SHS THEATRE'S PRODUCTION BLOG

A peek at the set design!

2011-03-06T19:09:00.005-05:00

Straight from the secret notebooks of Joe Kress, we've been able to steal a peek at the design for the set. Looks good doesn't it?

Belle's House

Belle's Village Castle Exterior Flat

The Proscenium Wrap

Gaston Rehearsal

2011-03-06T19:07:00.001-05:00

I really love this number (especially the way Sam gets completely beaten!), and I can't wait to see the finished product!

2011-02-20T23:32:00.001-05:00

Rehearsal for "Be Our Guest", a little look at the early stages of the show!

Beauty and the Beast

2011-02-20T23:24:00.004-05:00

It has been such a long long time since we've really used this production blog. No longer I say! The adoring public wants to know what's going on, and who am I to keep them from all the behind the scenes action!

B&B is in full rehearsal swing right now, and things are looking good! The costume crew has begun their work on the enchanted object costumes (and I got to play with the styrofoam cutter!), and I can't wait to see our clocks and candles and teapots on stage!

I'll be back with more later, but for now, how about the nearly finished design for the poster?

Theatre Season!

2010-10-16T23:56:00.002-04:00

Everything is awesome! There are so many shows playing everywhere. Having already decided that I'd like to major in acting, my mom and I (note: my mom is making all these decisions, naturally) have been basically traveling from theatre to theatre seeing all kinds of shows.

Last week, we saw Henry VIII at the Folger Shakespeare Library. SO GOOD. If I actually knew was the heck was going on half of the time, I'd love to do Shakespeare.

This weekend, we're seeing Beauty and the Beast (!!!) in Carlisle. With Logan. It's a community theatre production, but I've never actually seen the musical version of it. Only the movie. I'm excited to see all their dancing spoons.

And I was going to go see Oleanna at GW tonight but I was too tired. So we saw the Social Network instead. Speaking of acting...

ANDREW GARFIELD. So good. Jeeeebus. If there's anyone that gives me faith in going into acting, it's him. Between Boy A, Never Let Me Go, and TSN, he has given perfect performances in just about everything he's done.

Anyway, back to memorizing these monologues.

What's ahead...

2010-10-04T23:59:00.003-04:00

So, I've started writing the October Fun Night skit. It's weird, knowing that it'll actually be done and thought out in advance. A whole three weeks prior to the actual night of fun itself. And I think my skit idea is doubling as my one act idea. But the big reveal can't come just yet...oh wait, no one is reading this.

Next to Normal.

2010-10-04T23:57:00.001-04:00

is amazing. Seriously, I didn't even see the original cast (save for Henry and Dr. Madden) and it was incredible. Such good music, writing, directing, staging, lighting, acting, etc...

Beginnings...

2010-09-27T22:38:00.003-04:00

So this weekend was pretty hectic. I had a ton of stuff to get done. And on top of that, I "had" to read Our Town before the first rehearsal. Only it wasn't a chore at all. It's a really beautiful play. It was easy to read. I ended up reading it twice (but maybe I appreciated it more having seen it, also).

I mean, it's easy to see. The play isn't just Grover's Corners. It's everywhere and everyone. It has such an amazing and diverse message that is applicable to just about any town or person.

And now, after the first readthrough... we all shuffled in and sat and some medieval looking set of tables, read through our scripts, fumbled through our lines, figured out missing ones, but we came out on top of T-Wild's masterpiece. And I am nothing but hopeful and eager.

Also, shout out to the .5 people reading this blog. That oughta be changed.

Cast List!

2010-09-17T20:10:00.002-04:00

So...double cast? I don't think anyone was expecting this. But I have the highest of hopes for this show. Our Town is a show that almost REQUIRES the bonding of a cast to the point where we almost believe we're living in Grover's Corners (well, we should anyway, right?). So I think that, throughout the next two months, we'll be able to come together and form an extremely strong familial bond.

And six shows? This is going to be quite the experience. As I said in my last blog, dear reader, I think that this marks the sign of a new beginning for Susquehannock Theatre. Only a few actors remain that were here during my freshman year. The old legends are dead and gone. Er, just gone. So it's time to create a new "era". Ours!

Call backs?!

2010-09-15T18:40:00.002-04:00

This is a first! Let me go off on a little story (even though: A, no one is reading this blog, and B, I didn't get a callback for George). I was just talking to the fabulous Heather Jenkins the other night after my audition and was just, you know, shooting the POOP with her. I asked her, "H-Jenkins, do you think there'll EVER be callbacks?"

"Will doesn't really believe in them," she said.

So, dear reader, you can just imagine my face when I hear there are callbacks for George and Emily! This has never happened in my theatre career at SHS thus far (though it may have happened for some of you veterans out there). But I think this is a great sign. A new year has many new things about it. Otherwise, it wouldn't be new. So I'd say this is quite the interesting fortune for the year as a whole: full of new beginnings.

Best of luck to all y'all trying out for Georg and Em!

Wizard Of Oz benefitting the York Cancer Society

2010-07-30T15:25:00.002-04:00

So this is an invitation to any of you who would like to see a GREAT show this weekend. The Acts of Kindness Theatre is presenting The Wizard of Oz and this is the last weekend. I have been the TD this season and some of our very own crew have helped and are also on running crew for the show. The proceeds go to the York Cancer Society and the Adams Area Arts Council....Great causes :) Tonight and Saturday night the show starts at 7 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets are $12 and $14 in advance or add $2.00 at the door. We had the biggest opening night they have ever had last weekend! I know Will has a show this weekend as well....but there is 3 chances to see this great production...especially one that Myself and our crew built...I said it before and I mean it this time....I will never build this show again....Great show....just bad luck for me :) Hope to see you all there!

Joe

From Beyond the Grave

2010-02-25T03:06:00.001-05:00

Sooo here I am. Late at night. Trying to figure out the name of that high school whose youtube vidoes of Les Mis we made fun of. And ALSO wishing I could read all of the WONDERFUL FUN TIMES you all have at Fiddler rehearsals! But I wouldn't know, would I? The blog is a sad, dead place.

I'm all ears!

U said it!!!!!!!

2010-01-19T22:24:00.003-05:00

Hey gang, yup, it's about time that we start this back up and try to get more of our cast and crew to at least visit the blog and read the updates.....but can we get a new picture instead of the BHB......please boss............LOL! Anywho, I am busy at York High building West Side Story, but am very excited to get things rolling in the next few weeks for fiddler....lots of cool ideas if the big man approves them!!! Just have to wait for a few auditorium functions then we can start!!! Crew is heading to State College this Friday for the USITT Conference.......all techies..........this aught to be a hoot :) Hope to see more blogs soon. LaHyam (as he says with a hhhhhhhh sound)!

One Acts

2010-01-17T19:11:00.001-05:00

I'm sitting in my living room right now. With Drew Slattery. A few minutes ago, we were discussing our one acts (or lack thereof) and we decided that, rather than create two one-act plays, we would write...

A FULL PLAY.

GET READY WORLD.

And so it begins...

2010-01-04T21:51:00.002-05:00

I was pretty flattered when I woke up this morning. Not because of my mom throwing decongestant pills in my face, but because I received an email from Will asking Matt and I to write (professionally!) in the esteemed SHS Theatre blog.

I was ecstatic! It was the oppurtunity of a lifetime. Not just to keep a daily journal of my theatre-related adventures, but to keep a journal that every single soul in the SHS Theatre legacy would read and appreciate! And so, on this, the first day of Fiddler on the Roof rehearsals, Matt and I will embark on a challenge for this currently dead blog. A blog a day. All theatre related blogs, mind you.

Watching the Fiddler on the Roof movie tonight made me realize that we were once again embarking on the humongous undertaking of a school musical. For the next four months, the cast will bond, argue, bicker, and sing together. Most imporantly, we will grow together as a family (and as villagers of Anatevka!).

So I wrote about four paragraphs here, but I didn't really say anything...Oh well.

Here's to another great musical!

A new year, and a new start for the blog!

2010-01-04T01:14:00.002-05:00

Wow. I can't believe we totally just let the blog sit and do nothing in the first half of this 09-10 theatre season. I'm ashamed, really. The Beverly Hillbillies was such a fun show, and now we've got nothing to show for it other than our own memories. Sigh. I think the fact that all of last year's bloggers had graduated may have something to do with it. I must find new bloggers. Maybe a certain production assistant would like to share his 2 cents.

More to come.

l'chaim!

08-09 A Season in Review

2009-05-19T00:10:00.006-04:00

Now that we've approached the end of the 2008-2009 season, I thought it would be a good idea to look back and see what Susquehannock Theatre accomplished in the past season. This entire season was like a whirlwind of craziness, which took us to a lot of places we hadn't yet dared to go.

