**Cast List** & Notes

All right . . . looks like we've finally gotten the ball rolling on the 7th grade play projects as well as the short plays.

A couple of notes, and then I'll leave you in peace for your weekend off. :-D

7th grade play project

• Yes, you are being graded on your assistance to the 7th graders. You know far more than they do about acting, and they definitely need your help. ;) Take them under your wing and give of yourself . . . you'll be amazed at what they can do!
  
• I've told the 7th graders to treat you with respect and to listen to what you have to say. Now you need to earn that respect by treating them professionally. Don't ever belittle one of your young actors
• Take it slow, but be insistant that the 7th graders actually improve. They just got off-book a day or two ago, and they can't work on lines and acting at the same time. Give them a chance to grow into character . . . but don't let them continue in bad habits (or boring acting).
  
• Keep a log of your work with the 7th graders. I'll give you a sheet . . . keep one per group. This log should describe the work you do with the 7th grade plays. It's a major chunk of your grade. Don't forget it, lose it, or pretend it doesn't matter. ;)

Your responsibilities:
--help the 7th graders improve their acting and characterization
--make blocking suggestions. (They'll need lots of advice here.)
--push them to get off book and get their lines down
--run warm ups (vocal, character)
--demand that they speak up and slow down
--keep the book for them when they rehearse
--work out backstage details
--be the backstage crew for their dress rehearsals and performance the last week of April

Requirements
You *must* meet with your 7th graders. ;-) Yes, it's a requirement.

I hope you watched your group rehearse once already. Write it on your log sheet if you did and be happy that your grade, so far, is a good one.

Next week, watch the 7th graders rehearse on at least two different days. Try to space them out (like a Tuesday and a Friday).

The following week is dress rehearsal & performance week. Expct to be at their dress rehearsal to work backstage and help out. You can sit in the audience for the performance if you aren't actually working backstage (and you'll work backstage for only one of the three plays, so plan on watching the other two from the audience).

Performance day is Thursday, April 27th, at 1pm. I'll talk to your teachers about getting you out of class as needed.


Short Plays

**Cast List!!**

The Landlady (Directed by Bethany)

Assistant Director: Alicia
Billy: Aaron
Landlady: Mrs. R
Station Attendant: Casey

*****

You Can't Take It With You (Directed by Sam)

Assistant Director: Claire
Uncle Basil: Nate
Maud: Sara
Percival: Ryan
Letitia: Taylor
Clotilda: Rebekah
Verner: Christian
Carpenter: Mr. R
Lawyer: Abigail
Housekeeper: Bettina

• The student directors will run the show here. I'll assist them in any way that they request, but ultimately, I'm letting them fly "solo" as much as possible.
• Scripts will be in your hands early next week, Lord willing. I'll finish them up this weekend and let the directors edit them before they're finalized.
• You'll get a rehearsal schedule from your director soon. Expect some after-school rehearsals in May (if not before). Also expect basic reading rehearsals and blocking rehearsals next week wherever your director can fit them in.
• It's going to be interesting to juggle yearbook and play rehearsals, but I think we can bump along with a lighter schedule for the next two weeks while everyone memorizes lines . . . and then hit it hard after field trip week (and yearbook is over).
• Expect your off-book date to fall in late April, but ultimately it's up to your director. As actors, you're also responsible for doing character research and thinking through the objectives and subtext. Do that as soon as you get your script.
• Help your director find costumes, set items, and props.
• Your grade for these comes primarily from 1) effort; 2) analysis (of the script and subtext); and 3) characterization.
• HAVE FUN! These two stories are real gems.
  

The final performances are Thursday afternoon, May 18, and Friday night, May 19. Start telling people now so they mark their calendars. Your friends and family are welcome to attend either performance. We might use tickets for the Friday night performance just to get an idea of how many people are coming, but admission (if we charge at all) would be only $1.



I love the excitement of embarking on a new play.
I realize you guys are tired (of school and in general).... believe me, SO AM I.

But don't let the weariness rob you of the joy of working with this cast one last time. Some people are moving on next year to new adventures. Relish this opportunity to work with such awesome follks!



PS> I'll be getting those drama CDs and posters done ASAP. Just had to get myself dug out from under a massive pile of work first ... and I'm still digging. But I'm not quite as buried as I was earlier... not quite.

Happy Easter!
He is risen indeed.