Royal Ball

Hello All-

It's that time of year again when we don our costumes for a May afternoon to meet and greet all the wonderful families who support our theater by purchasing tickets to our Annual Royal Ball. The event this year is Saturday, May 14 and will be in the Ballroom at Duquesne University's Student Union. Some of you have helped in the past and some of you were new to the Gemini this year, and I am extending an invitation for you to be part of the fun. Here is a brief reminder on how it all works:

1) Being a character at our Royal Ball is a volunteer service (it is, afterall, a fundraiser - no one is paid, even staff, for this event) Everyone who plays a character does do willingly and with energy so all the families have a great time.

2) This year there is only one seating from 12 - 4. This means call time to get dressed and learn your posts for the day is 10:00 a.m. Except for those of us who tear down and take everything back to the theater, an actor's end time will be approx 5:00 (this is your leave time)

3) We do provide lunch for all. This year, all actors will have a special place on the 6th floor to take a break. NOTE: As there is one seating, break times will be pre-assigned and should be strictly followed. Characters can not just come and go as they please during the 4-hours of this event. This I will discuss later when I have firm committments from everyone who will be attending as an actor.

4) This event is truly a great experience for everyone. We have many families that wait all year to attend, and it is a great feeling when kids come to YOU because they've been waiting to meet your character again. Many photos, autographs, and unique conversations are guaranteed. We hope that most (if not all) of you will be able to join us this year!

5) You will be assigned a character by me, Lani, and Gemini Staff. We try very hard to have actors play a character they played during the current season, when possible, so there is familiarity for the kids who come to our shows. We then assign actors based on the characters who are a MUST at the Ball (i.e. every princess imaginable).
6) This year we are in need of many extra volunteers (some will be DUQ students) to act as greeters when cars arrive to guide drivers to the garage, walk famililes to the elevators, and be "elevator men." These people will be costumed and/or in formal wear to maintain a theme. It is equally important that these volunteers are as animated and welcoming as the storybook characters. If you are volunteering and have some friends who would like to volunteer and would be helpful in this capacity, please have them contact me asap.

Once I have a complete list of "yea's" from you, I will send out a character assignment list, when you can come in to fit a costume, and all other info pertinent to the day.

FYI -- If you can paint and are creative, we will be painting flats on Sunday, May 8 (week of Ball) at Duq in Peter Mills Theater. Most will be castle wall-looking pieces, but they will get done faster if I have a few hands to help me and Lani. We will be setting up, decorating, etc on Friday, May 13 from 8:30 - 5:00 (or when we finally finish). Anyone who wants to help in this capacity, in addition to the day of, please let me know asap. (DUQ students on here - may I humbly request that you contact those students who may have mentioned helping with the Ball earlier this year? I don't know everyone's names, but there were quite a few who wanted to be a part of this. Thanks)

That is all. Thanks in advance for considering helping and for giving me a "yes" on this. Any questions - just let me know. I am in the theater all week, at strange times. I am in Saturday all day.

Thanks!

Jill