Whether anyone knew it or not, the season actually began at Starbucks, with our plucky little band of playwrights beginning to work on their one-act plays for Playground. We began late in the 07-08 season and carried on into the summer, with the playwrights working on their ideas and plotlines for their one acts. But we'll get back to them later.

Of course most everyone's year actually started with auditions for Romeo and Juliet. Half of the actors still thought me to be crazy up to this point due to the whole "Set in Texas, post Civil War deal". I dealt with everyone thinking I was crazy pretty well, I think.

Romeo and Juliet afforded us the chance to finally get a classic show under our belts and do it with style. Add to that some special instruction from our fight choreographer and some Civil War Dancers, and we learned to do quite a lot of new things. That's not to say that everything about R&J was perfect. No one will ever forget opening night, or what would be dubbed "Snowmeo and Juliet"! Ice all over the place and actors stranded here, there and everywhere! Then there was Paris' death scene with the gun that refused to shoot...but what can you do?

Next stop on the schedule was a performance of R&J at the Pennsylvania State Thespian Conference at Butler High School. Load up the 2 story set, put all the actors in a yellow bus because they overbooked the coach buses and head 4 hours up the road! Fun in any weather, but even better when it started to snow!

After several hours of hair pulling and trying to work out everything on a smaller stage (and without the same lighting setup), we performed R&J before a huge audience who loved the show! We put our best foot forward, and though we didn't move on to the national conference, we wouldn't have traded that performance in front of that awesome crowd of our peers for anything!

Right after Butler (the next day to be precise), came auditions for LES MISERABLES! Never have I seen the school so excited about a show! And I've never seen that much talent during an audition week. We were so worried that we wouldn't have enough great male singers to do the show, but they showed up, and we made a lot of theatre converts in the process. Auditions finished up and I teased the cast list for a few days to the consternation of many. What can I say, I wanted it to be perfect...and I wanted the actors to learn patience...haha.

So on we adventured into Les Mis, with Kate starting early in January on vocals & at just before we began blocking the show, we presented our night of student written and directed one act plays, Play Ground. Though the whole thing had a rocky birthing process (writers had a hard time getting scripts in, directors couldn't gather their casts all at one time, people dropped out, people didn't know when practices were), the whole thing came together and we were lucky to celebrate the first performances of some great one act plays: Freak Show by Caitlin Furio and directed by Kyle Dobry, The Fiberglass Ceiling by Drew Slattery directed by Ariel Cowger, Dinner for Six by Brandon Cwalina directed by Niall Carmichael, Unclaimed Baggage by Lily Kotansky directed by Zoe (where's the umlaut??) Heatwole, and Rocketman by Laura Dzwonczyk directed by Mia Wentworth. All of these plays were exemplary and showed that there's more than just a play and a musical going on with these SHS theatre folk...

Anyways...after that, back to Les Mis: blocking and singing, blocking and singing, some dancing, and worry. Worry about the set, or lack therof at the beginning of March. But as always, I was wetting myself over nothing. Joe came in, laid down that revolving stage and we were off to the races!

Les Miserables opened and it was what we all wanted it to be: A big success. Sure the auditorium may not have been sold out, but just one night of show had more people there that an entire run of some of our other musicals. Susquehannock was at one time a big dog among the county's high schools, and Les Mis proved that we still had it, and were determined to keep it. Rave reviews came in from everyone, and had we been able to do another weekend of shows, we certainly would have had a packed house.

Next stop was the Thespian Society Inductions, and thanks to our performance at Butler, a boatload of people were eligible to join, swelling our ranks by nearly 30 members! A banner year!

Of course that's not to say it was all over. We had one more performance left to do, at the York County HS Theatre Awards (The Rosies) where Kelly Chick performed "I dreamed a Dream" and the entire cast performed "One Day More". Again we got some love, and also walked out with the Adjudicator's Award of Excellence (Judge's Award)!

This season's gonna be a hard one to top, but I'm sure 2009-10 is gonna be even bigger and better! And looking at this post...I think I'm gonna need a nap.

HELP.......PLEASE.......NEED PICTS.....

2009-04-24T16:45:00.002-04:00

ok, here's the scoop for those few of us who read this.....there is only one show up until now that I had no pictures of the finished set pieces and that show starts with a "W" and ends with an "OZ".....now you can add Les Mis to that of all shows...........I am begging any one out there who has photos of any parts of finished set pieces, being used or not, or if Mom and Dad or Aunt and Uncle or whatever......Please, e-mail them to me @ Draco17315@comcast.net or let me know and I will bring a DVD or CD to the school to get copies of your picts.....I waited to find picts from the other show so long that I will never have them, so I am trying to get this asap so It is still fresh in our minds......thanks to any help out there.......pass this along to those who don't get on here....EVER!!!!!!!!!! Thanks

Joe

Over, but not soon forgotten.......

2009-04-20T09:23:00.002-04:00

Hello all, I just wanted to take a (very tired) minite to thank all of you....first of all, the rest of the production staff for trusting me and the crew to get the job done, even though this ended up being bigger than I could ever imagine, it turned out to be the best show I have ever built with the crew or participated in; To the cast, also thanks for trusting me and the crew, I know it makes it harder for you to not have a full set right off the bat to rehearse on, especialy one that came as close as this one, but you guys always amaze me with what you accomplish; and finnally to my second family....the Crew, Pam, Natalie, Jamie and all the other costumers, you guys are truly amazing and your costumes help to bring our sets alive...to My best friend Chris P., you fight with me like my wife does, but that comes with 20 years of friendship and you are the one friend that has always stuck by me and I am proud of what we accomplish together and You are great at what you do and I am proud to call you my brother, and finally to my Crew......what can I say, Seniors, we laughed, we faught, we cried, but it was a great ride and I thank you and your parents for sharing the last 4 years with me, being a Dad myself, I know what it is like to watch you grow and become adults and it makes me cry, but in a wonderful way, I couldn't be any prouder and now that you are leaving us, please remember all that I (hopefully) taught you and know that we are always here for you. To my graduated crew who come back year after year, thanks for making me feel like I am doing something right and that I am making a posative impact on you, even after you guys leave Susky, I still enjoy eatching you grow and I enjoy your company more with all the passing time, we are equals, we are friends. To all my crew, thanks for the best 7 years (and hopefully more to come) of support and friendship and hard work and thanks to your parents for sharing you, I know that during the theater season (I figured it out this morning) we put in over 250 hours each for plays (or 3,750 total man hours) and over 350 hours each for Musicals (or 7,000 total man hours). To my family, thanks for sharing Daddy with the kids at Susky and at York High and letting Daddy do one thing he loves and remember, he does it for you girls!! To everyone else, thanks you for all the kind words and support along the way! For those who still think it wasn't real (especially since the set is already torn down), yes we really did just pull off probably one of the most successfull versions of Les Mis done at the High School Level.....not far from Broadway :) I Love you All!!!

Finally!

2009-04-18T10:00:00.003-04:00

So, uh, we kind of rocked last night.

Cool Picts Flashback.....

2009-03-25T21:20:00.004-04:00

Hey all, here are some cool picts that Jason and I took of the Romeo and Juliet Botle Breaker FX.....as far as Les Mis goes, we're trucking away at the set, this is a big weekend, but everything is coming together.....we still need wooden older looking furnature pieces for the baracade. If you have anything that you don't want back and that is wooden and looks old, even if it's broken......bring it in asap to the auditorium and put it back by the work shop....thanks and enjoy the pictures.........oh and by the way......all the bottles used were donated from someones garage....not emptied by any of us !!!!

TICKETS!

2009-03-09T19:43:00.002-04:00

Tickets order forms are now on the website at http://www.susquehannocktheatre.com/Tickets.html, or in the weekly schedule folder! We've already been getting a steady stream of ticket orders from the article in the York Daily Record, so order early for the best seats!

Posterage!

2009-03-09T17:20:00.003-04:00

Well, as Lily mentions below, the blog has been awful silent, but with things kicking into high gear the blogs should start coming fast and furious!

Today was poster design day! Red and Black!

Les Mis!

2009-03-08T16:46:00.003-04:00

Okay...thought I'd jump on this motionless bandwagon of a production blog! So...we're already neck deep in Les Mis production work. Just last week we rather successfully ran through all of act one! I am really really excited about putting on this amazing musical. Everything is coming together rather nicely...the principle parts, the ensemble...the revolving stage was set up at today's choreography practice! Sometimes while at practice I sort of forget, or take for granted, the fact that we are actually putting on this Broadway musical. And then when it hits me, I feel extremely thankful that as a senior I get to go out on this note. Do you hear the people sing? I do...and it sounds wonderful.

A Prank... and a Distraction

2008-12-12T15:39:00.002-05:00

I got up in front of the choir this morning and said, "I'll bet I can say two words that will make half the people in this room go crazy."

