Wednesday, February 23, 2011

"Guess What I Did Last Summer"--It's time for auditions!

I know what the Homescool Players will be doing this summer......Just in case you haven't heard our production this year is the musical, "Guess What I Did Last Summer". I think it will be wonderfully timed as our production is scheduled for July. (No...I haven't secured a definite location/date yet, sorry).

We began reading through the script last Friday at rehearsal, listening to the songs on CD when they came up in the script. I think the production will be adorable and perfect for our group this year. Most of the songs are group numbers with a few minor solos. Some of the characters I can already see coming to life on the stage as we read through the script. The kids have picked another fantastic production!

Everyone is curious about "auditions". I am too. :-) Actually, the only reason I hold auditions is to keep everyone accountable in their commitment level and to provide opportunity for the cast to identify what part they want. 

I am anticipating we will finish reading through the script this Friday. If we manage that I would like to have "auditions" the following Friday, March 4th. I know some people are planning trips in March and I am trying to make sure I find a time when everyone can come. Please let me know this Friday if the next Friday will not work for your family so we can change the audition date, but get it on the calendar.

For the audition each future cast member should:

1) Share a one-two minute memorized piece of literature/script, etc. This could be a poem, Bible verse, portion of script, original text, etc. Short and snappy is the key here. I just want to see whether they can interpret something they have read and if they understand the concepts of performance (eg. stage presence, enunciation, pronunciation, articulation, voice/ pitch variety, eye contact, body movement, etc.)

2) Be able to read a portion of the part they are interested in from the script. 

3) Be able to answer some questions in typical interview style. I will be asking them.

That's it! Since we have 23 children auditioning (potentially) I won't be able to spend much time with each cast member if we want to get done in the alloted 2 hour time frame. I will bring a sign-up sheet on Friday with audition slot times.

Would any of the Drama Mamas like to volunteer to help with the auditions? It is just helpful to have someone bounce ideas off of when making decisions. Plus two heads are always better than one.

And finally...... if your child is reluctant to memorize, read aloud, audition, then I will just assign them a small part. They do not have to audition. Of if they decide they would simply like to be a part of the back-stage crew that is okay too. 

Let me know if you have any further questions.

See you all on Friday.....

Saturday, February 5, 2011

And the winner is.....

Friday we held our first rehearsal at the Wadsworth American Legion hall. If you see a member of the American Legion, please thank them profusely for allowing us to meet there. I think it will be a nice place for us to work on our production over the coming months.

I am currently seeking the ultimate performance location. This next week I will check with the main branch of the Akron Library to see if we could use their (very nice) theater. Jen Gorman knows that the library offers the theater space to the community free of charge as long as no library programs are scheduled for that day. Also...Valley View Chapel is willing to allow us to use their space too, but our current production date is a problem for them. They have multiple weddings taking place in July which could be problematic. I am also planning on asking Northside if they could house us, but am waiting until next month due to the same scheduling concerns. I know Northside also likes to keep the sanctuary free for potential wedding needs, but I am assuming by March any summer weddings would have been booked and will be on their calendar. I am confident we will find a suitable place to hold our production complete with air conditioning! That is amazing!


And finally........the kids voted this past Friday regarding their choice of musical. There was much debate and discussion and a winner was selected. However, after much consideration and pondering, I realized that not EVERYONE got to voice their opinion. (We had 8 absences this past week). Therefore, we will have a re-vote this next Friday. If you cannot attend drama rehearsal, please email or phone me your vote. I am planning to read all the scripts in their entirety this next week so I can have a better idea of the "funny factor", casting issues, etc.   







Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Spoerndle (aka Regenia )