Classes in Musical Theater: The Sound of Music

Joining the Scope for Imagination course in Musical Theater will provide children and young adults with training courses in:

• Acting: Character development, Script interpretation, Scene work, Physicality, and Improvisation skills.

• Singing: Pitch, Tone, Musical interpretation, Singing in harmony, using music to tell a story.

• Dancing: Posture, Movement, Choreography. 

Not only will participants grow their technical artistic skills through training classes and rehearsals, the classes will all build towards a fully staged performance of "The Sound of Music". Participants will gain confidence and enjoy the unforgettable experience of being on stage with sets, costumes, props, and the camraderie of a full cast of actors.

Language

Rehearsals and performances will be in English. This is an opportunity for English speakers to enjoy performing in their native language, but also for Portuguese speakers and those from other native languages who wish to improve their English. 

Casting

All actors who wish to participate will be included in the show. All levels of experience welcome.

For those who wish to be cast in character roles, there will be auditions in November. All ages are encouraged to audition for roles as this show includes characters of all ages. We strive to make auditions fun rather than stressful, and even if an actor does not want a big part, practicing auditioning is a great skill to practice for life. See more below. 

For those who prefer to perform in the ensemble, simply sign up! We ensure that all actors, whether in the ensemble or lead roles, receive material to improve their skills, shine on stage, and have fun.

Auditions

For those who wish to be considered for speaking roles or solo singing, we will ask you to come in for a short, friendly audition in November. This is a chance for us to get to know you and hear what kind of role would be best for your voice and style. 

1. Please prepare a short monologue (at the longest one minute, only thirty seconds is fine for the youngest children), preferably from a play. Have your audition material memorized. 

2. For those who wish to sing, please prepare a one minute song, preferably from a musical. You may sing your song a cappella or bring in the backing track to sing along with. We have more tips on audition material here.

3. For those who wish to be a featured dancer, please prepare one minute of movement to perform. Ideal would be ballet, contemporary, folk or ballroom dance.   

Click here to join the cast!

Class Rehearsal Schedule

Classes will be January - April, with breaks for Carnival and Easter. The performances will be on April 17th and 18th.

The weekly class schedule will vary based on age and role. 

If you wish to participate, but cannot make the time specified below, please register anyway. We will be making additional groupings based on participant schedules.

• Minis’ Ensemble (ages 5 - 8) - Thursdays from 5 - 6 pm (Yoga Sobre o Porto, R. das Carmelitas 100, Porto).

• Children’s Ensemble (ages 9 - 12) - two options, select one.

  • Mondays from 5:30 - 6:30 pm (Associação Recreativa Aurora da Liberdade, R. Godinho 445, Matosinhos), OR

  • Saturdays from 11 - 12 am (A Beneficência Familiar, R. Formosa 349, Porto).

• Main Ensemble (ages 13 - 30) - can participate once or twice a week. Those who attend twice a week will have more stage time in the performance.

  • Thursdays 6 - 8 pm, (Yoga Sobre o Porto, R. das Carmelitas 100, Porto).

  • Saturdays 1 - 3 pm, (A Beneficência Familiar, R. Formosa 349, Porto).

• Character Roles - will be called to a variety of rehearsals based on the role they are cast in. These could include sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 6 - 8 pm, or on Saturdays between 1 - 5 pm, based on their role and personal schedule. Actors will be told rehearsal schedule in December, after casting.

Tuition

Tuition fees:

• Minis and Children, one hour once a week, €50 per month.

• Main Ensemble who select once a week for two hours, €65 per month.

• Main Ensemble who select twice a week for two hours each, €100 per month.

• Character Roles, twice a week (or more) for two hours each, €100 per month.

• All participants will also be responsible for a one time €75 show fee. The show fee is due upon registration for the show in November.

• Monthly tuition fees will begin in January with rehearsals.

• There will be a one time annual €10 insurance fee due at the first class, non-refundable.

• If tuition or fees create a barrier for your family, please fill in the Scope for Imaginaton scholarship form. We have scholarships available for families that would like to participate but for whom tuition would create a financial hardship.