They scoffed. They laughed. Then I held up a piece of paper.

"Cast list."

I saw amazing facial transformations. Within seconds, people went from shock to disbelief to delight and jumping-over-chairs-to-get-to-the-front-of-the-room joy that any director would have been proud of.

The next thing I heard was, "[Insert expletive here] you Laura!" when someone discovered the "list" was actually my AP Human Geography notes. I think this is one of the best jokes I've ever played, aside from the fact that I got a hand-slapping.

In other, non-Les Mis-related news to keep our minds off what we all want to know about...one act night! I'm excited. I really can't wait to see how a student-written and directed show works out and what the audience thinks. Methinks some auditions are in order soon. I know...auditions...don't bring that word up.

Will Jenkins is a Woman

2008-12-11T21:45:00.002-05:00

Ok, so who hacked into the cast list and made Jenkins Fantine? Amusing, yes. Or perhaps Heather is just having fun with us.

The Waiting Game

2008-12-11T20:04:00.000-05:00

Auditions for the musical Les Mis just happened...and now, judging by Facebook statuses, everyone is waiting, waiting, waiting for the cast list.

*holds breath*

I am very very excited to put on this show!

2008-12-05T06:01:00.003-05:00

It's Chris again! Coming to you rather early....

Last night we saw a rather interesting version of Hamlet (only done in 15 minutes!), which most of us seemed to enjoy (it was kind of hilarious), as well as some individual events being judged for going to Nebraska (hooray Nationals), and it sure seems like there's a heck load of talent around here. The hosting school even performed Pippin, with which it's catchy tunes and in your face attitude, had most of singing and dancing away (well, constantly singing the same songs anyway :P). After this we went and danced and intermingled, meeting up with new people all over PA, and finally just managed to get back to the hotel to get a good night's sleep before our show: tonight, we're going to show them how it's really done :D

2008-12-04T14:06:00.003-05:00

Hiya folks! It's chris, coming in from good ol' Butler, PA

4 hour bus ride, a little bit of snow, and 1 inter-bus Queen music contest, and we're here. At the current time, we're waiting for 1 costume lady (5 minutes late) and nice big truck full of luggage (30 minutes late). Most of us seem to be getting comfortable with where we're staying for the next 3 days, moseying the halls, and grabbing a bite to eat.

At about 3:30 PM we're loading up again, and finally heading over to the high school to check out Pippin! Should be a good performance, and most of us seem very excited to actually be here to put on one of the greatest shows Susquehannock has done yet! Wish us luck (or broken legs :P)

Butt-ler

2008-11-27T23:15:00.000-05:00

Who's excited for Butler? I'm excited for Butler.

How excited? SOOOOOOOOOOO excited.

:D

Proud!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-12T12:54:00.003-05:00

Hello all.......I know this doesn't have anything to do with our show, but many of you know that my little brother has served 3 tours in Iraq and a year tour in Turkey and now he has just come home from that 3rd tour in Iraq......safely......I just wanted everyone to know how proud I am of my little brother and he even sent me a great picture!!!!!!!!!!! All I can say is "Thanks" Brian and "Thanks" to any of the other friends and family out there who have or are in the armed services.....thanks for you bravery, your dedication, and your sacrifices. Thanks for all your time, I just felt this was important enough to be a part of our blog :) Love Ya Bro.........

Pic Dump

2008-11-03T14:46:00.004-05:00

Wow. Three Updates in a day. There's a lot going on now at the ol' SHS Theatre! Here's a few pics I snapped the other night at practice!

Josh is happy to shoot, Siona's happy to be shot.

Juliet=Attitude

Guy Talk

More to come! Stay Tuned!

The set

2008-11-03T14:38:00.004-05:00

Finally, we have the auditorium all to ourselves until the show opens, and our set can stay up full time! What an awe-inspiring structure!!! And it's portable!!!

Our tiny little set.

The original set model. It's even more portable.

The Buzz of SYC

2008-11-03T14:33:00.002-05:00

Well...we could be the buzz of Southern York, but regardless, we got a mention in the main article of the fall play roundup in the York Daily Record. You can check it out online here: http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_10877327

And let's not forget one of our own beloved actors is part of the newspaper's teen takeover blog, and has a little blog about what it's like to be a man...
http://www.yorkblog.com/teentakeover/2008/11/five-ways-to-man-up.html

Building the Excitement!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-15T15:47:00.004-04:00

No pun intended...........ok, maybe a little........anywho, we are off to a great start this year, if all stays on track we will be finished building the set by the end of this coming weekend and ready to paint and practice tearing down and setting up for the ITS trip.....so far with 65% of the building, we are able to disassemble in a matter of 30 minutes...........yeah us!!!!!!

Just for fun, the elephant that my kids are on here to the right is from what movie..........any guesses? Hint: the movie was from 1978 and stared an actor named John?

This pict is just a fun pict of crew members as we take photos of props for our rental catalog...........

more to follow.........LATER

October Fun Night

2008-10-14T15:48:00.001-04:00

Alright so for October Fun Night I'm on the committee to gather ideas on what to do. We decided on a kind of interactive sing along thing. And notice how vague these phrases seem...yeah, we're still in the planning stage. BUT! If you have any ideas...please feel free to leave a comment.

Because I'm so original- Challenges.

2008-10-12T09:17:00.002-04:00

1. Not being a black southern baptist. "My brothers and sisters..."

2. Annunciating- When Will told me to do that, I was like, "I've never had that problem before." Then I realized I was a mute in my most recent role...

That's pretty much it. I am uber-crankered up for this play. :D

The Poster

2008-10-08T14:58:00.004-04:00

So here it is, a finished poster for our little show. Sadly, I had to take the guns off the original logo, since they are a school no-no. But I think the final version looks good in its own right. I mean...it still would look cool with guns.

Bonus points for anyone who can point out the blatant symbolism I used in the poster. (and no, it's not the heart)

One Challenge

2008-10-05T21:31:00.001-04:00

1) Going from a, uh, not-quite-a-DDD to a DDD. Back problems, here I come!!

This should be awesome!!

Two challenges

2008-09-28T14:18:00.002-04:00

1) Playing a comic character in a Shakespearian show (with no Shakespearian experience).

2) Going from a woman to a man. Without testosterone injections.

This should be fun.

:D

2008-09-28T10:44:00.001-04:00

I just want to be the first cast member on the blog to publically announce that I am super excited for our whole theatre season.

And now...
For all of you who missed the theatre workshop on Saturday, you missed a really awesome, informative, and fun time. Get to the next one.

And that is all I have to say.

Theatre Workshop-9/27

2008-09-23T09:40:00.002-04:00

Just to remind everyone that we will be hosting theatre workshops this year on a bi-weekly basis. The workshops are open to anyone that wants to come and I will be getting some special (and sort of special) guests to come in and give you some great tips regarding theatre stuff you probably never knew existed!

This week, on Saturday the 27th, from 9-11am in the auditorium the workshop will be about theatrical movement and will be taught by my good friend and former assistant director, Chris Maxwell, who will be coming down from Pittsburgh just for this. Chris is a graduate of Pitt, and has many theatre credits in the Pittsburgh area (and he's been in commercials too!)

The R&J Report-Episode 1

2008-09-23T09:14:00.004-04:00

I realize that I have been pretty lax in my blogging regarding R&J, so this'll be a little something to make up for it.

We're already one week into the rehearsal process, and we've had a whole week of really great read throughs, including one held outside, where Mia attempted to use a tree as her balcony (alas, she didn't have enough light to read her script up there). This week will be a character building week, as Chris and I meet with some of the actors to guide them through thinking about their character so they can make stronger choices in their acting. The week will end with the final read through (full cast), just so we can go over the script one more time and let the cast know what they will be doing once we start blocking next week (yay!). Then of course will come fight choreography and the big masquerade scene, and before you know it--show week!

Now, to turn some attention to the set design side of things, here's Joe's finished set design for the play. This set will be the backdrop for most of the scenes in the show, and will be built in such a way as to be set up and torn down in less than 2 hours, and will fit in the back of a U-haul! (The crazy stuff we do just to take our little show to the ITS festival).

Um. Wow.

2008-08-29T16:53:00.002-04:00

So...in my old shs hotmail account, I find an email today that shocked me.

To Sum up:

SUSQUEHANNOCK THEATRE PROUDLY PRESENTS:

APPROVED!

The New Season Begins

2008-08-27T13:45:00.002-04:00

Words can't express my excitement for what's coming up this year...I've been so itchy for the school year to start so we can dive headfirst into this Romeo and Juliet thing... So the big news here is that the audition sign up sheet will be up as of 8/28, outside of the auditorium. There is also a monologue sheet at the same location--this year I've chosen the monologues I would prefer to hear (instead of having to figure out what you're saying when you do a monologue I'm not familiar with). They will also be posted on the website for your perusal.

