Sunday, July 31, 2011
Onto Stone Soup
I'll be going into Seattle today and then onto Arlene's place ... then I've got a week off to do some sight seeing and general chill'axin'! I might get to go into an improv class that Arlene is teaching this week and do a workshop type deal with them, which will be fun! :o) And then it's week one of Stone Soup - and that means Shakespeare!!! Woot woot!!!
Well Done ... not a steak!
Well done to my "Aristocats" and "Into The Woods" kids. Today's shows were awesome!!! Thank you all for rockin' the house! And Thank You to the Admiral Theatre for hiring me for the camp! Good times ... Great Oldies! (Or something like that.)
They all did a really amazing job ... 2 weeks ... WOW!!!
:o)
ps...this was "today's post" ... July 30th, Saturday, 2011!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday's Post
Time Travel to Yesterday, July 29th,2011:
Tech went ... long ... and a bit confusing to begin with ... and then it went really well!!! Both shows came together, kids moving set pieces they'd never seen until then, using costumes for the first time, using props some of which also were a first time use ... the sweeeeeeeeeeeet-est chicken prop (with wheels, yes I said wheels) made by a member of the staff ... and then when the confusion got unconfused, the kids really rocked it out. Some were still too soft and their characters were not as present as I know they can be, but they really did a great job!!!
I've a list that's "long" ... with a few things to give out to the kids when they arrive for their shows ... but even if they don't get implemented they'll be great!
And so ... I must now make a set change list for both shows before I head over to the theatre.
Show day today ... break a leg all!!!
And Happy First Anniversary to my friend Arlene and her Husband Aidan!!! (Arlene's the one who's gotten me out here to the North West!)
Tech went ... long ... and a bit confusing to begin with ... and then it went really well!!! Both shows came together, kids moving set pieces they'd never seen until then, using costumes for the first time, using props some of which also were a first time use ... the sweeeeeeeeeeeet-est chicken prop (with wheels, yes I said wheels) made by a member of the staff ... and then when the confusion got unconfused, the kids really rocked it out. Some were still too soft and their characters were not as present as I know they can be, but they really did a great job!!!
I've a list that's "long" ... with a few things to give out to the kids when they arrive for their shows ... but even if they don't get implemented they'll be great!
And so ... I must now make a set change list for both shows before I head over to the theatre.
Show day today ... break a leg all!!!
And Happy First Anniversary to my friend Arlene and her Husband Aidan!!! (Arlene's the one who's gotten me out here to the North West!)
Thursday's Post
Time Travel back two days:
Welcome to the evening of July 28th, 2011
Thursday's rehearsals went really well, we got more set pieces to work with when the kids were rehearsing on the stage (and props too)! Things are coming together ...
Welcome to the evening of July 28th, 2011
Thursday's rehearsals went really well, we got more set pieces to work with when the kids were rehearsing on the stage (and props too)! Things are coming together ...
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I've Got NOthing.
For a post today, I don't really have anything.
Today was much better than yesterday, and that's all I"ve got to say about that.
Oh, and boogidy boo, just kidding!
Today was much better than yesterday, and that's all I"ve got to say about that.
Oh, and boogidy boo, just kidding!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Aaaaaaargh!
Today ... blargh ... !!! Not a great day.
The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow. Right? Right!
(No, I don't mean literally, but rather metaphorically ... please!?!?!)
The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow. Right? Right!
(No, I don't mean literally, but rather metaphorically ... please!?!?!)
Monday, July 25, 2011
Did everything fall out of the campers heads over the weekend?
NO! Hey, that fits with the theme of this blog (sort of, well it's a no at any rate)! The kids did not lose everything we taught them from last week over the weekend, phew!
So the weekend proved to be beneficial for most (though not all) of the older kids in Into The Woods. We had a stumble thru today, 6 days after they got the scripts, and they did very well - almost entirely off book and with not "too many" line bobbles and all that! They know most of scenes 1-3, it gets shaky in scene 4 & 5, and they were (again for the most part) all really trying with their characters. Volume needs help, seems not to matter how much I ask they are often not projecting, and or putting their butts to the audience (or sometimes their shoulders). And I find it interesting that, as teens who are always making loud noise and always want to be the center of the universe, you put them on stage and they get soft, turn their backs or sides to the audience, and can't seem to understand that you don't have to look people in the eyes with every word they say - ESPECIALLY IN THEATRE! Hahaha...
But I digress, they did really well!
Aristocats did alright this morning. We have 2 pages worth of text left to "officially" block and the show will be done. If Woods wasn't doing a stumble thru this afternoon (that the Aristokids watched) we would have gotten thru it entirely. We'll get'er'done in the morning tomorrow, and then it's their - YIKES, gulp - turn for a stumble thru. Considering they have more real dance/music numbers we're going to have to work on blending the staging with choreography and vice versa ... and well, I bet one or two of those kids (ok, maybe more like 5 or 6) will have their lines "memorized" the way the older kids did today. We'll see.
