Off to a good start...

Hello all...

Things are going very well in rehearsals for Into the Woods. Here are a few things I want everyone to keep in mind:

1. Please check with Debbie or email me if you have any more conflicts that pop up. Or, there is an easier solution... Don't have any more conflicts! If anything comes up unexpectedly, please let someone on the production staff know ASAP, but other than that the conflicts listed on the initial sheet should be it.

2. Singing is the number one priority right now. If you are scheduled for a vocal and blocking rehearsal at the same time, go to the vocal rehearsal (just let me know where you are.) There will be plenty of time to catch up on blocking later. The score is tough, and that is where your focus should be right now.

3. ADS! Some ads have been trickling in, but not many. Please remember your responsibility to the company to go to the businesses you signed up for. I will be checking with all of you on Friday to see what businesses you have gone to, and which ones you will be going to over the weekend!

4. This weekend: There will be no dance rehearsal on Sat. 9/27. This would be a great time for everyone to go out and get ads, or join Angrette, Stagecraft, and I at build. We will be working on Sat. and Sun. from 9 - 5. If you would like to be involved in the creation of your set, we would really appreciate your help.

I hope everyone is having fun so far, and if you have any questions or concerns about rehearsals, ads, or anything at all, don't hesitate to ask.

Peace.

-Schrauf.

P.S. Ryan says hello to everyone, and misses working on a show with all of you. How do I know this, you ask? Because he calls me EVERY DAY! :o)

Getting ready to go Into the Woods

Well... It's about that time again.

I hope everyone is excited to come back and get to work on the first show of the year! Here are a couple of thoughts I had as I sat in my office putting together the audition materials:

1. The score is hard. Please start practicing your audition pieces as early as possible. They will be available online sometime next week, and on the callboard definitely by the first day of school. Also, we are going to need very talented student musicians to play the score. So, if you have an extremely talented friend that plays an instrument in band or orchestra, please encourage them to sign up for the pit.

2. Casting and roles. There are only 20 parts in the show - all principal or featured roles. This show does not lend itself well to a chorus. Don't let this discourage you from auditioning, but please make sure to bring your "A" game to auditions. Although all the characters are based on famous fairy tales, they require a lot of depth, both comedic and dramatic.

3. This show has a very special place in my heart, as it was one of my first major shows as a young actor. I'm really looking forward to it; and I have some interesting ideas (I think.)

If you have any questions, feel free to email me or check out the HGHS Theatre Co. webpage. Also, get the word out! Start talking up auditions, and encourage your friends to come out.

I will see you all right after Labor Day. Have a great "rest of your" summer.

-Schrauf

2008 HGHS Theatre Company Award Winners

In case you missed the ceremony in June, here are the recipients of this year's Theatre Awards (and the nice things I had to say about each of them:)

It is said that truly gifted artists need to be keen observers of life and nature. For an actor, he/she must be a keen observer of human behavior. I believe this to be true of our first award recipient. Unlike many actors, he does not need to feel the need to star in the “me show” while not on stage. I have even heard some teachers and other students describe him as quiet or introspective. I believe this is true because he is carefully observing and studying why people do what they do. It is when he is on stage that he brings all of this life and knowledge to the surface. On stage he is at his most dynamic. If anyone has seen any of his performances, especially that of Billy in Carousel last year, they know this to be true. In addition, he has the amazing talent of growing facial hair, which is a dream for a director working solely with teenagers. And so, for all these reasons, the first recipient of the Melissa J. Rubin Award for Outstanding Creativity in Theatre goes to Ted Caywood.

It is also said that strong actors make strong, bold choices. The next recipient has never been scared to take these risks, either emotionally or physically; if you saw his portrayal of John Merrick in The Elephant Man, you know what I’m talking about. In four years he has allowed me to dye his hair, shave his head, soak him with water causing him to freeze on stage, have his fellow actors pummel him with metal engine parts, and he even allowed me to behead him. This in addition to playwriting, producing, directing, and being the art director and business manager of the Theatre Co. has made for four busy years. And so the second recipient of the Melissa J. Rubin Award goes to one of the most honest and genuine students I have ever known, A.J. Perlin.

In terms of shop safety, there are a few rules in which to abide. Two of these are don’t let anything impair your vision, like long, unkempt hair that Eckhaus cuts once every 6 months, or loose clothing that might either get caught in tools or simply just fall off. However, our next award recipient did not let these two oversights get in the way of being a fantastic Technical Director of the Theatre Co. this year. Unlike most students, Jake had a seven day school week 8 out of the 10 months this year. His Saturdays and Sundays were spent, lifting, cutting, drilling, routering, gluing, building, hanging, cleaning, and all after making sure to pick up coffee and donuts on the way in. Through all of this, he seemed to keep his, and everyone’s spirits up by balancing by mixing dedication with a great deal of humor and just the right amount of sketch. So, the first recipient of the Theatre. Co. Award for outstanding contribution in Technical Theatre goes to Jacob Izraeli Watson.

