Rules and expectations for members of the Society
Commitment
No member of our cast may accept any engagements which may conflict with show dates or rehearsal schedules. Cast members are required to make themselves available for all performances. We therefore suggest that you avoid booking any engagements during this period until all show dates have been confirmed. Montreal West Operatic Society (MWOS) requires that, if you are accepted for a principal role, you do not accept a lead role with any other musical or theatrical group during the same season without consultation with the Music and Casting Committee.
Singers who want to be considered for an understudy or alternate must indicate it in the audition information sheet.
Videotaping
To better evaluate everybody’s audition, auditions may be videotaped.
Attendance
Regular attendance is mandatory. Rehearsals for all members are every Monday and Wednesday evening at 7:30p.m. sharp! Warm-up is at 7:15p.m. Members missing too many rehearsals may, at the board’s discretion and upon recommendation of the Music & Casting Committee, be fined, required to re-audition or expelled from the production.
Additional rehearsals
Additional rehearsals of principals will be held at the discretion of the Directors. Beginning in January, full cast rehearsals take place on Mondays and Wednesdays. There may be additional rehearsals, as required, leading up to the performances.
Membership dues
Annual dues are $115.00, for individual members; $170.00, for families; and $30.00, for full-time students, payable in September (in full). However, monthly payments can be arranged, instead. Please be aware that additional expenses may come up (shoes, transportation, etc). The Society is open to trading service for fees. Voluntary service may be credited towards a reduction in membership dues.
Involvement
Members of the Society have a responsibility and commitment to contribute to its artistic, financial and social success. We are a community theatre group whose performers also participate in other aspects of the show’s production. We encourage all members to join one of our production teams: set-building, costume-making, marketing, public relations, … and running for a position on the Board.
Cast members are strongly encouraged to sell as many tickets as possible. In recent years cast members have been responsible for 60% of all tickets sold for the show. The cast is also expected to solicit advertising for our programme, which makes possible our contribution to the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
We encourage everyone to contribute his or her own unique talents to our Society. While we audition for singers, no auditions are needed for backstage help, front-of-house personnel, sewers, painters, hammerers, props makers, prompters, or make-up assistants. Please feel free to volunteer help from other members of your family; we need their contributions too!!
Social activities
Social occasions at MWOS include a party honouring our new members in October, carolling for the Montreal Children’s Hospital followed by our annual Holiday Party in December, a cast party after the Montreal Show plus parties after the road shows and many others!!!!!