Junior Ensemble Handbook

Welcome to Little Wolf Entertainment!

Congratulations on being offered a place in our Junior Ensemble.

Here you will find lots of information, on how it all works, what to expect and what we ask of you.

You should find answers to all your questions here, but if you need anything else, please email kids@littlewolf.co.uk

OUR EXPECTATIONS

Everyone who takes part in our pantomime becomes a part of our professional theatre company and this includes the Junior Ensemble.

While you will have lots of fun and makes loads of new friends, we also ask and expect you to behave like professionals:

Look after other people in your team

Always work hard and try your best

Always listen carefully

Don't talk when others are working

Be kind and supportive

Remember: Always pay attention when other teams are rehearsing as everything they are told will also apply to you!

The safety of everyone working on our productions is our top priority, especially our Junior Ensemble.
Our Little Wolf Child Safety Officer is

Alan Bowles.

He can be contacted via kids@littlewolf.co.uk or in an emergency on 07919 342 693.

If you or your parents have any concerns about the welfare of any child taking part in the pantomime, please let us know.

All enquiries will be be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

Copies of our child protection policy and risk assessments can be downloaded using the links below.

CHILD SAFETY POLICY

JUNIOR ENSEMBLE RISK ASSESSMENT
Before rehearsals begin, and for all licensing matters, we are your main point of contact, via kids@littlewolf.co.uk

Our main method of contacting you will be via email.
Parents make sure we have your correct email address and that you check it regularly, so you don't miss anything.

Please note that all communications at this stage must go through parents.

Nearer the time, your HEAD CHAPERONE will be your main point of contact, especially during rehearsals and performances.

They will get in touch in due course, introduce themselves and give you their specific contact details.
Please check your emails regularly to ensure you don’t miss anything important (and make sure we are not in your junk filter too!)

This is especially important during the patio itself.
The children are due 15 minutes before rehearsal and 45 minutes before performance.

It is vital they are here on time. In the event you are running late, please ensure that you call or text the head chaperone.

All children must be signed in and out of every rehearsal / performance by a parent / guardian

Children will not be allowed to leave the building unaccompanied for breaks, and we cannot guarantee that chaperones will be able to offer accompanied trips, so please ensure they are provided with adequate refreshments.

For safety and security reasons no visitors are allowed backstage at any time.

Please help us to stick to the required hair and makeup.

We cannot accept responsibility for any belongings or possessions that are brought into the venue, so we suggest leaving all valuables at home.

Please note that rehearsal schedules are subject to change, especially during the final week before the show opens. We will always give you as much notice as possible, but we thank you in advance for your understanding.

Until we have confirmed people’s allergies, please avoid bringing in any nuts.

The first rehearsal will start with a short meeting which we ask all children to bring a parental guardian to, this is an important chance for us all to meet face-to-face, ahead of your children joining the show.

FINALLY... a MASSIVE THANK YOU to all the families of children taking part.

We realise it is a huge commitment for everyone! We hope that your child has a wonderful time with us, and you all enjoy the show!
Whenever arriving or leaving the building every member of the Junior Ensemble must be signed in/out by a parent or guardian and therefore, they should not travel to or from the venue unaccompanied.
We can discuss individual cases with parents, who may wish older children (secondary school age) to be able to travel from school on their own - but this is to be assessed on an individual basis, and is completely at the discretion of the head chaperone.

Every child will need to be collected and signed out from the building at the end of every session.
We will always ensure that the children are given plenty of breaks.

On longer rehearsals, this will include a lunch break.

Please ensure that your child is provided with adequate refreshments.
For those that have taken part before, please note we can no longer allow any child of any age to leave the building unaccompanied during meal breaks.

