Performance Dates
The Christmas Revels: An Early California Celebration of the Winter Solstice performance dates will be December 18 &19, 2021 at the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara, CA; with mandatory technical rehearsals December 15, 16, & 17, 2021.
For the YULETIDE CHILDREN ́S CHORUS & TEEN SINGERS
WHO: Children in Grades 4 thru 6
& Teens in Grades 7 thru 12
WHEN: 3:30 to 5:00 pm on Monday & Tuesday
August 23rd & 24th
WHERE: Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara
(in the Courtyard)
1535 Santa Barbara Street
WHAT: Be prepared to sing a simple song, move, and make noise!
For the SOLSTICE SINGERS
WHO: Adult singers 16 years and older
WHEN: 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Monday & Tuesday
August 23rd & 24th
WHERE: Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara
(in the Sanctuary)
1535 Santa Barbara Street
WHAT: Prepare a song to perform a cappella
Questions & Appointment Times
Please email: erin.mckibben@gmail.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
While Revels uses a number of professional performers in its productions, its volunteer adult and children's choruses form its core. There is no "standing" Revels production chorus; we audition each cast anew for each show.
Santa Barbara Revels embraces the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all our activities. Actors, singers, and dancers of all ages and from all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to audition. There is no cost to participate in Revels.
OUR CRITERIA
Revels cast members are people who love to sing, who sing vigorously and accurately with a good sense of rhythm, and who can hold their own part in a choral context. Some are experienced choral singers, some are not. Sight-reading is not necessary, but a good ear and the ability to memorize music and text, along with being pleasant to be around are. We look for a variety of ages, heights, personalities, theater experience (or not), and racial and ethnic backgrounds to create our on-stage "village".
COVID-times - KEEPING EVERYONE SAFE
For the success of the show and the safety of all, prospective cast members need to be vaccinated against COVID-19, unless your age group has not yet qualified for the vaccine. We will ask you to sign an “I’m fully vaccinated and doing this at my own risk” form. This policy is in keeping with that of the national Revels organization, and it also is a requirement of the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, where we will hold our chorus rehearsals. Revels will follow/enforce Santa Barbara County Health Department directives, but we cannot be held liable in the event of infection. Individuals failing to follow health protocols or misrepresenting their vaccination status may be held liable. COVID safety protocols will remain in place for all rehearsals and performances.
ADULT AUDITIONS
We will schedule groups of three adults in 20-minute blocks. During your audition time you will be asked to sing a short piece of your choice without accompaniment. Because of the kind of music we present in The Christmas Revels, we recommend that you choose a traditional song, carol, classical piece, or folk song. Often a simple song well sung is more effective than a more complicated one; it helps when you are sure of the words! Don't try to impress us with something difficult, just sing something you love and know well. In the interest of time, we will probably stop you after a verse or two rather than hear the whole song.
We may ask you to sing some scales to get an idea of your vocal range. We will then teach a simple round for you to sing with the other prospective cast members in your group. You also may be asked to read something.
Beginning on September 13th, rehearsals will be on Monday nights at 7:00pm at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara. There also will be five Saturday rehearsals in October, November, and December, which will be from 9:00am to 12:30pm, with a location yet to be confirmed.
CHILDREN & TEEN AUDITIONS and expectations for young singers
The Christmas Revels Children's and Teen Choruses are comprised of about a dozen singers each. In choosing cast members we consider a variety of factors, including quality of singing voice, energy level, ability to focus and follow directions, and general courtesy. We want to create the best possible performance and have fun along the way. Singers accepted into the chorus will receive over 25 hours of professional music, theater, and dance instruction at no charge.
Children's and Teen Chorus rehearsals will involve learning and memorizing songs, dances, and stage blocking. They will be held at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara every Monday afternoon, beginning on September 13th. They will begin promptly at 3:30pm and end promptly at 4:45pm. As in all choirs, every member is important. If someone is missing, the group as a whole is different, so please be present and on time. This honors everyone's time and efforts.
We will have five all-cast Saturday rehearsals from 9:00am to 12:30 pm on dates to be determined in October, November and December. When we work with the larger cast in rehearsal and in performance, we will have some periods of down time between our parts of the show. The children will be supervised and will need quiet activities like a book to read, homework, a quiet game to play with others, etc.--no electronics, please.
Performance Dates
The Christmas Revels show performance dates with be December 18 &19, 2021; with mandatory technical rehearsals December 15, 16, & 17, 2021.