Preview/Call and Info

Hi All -

Thank you again for all of your hard work!  This is truly shaping up to be an exceptional show, not only for us, but for local theatre...I really believe it.

Preview is tomorrow night (tonight?), 5/1.  We have very few people coming due to the number of other productions in tech/running right now in other places, including our middle schools.  You are welcome to invite 1-2 people, preferably who wouldn't come to the show if they had to pay.  Have them check in at the lobby by 715pm.

Remember, Call is 530pm, not 500pm...you've earned it!  There will be tables in the auditorium lobby to study/work, and food will be out at 500pm, but in the lobby (there's an event in the choir room tomorrow night).

Go over your scripts and your job assignments...mentally running through things is proven to be nearly as good as doing it physically.  I'll have notes on the stage promptly at 530pm.  You all are making me very proud right now!  Keep up the wonderful work!

j.

Notes: Dress 1, 4/29

Hi all -

I have been called to a district meeting this afternoon and will be late to Dress.  Annika is in charge, and Dressing Rooms/Costume will be open as will the Stage Area.  Please read over the notes below at call, and begin going through your normal preshow routine, with the exception of getting into costume.  I'll be in right around 530pm and want everyone involved with the end sequence of the show (Last Song through the Curtain Call, minus the musicians) to meet there at that time to revisit the last moments of the show...which needs some help.  That part's on me...

Thanks for your flexibility, all...see you soon!  You're killing it!

j.

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Notes: Dress 1 (also posted on the callboard)

-Act I: Start Time - 731p/Stop Time - 814p
-Me: Check the fire flicker
-Awesome timing early
-Tay: Great corrections getting Matt on track when he gets distracted
-All: The whomp whomps were awesome
-Tay: Watch fading under the ‘Court Case’ lines
-Good job trying to get each other on track on line flubs…also good job keeping the energy up here
-Will: Watch being too aggressive with Gibson…startled, cautious, not aggressive
-Watch losing vocal energy when Gibson comes in, guys
-Lucy: *reminder only* aim the flashlight low or away from audience…you’re doing great
-Will: keep the Stamford reaction authentic…watch getting too staged
-JP: great job with the note on cutting off Maria’s California line…was great tonight
-All: *reminder only* remember your shoulder alignments when talking to someone
-SMs: As part of preshow we need two ‘No Entry - Show in Progress’ signs
-Lucy: Good job with Becca Wright…can go just a step farther with the lines that Colleen is intended to hear
-Lets really get the pacing up after the Ritual of the Names
-Tay: Running about 70/30 on volume…big leap, keep it up
-JP: Try not to clink the bottles together, or we’ll need to fill them with something
-Watch over drinking your beer bottles…there’s only a finite amount in them
-Should we fill the bottles? Are you all ok with apple juice?
-Tay: Really ask the question about ‘Is this how you know?’ Find her need to know…
-Will: Take just a beat longer to realize the connection to the line…snapped out a bit too early
-Good job getting back on after the page jump. 
-You can jump ahead to the next thing you know sooner…don’t spend quite so much time trying to get the exact right spot
-Take the pitch pipe out of the box during the show…don’t need the box, except between shows
-Kieran: You can project the song a bit more
-Me: Slow the fade down by 4 seconds going out of Act I

-Act II: Start Time - 827p/Stop Time - 909p
-Tighten Cues at the start of Act II…all
-Tay: Good vocal energy during Interrogation…that’s the energy throughout, even if mood quality changes
-Good change out of the interrogation
-Good energy in the commercial early
-Nailed the food references, Milo…nice! Likewise, Kieran!
-Lucy: Great entry into the Diet Coke section
-Great response to the 2 Lithium Batteries lines
-Will: Like the hammering stage left between the ‘Nobody knows’
-Tay: Watch downplaying the ‘Gay Men’ lines…you get super quiet here
-Great finish timing-wise to the end of the Diet Coke section
-Fantastic timing at the top of the Heretic Homer argument
-JP: Keep strong eye contact when shutting down Gibson…defuse him
-Tay/Zoe: Watch getting too quiet post-meltdown
-Tay: Hit the pg 74 ‘We decided…we really did’ to shut him down
-Tay: ‘Muskogee’
-Watch the harmony volume during Chart Hits 2…overpowering Milo
-Milo: Remember the rake
-Great energy and timing post-Chart Hits
-*Dating partners: look for a couple of places to show affection during the act

