Residency FAQ
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PERFORMANCE RESIDENCies
Our performance residency takes students from audition to performance in just five days.
On Monday, the students audition and are cast in parts. They rehearse throughout the week, and by Friday they are ready to perform a 60-minute musical. We provide all of the sets, props, costumes, music, and make-up to produce the show.
You provide the space and the kids!
On Monday, the students audition and are cast in parts. They rehearse throughout the week, and by Friday they are ready to perform a 60-minute musical. We provide all of the sets, props, costumes, music, and make-up to produce the show.
You provide the space and the kids!
what's included in a performance residency?
The Play - Organizations can choose a title from our collection (titles rotate by season - send us a note to learn what's available now!). Written with flexibility in mind, each original musical adaptation can be performed by children as young as 1st grade up through high school. The plays can be produced with up to 75 students (minimums vary by show), with a variety of roles to accommodate every student's comfort level.
The Tech - No need to provide an accompanist or a professional technician. Like our script, our sound and lights are designed to be flexible. We provide all of the music on CD or MP3, and no special lighting design is necessary!
The Set, Costumes, and Props - Our visual elements are professionally designed and constructed and feature fun, fanciful touches!
The Educators - Our educators are specifically chosen for their expertise in children's theatre and in education. They come from the professional theatre community, with experience within the realm of children's performance and beyond -- Shakespeare, musical theatre, and a variety of other skills. The educators not only direct your students in the production, but also perform with them, offering onstage support and helping them shine.
Marketing Materials - We provide a digital packet of professionally designed marketing materials for our organizations. Each packet includes digital copies of posters, flyers, and other handouts that you can use to advertise the program and the performances.
The Tech - No need to provide an accompanist or a professional technician. Like our script, our sound and lights are designed to be flexible. We provide all of the music on CD or MP3, and no special lighting design is necessary!
The Set, Costumes, and Props - Our visual elements are professionally designed and constructed and feature fun, fanciful touches!
The Educators - Our educators are specifically chosen for their expertise in children's theatre and in education. They come from the professional theatre community, with experience within the realm of children's performance and beyond -- Shakespeare, musical theatre, and a variety of other skills. The educators not only direct your students in the production, but also perform with them, offering onstage support and helping them shine.
Marketing Materials - We provide a digital packet of professionally designed marketing materials for our organizations. Each packet includes digital copies of posters, flyers, and other handouts that you can use to advertise the program and the performances.
what does my organization need to provide?
The space - Two rehearsal spaces will be used throughout the week. In a perfect world, one of these spaces would double as the performance space and audition room. The performance space should be a large open room, like a cafeteria, a gym, or an auditorium, with a "playing space" (does not need to be a stage!) of at least 30' wide x 24' deep. If you have a question about a space, let us know -- we are flexible and can work with nearly any accommodations. The second rehearsal space can be a smaller open area, like a classroom, an atrium, or a theatre lobby. On performance days, there will need to be separate changing spaces for the boys and girls. Two classrooms work great!
If you're located 35 or more miles outside of the Chicago Loop, your space responsibility will also include lodging for your two actor/educators. Lodging can be a private homestay or a hotel/motel. Hotels will often donate rooms for this type of educational programming, and community families are often excited to house an educator for the week!
The kids - This one's easy! Just advertise the program using the marketing materials we provide (as well as your own creativity). Our program can accommodate as few as 15 and as many as 75 student actors. We also need 2-5 students (or willing adults!) to assist in the technical aspects of our program!
If you're located 35 or more miles outside of the Chicago Loop, your space responsibility will also include lodging for your two actor/educators. Lodging can be a private homestay or a hotel/motel. Hotels will often donate rooms for this type of educational programming, and community families are often excited to house an educator for the week!
The kids - This one's easy! Just advertise the program using the marketing materials we provide (as well as your own creativity). Our program can accommodate as few as 15 and as many as 75 student actors. We also need 2-5 students (or willing adults!) to assist in the technical aspects of our program!
do we need to have volunteers present?
During a half-day performance residency, you'll either need at least two students registered as technicians (3rd grade or up). If you don't have pre-registered student technicians, you'll need two adult volunteers to be present beginning Wednesday and returning each day through the final performance.
