Hey! It's Tech Week for Evita!

For those of you in the show:

1. Stay healthy.
2. Stay focused.
3. Energy, Energy, Energy!

For the rest of you:

1. Come to the show this weekend.
2. Bring 100 of your closest friends.
3. Clap loud and throw money.

Hope to see everyone at the show!

Peace.

To dispell all rumours...

YES, I'M STILL DIRECTING THE SENIOR MUSICAL!

So stop freaking out and enjoy your summer!

Peace.

HGHS Theatre Company's 2009/2010 Season!

Hi all...

Thanks for being so patient and only leaving very few impatient comments...

We had a little trouble securing the rights to two of the shows that I really wanted to do, so it took a little longer than expected. However, I'm very excited about the shows we ARE doing! And they are:

Evita by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice - 11/19 - 11/21
Rep. Classic (something by Moliere) - 1/20 - 1/21
Antigone by Jean Anouilh - 3/4 - 3/6
Baby with the Bathwater by Christopher Durang - 5/6 - 5/8
SpringFest 2010 - 6/7 - 6/10

Materials for Evita will be available on the first day of school in September, and possibly before that on my website. Evita is a huge show, and we will all have our work cut out for us in Sept. So, start doing your homework :o)

I'll see you all very soon. Enjoy the remainder of your summer! I'm going to sleep a lot.

Peace.

Schrauf

For Mr. Anonymous...

This posting is for Mr. Anonymous who commented today...

If I knew what the musical was going to be, I would tell you.

Here is the deal... It has taken my team and I a while to agree on a show. We have been looking since May, and I think we are closing in on one. I might have an answer for you by the end of the week.

In fact, I applied for the rights for the entire season this morning. The only one that has been approved is the Spring Comedy. So, we'll be working backwards this summer. The Spring Comedy will be Baby with the Bathwater by Christopher Durang.

I won't announce the other shows until they are A) chosen, and B) approved for production by the publishing companies. Hopefully, I will hear from them in next week or so.

So, be patient. And in the meantime, go see some shows. I've seen some awesome theatre in the past two weeks. If you want some recommendations, go see the following:
Our Town, The Norman Conquests, God of Carnage, Ruined, and Twelfth Night at the park. I also saw The Wiz which was fun, but has already closed. And make sure you make it to The Bacchae in the park, it looks to be awesome!

As soon as I know more, I'll update y'all...

Get off your computer and get a tan.

Schrauf.

Nice Things I Said About People...

In case you missed the Awards Ceremony, here are some nice things I said about this year's Theatre Award recipients:

Today the Theatre Department is honoring four outstanding students who have demonstrated not only a determined attitude and dedication to the department over the past four years, but also a commitment and unforced talent toward the art form of Theatre.

The Melissa J. Rubin Award for Outstanding Contribution to the art of Theatre, goes to two students this year.

The first honour, and I’ve spelled that honour for her family from across the pond, goes to a student who has been in 14 productions over the past 4 years and, in addition, has taken the photos for every production in the past few. In those fourteen shows over the past four years, I have seen monumental growth as both a young woman and a young artist. Emerging from the chorus of CHESS to roles such as Nurse Rached in CUCKOO’S NEST and Violet Venable in SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER, Phoebe has proven herself to be the standard that other actors look up to. At the pre-show meeting before our last production, it was not surprising to hear that Phoebe’s co-star thanked her. Not for anything she specifically did to help this actor, but because of what this younger actor learned from simply watching and working with Phoebe. In addition, her fun loving personality and constant willingness to take risks and look foolish (and we don’t have nearly enough time to list all of those,) have made for a director’s dream. I only see great things for you next year at the Julliard School, hello! Our first Melissa J. Rubin Award goes to Phoebe Dunn.

The next recipient of the Melissa J. Rubin Award goes to a student who I still don’t know how to spell her name in programs or on, lets say, awards plaques. Does it have an “I” or not? Regardless… she has been in 10 shows over the past four years; and if you look at her characters (Little Sally, Little Red, Young Florence, Youth) you might think she had been type cast. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Although these titles imply small stature (which might be true) they demanded power. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I encountered such a powerful personality, voice, and talent in such a compact package. Her comedic instinct is only matched by her enthusiasm for the work. In addition, she gives one heck of a hug. I only hope that she continues to explore her talent at Brown next year. The second Melissa J. Rubin Award goes to Elsa/Elsia Obus.

This is the first year that the Theatre Company has given an Award for Outstanding Contribution to Playwriting and Directing.

The first student to ever receive this award is certainly an original. During tech rehearsals this week another student made the revelation that P.J. doesn’t write “SpringFest” shows. I couldn’t agree more. In the past three years, his plays The Herald, The Trial of William Shakespeare, and Phantom Limb (which you can see next Wed. night) have stood on their own. Taking on issues such as the responsibility of public servants, anti-Semitism in the 17th Century, and the pressures of regal figure-heads, P.J.’s writing has demonstrated an understanding and level surpassing his peers. So it is not surprising to find out that P.J. is a multiple Golden Key Award winner or that he is going to Purchase - one of the most prestigious dramatic writing programs in the country. And so the fist ever Theatre Company Award to Playwriting and Directing goes to P.J. Grisar.

My last award today is the Theatre Company Award for Outstanding Contribution in Technical Theatre.

For the past year two words have become synonymous with disaster in the theatre. Dan Stern. I joke… but he is infamous for being the only student ever “fired” from a show! We still laugh about it. What I love about Dan, however, is that something still brought him back to the theatre. You don’t do theatre because you love it, you do it because you have to. Without it, you’re lost.

