Post by Admin on Oct 30, 2018 17:30:59 GMT
I'll probably add to this after today's rehearsal, but here are some things to think about/work on this week and next:
- Hermione's classroom scene. Why has this been so difficult for the "students" in this scene? Every time we get to this scene...there are no "students."
-Please, please, please treat your microphones and mic packs with care. I saw one hit the cement yesterday and I don't think it's quite working anymore. If I can't revive it, that was a $800 careless error. I want to use the mics for this show, but if we keep having preventable accidents, we may have to pull them. I don't want to do that, so please, please, please use more care. We just spent $360 yesterday to replace broken microphones from the last show (and one from this show). Ouch to our budget.
-Work on those accents. They ranged from there to not there to Australian.
-For those of you with longer paragraphs to say, be sure to not rush your lines and to enunciate. Some of those longer paragraphs contain information vital to the plot of the show...and if we can't understand you, you'll hurt the show.
-For those of you with longer paragraphs 2: You have to say the entire paragraph. There were a couple of times where a character dropped some dialogue in the middle. Some of that is important dialogue!
-Everyone should slow down (except Albus...) Use Albus/Amanda as your guide. Every line she says is not rushed, uses great diction and easy to understand. Well done, Amanda!
-Characterization- Some of you have characters that are established in the movies. You need to work on emulating those characters because they are most recognizable in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You seriously don't want our younger audience members to complain about you. They're the ones that know Harry Potter characters the best.
-Characterization 2- This is just a general note to remind you to STAY in character. Don't start a bad habit now with only a few rehearsals to go. Every time you break character or start laughing fits on stage, an angel weeps. For the record, I may or may not be that angel.
- Backstage prop cart. Behind the black curtain, you may notice that there is a pink (thanks "Legally Blonde!") prop cart. If you have props that you can access easily, you can stick them on that cart for the rehearsals and show. After each rehearsal, just remember to bring your props back to the costume room. We don't want to leave anything out that my untrustworthy boys in 6th period might touch or break.
-Please remember this fact. If you can see the audience, the audience can see you. You can't stand in front of a curtain waiting for your cue to enter the stage. You also can't stand around or sit backstage if you're not going on for a while. With the blue rope light on, we can see your feet under the black curtain. It's really obvious that you're there.
-Be patient. Sometimes tech rehearsals go faster, but this is a show where tech is important to the plot. You'll find yourself waiting around a little more this week. Just be patient and please be around when we need you on stage.
-Watch your wands. Some of you have plastic wands that are relatively cheap to replace if broken. Others, like the main characters have wands that range from $20-$40 to replace (especially the screen accurate wooden wands.) If you break your wand, you need to come up with the replacement. We can't afford to buy new wands.
-Sorting Hat- We need to really work on your song. I think I'd rather have you play the instrumental part out where the music swells and then start the 2nd half where the music matches the lyrics again. You won't have music for the last two lines, but it's better than trying to make the lyrics fit music that doesn't fit.
-McGonagall- When you first come out, your WAIT!!!! needs to be super loud! Remember when narrating the book that you are talking to the audience. Do not start looking at the actors on stage until you notice that they aren't following the story.
-For everyone- Just a reminder to project into your microphones. We can turn you down if you are too loud...but if you're too quiet... there is literally nothing we can do. I'd rather you be too loud than too quiet.
-We need a stand in for any actor that can't be here during the last 5 rehearsals. Missing Anthony not only messed up lines on stage, but also altered the lighting in the show because we were a person short. For everyone, we beg you to please be here! We only have 5 chances to get this right!
-Dementors- I want to see you all in Heely's and wearing the dementor costumes. You need to practice getting in and out of them quickly.
-The bookcase scene- We need to see the mortal danger that the characters are in. There should be a real struggle as the bookcase tries to "eat" you. It can be funny, but it should be more realistic. Don't phone it in because it just looks confusing. When the book case "eats" you and you're out of the scene permanently, don't just stand up and walk off. You should exit behind the giant castle on stage. That's partly why I built it the castle so big and added the side curtains to the bookcase.
-When lip synching the actors backstage, don't be afraid to be more exaggerating with your moves. If you're just lip synching and not really moving, it can be hard to tell who is talking in the trio. Move those arms around, make it obvious to the audience.
-My biggest fear on this show is losing the audience. By that I mean, confusing them. Be sure that everything you say and do is clear. This plot can get an audience lost pretty easily, just like the real play. Let's not get them lost because of something we're doing wrong.
- Keep your cool! If something doesn't go right or if someone is doing something wrong, don't resort to yelling at someone. If you have a major problem, see Klem, or our two Drama presidents Ashlyn and Amanda. As we get into these final days, tensions can mount and stress can get to people. The three people mentioned are the only people who have authority to yell at anyone, although I'm pretty sure we'd prefer not to yell at all.