Tomorrow should be really interesting ... ahhhhh ha ha ha ha!!!
Some character work, some section work, some run thrus ... some crazy'ness ... awesome!
So the weekend proved to be beneficial for most (though not all) of the older kids in Into The Woods. We had a stumble thru today, 6 days after they got the scripts, and they did very well - almost entirely off book and with not "too many" line bobbles and all that! They know most of scenes 1-3, it gets shaky in scene 4 & 5, and they were (again for the most part) all really trying with their characters. Volume needs help, seems not to matter how much I ask they are often not projecting, and or putting their butts to the audience (or sometimes their shoulders). And I find it interesting that, as teens who are always making loud noise and always want to be the center of the universe, you put them on stage and they get soft, turn their backs or sides to the audience, and can't seem to understand that you don't have to look people in the eyes with every word they say - ESPECIALLY IN THEATRE! Hahaha...
But I digress, they did really well!
Aristocats did alright this morning. We have 2 pages worth of text left to "officially" block and the show will be done. If Woods wasn't doing a stumble thru this afternoon (that the Aristokids watched) we would have gotten thru it entirely. We'll get'er'done in the morning tomorrow, and then it's their - YIKES, gulp - turn for a stumble thru. Considering they have more real dance/music numbers we're going to have to work on blending the staging with choreography and vice versa ... and well, I bet one or two of those kids (ok, maybe more like 5 or 6) will have their lines "memorized" the way the older kids did today. We'll see.
Tomorrow should be really interesting ... ahhhhh ha ha ha ha!!!
Some character work, some section work, some run thrus ... some crazy'ness ... awesome!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Relaxin' and script workin'!
Today I just relaxed ... and then worked on my scripts.
I've got - at least what I think is - a good game plan for the little kids in Aristocats for tomorrow morning! And I'm excited (and a little nervous) to see what the older group of Into The Woods kids has done over the weekend. I'm just flat out scared of what the little kids will have done (or more likely not done) over the weekend, haha!
And that's pretty much all for today!
I've got - at least what I think is - a good game plan for the little kids in Aristocats for tomorrow morning! And I'm excited (and a little nervous) to see what the older group of Into The Woods kids has done over the weekend. I'm just flat out scared of what the little kids will have done (or more likely not done) over the weekend, haha!
And that's pretty much all for today!
Missed it by and hour...
Today's post (Saturday July 23rd, even though I missed by an hour and 3 minutes) is that after almost three years, once again, I was in the same city as my fabulous friend Arlene Maria!!! AND I got to go see her staged reading in Seattle. And I got to ride the Bremerton to Seattle (and back) ferry, on a gorgeous 70'ish plus degree day with crystal clear blue skies ... the Olympics and Mt. Rainer are so pretty (and still covered with snow)!!!
And then I went out with the gal who's house I'm staying at and some of her friends ... I had Der Blokken Black Stout at the Der Bloken Brewery here in Seattle. THERE ARE SO MANY BEERS I'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE, and so many breweries out here.
I'll write up a list of the others as I try them!!!
And ... pause ... Goodnight!
And then I went out with the gal who's house I'm staying at and some of her friends ... I had Der Blokken Black Stout at the Der Bloken Brewery here in Seattle. THERE ARE SO MANY BEERS I'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE, and so many breweries out here.
I'll write up a list of the others as I try them!!!
And ... pause ... Goodnight!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Missed it by 20 minutes ...
Drat, I missed "today's" (Friday July 22nd) post by twenty-one minutes.
Week one is done and it's all going really well. Aristocats still needs a few small dialogue scenes to be blocked, though I do have them pre-blocked myself. And once that is done the Choreographer and I need to see / smooth out some things - transitions between choreography and staging - during a first stumble thru.
Into The Woods is looking awesome. They're going to get to a stumble thru on Monday afternoon ... saaaa-weet! Today I held a contest in the morning and afternoon sessions to see who would "go the whole hog" and really act (show me their character), remember their blocking, sing, move, smile, have fun, etc...and that was a good motivational tool - I believe - for getting them to go further with their characters. We'll see what Monday brings.
New Improv Game learned today:
"Roxane"
3 people in the scene. 1 is sitting down. 1 person did something to the other and so they are in a fight, and the third person is trying to help them make up.
1 person goes out of the room so they can't hear the audiences choices - but they know the relationship of all 3 who will be in the scene (ie: boyfriend/girlfriend/wingman or three sisters where two are fighting and one is trying to get them to make up).
The audience decides what the character - the one who's outside not listening - has "done" to the other person. They also decide what this character will do to make it up to the person they "wronged".
The wingman's job is to use gestures only to get the first person to figure out what they did, and the person who was wronged can help out with some words.
Trick - if the person sitting see's the wingman doing funky gestures and asks what's going on the wingman has to "justify" what they are doing, and the same thing goes for the person who's trying to apologize.
