Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Musical Theatre, Drama/Improv  and Performance Classes?  Which class is right for my child? 

     Musical theatre performers sing, dance and act on stage!  Our Combo Classes weave all three of the musical theatre skills into a fun and dynamic program.  All classes include instruction in choral singing with movement and acting.  While we don’t teach dance, our classes have assistant instructors who have dance training who aid the instructors with movement and choreography.  Combo classes are perfect for the busy youngster who wants to make singing and movement part of his/her life but only wants to attend one day a week.  It’s also a great place for any young performer to start.  With a focus fun, friendship and skill development, our musical theatre classes are a blast!!

     The drama/improv classes focus on acting, speaking and presentation skills.  These classes are great for the youngster who does not want to sing but is creative and enjoys meetings new friends.  Improv games form the foundation of our work together.  An in-class production at our March Coffee House will conclude our term together.

     Performance Classes have been created to nurture and challenge the young performer who loves to be up on stage and has a burning desire to perform.  Most members of our troupe have previous or current dance experience; enrollment in a dance or Mecca Combo Class is recommended.  Students are grouped by age: Girls Aloud is an all-girls group for girls in grades 2-5; Boys Only is an all-boys group for boys in grades 2-6; Sound Dynamix is a mixed group for girls in grades 6-8 and boys in grade 7 &8; Charisma is an all-girls group for girls grade 9+; Pride of Westman is a mixed group for performers in grades 9+ (girls in Charisma can audition for membership in “Pride.”)  Previous or current dance training is an asset.  For more information, please ask Lisa.

     All classes receive instruction as they learn the language of theatre arts.     Theatre terms and concepts including projection, blocking & staging, stage directions, concentration, characterization and many others are explored during classes. 

Does my child need special clothing or shoes?

Combo and Drama/Improv classes do not require special clothing or footwear.  We ask that all students bring and wear a pair of indoor shoes and comfortable clothing suitable for movement.  As Performance Classes involve intensive choral work and  choreography, black jazz shoes are required.  Performance Troupe members also costuming, uniform and workshop requirements.

Do you offer dance classes?

No.  We do not offer specific training in the discipline of dance.  The members of our teaching team are educators with a wealth of knowledge and skills but we are not dance teachers.  Our strength and expertise is in musical theatre (which includes all three skills: singing, dancing and acting), choral singing and performance skill development.    All of our teachers are experienced performers and bring our love and knowledge to our students.  We are very proud to have assistant teachers with dance training and experience in our classes who aid the instructors with movement and choreography.  There are many wonderful forms of dance (tap, jazz, ballet, modern) that can be explored within a dance studio.   Our choreographer for our performance troupe, Kristen Yuel, and Monique Roy-Keller, the choreographer of our musical Spamalot, (and almost all of our past musicals) teach dance at Steppin’ Time Dance Studio.  For those performers who wish to pursue musical theatre at the post-secondary level, we recommend enrollment in a dance class.  Most performers in our senior performance groups have dance experience and/or training.

Are there classes on holidays?

There will be no classes on statutory holidays.  Regular classes will be held on school in-service days.

How do I pay for classes?

We accept cash or cheque as payment for our classes.  The fee is charged per term, although some families prefer to pay in monthly installments.  You may leave post-dated cheques and or group the payments as works best for your family.

Are there discounts?

We realize that enrolling children in any after school enrichment program/class is a commitment of time and other resources; we appreciate that you have made Mecca programs part of your family’s activities.  Therefore each and every class after the first class receives the multiple class/family discount of $20.00/term.

Do I need to help out behind the scenes?

Our instructors & assistants will supply supervision backstage at our concerts.  We will provide you with pick up/drop off information prior to the performances.  If you want to help with costumes, props or sets, please let your instructor know. 

Can I watch the classes?

We have scheduled parent observation weeks throughout each term.  Please feel free to come and watch your child’s class that week.  You are welcome to video record or take pictures; just let the instructor know.

When does my child perform?

       Students enrolled in our classes perform in our 2 term-end concerts: our Christmas Concert in December and our Theatre for Young People Production/On Broadway Concert in March.  (Performance classes have additional performances including the Brandon Festival of the Arts.)

How do you keep me informed?

Please check the Mecca bulletin board in the foyer for information and to read a copy of our most current newsletter, which is also e-mailed home.  You can also contact Lisa by e-mail.  Newsletters and other helpful information is also posted on our  Parent Info page.

How do long you been doing this?  What else have you done?

This is Mecca’s ninth year of fall programs.  We’ve grown quite a bit of growth in these first nine years; Mecca’s programs continue to expand and improved.  We don’t advertise very much; most parents find out about our programs through word of mouth.  We appreciate your positive comments to other parents.  Please share any suggestions for improvement with us.

    Mecca Productions has produced ten community musicals at the W.M.C.A: Footloose, Little Shop of Horrors, Annie, The Sound of Music, The Music Man & Seussical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Footloose, Fiddler on the Roof and High School Musicals.  We have also staged three drama productions: Our Town, You Can’t Take It With You and Romeo and Juliet.  This is our third year of a full season of theatre.  We have also had hundreds of our students step on stage in our Theatre for Young People Productions including Get in the Game, The Jungle Book, Sleeping Beauty, James & the Giant Peach, Charlotte’s Web and Return of the Glass Slipper.

        We look forward to many more great shows!