Shows at Rubber Chicken Theatre - FAQs
Thinking about getting involved in a show with Rubber Chicken Theatre? How to get your child involved in theatre, auditions, rehearsals and more.
If you're thinking about signing your child up for a show with Rubber Chicken Theatre, or you're new to our community and curious about how things work, you're in the right place! We’ve put together answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about auditions, rehearsals, show participation, and more. Whether your child is already part of our youth drama or musical theatre classes or you're just starting to explore children’s theatre opportunities in Stirling, this section is here to help you understand what to expect and how to get involved. We’re passionate about making theatre fun, inclusive, and confidence-building for young performers and we’d love to welcome you to the RCT family.
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We regularly produce upwards of four full shows a year in addition to one-off events and performances. Our shows take different forms:
Show in a Week
Often referred to as our flagship production, Show in a Week features over 150 performers of all ages. Starting rehearsals on a Monday, performances then take place on the Friday and Saturday of that week. It’s a huge undertaking and each year brings with it different challenges!
Show in a Week Senior
As if Show in a Week wasn’t challenging enough, Show in a Week Senior pushes our teen performers even more. It often sees them taking on lead roles alongside our adults or in some cases taking on the entire show themselves.
Broadway Junior
Broadway Junior productions feature an entire young cast (all under 19) and sees them perform a specially adapted version of popular shows.
Panto
A much loved part of the RCT calendar, our annual panto features adult regulars performing alongside our younger casts and is a great introduction to this theatre tradition.
Other shows may also take place alongside many one-off events throughout the year. Photos of our previous productions can be found here.
Our shows tend to follow a seasonal pattern although there can be some variation due to other activities taking place.
Broadway Junior: Rehearse from January. Shows usually late March at The Cowane, Stirling
Show in a Week : Rehearse first full week in August. Shows at Macrobert Arts Centre
Show in a Week Snr: Rehearse first or second week of the October holidays. Shows at Macrobert Arts Centre
Panto: Rehearse from September. Shows first or second week in December at The Cowane, Stirling
Typically, anyone who is in P1 – S6 can sign up to our shows. For Show in a Week, all of our performers must have completed P1.
Some shows may have additional restrictions but these will be communicated before registration.
There’s no requirement to have performed before with RCT or elsewhere, beginners and experienced performers are equally welcome.
No, all of our shows and classes are separate from each other and there is no requirement to have performed elsewhere or been in previous shows, or attend classes.
If your child decides to join us for a show, they're making a commitment to join a team and work together so that everyone looks and sounds amazing on stage. Our rehearsals periods are so short that even missing just one can make it harder to catch up and that often leads to performers dropping out.
Although we recognise that there will be times when absence does occur, it is expected that performers attend all rehearsals and performances. For safety reasons, anyone who is absent from a dress rehearsal will not be able to take part in the performances.
If you are unsure whether your child will be able to commit to the rehearsal / performance period, we recommend getting in touch to talk it through with us first.
No. There aren't any memberships at RCT. You just sign your child up to whatever they’d like to do. There’s no other commitment beyond the show itself.
No, all of our shows operate on a first come, first served basis. There are no audition requirements to be involved with any of our productions.
Auditions do take place however for those who wish to be considered for principal roles or solo lines. More information can be found in our Auditions FAQ.
RCT runs much shorter rehearsal schedules than many companies, often measured in weeks rather than months!
Show in a Week / Show in a Week Senior – Usually 5 full days of rehearsal immediately prior to shows. Additional rehearsals may be planned for certain principal parts.
Broadway Junior / Panto – Approx 10 – 12 weeks depending upon performance dates. These typically take place on Sunday afternoons for three hours. Additional rehearsals may be planned for certain principal parts.
It is important that performers are able to commit to all rehearsals. Rehearsal dates are included in pre-registration info.
Most of the adults involved in RCT play a dual role in both performing and teaching/supporting our young people.
Performers that join as children / teens are welcome to stay on and perform with us as adults, and many often do. Particularly our ''alumni'' who go on to study musical theatre.
However, the casting process, and rehearsal and performance ethos of RCT is very different from a lot of theatre companies. As such new adult performers usually come in via an existing contact, or by recommendation where we need someone with a specific skill set.
There are occasions when performance opportunities are open to all adults, these will be advertised through our mailing list and social media feeds. Our community choir is open to adults and is a good first point of entry into RCT.
Theatre for all: We're proud to offer creative and engaging performing arts opportunities for children and teens and we believe that cost should never be a barrier to participation. In all cases, there is the option to defer payment to a later date - just drop us a message on how to do this. Part and fully funded places are also available - please contact us for more info.