"I'm sorry I BLANK, and I promise to BLANK" is a good way to get the person who's guessing to do it.
*Also, an ahhhh from the audience when they guesser is close and clapping when they hit it on the nose is fun for them too.
~That is probably not written out well but I didn't want to forget it ... and it's late ... and so there.
:o) Goodnight/morning!
Week one is done and it's all going really well. Aristocats still needs a few small dialogue scenes to be blocked, though I do have them pre-blocked myself. And once that is done the Choreographer and I need to see / smooth out some things - transitions between choreography and staging - during a first stumble thru.
Into The Woods is looking awesome. They're going to get to a stumble thru on Monday afternoon ... saaaa-weet! Today I held a contest in the morning and afternoon sessions to see who would "go the whole hog" and really act (show me their character), remember their blocking, sing, move, smile, have fun, etc...and that was a good motivational tool - I believe - for getting them to go further with their characters. We'll see what Monday brings.
New Improv Game learned today:
"Roxane"
3 people in the scene. 1 is sitting down. 1 person did something to the other and so they are in a fight, and the third person is trying to help them make up.
1 person goes out of the room so they can't hear the audiences choices - but they know the relationship of all 3 who will be in the scene (ie: boyfriend/girlfriend/wingman or three sisters where two are fighting and one is trying to get them to make up).
The audience decides what the character - the one who's outside not listening - has "done" to the other person. They also decide what this character will do to make it up to the person they "wronged".
The wingman's job is to use gestures only to get the first person to figure out what they did, and the person who was wronged can help out with some words.
Trick - if the person sitting see's the wingman doing funky gestures and asks what's going on the wingman has to "justify" what they are doing, and the same thing goes for the person who's trying to apologize.
"I'm sorry I BLANK, and I promise to BLANK" is a good way to get the person who's guessing to do it.
*Also, an ahhhh from the audience when they guesser is close and clapping when they hit it on the nose is fun for them too.
~That is probably not written out well but I didn't want to forget it ... and it's late ... and so there.
:o) Goodnight/morning!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Note to self ...
Find something for the 6-8 year olds in my one show to do tomorrow ... and by that I mean, find someway to get them to pay better attention tomorrow / do what I'm asking them to do and when I'm asking them to do it / remember when and where they are supposed to move and speak ... I know it will all come together in the end and be awesome, but today was a bit of a struggle.
And now ... onto script work (after I check my email).
And now ... onto script work (after I check my email).
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Headache
So I have a monster headache right now which means rather than a lengthy post for today I'm just going to say:
"Into The Woods" is almost entirely blocked (sweet), two more scenes to do tomorrow morning and then we can start really running sections and working on it ... polishing it and all that jazz. I'm really enjoying the personalities of the teens in this group - even the ones who are a bit shy, they keep pulling it out (the drama I mean or the character) when I ask them too! ;o)
"Aristocats" is not quite as far along - which I think is predominantly due to the cast being large (4 Aristocats, 12 Alley Cats, 6 Dogs, 1 Mouse, 2 Geese, Evil Edgar and the Aristocats owner Madame), 27 kids; and that the ages of most of these kids is 6-8 years old - but I digress. It is coming along nicely, I got a few more things blocked today - and got them looking pretty good - and we've got to fill in a few holes, but I think we're about half way through the show (or maybe a little father). This group of kids is good too, though we've got a few "handfuls" in the group (which probably add to where we are or aren't at this point in the script/week).
So woo hoo!!!
Funny thing ... my friend Arlene, who's the second camp I'll be working at, well she and I have been playing phone tag since I landed in Vegas. Same time zone now but we can't seem to get each other on the phone ... ha ha ha ... either I'm at work and she's free or vice versa ...
:o) And that is all for tonight. Goodnight Bremerton, WA!
"Into The Woods" is almost entirely blocked (sweet), two more scenes to do tomorrow morning and then we can start really running sections and working on it ... polishing it and all that jazz. I'm really enjoying the personalities of the teens in this group - even the ones who are a bit shy, they keep pulling it out (the drama I mean or the character) when I ask them too! ;o)
"Aristocats" is not quite as far along - which I think is predominantly due to the cast being large (4 Aristocats, 12 Alley Cats, 6 Dogs, 1 Mouse, 2 Geese, Evil Edgar and the Aristocats owner Madame), 27 kids; and that the ages of most of these kids is 6-8 years old - but I digress. It is coming along nicely, I got a few more things blocked today - and got them looking pretty good - and we've got to fill in a few holes, but I think we're about half way through the show (or maybe a little father). This group of kids is good too, though we've got a few "handfuls" in the group (which probably add to where we are or aren't at this point in the script/week).
So woo hoo!!!
Funny thing ... my friend Arlene, who's the second camp I'll be working at, well she and I have been playing phone tag since I landed in Vegas. Same time zone now but we can't seem to get each other on the phone ... ha ha ha ... either I'm at work and she's free or vice versa ...
