Friday, 7/18 hugging circle

HISTORY
The Hugging Circle started in Youth Theatre before any one person can remember. This tradition is to bring the cast together and to define when the preparation for the show is to begin and to leave everything else behind. The seniors are fully in charge of this event and this is the time to make any announcements to the rest of the cast, to scold and re-lay down the rules, to give encouragement, and to decide on gifts and cards to thank the crew members.
RULES
The hugging circle is formed starting at the dress rehearsals and not before, and continue to and through the strike party.
The crew members are not allowed in the hugging circle, only the cast, until the strike party. At the end of the strike party everyone may assemble in the "last hugging circle" who was involved with the play in anyway.
As suggested in the title everyone gathers in a circle in a space big enough to accommodate everyone. The lead characters must be aligned in one spot of the circle.
The seniors make their announcements (usually decided before hand on what should be mentioned). This can include collecting money for crew gifts and also a mention of when and where to sign cards (usually as they leave the hugging circle towards the dressing room) and anything else the crew has said or other points of interest.(Remember to ask if there is anything else or any questions.)
Once the announcements are finished, whoever has been asked to say a prayer will begin.
The hugging then commences with the first lead in line and one by one each person follows the line around the circle to give each cast member a hug and a sign of a prosperous show along with a few encouraging words. Keep quiet, it is only between you and the person you are wishing to do well.
Remember never to say the dreaded GL word (you may use Break-a-leg, have a great show, give it your best, or anything else you can think of).
The oldest male senior is to have a variety of certs and plenty for each member, as he continues around the circle he offers the certs to each cast member and they each take one.