Whilst talking to his prom date on Tuesday night during Peter and the Wolf, Sally was surprised to see her date. She even went as far as to tell him to go home because he was quote ‘always here.” She was right. Unlike most students, Dan has had a seven day school week 8 out of the 10 months this year. Dan’s dedication is quite remarkable, and every member of the Theatre Co. owes him a great dept of gratitude. I think I speak for Angrette, Matt, Marco Jo, Linda, Howard, and of course me, when I say “There’s no way it would have been possible without you.” And that is why the Theatre Company Award for Technical Theatre goes to Dan Stern.

On a personal note…I would like to thank every student over the past four years who have contributed to the success of the HGHS Theatre Dept. (you know who you are and I love you.)

Lastly, I like to close with a quote from Constantin Stanlislavski who said that “dramatic art, like all other arts which hold a mirror up to life requires talent, study, and self-perfection.” Whether you were in Zombie Prom, or are getting ready for SpringFest next week… you have proven your talent and your want to study. So… now I wish you all the best on your paths to self-perfection.

End of the year!

Shows are over and I actually have a little free time now to post! Joy of joys.

If you are in a SpringFest show, please make sure you are prepared for your evaluation next week. Also, review the schedule for tech week and make sure you are there and prepared! The schedule is on the website.

I'll see everyone when I get back from the land of cheese...

Congratulations to the cast of The King Stag!

To all my Cigolotti's...

Just wanted to make a quick entry congratulating the cast of The King Stag on a job well done. If you couldn't tell by my laughter, the show was highly entertaining and you really found the fun in the piece. Everyone I spoke to said they highly enjoyed it, so you should all be very proud.

Mmm... hedgehog baked in clay.

Now that the show is over we can focus on some serious acting work. I'm very much looking forward to that.

Study hard for your exams this week, and if you are coming to see me for your Acting final, please come prepared and on time.

Rehearsals for Rhinoceros will resume on Friday. In the meantime, go get some ads!

See y'all soon.

Peace.

Sorry for the Delay!

I know it has been a long time since I posted, and I am here now to appease the three people in the universe who actually read this thing. To be honest, it is a "Snow" Day, and by "Snow" I mean "Rain," and I am sitting here watching The Silence of the Lambs for the 1287th time, and thought posting sounded like a good idea. So hear we go...

Theatre Rep. Company - with this day off, I KNOW that you are all sitting home reviewing your lines. We really didn't need any more days off with a show that opens in exactly two weeks, and we just finished staging! We are really going to need to focus over the next few classes in order to be ready for The King Stag in two weeks. So, help me help you, and please come to class prepared and ready to work.

With that said, please also set aside Saturday, 1/17 and MLK Monday, 1/19 for rehearsals. Sat. we will learn the music with A.J., and the dance from Phoebe. A.J. and Phoebes - if you could coordinate getting the music of the dance figured out and choreographed before the 1/17 rehearsal, that would be extremely helpful.

Although I am looking forward to the show, I'm REALLY looking forward to beginning Meisner work right after Midterms. I think you are all ready for the work, provided you take it seriously and do all of the outside of class partner rehearsing that is needed. It will be more intense than any acting work you've done before, and it will probably drive you a little bit crazy; but if you commit to it, it will greatly improve your skills. But... one thing at a time. Right now focus on The King Stag.

Senior Musical - If you are a Senior, and you are musical (or not,) I know that you have signed up for Zombie Prom auditions that will begin on Monday, 1/12 and take place all of next week. In fact, you don't have to be musical at all to audition. Remember, the primary goal of SM is to come together as a class one final time, have some fun, and work together to produce a good time for the entire community to witness.

Regardless of musical talent or not, every student auditioning will be required to sing and dance for the audition (make sure you sign up for both!) Don't freak out... I promise to make it fun, and as painless a possible.

For the audition please prepare about 1 minute (a verse and chorus) of a song of your choosing. It can be anything you want, but try to make it something you know well and are comfortable with. Please bring the sheet music with you (that is the paper with the words and all the little black dots) to the audition so that Howard can accompany you on the piano whilst you sing. You don't have to prepare anything for the dance audition, just make sure you are dressed comfortably (NO BOOTS, UGGS, FLIP-FLOPS, HEELS, SHORT SKIRTS, ETC. T-Shirts, Sweats, Track Pants, Leotards, Sneakers, Jazz Shoes, etc. are all preferred.)

If you have any questions regarding auditions, please see Phoebe, Elizabeth, or Casey for the answers... or you can always come see me.

Please come out to audition, and encourage all of your friends to, also! This is the largest Senior class in Greeley history, so this will be one of your last chances to forge new friendships with people you might not have gotten the chance to know over the past four years, and solidify already strong friendships within your class. I'll do my best to make it fun for you while also helping you put on a great show for your family, friends, teachers, and community members. See you next week!

Rhinoceros - I'm happy to have started rehearsals (Trainwreck was fun and disturbing yesterday... Matt H. remind me to tell you something funny tomorrow.) Tomorrow I would like to do the table work and blocking for both tomorrow and the day we missed today. I realize that the LVP people will have to leave early (I can't wait to come see - and for your show to be over - on Saturday) but I don't want to fall behind.

Please remember what I said on the first day of rehearsal, you can't play symbolism, metaphor, representations and the like. Also, just because your genders are reversed, I don't want this to turn into a three hour Monty Python-esque sketch. Spend some serious time doing your homework on the meanings for your characters, getting in touch with them, and making your choices personal, emotionally charged, and recognizable. I'm expecting no less than brilliance (since your primary function as artists is to serve the text... and the text is brilliant.)

Don't forget ADS! You know what I expect of you and what your requirements are. Don't let the company down. That is all I will say on that.

Other than that, I hope that everyone had a nice break and that you are all recharged for the huge amount of work in the next three weeks. I know I am. So let's get to work.

I'll TRY to post soon... no promises... I'll be busy...