:o) And that is all for tonight. Goodnight Bremerton, WA!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Into The Woods with some Alley Cats!
Rehearsals today went really well ... Aristocats is a bit more challenging than Into The Woods (smaller kids, and a lot of them, with shorter attention spans and all that ... ha ha ha)!!! Blocking / Vocals and Choreography going well. We'll see what tomorrow brings (hopefully a little more concentration, ha ha)!
I might bring my camera tomorrow to take some snap shots of the Aristocats scenes so we can move along faster ... not having to make them stand there while we note the blocking sometimes might be helpful ... we shall see!
I might bring my camera tomorrow to take some snap shots of the Aristocats scenes so we can move along faster ... not having to make them stand there while we note the blocking sometimes might be helpful ... we shall see!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Camp Day 1 = Done
After a long flight ... a long "I almost can't keep my eyes open I'm so tired" layover in vegas ... a short flight ... a few hours sleep ... and a long First Day On The Job ... I can say today's first day of camp went really well! Introductions ... three basic acting classes full of games/get to know one another ... and auditions and we've got the shows cast! It's going to be a blast!!!
And now I'm exhausted so today's entry is short.
And that is all.
And now I'm exhausted so today's entry is short.
And that is all.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
En route...
I'm chillin' in the McCarran (I think that's it's name) Airport in Vegas right now. Four hour layover between here and my flight to Seattle. So I'm online and recharging my laptop at the same time. My body says it's almost 9:30pm, but Vegas says it's only 6:30pm ... I've personally recharged with a bagel sandwich and an orange juice (wine for the plane, I'll fall asleep).
I found someone's wallet when I was getting my sandwich ... and Good Samaritan that I am, I turned it in without even looking inside for anything other than a drivers license/name. The lady at the bagel place took it and said if no one claimed it she would turn it into her manager ... I hope the girl who left it realizes before her flight takes off. Yikes!!!
And ... I am off ... to people watch and read ... or something.
I found someone's wallet when I was getting my sandwich ... and Good Samaritan that I am, I turned it in without even looking inside for anything other than a drivers license/name. The lady at the bagel place took it and said if no one claimed it she would turn it into her manager ... I hope the girl who left it realizes before her flight takes off. Yikes!!!
And ... I am off ... to people watch and read ... or something.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
How do you pack for a month and a half?
I HATE PACKING!!!
I want to take all of my cute skirts, capris, tank tops, tops, dresses, shoes ... so how does one narrow that down for one and a half months? I'm trying to keep in mind that I'll be able to do laundry ... and that at Stone Soup there's a camp t-shirt that I'll wear - so for those work days I'll only need pants - but still, my suitcase weighs "a ton". I don't want to have to do laundry every day, and I want to be able to wear a nice outfit if I were to go out to the theatre with my friend, or out for drinks somewhere, or to a museum etc ... plus my blow dryer and hair brush, make up, jewelry, under garments, tootpaste/brush and other bathroom type things ... so I've got stuff packed, and of course things still on hangers and in drawers that I'd love to bring but that I have kept where they are. And I am sure that while I'm out in Seattle I will discover that I've "forgotten to pack" something I'll have wanted ... but I digress.
I hate packing!
I want to take all of my cute skirts, capris, tank tops, tops, dresses, shoes ... so how does one narrow that down for one and a half months? I'm trying to keep in mind that I'll be able to do laundry ... and that at Stone Soup there's a camp t-shirt that I'll wear - so for those work days I'll only need pants - but still, my suitcase weighs "a ton". I don't want to have to do laundry every day, and I want to be able to wear a nice outfit if I were to go out to the theatre with my friend, or out for drinks somewhere, or to a museum etc ... plus my blow dryer and hair brush, make up, jewelry, under garments, tootpaste/brush and other bathroom type things ... so I've got stuff packed, and of course things still on hangers and in drawers that I'd love to bring but that I have kept where they are. And I am sure that while I'm out in Seattle I will discover that I've "forgotten to pack" something I'll have wanted ... but I digress.
I hate packing!
Friday, July 15, 2011
A Day and a Half...
Going to Seattle in a day and a half! Oh yeah!
Today I did some packing ... some script work ... some scheduling ... got my hair cut ... hung out with my friend and her girls (since I won't be able to hang with them again until September), and then had a desert and drinks evening while watching the slide show of my Aunt and Uncles Italy Photos - beautiful!!!
And that's pretty much all ... and now, it's time to sleep!
Goodnight!
Today I did some packing ... some script work ... some scheduling ... got my hair cut ... hung out with my friend and her girls (since I won't be able to hang with them again until September), and then had a desert and drinks evening while watching the slide show of my Aunt and Uncles Italy Photos - beautiful!!!
And that's pretty much all ... and now, it's time to sleep!
Goodnight!
Time Warp
Yesterday got away from me and I went to bed before putting up my post for the day.