Also coming up next week is the first ITS meeting of the year (9/2 - 7pm) and the audition workshop (9/3 7-8:30pm) Encourage your friends to attend the audition workshop if they are at all interested in trying out!

Script is up!

2008-07-31T23:49:00.002-04:00

The script for R&J can be found on www.susquehannocktheatre.com for all you who might be interested in giving in an early glossing over. Also the site is updated with some groovy new R&J logos...I liked 'em so much I'm probably gonna design the poster the same way (sorry Mia)

Eat Mor Chicken, Send us to Butler

2008-07-20T22:36:00.003-04:00

Reminder to all, that SHS Theatre Spirit night will be held at Shrewsbury Chic-Fil-A on July 21st from 5-8. 20% of every order (with the flyer that will be available there) will go toward our trip to the PA thespian Festival! Tell all your friends!

WE FIGHT!

2008-06-23T13:30:00.002-04:00

I have amazingly great news which makes me all sorts of giddy inside for R&J. I have just talked to a friend of mine who is certified in stage combat, and he has agreed to choreograph a really big fistfight for us for the show! (the fight in question will be the first big brawl after the "thumb biting" incident.) Just imagine four guys start a fight and every other guy in the cast (and maybe some girls) jump in to help out the side they're rooting for.

I like stage violence way too much.

And now for something completely different.

2008-06-05T09:08:00.005-04:00

Well...I just had a meeting with the school administration this morning to go over an expansion of the theatre program at SHS, and as long as I can make the timing work out, it looks like we're going to see a plethora of new events this fall. Along with student playwriting (of which a small group of students has already begun work--if you're interested in playwriting and in ITS, leave a comment, and I'll give you info), we'll be having a student written/student directed festival of one act plays, Bi-weekly theatre workshops on Saturday mornings, and of course, the big enchilada--the trip to the PA Thespian Festival (whooo!)

I'm excited...but now I've got a lot of work to do!

Here be spoilers!

2008-05-30T13:10:00.001-04:00

...And Romeo and Juliet DIE!

R&J-Prologue

2008-05-28T15:34:00.004-04:00

Well, here begins the official start of the Romeo and Juliet blog. Though I'm currently directing a show outside of the school, I'm getting a really early jump on the play, mostly due to the fact that I want it to be awesome. I've been lucky enough to find a R&J script online that has been whittled down to a nice time of about 2 hours, and I have been making my own adjustments as well, including adding in my stage directions and blocking and all that. So far I've got about three scenes figured out, My stage design idea is in Joe's hands, and there's a lot of really good ideas I need to try and fit in (such as Mercutio throwing one of his boots at someone--possibly Tybalt). So...to those of you who are somewhat uncertain about R&J in 1860's Texas, here's a little sample for you. Ignore my grandiose stage directions...they give me and idea of what I'm aiming for...

PROLOGUE

[We begin in the dark. “Amazing Grace” is hummed quietly by the cast as a single dim pin spot comes up, center. We see Pastor Lawrence in front of two pine boxes containing the bodies of Romeo and Juliet--both boxes are propped up so that we may see them inside. Though this is an invitation for the audience to watch the story unfold, it should also seem like a funeral homily given by a man who is grief stricken for his part in these senseless deaths, and still angry at the families for carrying on this feud.]

PASTOR LAWRENCE
Two households, both alike in dignity,

[On SL the Capulet Parents light their candles, while the Montagues mirror on SR. The flames are passed on to the candles of the other actors who are surrounding the action, creating an onstage vigil.]
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life,
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, naught could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage.

[As the ensemble slowly leaves the stage, they sing the following verse hauntingly-- almost in a whisper.Pastor Lawrence takes a moment to pray for the dead, then quietly closes the boxes--Romeo first, then Juliet.]

ENSEMBLE

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

[Seamless Transition. Pin down as boxes come off, colored scrim reveals the silhouette of the set. Lights immediately up SR as Gregory and Sampson enter, headed to the saloon. Full lights come up to reveal the main set. Various townspeople return to fill the stage]

Spring Awakening

2008-05-16T15:31:00.004-04:00

I'm seeing it. For the second time. On May 31st. With Cassie.

I know more people now who are into the music. If you get a chance to go to Broadway, SEE S.A. It will change your life. Okay, so I lie. But it will change that part of your life that deals with musical theatre.

I would go into the dirty details of the performance...but that's exactly why I cannot. They're dirty.

The Internet is a beautiful thing...

2008-05-08T21:59:00.002-04:00

So I just discovered a really awesome thing on YouTube called 'insight.' It lets you see how many people are watching your videos and where they're from. So let me let you in on some facts:

The Once Upon a Mattress commercial was viewed in 4 countries from the time I posted it (April 3rd) to April 13th.

It was viewed mostly in the USA. Duh. Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, and North Carolina were the states [in order] with the most views.

In Europe (yeah, Europe), it was viewed twice in Spain and once in England.

In South America, Brazil was the country with the most views.
PS- When I say 'most views,' that means only one person on the whole continent saw the video...but still.

So, Susky Theatre, we may be small, but at least some people in the world care enough to at least consider our show. Whoo!

I'd like to thank the Academy...

2008-05-08T15:33:00.002-04:00

ITS inductions were off the hook. Will, I wrote part of Kelly's Year In Review, so whenever you laughed at it I was just like, "Oh God..." Haha. He took his boxing skills to the afterlife! HAAHAHHAHHAHHAHA. *crickets*

They were really nice and formal. Good crowd, and we had PROGRAMS! Programs equals awesome. I enjoyed Darius' kilt. And how my candle wouldn't light at first...and how obvious it was to tell the difference between a cast and crew member. (With the ITS lines we memorized).

I will forevermore remember "King Lear screams the anger of old age."

For some reason, doing those two puny lines made me really nervous. You can't ad-lib that too well.

So I'm eggcited for the Rosies. Although that cuts into some college visit time ("Yay college search," she types sarcastically).

For the one act dealio, I get my best ideas (haven't developed a story, but I have time) from my dreams.

Oh, and people. As they are in plays.

ITS

2008-05-05T21:36:00.000-04:00

Mazel tovs all around to those being inducted into the ITS on Wednesday!!!

Writing?

2008-04-30T16:40:00.002-04:00

There's been quite a few people who have talked to me (or I have talked to) about playwriting. The Thespian festival offers a competition for one acts, and I'd love to have a student written/student directed night of one acts. So if there's anyone else out there with an interest (or you know someone), drop me a line and I'll get you info.

Wait what

2008-04-29T18:28:00.002-04:00

Okay, I stopped posting because I (well, you don't want to hear me rant all the time anyway) thought the blog is just for OUAM. (See title on top of site). But as there are new posts, what is up?

As some of you know, I obnoxiously burst out into "WITH A "F" AND A "R" AND A..."
Each time I am smothered by a fellow thespian, of course.

Fred lives on, man.

Upcoming event information!

2008-04-28T21:00:00.009-04:00

Hi everyone!

Although the show is over, there are still two upcoming SHS theatre events!

International Thespian Society Inductions & 2nd Annual Thespy awards
When: Wednesday, May 7th at 8.00 Pm in the auditorium
(Rehearsal for ITS member & inductees is Monday, May 5th at 7.30)
What: The International Thespian Society is an international group that awards excellence in theatre. (It's basically like NHS for theatre). SHS's troupe has been active since 2005 and we will be inducting 17 new members, and honoring current members who have earned their drama letter. AND we will be handing out the Thespy awards. (Think SHS's own Oscar ceremony). It is always a good time, and if you don't have enough points to be an official Thespian, it's neat to see the ceremony and learn a little more about ITS.

The Rosies - AKA the York County High School Theatre Awards
When: Sunday, May 18th at 6.00 at the Strand in York
Practices are Wednesday, May 14th at 7.00 in the auditorium AND Saturday, May 17th from 9.00 - 9.30 at the Strand.
What: The York County High School Theatre Awards celebrates the theatrical work of York County high schools at the Strand-Capitol, also participating are the following schools: Red Lion, West York, Eastern, Northeastern, Southwestern, Central, Dover, Kennard-Dale, William Penn, Spring Grove, & York Suburban.
Each school will be performing a number from their show, and will have an opportunity to hand out awards to their participants. (These awards are different from the Thespys -- The Thespys are more show oriented (i.e. best actor in a play) whereas the Rosie awards are going to be overall awards - Best Actor, etc.)
We have tentatively decided to do "Song of Love" this is however providing that we can get the necessary people at the show.

Therefore, I need responses from everyone regarding if they can attend the Rosies & both practices. (Please respond even if you can not attend so I don’t have to call you to find out!) You may respond in one of three ways.