If you happened to be passing through the halls of B Building during tech week, more affectionately known as Hell Week, and heard the cries of the sweat shop labor and witnessed children cutting fabric and sewing costumes, our next recipient was responsible. Clearly, she is a strong leader, this was also apparent from her role as Producer of SpringFest this past week. However, unlike real sweatshops, these children wanted to help her. Because they respect her, and because of her good hearted nature, her friends were more than willing to help. And maybe it is also because they knew she was responsible for how good or horrendous they were going to look on stage. She is truly a gifted costume designer, and so our next recipient for Outstanding Contribution in Technical Theatre is Kate Fulop.

A very well renowned acting teacher once asked our class why we did this – this thing called theatre. One student, thankfully not me, responded “because we love it.” She responded by saying that love is not enough. You do it because you have to, because you need to. You do it because you can’t see yourself doing anything else. In the past four years the next student has given up friends, family functions, social functions, and many other things that many teenagers take for granted; not because she wanted to, but because she had to. In doing this she has become the first true stage manager that I have seen here in the past 5 years. She is truly dedicated and takes pride in her work. Otherwise why would she choose to spend so much time with yours truly. And so, the final recipient of the Technical Theatre Award goes to Emily Suskin.

A couple of words to describe our final award recipient might include loud, fun, dedicated, loud, committed, talented… did I mention loud. In fact a student recently came into my office and asked “Is Ryan here?” to which another student responded “Do you hear him?” To his credit though, Ryan might be loud, but he has also found a voice that commands attention and demands respect. As the Asst. Producer and Director of the Theatre Company, he came to know what I expected from him, and how to communicate those expectations to the cast and crew. In addition, he was able to live up to his titles – he got things done. Whether it was raising money, organizing ads, procuring props or scenery, or making sure I had eaten, Ryan was the go-to guy and was able make it all happen. And so, the award for Leadership in the Theatre goes to Ryan Tunick.

Lastly, Constantine Stanislavski said that dramatic art, like all other arts which hold a mirror up to life requires talent, study and self perfection. Whether as a member of the Theatre Co. or Senior Musical you have all proven your talent and your want to study, so now I wish you all the best on your paths to self-perfection.

All the best in the future

- Schrauf

Senior Musical Director's Notes from 4/9/2008

Director’s Notes from 4/9/08

Dane Run trick with Anna (and me) before the show.
Say “The Royal Court…” then cut the band off.
Refold the trick blanket.
“OR” a newt on the root…
Catch grapes from Harper.
Present the crown to Phae.
Move your hand once you turn the chair on.

Harper Throw grapes to Dane.
Face downstage for the stabbing scene. Don’t look at Ted.
Get under the covers.
Give the torch back after the ensemble whispers.

Ted Don’t reach so much with the map. Just point.
Stand up, then pull the knife out.

Corey After the duck dies, get rid of it.
Lose both the shirt and vest in the finale.

Howard Can Dane’s cut off for the band come after he says “The Royal Court…?”

Ensemble Michelle P. – take baby off with you.
Glory S. – Enter on the beat. Balance yourselves.
Don’t hit the curtains!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“With You” – Girls whip your hair around!
Eric M. – Be happy, then sad with “Now?”
Jason R. – Grab the needlepoint with the chair.
Virginia and Ryan – footed tights.
Don’t talk in the hallway, lobby, or on mic.
Eric M. – get a lighter in case the torch goes out.
Take Corey’s shirt at the end.

Scenery 1. Mask side seam on lightbox and touch up with black paint. (don't go over the chalk on the front of the lightbox- only paint the sides of the box)
2. Fix the wooden battens you made for the US legs:
- The wood should hang vertically not horizontally, with the eye hooks on the top edge.
- Check your knots. I'm afraid that one of the SR ones may be slipping.
- USE A LEVEL. (the batten should be level, the lines should be plumb)
-The battens don't need to be as far down from the pipe as you have them now. I'd like to be able to adjust their height from the floor.
-Have Schrauf check their positions before you're done.
3. Paint the interior of the "head" hole on the down stage extension black, including the bottom of the hole cover.
4. Paint the luan strip that covers the fogger and fire silk black again. It's looking beat-up.


Lights Finish Cues for Act II.
Is it possible for me to look at the cues I haven’t seen yet before tonight?

Make-up/ Flowers in Anna’s hair?
Hair No more buns or braids – more crazy, teased out style.
No more cheek color – it looks like a mistake.
“With You” girls need bigger/sexier hair.
Use a limited number of shapes – Troye will have a list tomorrow.
Darker/Brighter lip colors are now encouraged.
Application order:
Put on white face make up and powder.
Put on surrounding eye make up.
Put on heavy eye liner and mascara.
Put on lip stick.
Come to school and apply and powder shape.

