6 Impossible Things - meeting on Friday 10/1

We're holding an info & sign-up meeting after school for playwrights and directors interested in working on the Winter Show New Play Fest called 6 Impossible Things Before Breakfast.

Here's how it will work:

The plays will be short – 3 to 10 minutes in length. There will be six of them. In addition, there will be monologues and short connected sketches that will intersperse the primary pieces. The total running time for the show will be 70 minutes, performed without an intermission.

All of the works will explore the theme “Impossibility.” Playwrights are required to attend the two workshops on Oct.15th & Nov. 5th. Bring paper and pens to these workshops because we will be writing and reading works-in-progress.

The end goal is two-fold: to have a fun, theatrical show; and to have a performance text that we will submit to publishers. If published all royalties will go to Ledyard Drama to contribute to the financial stability and future of the club after we have gone.

THE VIEWPOINTS

  During today's rehearsal we referred to Veiwpoints and worked through some of the introductory exercises.  To learn more about them be sure to explore the links on this page.

VIEWPOINTS
The Viewpoints is a technique of improvisation that grew out of the post-modern dance world. It was first articulated by choreographer Mary Overlie who broke down the two dominant issues performers deal with - time and space - into six categories. She called her approach, the Six Viewpoints. Since that time, Artistic Director Anne Bogart and SITI Company have expanded her notions and adapted them for actors. The Viewpoints allows a group of actors to function together spontaneously and intuitively and to generate bold, theatrical work quickly. It develops flexibility, articulation, and strength in movement and makes ensemble playing really possible.

 

WEEK 2 Eurydice Rehearsal Info

Mon. 9/27 2:30-3:50 Eurydice & Orpheus
*Tues. 9/28 2:30-3:50 Full Company (everyone in cast) - Dress comfortably!
Wed. 9/29 2:30-3:50 Eurydice, & Father
Thur, 9/30 2:30-3:50 Eurydice, 3 Stones, LoU
Fri. 10/1 2:30-3:45 Playwright/Director Info Meeting for Winter Show (SOS)

*For the Tuesday rehearsal be sure to wear loose-fitting comfortable clothing that you can move easily in. We will be doing a lot of movement - and some of it will be ON THE FLOOR. Bring a yoga mat or a beach towel if you like for the floor exercises.

9/20 Rehearsal RESCHEDULED for 9/21

The read-through of EURYDICE with the full cast crew has been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 21.  Please contact Kato or Nurse Gwin if you are unable to attend.

There will be no rehearsal Monday, September 20.

EURYDICE rehearsal schedule WEEK 1

Week 1

Mon. 2:30-3:50 Read-thru of play -- FULL COMPANY AND CREW
Tues. 2:30-3:50 Table-work Eurydice, Father, 3 Stones, Nasty Man
Wed. 12:30-3:00 Table-work Eurydice, Orpheus, Father
Thurs. 2:30-3:50 Table-work Eurydice, Orpheus, Father, 3 Stones, Lord of the Underworld

What about studying theater after high school?

Mary Anna Dennard, the author of “I Got In!: The Ultimate College Audition Guide for Acting and Musical Theater,” answered readers’ questions about auditioning, getting the right head shot and other topics.

One answer to a question about whether a college program could possibly prepare you for the "real" arts world, or be useful at all - she has this to say:

I respectfully disagree. First of all, we are talking about getting an education while learning your craft. College is one of the most opportune places to do both. Second, not all conservatories are created equally. Carnegie Mellon, Cincinnati Conservatory, Texas State, DePaul, Pace University, Boston Conservatory, the American Conservatory Theater, Juilliard are all considered conservatories or conservatory-style programs in that their training is rigorous and intense with little or no coursework in general education and electives. However, each of these offers direct relationships with industry professionals. I was a casting director for film and television for 15 years, and I had relationships with and respect for these institutions.