1.) Call me - 717-542-8561
2.) Email me - info@susquehannocktheatre.com
3.) Fill out the form on the website: www.susquehannocktheatre.com/rosies

Also, everyone going to the Rosies has to pay $5 for your ticket (sorry, we just don't have it in the budget). If you respond that you are coming, you have to pay for this ticket. (If you have a parent that is coming and would like to sit in the performer/chaperone area let me know and their ticket will also only be $5). Tickets are more expensive at the door and for pre-order for the non-performer price.

We also get to select four people to participate in the closing number for the show. These four people will be selected once everyone’s responses are sent in. Please let me know if you would like to be considered.

Please respond by Sunday, May 4th! Don't make me have to track everyone down!!!

Remember me???

2008-04-27T19:49:00.001-04:00

Yeah, just thought I'd write something here since everyone has forgotten the poor lil' blog since the end of OUAM...

Thespian Inductions next week, Rosies in two... Excitement!

Haha, hoho, haha, ho

2008-04-15T19:26:00.003-04:00

The end/Not the end

2008-04-14T11:00:00.005-04:00

Well...the castle's gone, Pam's got the costumes put away, and Heather's turned in all the bills we accrued throughout the run...Farewell Mattress! But have no fear, as we will once more get the band back together for our triumphant Rosies performance on May 18th! (More details to come of course), and in between there we'll have a new crop of Thespians inducted as well as our very own SHS Theatre awards. And of course, there's always next year with Romeo and Juliet and whichever musical we do is going to pack the house!!!

Anyhoo...to the actual point of this thread-- I would recommend to anyone who has the time or the inclination, to participate in theatre over the summer break! We're lucky to live in an area with quite a few opportunities to do theatre with community groups, and it's always great to get more and more stage time in (believe me, it shows come audition time!). So to that end, I present to you a nearly incomplete list of stuff going on in our area. If I missed something, please let me know, and I'll add it! And if you get cast in any of them, let me know--I wanna come see it!

Dreamwrights Youth and Family Theatre (York) -
Into the Woods
Auditions: May 6 & 8 6pm (Note, this audition is connected with a summer class that you have to pay to be in. More details on their website.)

The Music Man
Auditions: June 3 or 4 6pm at PSU York’s Pullo Center
More info: http://www.dreamwrights.org/

Eichelberger PAC (Hanover) -
Cats
Audition Times: May 12^th or 13^th 7pm
More info: http://www.theeich.org/

Stewartstown Summer Theatre (Stewartstown UM Church) -
The Wizard of Oz
Audition Times: Sat 5/17 - 9am, Noon, 3pm; Sun 5/18 1pm; Mon 5/19 6:30-9:30pm
Performance Dates: July 30-August 9
Ages 12-19
Register Online: www.stewartstownumc.org/summertheatre or email sumcdrama@hotmail.com
(*As a point of full disclosure, I must add that I (Will) direct this show! Participation in this show does not reflect on the school shows, and vice versa.)

York Little Theatre
Coming Season not announced yet. Summer Classes are enrolling now
Check www.ylt.org for details

EMC Dance Studios (New Freedom)
Summer classes offered
See www.danceemc.com for details

Opening Knight..s and ladies!

2008-04-11T23:22:00.002-04:00

We. Rock.

One more til' opening night.

2008-04-09T22:33:00.003-04:00

The excitement is almost palpable, ain't it? The show's down to a tidy 2:35 (and we can cut a few minutes off yet!), costumes, set pieces, props are all coming in. I love the days right before a show, especially when there's not a lot of tweaking to do! This show has been a breeze, and I think it's going to be one of the best yet (I say that every year...but it's true this time!). I took alot of pictures tonight...but this by far is the best.

Ah...heck day...

2008-04-06T22:44:00.007-04:00

Wow...what a long day...rehearsal from 1-8, and we only got through the show once!

It's not the worst one ever though, rest assured. Now to get the time down to about 2 hrs 15 minutes! (that's the goal!)

I took a few pictures today...enjoy!

Commercial #1!!

2008-04-04T16:12:00.002-04:00

Hooray! The first commercial for our loverly little production is ready!

I apologize to Leah, whose voice was butchered during post-production...

Watch it, love it, and send it all over the world. :D

One week until opening night!!!

Even More Pictures!

2008-04-03T16:18:00.004-04:00

Everything's almost done, and it's a great time to show off what we're doing on stage...can't wait til next week when we have some pictures IN COSTUME!

Zoe's Maiden Flight
Hellooooo Ladies.

Kyle and his rack.

Caged.

You know you're in a musical when...

2008-04-02T22:35:00.003-04:00

someone comments to you how they hope it'll be a nice weekend and you reply nervously, "No! Don't say that! We need rain! LOTS AND LOTS OF RAIN. Pray for bad weather!"

...if anyone else wants to chime in on one of these...

(I'll edit additions on here so everyone doesn't have to click the comments button-The Editor)

"You know you're in a (High School) musical when...tech week is devoted to getting the running time under four and a half hours."

" You know you're in a musical when the set designer has ever told you not to walk on the left half of the stage because the floor's still wet -- five minutes before curtain."

2008-04-02T17:38:00.001-04:00

9 DAYS...

Springtime for Hitler and Germany!

2008-04-02T17:31:00.006-04:00

I know this has nothing to do with theatre, but...

I demand all of you walk outside and experience the beauty that is spring! I see green buds, and daffodils, and the sun is out (oww, my eyes!)

I currently have the window open as I type this. Just listen to the calming sounds of Shrewsbury's Main Street. Ahh.

Why, I can tie this in with theatre! I was so inspired by the season that I went to Shrewsbury's playground and belted out songs from the musical.

Several children ran away. Looks like I lost us some tickets! :)

More Pics

2008-04-02T15:42:00.003-04:00

Here are some more pictures!!

Awww...
Bye Bye Birdie
It's the Nightengale of Samarkand!!!

Happily Ever After...
Hmmm...
Pretty Flowers!
Once Upon a really dirty Mattress

Liz is debonair...

On pics, slogans, and filmography...

2008-04-01T22:23:00.002-04:00

I have new pics, but I left my memory card downstairs and I do not feel like getting it. Besides, you need something to look forward to...

So, one of the slogans for our overdramatic, AMAZING commercials is; (cue deep announcer voice)
"In a world where evil reigns and love is forbidden, one woman will dare live happily ever after."
Thanks to Lily for this amazing cure for... creators block.

And, jsyk, Filming the show is absolutely amazing. I am able to catch sooo many extraordinary things that people would never do outside of the Richard D. Hupper Auditorium. And since I own the material, I can put it on YouTube. >:)
jk.

So, I'd thought id just let you all know that.

10 days, everyone!!

Behind the Scenes

2008-04-01T15:34:00.005-04:00

As production assistant, I get to see a little more behind the scenes action than others might. Most people don't realize that what goes into making a show complete isn't just the cast and the pit, the people the audience sees and hears. There is the crew for the set, the wonderful costume ladies, our lovely patrons, the director and his wife, and the parents of the cast, crew, and pit members.
The SHS crew always goes above and beyond to make our set the absolute best. What can we say to our costume ladies. They put the show into the appropriate time period and to make us all end up looking perfect for stage. Without the patrons, our show wouldn't bring in nearly enough money to help pay off the bill we have from putting the show together. Will and Heather, they do so much to make the show happen and to cast people where they are perfect to be. But still, without the parents of all these people who need to be at endless amounts of practices, parents of the crew members who spend endless hours creating a set and finding props for crazy stunts, and the parents of the pit who can bring them to pit rehearsals, this show would never happen.
So thank you to each of our behind the scenes people. Actors/actresses are great and all, but there would be no chance of a show happening and having order at rehearsals without all of our behind the scenes people! We owe our show to you!

Staff Spotlight

2008-04-01T09:24:00.014-04:00

Me and My oldest oldest Daughter Katelyn on our annual camping trip for her birthday.

My youngest daughter Aubrey, her first day on her bike!

My Wife and Daughter Katelyn on our vacation to Stone Harbour last year.

Staff Spotlight:

Full Given Name: Joseph Michael Kress (Named after Archie Bunker's Grandson born on the show the same day that I was 01/28/1976).

Day Job: Which one..... My Mom and I own our own business, we do Title Searching and Abstracting (has to do with real estate). I am also the Tech Director as you all know for both Susky and for York High. On top of all that, I also own my own business called A&K Graffx which is a graphic design business....alas, it is mostly pro-bono (volunteer/donated) work for non-profit groups that fight things like aids, sexual discrimination, cancer, pretty much anything that comes my way. Will and I share the same degree from the same college. And of coarse, full time Husband and Dad (and yes, that is a job all in it's own)!!

