Shrek Jr - Audition

Yes, everyone is expected to provide black dance shoes; these can be Jazz or Ballet shoes but must not be trainers. We also ask parents to provide crop tops and shorts should children feel more comfortable with these under their costumes.

Yes! We’ll provide professional photos of the production digitally at no extra cost, so families can have quality images from the performance.

For video recordings, we do our best to film the shows ourselves, but we cannot guarantee it. Professional filming companies only agree to record if a minimum number of sales are reached. While parents often express interest in purchasing a recording, actual sales tend to fall short

We understand the excitement of capturing your child’s big moment, but for the sake of every young performer on stage, we are asking all audience members to resist the urge to take photos or videos during the performance. When phones go up, it shifts focus from the children’s hard work and dedication to the screens in front of them.

In previous shows, many children expressed frustration, saying they were distracted by audience members using phones, which disrupted their experience and sense of accomplishment. Imagine being on stage, only to see a sea of screens instead of the supportive faces they rehearsed for—this is unfair and diminishes the special moment they have worked so hard to create.

In line with our professional industry approach, we understand that sometimes absences are unavoidable. However, it’s important for your child to take responsibility for catching up on any material they missed to stay aligned with the rest of the cast. We encourage them to check in with their peers during breaks or after rehearsal to ensure they’re up to date on any changes or additions.

With so many children involved, it’s simply not feasible to go over material multiple times for individual absences, as it disrupts the flow and focus of the group. By stepping into this responsibility, your child will develop valuable skills in teamwork and accountability—key qualities in any professional production.

• Safety is a top priority. We maintain a low student-to-supervisor ratio to ensure each child is well looked after, and key members of our team are trained in paediatric first aid. During rehearsals, children are reminded of stage safety, including respecting stage boundaries, handling props, and moving safely in choreographed scenes. On show day, we have a detailed plan in place, including emergency procedures and a secure backstage area, so children stay safe and comfortable throughout.
  

Our trained staff will supervise the children at all times. This includes our director, choreographer, vocal coaches, and assistants, all of whom are DBS-checked and have experience working with children. We have a dedicated head chaperone who focuses on backstage management to ensure children are safe, calm, and that Big Time are abiding by the local councils rules for child performers.

We encourage children to bring a water bottle and plenty of snacks, as rehearsals can be physically demanding. While water will be readily available, we don’t typically provide snacks. We recommend light, non-messy snacks like fruit, crackers, or a small sandwich, as well as avoiding sugary foods that can impact focus during rehearsals.

We do not provide refunds if a child has to drop out. Our productions are budgeted very carefully based on exact participant numbers, with funds often allocated in advance to secure high-quality sets, costumes, and other production elements. When a child withdraws, these costs have already been committed, and we are unable to recoup them.

A Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) license, required by Hertfordshire Borough Council, allows us to hold youth performances without needing individual performance licenses for each child. This license confirms that our production meets all safeguarding and child welfare requirements, including the use of DBS-checked chaperones, supervised environments, and scheduled rest breaks.

The BOPA streamlines the licensing process while ensuring all children are participating safely and responsibly under professional standards.

Yes, we always encourage parent volunteers, as their support is invaluable to the production’s success! Whether or not you have a child in the show, please note that council regulations require all chaperones to have enhanced DBS checks. If you don’t already have one, Big Time will arrange for a volunteer enhanced DBS check at no cost to you. We appreciate your help in creating a safe and smooth-running show for all our young performers!

Performances are usually 75 minutes long with no interval.

At-home practice is a compulsory requirement for Shrek Jr., covering lines, routines, harmonies, and overall scene flow. We provide all cast members with scripts, lyrics, music links, and harmony guides to help them rehearse outside of scheduled sessions. This practice is crucial to ensure every performer is stage-ready and confident.

In addition to learning their own lines, it’s essential for your child to become familiar with other characters' lines in their scenes. This helps them know exactly when to deliver their lines, creating a smooth, professional flow on stage. Short practice sessions at home, where they run lines and harmonies with family members, can make a significant difference in their performance. With everyone’s support, we’re excited to deliver a truly West End-level experience. If you need further guidance or additional resources, please reach out!

Our costs are consistent each year and for all students, as this is essential to maintain the scale and quality of our productions. Rehearsals typically span 18  weeks (excluding school holidays). This year, based on parent feedback requesting shorter rehearsals for ensemble members, we’ve adjusted the schedule by adding four additional rehearsals to balance the time for those who have ensemble weeks off.

While lead roles may have longer days on-site, much of that time includes breaks and waiting periods as scenes are set up and rehearsed. Ensemble students attend for shorter, focused sessions, receiving concentrated attention and training without prolonged waiting periods. As a result, the quality of training the ensemble receives remains as high as in previous years and is comparable to that of the lead roles.

This structure ensures that all students benefit from high-quality instruction and value within their rehearsal time.

At our purpose built studios in Mill Hill. 

Address: Big Time Studios, Mill Hill Library, Hartley Avenue, NW7 2HX

• all black or Big Time uniform (if you have one)
• hair tied up (we need to see everyone’s faces clearly)
• footwear appropriate for dancing i.e jazz shoes, ballet shoes, trainers (for the show itself students will be required to provide jazz shoes)

Unfortunately, we are not able to guarantee a place for every applicant. Casting depends on many factors, including staffing, rehearsal space, and dressing room capacity. While we wish we could take everyone, it isn’t always possible. We understand this can be disappointing and ask families to keep this in mind before attending the audition. If you feel that not receiving a space may negatively affect your child’s day-to-day confidence, we encourage you to explore our weekly class offerings instead. All children in our classes have the opportunity to perform in recitals and take part in watching weeks to celebrate their hard work.

• In participating in our youth theatre productions you understand that your child will be professionally photographed, both as part of a group and as an individual. These production and rehearsal shots will be used on our website, social media platforms, and performance programmes. No identifying features such as names will be included in posts on social media and on the website.
• Lead characters may be asked to have their photo taken for local billboards, bus stops, flyers and posters.