Yesterday I went through my notes and books and things and "took notes" in my Stone Soup Notebook for my classes this summer. That way I don't have to take a bunch of books with me ... just one notebook. ;o)
And of course, I worked on my scripts.
I went through my Shakespeare Text and finished locating where in the original text the text taken for this piece is - this way if something doesn't make sense to me (or the kids) at any given moment I can go in my full script and sort it out. :o) Haha! I'm still wondering about the narrators in this adapted version though ... they are the only characters who don't have true Shakespearian lines and so I don't want them to stand out. (If I were adapting it as she has, I would have given all of their lines to Puck who's already - in my the narrator of the story ... but I digress.)
And I sat and chatted with my Aunt and Uncle for a wee while ... and ya know stuff.
Yesterday I went through my notes and books and things and "took notes" in my Stone Soup Notebook for my classes this summer. That way I don't have to take a bunch of books with me ... just one notebook. ;o)
And of course, I worked on my scripts.
I went through my Shakespeare Text and finished locating where in the original text the text taken for this piece is - this way if something doesn't make sense to me (or the kids) at any given moment I can go in my full script and sort it out. :o) Haha! I'm still wondering about the narrators in this adapted version though ... they are the only characters who don't have true Shakespearian lines and so I don't want them to stand out. (If I were adapting it as she has, I would have given all of their lines to Puck who's already - in my the narrator of the story ... but I digress.)
And I sat and chatted with my Aunt and Uncle for a wee while ... and ya know stuff.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Comfort zones ... oiy!
I am totally working outside my comfort zone (thanks for the "diagnosis mom") with having to 'fully stage' two shows before I even meet the kids who will be in them. The Admiral Theatre job "requires" that I have my blocking sorted out so that I can give it to the kids quickly in the first few days of rehearsal ... this way they have it all and they can get to memorizing all the bits together as quickly as possible. Allowing for alterations during the rehearsal process of course. And I completely understand this idea, but I have NEVER done it before. It sort of goes in the complete opposite direction of how I work, if I'm being honest. I'm not saying I can't do it, but I am saying it's really weird. Ha ha! It's me working out of my typical style and therefore out of my comfort zone ... and everyone knows it's easier in ones comfort zone.
I think right now my biggest hurdle is that I don't know EXACTLY what the sets will be like. So trying to stage something where you don't know what the set elements are, or where they are on the stage, or how much room they take up, what pieces the actors can stand on / sit on ... etc ... etc ... makes it a challenge.
But I digress ... I'm gonna rock it out like a pro! :o)
I think right now my biggest hurdle is that I don't know EXACTLY what the sets will be like. So trying to stage something where you don't know what the set elements are, or where they are on the stage, or how much room they take up, what pieces the actors can stand on / sit on ... etc ... etc ... makes it a challenge.
But I digress ... I'm gonna rock it out like a pro! :o)
Officially Accepted Job Offer
So I officially accepted the Youth Tour, Stage Manager, job offer I got from Capital Repertory Company! And my Drama Kids job is willing and able to work with me during that month so I can do both!
Woo Hoo!
I'll be in October and it's called "Pure Poe" ... more info to come whence I have it!
Oh Yeah!!!
Woo Hoo!
I'll be in October and it's called "Pure Poe" ... more info to come whence I have it!
Oh Yeah!!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Fabric River
This is proving to be a challenge ... at least on the "think it through" level. Though my Aunt did just give me a good idea. Fabric river, manipulated by a couple of kids, where a kitten (played by a kid) has to fall in - and can't swim. Another cat dives in to save her but he actually can't swim either, so now he's being swept away, and is finally rescued by two geese. If anyone has any interesting thoughts feel free to leave them here. :o)
Worked on some preproduction lists today ... props lists, costume lists, set lists ... lists of specific movements that need to be sorted out / focused on ... etc ...
Very hot day out today, super muggy, ick! Thank god for AC!
And on an entirely different note I worked on my nieces photograph album, I made one for P when she turned 2 years old - an Aunt Margaret and Me album; and now T is about to turn 2 so I'm working on hers, and updating P's ... and working on a small one for myself, that one is Aunt Marky and P and T! :o) They're so freaking cute, and so big now - both of them!
I guess that's all for the moment.
I should go back to working on my scripts...and gotta see if there's an earlier free miles flight than the one I'm booked on.
Stupid sinus' ... stuffy ... grrr ... ok, now I'm really going back to work.
Worked on some preproduction lists today ... props lists, costume lists, set lists ... lists of specific movements that need to be sorted out / focused on ... etc ...
Very hot day out today, super muggy, ick! Thank god for AC!
And on an entirely different note I worked on my nieces photograph album, I made one for P when she turned 2 years old - an Aunt Margaret and Me album; and now T is about to turn 2 so I'm working on hers, and updating P's ... and working on a small one for myself, that one is Aunt Marky and P and T! :o) They're so freaking cute, and so big now - both of them!
I guess that's all for the moment.