Most Played song on my Zune: Well, not sure.....I listen to everything and anything but have so little time to listen to music that it's hard to have a most played song :)

What was the first play/musical you ever saw: Well, that I can remember, the first musical I saw was my step-aunt played the Wicked Witch of the West in York College's production of WOZ. My first Broadway show that I ever saw (and will ALWAYS remember) was Phantom of the Opera!!!

What was the first show you were ever involved in & what did you do: Well, let's see....I believe it was a musical at York High called Peace Child the Musical based on the creation of the real organization called Peace Child (for which I was a member of as well) and I had one of the male leads in the show....I know....Joe our techie actually started his theatre career on the stage, not behind it!!! There was also a play I was a lead in, but it was in the third grade at Lincoln Elementary School and I don't remember what it was called, but come to think of it, I actually helped with our tiny little set then as well.

What do you like most about Technical director / Light/ Sound/ & Props: Well, that's not hard to figure out, first of all, all of you young adults in crew and cast and the adult staff make it a very enjoyable job, it's always great to think of your job as a second family!!! Plus, think about it, where else can you be 32 years old and get to build things that go up, down, poof, pop, bang, splash....things that when you are buying the supplies to make, your own daughter says "Dad, I have no idea how your mind works"!!!! It's like being 5 years old and building with legos...it's another world!! It's always cool seeing people get excited about what they just saw and a great feeling when everyone goes "how did you do that" or "can you teach me to do that/build that", and there is no greater feeling of accomplishment than when everyone says, "no way" "it can't be done" and yet you find a way to get it done and get it done well!!! And as Walt Disney once said "...it's kind of fun to do the imposable..."!!

What do you do for fun: Well, when I am not working, being a Dad and Husband take over and to me, that is fun. Also playing the Wii, hanging out with friends, working on my fish tanks (I currently have 4 fresh water and 1 salt water tanks), and probably my favorite, watching movies.

Any shows you are just dying to work on: Well, that's a hard one, there is just so much out there and so much more being developed every day.....I would have to say....honestly, I don't know...all I can say is "BRING IT ON" (and I mean bring it on, not the movie!!!). I do know I want a break from anything set between the 30's and 50's!!!

Who would play you in a movie about your life: Well, it's hard to say there's anyone out there as good looking as I am in the movie industry right now................JK...........LOL.....................ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would have to say that I don't think I look like any actors, but I would have to pick my hero, Ty Pennington of "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" because he gets to do all the cool stuff I like to do, we are both pretty crazy, we both love to build, and I try to live my life helping as many people as I can just like he does!!! And I would not be adverse to any of you nominating my family for the show (hint, hint).............LOL :)

Photos!

2008-03-31T22:23:00.006-04:00

So as I was filming everyone, my amazing camera also has the ability to take pictures. So... I've decided to share some with you... Prepare for amazement:

None of the ladies are having any fun... :(
Biiigggg finish!
Hey Nonny Nonny Nonny NO
SHY!!!!!
Don't drop Dobry

The Lovely Ladies in Waiting
"Go... And Get the Prince a Royal wife!"

Pity Kyle Dobry too... (jk, siona)"Blow the Trumpet"

Whispers...

Of OUAMs and Webdings

2008-03-29T09:06:00.006-04:00

Zoë, Kelly and I are venturing to the land of the Amish today. We'll see the other OUAM. I think Laura, Kirsten, and Brock (of course Brock would go) are seeing it too.

I'll be sure to bloggy about it later.

Oh! And on a side-note, I love webdings. (webdings.)

I was on my b, when I saw e in the middle of the road. Suddenly, a m came up to me and said "this is for you." Well, was like, s Next thing I know, I blank out, and the same m has me on a j to Puerto Rico. I live captive there for several months and play w. Finally, ninjas attack and use their l to kill the m , and set me free.
Moral of the story? z

Commercials

2008-03-27T21:54:00.002-04:00

Im making a commercial for our amazing production of Once Upon a Mattress. Hopefully we will play it/them on the morning announcements.
If anyone has any ideas for a commercial or would enjoy being of use, please comment me!!
Gracias!

I study under things: My ode to being Fred for a night

2008-03-27T21:33:00.003-04:00

First off, thank you Will for that loverly post about understudies. Good timing.

When I read I would be understudy for Fred, I was actually more excited about that than Lady Rowena (who turned out to be pretty cooky and funny anyway). I knew no one would see my performance, and I always hear complaints about being an understudy...

You have to learn all the lines and blocking and notes but never go out and get the same recognition.

Despite this, I decided to give my all to Mini-Fred.

I went to Laura's practices, scribbled notes and felt silly being there, but all the same I showed up.

For a while I familiarized myself with Fred's lines, but not doing it daily and focusing on Lady R's blocking made my memory fade.

But Laura always shows up, right?

Not exactly. Not tonight.

I was nervous. I thought people would be mad at me for not knowing everything, so I decided to put all my energy into it.

Laura, you go girl, have Fred back, but being her for one night, although via speed-through, was an AMAZING experience for me. I had sugar-high feel the whole two hours.

I didn't know the blocking well enough for "Happily Ever After," and I didn't get the "Out lumps!" part down, but the rest I really put my all into.

And now I'm exhausted.

So, for all you understudies out there, please learn your lines, your blocking. One night, even if it isn't an official night, you may need to stand in.

And knowing your stuff makes you, and everyone else, have a great time.

As Will said, yay for understudies!

I Ain't Scurred.

2008-03-27T11:36:00.001-04:00

MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH. MACBETH.

(how many times are you supposed to spin around and curse?)

In Praise of the Understudy

2008-03-27T11:21:00.000-04:00

When sitting down to start to design the show program, I usually start off with the cast list. Usually because it's the only thing that's complete at this point--there's still bios that need to be typed, and ads we're waiting for. It was in cobbling together that list, that I realized that OUAM has what is probably the best set of understudies for any show I've ever done! ('cept for those Anne Frank understudies who actually went on during the school preview--but there's a little overlap there anyway)

At some point or another, most of our understudies have done their duty and stood in for their missing counterpart and learned most (if not all) of that person's blocking and lines. All on the off chance that the worst possible scenario should happen. (Though if it were to happen, I'm not too scared about the understudies going on--I have had many a nightmare in the past about just such things...)

So, it's because of this dedication to the show that I salute the understudies. The ones who deserve recognition for all the work they put in so that the show may go on!

Coming closer...

2008-03-23T11:57:00.003-04:00

We're drawing nearer and nearer to the show...only 2 1/2 weeks to go! Suddenly everything seems rushed, and everything I wanted to accomplish (more character work, perfecting that knee slide) has to be done...quickly.

The crew is hurrying to finish the set and build a horseshoe, the pit and the cast still need to coordinate songs, we've got tech...it seems like so much in such a short amount of time!!! Don't worry, it always pulls together.

One helpful bit of advice: If you're the lead in a musical, do not get sick. Not even with a cold. It sucks. Especially if your voice was already giving out. That said, please remind me whenever you see me not to use my vocal cords as much as possible--I tend to make that mistake.

Another week and I'll be free of Regionals music and ready to devote my voice entirely to the musical! Although that was kind of happening anyway...

Happy Easter, and cast members, I'll see you at practice.

Yet another OUAM

2008-03-20T14:11:00.002-04:00

Hey all. Former SHS acteur (isn't that a cool way to misspell actor--I'm copyrighting it) Brock Cheek wished me to pass on information regarding Millersville University's production of OUAM. The production is entirely student run (actors/directors/crew are all students.) Here's all the info you needs to know.

Millersville University's All-Campus Musical Association

PERFORMANCE DATES

8:00pm Thursday March 27, 2008

8:00pm Friday March 28, 2008

8:00pm Saturday March 29, 2008

2:30pm Sunday March 30, 2008

Lyte Auditorium, Millersville University (Only about an hour from SHS)

Ticket information :

Tickets can be purchased at the Student Memorial Center Ticket Window,

Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Call (717) 872-3811

ADVANCE SALES: Students and Senior Citizen Tickets are $5.00/General Admission Tickets are $7.00

AT THE DOOR: All tickets are $10.00

http://marauder.millersville.edu/~acmo/current.html

Cast Spotlight: Casey Shelley

2008-03-20T10:51:00.002-04:00

Full Given Name: Casey Shelley A. K. A. Shell

Role: Ensemble

Most Played song on your ipod (or cd player)? "Gimme Chemical" by The Pink Spiders

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? Wizard Of Oz

What do you like most about being on stage? That I can finally be noticed and not be a nerd

Are you learning any skills in theatre that you will be able to use after high school? That I can tell my left from my right stage lol

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities? (If so, which?) no

Any shows you're just dying to be in? I want to play Sandy in Grease

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Jessica Alba XD

Anything else you want people to know about you?hm.........oooo look a butterfly!

