Thanks to all for such discipline and enthusiasm during the last several rehearsals. We can't get complacent but the set construction, sound equipment installation, lighting design and installation, prop gathering, costume creation, etc. are all coming along reasonably well. Please give us what time you can to help with the set and the costumes over the next 2 weeks. Some cast members have not helped with construction and costumes at all. If this is you, please help us out.
Some major challenges remain:
1. Several ensemble members are still struggling with their lyrics and pick-ups. If you are struggling with knowing your lyrics and when you sing them you need to PRACTICE AND REVIEW ON YOUR OWN before every rehearsal from now on. We have too much to do to be held up because your are not practicing outside of full-cast rehearsals. Please don't let yourself and the rest of the cast down!
2. Everyone, ensemble and leads, should take some time and review your lyrics. Your goal should be 100% accuracy. We surely don't want to settle for "I was close." Some of you are quite skilled at "free-style-made-up lyrics" and "on-the-fly-harmonies." I am not trying to insult anyone or diminish how hard you have worked but not singing the lyrics as written causes problems for those that have to sing with, along, and after you! An easy way to check yourself is to ask fellow cast members what they are hearing from you.
3. Now that we have had a few rehearsals on the set we will begin adding and firmly setting much more business and characterization for everyone. In all rehearsals now, even if I have seemingly ignored you, please remember why your character is in a scene and what your character wants from the others on stage with you.
4. The next few rehearsals with the orchestra are likely to be challenging as we continue to set tempos, lengths of vamps, lead-ins, cut-offs, scene change cues, etc. As we rehearse with the orchestra, please remember that the CONDUCTOR SETS THE TEMPO FOR THE VOCALISTS... NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. There are some portions of songs where the conductor will guide the orchestra to follow a vocalist- but these are in very specific places which will be set by the conductor during rehearsals. PLAN TO SING WITH THE ORCHESTRA AS IF YOU WERE SINGING WITH A CD AS YOUR BACK-UP. YOU MUST ADJUST YOUR SINGING TO THE TEMPO OF THE ORCHESTRA AND YOU MUST LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE ORCHESTRA AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONDUCTOR.
5. 100% ATTENDANCE IS CRITICAL NOW TO THE SUCCESS OF THE SHOW. Those continuing to miss rehearsals are likely to be removed from the scenes they miss. Of course there are emergencies, work and life "issues" that come up, but you must keep me informed. If you can't reach me or Dan Snow (Stage Manager) in advance, make sure someone else (1) tells me why you are missing, and (2) is prepared to take notes for you. Some of the children in the cast, and some adults as well, have missed many rehearsals and should miss no more... their participation while continuing to miss so many rehearsals would be very unfair to those who have been committed, serious, and responsible about the rehearsal process.
6. THOSE CAST MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED THEIR CHARACTER SHEETS FOR THE DRAMA COACH (Chrissie) MUST DO SO BY NOVEMBER 1ST. If you choose not to complete this task you will not be performing to your full potential. The reason for this requirement is really quite simple... If your character does not have a "history" as described in your character sheet you, as a character in a story, can't know why your character is in a scene, how you got there, why you are there, and what you want by being there.
7. The rehearsals noted on your schedule as "To be announced" are going to be used for rehearsals. Please don't make plans for those dates. I will let you know the specifics for those dates as soon as I can.
Thanks for still dreaming the dream!
Peter
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
At the End of the Day...
WOW!
Okay Everybody, Here's where we are:
We have an abstract of the slums with broken building frame works and makeshift hovels that might have been thrown together as shelters for the street people. With the amazing lighting effects, the huge structures will represent each of our scenes for the prison, countryside, streets of Paris, red-light dock district, and even the wedding backdrop.
Remaining to be built: the 16-foot turntable and floor ramps, the orchestra platform flooring and front wall (thank you to Adam Clark for his framing work!)
With painting, finish work and dressing, it will be a working work of art!
Please alert Dan if you notice ANY safety issues or anything that needs repair. Nothing is ever more important at IT than the safety of any participants or audience members.
At this point, everyone should have their own boots or other approved shoes and should be wearing them at the rest of the rehearsals. Bring them and make sure they are approved by Terri or Peter. You will need to practice in them and identify any adjustments - don't be miserable for 20 performances! This is especially important if you have a dance scene or if you climb the towers...you should also start practicing in your skirts or any cumbersome costume items that your role requires...