-Act III: Start Time - ?/Stop Time -
-Sound: I’d like the thunder cue as the actors strike their poses going into the act
-Lights: I’d like the light cue on that same cue…see sound note above
-Props: Grab a fourth rake for Willy in Act III
-Tay: Rap not nearly loud enough…what happened? 2nd was better at the start, but you gotta throw it strong.
-Kieran: Don’t sit on the light!
-Ensemble: Hear Edna on her initial slate of names…if you can’t, your harmony is too loud
-All: make sure to get those chins high, shoulders back, and clean, confident movements; Lots of body energy throughout, as well…you should be physically tired at the end of Act III
-No running backstage…lots of extra noise.  Do we need carpet runners?
-Me: Need to mask the DS Corners…can see movement
-Ensemble: Enter as Bart leaves…turn on your lanterns with the thunder
-Piano is pretty hot, volume-wise, underscoring stuff going into Messing with the Simpsons
-Milo: Check the gag a little earlier in the tying process
-Kieran: Watch your hand placement when you come back to Taylor at the end of the Love/Hate speech…got a little unintentionally, uh, uncomfortable from where I sat
-JP/Milo: You don’t need to roll Taylor if she lands in the right spot
-Me: Run Carpet tomorrow
-Ensemble: As formal as you can make those movements during Edna’s solo, the better
-Ensemble: Place your lanterns at the base of the stairs onstage of the tunnels, but not on the ship
-SMs: Spike the placement of the globe lanterns
-Zoe: What happened?  You haven’t lost that moment before during I Stand On The Deck
-Kieran: Don’t untuck the shirt…losing the coat = ok
-Zoe: Really build through pg 121, the lead in monologue to the fight
-Zoe: Keep his head up and strong after defeating Burns.
-All: Be very quiet and focused backstage…every extraneous sound pulls us out of the play
-Add a reference to the band after Simpsons bow

**We are going to look at restaging the last couple of moments of the show…they’re wonky and it’s my fault**

Lots of Show Week Notes!

Hi all -

Again, I can't say how excited I am about how the show is coming together!  The team has started to gel really well, and everything is just going to get stronger as the week goes on.

I have a few things to throw out to everyone to be aware of this week:

1) I have received bios from less than half of the team so far.  Please email me at mjamie@pps.net with your bio (instructions in an earlier post) or the following words will be after your name in the program: No Bio Submitted
2) Also, a number of people have not yet gotten onto either the cast or crew Reminds!  Remind is how we get moment-to-moment information out to folks...please log on to the following feeds:
Actors: remind.com/join/mrburnsca
Crew/Musicians: remind.com/join/kdecfk
3) Remember: Talk to your families about Mother's Day/Strike!  I am looking to set our time tomorrow...I need to know both which affects the least number of our ensemble negatively, and that folks understand they are expected to be there as a part of our production, regardless of which time it is...you've already committed to it.
4) I am working on whether or not we will be able to hold our photo shoot/pickup rehearsal/video shoot next Wednesday, May 8th.  As you know, we don't have school that day, due to the statewide Day Of Action for school funding, but it's still in the air as to whether or not we can have evening events.  Assume now it is on; should that change, then plans shift back a day to May 7th, on the same time schedule.
5) Remember that we are presenting part of Act II to the visiting 8th Grade students this Friday, May 3rd.  Management, Crew, and the Act II Actors will be called from class at 845am to dress and warm up and set the space.  We'll be presenting up to 10 minutes, from pg. 77 ('Look, our episodes are getting pretty good' to pg. 85 ('I wasn't looking.  I'll keep an eye on it next time'), including Chart Hits.  This may be pared down for time.  You'll be performing for small groups of 8th graders, beginning at 948 am, and you'll do the section 5 times to accommodate them all.  Please be sure to be in the Drama Room promptly at 845am to get ready.

