2024 SCHOOL CONCERT FAQs & ANSWERS:

St Ita’s Primary presents:  Dream It, Believe It

One of the biggest events on the St Ita’s social calendar is the annual concert. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions to assist families in becoming familiar with concert time. This year we will have a matinee performance at 12pm and an evening performance at 7 pm on 1^st August, 2024. at the West Gippsland Art Centre in Warragul.

If your questions haven’t been answered below, please DOJO your child’s class teacher.

Where is the concert held at and at what time/s?

The concert is held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre (WGAC) in Warragul on Thursday 1^st August 2024. The first concert performance is a Matinee show at 12.00 pm and the second concert is an evening performance which begins at 7.00 pm. We recommend Grandparents and younger pre-school siblings attend the matinee performance.

How long is the concert?

It is estimated that each concert performance goes for approximately 90 minutes. 

Do students have to attend both Concert performances?

Yes. All students are expected to attend the Concert and perform in both shows. Please discuss with your child’s teacher if you have any concerns.

Where do we get tickets and is there a limit on how many?

Tickets are now available and can be purchased through the West Gippsland Art Centre (WGAC) Warragul. You can purchase at the WGAC box office, online or by phone. The tickets will go on sale on 15^th July 2024.

Tickets will be $17 each for adults and children per show.  There is also a $12 ticket available for Pensioner Concession Card Holder’s attending the matinee performance at 12pm (please choose ‘concession’ once seats are selected.  A valid pensioner card must be produced when presenting ticket for entry).                                                                  

All evening tickets are the same price.

Children 2 years old and under are able to sit on a parent’s lap at no charge. Children 3 years of age and above are the same price as an adult & will require their own ticket to be purchased. There is no limit to the amount of tickets you can purchase. Visit www.wgac.com.au or phone: 5624 2456. Additional fees may apply for phone bookings. Seat maps are available on-line. 

(Please note you do not need to purchase tickets for St Ita’s students as they will all be backstage ready to perform & not in the auditorium).

Can younger siblings come to the concert?

Younger siblings can come to the concert. If they are 3 years of age and above, you must pay $17 for their own seat. (2 years and under are no charge but must sit on a parent’s lap). The 12pm session is recommended for younger siblings to attend if required. 

Does each class do their own performance or is it all mixed together?

Each Class does their own performance/act except for the Grade 5-6’s. This year, the Grade 6 students with speaking parts will not perform in their class acts. The remaining 5-6 students will be combined in class acts. At the end of the production, the children will all sing the same finale.

Do parents have to go to each session?

No, they don’t, but can if they want to. Most parents choose one (either the 12 pm or 7 pm) session to watch their child perform. Both performances are the same. Tickets must be purchased via the West Gippsland Arts Centre for each concert you would like to attend.

Do parents need to supply a costume?

Mrs Monique Kiezenberg, our Concert Director provides some costumes & your child’s class teacher will advise if families are required to organise their own costumes. More particular details will be sent home via your child’s class teacher. Please make sure your costumes are in a clearly labeled plastic bag and are ready for the dress rehearsal at school on Monday 29th July.

When do we need our costumes?

There will be a full-dress rehearsal at St Ita’s in the school hall on Monday 29th July. Students are to bring their full costume to school on this day. Teachers will assist their grades in changing on the day. We ask parents not to come to the dress rehearsal as the school hall is not big enough and we don’t want to spoil the surprise of the concert for you before the event.

What is the concert practice the day prior to the Concert?

The day prior to the concert (Wednesday 31st July) the children are taken in their grades, down to the West Gippsland Art Centre by shuttle bus in the morning to have a familiarisation of the Arts Centre and to practice coming on/off the stage.  All children will return to school by shuttle bus throughout the day. Generally, the younger grades are by lunchtime, and the senior grades are in the afternoon. A permission note will be sent home in the next few weeks prior via PAM. The school will finish at the normal 3.20 pm finish on Wednesday 31^th July. Children cannot be collected from the Arts Centre & must return to school for pick up. Please note siblings will be returning at different times throughout the day.

THURSDAY 1^st August: MATINEE PERFORMANCE - 12 PM:

Do students come to school on Concert day & what do they bring?

Yes, we will require all students to be at school on Thursday 1^st August by 9 am.

Students are to come to school dressed in their school or sports uniform (clearly labeled) and to bring with them their full costume if not already at school (in a clearly labeled plastic bag) with hair/details ready for the concert.

Students are to bring a snack which will be eaten at school, prior to arriving at the Arts Centre.

Students are to bring a sandwich clearly labeled with their name, which will be eaten during the Concert at the Arts Centre, and a water bottle (clearly labeled). If possible, please bring snack & a sandwich in a disposable container or wrapper, clearly labelled, and so it can be thrown out after lunch. Please do bring any messy foods, lollies or sugary soft drinks.

Students will change into their costumes at school and then will depart by bus from School to the Arts Centre to arrive by 11.30 am in time for the Matinee Concert. (Parents please check with your classroom teacher if any parent helpers are required at school on the morning of the Concert, a Working with Children’s Card is required).

Parents/families are not permitted backstage before/during/after the Matinee.

After the Matinee Concert, children will depart by bus from the Arts Centre back to school to arrive by 3pm. Children will change back into their uniforms at school and take their costumes home for the evening performance.

Where do parents/family go when we arrive for the 12pm show?

