Boys Tavaci Teens

This is for all the boys going into 7th-9th grade. There might be a boys tavaci teens happening this fall with Tami Van Dusen. She is a great vocal coach and has been providing her talent for the musical at the high school for 8 years. She wo t start a group unless there is at least ten boys and right now there is 5 interested. If you think this is something your boy would enjoy just email me and I will forward her your information. Or you can contact Misa Findley if you know her too. She is heading up the recruitment.

Summer Theatre Camps at the Fine Arts Center

There are still openings at the Fine Arts Center for their summer theatre camps. They will be taught by Ashley Pyle who co-directed Charrlotte's Web and choreographed Annie Jr. She is fantastic!

Jr. Session- June 22-26 Age 6-10 $25 9am-10am

Teen Session 1- June 22-26 Age 11 and up $55 10am-2pm

Teens Session 2- July 20-23 Age 11 and up $55 9am-2pm

If you want more info or find out how to sign up check their website www.bcfineartscenter.org

This is a great opportunity to get involved. All 4 shows that Creative Stage, the theatre company within the Fine Arts Center, is doing next year have teen roles and this may serve as a springboard to getting involved with them.

The four shows are:

A Little Murder Never Hurt Anyone (October)

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (December)

The Beverly Hillbillies (February) Co-directed by Ashley Pyle, the summer camp instructor

The Wizard of Oz Jr. (May)

I hope that many of you have an opportunity to get involved.

A few announcements

Hey everyone!

I hope that everyone had a great time at the cast party. Peter Pan was great and the cast loved performing for you.

The High School is offering a summer camp. Here is the link http://behstheatre.weebly.com/on-stage-summer-camp.html

They announced the fall musical, Footloose. I hope you come see it this November. It's sure to be a hit.

The Brigham City Fine Arts Center is offering theatre and art camps throughout the summer. They will be taught Ashley Pyle, who directed Charlotte's Web and choreographed Annie Jr. Both were at the Fine Arts Center.

I know that many people are auditioning for various things. I want to tell you about my last two auditions and how I didn't get a callback in either, but learned from both.

I auditioned for Disneyland. In my group of 75 I was the best male dancer. Not to brag, but that is coming from complete strangers in my group. When they announced the 20 they were calling back, I was not one of them. Despite absolutely nailing it, I wasn't even called back. It was because I was too tall. I wouldn't fit any of the characters they were looking for.

I recently auditioned for Hairspray in Ogden. I forgot my words and stumbled through the whole song. I wasn't called back. Not because I wasn't talented, but I didn't have a good audition.

Sometimes you have a good audition and you get cast, some times you have a bad audition and you don't and sometimes you have a good audition and you don't get cast. But never stop trying. There are always opportunities to be in shows. The more you audition the better you get at it, but sometimes you just bomb an audition. And that's okay. That doesn't mean you aren't talented, that doesn't mean you are bad person. You just didn't have a good audition. That's what it means and nothing else.

Best of luck with all your future auditions.

By the way there will be a musical next year. It will be announced at a future date. Jena Barber will be taking over the ACYI Musicals program.

Peter Pan

Thanks to everyone for coming to the cast party. We hope you enjoyed it and come back. The show opens Friday at 6:30 and runs Saturday at 11 and 3 and Monday at 6:30. Tickets are $8 for all of the performances except for the 11 show on Saturday, tickets are $4 for that show. We hope you come back and spread the word of this magical production.

Missing costumes

Attention all Who's, attention all Who's. We got no time to lose. The wonderful Mrs.Boyce checked out several costumes under her name from various organizations and wants to give them all back. She is missing a lab coat among many things. So if you could bring the things that Mrs Boyce gave to the cast party on Thursday that would be great. I've also had only a couple parents volunteer to bring treats so if there could be a few more that would be great. See you all Thirsday at 6:15!

Cast Party

Sorry it took so long to post. The cast party will be Thursday May 14th. We will be watching the final dress rehearsal of Peter Pan by the high school productions company. All of the student directors are in the show. You will need to be at the High School at 6:15. The show will start at 6:30. At intermission we will be having treats in the lunch room. If there are any parents who want to volunteer to make treats that would be awesome. Just send me an email letting me know what you're bringing.

Also there are several cast members who are in Annie at the Fine arts center. Tickets are on sale now. http://www.bcfineartscenter.org

Cast party will be soon

I know you are all so excited to have a cast party and we will have it. I have been swamped with my college classes and job interviewing at schools all across the state, I will be in St. George next tuesday interviewing down there for an opening. So I would say tentatively plan for the week after that.

