Preparing to Attend a Show
Equipping Yourself
Be Familiar with the Theatre Evaluation Guide. To know what to "Keep in mind" and what to "Look and listen for" in a Cappies show, see the Theatre Evaluation Guide. You may find it helpful to review it before each show, especially when you're starting out. The better you know and understand what's in the Theatre Evaluation Guide, the more you'll enjoy watching shows, the better you'll be as a Critic, and the more you'll learn from the whole experience. The cast and crew of the show you're scoring may have looked through these guidelines, too, so they'll know what they need to do to excel.
Learn About the Show. A day or two before you see a show, do a little background research on the play/musical to help you appreciate what you are going to see. For instance, what's the history of the show? When was the play written? How long was it on Broadway? Has it won any notable awards? Was it controversial or trend setting?
Print Forms as Needed. You'll need a Notes page, an Award Category Eligibility form, and a Critics' Choices page for each play or musical you attend. Even though some of the host schools may give these to you at the show; it is each Critic's responsibility to have their own available in their binder. To get the forms, go to the "Forms and Checklists" page at www.cappies.com/cis and print what you need.
Bring Your Binder and a Pen. Bring this Critic binder with you to each show so you can refer to the Theatre Evaluation Guide, as needed, during discussions and scoring. You can also use it as a hard surface to write on while you're taking notes during the show. Be sure to have something to write with as well. (No pen-lights or other light sources, please, as it can be very distracting for the cast during a show.)
Dress the Part. You are going to the show as a Critic, a position of trust. The people at the host school need to see that you take this seriously so they can have confidence in your opinions. How you carry yourself, including what you wear, helps with this – especially since you and your fellow Critics will be seen as you all walk into the show together. Regular school clothing or the like is usually fine, as long as it's neat and tidy. Check with your local chapter for dress code suggestions.
Arranging Transportation
Getting Directions to the Show. To see where a show is being held (It's not always at the host school.) and to find directions to it, go to the "View your schedule" page at www.cappies.com/cis and click on the name of the play or musical. A small window will then pop up with the address and a link to a map so you can get directions.
Planning to Arrive Before, and Stay After, the Show. There are pre-show and post-show Critic discussions, so, when scheduling your transportation, plan to arrive 45 minutes before the opening curtain and stay about 45 minutes after the show. Depending on where you are going and the time of day, you may want to allow some extra time for in case you get temporarily lost or stuck in traffic.
When you get to the show's Cappies room on time, you'll have a chance, before the discussion begins, to look at the tech displays and to chat with the other Critics. In some Cappies chapters, a critic who arrives after the directors speech is not permitted to see the show. A Critic who gets there less than ten minutes before curtain may not get to see the show, as the school may take back their ticket. A Critic who gets there after curtain, even if the school lets them in, would have missed too much to review the show. Check with your local chapter for specific rule.
Determining How You'll Get There. Work out with your parents how you're going to get to and from shows. Nearly always you'll have to get there by car.
If your plan is to have somebody drop you off at, and pick you up from, the show, make sure they will be there about half an hour after the show is over and that they know they may have to wait for you. Call them on your way back to the Cappies room to let them know about when you'll be ready. (Bring your cell phone or arrange to use somebody else's to call them.) If for any reason your ride is late, make sure you find and tell a Mentor. At least one Mentor must stay until the last Critic has been picked up. This way no one is left standing alone, late at night, at a place they don't know. Be considerate of the Mentor's time and be sure your ride is on time.
If your parents are going to drive you, they may want to stay for the show. If so, make sure they know they can't go in the Cappies room at any time (even before the show), and they can't sit with you. They'll need to come as early as you do (45 minutes before the show) and stay as late as you do (45 minutes after the show, or maybe later, if it takes longer). Also, they'll have to buy their own tickets – preferably in advance, so they're sure to get a seat. Call the school's theatre department to make reservations.
If you want to carpool with other Critics, first make sure you have your parents' permission and that your plans comply with the laws about teenagers driving teenagers. The reminder e-mails you will receive before each show will include an attendance list which may be used to arrange carpooling. If there is a driving curfew for teenagers, you might need to plan around that. Evening Cappies shows are to end by 10:30 p.m., and there's the discussion after that, so there will be times when you won't be leaving for home until well after 11:00 p.m. Add in the time it will take to get home to make sure you have plenty of time to make it before any curfew.