I should go back to working on my scripts...and gotta see if there's an earlier free miles flight than the one I'm booked on.
Stupid sinus' ... stuffy ... grrr ... ok, now I'm really going back to work.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Working On Me Scripts
I sat today, surrounded by theatre books, my scripts and several notebooks from my directing classes and worked on my scripts.
Shakespeare ... it's taken me quite a bit of time, and I'm not even finished, going through the full length version of "A Midsummer Nights Dream" and comparing it to my adapted version for the summer camp. The worst part of the adaptation is that when the playwright typed it up, they didn't type it in verse style ... if I'm going to teach the kids about Iambic Pentameter, Rhyming Couplets, Feminine Endings, Trochaic Rhythms and other such, I need the script to be markable by them (and me). Before the copies are made for the kids I might adjust the lines.
I think the lovers, Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius and Helena resemble the lovers in Commedia dell'Arte.
I did find out that it might be possible to get my balloon forest for this show. How exciting!!! :o)
Commedia dell'Arte ... tomorrow I've gotta get up and move like the characters, get what I learned back in my body so I can show the kids ... and direct two cannovaccio.
Aristocats Kids and Into The Woods ... I've emailed my set thoughts to the theatre, and hope to hear back soon so that I can block the scenes accordingly. Going through those scripts today I have found new ideas ... I've found several shadow puppet moments in "Into The Woods" among other things.
I'm hoping that my woods are "moveable" so that the different areas within the woods can literally look like different areas. I'm a little baffled with the Hen that lays the golden egg, I thought shadow puppet but then how does it lay a golden egg in the hands of the Baker? The script suggests a remote control car decked out like a chicken, that's actually really funny ... maybe.
Aristocats ... I'm hoping the costumer will want to suggest cat, dog, mouse etc...and not with a "cat hat" or anything ... but more with say a collar and some ears on a headband and a tail ... I don't want them to really look like cats, or the other animals in the show, I'm not even sure why I don't but I don't. We'll see ...
The Motorcycle in the show is a question ... but the moving scenery behind the motorcycle to make it look like the bike's moving will be fun to do! :o)
etc...
This is what I did all day long ... phew! ;o)
Shakespeare ... it's taken me quite a bit of time, and I'm not even finished, going through the full length version of "A Midsummer Nights Dream" and comparing it to my adapted version for the summer camp. The worst part of the adaptation is that when the playwright typed it up, they didn't type it in verse style ... if I'm going to teach the kids about Iambic Pentameter, Rhyming Couplets, Feminine Endings, Trochaic Rhythms and other such, I need the script to be markable by them (and me). Before the copies are made for the kids I might adjust the lines.
I think the lovers, Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius and Helena resemble the lovers in Commedia dell'Arte.
I did find out that it might be possible to get my balloon forest for this show. How exciting!!! :o)
Commedia dell'Arte ... tomorrow I've gotta get up and move like the characters, get what I learned back in my body so I can show the kids ... and direct two cannovaccio.
Aristocats Kids and Into The Woods ... I've emailed my set thoughts to the theatre, and hope to hear back soon so that I can block the scenes accordingly. Going through those scripts today I have found new ideas ... I've found several shadow puppet moments in "Into The Woods" among other things.
I'm hoping that my woods are "moveable" so that the different areas within the woods can literally look like different areas. I'm a little baffled with the Hen that lays the golden egg, I thought shadow puppet but then how does it lay a golden egg in the hands of the Baker? The script suggests a remote control car decked out like a chicken, that's actually really funny ... maybe.
Aristocats ... I'm hoping the costumer will want to suggest cat, dog, mouse etc...and not with a "cat hat" or anything ... but more with say a collar and some ears on a headband and a tail ... I don't want them to really look like cats, or the other animals in the show, I'm not even sure why I don't but I don't. We'll see ...
The Motorcycle in the show is a question ... but the moving scenery behind the motorcycle to make it look like the bike's moving will be fun to do! :o)
etc...
This is what I did all day long ... phew! ;o)
Sunday, July 10, 2011
PreProduction Work
I keep reading my scripts. Getting new ideas ... solidifying other ideas .. etc.
I recall something on of my Russian Instructors said during my course in Moscow, the first idea - often - isn't the best one. ;o)
Rehearsal units have been created.
Shakespeare research continues ... making sure I score my script before I even get out to Seattle, that way I can concentrate on the fun stuff while I'm out there.
Set ideas ... I've got a few things in mind, I need to get them off to The Admiral theatre tomorrow to see what the TD thinks of them, and what other ideas he might have.
I think I've got definitions for all the words, in all the scripts, that might prove a challenge to the kids.
Interesting, all the scripts are minimal prop scripts, and most (if not all) can be done with very minimal sets as well.
Aristocats ... I think I'm going to work with some moving scenery, rather than the moving character, to show when they are leaving Paris and getting into the country - on the motorbike - and also when they return to O'Malley's alley.
