EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MTCA

TEEN


Medical info

All medicines, down to simple cough drops, are to be reported to staff via the form we will provide closer to the trip. Many medications can and should stay with your child while others will be handled by the adults responsible for them for everyone’s safety.

MEDICINE THAT YOUR TEEN KEEPS WITH THEM

Life-saving medication such as epipens and inhalers and insulin should be kept with the teen at all times but must be shown to the chaperone (JRs) or Maile (Teens) and the bag containing it will be given a special pink polka dot ribbon so it can be found quickly in an emergency.

Medicine that you are in no way concerned about being abused (Tylenol for example) can stay with the student but please let teh chaperone (JRs) or Maile (Teens) know about it.

MEDICINE CHECKED IN WITH STAFF/CHAPERONE

Any medicine that you are even remotely concerned could be stolen or abused by another teen should be checked in through us. To do this you put the medicine in a ziplock. On a notecard inside the ziplock include the following info: teen’s name, medication name and dosage, what the medication is for and when it is to be given. Then the ziplock will be given directly to your to Staff member: Maile


FOOD ORDERS

We provide the following meals food ordered via link below once it goes live (link is not live yet):

  • Dinner Thursday

  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Friday

  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Saturday

  • Breakfast Sunday

  • Breakfast Monday

You pack and/or purchase at airports and theme parks the following meals

  • LOTS OF SNACKS

  • Dinner Thursday

  • Lunch and Dinner Sunday

  • Lunch and Dinner Monday

NOTE: This link is not live yet, I will let you know when it is



BIG DETAILS: 

Hotel: Hilton Anaheim, 777 Convention Way, Anaheim CA 92802 (714) 750-4321

Dropoff Airport/Flights OAK to SNA Thursday

Midday Thursday (TIME TBD) Dropoff at Oakland airport Southwest Departures Terminal

OAK to SNA Thursday 2/6 Time TBD (Flight TBD)

Pick Up (Teens) 

Time TBD Monday Pick up Oakland airport at the Southwest baggage carousels

SNA to OAK Monday 2/10 Time TBD (Flight TBD)


IMPORTANT INFO: 

No checked baggage, bring empty water bottles, pack lots of nut-free snacks, travel size liquids only

You MUST have a backpack every day (we will even color code them) 

Medicines checked in with chaperones/staff on arrival

Don’t forget your costumes, props and Jazz shoes!

Clean clothes and deodorant are not optional

Team jacket is not optional (no other jackets are necessary) 


COMMUNICATION WHILE AT COMP

We will have one group chat that is all the Teens and Staff and one that is all the chaperones

You must be responsive to your group chat unless you are performing or watching a performance 


WHAT’S IN YOUR BACKPACK

  • Refillable water bottle

  • Nut free snacks

  • Makeup and hair supplies for touch ups

  • Jazz shoes

  • Costume if required that day. 

  • Money to purchase merch or extra snacks or food at amusement parks

  • Starlight Jacket (if it’s not on your body) 

  • Device and speaker to play your music (if needed that day) 

  • Charger for device (if needed that day) 

  • Schedule


HOW PHONES WORK 

No one, not staff, chaperone or student should ever have their phones out during a performance unless it is to video our kids.  Teens are allowed to have phones with them as long as they use them responsibly. Phones should be on silent (not even vibrate) the entire weekend.  Phones are used to play music for your solos.  


HOW FOLLOWING OUR EVERY MOVE AND WATCHING THE SHOW WORKS

For the majority of the updates and pics though, follow our posts on instagram and in the band app.  We will also be livestreaming the group numbers on our instagram so you can watch us in real time. 


HOW TO PREPARE THE WEEK BEFORE

* Pack early so it’s done and triple checked

* Go over your music and choreo in your head EVERY NIGHT as you fall asleep. 

* SELF CARE! Sleep well, eat well, make healthy choices in the week leading up to comp, avoid injuries and big crowded events. DO NOT GET COVID!!! 

* Practice Makeup/Hair


WHAT TO EXPECT

WHAT TO EXPECT: AT THE AIRPORT

* Expect hardcore strict rules, we keep you in our sight every second. Stay with the group. Teens must always be in pairs. You must wear only your Starlight shirt and Starlight Jacket.  We move together through the security check and together to our gate. Then and only then can we break off into pairs to grab food and come back to the gate to eat, use restroom etc before we board. When we board Chelsea and Shelby will get on first to count everyone as we get on, chaperones will board with their groups, Kevin and Kiersten will get on and off last to make sure everyone boards/deboards.  You can sit with any friends you want to.  Each time we pause to regroup Maile will call out each color for the Teens.  ONLY THE TEAM CAPTAIN will respond that that entire color group is present. 

