Video

https://youtu.be/R76cUJeThQk

Notes - for this next three weeks, there are already blog comments that need to be made.

Here are my notes:

Add some Josh Harriman fog running throughout the show to show the bombed-out smoldering city.

Beautiful set. Love the soldier! However, sometimes I thought there was too much set because it seemed to hinder the blocking. They were having to maneuver around too much stuff.

The frantic breathing and gasping was too loud during Judith’s reading of the letter. Pull back on that so we can hear and understand her.

Frank & Judith… “Promise. No, I’ll prove it.” – too much profile from both of them.

Brian’s mom… I would like to see her drinking during her lines (drinking and speaking all at once)…not just after she finishes. Make it more realistic.

Tom/Mira – great chemistry

Boys with sleeves rolled to the elbows. I think that is a current trend among teens; maybe not something men of this time period would do… especially in COLD conditions of England.

All costumes are too clean for the conditions that they are in.

I notice that you’ve changed lines. Do you have permission to do so? Example… “I’ll be gobsmacked.”

When Viv and Harry leave, where are they going? There is no motivation in their exit. We know what they are going to do, but do THEY? They didn’t indicate it as they just left the stage.

“Where would you rather be? In or out?” – are there sexual implications in this line or is my mind just in the gutter? If so, play the sub-context.

Tom – “I hate my dad!” – great scene.

LOVED the bus driver’s voice.

Frank – beautiful letter to Judith.

Dead girl has the best characterization of the entire cast. She is internal.

“19 April, 1941” – lots of Texas accent.

Joan – “I haven’t killed inyone” – lost the accent

Weird note – We sing in American dialect; but we speak with British dialect. I think that is inconsistent.

Judith – ‘It’s expected of men. I’ll cut his head off!” – screaming! Can you try the opposite here and have her say it internally through gritted teeth. The screaming doesn’t work for me and it affects her diction.

Smuts as the factory worker with the affliction – best physical characterization of the cast. Try that with others, now. He is hard to understand at times, but his physicality works.

“I want to win a tiny one for myself.” – Yelling; lost the line. Play the opposite emotion.

Gasping reactions are all the same. Each character needs to have a different reaction.

I could have given you many more awards, but you know how that is. I only have 18 to give.

I was afraid that I might get lost in the storytelling, but I did not. You told the story well. I suggest that you really hit the lines about being “at the front of something”, since it is so important in revealing the title of the play.

Bi District Notes MUST COMMENT & INFO ON AREA

Clean up accents.  Make them consistent. Briggs boy needs to be louder. Continue to create strong characters with your bodies that can RIVAL JC Smuts – he had the best physicality. Sing in British accents More fog throughout show. Losing some lines when yelling. Play the opposite.

Singing at beginning – Frank and Judith must establish loving relationship. Tech  and set – loved it. Briggs family – great – Alister needs to be stronger Ironing board – Frank walks in singing and they dance  - but he sings first

Inconsistent  accents – Reese, Evan, Ramzi Needs work on Australian dialect In dead scene, each actor needs to TOP the former speakers’ line. He didn’t like Tipperary – so long, but Geistman and Davis did Presentational? You are not taking away my children. Frank, talk to Judith not audience – your monologue with her. In Gently family, why do people turn away? Daughter go to Mom after Frank Hurry home- and all lines shouted at distance. Smuts – british dialect React more like a girl to body – Mira Bela – plead to Judith Foreman must be out at factory scene. Evan and Reese – work on Aussie dialect Haris – why do you decide to get up?  Why do you decide to walk away? See decisions. Be HESITANT to open yourself to Viv. NOISE ON STAGE LEFT Tom – build to I hate my dad. Girl (Payton) cannot see you from audience – Judge’s perspective. Sound too loud in dead scene Change Briggs – Mom turn to Bill, hold him and sob. Hide bat,  Go to Alister and break down.  Drop bat in rubble. Factory girls – good reaction to Judith, but react more to Joan as well. I hate my country. Joan after shooting be physically affected by shooting the German.  You are too relaxed. At end tips of fingers stay for a beat J and Frank EVERYONE – say each others names at least three times.  Each character.  Presentational vs. Realistic. All relationships need to be as clear as the Gentlys – Briggs, Justice, women to women, men to women, men to men (Jon and Ramzi) in factory.