I would like to have the opportunity to show a recording of the show to the cast. We did that in Schoolhouse Rock and it was fun. If any parent has a version that we can borrow for that day, please email me. milton.erwin@gmail.com

I can't believe that we closed just over a month ago. I just want to thank all of you for your work and time for this fabulous show. It was a great experience.

Few things

so we have been unable to finalize a cast party. We are tentatively planning something for the week after spring break.

We have about a dozen shirts left, some are labeled some not. Please check what shirt you took, many labeled shirts have ended up missing. Which means you might have grabbed someone else's and left yours.

Thank you once again for a great show!

School Performance

So they office has an excuse list and I will be double checking with them in the morning.

All kids with mics will be excused at 11, there will be 2 moms out front to pick you up and take you to the High School. Bring a lunch from home because you will be excused before first lunch.

Everyone else will go to first lunch. When everyone is ready we will leave. So the quicker everyone eats the sooner we get to the HS.

If at all possible come with your hair and make up done. We will have a little time at the HS but not a whole lot.

Once the show is done we will quickly get out of costume and wait for everyone to be ready and we will head back to the school. We will come back during 6th hour.

We will then follow the normal check in time as we did Friday night.

Wahoo!!!

What a great opening night!!!

In preparation for tomorrow's show the order to come will stay the same it's just 4 hours earlier.

Maysie & Mayor 12:15
Gertrude 12:30
Sour Kangaroo 12:45
Mrs. Mayor, JoJo, Cat, Horton & Wickershams 1:00
Zebras and girl lizards 1:15
Everyone else 1:15

Please come ready to perform we have a bigger audience tomorrow so we have to be bigger!

We open!!!

The show was really good this afternoon. Here is the times at which you should be at the HS.

Maysie & Mayor at 4:15
Gertrude at 4:30
Sour Kangaroo at 4:45
Mrs Mayor, JoJo, Cat, Horton, Wickershams at 5:00
All Zebras & Lizards at 5:15

Everyone else at 5:45
All Whos come with Hair and make up (girls) done. Bigger is better!
All other Jungle Animals come with hair and make up (girls) done. Foundation, blush, eyeliner, mascara and a light colored lipstick.
No make up on any boys.

When you get to the HS ge into your costume and sit in the lunchroom when you are ready. We will be doing warm ups on stage starting at 6. You are more than welcome to come early, but do not come late. Your call time is the latest you should be here.

I just want to thank everyone who worked so hard on this show. These kids deserve full houses. This show is fun and exciting. I hope your kids have had a blast.

Last rehearsal

The kids are awesome! After talking with the tech crew and staff, we need to stay later than planned. Here is how tomorrow is going to work:
Kids show up and get straight into costume and speaking roles get mics.
We start a run at 3:30(no hair and make-up)
We will finish the first run through around 4:45
As the show is going Jungle Animals and Who's can get their hair and make up done as we go.
We take a short break for the leads to get their hair and make up done.
During that break Mrs. Griesbach takes pictures of each group as they are done with hair and make up.
We do a second run of the show starting at 5:20.
That means after notes it will be 6:45 when we finish.
If your kids could bring snacks or sandwiches that would help keep the energy up.
The first run through is mostly to work on tech issues and the second is to solidify the show.
I hope that this doesn't rain on anybody's parade but this show will be fantastic, we just need to work on a few tech issues.

Also check out the newspaper we have cool article and picture with Bye Bye Birdie.

Preparation for the last week

The week has come at last, we open Friday. There is still work to be done. The posters came on Saturday so if you were contacted by Mrs. Erickson you can pick them up tomorrow.

On Monday's rehearsal we will not be doing hair and make-up. We have things we need to do, so kids  please get here as fast as you can. We will be doing full costumes, just not hair and make up. Jungle Animals, some of your pants are ready so you will trying them on tomorrow and hopefully the rest Tuesday.

For tomorrow's rehearsal we will be adding tech to the scenes we didn't get to, so we need everyone to come ready to work. Please be like the kids who stayed on Saturday. When we stop the music you sit down quietly until we adjust the lights.

We are using the curtains a lot in the show, along with the moving platforms, silks and with 91 of you there is not a whole of room backstage. Starting Tuesday no one will be in the auditorium and we have rooms where you will stay and wait until your scene.

We will be sending home notes and putting on the blog when certain people will have to come for hair and make up on performance days.

Thank you to Maren Powell, the parents who were in charge do the food on Saturday said she was super helpful with cleaning the tables.

Please come ready to work. We need everyone to get here as fast as they can. So please this week don't linger after school and get to the high school as fast as you can.