WHAT TO EXPECT: AT THE COMPETITION

* Organized chaos! You will have a crazy schedule.  Everything happens inside the hotel we are staying at, we never leave except to sit outside and eat. 

* At any given time there will be a room running performances for ensembles, a room running performances for showstoppers (called showtunes) a room running Freshman vocal solos etc etc etc.  Plus there will be workshops you can sign up for throughout the day.  Teens will have the freedom to move from activity to activity as they please.  They cannot leave the building for any reason, cannot go to their rooms without staff permission and cannot go anywhere without a buddy. 

* When you are about to do your solo/duet etc, find a quiet spot with a buddy teens to warm up together and run your piece in front of your team.  

* We will have scheduled rehearsals and warmups for our big numbers.  

WHAT TO EXPECT: AT KNOTTSBERRY FARM / DISNEYLAND

* In the morning we will arrive, rush around to try to ride one ride then meet in the back for the awards

* Prepare your hearts now, this is NOT dance competition, we will not ALL win everything, its ok

* Within the park you will have freedom to do what you want (as long as you are with a buddy). Do not forget to eat and hydrate. Make responsible choices and HAVE FUN.

* When it’s time to go that leaving time is FIRM.  I do not care if you have to step out of line or abandon a purchase, DO NOT make the team wait for you. 

* Have fun! Stay with a buddy.  If you are caught alone in the park without a buddy you will be sent back to the hotel or made to sit on a bench holding hands with Chelsea for the rest of the day.  


Rough Schedule 

Day 1, Thursday 2/6

  • All (staff, chaperones, Jrs, and teens) meet at OAK airport and fly down to SNA

  • All take private shuttles from SNA to the Hilton Anaheim (hotel) and check in/get settled

  • Cattle Call audition (Teens required, JRs optional )

Day 2, Friday 2/7

  • All attend opening ceremony

  • All spend full day at competition at the hotel (includes performance, solos, duets, workshops, etc.)

  • Those who were selected in open Cattle Call attend rehearsals

Day 3, Saturday 2/8

  • All spend full day at competition at the hotel (includes performance, solos, duets, workshops, etc.)

  • Those who were selected in open Cattle Call attend rehearsals

  • All attend concert

  • All attend MTCA dance party or have downtime

Day 4, Sunday 2/9

  • All are transported from the hotel to Knotts Berry Farms for awards ceremony

  • Jrs and Chaperones stay at Knotts for tons of fun

  • Teens and Staff are transported from Knotts to Disneyland for tons of fun and then back to the hotel for the night

Day 5, Monday 2/10

  • Teens and Staff spend the day at Disneyland

  • Teens and Staff are transported from Disneyland to the hotel to grab their bags and then to SNA

  • Teens and Staff fly home and are

picked up by parents from OAK


PACKING LIST

FOR THE COMP

  • Costumes for Teen Comp (we will go over exactly what in detail in January)

  • Costumes for Teen Theatre (we will go over exactly what in detail in January)

  • Costumes for Showstopper if you are in it (we will go over exactly what in detail in January)

  • Costume for Solo/duet/etc 

  • Any props you are responsible for

  • If you are doing Design don’t forget to bring your work

  • Jazz Shoes

  • Speaker with charger

CLOTHING

(NOTE: YOU MUST TRAVEL IN STARLIGHT CLOTHING ONLY, at airport I ONLY want to see Starlight jackets and your Starlight shirt

  • Teal Starlight shirt for Thursday (will be provided for you in January) 

  • Comfortable shirt for Friday when not performing

  • Something bright or sparkly to wear to Cattle Call Audition

  • Comfortable shirt for Saturday when not performing

  • Dressy/sparkly outfit for dance party Saturday Night if you plan to attend

  • Show shirt for Sunday at theme park and airport (provided for you in January)

  • Optional: Disney or any comfy shirt for Disneyland on Monday

  • Any Starlight shirt for travel home on Monday (not optional) 

  • Comfortable shoes you can walk in a LOT (Not crocs or flip flops) sneakers are good

  • Comfortable bottoms (clean new ones for every day) 

  • Starlight Team Jacket (Required) 

  • Clean socks and undergarments (clean new ones for every day)

  • Swimsuit 

  • PJ’s

BAGGAGE 

  • Carry on suitcase  (NOTHING WILL BE CHECKED) 

  • Backpack to carry everything in daily around the comp and park (NOT OPTIONAL)

  • Helpful tip: Get large ziplocks, prepack and label each one by day or competition number

  • Helpful tip: Once you have emptied one, use it for dirty clothes

  • Helpful tip: Label easy to lose clothing items with your name/number. All Jazz shoes look alike

OTHER (do NOT bring any jewelry or valuables of any kind!) 

