Kaleidoscope Series FAQ
Dear Administrators, Teachers, and Parents:
The staff at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center welcomes you to Allen Hospital’s Kaleidoscope Series for Youth. Thank you for allowing the Gallagher-Bluedorn to serve as a resource and tool for your classroom. The staff will make every effort to ensure your visit to our facility is educational, engaging, and enjoyable
Our goal is to provide you and your students with the best cultural experience and curriculum enhancement possible. We thank you for your interest in Allen Hospital’s Kaleidoscope Series for Youth and look forward to you visiting our classroom – the Great Hall of Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, where inspiration becomes a reality.
Come, and be inspired,
Amy Hunzelman
Director of Education and Special Programs
Kaleidoscope Series Frequently Asked Questions
What are the arrival procedures (arrival, unloading, parking)?
- It is suggested that your group arrive 20-30 minutes prior to the start of the performance. Buses will utilize the frontage road for drop-off. Buses will be greeted by GBPAC staff and will direct the driver to parking and the process for pick-up. Also, groups will be dismissed by bus number after the performance, escorted by an usher to the appropriate bus. Follow this link for driving directions http://www.gbpac.com/about/maps.shtml
- If you are driving separately in a personal car or school van, you do NOT need a parking voucher like previous years. These vehicles are able to park in the B lot, which is located south of the GBPAC and University Avenue. Vehicles parked here for Kaleidoscope shows will not be ticketed. Handicapped parking in the metered lot just north of the GBPAC is available for private cars and vans that have submitted such a special needs request. However, this space does fill up, so it is recommended to arrive early as well as notify staff monitoring the lot. (If it is full, feel free to drop off guests with special needs and proceed to park in lot B.)
Where do we sit?
- When you arrive for the performance, present the voucher to an usher and he/she will direct your group to your assigned seats. Seating is pre-arranged and based on age, specials needs of students, and the size of the group -- not in order of date your order was received. Please understand that the location of these seats will vary from show to show. Seating Charts are set by our Education Department approximately 1 week prior to the event. It is your priority to seat students with special needs first and then by grade level. Groups from the same school will be seated together except in extraordinary circumstances. Late comers will be seated at the discretion of our staff as not to disrupt the performance.
What if I’m home schooled?
- The Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center is pleased to offer programs to area Home school families. Please park lot B, which is south of the GBPAC and University Ave. No parking voucher is needed. Limited handicapped parking may be available in the metered lot north of the GBPAC for groups that have submitted such a special needs request. Groups that arrived in a car or van will be dismissed first followed by groups using bus transportation when the show has ended.
- When you arrive at the Gallagher-Bluedorn, proceed to the center of the lobby (there is a pink circle on the floor) where an usher will distribute handouts such as bookmarks and evaluation form and show you to your designated seats. Typically, all home schooled groups are seated together. Be advised that audience members should be at least four years of age. Please be considerate of the rest of the audience if you accompany infants or toddlers. If your child is crying or displaying other distracting behaviors, exit to the lobby.
Can you accommodate a group with special needs?
- We offer a number of services for patrons with special needs, including wheelchair accessible seating, American Sign Language interpretation, and hearing assisted devices. Please make note of your group’s special needs on the order form or by calling 319-273-7469 at least 2 weeks prior to the show to ensure availability of your requested service. Upon request, appropriate performances will be interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL).
How long does the performance last?
- Kaleidoscope Series performances vary in length but most range from 45-75 minutes. When scheduling buses, please take into account the added time necessary for dismissal from the theatre and loading buses. The length of your specific show should be listed under its description at http://www.gbpac.com/outreach/kaleidoscope/index.shtml
What is appropriate show etiquette?
- Most of the Kaleidoscope shows are designed to encourage audience participation and many of the performances thrive on the students being actively involved, but it is important to remind your students of a few basic etiquette rules.
- Remember, these are live performers and distracting behavior in the audience can distract them from doing their job. Clap at times when it is appropriate, to thank a performer or to follow a performers instructions. Food and drinks are not permitted in the Great Hall. Please do not allow students to bring cameras or recording devices.
