GILT jr. frequently asked questions

​What is GILT, Jr?
GILT, Jr is a week-long theatre education program for students who have completed grades 3 - 8. 

How do you register?
Registration opens yearly on March 15 (or the Monday following if March 15 falls on a weekend). Materials can be found online or can be picked up in our box office at 3180 W US Hwy 34 in Grand Island.

How much does it cost?
Registration costs $40. This includes the cost of a camp t-shirt which the student will wear for Saturday’s performances. Make-up kits are sold separately for $23 and can be ordered when you register. A student does not need a make-up kit to participate.

​How long is the camp?
This year’s camp dates run from Monday, June 22 through Saturday, June 27. 

​What types of things will my child learn?
Each year, the camp experience looks a little different for the campers based on the types of educational opportunities the show offers. Typical classes include set painting, basic make-up techniques, improv, and basic stage technique. Students have also experienced classes in costume design, character movement, character analysis, auditioning, pantomime, vocal projection, accents, dance, and music.

Does my child need to have previous theatre experience?
A student at GILT, Jr. definitely does not need previous theatre experience. The whole purpose behind this camp is to provide a student with experience in multiple facets of theatre. In one year, a camp may be focused more in the performance aspects of theatre while another year may be focused on the technical components. 

How many students participate in GILT, Jr?
Registration is capped but does not close at 50 participants. We do have a wait list for students who register after our 50-student mark has been met. Registration officially closes on the first Monday of the camp. 

​What is the audition process like?
Students are broken into audition groups of 8 to 12 members. They will cycle through five different theatre exercises that focus on the following components: cold reading/vocal projection, movement, and directability (including the ability to follow multi-step directions and willingness to work with others). Depending on the nature of the show, other components will be added as needed. 

How do I talk to my child about casting?
If a student arrives at GILT, Jr with the intention of being cast in the perfect role, they will probably be disappointed. Because this program serves GILT’s mission to educate, we focus less on the production of the show and more on the experience of theatre. It is important, then, for both caregivers and staff members to help a student understand that this program isn’t about being cast in a show; it’s about learning about the craft of theatre. If a student is very interested in the acting component of theatre, we might recommend auditioning for the Catherine Fosket Children's Theatre production at the Liederkranz or one of GILT’s mainstage productions. 

​Can we watch rehearsals?
All classes and rehearsals are open to caregivers of the students enrolled in the program.

​What if my child cannot be there for a weekday/the Saturday performances?
We need to know as soon as possible if a student is not able to attend any of the camp sessions or the Saturday performances. These absences affect how we structure our classes and your student’s individual schedule. If a student misses a date on which they’re scheduled for rehearsal, we’ll do our best to catch them up, but that absence may result in playing a different role than which they were originally cast. If a student will be gone for any part of Saturday’s performances, then they will still participate in the audition sessions on Monday morning but we will not cast them in a role. They will still participate in the classes and workshops. 

​Does my child need to bring anything special?
A detailed letter will be sent to participants in June explaining camp requirements. Some basics include a water bottle, a lunch that does not have to be refrigerated, and close-toed shoes. We typically ask students to wear grubby clothes on their set painting days; even the most careful painters are no match for the staining powers of set paint. 

​We registered, but something came up, and we can no longer attend. What do we do?
Please notify our office administrator as soon as possible. Because we often have a waiting list for registration, it is important for us to be able to contact those students in a timely manner to extend an invitation to them. We can offer refunds through Monday, June 8. We cannot offer refunds for make-up kits.