Frequently Asked Questions

When are rehearsals?

Rehearsals will take place after school and on most Saturdays between January and the show in April.  Full cast rehearsals will begin on Saturday, January 11, 2025, and run from 10:00 am to approximately 2:00 pm.  Individual music rehearsals will be held during the week after school, starting at 4:30pm.  As we get closer to Opening Night, there will be more mandatory weekday and weekend rehearsals. The rehearsal schedule will be determined based on casting, student availability, and directors’ availability.  Most students are not called every day until we get closer to production. 

Do I have to attend all rehearsals? 

You have to attend the rehearsals to which you are called and all mandatory rehearsals. You also have to attend the run-throughs. We develop the rehearsal schedule based on student availability, as well as the directors’ availability.  If a student has not listed a conflict and is called to rehearsal, he/she is expected to attend. If there is a partial conflict, students should attend as much of that day’s rehearsal as possible.

Students and parents will sign a performance contract with defined expectations. Any student who is repeatedly absent from rehearsals will not be allowed to continue in the production. We expect the same level of discipline and commitment as students have for team sports or other activities.

What if I want to be involved in the musical but don’t want to be on the stage?

We need LOTS of student and adult help on this show – onstage and off!  We need help from students and parents with sets, props, costumes, running crew, and more.  If you are interested in being part of the stage crew, email us and let us know at MONMusicalTheatre@gmail.com.  We will add your name to the stage crew list. 

I want to be on stage crew. Do I need to audition?

No, stage crew don’t need to audition. 😊

Who is the production team?

Mrs. Alison Melley, Producer: Mrs. Melley has worked behind the scenes with the MoN Theatre stage crew with her sons Aidan ('19) and Kevin ('25). This year she leads the production team as producer, managing all executive and business aspects of the show and liaison with school administration. 

Mrs. Roxanne Stone, Director:  Mrs. Stone founded the MoN Theatre program with Seussical Jr in 2018.  She has been performing for over 40 years and holds the Master of Fine Arts in Theatre. She has directed plays and musicals for 30 years, working with children, high school students, and adults.  Mrs. Stone is a MoN alumni Mom: her daughter Taz graduated from MoN in 2019. 

Mrs. Sharon Humphries, Assistant Director:  Mrs. Humphries came into the program as a parent volunteer during Seussical Jr in 2018, and has served as AD with Mrs. Stone since 2019. Mrs. Humphries assists with rehearsals, staging, and every aspect of production.  She is also a MoN alumni Mom: her daughter Stella graduated from MoN in 2021.

Arielle Bayer, Music Director:  Ms. Bayer is an accomplished musician and musical director with credits in professional, educational, and community theatres.  Ms. Bayer was music director for MoN’s productions since Shrek Jr. in 2019. She is a special education music teacher with Montgomery County Public Schools. 

Taz Stone, Choreographer:  Taz was a founding member of the MoN Theatre, performing as Horten the Elephant in MoN's inaugural production of Seussical Jr (2018). She graduated MoN in 2019 and continued her theatre career at the Academy of the Holy Cross in productions of School of Rock, Matilda the Musical, and The SpongeBob Musical, among others. She has choreographed several MoN Theatre shows, including Matilda Jr. and Moana Jr. 

Stella Humphries, 2nd Assistant Director: Stella was also a founding member of the MoN Theatre, performing as Baby Kangaroo in MoN's inaugural production of Seussical Jr (2018). She graduated MoN in 2021 and has continued her theatre career at Our Lady of Good Counsel in productions of Almost, Maine, Tuck Everlasting, and Clue, among others. She has assisted with MoN Theatre productions since The Lion King Jr in 2022, when she also had to take on the role of Simba at the last minute!

Is there a cost to be in the play?

Yes. There is a $200 per student Production Fee that helps cover the costs of the show. The crew fee is $100 per student. Fees will be collected at the first rehearsal or crew call in January 2024.  The production fee includes a show
t-shirt. If your family has a financial hardship, please speak with the producer or director. No child will be denied participation due to an inability to pay the fee.

Callbacks and Casting

Callbacks will be held on December 19, 2024 after school and are by invitation only. Not everyone will be needed for callbacks, but it does not mean you have not been cast if you are not called.  Casting is dependent not only on whether a student is a good fit vocally, but how they fit into the whole ensemble. Important: Student availability for rehearsals (i.e., their conflicts) will weigh heavily on casting.

What roles are available?

There are a lot of roles available—large and small!  Check out our CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS page for a breakdown. All roles require singing and dancing, as well as special skills such as, skating, scooter, tap dancing, and rap!  All roles are open to everyone, and the director will cast the right person for the right role, regardless of grade, experience, or gender.

Questions?

Please don’t hesitate to contact the production team at MONMusicalTheatre@gmail.com if you or your aspiring actor have any questions or concerns.