Membership

Membership of the Society is open to anyone over the age of 12. Classes of Membership are as follows:

Ordinary Member

Anyone aged 18 or over at the time of joining. Such members shall be entitled to take part in all productions and concerts presented by the Society and are eligible to vote at all general meetings.

Production Member

Anyone aged 18 or over at the time of joining. Such members shall be entitled to take part in one staged production by the Society. Membership is for the period of rehearsal and performances of that production only. Production Members are not eligible to vote at general meetings.

Junior Member

Anyone aged 17 or under at the time of joining. Such members shall be entitled to take part in all productions and concerts presented by the Society, subject to the requirements of the said production, but are not eligible to vote in general meetings.

Honorary Life Member

This type of membership is reserved for people who, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, have rendered special services to the Society over a period of time. Such members will be treated in all respects as an Ordinary Member and will be entitled to take part in all activities of the Society and are eligible to vote at all general meetings.

How do I become
a member of TOPS?

New members of all voices and ages are very welcome, as well as those whose talents are in the field of dance. If you wish to perform onstage you need to audition to join the Society and this short vocal audition is required to ascertain the voice group a potential member would be most comfortable in. Auditions for new members are usually held at the start of September, which is when the rehearsal process for a new show begins. Alternatively, in the case of our summer show, this process will take place in April.

If you would like to join TOPS but we have already started rehearsing for a show we are always looking for volunteers to help us backstage. You don't need any special skills and it's a great way of getting to know us prior to joining the Society as a performing member.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is involved in the Audition Process?

Principal auditions Auditions for principal roles are held on an individual basis in front of an audition panel including the Artistic Director, Musical Director and members of the TOPS Committee.

Chorus/Ensemble auditions The format of the chorus/ensemble auditions may vary for each show, but usually involve both movement and singing (occasionally solo) before the audition panel in small groups.

What costs are involved?

The membership year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Annual membership fees are reviewed each year and are currently £85 for full members (including show fees) for a complete year. Lesser amounts are charged to Production Members and Junior Members. Please enquire of the Secretary of the Society or the Treasurer.

Costumes, make-up and accessories

The Society will provide the main items of your costume for each show but you may also be asked to supply items of costumes, props and accessories. A full costume breakdown and checklist is provided to each member during the rehearsal period.

Scripts and Vocal Scores

Scores for the current show can be hired from the society. Librettos can be bought, and it is recommended that each person has their own. Books which have been borrowed must be kept in good order, and you must only write in them using a soft pencil, with any markings erased before their return.

When and where are Rehearsals?

Rehearsals are held in the United Reformed Church Hall, Bradleigh Avenue, Grays, PROMPTLY on Thursday evenings from 7.15pm to 10.00pm. Principals may be required on other occasions nearer the production and for chorus members some rehearsals are held on Sunday afternoons. A full timetable of dates is provided in the Members section of this site where there is also a full Rehearsal Schedule available for download.

Please note the following:

You will be required to phone a member of the Committee if you are unable to attend a rehearsal. Three consecutive absences without notification when the show is being floored, will result in exclusion. 75% attendance is required in order to take part in a show. TOPS expects commitment from its members; we owe the public, who are paying to see us, a high standard of performance that can only be achieved by full attendance.