About costumes:
The Main Thing is that YOU are responsible for your costume items and they do not belong to you. We will take photos of you in your costumes at the costume parade in the theater and you are responsible to look the same as the photo when you appear onstage.
1) Many of them are rented, and all of them required a volunteer to make them. Please use them with care. Always hang them up immediately after use. Costumes lying on the floor is one of our leading causes of death at the theater.
2) When we start dress rehearsals, Terri will advise the cast on weekly cleaning requirements for costumes. We do not eat or drink anything but water while wearing a costume. Bring a bib to drape over yourself if you need to!
3) If any costume item that has been given to you requires repair, write a note for Terri ASAP. We will need a few folks available for repairs during the run - so volunteer now!
Peter is renting some of the more realistic muskets for our heroic (however misguided) students. (He is so excited!) GUNS!
Adeline Penn and Laura Bonham have been gathering, gathering gathering! Thank you!
Please start using your props in rehearsal from now on.
Three main things to know about props:
1) ALWAYS return props to exactly where you got them as soon as you leave the stage. Every time. Always.
2) If a prop is not working or needs repair, tell the stage manager (DAN) as soon as possible - but still return it to its little home first.
3) NEVER, ever, ever remove, move, play with, or otherwise touch a prop that is not intended for your use. Not even a little bit. (Hint: if your excuse starts with "I was just...." then you are breaking this rule.)
If you are unsure of an issue or question regarding a prop, the answer is DON'T DO IT. Ask the property manager or the stage manager when in doubt. For further guidance, think of how it might feel to be walking on stage in front of a full house without your prop - drinking from a cup that isn't there, shooting an imaginary rifle, sweeping without a broom, etc.
Peter has ordered our gobos (like transparencies) that will shine on the curtain to show the Les Miserables logo and then the dates and city titles at the scene changes. It should help provide a reference for the audience and it will be cool! We have some special effects lights for water shimmer and for the ghost images. It's coming along. We will evaluate hair and makeup under the final lighting set ups as well.
Anyone is welcome to put in an ad to recognize their cast member or to congratulate the cast and crew personally, as well. Give a jpg file and check to IT! to Nancy in the office.
In addition, if your place of business would make a donation, we can also recognize them in the program with a thank you as a sponsor. All donations help - so please consider.
It's time to advertise the show, so put a notice in your newsletters and FaceBook pages. We are printing fliers and posters for distribution. We need people for the poster blitz as well.
Thank you! Tomorrow we'll discover what our God in Heaven has in store!
Okay Everybody, Here's where we are:
SET
Is it massive, or what?We have an abstract of the slums with broken building frame works and makeshift hovels that might have been thrown together as shelters for the street people. With the amazing lighting effects, the huge structures will represent each of our scenes for the prison, countryside, streets of Paris, red-light dock district, and even the wedding backdrop.
Remaining to be built: the 16-foot turntable and floor ramps, the orchestra platform flooring and front wall (thank you to Adam Clark for his framing work!)
With painting, finish work and dressing, it will be a working work of art!
Please alert Dan if you notice ANY safety issues or anything that needs repair. Nothing is ever more important at IT than the safety of any participants or audience members.
SOUND
The sound for this show is receiving more attention that any show we have ever produced. Peter ordered lots of area mics which were put to great use at the party on Saturday night. Sound issues were carefully reviewed at the tech meeting on Friday afternoon. Welcome aboard to our sound booth operator, Marrissa Berry! Marc Bonham has identifed the wireless mics we will need and is planning the sound check process.DRESSING ROOMS
Peter and his strapping minions, Beau and Ryan Hamilton have built two new dressing rooms and started a third in the lobby. We plan to be renting the Organ Room next door for our Actors' Green Room. The staircase under the orchestra mezzanine has been removed for additional space backstage, and the rear theater doors will be accessible for a covered actors' exit back to the dressing and green room area. Our Stage Manager, Dan Snow will be designing a pattern for backstage movement that everyone will follow to manage confusion with entrances and exits and to minimize backstage noise.HAIR and MAKEUP
Kathleen Mini and Tori Kientz will be carrying out evil hair and makeup designs on the cast. We plan to give each person a photo of their approved style to recreate for each performance. Plan on dirt and dirt removal. We will be working a plan to minimize dressing room congestion before the show by having folks get their initial makeup on before arriving, if possible. Stay tuned!COSTUMES
Terri and her henchmen/henchwomen are flying! Thank you to everyone for your cooperation and kindness to our award-winning Costume Queen. For an idea of the undertaking, she is designing and causing to exist costumes for 69 actors, many of whom have multiple changes. Please check with Terri's schedule for fittings and be sure to bring any items she has asked for. If you have questions, ASK!At this point, everyone should have their own boots or other approved shoes and should be wearing them at the rest of the rehearsals. Bring them and make sure they are approved by Terri or Peter. You will need to practice in them and identify any adjustments - don't be miserable for 20 performances! This is especially important if you have a dance scene or if you climb the towers...you should also start practicing in your skirts or any cumbersome costume items that your role requires...