  • Deodorant (NOT OPTIONAL) 

  • Sunscreen

  • Toothbrush/Toothpaste 

  • Stage Makeup 

  • Hair Products/styling tools

  • Medication (if necessary) * please be ready to pull this out at airport

  • Water Bottle (without water!) 

  • Personal Device

  • Charger for your personal Device

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Mask just in case

  • Money for meals & spending at pop-ups and in Knotts/Disney (Knotts is Cashless!!! ) 

  • Snacks! Lots of them! Nut free please! 

  • Retainer, contacts, contact solution, orthodontal case etc if applicable

  • Optional: Gum (for plane ONLY) 

  • Optional: Earplugs or sound canceling headphones

  • Optional: Something to flavor your water like emergen-C or mio, we will provide water only


WHAT TO WEAR/PACK EACH DAY

Thursday (Wear): Teal Starlight shirt (will be provided for you in January), Starlight Jacket

Thursday (Pack): Bright clothing for Cattle Call Audition

Friday (Wear): Any shirt, Costumes for Friday pieces (we don’t know yet), Starlight Jacket, Audition Outfit

Friday (Pack): Any Costumes or props needed for Friday, Lipstick, Water, Snacks, Schedule, Jazz Shoes, Hand sanitizer

   

Sat (Wear): Comfortable shirt, Costumes for Saturday pieces, (we don’t know yet), Starlight Jacket

Sat (Pack): Any Costumes or props needed for Saturday, Lipstick, Water, Snacks, Schedule, Jazz Shoes, Hand sanitizer

   

Sunday (Wear): Show Shirt (will be provided for you in January), Starlight Jacket

Sunday (Pack) : Water, Snacks, Schedule, Hand sanitizer, $$ Card (Knotts is cashless), cash (or card) for food at Disney

   

Monday (Wear): Any Starlight shirt for airport (yes you can wear a Disney shirt etc at park), Starlight Jacket

Monday (Pack): Water, Snacks, Schedule, Hand sanitizer, cash (or card) for Disney

   

Wear Every Day: Comfortable shoes you can walk in a LOT (Not crocs or flip flops) sneakers are good, Comfortable bottoms (clean new ones for every day), Clean socks and undergarments



THE RULES

  1. Stay together. Don’t lose us and we won’t lose you! No leaving Park or hotel without STAFF.  You must have at least 1 person with you at all times

  2. RESPECT RESPECT RESPECT - yourself, directors, other students and those around you

  3. No abusing drugs (prescription or other) and NO alcohol

  4. No smoking or vaping anything. This includes vaping with or without nicotine. It doesn’t matter if you are old enough, you are not old enough here

  5. All medications must be checked in with Staff/chaperones upon arrival at the airport.

  6. No sexual activity.

  7. No one is allowed in anyone’s room except their own. Stay in your room after curfew.

  8. Take personal responsibility. Appropriate behaivior is expected at all times.

  9. Never be undressed outside of the bathroom of your hotel room.  Your designated chaperone or staff member may enter (when appropriate or in case of emergency) and they need to know they can safely enter without seeing an undressed minor for your safety and their’s. 

  10. When you are scheduled to be somewhere whether it’s a rehearsal or a meetup to leave a park, you are there ON TIME no matter what ride you miss or shopping you abandon. 

    Any violation of these rules, or if the Starlight staff feels that any student poses a threat to themselves, or to others, the Starlight staff has the right to send home that student at the expense of said student’s parents. The student who is sent home must be accompanied by a Starlight staff member and this expense will be paid for by the student’s parents.  Students must respond appropriately to directions given by Starlight staff, Chaperones, Festival staff and theme park staff. Students sent home from competition will receive a lifetime ban from Starlight.


Teen Rooming List!

WILL BE POSTED HERE LATER


EMERGENCY CONTACTS

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