Many of these programs offer substantial scholarships, and even full rides to those who qualify. A majority of the students I coach do get substantial financial aid. The enormous price tag you speak of might actually be the same cost as any typical four-year liberal arts degree. Texas State’s tuition for its musical theater B.F.A. students is $3,700 per semester! And that applies even for out-of-state students.
As far as preparing students for a profession, there are certainly no guarantees, and the families and students I coach understand the liabilities inherent in such a tenuous occupation. But the schools do make every effort to develop intelligent artists as well as introduce them into the professional world.
...
So I will sum it up this way:
1. Getting a college degree is valuable.
2. Learning your craft is essential.
3. A performing arts undergraduate degree is worthwhile no matter what career one ultimately decides upon.

You can read the whole blog Q&A at the NYTimes Artbeat online.

Technically Speaking

 For those of you with nagging questions regarding backstage tasks and behind the scenes work, here are a few links to online resources that may shed some light on your questions:

For an interesting and concise page devoted to answering questions about what a Stage Manager does checkout How to Become a Good Stage Manager.

For more stage managing tips check-out Managing the Show.

For a brief primer on set construction see this page on Wikipedia - loaded with lots of links of its own.

Want to know more about props? Check out The Prop Shop.

For tips on making the sets look great go to Painting the Scene.

What would the theater be without lights?  Here's an article that will get you thinking about how to approach a script and enhance the mood with proper lighting beginning with A Dark and Stormy Night.

And to sound in-the-know and speak the speech of backstage -- check out this collected Glossary of Theater Terms.

Be sure to share any favorite informational links that you may come across for helping tech a high school show.

FYI: Classes at Long Wharf in New Haven Fall 2010

There are classes and opportunities for additional training in our community and throughout Connecticut.  Here are two of the classes offered this fall at The Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven:

Monologue Audition Workshop (Grades 9-12)
School is back in session!  We all know what that means—homework, clubs, late nights writing papers, dances, school plays, and college auditions.  Long Wharf Theatre is back with another Audition Workshop to help you hone your skills to complete your audition package and strengthen your acting technique.

Mondays 5:30-7:00, October 18 – November 15, $195
 
Adult Acting Level 1
Investigate your individual and authentic voice for acting! Using Anne Bogart's Viewpoints Technique we will physically delve into concepts of space and time as it pertains to environment and our place in it.  Using the Stanislavski Acting Technique we will investigate scenes from masters such as Williams, Miller, and Odets, exploring how to listen, respond, and actively engage with the text and each other. Some acting experience is required.

October 23 – November 20, Saturdays 10:00-12:00, $225

Private Acting Lessons, by appointment

For additional information or to register today, call Anne DiMartino at 203-772-8271, email annie.dimartino@longwharf.org or mail in registration form.

Thanks to EVERYONE

For everyone who put their egos on the line at auditions, overcame nervousness and fear, and who just plain showed-up to show us what you've got --

THANK YOU!

There are only so many big roles to go around -- but we look forward to working with every one of you -- no matter how large or small the part may be.  Without an ensemble there is no show.

Also - there will be many more opportunities for large and small things throughout the year.

See you all on Monday after school for the read thru of the play!

EURYDICE Cast & Crew

EURYDICE

by Sarah Ruhl

Cast:

EURYDICE - Laura Forte

ORPHEUS – David Tang           

EURYDICE’S FATHER – Justin Carroll

NASTY INTERESTING MAN/LORD OF THE UNDERWORLD – Nathan Watrous

LOUD STONE – Tori Gordon

BIG STONE – Paige Gruszkowski

LITTLE STONE – Cole Poth

CHORUS OF STONES – Isabel Archibald, Melissa Billing, Abby Bora, Amber Coombe, Jenni Disco, Jsana Strong, Kyla Wingrove-Haugland

Understudies:

Eurydice Understudy: Paige Gruszkowski

Orpheus & Man & Lord of UW Understudy: Forest Smith

Father Understudy: Kyla Wingrove-Haugland

3 Stones Understudies: Amber Coombe & Abby Bora

Stage Crew & Tech:

Stage Manager: Bodhi Poth

Assistant Stage Manager: Amanda Hutchinson

Lighting: Forest Smith, Angie Castiblanco, Joseph Gonzalez

Sound Crew/Design: James Richmond, Bodhi Poth

Props: Zach Hanna

Set Painting & Construction: Savannah Bedard, Angie Castiblanco, Joseph Gonzalez, Faith Bacon

Costumes: Savannah Bedard, Angie Castiblanco, Faith Bacon

Stage Crew: Savannah Bedard, Angie Castiblanco, Faith Bacon

Some important dates:

9/20-11/18            Rehearsals for EURYDICE – Mon-Thurs (some Fridays)

First week’s schedule (some changes - be sure to read!)

