Bethlehem Express | Grades 2-3
Montgomery Community Church Performance Dates:
December 4, 2026 at 7:30pm
Do you hear that train whistle?? Time to get your ticket and hop on board for this trip to a live nativity filled with unexpected surprises along the way.
We invite you to join us aboard the Bethlehem Express. We promise you a great journey, but we can’t guarantee a smooth ride! You’ll experience some unplanned stops along the way to “fix” the train. These frustrating break-downs to repair the “whatcha-ma-call-it” and the “thinga-ma-bob” aren’t part of the plan… or are they??!! Each stop makes our passengers feel like they are getting farther and farther away from the nativity, when in fact, each stop and person they meet along the way is bringing them closer and closer to discovering the real meaning of Christmas.
Appropriate for all ages.
Visit this link for the CHCA Theatre Production streaming links. After the video recording has been edited, you will be able to purchase a streaming link (that is good forever) here. We will send an email to the Cast and Crew when it’s available for purchase.
Audition Information
There is no registration is UltraCamp, and the fees are covered by FOFA for this production.
- Grade 2 Students: There is nothing you must do to register. Grade 2 students are automatically involved in this production as a part of music class.
- Grade 3 Students: You are also automatically involved as part of the ensemble/chorus. However, if you would like to audition for a speaking role, solo, or dance role, you must sign up using the Audition SignUp Genius link: Audition SignUp Genius
- Preparing for Your Audition: Auditions will be on Monday, September 21, 2026 from 3:30-7:15 in the EBL Music Room. Sheet music for the solo audition and script excerpt for the acting audition are below.
- Workshop for Dancers: If 3rd grade students are interested in auditioning for a dance role, they need to attend the Dance Workshop after school on Monday, September 14, led by Holly Getter and Ally Wallace. The video of the audition dance will then be posted to this homepage by Wednesday, September 16 for students to practice at home.
Important Dates
Audition Sign Up Opens: September 1, 2026
Parent Info Video Posted: September 9, 2026
Dance Workshop: September 14, 2026 in EBL music room
Audition dance practice video posted: September 15, 2026
Audition Registration closes: September 20, 2026
Auditions for all part types: September 21, 2026 1, 2026 3:30-7:00 p.m.
Cast announced: September 25, 2026b
First Rehearsal: October 5, 2026, 3:15-4:30 p.m.
Rehearsal every Monday and Thursday: (when we are in school) October 5, 2026 – November 11, 2026
Happy Grams available for purchase: November 1, 2026 – December 2, 2026
Rehearsal
Rehearsals for the musical will be every Monday and Thursday from October 5 - November 23 unless there is a day we are not in school. No school means no rehearsal. Rehearsals will be 3:15-4:30 and pickup will be in the lower circle. The week of the show we will rehearse during the day at MCC. The after-school rehearsals are only for students that auditioned for special parts; students who did not audition and are therefore in the choir should not come to the after-school rehearsals. Students coming to rehearsals may bring a small snack to eat at the beginning of rehearsal. The rehearsal calendar is below.
Questions? Email us at Emaline.Rider@chca-oh.org.
Parents
Parent Volunters
Parents, please sign up using the link below.
Parent Volunteer Job Descriptions:
- Costume Fitter – a parent that can come in during the school day a couple days in November to help students try on nativity costumes
- Afternoon Runner – someone available from 1-2:45 to run back and forth between MCC and EBL to get costumes, supplies, and possibly copies to the church, may need to walk students to and from bathroom
- Prop Delivery – Transports props from EBL to MCC for rehearsals
- Morning Runner – someone available from 10-11am on listed rehearsal day to run props, costumes, happy grams to church, also available to walk students to and from bathroom
- Sell Happy Grams – Sell happy grams at MCC the night of the show
- Happy Gram sort and delivery – Monday or Tuesday after the musical come to music room to sort all happy grams by class and student then deliver them to classrooms
Meet the Directors
Emaline Rider
General Music Teacher Gr K-4
Emaline Rider is in her 9th year at CHCA as the K-4 general music teacher. She is married and has a two-year-old at CHCA and another little one on the way. Emaline earned her bachelor’s degree in Preschool-12th grade vocal music education from Northern Kentucky University and has worked with various church music programs since high school. She is passionate about using music to help children express themselves and use their God-given talents.