So Good

One mom told me she thinks we have a hit on our hands. I am inclined to agree.

Just a couple things about tomorrow.

If everyone can come tomorrow from 9-10 and then those called to stay will stay until 2. We know that it's last minute and that many of you are unable to attend and that's okay. It is your responsibility if you are unable to attend to find a friend who came and get caught up from them. Please if you could come for just that hour we promise to let you leave at or before 10.

Those of you who are staying until 2 we still need to have you email Emily Hartman at emmyanne00@yahoo.com for a food assignment. We will plan on breaking for lunch around 11:30- noonish.

The cast shirts are done and the jungle fabric is in so we will get those to you as soon as possible.

Many of you have asked about videotaping and pictures. I will need to check out the contract to see if we can film. As far as pictures, we have Dani Griesbach who is a professional photographer and did our Aladdin pictures last year. She will be coming next week and get some good pictures.

We will be having a press release and picture in the Box Elder News Journal in next Wednesday's paper. So be on the look out for that.

Prep for friday

So today's rehearsal was so efficient and good. The kids are amazing!

If students want to bring a laundry basket with their name on it that would be helpful to keep the clothes they change out of and store all their other things during the performance and it would also store their costume during non rehearsal time. ( Bird girls, stars and brigade pay no heed to this.)

Bring what you need to bring, if we are providing something we should have it there. So if we asked you to bring a shirt, bring it, if you are a who and bringing something from home bring it. Tomorrow is to see what we are missing and to figure it out.

I hope the kids came home feeling like the show is going to be soooooooo cool. But safety is a big concern of ours with the silks, moving platforms and tumblers. If you are not a silk specialist, you are allowed to even touch the silks. If you get run over by the platforms, it's your fault. Stay out of their way. They will do what they need to do and you need to get out of their way. Tumblers and Leia need space, give it to them.

I want to spotlight some kids who are always performing to the max, at least when I am watching: Sam Loosli, Kaylee Whipple and Taya Watson. I can't remember a day at rehearsals when those three are smiling, singing and dancing. If everyone would stand near them as to absorb their energy this show will quite literally blow the roof off of the auditorium.

So many kids care a lot about the success of the show. I want to spotlight Alie Reeder for helping Daiyan, who broke her toe, learn the choreography she missed. Everyone needs to be helpful like Alie, if someone has a question, help them. We want everyone to be great. If 90 of you go full out and 1 of you has no energy, guess what? We watch the one because they are different. Please don't stand out that way. Alie was helpful so that Daiyan wouldn't stand out because she was doing it wrong. (And I was watching Daiyan during Here on Who and she did it right, good job Alie!)

If you got a note for Saturday's lunch please email Emily ASAP!

Remember we start teaching make up at 9 so come a little early.

Recap

So we had a smooth ticket sale today. It was a lot better than last year. Tickets go on sale 30 minutes prior to the end of rehearsal.

The posters will be done tomorrow, long story but I promise we will have some.

We will post all the costume items tomorrow in preparation for Friday's rehearsal

Kids, we keep throwing new stuff at you. We believe in you.

Spread information about this who by word of mouth. I created a Facebook event that allows you to share this easily with your friends.

I know there is something important I am forgetting but I will post again tomorrow.

Heads up

So I asked the kids to make sure they check the blog each day.

Reminder that rehearsal Tuesday only goes until 4:30.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday at 5. We can only take cash or checks, no cards. They are $4 a ticket. There is no age limit. If your 6 month old or 2 year old will be sitting on your lap you only need to pay for one seat.

The kids who needed to be recorded we will be doing that after rehearsal Friday.

We are looking for a beach lounge chair. We have looked everywhere for one. If anyone has one that we use for show that would be great.

We had such a productive rehearsal today. We need the kids to be as focused and hardworking as they were today. We got so much done.

March 2-7

So we are here at the last two weeks. Here is the next two weeks schedule:
Monday- full cast 3:20-5:30
Tuesday- full cast 3:20-4:30 ( there is the Chinese New Years celebration from the district, so we have to be out of the auditorium by 4:30, we were informed of this last Tuesday.)
Wednesday- full cast 3:20-5:30 ( tickets go on sale today rather than Tuesday due to the Chinese New Years celebration, the tickets go on sale at 5 and are $4 each.)
Thursday -full cast 3:20-5:30
Friday- full cast 9:00-12:00 (there is no school this day so we will be having a dress rehearsal)
Saturday- 9:00-2:00 (Speaking Roles, Core, Jungle Brigade & Hunters) there will be a lunch that day and notes will be passed out to the kids who are called to rehearsal for a lunch assignment. We will be doing a potluck of sorts.

