CWDA NEWS Sept - Dec. 2018

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Term 3 is nearing to an end and we are busy finalising allour concert preparations. Costumes have all been ordered and many have even arrived. There are some very excited children right now. It’s really lovely to see such enthusiasm!

 Important dates: -

Dress Rehearsal and Photo Day - Sunday 18th November 8.30am - Gosford High School Hall - $15

Theatre Technical Rehearsal - Tuesday 27^thNovember 8am - 2.30pm - The Art House Wyong - $23

Concert- Sunday 2^ndDecember 1.30pm - The Art House Wyong (arrive 12.30pm)

Final fees and costume payment - Saturday 10^th November

Last day of classes for 2018 - Saturday 1^stDecember 2018.

Classes resume 2019 - Tuesday 29^th January 2019.

Please note the change in date of our theatre technical rehearsal. Unfortunately, there was a clash of dates and we have had to change to a day earlier -Tuesday 27^th November.

Please arrive at the concert one hour early, with makeup and hair for the first dance already completed - 12.30pm. Parents will be advised of running order closer to the day.

Fees and costume balances: All money owing on costumes, chocolates, and fees for classes right through to the last class of the year (1^stDec), as well as dress rehearsal and technical theatre rehearsal fees are due in full by Saturday 10^th November.

Dress Rehearsal: The dress rehearsal will be held at Gosford High School Hall (Racecourse Rd, Gosford) on Sunday 18th November, commencing at 9.00am. Please arrive at 8.30am to be ready for a 9am start.
We will start with the finale (this involves every student taking a bow) and will follow in order of the concert program, except for our babies. We will do our best to bring the babies performances forward, so they can leave earlier. This will all depend on how organised everyone is and how quickly everyone changes for their next dance. Please don’t be late as it holds up the whole day.  Students should dress for their first dance (not finale costume) at dress rehearsal.

Cost for dress rehearsalis $15.00 per student - payable by 10th November.
This day is not a watching day - only mothers may attend to dress their child. Please arrange babysitting for siblings on this day. This will be a full hair, makeup and costume rehearsal. Please ask your child’s teacher for makeup requirements.  No jewellery, glitter or nail polish to be worn. Please remove earrings.

Photos: Photos will be taken at the dress rehearsal. We are using Winkipop Media again this year. They will photograph portraits at dress rehearsal as well as onstage photos at our concert. Ordering information will be available soon.

Theatre Technical Rehearsal: The technical rehearsal will be held on Tuesday 27th November at The Art House Theatre at Wyong (next to Wyong Court House) at 8.00am. Please come to the stage door at 7.45am so we can call the roll and enter as a group. The stage door will be closed after we enter. Cost of this rehearsal is $23.00 per child - payable by 10th November. All students must attend this compulsory rehearsal(everyone was informed earlier in the year that participation in the concert comes with the condition that students attend this compulsory theatre rehearsal).

During the technical rehearsal we work on staging and spacing of students in their dance; and help students to learn their entrance and exits positions throughout their dance. As they often run on and off stage, and sometimes even around to the other side of the stage before coming back onstage again. This all takes practice to understand how far and fast they need to travel, especially as The Art House Theatre’s stage is so large. We also work on the finale and spacing it on this stage. We set our lighting design at this rehearsal to allow students to adjust to the lighting. From onstage the lighting is very bright and with the darkened theatre it’s important that our students know what to expect. They also learn how far forward to finish so when the curtain drops they are behind it and learn to wait until it’s completely down before exiting the stage. As you can see this rehearsal is important in so many ways. I realise this may be difficult for some parents to organise around work commitments with it being a weekday, but this rehearsal is an essential part of concert preparation. We unfortunately have no say in allocation of our rehearsal date as the theatre is very heavily booked. You may be able to arrange car-pooling with another parent or ask grandparents/friends to help with transport.
The babies’ groups will finish at 9.30am; 8/u groups will finish at 11.00am. All others will finish at 2.30pm.  Sorry no parents watching on this day. Due to security rules at the theatre parents will not be allowed to enter the backstage of the theatre on this day. Please drop off and collect your child promptly at the stage door, where they will be marked on and off the roll again before leaving. Teachers will take the students backstage in the morning and bring them back to the stage door at their stated finish times. Please try to be prompt collecting your child at the stage door. Teachers need to resume rehearsals and can't wait at the stage door for too long. If you can please try to be on time for pick-up, it will be much appreciated.
The Technical rehearsal is not a costume rehearsal. Children should wear full class uniform to this rehearsal, including dance shoes, leotard, hair in bun (girls), etc.
Please label inside shoes and clothing as we often have lost property left behind. If it’s labelled, we can ensure we give it back to the right owner. Being so close to the concert we don’t want items needed for the performance being lost.