Clamps Canvas wraps- people carry them in.  People carry individual clamps in bags. This is getting crazier(in a good way- lots of changes),  and we are having a modified rehearsal schedule this week. ·         Monday night – we will rehearse from 8-10 – parents have a dual credit meeting at 6 in the auditorium. ·         Wednesday night – we will rehearse from 8-10 – after everyone’s church services, I hope. Thursday our official rehearsal is at 8:30 AM. We will leave Shallowater at 6:30.  PLEASE ensure that our kids go to bed after rehearsals.  With such a long day, and little sleep, I don’t want the show to be like a slow motion movie without energy.  We have a great chance of advancing to the next level. REHEARSALS: Thursday, March 29th 8:30 a.m. School A2   Shallowater    Front ( Could parents get together and do burritos for the trip that morning) 9:40 a.m. School B3    Alpine             The White Room of Remembering 10:50 a.m. School A1 Canadian        The Angelina Project PERFORMANCES: Thursday, March 29th 12:00 pm    Director’s Meeting 1:00 pm – School B1        Clyde               Anatomy of Gray School A3        Tulia                Gunfighter: A Gulf War Chronicle School B2        Jim Ned           The Crucible School A2        Shallowater    Front School B3        Alpine             The White Room of Remembering School A1       Canadian        The Angelina Project Awards and Critiques will follow in the Theatre. The critiques will be broken in to three groups simultaneously

Monday's rehearsal - MUST COMMENT as well as after bi district

March 20, 2018 for rehearsal on the 19^th

Everyone	First song was a little fast.  In the first bombing scene, be stunned then run for cover.  Stay out until right before Chamberlain starts speaking. Offstage – everyone remember to SHHHHHHH Bricks are HEAVY – don’t kick them around. Tipperary needs to be louder and we need one more loud cryer/singer like Sheila. Freeze when German hits the ground. Good people noises during letter. We need to move bricks where soldier and Angie stands. Practice walking in character when crossing in the back.
Music & Fog	Bring music up more on first cue. Too loud in Tom and Mira’s scene. Last bombing was too loud.  Turn it down during Tom’s and Judith’s lines then backup. Fog when Kate comes out.
Angie	Try having your back to the bomb. LOVE you crying.
The Briggs	More people noises as the Briggs walk off in the beginning.  Mr. Briggs, vocalize something when you strike the Cricket bat. LOUDER and CONSONANTS – Mr. Briggs and Alister Hide cricket bat in second scene.  Make it evident.
Justice family	Where is the watch?
Frank	Look back over RIGHT shoulder in farewell scene. Great on I’ll take none of you. Fuse line was good. In first scenes, come behind Judith EXACTLY like you do in the end – I won’t even say goodbye.
Factory women	Traitor – big vocalization Sabotage – big vocalization.
Dead girl/Val	Make sure you step over the bricks Please keep from moving back and forth when your feet are planted.  They will kill us for that. Love both your girls!
Judith	Smell the shirt. Woman like this in our midst – as though someone else is saying this – maybe Joan has said this? I’ll work – hit consonants. Freeze when bar scene is going on.
Photographer and Bela	Get in the light.  Most photographers in those days crouched and did different levels.  I love your Bela character.  Be louder in your first scene as photographer.
Alister	Louder and cheat out in first scene. Second scene – cheat out more.
Gently family	Frank and Judith, we can’t see the kiss. Remember to freeze.Get your suitcase out when you come out first time.
Women	Remember to slow down at the end of the farewell scene.  Match Viv’s weirdness. Leg is GONE – drop shredded flags. NO SHRIEKING!!!!! Remember your ages
Tom Val’s brother	Don’t run so much.  We will work on that today. Cracker Barrel does not have planes.  You will have to act.   Look up at the beach.  Use your shovel as a plane at times and look up.  Quieter on the gray. Plane noises need to be louder and more.  Do the whistling that a spitfire does. Val…..VAL (SCREAM)  You are scared to death! Be weirder….. Look at past videos.  Rock as Tom
Sheila	Great job in factory scene. More vocals in factory scene. I’ll be gobsmacked = I AM AMAZED.
Joan	Tonight was the best you’ve done Joan. Guts for garters was great!
Soldier 2 & Angie	Walk up saying your first line – looking all around.  Give us a sec to process Judith’s scene before yours.
Brian Spender	As Spender, no pause between any words in this line –falling all around. All of your characters are great – love Brian the best.