Parents & ticket holders make their way up to the foyer area of the Arts Centre with their tickets and wait for the theatre doors to open. Please allow time for parking & seating. Parents will not be permitted backstage before/during/after the show. 

What time does School finish on concert day?

On concert day (Thursday 1^st August) the children are taken down to the West Gippsland Art Centre by bus in the morning ready to perform in the Matinee show at 12pm. All children will return to school after the Matinee concert by shuttle bus between 2-3 pm. Children can only be picked up from school at 3.20 pm after the Matinee. School will finish at the normal 3.20 pm finish time. Due to child safety & logistics, all students will return to school by bus after the Matinee and can only be collected from school. No students will be dismissed from the Arts Centre after the Matinee.

Parents are then required to bring their children back to the Arts Centre at 6.30 pm ready for the 7 pm evening performance. Children are then collected from the Arts Centre after the evening show at approximately 8.45 pm.

THURSDAY 1^st August: EVENING PERFORMANCE - 7 PM:

What time do the children need to be at the concert – evening show?

Children are required to be in the Fountain Room at the West Gippsland Art Centre Warragul by 6.30 pm sharp on Thursday 1st August. The drop-off point is at the Fountain room between 6.20 pm and 6.30 pm. The Fountain Room is located downstairs, to the right-hand side of the Arts Centre, off Civic Place. Students are dropped off to their teacher at the Fountain Room door and parents are not permitted to stay. At the end of the evening show the students are picked up from the entrance of the Fountain Room at 8.45 pm. Please have your children dressed and ready when they are dropped off.

Can parents stay with their children when they drop them off?

No, it is important for organisational reasons that parents do not stay down in the Fountain Room. It is also important parents don’t come down to the Fountain Room during the show. The room has limited space so we ask that parents just drop off at the door so class teachers can organise their grades & prepare for the Concert to begin.  

Where do parents/family go when we arrive for the show?

Parents & ticket holders make their way up to the foyer area of the Arts Centre with their tickets and wait for the theatre doors to open. Please allow time for parking & seating. 

Do we need to be dressed in our costumes when we arrive at 6.30 pm?

Yes, children will come to the evening concert at 6.30pm dressed in their costume ready to perform. Some bulkier items may need to be left at the venue and placed on the students just before they go on to the stage, your teacher will advise if this is the case.  Please bring a simple change of clothes for after the evening concert or a warm jacket– eg: dressing gown, loose pants/top/PJs. Students will not be permitted to take any school provided costumes home after the evening concert, so please make sure they have a change of clothes if required. Please make sure all personal items are clearly labelled in an easy identifiable bag.

Do students need to wear make-up?

Some of the main Grade six characters will need make-up. If your child is required to wear any stage makeup your child’s class teacher will let you know within the next few weeks. Other grades do not wear make-up and it is not encouraged (especially as we need to keep costumes clean for 2 shows).

Do we have to have hair (and make-up) done before we arrive at 6.30 pm?

Yes, there will not be enough time to do hair (and make-up if required) before the performance so please make sure this is prepared before your child arrives at the Arts Centre at 6.30 pm. Your child must be dressed and ready to perform on arrival.

What else do the children need to bring with them at 6.30 pm?

Children will need to eat an early dinner at home before they arrive at 6.30 pm. Children will need to bring a bottle of water (clearly labeled), a small “healthy” snack/piece of fruit, and a change of clothes if required/warm jacket for after the concert. Please make sure any bags/items brought along are clearly labeled.

(Other food and drink are not permitted to avoid spills and litter).

Note: Please bring a simple change of clothes for after the evening concert or a warm jacket– eg: dressing gown, jacket, loose pants/top/PJs. Students will not be permitted to take any school provided costumes home after the evening concert, so please make sure they have a change of clothes if required. Please make sure all personal items are clearly labelled in an easy identifiable bag. 

Do the children go back to their parents after their act or at the end of the Concert?

No. Students will remain with their class teachers until after the concert. Parents will need to pick their child up from the Fountain Room doors at 8.45 pm.

What do the children do backstage?

The children will be in the Fountain room reading books, colouring in, and watching a movie provided by their teacher. The emphasis is on staying calm and saving their energy for the stage.

Can parents/friends visit their children backstage?

No, there is not enough room to have parents/grandparents/family visit the Fountain Room.

Where do we pick up our children from and at what time on Thursday 1^st August?

The students will be waiting in the Fountain Room for pick up at 8.45 pm. Due to logistics, we ask that only one/two parents come to the Fountain room door at the end of the Concert to collect the children. Please have other family members wait upstairs, outside, or in the car away from the exit to allow room for the students to exit. Please be patient and allow students to change, collect their belongings, and exit, only a limited number of parents will be allowed in at one time to avoid congestion.

Can parents take photos /videos of the concert?

No, there is to be no flash photography or video cameras to be used in the auditorium. Professional DVDs will be available to purchase through the school a few weeks after the concert.

Is there any food/drinks to buy at the concert for parents?

The café at the Art Centre will be open for coffee/snacks for Patrons, before the show.

Will there be a DVD or photos to purchase of the concert?

DVDs will be available to purchase through the school office. Class teachers will take photos at dress rehearsal and in the Fountain room. No flash photography is permitted in the Theatre.

Will classroom teachers send out notes detailing costumes etc?

During the next few weeks, class teachers will send home letters / Dojo messages to parents detailing any costume requirements. Please give your teachers time to send this home if they have not done so already. Full costumes are required at school for Monday 29^th, July dress rehearsal & on Concert day, Thursday 1^st August.