Some of the rehearsals will be slow and some kids won't be on stage for a long time. So please bring some quiet activities such as homework, books, silent video games, etc. also a water bottle and treats would help keep the energy up.

We've tried to not waste people's time and they were generally working at rehearsal, we are at a point where some students will be on stage for 20 minutes then sit for an hour before their next scene. If every student could remember to bring their yellow cue paper that will help them know what their next scene is as to plan ahead and keep the rehearsals moving and stay productive.

Rehearsal for the last 3 weeks

Monday 23- Who's + Bird Girls, Mayor, Mrs. Mayor, Jojo & Cat in the Hat
Tuesday 24- Speaking Roles + Core
Wednesday 25- Full Cast (Courtroom Scene)
Thursday 26- Speaking Roles, Jungle Brigade, Stars, Circus Performers and Hunters
Friday 27- Full Cast

Reminder that the last 2 weeks, as addressed in the parent contract, are mandatory full cast attendance. If absent, your child will be removed from a number, or out of the show. Please, please, please contact me before rehearsal via email. Milton.erwin@gmail.com if your child is sick that is one thing, but a dentist appointment or lessons are not appropriate excuses for an absence these last two weeks. I am being serious about this. Last Friday we had 16 students missing and only 3 we excused. We rechoreographed a number. So if that happens in the last two weeks, they won't be in that scene. I don't want to be harsh, but many people have made great sacrifices to be apart of this show.

Monday March 2- Thursday March 5 Full Cast 3:20-5:20
Friday March 6 (No School) we will be having a dress rehearsal from 9-12
Saturday March 7 Speaking Roles, Core, Jungle Brigade & Hunters 9-2 (Lunch provided)

Monday 9- Wednesday 11 Full Cast 3:20-5:20
Thursday 12- 3:20- 5:20 (With this being the last rehearsal it may run longer as to tie up all the loose ends.)

Performances Friday March 13 at 7pm (Cast to show up at 6)
Saturday March 14 at 3 pm (Cast to show up at 2)
School Performance Monday 16  (students will be excused by the office)
Monday 16 at 7pm (cast to show up at 6)

Parent Volunteers
For those of you who volunteered you will be contacted by one for the parent chairs this week for Ticket Sales, Supervising and Advertising.

Tickets will go on sale Tuesday March 3rd. They will be on sale from 5-5:45 at each afternoon rehearsal. They will be $4 each seat. If you are a parent and cannot afford tickets for you and your family please contact me so that you can see your child perform. All of these kids have worked so hard and they deserve a chance to perform for their friends and family.

A reminder that if you are a jungle animal and want your pants they are $10. It is due Wednesday. Once I figure out how to put the pictures of the fabric I will post the fabric pictures.

The kids have been working so hard we are ahead of schedule, but we still need to focus and work hard

Finances

I just wanted to address a concern multiple parents have expressed about the costumes. We are expecting all the speaking roles (wickershams we are searching for the cheapest place to buy your stuff and will let you know.) to buy their costumes and the jungle animals have the option of buying their swaggy pants. (We switched back to this idea because Jill Wallentine found really cheap fabric!) if your child wants their pants they are $10. (Retail value for these pants are typically $25-$30) but if you do not want them don't worry. If you do want them bring a $10 check to rehearsal Friday.

A parent mentioned to me that $20 was enough to do the show and that I shouldn't ask for more. So I want to show you where I have spent your cast fees. We have a cast of 90, so our budget is $1800.

$550- royalties and scripts
$500- cast shirts
$120- posters, programs and tickets
$90- paint (and we may need to buy more)
$200- lumber, ladder, wheels
$110- Misc. Gertrude's tail, Seuss hat, props

Which leaves $230 to costume 90 students, that means we need to average $2.56 per child. There is no way we can do that. So we looked for options that you could buy and reuse. The who's are bring things from home, finding things here at the High School. We are hopeful that all of you will understand. We were hopeful for the beginning for these swaggy pants and they should be great.

We were fortunate last year to have another theatre lend us all the townspeople costume. We spent a lot of money on really nice costumes and kept them so we could rent them out to other middle schools. Seussical is a show that doesn't rent well because most schools do what we are doing; finding things that people can buy or bring from home. So it's not worth it to make really nice costumes and keep them.

We hope you all understand. I did Jr. jazz every year growing up and I paid $35 most years and when they changed jerseys I had to get new jerseys and shorts, so if don't feel like it's too extreme to ask you parents to buy things that your child can keep. If there is still an issue you may email me, but I would prefer if you come and speak with me in in person.