Cast Spotlight: Caitlin Ramirez

2008-03-20T10:46:00.004-04:00

Full Given Name: Caitlin Maureen Ramirez

Role: Lady in Waiting/ensemble

Most Played song on your ipod (or cd player)? Dear Maria, Count me in. by All Time Low and I dare you to move by Switchfoot

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? Beauty int he beast on broadway

What do you like most about being on stage? I like not feeling self conscious and worrying about what other people think, when I'm on stage I can express myself and be me =]

Are you learning any skills in theatre that you will be able to use after high school? I guess acting and being in front of a large auidience and working with other people

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities? (If so, which?) Ummm I am in Dance Team and Freshman Class Council =]

Any shows you're just dying to be in? Rent,West side Story, Hairspray and if we did Legally Blonde the Musical =D

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Reese Witherspoon...subtract like 15 years off her for the role though

Anything else you want people to know about you? I love to dance and I am very friendly and outgoing so if you don't know me talk to me =]

Cast Spotlight: Mia Wentworth

2008-03-20T10:43:00.002-04:00

Full Given Name: Emilia Ann Wentworth

Role: Mime

Most Played song on your ipod? The Crane Wife, by The Decemberists. Closely followed by the lovely Kenny Chesney, Zac Efron (I really have no excuse for that), the Weepies, some good wizard wrock, Say Anything, and Mika.

What do you like most about being on stage? I always like to believe that someone out in the audience is really enjoying themselves. When I watch a good show, I get so wrapped up in it that I feel like I’m part of that world. I admire each character and want to know more. Theatre in general just really intrigues me. Knowing that I’m providing that sort of entertainment to at least someone out there is a really neat feeling.

Are you learning any skills in theatre that you will be able to use after high school? Studying characters helps me see all sorts of things from different points of views. Expands my mind and all. I guess that’s a skill anyone could use.

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities? (If so, which?) Art club, lit mag.

Any shows you're just dying to be in? …Xanadu!

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Oh, you know, Laura Dzwonzyck. She’s a brilliant actress and I trust she knows enough about me ;)

Anything else you want people to know about you? I sleep in a night gown. I love mandarin Oranges. I’m eating a piece of my aunt’s birthday cake as I fill out this survey. I am a beast at Tetris. Seriously. Don’t mess. :]

Cast Spotlight: Kelly Chick

2008-03-20T10:40:00.003-04:00

Full Given Name: Kelly Jean Chick

Role: Queen Aggravain

Most Played song on your ipod (or cd player)? Well, I won't say it's my favorite song, but it just so happens that the most played song is "Why don't we do it in the road?" by The Beatles.

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? Annie

What do you like most about being on stage? Whether they're laughing or crying, I love being able to provoke emotions from the audience.

Are you learning any skills in theatre that you will be able to use after high school? How to be an effective liar!! Just kidding! Seriously, I'm developing communication skills as well as learning how to interact with people.

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities? (If so, which?) Concert Choir, Select Ensemble, Company of Praise (church choir), and International Thespian Society.

Any shows you're just dying to be in? It's too hard to pick just one!

Who would play you in a movie about your life? I find this to be a strange question - I'm going to answer it as if I've lived my life but I'm choosing from actors as they are right now in 2008 (I've aged, but they haven't - that's why this is a weird question - does that make sense??). Anyway, my younger self would be played by Ellen Page, my middle self (yes, I said middle self) would be played by Tina Fey, and my older self would be played by Meryl Streep. I think I took this question too seriously ...

Anything else you want people to know about you? I'm single - anyone interested?? Ha!

Cast Spotlight: Melanie Morgan

2008-03-18T12:14:00.001-04:00

Full Given Name: Melanie J. Morgan (The 'J' is for my two-letter middle name, peeps, I'm paranoid about internet kooks)

Role: Princess 12 (I should have everybody going around calling me Twelve, 'cuz it's awesome)

Most Played song on your ipod (or cd player)? Undignified --David Crowder*Band

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? I can't remember the names of the ones I was in in 4th and 5th grade, but 6th grade was The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. I was the wolf's lawyer, oh yeah. I think the ones in 4th and 5th grade were the best though, even though I don't remember their names.

What do you like most about being on stage? Being able to become someone and just transport myself into another world, like the way kids pretend all the time(I still do)

Are you learning any skills in theatre that you will be able to use after high school? Working with people together to create and bring to life a huge project, which is really cool, especially when you get to bond with them and you become an almost twisted family-like structure! This'll help me greatly; I'm going to be going into animation, and most animators have to be great actors and be able to work well with people on a project to be able to bring it to life and do their job. I also want to do a little acting/voice acting on the side.

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities? (If so, which?) Art Club, Yearbook, Baccalaureate committee(if that's considered an activity), and The PULSE! Don't know what it is? -evil laugh- Ask me!

Any shows you're just dying to be in? Hm, The Beauty and the Beast, some cartoon and Disney movies that I'm just dying to make into musicals, and this one(Once Upon a Mattress). Although I would like a second shot at this one, 'cuz it's just that cool.

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Are you kidding? No one plays the Mel better than the Mel. I kinda doubt there would be someone out there that would quite do me justice anyway. Plus, God didn't create me to be replicated.

Anything else you want people to know about you? Hardcore Die-Hard Jesus Freak with a passion for living it LOUD and sold out for Christ! Also the Queen of Peanut Butter and self-dubbed nickname, "The Cheeseball."

A little extra info- That picture beside my name...if you ever see that scene in real life, it may be the last thing you ever see...that's purely joking...

E.T. phones home

2008-03-17T23:13:00.003-04:00

Make it big, make it big, make it BIG!

I love musical theatre. It's a wonderful excuse to be loud and over-the-top. I'm outrageous and eccentric enough as it is, so this is a great outlet for my crahazzy self.

For one, my character Lady Rowena is an absolute nut-case. (And she wonders why she'll never get married). She laughs outrageously several times in the show. When we did the read through, I glimpsed at the bottom of the page to see: Lady Rowena hysterically giggles. My stomach did a flip. I'm used to doing that normally, but in front of everyone? Oh well, I went for it. And boy was it hysterical. The night of blocking, I refrained a little, thinking I over did it. But Will told me: "Can you be more obnoxious?"

Never again will anyone ask me to laugh more obnoxiously. I loved it.

So act like you just drank a full cup of coffee before going onstage. Pump it up!

On a side note, if one wears a brown blanket to practices, get ready to be compared to: a bag lady, Anne (&Margot) Frank, Sweeney Todd's crazy wife, and, my favorite: E.T.

Next, on a very special episode of the OUAM blog...

2008-03-14T16:01:00.002-04:00

If I may digress...

I have been notified that my choice for the 2008 Fall play has been approved.

Seniors, sorry.

Juniors/Sophomores/Freshmen...brush up your Shakespeare & dust off your cowboys hats.

THE ONLY SPOTLIGHT YOU EVER NEED TO READ!

2008-03-12T13:32:00.003-04:00

Full Given Name: Judi "Witchie" Fisher

Role: Dinner, Pecan, ohhh...Costume constructor, Mom of Minstrel who only wears tights for plays...I think.

Most Played song on your ipod (or cd player)? Witchie Women....duh

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? Wizard of Oz....of course

What do you like most about being on stage? Height has no bounds..I look tall from the audience

Are you learning any skills in theatre that you will be able to use after high school? Yes, that High School is great, but life outside is mystical, magical, full of experiences, growth, and that people are all the same...be patient, kind, tolerant and loving.

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities? (If so, which?) When I'm not making costumes for the earth, I travel on my broom to a far off land called "home" (there's no place like it!) where I am a mom, wife, sister, friend, housekeeper, chauffeur, cook, gardener and all around busy witchie.

Any shows you're just dying to be in? Death of a Saleswitch; Le Miserable Witch, and...WICKED!

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Idina Menzel did an accurate job of protraying me, especially my vocal talents.

Anything else you want people to know about you? That I love SHS & SUMC theatre, I was a giraffe in my past life, and, I taught Will Jenkins everything he knows.

Staff Spotlight: Heather Jenkins

2008-03-12T13:22:00.004-04:00

Full Given Name: Heather Michelle Jenkins

Day Job: Project Accountant for Kinsley Construction

Most Played song on your ipod (or cd player)? According to iTunes it is Fly Me to the Moon by Tony Bennett.

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? Mame at Dallastown High School when I was in elementary school.

What was the first show you were ever involved in & what did you do? I was in the chorus of The Wizard of Oz. Although I do also remember being an elf in a Christmas show in the second grade. I had to pretend to make toys while the chorus sang a song.

What do you like most about promoting? While the show is running, I like to walk into the house and know that I had a hand in putting all those butts in the seats. I like being able to make Will’s job smoother and being able to take some of the stressful things for him and get them accomplished.