During a full-day performance residency, you'll need one adult volunteer present on Tuesday morning to provide supervision for the students.
Outside of those two roles, no volunteers are required, but you're welcome to have folks around if it makes them happy! It's always helpful to have another adult around to guide students to the bathroom or to call guardians of students who are running late, but our educators are very self-sufficient and can facilitate the program without another adult present.
During a full-day performance residency, you'll need one adult volunteer present on Tuesday morning to provide supervision for the students.
Outside of those two roles, no volunteers are required, but you're welcome to have folks around if it makes them happy! It's always helpful to have another adult around to guide students to the bathroom or to call guardians of students who are running late, but our educators are very self-sufficient and can facilitate the program without another adult present.
what does a performance residency week look like?
Each day, the tour actor/educators will meet with the students for a total of three hours, plus a 15-minute break.
On Monday, the directors meet the children and cast them in their roles through a simple, no-pressure audition -- no preparation necessary. After the audition, roles are announced and rehearsal schedules are distributed. Some children will then be dismissed until the next day, and others will stay for a fifteen-minute break and a half-hour rehearsal.
On Tuesday, the rehearsal times are staggered, so once again, not all students will be required to be there the entire three hours. Please keep in mind, however, that in order to participate in the auditions, the students must be available for all rehearsal times.
On Wednesday and Thursday, all students are called for the entire rehearsal, including a fifteen-minute structured break.
On Friday, all students are called for a dress rehearsal. Friday's schedule varies depending on the performance schedule chosen by the sponsoring organization.
Saturday schedules vary depending on the performance schedule chosen by the sponsoring organization.
On Monday, the directors meet the children and cast them in their roles through a simple, no-pressure audition -- no preparation necessary. After the audition, roles are announced and rehearsal schedules are distributed. Some children will then be dismissed until the next day, and others will stay for a fifteen-minute break and a half-hour rehearsal.
On Tuesday, the rehearsal times are staggered, so once again, not all students will be required to be there the entire three hours. Please keep in mind, however, that in order to participate in the auditions, the students must be available for all rehearsal times.
On Wednesday and Thursday, all students are called for the entire rehearsal, including a fifteen-minute structured break.
On Friday, all students are called for a dress rehearsal. Friday's schedule varies depending on the performance schedule chosen by the sponsoring organization.
Saturday schedules vary depending on the performance schedule chosen by the sponsoring organization.
how much does a performance residency cost?
Because all of our residencies are customized to suit the needs of each specific community, the costs vary. We're happy to chat with you to find out what options will work best for your organization!
You can reach us at 773.893.0535 or at residencies@ccdramatics.com.
You can reach us at 773.893.0535 or at residencies@ccdramatics.com.
can we use this as a fundraiser?
Definitely! What better way to raise funds than through an educational, character-building activity for your students? Here are just a few ideas to get you started!
Charge an individual participation fee for the week
To fund the program, organizations will often charge participants a fee at the time of registration. If your Compass Creative Dramatics residency is part of a class or other mandatory activity, a nominal lab fee can help to cover part of the investment.
Sell tickets to the performances
Audiences made up of family and friends of the students generally average 3 - 5 times the number of students in the production. Advertise to your community using the marketing packet we provide to increase your ticket sales further!
Recruit business sponsors and/or offer ad space in your program
Area businesses may be happy to support your community through assistance with your residency.
Some organizations choose to offer ads in the program in exchange for a full or partial sponsorship of the residency week!
Include bonus theatrical workshops & charge a workshop fee to the public
This option also provides an opportunity for even more students to experience theatre!
Assembly-share
Invite neighboring schools, day cares, and other family organizations to a daytime performance. This can be a great way to involve more of the community - and you can charge a per-student ticket fee, or a flat fee for the organizations that attend.
Offer concessions
Trail mix, granola bars, and veggie snacks are a great way to enhance the audience experience before and after the show.
Sell DVDs of the performances or photos from the week
These are great keepsakes for families to cherish for years to come.
We also encourage organizations interested in bringing us in to seek local grants. Often monies are available to organizations interested in funding arts enrichment and character-building programming like ours. Corporate sponsorship is another great way to help defray your expenses and allow for fundraising throughout the week in the above ways. These businesses often enjoy being involved in such a community event and can mutually benefit by advertising in the performance programs and media advertising you do for the residency week and performances!