We're ramping up, as you can see above!  Make sure you're staying on top of your health (make good eating/drinking/sleeping choices!), mental wellbeing, academic obligations, etc.  Talk to your teachers about the schedule and be as proactive as possible.

You're doing great work...now lets bring it home!

j.

Some General Company Notes...

Hi All -

Thanks for coming out and making our stumblethrough of the show a success!  We are in a good place on the show, and, with a good work-focus from here out, we are going to have a heck of a good show!

Please read over the notes below and take action for yourself where necessary!

1) I am ordering T-Shirts in the next 24 hours.  If you wear a non-traditional shirt size (read: either looser fitting or tighter fitting than a standard t-shirt, because I can size-guess pretty well), OR you actually don't want your shirt (and given how many shirts are left behind show-to-show, that's a few people), please let me know in writing to mjamie@pps.net as soon as possible!

2) CREW/MUSICIANS: We now have a Remind set up...please click this Link or use the Remind Code: kdecfk to join.  (Only 3-4 of you have so far!)

3) CREW/MUSICIANS: Please remember that each production team member has a $25 production fee due to the WHS Bookkeeper to cover a piece of the materials and collaborating artist costs for the show.

4) ACTORS/MGMT.: Rehearsal today is scheduled as follows -
/345p-430p: Stumblethrough Notes - All Cast (except Zoe)
/430p-630p: Run and Work Act I

5) CAST/MGMT/RUN CREW: Calls for the Q2Q days (4/25 and 4/26) are 345p-645p, and we will cover lighting cues, sound cues, and scenic transition assignments for the show, as well as runs of the Acts.

6) MUSICIANS: Your calls differ from the posted calendar ONLY in the following ways:
4/25 - No Call
4/26 - Call Full Time to Integrate Music
4/28 - Call Time: 400pm-900pm
All Dress/Preview/Performance days - Call Time: 700pm

7) ALL:

Please fill out the bio you intend to appear in the production program for the show and email to mjamie@pps.net as soon as possible (no later than Saturday, 4/26)!

 Guidelines:

-Word Count: 30 Words—Non-Seniors…40 Words Company Members

-Word Count: 50 Words—Seniors…60 Words Company Members

-Serious Bios Only, Please

-Potential Inclusions:

--Past Roles

--Thank Yous

--Well Wishes

I reserve the right to edit for length or content…bear that in mind!

Name _______________________________________________ Class ______________

Role/Job _______________________________ TShirt Size _____________________

That's it for now...see many of you this afternoon!

j.

Schedule Tweaks/Information: Please Review

Hello, Burns Cast and Crew!

The downloadable schedule is has just been revised, albeit for LESS time called (slightly, don't get that excited!), so I need everyone to review it.  Highlights:

-Please consider attending the Build Call tomorrow, 4/20, between 200pm and 600pm.  We'll be working almost every aspect of the show: Costume, Props, Scenic, Sound, possibly Lighting...something for everyone!  Help make our show a reality!
-All standard rehearsal calls (week of 4/21) begin at 345p rather than 330p.  I simply cannot make the transition from the teaching day to the production day in under 15 minutes.  All other Tech/Dress/Preview/Performance call times stand.
-Crew is now only called 3 days next week.  I'm asking crew members to attend the full run scheduled for Tuesday the 23rd, and both Q2Q days, 4/25 and 4/26 in their entirety.  **Q2Q days do not include Costume/Makeup or Business
-Instrumentalists are called to rehearsal Monday night 4/22 at 645p to work with our Music Director, Ethan Conroy.  They'll also be called to Friday, 4/26's, Q2Q for sound reinforcement.  The only other call that will differ for instrumentalists after that point is the Sunday, 4/28, call, where they'll be called at 400pm.
-We are currently scheduled to hold our video shoot/pickup rehearsal on 5/8.  This is also an 'off' day for the district due to the statewide Day of Action supporting school funding.  As of now, there are afternoon and evening events for activities and athletics. 
-On Tuesday, 4/23, we'll take a vote on when to hold Strike: 900a-200p, or 200p-600p.  Due to the fact that it's Mother's Day (ulp!) I want to respect you having plans with that special human in your life!  Unfortunately, I cannot delay Strike by even a day or two due to other auditorium events that week.  Please come in knowing your family's (tentative!) plans for Mother's Day celebrations.  I can't accommodate everyone...but we'll do our best.
-CREW!!: We now have a Remind set up...please click this Link or use the Remind Code: kdecfk to join.  I'll be posting to it at the end of this week.

