Here is a checklist that we’ve compiled from many years’ experience of organising nativity shows. If there’s anything you think we’ve missed, please email us at info@learn2soar.co.uk with your suggestions.

1) SCRIPTS & SONGS

Go through the script and listen to every song, learning them yourself.

Try to allocate speaking or singing roles for every child that wants a part.

Read through the script CAREFULLY and make any amendments that are needed for your cast (Remember that most of our products come with editable scripts… please use them).

Print off enough copies of the script for every performer, plus have a few spare and know where your original is saved.

2) CASTING

Auditions: evaluate each child’s reading and acting skills as well as their singing and possibly dancing skills.

Cast all main roles, walk on roles AND UNDERSTUDIES.

Cast stagehands make sure each one has clearly defined roles.

Cast lighting technicians and sound technicians if appropriate.

Arrange who will be responsible for scenery, costumes and make up.

3) SCHEDULE DATES

Arrange the dates / times / venues of every rehearsal and stick to your plan. Let EVERYONE involved know the arrangements.

Arrange the dates / times / venues of dress rehearsal and main performances. Let EVERYONE know.

4) PLAN EACH REHEARSAL

AIM: What do you want to achieve from this rehearsal. Which songs / sections of the script are you going to tackle.

INTRO: Clearly relate to the children the aim of this rehearsal session. Use plenty of praise and encouragement.

MAIN SECTION: Have set objectives and stick to them. Possibly involve other adults to take various groups away to rehearse various sections with them, so you’re not doing it all yourself.

CONCLUSION: Always congratulate the children. List what they need to practice before the next rehearsal.

5) COSTUMES & PROPS

List costumes & props required for every character.

List the people who will help to make the costumes / props. Give them clearly defined roles and deadlines so there is no misunderstanding.

Organise a costume fitting session well in advance; DON’T leave it till the day of the dress rehearsal!

Remember to have lots of safety pins ready for on the night as there is always at least one costume that manages to get torn somehow!

6) MAKEUP

Seek parental permission for every child who will wear makeup (As some children can have allergic reactions to some face paints).

Source suitable non-toxic face paint and order it in plenty of time.

Assign roles to the individuals who will be applying the face paint well in advance so they can practice if necessary.

7) SCENERY

If you are using the readymade PowerPoint scenery that comes with all our products, then assign the job of ‘PowerPoint technician’ to a suitably qualified individual. Make sure they have all the equipment they need (laptop/projector/screen). Ensure the equipment and wires won’t interfere with the performers.

If you are making your own scenery, then assign clearly defined roles and deadlines.

If you are somehow swapping scenery through the production, then have a trial run before the dress rehearsal.

8) LIGHTING / SOUND

Ensure you have all microphones/ speakers / audio players / lights working well in advance of the dress rehearsal.

Prepare scripts for lighting and sound technicians highlighting changes they need to make at certain times in the play.

Give lighting and sound technicians a chance to practice with the cast in advance of the dress rehearsal.

Always have spare audio players / cables / mikes / batteries / bulbs available just in case.

9) STAGE HANDS

Assign roles for moving props and scenery off and on stage, give each stage hand a script highlighting their involvement.

Assign roles for helping children with quick costume changes if necessary.

Give stagehands a chance to practice with the cast before the dress rehearsal.

Assign a responsible adult to supervise the children who are backstage during the performance.

10) LICENSING

Make sure you’re in possession of an up-to-date performance licence. For further details please click here.

If you’re recording the show to make and sell DVDs or to distribute online, then you may need to purchase an extended recording rights licence. For further details please click here.

11) TICKETS & PROGRAMMES

Print and distribute / sell tickets. On each ticket make sure to include:

a) name of show

b) date/time

c) venue (even if the venue seems pretty obvious)

d) whether seats are numbered or available on a first come first served basis

e) door opening times.

Print programmes to hand out on the door. Include:

a) title of show / author / name of cast

b) cast list

c) title and order of songs

d) credits and thank you’s

e) adverts if appropriate

12) ORGANISE YOUR AUDIENCE

Before the show make the following announcements:

a) Welcome and thank you for coming

b) General fire safety announcements

c) Please switch off all phones (not on silent mode as they can interfere with sound equipment)

d) Possibly organise a supervised crèche facility in an adjoining room for young children / babies. (Encourage parents to try to leave their children in there so that they don’t disturb the show. You could possibly also set up a live video feed so that parents who have to temporarily visit the crèche don’t miss anything.)

13) ORGANISE YOUR THANK YOU’S

After the final show, carefully make a list of all the people who deserve a special thank you and have some appropriate gifts / flowers ready to give them in order to publicly say thank you.

14) AFTER SHOW PARTY

They do it in professional performances, why not do it after your children’s performance!