in the North Peninsula between San Mateo and Daly City depending on space availability. Recent performances have been at the Bayside Performing Arts Center in San Mateo.

How much does it cost to participate?
Tuition varies with each production. Please see our current production for details.

What is included in the registration fee?
We provide a professional learning experience in acting, singing, and dance choreography via workshops, rehearsals, and main-stage productions. You also receive a personal audition evaluation, head shot, show t-shirt, cast photo, and costume materials for use during the production run. (Costumes remain property of Pied Piper Players.)

How do I audition?
Upon receipt of your registration and tuition, you will receive information about initial cast and parent meetings, audition workshops, audition schedules and rehearsals.

What other costs can I possibly expect?
This is not an all-inclusive list, but it may give you an idea of what you could expect:
• Seamstress fees for costume assembly
• Stage make-up
• Show tickets
• Raffle tickets
• Meals during long rehearsals and Tech Week - optional
• Photos - optional
• Cast party - optional
• Director/production staff gifts - optional
• Socializing/dining with cast members following performances - optional

When are rehearsals?
Most rehearsals take place on the weekends. Weeknight rehearsals may be required depending on the actor’s role. Tech Week: The week prior to opening night, participants are required to attend evening technical rehearsals. No rehearsal conflicts are allowed during Tech Week.

How many performances will I participate in?
Historically, there have been eight performances over two weekends: Friday night, Saturday matinee and evening and Sunday matinee.

Where can I find help with auditioning?

I am told to warm up vocally on the way to rehearsal. How do I do that?

(Answer by Rick Reynolds, Musical Director of Music Man, Seussical, Wonderland, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)

With some of our staggered times, it's not always possible to do full warm ups and I'd like not to harm voices. Even light singing on the way to rehearsal is good.

Warm up exercises for the car (light singing, remember to breathe):

Where can I find dance shoes and clothes?

What does “volunteer-driven organization” mean?
It means we value volunteers and we need you! As a non-profit organization, we must keep production expenses down to a minimum. Pied Piper Players requires that each family contribute a minimum of 15-20 volunteer hours
during the rehearsal period prior to Tech Week. Additional volunteer hours are required during Tech Week and performances. There are many volunteer opportunities to suit every schedule and skill - you may learn something new in the process! Any family member of the participant can fulfill volunteer hours.

Besides volunteer hours, is there anything else that our family is expected to do?
Sell tickets. A large percentage of our budget depends on ticket sales. It is also much more fun for the actors to perform in front of a large audience. We would like each family to make a goal of selling 50 tickets. Our ticket sales committee can give you great ideas on how to reach this goal. Each family is also responsible for assembling their cast member’s costume pieces. Specific design instructions and fabric samples will be provided or rental costumes will be made available. If sewing is necessary, you may do it yourself or hire a private tailor.

What are the basic volunteer duties?
During production, every family is expected to:

Parents, working under the guidance of a volunteer coordinator and our professional staff, take on the following jobs:
Costumes - Assist costume designers with taking performer's measurements, assigning, approving, and constructing costumes and accessories. Gather pieces from second-hand stores. Rent costumes as needed.
Program - Design, layout and produce show playbill. Collect cast bios and kudos. Solicit advertising.
Props - Gather or create required props from director's list.
Set Construction - Build the set pieces and backdrops for the show.
Painting - Paint the sets and flats made by the Set Construction committee.
Cast Party - Plan and coordinate the Cast Party, typically held after strike. Choose location, track RSVP’s,
collect money, coordinate the event including food, beverages, supervision, set up and clean up.
Lobby Display - Create welcoming display in lobby using headshots, rehearsal photos, etc.
Chaperone - During Tech Week and performances, supervise cast as they wait to go onstage. Monitor noise level, behavior and making entrances and cues. Supervise clean up of dressing rooms.
Stage Crew – Work backstage moving sets and scenery; run the fly-rail, light board, special effects equipment and the curtain.
Concessions - Gather and display refreshments and sell in the lobby before, after and during the intermission of performances.
Flower Sales - Purchase flowers and prepare them for sale in the lobby before, after and during the intermission of performances.
Ushering - Welcome and direct audience members to their assigned seats, be available to assist audience members during the show and monitor the lobby during the performance
Publicity - Write and distribute press releases. Coordinate printed collateral pieces, posters, flyers, etc.
Ticket Sales - Sell tickets! Run show Box Office. Encourage cast to sell tickets.
Raffle - Solicit raffle prizes. Send letters, make phone calls, collect prizes and coordinate raffle ticket sales. Sell raffle tickets during the rehearsal period. Also, sell tickets before, after and during the intermission of performances.

I still have questions. Whom can I contact?