Information, Expectations, & Policies

For Weston Friendly Kids

Weston Friendly Society's Friendly Kids of Weston: A 4th and 5th Grade Musical Theater Experience provides a unique opportunity for Weston fourth and fifth graders to learn what it takes to prepare and participate in a musical show from theater educators. We are dedicated to offering all our students a fun, supportive, and enriching experience.

What our Friendly Kids program offers:

Each student will learn theater basics from experienced theater educators. Our emphasis is on the process of creating theater in a supportive and joyful environment. Theater teaches not only about acting on stage, but also creative problem solving, teamwork, trust, personal responsibility, resiliency, self-confidence, empathy, imaginative brain development and so much more!

What our Friendly Kids program includes:

Our theater program includes: a guaranteed role in the production, over 50 hours of theatrical instruction/rehearsal/performance time with theater professionals, show hoodie or t-shirt, and official script. While we may touch upon important aspects of technical theater (such as sets, props, costumes, sound and lighting), our main focus will be on developing the elements of song, dance, spoken dialogue and acting to tell a story.

Rehearsal and Performance Schedule:

Our 2026-27 schedule:

Rehearsals at Weston Community Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, December 1 through February 11 from 4 - 6pm. No rehearsal December 22.
Tech week at Weston Town Hall: Sunday, February 21 from 10am - 4pm; February 22 - 25 from 4 - 7pm.
Show dates and times at Weston Town Hall: February 26 at 6:30pm (5pm call), February 27 at 4pm (2:30pm call), February 28 at 1 pm (11:30am call).

There will be no classes when Weston Public Schools are on break except for Sunday, February 21 when we will have our mandatory Super Sunday tech rehearsal. No rehearsal Tuesday, December 22.

Attendance Requirements:

Being part of a musical show is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience! But it is also a big commitment. We have limited time to pull a show together and having all students at all rehearsals is most important.

Full commitment with regular rehearsal attendance - for all scheduled days and for the entire scheduled time - is expected. We understand that a rare conflict during the regular rehearsal process might arise. We expect that you email us as soon as any conflict is known. Recurring conflicts are not acceptable.

Full attendance during tech week and for all performances is MANDATORY.

If you have questions about your student's ability to meet attendance requirements, please email friendlykidsofweston@gmail.com before registering.

Auditions and Role Assignments:

Enrollment in this program is NOT audition based. All confirmed registrants will be part of the production performing on stage.

But we do have auditions. Auditions occur early in the rehearsal process. They allow our directors to get to know each child and their comfort level with performing as well as to gain insight into which role might be best suited for each child. The roles that are offered will vary according to the licensed script. Role assignments are at the discretion of the directors and are final.

A detailed email about our first couple of rehearsal weeks and what to expect, including auditions, will be sent to all enrolled families just before the start of the program. No preparation is needed before then.

Although auditions may sound a bit intimidating, our auditions are done in a fully supportive and fun group atmosphere. Our goal with this program is for our students to learn more about theater, to challenge themselves, and to have a positive experience putting the show together as a bonded cast!

Expectations of our students and our families:

Acting Experience: No prior theatrical experience is expected - we welcome those who are new to theater as well as those who are experienced.
Attendance: Full commitment and attendance is expected. Please see attendance requirements above. Frequent and recurring absences, frequent and recurrent early departures and late arrivals, or failure to notify Friendly Kids of Weston of absences or early departures/late arrivals in accordance with policies may result in dismissal from the program.
Communication: Our main communication will be through the email parents provide at registration. Parents are expected to routinely check emails for updates and notices. Contact us at friendlykidsofweston@gmail.com.
Photos & Videos: As this is a theatrical show, photos and videos are often taken during rehearsals and performances by our production staff or staff’s designee and may be shared publicly. Parents should contact us by email before registering if they have any questions about the use of photos/videos. Everyone is expected to follow photo & video show licensing restrictions.
Student Needs: Having every child feel successful in this endeavor is important to us. Parents are expected to communicate individual student needs or other concerns that may impact participation in the program before registering and as needed throughout the program.
Homework: Participants must memorize their lines, as well as practice music and choreography, at home. Students must be “off-book” at the appointed date well before the show. Adults or older siblings are expected to help them with this.
Costumes: Families are expected to provide costumes as determined by the directors. Additional costume elements may be provided by the Friendly Kids program.
Pickup/Drop Off: Students should be on time for rehearsal and picked up promptly. Parents must arrange for their children to have appropriate supervision before and after rehearsal. The program is not able to accommodate early drop offs, late pick ups or provide transportation. Parents are expected to wait outside of rehearsal space to avoid class disruptions and distractions.
Illness: Students should stay home from rehearsal if ill, OR if absent or sent home from school due to illness. Please email us that your child will be absent.
Parental Support: Parents are expected to fully support and encourage all children in this endeavor, regardless of role assignment, and to make attending rehearsals & being at the theater at designated time a priority.
Student Behavior: All students must be willing to participate fully, be attentive, follow rules and instruction, and respectful of staff, property & each other.

Refund Policy:

A refund minus a nonrefundable processing fee may be issued if Friendly Kids of Weston receives notice by email no later than 30 days prior to the start of the program. No transfers at any time. No refunds if notification is received less than 30 days before the start of the program.

Our program is contingent upon sufficient enrollment. Tuition will be returned if the class must be canceled prior to its start.

Frequent and recurring absences, frequent and recurrent early departures and late arrivals, or failure to timely notify Friendly Kids of Weston of absences or early departures/late arrivals, as well as not meeting the other expectations noted above, may be grounds for dismissal from the program or other action at any time without refund at the discretion of the production team.

Financial Assistance:

If you require financial assistance or have questions regarding payment, please email Friendly Kids of Weston before registering.

Registration:

Our program is popular and tends to fill quickly. If the program fills early, please join the waitlist found on theENROLLMENT IS LIMITED. In order to provide the best experience possible, must be a fourth or fifth grader enrolled in Weston Public Schools or a fourth or fifth grade resident of Weston, MA. All participants of this Friendly Kids of Weston program registration page.

Registration fee is $550 (additional processing fees will apply). Payment is due at the time of registration. All Major Debit and Credit Cards accepted. Google Pay and Apple Pay are accepted if enabled on your device/browser.

Please note: This program culminates in a 3 performance, ticketed, show weekend event open to the public. If you have any questions regarding your ability to commit to the full rehearsal and performance schedule, or if there may be other issues which may impact your child’s full participation in the program, please email Friendly Kids of Weston before registering.