Props Corey needs a wooden spoon with his pudding.
Do we need to make a paper hat for each show? Probably.
Lighter for Eric M. (in case the torch goes out on stage.)

Notes from Senior Musical on 4/8/08

Dane Run trick with Anna and me before rehearsal.
Come down the center when you come down from the trick.
“Enter Fastrada” need to be runned across the stage.
Paper hat blocking.
Preset bowler hat for Glory – not the top hat.
Candle closer to your face.
Pop up candle – rehearse.
Cut off Anna in her entrance.

Adam L. Go to place for “head” in blackout after Glory.

Alysia More feisty, less nice.

Ted Bigger scream when stabbed in the back.

A.J. You should have Theo’s mic, Adam L. should have the head mic.
Cheat D.S. with head.
Use the correct head.

Anna Eyelash on, and my hair, and shoes…
Call off stage for line.
Hand that Pippin grabs goes over the railing.

Harper Look out with your book.
Put cover for hole upstage of Adam L.
Throw shirt D.S. for “With You” and pick up at the end of the #.
Practice stabbing Ted before rehearsal (in costume.)
Raise the duck over your head/out of your face.
Hand the duck to Theo.
I have your watch.
Hand that Theo grabs goes over the railing.

Full Cast Pre-set your sheet; you were late.
“In the bedroom” – ‘huh’ needs to be louder.
Eric and Joe B. – jump and yell glory with weapons (not swords.)
More creepy with body parts, and throw them at people.
Sounds/Yelling in “Glory.”
Politicos/Dane need to be quicker with Testing…/getting him up.
SL staircase fire? Too slow. Get fire from the person next to you.
2nd Pet. come on as Morning Glow is leaving! Quicker!/Louder Yeahs.
Eric M. – hold torch up!
Life/Sun lyrics.
3 costume ppl. – take off costumes quicker.
“War…” Music won’t start until Pippin sits down – both versus.

Corey Look out with your book.
Practice holding the duck.
Use wooden spoon to eat “pudding” and hold the bowl.
Hand that Pippin grabs goes over the railing.


Props A new pellet has to go into the torch and ‘started’ before each show.
We need to have medical tape (2 or 3 rolls) for tonight’s rehearsal.
Ryan - Flash cotton needs to be added to Dane’s ‘Evan’ trick.
We still need 2 handles for Everyday Men tools.
Paper hat for Pippin for tonight.
Do we have a runner for the table? Jordan and Jordan should bring
it out when they move it from ‘bridge to table.’

Video Can we disable the auto resize?
Cut the map.
Add new footage of people.
All changes from last night.

Sound Microphones need to be set below the mouth.
Wires taped to the principals’ backs.
Safety pin Dane’s mic in.

Scenery Whoever ties the map needs to bundle/tie it much looser.
The bottom of the hole for “Head” needs to be painted.
Do we have a runner for the table? Jordan and Jordan should bring
it out when they move it from ‘bridge to table.’


Dance/ Run “Glory” at 6pm.
Staging Run “Everyday Men” after Curtain call.
Curtain Call at 6:30.

Lights There needs to be a blackout at the end of “Glory.”

Costumes Full costumes for tonight.
Does Corey have a shirt?
Can we find bow-ties for the boys in “No Time at All?”
The boys in the orgy scene need black briefs to go under their
compression shorts (crack kills… enough said.)

I'll see you all tonight for Final Dress Rehearsal!

A tip for further Senior Musical Rehearsals....

So here is a tip from me to the 150+ of you...

The longer it takes for you to quiet down so that Howard, Linda, and I can do what we are paid to do, there is a greater chance that we won't get through everything that we have planned for a given rehearsal.

What does that mean for you? I'm glad you asked. It means that you might sit around for an entire 3 hour rehearsal and never be used! If that happened to me, I would be a little upset. To avoid this happening, please show up to rehearsals on time, and if you need to talk to your friends during rehearsal, wait until you are no longer in the auditorium. This will ensure that you don't waste three hours of your life for nothing.

In addition, I highly suggest that you bring food and/or homework to rehearsals for the periods of time you are not onstage. Remember, theatre is 15 minutes of performance and 2 hours and 45 minutes waiting for your turn to perform. Please be patient and come prepared!

I'll see y'all tonight!

I've been away a long time...

So much has happened since my last blog, so here we go...

1. Theatre Rep. Trip to London - thanks to the 12 of you for making the trip fun and painless. Angrette and I had a lot of fun hanging out with you for 8 days whilst trying to take in every attraction that London has to offer. Even though I needed a vacation from that vacation, I had an excellent time. I hope that you all did too, and that is something that will look fondly on in your futures past high school. As soon as I download the pictures from my camera, I will put some pix on the website. Thanks again for a great trip!