Shadow puppetry ... I think I've found another few places in Into The Woods for shadow puppetry, and I'm thinking that the cow(s) might be puppet's (not shadow puppets).
Tomorrow I will literally start to block out the Aristocats and Into The Woods, or at least work on it the best I can ... until I get set details.
Other than that ... that is all (for today)!
I recall something on of my Russian Instructors said during my course in Moscow, the first idea - often - isn't the best one. ;o)
Rehearsal units have been created.
Shakespeare research continues ... making sure I score my script before I even get out to Seattle, that way I can concentrate on the fun stuff while I'm out there.
Set ideas ... I've got a few things in mind, I need to get them off to The Admiral theatre tomorrow to see what the TD thinks of them, and what other ideas he might have.
I think I've got definitions for all the words, in all the scripts, that might prove a challenge to the kids.
Interesting, all the scripts are minimal prop scripts, and most (if not all) can be done with very minimal sets as well.
Aristocats ... I think I'm going to work with some moving scenery, rather than the moving character, to show when they are leaving Paris and getting into the country - on the motorbike - and also when they return to O'Malley's alley.
Shadow puppetry ... I think I've found another few places in Into The Woods for shadow puppetry, and I'm thinking that the cow(s) might be puppet's (not shadow puppets).
Tomorrow I will literally start to block out the Aristocats and Into The Woods, or at least work on it the best I can ... until I get set details.
Other than that ... that is all (for today)!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Job Offer
I've been offered a Stage Manager's job for the month of October, SM'ing a TIE Tour (TIE = Theatre In Education ... though that's the English term, at the moment I'm not sure what the American term is ... gone completely out of my brain). Hopefully I can work it out around/with Drama Kids. I'm waiting on more information about the job, hours and exact dates and such ... cross your fingers for me!
Worked on my scripts some more today.
And I guess that's all for now.
Worked on my scripts some more today.
And I guess that's all for now.
Friday, July 8, 2011
My Bio makes me sound impressive ... no?!
Margaret is an International Director and Equity Stage Manager. Recent directorial work includes ‘Peter Pan and Wendy’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’, as well as producing and directing ‘24 Hours: in a Library’ with her company, HallWay Productions, 24 Hour Theatre Series. This past spring Margaret worked with WAM Theatre as stage manager for their ‘O Solo Mama Mia Festival’ and their 24 Hour Theatre Project, and works as a drama teacher during the school year with Drama Kids International of the Capital District. She is also a proud member of Conflict Relief, the Arab Israeli Theatre Collaboration.(www.conflictrelief.org). Her skills and training have taken her to Bali, Scotland, Austria, Russia, England, Romania, and to several U.S. States. Margaret holds a BA in Theatre Arts from SUNY New Paltz, and an MFA in Theatre Directing from the University of Essex in London.
***
So this is the bio I just wrote up for my summer gig's program. Not to toot my own horn (toot toot) but I think it makes me sound pretty cool! :o) If only everyone who saw my resume (and or bio) thought I was pretty cool and therefore desired to HIRE ME 'cause I ROCK!!!
hahaha...
***
So this is the bio I just wrote up for my summer gig's program. Not to toot my own horn (toot toot) but I think it makes me sound pretty cool! :o) If only everyone who saw my resume (and or bio) thought I was pretty cool and therefore desired to HIRE ME 'cause I ROCK!!!
hahaha...
Thursday, July 7, 2011
No Title For Today
Happy Anniversary to my Parents, 38 years! ;o)
*I'm the worst blogger ever, haha! I've got nothing to write for today ... save I made a Chocolate Souffle for my folks Anniversary. It was gooey and chocolatey and yummy!
Tomorrow's Mission:
~Read scripts and listen to the musical numbers again. Keep working on my ideas and thoughts for all of my scripts. And look into jobs to apply too (it's been a while now since I actually did apply to anything).
Goodnight, Sleep Tight, Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite
*I'm the worst blogger ever, haha! I've got nothing to write for today ... save I made a Chocolate Souffle for my folks Anniversary. It was gooey and chocolatey and yummy!
Tomorrow's Mission:
~Read scripts and listen to the musical numbers again. Keep working on my ideas and thoughts for all of my scripts. And look into jobs to apply too (it's been a while now since I actually did apply to anything).
Goodnight, Sleep Tight, Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Musical Staging
Staging a musical is a different animal from a straight play, well partly. There are places in musicals where it is just dialogue, so those moments / scenes are exactly the same as a straight play ... but then there are the actual musical numbers, the moments leading up to those numbers, the exits from those numbers ... etc., etc., etc.,
"The Aristocats" has a lot of musical numbers, though many of them are only 30'ish seconds long (no, I'm not joking). And then there are the scenes that go around them. And "Into The Woods" is very similar, though the songs in "Into The Woods" don't seem to lend themselves to dance numbers as the ones in "The Aristocats" do.