Chaperone accompanied food trips may be possible at the discretion of the head chaperone, but cannot be guaranteed, so please bring lunch with you.
Your performance licence application is, or will be shortly underway, and we will be contacting you with all the details.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in ensuring this important paperwork is completed swiftly and comprehensively.
You should receive a copy of the licence directly from the council who issues it, but if you do not, and you would like a copy, please email kids@littlewolf.co.uk
We have one rule for everyone:

NO PHOTOS OR VIDEOS ARE TO BE TAKEN BACKSTAGE OR IN THE DRESSING ROOMS
This is extremely important for the safety and security of everyone, especially the children taking part.

There will be plenty of opportunities to have photos with your friends and teammates, but these must not be taken backstage or in dressing rooms

We may ask you to leave the pantomime if you take and share backstage photos or videos, so please do not do it. This includes parents, and chaperones too!

We understand that people want photos in your wonderful costumes, so we will arrange a point for each team to have some photos taken, but this is arranged by the head chaperone and is not to be done without them.

There will also be lots of official photos and video trailers that you can like and share.
We encourage you to engage with the show on social media, but please remember:

You must not take and share photos or videos backstage or in dressing rooms.

Please do not give away secrets of the pantomime.

Always ask before taking someone's picture.

Please do not send friend requests or private messages to adults in the company, they have been advised not to accept or respond.

Do not make inappropriate comments (including in private messages) about the show, or anyone involved with it.

Remember the internet is written in ink, not pencil, nothing can really be deleted, and whatever you post can be seen by EVERYONE!

Please download and read our SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY, which explains lots more.
We make no secret of the fact that taking part in the pantomime is a very big commitment, not just for you, but for your family as well.

It is vital that you understand that, as we have said from the beginning, WE CANNOT ALLOW ANY TIME OFF FORM REHEARSALS OR PERFORMANCES.
There is a very limited amount of time, to get the show ready, and if we allowed everyone the "just one day" they asked for, we would never have the team together.

The only way we can be fair to everyone is to say no to everyone.

You will almost certainly need to tell other activity such as dance schools, competitions, festivals, sports teams, drama clubs, uniformed groups or other commitments that you are not available during panto season.

There can be no exceptions to this rule.

We have been very open and clear about this at every stage, despite which every year people ask, and every year people are disappointed when we do not allow time off.

Once again, please note your child’s attendance at every single rehearsal and performance for their team is required without exception.

We thank you in advance for your understanding in this matter.
Backstage in the theatre is a very special place, which has its own set of very important rules:

It is vital that you keep silent at all times.

There should be no running – stay calm and walk.

Don’t touch anything that you haven’t been asked to touch.

No visitors are allowed backstage at any time.

Don’t bring anything valuable backstage – you don’t want to lose it.

Stay together as a team at all times and not go wandering off on your own.

Return quickly and quietly to your dressing room after coming off stage.

Report anything suspicious, unsafe or any unknown person to the Head Chaperone.

Do not enter the Adult Dressing Rooms.

Please do not pester the adult cast for photos or autographs. There will be photo call for each team with the professional cast later on.
You will be provided with beautiful costumes!

These have been hand-made by our team of talented costume makers.
They need to be looked after at every performance, therefore we ask you to do three simple things:

Treat your costumes carefully - look after them.

Do NOT take any costumes home with you.

Personally make sure your costumes are hung on a hanger after EVERY show - NO EXCUSES!

You are asked to provide some basic items to wear under your costume:

Black Jazz Shoes (soft leather type, NOT the thick soled Capezio style ones)

Dance Tights to match your skin tone

A leotard or vest and shorts to wear under your costume

Please do not bring these items in until we ask you to do so. This will usually be when we move from the rehearsal room into the theatre.

Once you have brought them in, please do NOT take these items home between shows. If they need washing, our wardrobe team will launder them for you.

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Additionally SOME children may be asked to take part in the magical UV scene. You will be told nearer the time whether or not this applies to you.

If you are taking part in this scene, you will need to be dressed from head to toe in black clothing: so we will ask to to bring in a long sleeved black top, full length black jogging bottoms or leggings, black socks and Jazz shoes. We will provide gloves and balaclavas, and you will disappear into the background!