Mon. 9/20            Read the play – ENTIRE CAST AND CREW

Tues. 9/21            Table-work – Eurydice, Father, 3 Stones, Nasty Man

Wed. 9/22            Table-work – Eurydice, Orpheus, Father

Thur, 9/23            Table-work - Eurydice, Orpheus, Father, 3 Stones, Lord of Underworld

About EURYDICE

A retelling of the myth of Orpheus in modern times. At the wedding of Eurydice and Orpheus, Eurydice goes off by herself to get some water. Although they love each other, they are not the most alike of couples. She is met by a mysterious man who claims to have a letter from her father, and when she follows him to his apartment, she ends up in Hades, the realm of the dead. Like in the original story, Orpheus then travels to Hades to rescue her. In Hades, Eurydice does meet her father, and she becomes torn between the desire to stay with her father and the desire to go back to Orpheus. Her conversations with her father in Hades are lightened by the sort of Greek chorus-esque chiming of three stones. In the end, Orpheus comes to rescue her, and as in the myth. The Lord of the Underworld allows him to take her on the condition that he cannot look back at her as they climb out of Hades. However, as they leave Hades, Eurydice cries out, and Orpheus looks back. As promised by the Lord of the Underworld, she fades away, heading back to Hades.

 

CAST:

Eurydice  -  lead

Orpheus   -  lead  

Eurydice's Father  lead  

Loud Stone  spoken  

Little Stone  spoken  

Big Stone  spoken

Chorus of Stones (many)

Nasty Interesting Man  - supporting  

Lord of the Underworld  - supporting

Audition Techniques and Tips for Students Online

Want to know more about how to prepare for an audition -

Checkout these online resources as eHow:

Acting Audition Preparations

For our auditions it is a good idea to come prepared with a short, memorized monologue.  Your piece could be anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes in length.  Checkout this monologue advice article on Ask.com all about Performing a Monologue.

How do you find a monologue to perform? Check out these tips on How to Pick a Monologue that Works.

And - of course - BREAK A LEG!

Become a fan of LHS Drama on Facebook

Ledyard High School Drama is on Facebook!

Become a fan today.

You can also stay up-to-date about the fall production EURYDICE on FB too.

Things to Know for 2010/2011 LHS Drama

IMPORTANT DATES:

Dates may change – so it’s a good idea to always confirm events

BTW- it’s YOUR job to know the schedule & be on time.

FALL SHOW – EURYDICE by Sarah Ruhl

9/14 & 9/15 Auditions for EURYDICE

9/20-11/18 Rehearsals for EURYDICE – Mon-Thurs (some Fridays)

11/19 & 11/20 EURYDICE production dates

WINTER SHOW – Short Play Festival of new works:

SIX IMPOSSIBLE THINGS BEFORE BREAKFAST

10/1 Playwright sign-up and workshop

10/ 15 & 11/5 Playwright workshops – interested playwrights MUST attend

11/30 Playwright & Director Meeting

12/7 Production and Development meeting

12/13 & 14 Auditions

12/15 BIG MEETING & Read-thrus – EVERYONE ATTENDS

1/10-2/9 Rehearsals Mon-Fri

2/10 & 2/11 Performance

SPRING SHOW – SCAPIN adapted from Molière

By Bill Irwin, Mark O'Donnell, Molière

Dec. 2, 9, 16 Clowning workshops

1/24 & 1/25 Auditions for SCAPIN

2/14-5/11 Rehearsals for SCAPIN– Mon-Fri (including Spring Break)

5/12 & 5/13 SCAPIN performances

Tips for auditions: prepare a short monolog to perform – preferably memorized. We will also read scenes from the play. Come dressed in comfortable clothing and shoes that will allow unrestricted movement.