2. ...Cuckoo's Nest - I can't tell you how impressed and proud I am of all of you! The show was really fantastic. As I kept saying throughout rehearsal, there was nothing safe about this material, and even though it took you until tech week to understand that, you really pulled together for a great show. Your performances were gutsy, raw, believable, and powerful. Thank you all for your time, dedication, and talent.

3. Auditions for The Odd Couple - Yes, that's right ladies, Schraufnagel was not kind to you...again! There are only two female roles! Be prepared to make big choices and work on your British accents!

Boys - at this point Oscar and Felix are archetypal characters, so I'm not going to go into what I'm looking for in them. The poker buddies, however... I'm looking for 4 very different types of "neighborhoody" guys. Different shapes, sizes, personalities, acting choices, etc. I want 4 very distinct looking and acting personalities. I highly recommend reading the script before the audition if you are serious. It would also be helpful to brush up on your NYC accents!

4. Senior Musical - well... It's going well so far. However, as we get closer to show date, I would anticipate Howard, Linda, and me getting more stressed and irritable than normal. Please help make our jobs easier by being quiet and respectful during rehearsals. At some point very soon even the sound of 150 people whispering is going to sound like a buzz saw through my skull. So please....shhhh.

With that said, you have all been very cooperative and fun so far. All of us have enjoyed the energy, enthusiasm and talent that you have brought to rehearsals. Keep up the good work! It is coming up sooner than you think!

5. Spring Fest - The vote for Student Producers will take place next Thursday, March 20th at 2:45 in the Auditorium. Anyone interested in running or voting should come to that meeting after school! All Theatre Co. seniors are welcome to throw his/her hat in the ring, and any Theatre Co. underclassman is welcome to vote!

Well... a lot is coming up, so please check the blog and the website for updates! Until next time...

Peace.

Yes, Ryan... It is a new post!

Hey y'all...

I had a request for a new entry from someone who shall remain nameless (except in the title of the blog)... so here it is.

There are a couple of things to cover:

1. Theatre Repertory trip to London: I hope you are all as excited as I am to jump the pond next weekend. I'm looking forward to 8 days of theatre (with an "re",)sight-seeing, bubble & squeek, bonding, and fun!

Our final meeting to go over last minute details with both students and parents will take place on Tuesday, February 12th at 6pm in the Auditorium. Please make sure to bring your passport so that we can photocopy them for safety. See you then :o)

2. Cuckoo's Nest: A couple of things here. First, You all need to be off book by Monday, February 11th. Start memorizing now! You only have two weeks to work off book before Tech Week, and those two weeks are broken up by a week long break!

Second, some of you (not mentioning any names) are still pretty far behind on your making your Ad requirements! It is not too late. Please don't let the company down by slacking on your responsibilities. It is just not fair :o(

Third, after my rant yesterday, it was nice to see y'all taking more risks on stage today. However, you could still be more impulsive. I'm giving you carte blanche to go with any impulse you have on stage. Run with it! There is nothing about this material that is safe or pedestrian, so don't let your acting fall into this trap. I want to see more edgy, bold, specific choices in your acting!

3. Senior Musical: We are off to a good start! I have enjoyed what I have heard so far, and I hope you are all having fun. A few things to keep in mind:

First, please check the schedule often and come to all the rehearsals that you are scheduled for. If you can not make a rehearsal, please email me, Emily, A.J., or Ryan ASAP so that we know about it (and so we won't send you a cranky little email.)

Second, please try to keep it down during singing rehearsals. Even though all of you are not being used ALL the time, and you might think you are being quiet by whispering, the sound of a whisper multiplied by 150 is very loud! Try to keep it down so Howard can mold you into better singers.

Third, Linda had to cancel dances for this week, but they will resume next week! Please check the new schedule for any changes.

I think that is all for now... If anybody needs to reach me during the break, don't even try. I'll be too busy enjoying a spot of Earl Grey with Ella in Brighton.

Cheerio (That's the Queen's English for Peace.)

Callbacks for Senior Musical...

Hey y'all...

If you happen to be reading this blog before checking the Callback List on the website, you can check it out by going to the Theatre Page, off of the Greeley Home Page, and clicking on the Senior Musical link.

Regardless... it looks as if we might be getting a little bit of snow tonight and we won't have school tomorrow. If there is no school tomorrow, there are also no callbacks. In that case, callbacks will be held on Tuesday, January 15th at 7pm in the Chorus Room.

If you are on the callback list, and have an issue making it to callback on Tues., please comment on the blog, shoot me an email, or come talk to me ASAP.

Peace.