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« on: Jul 31, 2012, 12:07 pm »
We have a rule at our theatre that for any show with more than 4 kids requires a Parent "Child Wrangler". The parents picked are chosen by the SM and ASM's since we are the ones having to deal with them directly. Some of their duties and functions are as follows:
Arriving early to rehearsals and performances (30 mins before actor's call time) to prepare the area the kids will be housed at.
Checking in each child upon arrival.
Handing out "quiet time" games, books, and such (we have a box full of old books, magazines, puzzle books, coloring books, crayons, cards, etc.)
Getting them to/from stage when called.
Taking them to/from bathrooms.
Sending out Parent Info Emails.
Signing kids out to a parent at the end of the night.
During our recent production of Annie, we had all of the kids make cards, letters, pictures, etc. for the Memory book. We even allowed them to bring in cameras and take pictures for the book. At the end of the run all the cards, letters and pictures were put in a scrapbook for the Director as a Thank You from the kids.
They loved being creative and making something for someone.
We did tell all of the parents (in a nice email) that they have to have something quiet and productive for their child to do during rehearsals and performances. Some allowed them to have a handheld video game, others sent in items for all of the kids to do and share.
We also informed the parents via email after rehearsals on how well their child behaved or didn't behave. Since most of the parents constantly beg us for their child to be used in our yearly production involving kids, they understand that if we don't like working with your child....we won't cast them again.
In our case, sending those email updates allowed the parents to be more involved with making sure their kids are quiet, and busy during down time.
My ASM's are too busy to handle all of the individual issues with each child, therefore having the Child Wranglers there helps us greatly. Having more than 1 is ideal because there is always someone with the kids if 1 child needs to use the bathroom or something.