Sunday rehearsal

Everyone	Screams – drop them lower!!! Brides of Dracula. In all bombing scenes.  SAY WORDS Crying noises after first bomb. People noises before, during, and after Judith’s letter.  DEEP BREATHING QUIET on gray set (mostly women and Colin). Freeze and unfreeze together – this is in dead scene. Starting with last scene Monday night.  We won’t be in costume, but don’t let your characters die because you are not in costume.  Text me if you will be gone Thursday.  Will you be here during class?
War machine people	War machine was too early during the first bombing.  It needs to go on when first screams, etc.  Be sure that you still have remote.   We need to check them before Friday.
Mrs. Briggs	You need to keep your hat on.  Do we need to pin it?
Frank and Judith	FREEZE while Brian and Judith are talking
Frank	Look over your right shoulder at Judith when she shouts I love you.  WINK Pants first factory? Put your hand on Angie affectionately – maybe two on either side of her face when you say line about airmen.
Sheila	Line about wages – diction Start Britannia song lower.
Joan	What about me – more bitter
Factory women	First reproduction – stifle laughs – Sheila laugh out loud big
Smuts/factory man	Go out on stage prior to Frank and soldier’s death scene when Bela goes out.
Dead girl/Val	Go from Tipperary directly to Fog machine. Are you helping Allie take house down?  Ask Kuehler
Mr. Briggs	Let us see you loosen your tie when you come out to train scene – sign of nervousness
Judith	Laugh when Tom comes in to break you up.
Angie	put bricks behind you when moving the dead girl
Alister	Come out sooner – we will move bricks.

Contest information

Rehearsal order Friday March 23

(Tentative) Wear team jerseys. Leave at noon - 1:30 - 2:30 SHALLOWATER

Competition at Tulia

Leave Shallowater at 8:45AM

Director’s Meeting is at 12:00 noon.

Plays begin running back to back at 1:30

CHILDRESS – sf All My Sons

SHALLOWATER – sf Front (It should start about 2:15, but one never knows.)

CANADIAN – sf The Angelina Project

Muleshoe – Tevya and His Daughters

TULIA – Gunfighter: A Gulf War Chronicle

IDALOU – Mrs. Packard

7:30 awards

Hopefully critiques at 8:30.

Instructions:

Team jerseys on Friday and we will have an early lunch.

Saturday – Breakfast -  

Lunch – Subway

Dinner – Pizza

Bring dress clothes for awards ceremony plus notebooks (if you have lost yours, bring paper and pens)

The next contest is Area in Seminole – March 28 and 29^th, so we will have rehearsal Sunday, March 25th

Friday, we will leave at 11 and eat at Chicken Express in Plainview.  We will return about 3:30-4. They need to wear Team jerseys.

On Saturday, we will leave at 8:45.  If your child is an actor, please supply base and eyeliner. Also, your child will need to have makeup remover.  Some actors may need to wash hair – you will need to supply towels, wash rags and soap (I don’t know where they can do this except in the schools’ restrooms).  They need to have dress clothes for the awards ceremony. The plays begin at 1:30.  We are second again L  so we will start around 2:15-2:30.

On Saturday, kids are eating Subways and we will have pizza at night.   Nicole Talley is collecting money for snacks.  Remember that one of our students is allergic to nuts in supplying snacks. 

The auditorium is at 501 Hornet Place.  My cell is 806-470-9940.  If you want to have your child ride home with you either Friday or Saturday, I need a note.

Should we advance, the next contest is March 29 with official rehearsal on the 28^th.   People have asked for another public performance.  After area, we have time until regionals, so we may plan for one then.

Critiques from district contest.

