Update for the 2025-2026 School Year:
To ensure that every student has the chance to see every show, morning performances will return to being exclusively for students. We’re excited for them to experience the wonderful work their peers have created during school hours.
Families and community members are warmly invited to attend our evening performances, which will remain open to the public.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of our student performers and the arts at Trace!
To ensure that every student has the chance to see every show, morning performances will return to being exclusively for students. We’re excited for them to experience the wonderful work their peers have created during school hours.
Families and community members are warmly invited to attend our evening performances, which will remain open to the public.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of our student performers and the arts at Trace!
What is EMD?
Early Morning Drama (EMD) is a before-school theatre program for 3rd-5th graders. Students work toward performing a full theater production, complete with costumes, lights, sound and sets under the direction of Mr. Boston. A play is selected in the Fall and a musical in the Spring.
How early is early?
Rehearsals start at 7:40 AM. It's early and a lot of fun! Being on time is important, so make sure you have a plan for arriving on time for your rehearsal days.
How do I participate?
Signups will be announced at the beginning of August (for the Fall play) and January (for the Spring musical), and space is limited. Fall and Spring are two separate enrollments.
What is the commitment?
The Performer’s Acknowledgement of Responsibility (Español) must be acknowledged upon enrollment in EMD.
Students commit to attending all rehearsals before school in addition to their performance date. Rehearsals are generally Monday-Thursday for the first 2 weeks, then each cast is notified of the remaining rehearsal schedule. Each cast performs one evening show. Tardies and absences are taken very seriously. Please email Mr. Boston at [email protected] as soon as you know if your child will be absent or late. Additionally, if your child needs to drop the program, he should be notified immediately, as there is a waiting list of students who wish to participate.
What are auditions like?
There is no need to prepare anything before the first day of rehearsals. Students will be given materials to work on and practice at home for the audition to see who is best for each part. Scripts are distributed after casting. Most shows have either a double or triple cast.
Does it cost anything?
We ask that every student contribute a $50 donation. This donation covers some of the costs incurred in producing our shows such as costumes, sets, rights and royalties, scripts and so on. Donations are collected through the Trace VPA Boosters, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run by parent volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible and are used entirely to support this program. Please email the Trace VPA Boosters if you are interested in a scholarship or have any questions about the donations.
Auditions, Casting, and Rehearsals
Early Morning Drama (EMD) is a before-school theatre program for 3rd-5th graders. Students work toward performing a full theater production, complete with costumes, lights, sound and sets under the direction of Mr. Boston. A play is selected in the Fall and a musical in the Spring.
How early is early?
Rehearsals start at 7:40 AM. It's early and a lot of fun! Being on time is important, so make sure you have a plan for arriving on time for your rehearsal days.
How do I participate?
Signups will be announced at the beginning of August (for the Fall play) and January (for the Spring musical), and space is limited. Fall and Spring are two separate enrollments.
What is the commitment?
The Performer’s Acknowledgement of Responsibility (Español) must be acknowledged upon enrollment in EMD.
Students commit to attending all rehearsals before school in addition to their performance date. Rehearsals are generally Monday-Thursday for the first 2 weeks, then each cast is notified of the remaining rehearsal schedule. Each cast performs one evening show. Tardies and absences are taken very seriously. Please email Mr. Boston at [email protected] as soon as you know if your child will be absent or late. Additionally, if your child needs to drop the program, he should be notified immediately, as there is a waiting list of students who wish to participate.
What are auditions like?
There is no need to prepare anything before the first day of rehearsals. Students will be given materials to work on and practice at home for the audition to see who is best for each part. Scripts are distributed after casting. Most shows have either a double or triple cast.
Does it cost anything?
We ask that every student contribute a $50 donation. This donation covers some of the costs incurred in producing our shows such as costumes, sets, rights and royalties, scripts and so on. Donations are collected through the Trace VPA Boosters, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run by parent volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible and are used entirely to support this program. Please email the Trace VPA Boosters if you are interested in a scholarship or have any questions about the donations.
Auditions, Casting, and Rehearsals
- On the first day of EMD, students line up in front of the main gate on Dana Ave. Please be early.
- Rehearsals are held in the Multi-Purpose Room (MPR). If the MPR is in use, we rehearse in Room C6.
- For the first 2 weeks, ALL students attend rehearsals Monday-Thursday. During this time, students will be auditioning and cast in their role. They do not need to prepare anything in advance of these rehearsals.
- After the first 2 weeks, Mr. Boston will notify students of the casting, and weekly rehearsals will be split between the casts going forward. The last week of rehearsals includes a tech run and full dress rehearsal.
