Frequently Asked Questions

We hope you find your answers here. Please feel free to come up with a few questions of your own. We’d love to hear from you.

Who is Pied Piper Players?

Pied Piper Players is a family theater company dedicated to education and the promotion of confidence, community & excellence through the performing arts.

  • Use theater to give participants the opportunity for collaborative teamwork
  • Foster a positive learning environment
  • Work with theater professionals, with a focus on challenge and fun
  • Strive to produce excellent, affordable theater programs and productions
  • A 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. EIN: 91-2165593
How can I find Pied Piper Players?

Our “For Now” home is 1855 Rollins Road in Burlingame.

Mailing address is:
Pied Piper Players
PO Box 1981
Burlingame CA 94011

Performances are typically at the Bayside Performing Arts Center, 2025 Kehoe Avenue in San Mateo, California.

What are the volunteer requirements for MainStage productions?

During a MainStage production, every family is expected participate. Family committments include:

  • Community Work Days: Each family is required to come to a specified number of Community Work Days. Items needing to be completed for the show will be available at HQ. In between CWDs, a list of tasks may be communicated so that you can complete your minimum 25 volunteer hours/youth registrant.
  • Nitty Gritty Day: All work together to get last minute things ready to move into the theater. One adult from each family is required to attend.
  • Tech Week: Assist 15 hours during this critical week prior to the show opening.
  • Performances: Work a minimum of four performances during the run of the show (five+ if you have more than one child in the cast).
  • Strike: Mandatory participation following the final performance.
What are the MainStage production volunteer opportunities?

Work under the guidance of our Volunteer Coordinator and professional staff.

  • Ad Sales – Solicit advertising for the playbill. Follow-up on ad payments and send thank you letters to business advertisers.
  • Box Office – Sell tickets. Run show Box Office. Encourage cast to sell tickets.
  • Chaperone – During Tech Week and performances, supervise cast as they wait to go onstage. Monitor noise level, behavior and making entrances and cues. Supervise clean up of dressing rooms.
  • Concessions – Gather and display refreshments and sell in the lobby before, after and during the intermission of performances.
  • Costumes – Assist costume designer with taking performer’s measurements, assigning, approving, and constructing costumes and accessories. Sewing skills recommended.
  • Flowers – Purchase flowers and prepare them for sale in the lobby before, after and during the intermission of performances.
  • Kudos – Collect cast kudos and format for the playbill.
  • Lobby Decorations – Create a welcoming display in lobby using headshots, rehearsal photos, etc.
  • Playbill – Design, layout and produce show playbill. Design cast ads. Modify or design business ads as needed. Mastery of Adobe CS required.
  • Props – Gather and/or create required props from Director’s list.
  • Publicity – Write and distribute press releases. Publicize show via social media, print, radio, television, billboard, school or community newsletters, whatever means possible. Coordinate printed collateral pieces, posters, flyers, etc.
  • Raffle – Solicit raffle prizes. Send letters, make phone calls, collect prizes and coordinate raffle ticket sales. Sell raffle tickets during the rehearsal period. Also, sell tickets before, after and during the intermission of performances.
  • Set Construction & Painting – Build and paint the set pieces and backdrops for the show.
  • School Show – Manage the School Show morning performance. Connect with local schools and sell/offer tickets.
  • Stage Crew – Work backstage moving sets and scenery; run the fly-rail, light board, special effects equipment and the curtain.
  • T-Shirts – Manage cast t-shirt ordering and distribution.
  • Telegrams – Manage the creation and sales of telegrams during the run of the show.
  • Ushering – Welcome and direct audience members to their assigned seats, be available to assist audience members during the show and monitor the lobby during the performance.
Besides volunteer hours, what else is our family expected to do for MainStage productions?
  • Sell Tickets: A large percentage of our budget depends on ticket sales. We ask that each family to make a goal of selling 50 tickets.
  • Shoes & Makeup: Each participant is expected to provide their own shoes and makeup.
How much does it cost to participate in a MainStage production?

Tuition varies with each production.

What is included in the MainStage tuition?

A professional learning experience: acting, singing, and dance choreography via workshops, rehearsals and MainStage productions. Registrants receive a personal audition evaluation, a black and white head shot, a show t-shirt, a cast photo, and costume materials for use during the production run. Costumes remain property of PPP.

How do I audition?

Upon completion of your registration and tuition, you will receive information about initial cast and parent meetings, audition workshops, audition schedules and rehearsals.

What other costs can I expect?
  • Show Tickets
  • Raffle Tickets
  • Meals during long rehearsals and Tech Week—optional
  • Photos—optional
  • Cast Party—optional
  • Staff Gifts—optional
When are MainStage rehearsals?

Most rehearsals take place on the weekends. Weeknight rehearsals may be required depending on the actor’s role.
During Tech Week, the week prior to opening night, every participant is required to attend ALL evening rehearsals; no rehearsal conflicts allowed.

Do I have to be a teenager to be in Turbo Teen?

Yes, you do. This is a program designed and developed just for teens.