My mind is a whirl ... I've got the music now to go with the scripts ... and I'm beginning to "see" bits of the shows in my head, how they should be staged etc...
As for Stone Soup scripts ... I'm still working on them too, but I have to have my blocking plans before rehearsals start with The Admiral Theatre, so I am concentrating on the two musical scripts more ...
Hopefully tomorrow's posting will be more interesting than this one. I'm sort of babbling to myself here aren't I?!?!?!?!!!
I guess that's all for today.
'Night!
"The Aristocats" has a lot of musical numbers, though many of them are only 30'ish seconds long (no, I'm not joking). And then there are the scenes that go around them. And "Into The Woods" is very similar, though the songs in "Into The Woods" don't seem to lend themselves to dance numbers as the ones in "The Aristocats" do.
My mind is a whirl ... I've got the music now to go with the scripts ... and I'm beginning to "see" bits of the shows in my head, how they should be staged etc...
As for Stone Soup scripts ... I'm still working on them too, but I have to have my blocking plans before rehearsals start with The Admiral Theatre, so I am concentrating on the two musical scripts more ...
Hopefully tomorrow's posting will be more interesting than this one. I'm sort of babbling to myself here aren't I?!?!?!?!!!
I guess that's all for today.
'Night!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Travel
Today I dealt a wee bit with my travel arrangements for my time out in WA.
And I'm feeling like Cap Rep is yet another silent NO. Even with the email I sent out a few weeks ago ... inquiring about the Resident SM position ... oh well.
That's all for today ...
And I'm feeling like Cap Rep is yet another silent NO. Even with the email I sent out a few weeks ago ... inquiring about the Resident SM position ... oh well.
That's all for today ...
Monday, July 4, 2011
Baby Your A Firework ... hahaha!
Happy Fourth of July All!!!
Has everyone BBQ'd up??? Perhaps a little watermelon to follow?
Any fireworks? (Not for me this year.) I do hope no one was tortured with that Katy Perry song all day long ... hahaha!!!
Job Front:
Today all I did, aside from BBQ, was to ask some questions about my shows so I can continue the director's pre-production work. :o)
Goodnighty Aphrodite!
Has everyone BBQ'd up??? Perhaps a little watermelon to follow?
Any fireworks? (Not for me this year.) I do hope no one was tortured with that Katy Perry song all day long ... hahaha!!!
Job Front:
Today all I did, aside from BBQ, was to ask some questions about my shows so I can continue the director's pre-production work. :o)
Goodnighty Aphrodite!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Creative thoughts and go!
So I've now read all 8 scripts that I will be working with this summer and my mind is on fire!
Balloon Forrest?
Puppet Cow?
Shadow Puppet's ...
Forrest / Animals sounds created by kids w/instruments in the cast?
Magical moments ... sight gags and physicality ... WOOT WOOT!
Gotta think ... gotta organize ... gotta make decisions ... but not quite yet, gotta let the creative jucies flow some more and see what else I've got in store.
Why do I rhyme right now you ask?
Because "Into The Woods" has just been read,
And now I find a great big task,
Is staging this show, this I do not dread.
Ok, I never said it was good rhyming.
'Tis all for now.
Balloon Forrest?
Puppet Cow?
Shadow Puppet's ...
Forrest / Animals sounds created by kids w/instruments in the cast?
Magical moments ... sight gags and physicality ... WOOT WOOT!
Gotta think ... gotta organize ... gotta make decisions ... but not quite yet, gotta let the creative jucies flow some more and see what else I've got in store.
Why do I rhyme right now you ask?
Because "Into The Woods" has just been read,
And now I find a great big task,
Is staging this show, this I do not dread.
Ok, I never said it was good rhyming.
'Tis all for now.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
5 Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed
Nothing interesting to report - job wise - today.
I did get to go see some family, my cousins and their kids, five little cutie pies running around ... and got to meet the newest little bean in the family.
Und zat is all.
I did get to go see some family, my cousins and their kids, five little cutie pies running around ... and got to meet the newest little bean in the family.
Und zat is all.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Bring it on July!
Welcome July!!!
Today, working on the scripts that I've got for Stone Soup's Theatre Camp. Researching. Directorial Concepting. Etc..etc..etc.
I got the two scripts for The Admiral Theatre today. Very exciting!!! I'm reminded very much of Stagedoor Manor. And tomorrow I will get crackin'!
Goodnight, Sleep Tight, Don't let the Bed Bugs bite!
ps. I wonder if I can get a post a day for the month of July ... 1 down, 30 to go!
Today, working on the scripts that I've got for Stone Soup's Theatre Camp. Researching. Directorial Concepting. Etc..etc..etc.
I got the two scripts for The Admiral Theatre today. Very exciting!!! I'm reminded very much of Stagedoor Manor. And tomorrow I will get crackin'!
Goodnight, Sleep Tight, Don't let the Bed Bugs bite!
ps. I wonder if I can get a post a day for the month of July ... 1 down, 30 to go!
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