I'll add to these after rehearsal Tuesday. When I'm done adding, I'll ask you to respond that you read them. Please don't respond before then. You'll just embarrass yourself.
- Hermione's classroom scene. Why has this been so difficult for the "students" in this scene? Every time we get to this scene...there are no "students."
-Please, please, please treat your microphones and mic packs with care. I saw one hit the cement yesterday and I don't think it's quite working anymore. If I can't revive it, that was a $800 careless error. I want to use the mics for this show, but if we keep having preventable accidents, we may have to pull them. I don't want to do that, so please, please, please use more care. We just spent $360 yesterday to replace broken microphones from the last show (and one from this show). Ouch to our budget.
-Work on those accents. They ranged from there to not there to Australian.
-For those of you with longer paragraphs to say, be sure to not rush your lines and to enunciate. Some of those longer paragraphs contain information vital to the plot of the show...and if we can't understand you, you'll hurt the show.
-For those of you with longer paragraphs 2: You have to say the entire paragraph. There were a couple of times where a character dropped some dialogue in the middle. Some of that is important dialogue!
-Everyone should slow down (except Albus...) Use Albus/Amanda as your guide. Every line she says is not rushed, uses great diction and easy to understand. Well done, Amanda!
-Characterization- Some of you have characters that are established in the movies. You need to work on emulating those characters because they are most recognizable in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You seriously don't want our younger audience members to complain about you. They're the ones that know Harry Potter characters the best.
-Characterization 2- This is just a general note to remind you to STAY in character. Don't start a bad habit now with only a few rehearsals to go. Every time you break character or start laughing fits on stage, an angel weeps. For the record, I may or may not be that angel.
- Backstage prop cart. Behind the black curtain, you may notice that there is a pink (thanks "Legally Blonde!") prop cart. If you have props that you can access easily, you can stick them on that cart for the rehearsals and show. After each rehearsal, just remember to bring your props back to the costume room. We don't want to leave anything out that my untrustworthy boys in 6th period might touch or break.
-Please remember this fact. If you can see the audience, the audience can see you. You can't stand in front of a curtain waiting for your cue to enter the stage. You also can't stand around or sit backstage if you're not going on for a while. With the blue rope light on, we can see your feet under the black curtain. It's really obvious that you're there.
-Be patient. Sometimes tech rehearsals go faster, but this is a show where tech is important to the plot. You'll find yourself waiting around a little more this week. Just be patient and please be around when we need you on stage.
-Watch your wands. Some of you have plastic wands that are relatively cheap to replace if broken. Others, like the main characters have wands that range from $20-$40 to replace (especially the screen accurate wooden wands.) If you break your wand, you need to come up with the replacement. We can't afford to buy new wands.
-Sorting Hat- We need to really work on your song. I think I'd rather have you play the instrumental part out where the music swells and then start the 2nd half where the music matches the lyrics again. You won't have music for the last two lines, but it's better than trying to make the lyrics fit music that doesn't fit.
-McGonagall- When you first come out, your WAIT!!!! needs to be super loud! Remember when narrating the book that you are talking to the audience. Do not start looking at the actors on stage until you notice that they aren't following the story.
-For everyone- Just a reminder to project into your microphones. We can turn you down if you are too loud...but if you're too quiet... there is literally nothing we can do. I'd rather you be too loud than too quiet.
-We need a stand in for any actor that can't be here during the last 5 rehearsals. Missing Anthony not only messed up lines on stage, but also altered the lighting in the show because we were a person short. For everyone, we beg you to please be here! We only have 5 chances to get this right!
-Dementors- I want to see you all in Heely's and wearing the dementor costumes. You need to practice getting in and out of them quickly.
-The bookcase scene- We need to see the mortal danger that the characters are in. There should be a real struggle as the bookcase tries to "eat" you. It can be funny, but it should be more realistic. Don't phone it in because it just looks confusing. When the book case "eats" you and you're out of the scene permanently, don't just stand up and walk off. You should exit behind the giant castle on stage. That's partly why I built it the castle so big and added the side curtains to the bookcase.
-When lip synching the actors backstage, don't be afraid to be more exaggerating with your moves. If you're just lip synching and not really moving, it can be hard to tell who is talking in the trio. Move those arms around, make it obvious to the audience.
-My biggest fear on this show is losing the audience. By that I mean, confusing them. Be sure that everything you say and do is clear. This plot can get an audience lost pretty easily, just like the real play. Let's not get them lost because of something we're doing wrong.
- Keep your cool! If something doesn't go right or if someone is doing something wrong, don't resort to yelling at someone. If you have a major problem, see Klem, or our two Drama presidents Ashlyn and Amanda. As we get into these final days, tensions can mount and stress can get to people. The three people mentioned are the only people who have authority to yell at anyone, although I'm pretty sure we'd prefer not to yell at all.
I'll add to these after rehearsal Tuesday. When I'm done adding, I'll ask you to respond that you read them. Please don't respond before then. You'll just embarrass yourself.