What is included in these fees?

Tuition:

• Training courses that will improve young people's skills in acting, singing, and dancing

• All materials and props for games and activities

• Rehearsal rooms

• Administrative costs

Show Fee:

• Rights to produce copyrighted material, including rights to musical tracks, and copies of scripts

• Theater rental

• Lights, sound, sets, props, microphones, costumes, hair, and makeup

Registration

To register, please fill in this form once per student.

After completing the form, please contact scope.for.imagination.pt@gmail.com to arrange the payment of the €75 show fee. This €75 show fee allows us to purchase the rights to the show and reserve the theater and rehearsal rooms. Beginning January 1, monthly fees for class tuition will apply.

After the form and payment are received you will receive a registration confirmation.

• Registration is only considered complete upon receipt of payment.

• Groups without sufficient enrollment may be cancelled.

• Participants who want to try out being in the ensemble may enroll and try the first week of rehearsal as a trial. If it is not a good fit for the participant, fees will be refunded.

• After the trial class, we expect that those who sign up for the show will complete monthly rehearsals and performances. However, if there are unforseen circumstances and participants must drop out of the show, they will not be charged for subsequent months of rehearsal. After the first week of classes, the show fee will not be refundable.

• For those cast in character / lead roles, we expect a commitment through the end of the show. 

Testimonials

“I can’t explain to you how significant my daughter’s role in the play is to her and especially your attitude towards her. You managed to raise her self-confidence, her verbal confidence and her ability to express herself. You have no idea how much it means to her and how you are a point of light and strength in this relocation. So thank you for everything, the investment, the motivation, the positivity, the light that you are.”

-Mor Toledano, mother of Lily

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where will rehearsals be held?

  • Rehearsal location will depend on the day:

    • Mondays: Matosinhos Theater location - Associação Recreativa Aurora da Liberdade, R. Godinho 445, 4450-149 Matosinhos.

    • Thursdays: near Clérigos - Yoga Sobre o Porto, R. das Carmelitas 100, 4050-150 Porto.

    • Saturdays: near Bolhão - A Beneficência Familiar, R. Formosa 349, 4000-252 Porto.

  • Small groups / solo rehearsals may also be held in house near Arca d'Agua or Antas neighbourhoods.

• Where will the performances be?

  • The performance theatre is still being finalized. It will be a real theater that enables young performers to feel the full joy of performing in a theatre with sets, lights, props, and costumes.

• When do rehearsals begin?

  • We encourage all students to sign up for the ongoing theater classes that are already in progress. This will help all actors prepare for the show with general theatre skills.

  • Auditions will be in November, callbacks in December, and rehearsals will begin in January.

  • We will also be hosting workshops in singing and dancing during the fall to help prepare students for musical theater.

• What if I can’t make the rehearsal time for my age group?

  • If you would like to participate, but cannot meet at some of the rehearsal times, please complete the registration form anyway. We will strive to set up additional rehearsal blocks at a time that works for you.

• What if I have some scheduling conflicts?

  • We understand that every family has a busy schedule. When we confirm registration, we will send you the full schedule. Please mark the dates that you have conflicts so that we can understand if this production will be possible for you or not.

  • Some dates such as dress rehearsal and performances are not permissible to miss.

• What language will the rehearsals be in?

  • Rehearsals will be taught in English, however, we welcome all levels of English learners to participate. This is an excellent opportunity for those who are studying English to have a chance to listen, read, and speak in the language while having fun singing and dancing. Working with directors and many cast members who are native English speakers is an excellent opportunity for those learning the language to improve their comprehension and pronunciation.

• What should I bring to rehearsal?

  • Students should wear comfortable clothes and shoes that they can dance in (close toed, attached at the heel).

  • Students should bring a water bottle, a folder for holding music, scripts, and notes, and a pencil with eraser. 

• Do I have to sing or dance?

  • No, participants do not wish to sing, or do not wish to dance, will be cast in placements in the ensemble that only require acting. However this will be limiting to their time on stage and in rehearsals, so we encourage everyone who feels able to participate in all three disciplines.