Costumes: Many costumes are now complete or nearing completion. Some prices will soon go on the noticeboard and the rest will follow as soon as we receive them. All costumes must be paid by cash only, so we can directly and promptly pay dressmakers. 
Please do not pay for costumes in the same envelope as class fees, nor by direct deposit into my account.
Remember to deduct the $40.00 deposit you have paid previously from the total cost listed on the board. If you haven’t paid the costume deposit, then please pay the full amount listed. 
All class fees, dress and technical rehearsals, chocolate fundraising and costume payments need to be finalised by 10^th November and prior to collecting costumes.  To take the financial pressure off all payments becoming due by 10^th November, parents are welcome to start making small extra payments in advance on either fees or costumes. Please make sure envelopes are clearly labelled explaining your wish to do this and remember to keep all costume and class fees separated.

DVD Orders: We are using Gerald Webb at livewebvideo, the same company as last year, to film this years' concert. The cost is still $50.00 each, plus $5 postage. Gerald will record the concert and presentation/awards following the concert. Order envelopes will be available soon. These orders are to be handed to your child's teacher any time prior to the concert. If you don’t pay for postage, then your copy will not be available for collection until classes resume next year. No cameras or videos are allowed in The Art House Theatre.

Dressers at concert: It is important that we have enough helpers especially for our younger students and those with multiple dances and quick changes. Obviously, our younger students will need lots of help with dressing and hair. I will be asking for volunteers. These can be mothers, aunts, grandmothers, older siblings, friends to help with this task.
Last year we had 11 helpers, but we could really use a few more than this. Senior students will be able to assist when they are free but will also be performing and changing themselves. If you can help or have a friend, or relative who may be able to help please let me know as soon as possible.
These volunteers will be assigned with dressing specific groups of students, not just their own child. For example, we may have several people dressing under 8-year-old students; several dressing under 10’s; some assisting the 6/u children; a few helping with those students who have quick changes, and so on. This will all be worked out in more detail as the time nears.
All students will need to arrive with their makeup completed as well as their hair done in the hairstyle needed for their first dance. We will also be limiting hairstyle changes between dances to help speed the process of dressing for the next dance.
At this time, I really need to know who will be willing to help backstage. All helpers who are dressing students backstage at the concert are invited to watch the theatre technical rehearsal at the Art House on Tuesday 27^th November as our guest.This way they will still be able to view our students in this lovely venue.
Please consider helping or possibly you may know someone who would be willing to help usbackstage with this task.  If you can help please respond by email: chryl_dncn@yahoo.com.au or phone 43561999.

Backstage Access at Concert: Access will be strictly limited to helpers who are dressing, students, and teachers only. This is a security precaution and a condition of hire. Nobody will be allowed access backstage once the stage doors are closed and the concert begins. All students will need to stay until the end of the concert and there is no access backstage during interval.

Chocolate Fundraising: We are now finishing our chocolate fundraiser. Those who’ve not already done so please return all outstanding chocolate money. The first box each student sells is used for trophies for every child, as well as awards. Each additional box sold, will raise $24 towards your child’s costume. (Each box totals $60 worth of chocolates and we pay Cadbury $36 to buy the chocolates). I won’t know each student’s profit raised towards costumes until all money has been returned. A very big thank you to Diane Pank who has organised the running of this fundraiser.

Shoes, Accessories and Hairstyles: A list will soon be placed on the noticeboard board regarding hairstyles, and shoe requirements for all dances. I am just waiting for final word from teachers as they see costumes nearing completion. For all other needs please see your child's teacher. Dress rehearsal is with hair curled (if required for your child's dance). No jewellery or nail polish is to be worn for dress rehearsal/ concerts. Please don't let your child eat or drink in their costumes.

No students are allowed in the foyer at any time at the concert. This includes before the show and during interval. They must remain backstage the entire time.
There is no access through the door that connects the backstage and foyer. Its use is for theatre staff only and will be locked.
Please remember to keep the dressing rooms tidy. We must tidy our own mess after the concert, as a condition of hire. It would be very helpful if each age group could tidy their own dressing area. Last year a few people stayed behind with the teachers to help tidy up. This made the task so much easier for us all and I thank those people. If everyone can help a little that would make it even easier.

Thank you: I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Nicole Angell for all her tireless support when organising our uniform orders and running the Entertainment book fundraiser.  With the help of mothers like Nicole helping with uniforms and Diane helping with chocolate fundraising, everything runs smoothly. Thank you to both ladies.

Concert Tickets: Tickets will go on sale Friday 2nd November.

The tickets will be available to purchase online, in person at The Art House box office, &phone: 43351485. The box office hours are 10.00am - 5.30pm weekdays.  Adults: $45; Pensioner $40;   Child: $35

As The Art House is a larger venue we will have one show only this year. It will commence at 1.30pm Sunday 2nd December. Tickets will sell quickly with just the one show, so be sure to get in fast so you don’t miss out!

 If you have any queries regarding rehearsals or the concert please ask your child's teacher or call Cheryl on 43561999. You can also send a message through our Facebook page or by email. Looking forward to our 33^rd Annual concert and our secondtime at the lovely Art House Theatre.

Classes will finish on Saturday 1^st December 2018 and resume on Tuesday 29th January 2019.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Best regards,
Cheryl