About costumes:
The Main Thing is that YOU are responsible for your costume items and they do not belong to you. We will take photos of you in your costumes at the costume parade in the theater and you are responsible to look the same as the photo when you appear onstage.
1) Many of them are rented, and all of them required a volunteer to make them. Please use them with care. Always hang them up immediately after use. Costumes lying on the floor is one of our leading causes of death at the theater.
2) When we start dress rehearsals, Terri will advise the cast on weekly cleaning requirements for costumes. We do not eat or drink anything but water while wearing a costume. Bring a bib to drape over yourself if you need to!
3) If any costume item that has been given to you requires repair, write a note for Terri ASAP. We will need a few folks available for repairs during the run - so volunteer now!
PROPS
"Prop" is short for "Property" and refers to any item that is touched, carried, used or referenced by a character on stage. Items on stage that are not otherwise used or talked about by the actors are actually called Set Dressing. The difference is that while Set Dressing adds richness and completes a scene artistically, if it's missing the actors don't really look like idiots. If a prop is missing, the actor is stuck making up a reason why or miming its use. Which can create anxiety and throw off performances, etc. And gives Peter gray hair. Yes, even more.Peter is renting some of the more realistic muskets for our heroic (however misguided) students. (He is so excited!) GUNS!
Adeline Penn and Laura Bonham have been gathering, gathering gathering! Thank you!
Please start using your props in rehearsal from now on.
Three main things to know about props:
1) ALWAYS return props to exactly where you got them as soon as you leave the stage. Every time. Always.
2) If a prop is not working or needs repair, tell the stage manager (DAN) as soon as possible - but still return it to its little home first.
3) NEVER, ever, ever remove, move, play with, or otherwise touch a prop that is not intended for your use. Not even a little bit. (Hint: if your excuse starts with "I was just...." then you are breaking this rule.)
If you are unsure of an issue or question regarding a prop, the answer is DON'T DO IT. Ask the property manager or the stage manager when in doubt. For further guidance, think of how it might feel to be walking on stage in front of a full house without your prop - drinking from a cup that isn't there, shooting an imaginary rifle, sweeping without a broom, etc.
LIGHTS
Dave Patrick, our award-winning lighting designer is ready to get to work.Peter has ordered our gobos (like transparencies) that will shine on the curtain to show the Les Miserables logo and then the dates and city titles at the scene changes. It should help provide a reference for the audience and it will be cool! We have some special effects lights for water shimmer and for the ghost images. It's coming along. We will evaluate hair and makeup under the final lighting set ups as well.
PROGRAMS and ADVERTISING
We need a few folks to get program ads. If your place of work is a potential advertiser, we want to talk to you! Business-card size ads are $50. Half-page size is $150 and full-page is $200.Anyone is welcome to put in an ad to recognize their cast member or to congratulate the cast and crew personally, as well. Give a jpg file and check to IT! to Nancy in the office.
In addition, if your place of business would make a donation, we can also recognize them in the program with a thank you as a sponsor. All donations help - so please consider.
It's time to advertise the show, so put a notice in your newsletters and FaceBook pages. We are printing fliers and posters for distribution. We need people for the poster blitz as well.
Thank you! Tomorrow we'll discover what our God in Heaven has in store!
Monday, September 30, 2013
We've taken over the Theater!
What an experience to open the doors to the theater after the final curtain call of DeathTrap Sunday afternoon and see an army of 50+ people ready march in to strike the set and move in the towers and the barricade!
It brought a tear to the director's eye.
Thank you to all who worked so hard organizing costumes, props and moving heavy set pieces. The kids moved lots of materials and folded drop cloths and put stuff away! Onward!
There's lots more to do!
We have some photos we'll be sharing soon.
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