SouthCoast Children's Theatre

★C. H.

Not an equal opportunity for all kids. Kids spend 4 hours waiting to do a very poorly planned out audition, then don't have them actually finish parts of the audition. Other kids were able to audition with printed notes we were told they provide, but no longer provided by the time it was their turn. They had kids tap dance in sneakers in instead of asking those with experience to bring tap shoes, then see what they can actually do. Certain roles are given to relatives or friends of those in charge. They describe themselves as "being for kids" when they now just damage kids' self-esteem and make them vulnerable to bullying. Kids tease and judge classmates when they not picked, especially over kids half their age. Being selective about who to accept is not necessary for young kids and something that implies it's for kids to act like kids. Usually organizations that provide experiences for kids of their target age don't exclude. They exclude children with special needs they judge not good enough and their siblings when they can easily add more small roles or more kids in groups performing. A teenager was rejected despite having more experience in dance classes than the younger child chosen was alive. I wouldn't harm your kids' self-esteem with this organization. They should tell people that they plan to exclude some despite actual skills, especially since other parents claim in the past all were included and teens in their last year were given preference. They had a reputation for being good with kids with special needs, but that is definitely not the experience anymore. It wouldn't take much thought on how to include all who would like to join when they have the same groups of kids doing two roles as others are turned away. They would make more money selling tickets to their families, but they must find more fulfillment causing the damage done to kids' self-esteem. They find enjoyment in exclusion, otherwise they wouldn't do it. First and second graders can't read well, aren't used to memorizing as much, require intense monitoring, and are usually in less advanced classes than teens so implying a fair audition found a first or second grader showing "more talent" than the teens in the same audition is very questionable to say the least. The director doesn't seem like she cares about fairness, kids' self-esteem, the harm she does with standing by ridiculous claims of early elementary school children judged to be more capable than a teen, or allowing more children to experience theater, just what's easier for their planning. Activities for elementary school aged kids usually are planned for kids to experience an activity and learn without having to be good enough to be chosen. There's plenty of time and actual professional shows to hold off experiencing selective auditions. Most can see when a person was chosen for who they know, not what they can actually do. If your child was passed over despite clearly having more advanced skills than someone selected, most would feel it's not right. I would recommend thinking before having your child try out with this organization. The ages served have so many activities where all kids can be welcomed, learn, and not be told they're not good enough. How will they feel knowing the selections weren't fair, being targeted for exclusion for something beyond their control, or being told adults judged kids half their age as more capable? Kids can tell when adults aren't being fair. Other activities definitely do a lot better for a number of reasons. I have a much lower opinion of theater after my experience with this organization. What could have been a gentle, enjoyable introduction to a new hobby has turned into a bad memory that can do nothing positive for self esteem. Sad that some adults enjoy rejecting kids they could have just added in the back of a dance or song in a musical. Many dance schools have classes of 20 older kids doing far more advanced moves on the same size stage. This organization's staff chose to exclude.