About
How We Do it
DaBigs
We hope you are as excited about this opportunity as we are. DaBigs is a youth leadership program for actors and technicians 15 and up who have completed at least one season with YSKP. Older youth build leadership, work, and professional skills by mentoring and training younger and new YSKP participants. DaBigs do this in three ways. In return for their service, DaBigs are paid a small stipend.
Model Professionalism
The best way to mentor or teach someone is by example. So part of being a DaBigs is to set an example, to show professional theatre behavior. Keep your commitments. If you agree to do something, we expect you to do it.
- Be on time to rehearsals. If something comes up, call the stage manager ASAP. If you’re caught in traffic and are going to be 10 minutes late, pull over and call the manager’s cell.
- Be off book by date assigned!
- When you are given your list of costume items, be sure to bring them in early. If there are questions or concerns, resolve them early.
- When tech week comes, take responsibility for costumes and props.
- Be quiet backstage.
- Come to strike. Participate in Amphitheatre clean-up day.
- We have children around. Professionals are sensitive to what behavior is appropriate when there are children present. All activities and behavior should be “Rated G.”
- Listen to feedback constructively and engage in dialogue to resolve issues as needed.
- Encourage the rest of the cast crew to be professional like yourselves. Encourage everyone to be orderly during rehearsals.
Mentoring
You will work with younger actors supporting and helping them during the rehearsal process and run of the show. DaBigs will review basic theatre knowledge terms, job roles, and stage directions with new and younger youth in the company using short lessons during the daily rehearsal schedule to improve acting and technician roles. DaBigs also help younger cast members feel welcome, assist with keeping rehearsals orderly, and offer support and encouragement. The following is a sample of the types of things you might do depending on what is going on in rehearsal that week and on the needs of the cast. Remember everyone can use a word of encouragement or would like to be asked if there is anything you can help them with. A weekly checklist of your assistance to youth and benchmarks you have accomplished will be due each week
- Talk through line readings
- Suggest or assist with character development ideas
- Practice movement
- Help conduct warm-ups
- Explain how to mark blocking notations
- Show acting techniques
- Work on voice projection
- Go over songs
- Prepare for and assist with video diaries
- Run lines
- Go over costume and backstage etiquette
- Hit marks in dress rehearsals and run thrus
- Monitor backstage behavior
- Assist with costume changes if needed
Organize Production Activities
Help make the experience in the Kids Playhouse fun. During fun times, people bond informally and learn things like tolerance, communication skills, and social skills. Our director is intensely focused on artistic output. You can lead some activities to help keep it light. Some of the activities you will help organize are as follows.
- Lead social activities like cards in a way that does not interfere with rehearsals.
- Organize the cast party. Includes arrangements for food, beverages, set up and clean up, and entertainment such as fun awards for everyone in the cast.
- Organize the Canteen. Make sure snacks and beverages are available and money is collected and stored.
Be In DaBigs
Fill out the DaBigs application (link to DaBigs application) either prior to audition or at auditions. Tell us about your prior theatre experience, working with younger youth such as babysitting, school activities, leadership roles, and event organizing.
- Interview with the DaBigs team leader.
- Come to orientation.
- Work with the team leader and other DaBigs at weekly check-ins.
- Fill out checklists as needed.