For more information on using CCD as a fundraiser, contact us! In addition to list above, we also have other fun, creative ideas! We're glad to brainstorm ways to help your organization raise money through our enrichment programming.
Charge an individual participation fee for the week
To fund the program, organizations will often charge participants a fee at the time of registration. If your Compass Creative Dramatics residency is part of a class or other mandatory activity, a nominal lab fee can help to cover part of the investment.
Sell tickets to the performances
Audiences made up of family and friends of the students generally average 3 - 5 times the number of students in the production. Advertise to your community using the marketing packet we provide to increase your ticket sales further!
Recruit business sponsors and/or offer ad space in your program
Area businesses may be happy to support your community through assistance with your residency.
Some organizations choose to offer ads in the program in exchange for a full or partial sponsorship of the residency week!
Include bonus theatrical workshops & charge a workshop fee to the public
This option also provides an opportunity for even more students to experience theatre!
Assembly-share
Invite neighboring schools, day cares, and other family organizations to a daytime performance. This can be a great way to involve more of the community - and you can charge a per-student ticket fee, or a flat fee for the organizations that attend.
Offer concessions
Trail mix, granola bars, and veggie snacks are a great way to enhance the audience experience before and after the show.
Sell DVDs of the performances or photos from the week
These are great keepsakes for families to cherish for years to come.
We also encourage organizations interested in bringing us in to seek local grants. Often monies are available to organizations interested in funding arts enrichment and character-building programming like ours. Corporate sponsorship is another great way to help defray your expenses and allow for fundraising throughout the week in the above ways. These businesses often enjoy being involved in such a community event and can mutually benefit by advertising in the performance programs and media advertising you do for the residency week and performances!
For more information on using CCD as a fundraiser, contact us! In addition to list above, we also have other fun, creative ideas! We're glad to brainstorm ways to help your organization raise money through our enrichment programming.
how many students can participate in a performance residency?
Our program can accommodate as few as 15 and as many as 75 student actors. An additional 5 students may register as technicians.
how can I find more information?
If you'd like more information regarding any of our residency programs, you can give us a call at 773.893.0535 or send a request here.
script development residencies
During a Script Development Residency, students explore the different elements that go into producing a play before the actors every enter the rehearsal room. They participate as adapters and playwrights, choreographers, costume designers, and other roles, and culminates in a student-driven showcase performance!
what's the script development residency all about?
Script Development Residencies are one of the final steps in our script adaptation process. During a Script Development Residency, students try out brand-new scenes, songs, and dances from our new script. They create choreography, blocking, writing, design ideas, and develop their own mini-adaptations.
Script Development Residencies offer a different creative outlet and challenge than our Performance Residencies. Sometimes, students' ideas are incorporated into final production plans when the scripts become fully-realized productions!
Each Script Development Residency culminates in a student-driven showcase performance highlighting their favorite creations throughout the week. The Script Development Residency provides one more opportunity to sponsoring organizations who might either be seeking multiple types of programming, or who are looking for something different than the traditional experience of putting on a play.
Script Development Residencies offer a different creative outlet and challenge than our Performance Residencies. Sometimes, students' ideas are incorporated into final production plans when the scripts become fully-realized productions!
Each Script Development Residency culminates in a student-driven showcase performance highlighting their favorite creations throughout the week. The Script Development Residency provides one more opportunity to sponsoring organizations who might either be seeking multiple types of programming, or who are looking for something different than the traditional experience of putting on a play.
so is it like putting on a play?
Compass Creative Dramatics' Script Development Program focuses on all of the elements that come together before actors ever enter the room: the writing, the costume and other designs, the choreography, etc. Script Development Residencies do include a showcase performance, and it's different than "putting on a play". The showcase performance includes scenes, songs, and dances, and each team member may play multiple parts (and each character may be explored by more than one performer, depending on the scenes selected)!
Because our Script Development Residencies are all about developing a play and its elements, parts of a full production like physical costumes and set pieces aren't part of the showcase. Instead, students display the designs that they have created, so that the audience can see all the different ways that the students decide we might use costumes or sets during the full production!