Thanks all!  Rest up...the endgame approaches...😉

j.

Attn: All Crew Members

Hi there, Crew -

We now have a Remind set up...please click this Link or use the Remind Code: kdecfk to join.  I'll be posting to it at the end of this week.

We have some changes to the schedule and timeline for the show (nothing big, but useful to know) that you'll want to be aware of.

j.

So...Illness is a Thing

So...remember what I said when I said that in a small cast, illness/absence was going to be challenging?  Well, today it happened...

As we are missing a full 1/4 of the cast (2 of the 8) for today's rehearsal due to illness, I am cancelling rehearsal.  Jackson is hosting time in the Choir Room for folks who want to go over music, Annika is also there to help with either/both lines and music, or you can use that time on your own to go over video/memorize/review music solo.  The only thing that should not be an option is using your time during this block, or its equivalent, for something not related to the show.  We still have an obligation to our team and our audience, and plenty of work to do!  Use it well.

It also changes our rehearsals for the next two weeks.  To accommodate taking today down, we will adjust the next two weeks (in terms of what we cover, NOT in terms of changing call times/expectations).

4/17 - Fix-it Day: 330p-630p/Fight Choreo, Music, Fix Whatever You Are Uncomfortable With
4/18 - Act III: 330p-630p/Run and Work Act III Stuff
4/19 - Act II: 330p-630p/Run and Work Act II Stuff
4/20 - Build Call: 200p-600p/Costume, Scenic, and Rigging Build
4/21 - **Dark**: Easter Sunday
4/22 - Movement: 330p-630p/Run, Work, Polish Dance/Fight Choreo
4/23 - Run: 330p-630p/Run Full Show with Notes **I know we won't have done Act I in a while, but this is the only way I see the schedule working efficiently**
4/24 - Act I: 330p-630p/Run and Work Act I Stuff
4/25 - Q2Q: 330p-630p/Cue and Set Acts I & II
4/26 - Q2Q: 330p-630p/Cue and Set Act III

We'll talk more face to face about what each of these things mean, and the other things we need to tackle.  Stay on top of your obligations, both within theatre and without, and keep everything moving forward.  Thanks all...be (and stay!) well.

j.

Schedule Revisions: Week of 4/15

As promised, here are the revisions to this week's schedule:

4/16: Work Act II
4/17: 330p-430p, Stage Combat and Work Music; 430p-630p, Work Things that Need to be Worked
4/18: Work Act III
4/19: Work Act I

Thanks for the flexibility this week!

j.

Build Requirements for Actors - Revision

Hello, Actors -

Given how the builds for this show are structured, I'm revising the expectations of all actors in regard to their build requirements.

According to your signed audition packets, all actors were committed to 'Two Builds, in their Entirety';

As the Sunday builds and midweek light hangs are only three hours long, vs. the Saturday builds being 5-6 hours long, the expectation (in the interests of fairness) of actors in terms of build attendance/participation, will be 'Minimum of 6 total hours'

Thanks...hope this levels out the playing field a bit!  See you this weekend!

j.

Dance Videos - 4/8

Here is a folder of the videos of the dance numbers so far...again, these are for personal use in learning, NOT sharing in other places online.

Dance Videos Folder

Rehearsal Tracks

Hello all -

Please see below for all your rehearsal track needs!  Due to a spam filter issue (apologies, the email from Ethan went to my junk box), this is getting to you later than promised.  Please use it well!

Rehearsal Tracks Folder

Thanks!  See you later today.

j.

Dance Videos - 4/2

Here are the videos of the dance numbers...remember, these are for personal use in learning, NOT sharing in other places online.

Zoom Zoom Zoom

Chart Hits, pt. 1