We’re excited for a session filled with acting, singing, dancing, and fun. Our curriculum builds skills in teamwork, concentration, improvisation, movement, voice, theatre terminology, and more.
Let’s put on a show!
Communication: Email is our primary form of communication throughout the semester. Please make sure we have your preferred email address, so you receive all class updates. Encore staff will send important information regarding weekly classes, schedules, and performances to the email address(es) provided at registration. If you need to change or add an email address, please contact us via email so we can update our list. If you need to reach an instructor, please use our main phone number (214) 900‑8348 or email us at: encorekidstx@yahoo.com. We send periodic emails with reminders and updates. If you have not received an email by the second week of class, please reach out so we can verify your contact information. Please also check our website regularly under the Production Info tab for updates, performance times, and additional details.
Daily Schedule: A typical class will begin with acting, vocal warmups and song reviews. Please help your student remember to bring their folder/script to every class. In addition to rehearsing for the production, each class the students will participate in drama exercises that will teach and reinforce basic drama techniques such as voice projection, pantomime, improv., staging and blocking. It is impossible to teach memorization in class. Students are expected to practice (memorize) lines and music outside of the class period! We realize that some students prefer to not have to memorize a lot of lines. We will not assign a great number of lines to any student who doesn’t want them.
Encore Rules & Discipline Policy: 1. Respect others. 2. Take a healthy risk. We anticipate a wonderful session and a positive, creative environment. If a student is having difficulty respecting others or staying engaged in class, they will first receive a gentle reminder. If the behavior continues, they may be asked to take a brief reset break to step aside, regroup, and refocus. If the issue persists after that, we may need to speak with a parent and, in rare cases, consider withdrawal from the program. Our goal is always to support every child, protect the ensemble environment, and help students learn how to work together kindly and responsibly.
Snack: No food is permitted in the acting area.
Pick‑Up Policy: Please make sure students are picked up on time at the end of class. Our instructors have other commitments immediately after dismissal, and timely pick‑up helps us keep everything running smoothly. A $1‑per‑minute late fee will be applied after a 5‑minute grace period. This fee goes directly to the instructor to compensate them for the additional time. The fee must be paid before the student returns to class the following week. Thank you so much for your cooperation and for helping us respect our instructors’ schedules.
Parent Responsibilities: The success of our program depends greatly on parent involvement. Because this after‑school program is structured differently from others, it requires active participation from both students and families. We do not have time during class to teach lines and songs — only to rehearse them together as an ensemble.
Students must learn their lines and songs at home so they can fully participate in group rehearsals. Assigned lines are not guaranteed; if a student is unable to learn their material, we may need to make adjustments out of fairness to those who have prepared.
Thank you in advance for supporting your performer and helping them come to class confident and ready to work
Refund Policy: Tuition is non‑refundable. If a student needs to withdraw before the start date, tuition may be transferred to a future class or camp.
We understand that unexpected circumstances can arise. In the case of a family emergency, a refund may be offered minus a $65 administrative fee, determined on a case‑by‑case basis.
No refunds or transfers will be issued after the casting process has occurred. Refunds are not provided based on dissatisfaction with assigned roles.
If Encore Kids must cancel a class or camp, tuition will either be transferred to a future session or refunded on a case‑by‑case basis, also minus the $65 administrative fee.
Audition & Casting Information: Our shows are typically cast within the first two weeks of class. We strive to make the audition process nurturing, supportive, and non‑threatening. Before auditions begin, we teach students the skills they need to feel confident — including group vocal work, basic choreography, and scene practice. Learning material together helps reduce nerves and makes the experience more fun for everyone. For vocal auditions, students may sing with a partner or in a small group if they are not yet comfortable singing solo. Students are not required to sing unless they wish to be considered for a solo or a role with specific vocal requirements. Our goal is to make auditions both challenging — in the sense of learning new skills — and encouraging. During the casting process, we assess each student’s strengths, comfort level, and what they demonstrate in auditions. Every child receives a role in the show and participates fully in classes, costuming, and our final performances
Our Casting Approach: At Encore Kids, we work intentionally to create casting opportunities for all students. While individual strengths are always considered, our primary goal is to ensure every child has a positive, immersive experience. Casting is much like assembling a large, intricate puzzle — each piece must fit together to create the most cohesive and engaging production possible. Not every student is the right fit for every role, and there are many factors that influence placement, including character needs, vocal and acting requirements, ensemble balance, and what students demonstrate during auditions. Sometimes a student with strong skills may not align with a particular character, and that’s a normal part of the casting process. Our job is to look at the big picture and build a cast that works well as a whole, ensuring that every student has meaningful opportunities to grow, contribute, and shine.
Our Ensemble Philosophy: Theatre is a team art form, and every role contributes to the story we create together. We work intentionally to build a strong ensemble during the casting process, in class, and throughout performances. Many ensemble members play multiple characters and enjoy significant stage time, and we strive to ensure every student feels included, valued, and important. It’s natural for students (and parents) to hope for a particular role, and we understand that cast lists can bring both excitement and occasional disappointment. Our teachers are trained to support students through those feelings — as performers themselves, they’ve experienced both winning and losing roles. As a parent, you can help build resilience by encouraging your child not to focus too heavily on one specific role ahead of time and by celebrating their opportunities with enthusiasm, whatever the outcome. Please note that we reserve the right to make adjustments to the production, script, or performance schedule as needed to best support the ensemble and the overall show.
Costumes: Encore Kids provides simple costumes and props for our performances. We may ask students to wear specific colors for their character or to bring basic items from home that they already have. Full costume purchases are not required — families are welcome to add personal touches if they choose, but it is never expected.
Our goal is to keep costuming fun, accessible, and stress‑free while ensuring the cast looks cohesive on stage.
Performances: All semester production classes and summer camps conclude with a performance for family and friends. Please note that there is an admission fee for all performances. These fees help cover essential production expenses such as royalties, venue costs, and building use. Participation in the performance is optional, though highly encouraged, as it provides students with a meaningful opportunity to showcase their hard work. Performance times and locations vary by session and venue. We also reserve the right to make adjustments to the production, script, schedule, or performance location as needed to best support the ensemble and the overall show.
Photos & Video: If you prefer that your child’s photo or performance video not be used in any Encore Kids materials, please let us know in writing. We are happy to honor any privacy preferences your family may have.
Other Pertinent Information: If there is anything important, we should know about your child, please let us know in writing. The best way to share this information is by emailing us at: encorekidstx@yahoo.com.
In the event of an accident or emergency, we will always contact you first. If we are unable to reach you, we will contact the emergency contact listed on your registration form.
By enrolling in our program, you acknowledge that you will not hold the Directors or staff of Encore Kids responsible for any accidental injury to your child
By enrolling in any Encore Kids class, camp, or production, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to all policies and procedures listed on the Enrollment page of our website.