- Please have the chaperones sit among the students rather than together as this helps monitor student behavior. If a student is being disruptive, please take the initiative to lead them out of the hall so others can continue to enjoy the show. Students that exit to the lobby must be supervised.
What types of classroom extension opportunities are there?
- We offer study guides and curriculum materials for every Kaleidoscope Series performance. They can be downloaded by following the Kaleidoscope/Outreach links and locating your particular performance. Each study guide includes show specific supplements to your classroom curriculum and will assist in preparing your students for a positive theatre experience. http://www.gbpac.com/outreach/kaleidoscope/index.shtml
- For selected shows, you can also engage your students both before and after the Kaleidoscope performance by having a member of our Kaleidoscope Connections Education Team visit you classroom to implement activities and discussions related to the performance. Learn more by visiting http://www.gbpac.com/outreach/kaleidoscope/connections.shtml
What if my group would like to arrange lunch or other activities while we are on the UNI campus?
- Bring a sack lunch and enjoy eating at the UNI-Dome on Kaleidoscope days. Reservations are required. Contact Sarah Harms at (319) 273-7050 at least one week in advance to make arrangements to eat bag lunches on campus before returning to your school. Earlier notice is preferred. If they are unable to accommodate your group, please contact Amy Hunzelman at 319-273-3679.
- See our “Make a Day of It” link http://www.gbpac.com/outreach/kaleidoscope/makeaday.shtml for more information on the many education opportunities for students on the UNI campus.
What is admission?
- The Kaleidoscope Series is “A Buck a Kid”. Teacher, chaperone, and bus driver seats are also just $1 per ticket. Please include the number of adults along with students that will be attending in your order.
What shows did I get into or was placed on the waiting list for?
- Check our online listing at http://www.gbpac.com/outreach/kaleidoscope/index.shtml to see if you got into all of the shows you ordered. If the show(s) you requested are sold out, you will receive a telephone call and/or e-mail telling you that your group has been placed on a waiting list. These waiting lists can also be viewed at the above website. If seating becomes available, groups will be contacted by telephone in the order in which their registration was received. If you are still unsure as to your group’s status for a performance, please contact the ticket office. Ticketing for this series is done by Molly Hackenmiller. Please direct all calls with needs beyond your knowledge to her.
What are the policies for confirmation and payment for Kaleidoscope shows?
- The contact person on the order form will receive a confirmation letter approximately 8 weeks prior to each show. A deadline will be stated for changes in attendance and final payment. This letter should be used as an invoice. The contact person is responsible for forwarding this paperwork to the school’s finance office for processing. These are both due no later than 30 days prior to the event. Purchase orders must be paid by the due date listed on the confirmation letter. Payments can be made with check, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express) or school purchase order. After payment is received, reductions cannot be made to your reservation.
- Once confirmation and payment is received, the contact person will be mailed a ticket voucher approximately 2 weeks prior to the performance. This voucher will act as your group’s ticket to the show.
What is the Kaleidoscope cancelation and exchange policy?
- Refunds will only be given if an event is cancelled by the GBPAC. Cancellations of shows due to weather will follow actions of the Waterloo and Cedar Falls school districts. If schools in your area are closed and you are unable to make it to a performance due to inclement weather, you must notify the ticket office within one day of the performance in order to receive a credit to a future show. Because we are unable to resell reserved seats, no refunds will be issued for unused seats on the day of the performance, including student illnesses.
- If a school is officially closed on the day of the performance, due to weather or other matters out of your control, the GBPAC will allow an exchange for another Kaleidoscope performance within the same season or credit for the following season. Official notice must be made from the school’s contact within one business day of the original performance before any adjustment can be made.
If I have additional questions, who are the Kaleidoscope contacts?
Amy Hunzelman, Director of Education and Outreach
(319) 273-3679
amy.hunzelman@uni.edu
Molly Hackenmiller, Assistant Director of UNItix
(319) 273-3682
molly.hackenmiller@uni.edu
Thank you for participating in the Kaleidoscope Series. We look forward to welcoming you to the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center this season!
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