Because our Script Development Residencies are all about developing a play and its elements, parts of a full production like physical costumes and set pieces aren't part of the showcase. Instead, students display the designs that they have created, so that the audience can see all the different ways that the students decide we might use costumes or sets during the full production!
What's included in a script development residency?
The Play - Play titles rotate depending on what plays are in development, so send us a note to inquire what titles are available for Script Development right now! Each play has been written by a professional playwright/composer, and offers lots of opportunity for exploring new scenes, songs, dances, and theatrical designs for all grade levels 1-12.
The Tech - We travel with a sound system and require no special lighting or volunteers for the Script Development Program.
The Educators - Our educators are specifically chosen for their expertise in children's theatre and in education. They come from the professional theatre community, with experience within the realm of children's performance and beyond -- Shakespeare, musical theatre, and a variety of other skills. The educators not only coach your students through creating their ideas, but also emcee the showcase performance, offering onstage support for the students and helping them shine.
Marketing Materials - We provide a digital packet of professionally designed marketing materials for our organizations. Each packet includes digital copies of posters, flyers, and other handouts that you can use to advertise the program and the performances.
The Tech - We travel with a sound system and require no special lighting or volunteers for the Script Development Program.
The Educators - Our educators are specifically chosen for their expertise in children's theatre and in education. They come from the professional theatre community, with experience within the realm of children's performance and beyond -- Shakespeare, musical theatre, and a variety of other skills. The educators not only coach your students through creating their ideas, but also emcee the showcase performance, offering onstage support for the students and helping them shine.
Marketing Materials - We provide a digital packet of professionally designed marketing materials for our organizations. Each packet includes digital copies of posters, flyers, and other handouts that you can use to advertise the program and the performances.
what does my organization need to provide?
The space - We'll need an open space like an auditorium, a cafeteria, a gym, or a large open classroom. The "playing space" should measure at least 30' wide by 24' deep, with additional room for an audience to sit during the showcase performance. On Thursday and Friday, it's handy to have a second space (like another classroom) which can be smaller.
If you have a question about a space, let us know -- we are flexible and can work with nearly any accommodations.
If you're located 35 or more miles outside of the Chicago Loop, your space responsibility will also include lodging for your two actor/educators. Lodging can be a private homestay or commercial lodging like a hotel or AirBNB. Hotels will often donate rooms for this type of educational programming, and community families are often excited to house an educator for the week!
The kids - This one's easy! Just advertise the program using the marketing materials we provide (as well as your own creativity). The Script Development program can accommodate as few as 15 and as many as 75 student actors.
If you have a question about a space, let us know -- we are flexible and can work with nearly any accommodations.
If you're located 35 or more miles outside of the Chicago Loop, your space responsibility will also include lodging for your two actor/educators. Lodging can be a private homestay or commercial lodging like a hotel or AirBNB. Hotels will often donate rooms for this type of educational programming, and community families are often excited to house an educator for the week!
The kids - This one's easy! Just advertise the program using the marketing materials we provide (as well as your own creativity). The Script Development program can accommodate as few as 15 and as many as 75 student actors.
Do we need to have volunteers present?
Not for Script Development!
It's always helpful to have another adult around to guide students to the bathroom or to call guardians of students who are running late, but our educators are very self-sufficient and can facilitate the program without another adult present.
It's always helpful to have another adult around to guide students to the bathroom or to call guardians of students who are running late, but our educators are very self-sufficient and can facilitate the program without another adult present.
what does A week of script development look like?
Each day, the tour actor/educators will meet with the students for a total of three hours, plus a 15-minute break.
The Script Development curriculum is somewhat flexible, as your program progresses, the educators may adjust the planned day-to-day activities based on the skill levels and interests of your specific students. In general, the skills and activities explored include:
Emphasis on theatre as a team activity
Highlighting storytelling as the most important role and goal of all production team members
Original story material and concept of adaptation
Improvisation and team-building
Choreography development
Scenewriting
Design (usually set or costumes)
Focus on using our voices, bodies, concentration, and creativity as theatre artists
The Script Development Program includes one showcase performance (usually held Friday night).