Make sure anything you bring in does not have any logos or brands visible, as we will have to cover these with tape, and we cannot accept responsibility for damage in doing so.
The Wardrobe team will let you know any specific hair and makeup required for your particular pantomime title nearer the time.
Generally we ask that kids wear only VERY MINIMAL makeup:

No heavy eyes, contouring or glitter.

No false lashes or false nails.

Please ensure nails and toenails are unpainted.

Parents please ensure that your child adheres to these rules.

Hair is usually expected to be in a French plat or something similar. It's great if hair can be done before arrival, but also, there is time backstage before the show, and people to help out, so don't worry if this is not possible.
We will be putting you into 2 or 3 teams, depending on the venue. They are named to match the theme of the pantomime.

You should always be nice to everyone, but especially to those people in your team.
All teams rehearse together, but each team performs in turn.

You will be told which team you are in, and the schedule we send will let you know when your team is performing.
Rehearsals are your chance to learn everything you need to know.

You will be taught songs, dances and scenes by our director, choreographer and musical director.
You will also get a chance to work alongside the professional actors.

They are an exciting time, but remember there is a lot to do in a very short space of time, so there are some simple things that we need you to remember:

Always be on time

Be positive

Be supportive of each other

Show respect to everyone

Listen carefully

Don't be afraid to ask questions

Bring plenty of water

Dont forget a snack or lunch

Make sure you wear something you can move easily in: Dance or sports wear is perfect.

Jazz shoes, trainers or plimsols please (No flip flops, heavy footwear, high heels or sandals!)

YOU SHOULD AIM TO ARRIVE 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE REHEARSAL START TIME.

Make sure you arrive on time, every time, to make sure you don't miss anything.
Technical Rehearsals (also known as "Tech") are when we move from the rehearsal room into the theatre.

It is a time when we combine all the different departments such as lighting, sound, scenery, actors, props, pyrotechnics and of course, the Junior Ensemble!
This means that it is a very busy time for everyone so we need you to be calm, quiet and considerate, and to be ready when called.

It is exciting as there is plenty to watch, however there is also a lot of time when you will be expected to wait quietly and patiently.

We strongly suggest that you bring something to occupy yourself (preferably without a glowing screen). This can be homework! :)

Technical rehearsals are the time when you should bring in your personal costume items.
Now the pantomime is up and running it is time to show everyone your hard work!

Remember that your performance should be the same every time.

Remember what the Director, Musical Director and Choreographer told you in rehearsals and try not to change anything.

You might want to bring a dressing gown or onesie to stay warm backstage – don’t forget to make sure it is labelled with your name.

Remember: once the shows have started – don’t take any costume home, even the things you have brought in – just in case you forget to bring them back! They will be washed by the wardrobe team if needed.

Make sure to do your best for every single performance. You never know who is watching!

It is more important than ever that you are on time, every time!

Remember you should arrive 45 minutes before each performance, to make sure you are ready to start the pantomime on time!
Depending on your particular pantomime, we may be able to offer some discounts nearer the time, but this is not guaranteed and is always a last minute thing, so if you would like to book tickets for specific performances, please do so in the normal way.
Any offers that become available will be communicated to you in due course.

Towards the end of the run, if there is room, we will arrange tickets for each team to watch the show together, more details will be sent out by your company manager and head chaperone.
As always we will be arranging show specific hoodies, complete with your pantomime logo and venue, as well as your name on.
They are available from our clothing partner, V Cre8ive.

For further details, and to order your hoodie, please visit their WEBSITE SHOP.
Our shows take place in public buildings, so we strongly advise you not to bring in anything valuable, unless absolutely necessary.

Phones are not permitted to be used during rehearsals or performances (you'll be far too busy anyway!), so make sure they are put away.
Your Head Chaperone will let you know if there are specific rules for the storage of phones during sessions in your production.