I have learned...

Through the course of my involvement in many programs at various theatres I found things I liked and didn't like. For example, I want to give kids a chance when they might not get chances at other theatres. Every kid deserves a chance to try. I want to work with a kid who has potential but needs a bit more work. I want to see kids grow and have fun...and have worked with directors who don't help kids grow...but expect the kids to already be there.

I've worked with directors who don't take people's schedules into account ...and now I know why. It's stressful and difficult to work around schedules. It takes almost 3 times as much time for me to work around schedules than it does to make and stick to a calandar.

Terabithia was our first mainstage production and I tried some of the things that I liked about other programs and some things that I thought i could do better.

I learned that having a constantly updated rehearsal schedule on the internet as well as all the cast notes and such eliminates parents saying "I didn't get that change."

I learned that we need a tech deadline schedule and I need parents to commit to this schedule right away so that we don't have to do it last minute...this time we did and it worked SO much better.

I learned that I have to depend more on parents, I can't do everything myself....I learned that I DO have to crack down at some point.

So now, with the next production I will be trying something different again.

A solid schedule separating principles from ensemble. The principles will start rehearsal mid-august, slow down schedules September, and be fully blocked and memorized before the ensemble is added in late september. THis still leaves a full month before performance in November. Yes, a longer commitment...but the hope is that all the tech and details will then be completely worked out before tech week, even if I have to do it all myself.

And people will be let go or removed after they miss their 3 rehearsals or such before it is too late to fix.

Further, there will be a complete double cast so that kids do not have 3 performances in one day.

Guideline and checklist books will be made so that other parents can answer questions.

I will expect help with PR and promotion from parents, families and volunteers.

We will look outside the cast and their families for volunteers as ushers, tech, run crew, etc.

We will hire a stage manager to be on book so the directors can watch the show and fix things.

There will be cuts from Mainstage casts. Actors will be removed from the cast if they don't fulfill their end of the bargain, or miss too many un excused rehearsals.

Mainstage will become more of a product focused show and Academy Series will be the production that everyone gets a chance in. Hansel and Gretel is the first of these mainstage shows. The principle cast will be much more professional and in depth, organized and structured, and I will not be as lenient on them. Arthur will be even more so.

4th of July Week updates

Hello all!

We have now run through each section completely. Now it's time for fine tuning! I know many of you are out of town for holidays...but remember to memorize! Look over lines and cues. When we are back, we are OFF BOOK!!!

PARENT PATROL

It has become absolutely needed that we have a parent downstairs with kids while they are waiting for their turn on stage. Without naming names, some kids were sliding on the banisters inside and out. I can not be in the basement watching the kids, and therefore need a parent to do this for me. You know the difference between safe and unsafe, so please bring something to do and keep and eye on your kids in the basement when they are not onstage.

CLEAN UP AFTER SELF

Parents have been AWESOME at this when given a task to do...however, the kids are not so good at cleaning up after themselves when they have a snack upstairs in the audience. We do not have a janitor, so it is each of our responsibilities to take our water bottles and trash with us when we leave rehearsal.

COSTUMES TO BE SEWN

I forgot to mention this before, but any person who sews a costume for someone OTHER than a family member will receive 2 "costume comp" tickets to the show for each costume completed. There are 9 indian costume basic dresses to be sewn. We have materials and patterns for these costumes...it would be a shame to let the patterns and materials go to unused. I know the indians are looking forward to decorating the costumes once basic dresses are complete. ALL COSTUMES ARE DUE July 16.

OTHER COSTUMES

Remember, Pirates and lost boys...you are responsible for your costumes. Indians, if costumes are not sewn for you, you will be responsible for yours as well. Indians, if you find something that you think would be PERFECT for your costume, feel free to get it to add to costume when we are decorating. Provided costumes are done by the start of camp, Indians will decorate their costumes on Monday or Wednesday. Check the costume page for more information. www.daretodreamtheatre.com/costume.html

CUES AND ENTRANCES

Monday July 9th "location sheets" will be posted backstage letting each actor know where they should be waiting for their entrance. Become familiar with their location

SET

The set is looking good. Paula Gonzalez (Hook's wife, Smee's mom, and the croc's mom) will be overseeing the "set decorating" and may have tasks for parents at rehearsal.

TO DO:

Finish painting the unfinished flat greenput the flat in place.

String a bungy cord between the 2 green flats as a curtain rod.

staple and secure the sparkle green fringe from the Terabithia float over the bungy cord curtain rod

hang and secure greenery vines to the bungy curtain rod

secure the "stick trees" by Tinker Bell's hiding place to the back of the Neverland Platform

Cover the steps with paper/canvas/styrophoam and paint to look like rocks

cut styrophoam rocks for "rock border" along green grass at edge of platform

paint rocks (I am planning to do this in camp with stagecraft kids)

decorate Neverland with greenery (anything able to be loaned would be appreciated!)

string green rope light in room behind "pine tree entrances" and into backstage near piano

hang green boarder curtain at top of black curtain

let down black curtain (week of show)

Paint "french doors" white when completed

Once beds are sanded, staple felt to the top

"make beds" with bedding

Wrap handles of swords (when finished) with tape (cloth tape prefered)

dye tights

BUILDING

cut french doors out of siding/luan

Assemble french doors

attach doors to frame so that they can open

Sand the edges of the beds

build 8 swords (pics and suggested directions available friday)

Sand 8 swords when built

Finish mermaid rock, bring upstairs

PROPS NEEDED

3 pillows

solid colored toddler bedding (sheet, quilt, blanket, skirt ruffle) or cloth to make bedding (blue and Mauve preferred, but any OK)

Solid colored bedskirt ruffles to be cut and attached to the beds.

Micheal's teddy bear

Wendy's book

old fashioned alarm clock

OTHER CHALLENGES

Tinker Bell flies into the room, sits in glass...(flashlight operated from balcony, light bulb wired into something...what? I am not sure)

Scene changes

I think that's good for now! See you all on Friday! Have a good 4th.

Rachel