Random Collection of Odd Information

Didn't know what else to call this post ;)

*****
Many thanks for your hard work on MND and your good attitude about it. It seems like you guys are really enjoying the rehearsals even though they require work. Now, if only the rest of school were this entertaining. ;)

*****
I've set Thursday, Feb 23 as the date for cast photos. That means we'll need a longer rehearsal to fit everything in (full run/dress rehearsal + photographs).

Plan on being at school till 6pm on that day. We'll need to hit the dressing rooms right after school. I'll check into organizing a parent brigade to provide food.

I'll also email the teachers and ask them to give you much grace (i.e.: less homework) that night.


PS. I'll be glad to burn you a CD of the cast photos for $2. That covers the cost of the CD plus the time spent making them.

*****
Please invite everyone you know to attend the performances!

For one thing, I expect the play to turn out really well.

For another, those tickets provide the money we need to pay for set construction, lighting, costumes, and *drummroll please* maybe even some funds for next year's drama expenses. (Oh yes, I've begun thinking about next year already!)

So seriously -- invite your friends, your neighbors, your youth group, your pastor ... even if they come just to mock you.
JUST KIDDING! ;)

I'll keep you posted on which nights have the most tickets available.

*****
OK, last thing we need to discuss
Read this, store the info, and come back to it often ...


GROUND RULES for final rehearsals
1. Please ask me before inviting anyone to sit in on rehearsals.
I've got enough going on with 30+ cast members plus backstage personnel-- I do NOT need extra people underfoot.

Also, I don't want people coming to watch dress rehearsals so they can avoid paying to see the show. Hey, that's the way theater works. If you don't pay, you don't get to see it.

If you have a special situation (close family with unavoidable conflicts for all 3 performances) then I'll grant some leeway -- but please talk to me first.


2. Please take care of your costume.
Leave your MND costume at school (even if it's something you personally own) once we start into the full-run & dress rehearsals. I'll dredge up some hangers and we'll find an "official" spot to store stuff. Mrs Broles & Sara are the official wardrobers for this production.

After every dress rehearsal or performance, YOU are responsible for hanging up your clothing, storing any borrowed jewelry in the bags provided, and returning your costume to the appointed spot.

If I find your costume items lying around or on the floor, you will incur my wrath. With 30 people's clothes to think about, neither I nor the wardrobers can be your mother. Take care of your own stuff!

Dressing room locations will be announced shortly. Expect your dressing room to be located in building C somewhere. ;)

Get used to this:
--Before you leave the dressing room to head to our cast meeting (before any full run or performance; times TBA), the costume folks or I need to look you over to make sure you're properly dressed. We'll keep track of who we've seen.

--After each dress rehearsal or performance, do NOT leave the dressing room without checking in with the person in charge in your dressing room. (I'll post a list somewhere, but it'll be the oldest actor in your room.) That person will make sure you've taken care of your costume before you go home.

--If you tear your costume or get it dirty, please say something to the costume people ... don't just quietly hang it back up and leave it for one of us to discover an hour before curtain time.


3. Stay put.
In the early full-run rehearsals, I want you sitting in the audience (on the front rows on all 3 sides) so the actors get used to working right under people's noses. ... plus you want to see the show. =)

In our final runs on Monday, I'll ask you to wait in the "green room" / backstage areas (probably the 1st & 4th grade classrooms) and to practice being quiet during the play (and getting in place in time for your cues).

Bring something with you to do that's QUIET. Card games work well (as long as they don't involve yelling.) ;) You're welcome to read or sleep or talk quietly. (You guys did great with this during our scene performances in December. Help the younger ones "be good.")


4. Take note of your entrance & exits and be on time for them.
We don't have a backstage PA system like real theaters have ... so our stage manager (Bethany) can't quietly remind you to get in your place for your cue. She'll be wandering about back there, but it's quite possible she won't be able to catch everybody. So it's YOUR job to be where you need to be at the right time.

If you get distracted by what's going on in the Green Room and miss a cue, you're going to feel pretty stupid. Pay attention.


5. Be careful when eating or drinking in costume.
I'm asking for parents to provide snacks & drinks for the performances. Please avoid stuff that's messy -- sticky, drippy, greasy, or RED. =)

And remember -- water is GOOD. (Stay hydrated)
But cramming yourself full of food is a fast track to nausea once you get nervous.


6. Preserve the illusion.
The magic of drama is in its illusion of reality -- for 90 minutes, C-108 really is a forest inhabited by fairies ... or the ancient city of Athens in all of its Greek splendor.

There's no faster way to spoil that illusion than by showing yourself off to guests before the performance. Your parents, grandparents, best friends, and other admirers shouldn't see you until you step out on stage. The time for photos, reunions, etc is AFTER the performance.

Once the building doors open (probably 6:15ish), you need to stay out of public view.


7. Call times for the performances are 5:45 on Tues & Thurs and 12:45 on Saturday.

BE ON TIME. Period.
Anderson people, if you're willing to give Clemson people a place to hang out between school and the performances on Tues & Thurs, let them know that... I'm sure it would be appreciated.

Please eat before you come. Avoid bringing your food with you "on the fly." It'll just invite spills and costume damage.

Eat lightly, but DO eat sometime between 3pm and 6pm. Try to avoid soda or milk products (soda makes you burp; milk coats your throat).


Whew. =) That was a lot of info.

Yes, you'll hear it again in meetings. Repetition aids the memory.



I dunno 'bout you, but I'm pumped about MND. Everything I've seen so far says this is going to be a fun show. I'm very proud of you guys!