What do you do for fun? Play with Cordy, hang out with Will, play the piano, go to NYC, and I really like putting things in order and organization.

Any shows you’re just dying to work on? Assassins!! The Wedding Singer. Mamma Mia. Xanadu.

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Hmm. Grown up Cordy Jenkins.

(Above photo: Heather and her other husband, Broadway, TV and Movie Star Roger Bart)

Street Fightin' Man

2008-03-12T10:19:00.003-04:00

Just thought I'd let all you lovely OUAM-er's out there know about a little something I ran across today. York Little Theatre is currently taking registrations for their spring theatre arts education programs. There are many different classes for different ages...but one I'd like to point out especially would be the Stage Combat workshop on April 12 & 19th. (It won't interfere with the show!) I'd especially recommend it if it's something you're interested in learning more about (I AM! I'm thinking about attending), not to mention it may be useful if the fall play I've chosen is accepted. I can pretty much guarantee it'll be a lot of fun, as I've worked with the workshop teacher, Mitch, before. (He was one of my directors in a certain "Horror Show" at YLT). You can check out all the classes here.

Enough of my shilling for YLT. :)
(In the sake of fairness, If you know of any other classes or programs, feel free to mention them here, or drop me a line and I'll post them!)

8th Graders...

2008-03-11T21:37:00.002-04:00

I was working the stand/booth/place/thing at the 8th grade orientation tonight along with Mrs. Pam, Kelly, and occasionally Laura. We got a few kids interested; many girls, one guy, one crew guy, and a bunch of parents who were much more interested in the topic than the kids were. It wasn't that awesome of a turnout, but one nonetheless.
To everyone who has 8th grade friends: tell them to JOIN THE THEATRE!!! Preferably cast, but crew and pit are also noble areas. I don't know if it's just me who thinks this, but turnout for shows (especially males) has decreased (?). [if someone wants to prove me right/wrong, please tell me]

But tell all of your younger friends to joing the theatre, regardless of whether we have a lot of people trying out or not.

:D

One Month!

2008-03-11T18:10:00.002-04:00

To everyone associated with OUAM - ONE MONTH LEFT!! Opening night will be here before you know it!

Cast Spotlight: Julia Yeilding

2008-03-10T09:56:00.007-04:00

Full Given Name: Julia Kathleen Yeilding

Role: Dancer/Larken Understudy

Most Played song on your ipod (or cd player)? Any song by Taylor Swift

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? Cats

What do you like most about being on stage? It's so much fun!

Are you learning any skills in theatre that you will be able to use after high school? Definitely; being in front of people is no big deal now.

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities? (If so, which?) Yes - Marching Band, Jazz Band, Vocal Ensemble, York Youth Symphony

Any shows you're just dying to be in? Hm, not really, I enjoy being on stage no matter what show it is.

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Alexis Bledel - I'm told we look alike.

Anything else you want people to know about you? I play the clarinet - which is the BEST instrument ever!

Cast Spotlight: Marisa Silva

2008-03-10T09:54:00.000-04:00

Full Given Name:Marisa Nicole Silva

Role:Dancer

Most Played song on your ipod (or cd player)? Part Of Your World- Little Mermaid... (don't ask)

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? probably the Lion King On Broadway

What do you like most about being on stage? The fact that you can be anyone you want

Are you learning any skills in theatre that you will be able to use after high school? Definitely social skills, and being comfortable in front of a crowd

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities? (If so, which?) Track and Field, the Martial Arts, soccer, ...In Atomic Proportions, Marching Band, Orchestra,

Any shows you're just dying to be in? POCOHANTAS!

Who would play you in a movie about your life? ME?, or Marisa Tomei

Anything else you want people to know about you? i hate the words mirror and iron, because they sound just wrong...

Reminder

2008-03-09T19:31:00.002-04:00

Bio forms and T-shirt order forms can be found on the website in the cast area. T-shirt orders will be due Thursday April 20th, and bios are due ASAP.

Cast Spotlight: Elisabeth Hittie

2008-03-07T13:55:00.003-05:00

Full given name: Elisabeth Ann Hittie

Role: Jester

Most played song on iPod: "On the Radio" by Regina Spektor

What was the first play/musical you ever saw?: "Cats." I was 5 years old and I believe to this day that it is one of the worst musicals ever done. I slept through the entire musical.

What do you like most about being on stage?: For me, there's this feeling of warmth and comfort when I finally get to be out on the stage. It is the one place that I can be as dramatic and outrageous as I truly yearn to be, and it's completely fine.

Are you learning any skills in theatre that you will be able to use after high school?: Of course. Oration skills especially, being able to speak clearly, put emotion into what you're saying, and portray what you have to say to your audience.

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? (If so, which?): I am very involved with dance. I take ballet, tap, jazz, modern/contemporary/lyrical, and musical theatre at Experimental Movement Concepts in New Freedom. I am a Featured Dancer (and an original member) of EMC's Repertory Ensemble and I am a Demi-Soloist in the Susquehanna Youth Ballet. I am entering my fifth year of teaching at EMC as well. As for school, besides the theatre program, I am involved in Concert Choir as an Alto.

Any shows you're dying to be in?: "42nd Street", "Hairspray", "Rent", and "Aida."

Who would play you in a movie about your life?: I have no idea.

Anything else you want people to know about you?: As a person, I am high-strung and have energy pouring out my ears. I love my job as a teacher because I love to work with children. Even though when people hear the term "dancer" they assume someone who is overly concerned about their weight and what they eat...I eat probably more than a full-grown man does, and I am nowhere near a healthy eater.

Cast Spotlight: Ahmae Messersmith

2008-03-07T13:48:00.002-05:00

Full Given Name: Ahmae messersmith

Role[s]: Kitchen Wench, Emily, Lady Beatrice, Dancer

Most Played Song On your Mp3: La Vie Boheme From RENT

First play or musical you ever saw: The Wizard of Oz

What do you like most about being on the stage: It gives me a chance to be crazy and over expressive and no one really judges me cause there all doing the same thing, also its a great place to just forget everything thats happening in your life and have a great time with your friends.

Are you learning any new skills in theatre that you will be able to use after high school: Yes one thing that has and will help me are the auditions they teach you that you need to be responsible for yourself and you need to have things done and memorized when there due. Anothor thing we all have learned is how to meet new people and not sit out, to get involved in things.

Are You in any other extracurricular activities: Yes, Football and basketbal Cheerleading.

Any Shows your just dying to be in? Definitely Bye Bye Birdie and Hairspray! and it would be super cool if our school could do wicked but i don't think thats happening.

who would play you in a movie about your life? ummm myself?

Anything else you want people to know about you? I'm auditioning for Willy Wonka the musical! its a summer theatre and if you want to come see it its July 25-27 and august 1-3. Ask me an email if you want to know were to buy tickets!

Cast Spotlight: Brittany MacFadden

2008-03-06T14:04:00.016-05:00

Full Given Name: Brittany Jeanette MacFadden

Role: Dancer

Most Played song on your ipod (or cd player)? hmm either Taylor Swift- Our song, or When You look me in the Eyes by the Jonas Brothers : )

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? hmm probably Lion King? or Radio City Music Hall the Christmas show in NYC

What do you like most about being on stage? just acting with my friends is so much fun and you really feel like you've accomplished something when the end result turns out great*

Are you learning any skills in theatre that you will be able to use after high school? Yes, confidence on stage because that'll help me later on being in front of people and it has also made me more outgoing because it built my confidence up

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities? (If so, which?) Cross Country, Cheerleading, Swimming, Track and Field, Class council, FCA, Big Sister Little Sister, Ski Club, NHS, and I also teach Sunday School every week* : )

Any shows you're just dying to be in? High School Musical!!!!

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Me!

Anything else you want people to know about you? well... i love seeing people happy so im always trying to help people with their problems and i just love being kind, caring and giving and most of all- i love my family more than anything!! : )

Cast Spotlight: Logan Markiewicz

2008-03-06T13:59:00.004-05:00

Full Given Name:Logan Scott Markiewicz

Role:Knight/Castle Steward

Most Played song on your cell MP3 player? Apologize by One Republic.

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? saww? i guess the Phantom of the opera. [[on broadway]]

What do you like most about being on stage? Being myself. Not having to worry about what anyone thinks about me.

Are you learning any skills in theatre that you will be able to use after high school? pshhyea. will (our director) teaches us a lot about acting skills. since i'm interested in going into musical theatre, he helps a lot.

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities? (If so, which?) Select ensemble. =]]

Any shows you're just dying to be in? The phantom of the opera. <33

Who would play you in a movie about your life? me. duhh =]

Anything else you want people to know about you? ummmm.. hey look! a penny!! =]]]