The Script Development curriculum is somewhat flexible, as your program progresses, the educators may adjust the planned day-to-day activities based on the skill levels and interests of your specific students. In general, the skills and activities explored include:
Emphasis on theatre as a team activity
Highlighting storytelling as the most important role and goal of all production team members
Original story material and concept of adaptation
Improvisation and team-building
Choreography development
Scenewriting
Design (usually set or costumes)
Focus on using our voices, bodies, concentration, and creativity as theatre artists
The Script Development Program includes one showcase performance (usually held Friday night).
How much does a script development residency cost?
Because all of our residencies are customized to suit the needs of each specific community, the costs vary. We're happy to chat with you to find out what options will work best for your organization!
You can reach us at 773.893.0535 or at residencies@ccdramatics.com.
You can reach us at 773.893.0535 or at residencies@ccdramatics.com.
can we use this as a fundraiser?
Yep! Many organizations opt to fundraise through our week-long theatre residencies.
What better way to raise money for your organization than through an educational, character-building activity for community students? Here are just a few ideas to get you started!
Charge an individual participation fee for the week
To fund the program, organizations will often charge participants a fee at the time of registration. If your Compass Creative Dramatics residency is part of a class or other mandatory activity, a nominal lab fee can help to cover part of the investment.
Charge a ticket price for the showcase performance
Audiences made up of family and friends of the students generally average 3 - 5 times the number of students in the production. Advertise to your community using the marketing packet we provide to increase your ticket sales further!
Recruit business sponsors and/or offer ad space in your program
Area businesses may be happy to support your community through assistance with your residency.
Some organizations choose to offer ads in the program in exchange for a full or partial sponsorship of the residency week!
Include bonus theatrical workshops & charge a workshop fee
This option also provides an opportunity for even more students to experience theatre!
Assembly-share
Invite neighboring schools, day cares, and other family organizations to a daytime performance. This can be a great way to involve more of the community - and you can charge a per-student ticket fee, or a flat fee for the organizations that attend.
Offer concessions
Trail mix, granola bars, and veggie snacks are a great way to enhance the audience experience before and after the show.
Sell DVDs of the showcase or photos from the week
These are great keepsakes for families to cherish for years to come.
We also encourage organizations interested in bringing us in to seek local grants. Often monies are available to organizations interested in funding arts enrichment and character-building programming like ours. Corporate sponsorship is another great way to help defray your expenses and allow for fundraising throughout the week in the above ways. These businesses often enjoy being involved in such a community event and can mutually benefit by advertising in the performance programs and media advertising you do for the residency week and performances!
For more information on using CCD as a fundraiser, contact us! We're glad to brainstorm ways to help your organization raise money through our enrichment programming.
how many students can participate in the script development residency?
The Script Development program can accommodate as few as 15 and as many as 75 student actors.
how can i find more information?
If you'd like more information regarding any of our residency programs, you can give us a call at 773.893.0535 or send a request here.
creative play residencies
Our Creative Play Residencies are geared toward students as young as 3K and can be presented with a 3-year age-gap up through 3rd grade. The residency is a half-day program divided into three 45-minute sessions with breaks in between.
The students focus on songs, games, and activities that explore speech and motor skills, encourage social development,
and spur physical and emotional self-expression through dramatic play.
The students focus on songs, games, and activities that explore speech and motor skills, encourage social development,
and spur physical and emotional self-expression through dramatic play.
what ages work best for creative play residencies?
Creative Play residencies are intended for students as 3K up through 3rd grade. This residency should be presented for students with no more than a 3-year age-gap; for example, you could offer it for grades 3K-K, grades K-2, or grades 1-3.
what's included in the creative play residency?
The Educators - Our educators are specifically chosen for their expertise in children's theatre and in education. They come from the professional theatre community, with experience within the realm of children's performance and beyond -- Shakespeare, musical theatre, and a variety of other skills. The educators not only coach your students through creating their ideas, but also emcee the showcase performance, offering onstage support for the students and helping them shine.
The Tech - We travel with a sound system and require no special lighting or volunteers for the Creative Play Residency.
Marketing Materials - We provide a digital packet of professionally designed marketing materials for our organizations. Each packet includes digital copies of posters, flyers, and other handouts that you can use to advertise the program and the performances.
The Tech - We travel with a sound system and require no special lighting or volunteers for the Creative Play Residency.