District Contest- my notes and judges’ notes

Everyone	Consonants, especially during first scenes and song. Ending – longer and hushed.
Mrs. Briggs	At the end of your lines, make sure they don’t die.
Joan	Tick tick – swing the clock.  Turn, we want the audience see the love on your face toward Brian that betrays your words. Change no you won’t – be more honest on the last one. Highs and lows in speech.  Walk to Evan
Joan, Judith, Mrs. Briggs	Look at the men until they are off stage. More of a moment – use hankies
Tom	More childlike noises with planes and shooting
Dead girl Tom, Mira	Kate cover yourself with bricks so that Mira and Tom have to move bricks to get you out.
Foreman Mr. Briggs	I have your eye patch
Viv and Soldier 1 Haris	Viv, we need to see  you make a decision to “go to the back.”   Haris, react bigger to Viv giving in – not so much that you are about to score, but you are surprised.
Judith	Louder on shirt dialogue IF HIS HELMET is out there, use it during ending or yours and Joan’s scene.
Frank	See tattered flag  when you die
Carly	Light on Judith reading death letter.
Parachuter	Arch back when shot.
Joan and Brian	Work on levels in your relationship at the beginning.
Jill Ludington	Live people in dead scene Ludington suggested waiting to look for items until after Frank’s monologue.  There is a spit focus. Another split focus is when Tom is hurt.  Stop and freeze ? Scenes rushed – Frank and Judith More levels and touching in Joan and Judith’s scene. Quiet, speed, slow, loud – more variety
Peggy Lovett	More pain in Joan as Brian goes to war – dialogue with him. Bring dead girl out more so we can see her before she speaks. LOVED DEAD PEOPLE Only thing missing is smoke – but she doesn’t think we need it (but she mentioned it)
Shari Belizzi-Davis	First time I ever cried judging a one act. Characters need to face each other when addressing each other (?) – must be dead Frank and living Judith. When screaming, lower vocal register Watch profiling Careful with music being too loud under dialogue. Stage business for Judith and Frank – she says they need an obstacle between them (might be interesting) Watch spontaneity. Keep it going – doing it for the first time.
Next week	Gary Davis – 1. Diction and projection   2. Bigger than life characters  3. Character arcs.  4. Create the world of the play Sherran Geistmann – Loves singing and stage pictures. Big on vocal variety,  (THIS IS CRAZY – but walk quieter on unit sets.  Don’t shift from foot to foot. LOVES SLOW MOTION. Terry Marrs -

Last rehearsal video and instructions for district

https://youtu.be/lqdiwXiYQaw

I think you are ready. Tomorrow – Students need to be here at 8AM with makeup on or bring makeup.  Girls need to have hair curled BEFORE coming to school.  Only actors may go home to change clothes and take makeup off.  All others are expected to bring dress clothes here.  The shows start at 10AM.  We will go on anywhere from 10:45-11AM.   There will be a short break during the day so judges and timers can eat.  The eighth show will end about 5.  Judges should have made their decisions by 6.  If we lose, we will be critiqued by 7-7:30.  If we win it will be closer to eight.  Students need to wear the team jersey all day and bring dress clothes for the awards ceremony.  You may take pictures during the awards ceremony, but not during any plays.  Nicole Talley is providing lunch.  Pizza will be served for dinner. Following this contest, our next rehearsal is March 17 from 4-10PM. 

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Tomorrow while getting ready, we will go over the slow mo, factory scene - with Jonny and Ramzi and rehearse with Colin. Lightning bolts up on lovely and be FIERCE.

Jill Luddington - lead judge who gives awards.  She said this about All the King's Men

All the King's Men had multiple locations like this play -

1. Ensemble work is a strength.
2. Do not rush.  She wants" to go on the journey" and absorb the scenes.
3. Work on relationships. I need to see the past and present when I look at these characters.  Moments are needed for plot development, believability and relationships .
MAY BE A PROBLEM FOR THIS JUDGE - at times there was so much creative and interesting things going on, I didn't know where to focus.
She looks at the journey, character growth or change - a dramatic arc for characters. There must be a reason behind the singing. 

Peggy Lovett (Jack in Beanstalk and Charley and All the King's Men & a workshop.
Volume and diction, relationships. Loves surprises, hit consonants, must see the journey, must feel the environment of the play. Everyone on stage must listen to each other and react. Be sure the show is fresh and new each time you walk on stage.  Think of the emotions you are asked to play. We must see the emotions expressed physically and vocally without doing the expected. The ending of the show - Slower with the light so we can have a great stage picture. Big on moments and hearing people noises and breathing. Say each other's names often. MUST SEE DISCOVERIES.

Shari Belizzi - Davis - last year with Gut Girls at Shallowater
Energy and pacing
stage pictures
Watch shouting
clean diction

Thursday performance MUST COMMENT

https://youtu.be/tWN-AbpnEMU