Marketing Materials - We provide a digital packet of professionally designed marketing materials for our organizations. Each packet includes digital copies of posters, flyers, and other handouts that you can use to advertise the program and the performances.
what does my organization need to provide?
The space - We'll need an open space like an auditorium, a cafeteria, a gym, or a large open classroom. The "playing space" should measure at least 30' wide by 24' deep, with additional room for an audience to sit during the showcase performance.
If you have a question about a space, let us know -- we are flexible and can work with nearly any accommodations.
If you're located 35 or more miles outside of the Chicago Loop, your space responsibility will also include lodging for your two actor/educators. Lodging can be a private homestay or commercial lodging like a hotel or AirBNB. Hotels will often donate rooms for this type of educational programming, and community families are often excited to house an educator for the week!
The kids - This one's easy! Just advertise the program using the marketing materials we provide (as well as your own creativity). As many as 24 students may participate in this residency for a mixed age group including preschoolers; 30 students may participate if the group is kindergarten and up.
If you have a question about a space, let us know -- we are flexible and can work with nearly any accommodations.
If you're located 35 or more miles outside of the Chicago Loop, your space responsibility will also include lodging for your two actor/educators. Lodging can be a private homestay or commercial lodging like a hotel or AirBNB. Hotels will often donate rooms for this type of educational programming, and community families are often excited to house an educator for the week!
The kids - This one's easy! Just advertise the program using the marketing materials we provide (as well as your own creativity). As many as 24 students may participate in this residency for a mixed age group including preschoolers; 30 students may participate if the group is kindergarten and up.
do we need to have volunteers present?
While your organization is not required to provide a volunteer during a Creative Play Residency, it can be very helpful to have an adult present to guide students to the bathroom, call guardians of students who are arriving late, etc.
what does a week of creative play look like?
Each day, the tour actor/educators will meet with the students for a total of three 45-minute sessions. In between each session, there will be a 15-minute break.
The Creative Play curriculum is intentionally crafted to be as flexible as possible, and each day's activities will vary based on the skill levels and interests of your specific students. Each activity focuses on using the students' voices, bodies, and imaginations.
The Script Development Program includes one 20-30 minute showcase performance (usually held at the end of the Friday session).
The Creative Play curriculum is intentionally crafted to be as flexible as possible, and each day's activities will vary based on the skill levels and interests of your specific students. Each activity focuses on using the students' voices, bodies, and imaginations.
The Script Development Program includes one 20-30 minute showcase performance (usually held at the end of the Friday session).
how much does a creative play residency cost?
Because all of our residencies are customized to suit the needs of each specific community, the costs vary. We're happy to chat with you to find out what options will work best for your organization!
You can reach us at 773.893.0535 or at residencies@ccdramatics.com.
You can reach us at 773.893.0535 or at residencies@ccdramatics.com.
how many students can participate in a creative play residency?
As many as 24 students may participate in this residency for a mixed age group including preschoolers; 30 students may participate if the group is kindergarten and up.
how can i find more information?
If you'd like more information regarding any of our residency programs, you can give us a call at 773.893.0535 or send a request here.
workshop residencies
Our educators are trained on a number of specialty workshops that introduce students to theatre topics like improv, storytelling, stage combat, etc. We're able to customize a schedule for your community which would allow for 15-25 workshops to be scheduled across the course of the week-long residency. Workshop residencies allow you to provide arts enrichment for as many as 750 students across the course of your week.
What classes / workshop topics can I shedule?
Each season (summer, fall, winter/spring) features a different rotation of specialty workshops.
The following titles are available year-round:
In addition, three more rotating topics are offered with each season, so send us a note to find out what's available now!
The following titles are available year-round:
- Accelerating Imaginations (Actors' Tools)
- En Guard! (Stage Combat)
- Ditch the Script (Improv)
- Creative Play (For students 3K-K)
In addition, three more rotating topics are offered with each season, so send us a note to find out what's available now!
How many students can participate in each workshop?
Enrollment caps vary from class to class, but in general each workshop can accommodate 25-35 students.
can i schedule workshops in different locations?
Absolutely! Organizations often choose to send workshops into school classrooms, libraries, or other student-oriented locations.
how can i find more information?
If you'd like more information regarding any of our residency programs, you can give us a call at 773.893.0535 or send a request here.