SCRIPT PICK-UP

JUST A REMINDER:  There will be a materials pick-up for members of the cast from 1:00 - 1:30 on Saturday, December 17th at the Wyoming Arts Center.  This is to give materials to the kids, so that they can practice over the holiday break.  

**If you cannot get there on Saturday, December 17th from 1:00 - 1:30 to quickly pick up materials, please have a friend, neighbor, or family member get your materials for you.  Due to the holidays, this is the only time frame available to pick up scripts/cds.  In an absolute worse-case scenario that no one can pick up the materials for your child, please contact Amy Elliott at wmstheatervolunteer@gmail.com.

DOES MY CHILD NEED TO COME PICK UP A CD OR A SCRIPT?

THESE STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO PICK UP A CD, SCRIPT, OR CHORUS BOOK:
Abby Casada
Molly Mariani
Kelsey Jobalia

THESE STUDENTS WILL NOT PICK UP A CD (however, they WILL receive a CHORUS BOOK or a SCRIPT):
Isabella de Jesus
Jadyn Collinsworth
Kaelyn Cortes
Deja Gause
Asia Blue Jones
Ella Hipsley
Christian Robles

THESE STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE A CHORUS BOOK INSTEAD OF A SCRIPT:
Terra Forsythe

Tess Young

Sophie Harrison

Grayce Akers

Quinn Steifbold

Katie Zackerman
Deja Gause
Asia Blue Jones
Isabella de Jesus
Jadyn Collinsworth

Cast List: HONK!

WOW!!  What an amazingly talented group of kids!  You made these decisions very, very hard for me.  Due to several factors, I was only able to cast 40 of you; however, I want each of you to know that I would have loved to cast more than this number of students.  Your excitement, dedication, and enthusiasm at auditions and callbacks made me even more excited to be a part of the drama program at WMS.  I would LOVE to see each of you back at auditions for the variety show in the spring.  If you were not cast in this production, I would encourage you to keep on trying.  There are several factors that go into casting a show, and each of you have wonderful talent.  It takes courage to come out and audition, and no matter what, I am SO proud of you!!

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME ON THE CAST LIST:
Don't forget to check the blog post called "SCRIPT PICK-UP" to see if you need to pick up materials on Saturday from 1:00 - 1:30 at the Wyoming Art Center.  I am unavailable to be there, but I have a parent volunteer standing in for me.  A few of you DO NOT need to pick up scripts due to my adding in a few roles that are not in the script.  Please see below for the list of people who do not need to pick up a script/cd Saturday morning.

I will see ALL CAST at the Read-Thru on Tuesday, January 3rd at 4:00 and AT LEAST one parent/guardian at the 6:00 PARENT MEETING that same night.  We will be finished by 7:00.  Also, we will be taking individual cast pictures that night.  Please have your child bring his/her scripts and a pencil.  Parents, please bring your calendars, as I will be looking for volunteers to start filling volunteer shifts.


If you choose not to accept your role, please email Miss Wilmes by Saturday, December 17th at midnight at wmstheater@gmail.com.  

Have a wonderful holiday!
Miss Cindy Wilmes 

Casting: A Difficult Task

As the director of WMS drama, please let me say from the bottom of my heart, that casting is such a difficult process.  This is only b/c your students are mega-talented!  For those of you that are new to the theater world, a few below facts might be helpful:

CAST SIZE:

• I have to be very conscious of how much available stage-space I have.  I also have to take in consideration how many people I need to costume, teach to dance, and provide over-all direction. If I could cast all of you, I would!

CONFLICTS?:

• Yes, I do look at the conflicts you have listed on your audition form.  However, with students spelling out when they are and are not available for rehearsals, it helps me to plan what I will rehearse for each rehearsal.  I am looking first and foremost at talent; however, if a student is never available for rehearsals, I may not be able to work around their schedules.  If a student is cast in the show and misses a rehearsal that is not on their conflict sheet (and it is not due to an emergency [see audition form] and does not let Miss Wilmes know in advance, that student may be asked to leave the musical).  Please do not make conclusions that some students are allowed to miss and others are not.  All students have laid out their conflicts on their schedules and have communicated to Miss Wilmes directly when they cannot be there.  I am fully aware, as I am trusting your audition sheet is correct.  Each director is different, and ultimately, this is the director's decision.  I am looking for students who will work very hard to make this musical a top priority, and I am trusting that students will do their best to arrange their schedules to be a part of such a great opportunity.

FINAL DECISION:

• In order to be completely fair, I judge each student based on the same scoring guide at the initial audition.  This helps guide my process to ask people to come to callbacks.  Once at callbacks, I have students read and sing from the script, as well as audition with other cast members to see how they interact with others and fit a specific character.  From there, I decide named characters and the ensemble.  Even if you are not invited to callbacks, it does not mean that you are not in the cast.  

GRADE LEVEL:

• Just because a student is in a certain grade level does not guarantee a specific role over students who are older or younger than they are.  The musical is open to any student grades 5-8.   

First and foremost, I am looking at talent first and then going from there.  There are always several factors to consider when casting.  Please trust that these are mega-hard decisions!  Please also know that I am the only one who is making this decision.  No parents, teacher, or administration has a say in who is cast in the musical.  The parents who you may see at the volunteer table or around school are only there to help because they value the drama program at Wyoming.  Casting is based on your student's audition.  Trimming 80 students down to about 30 is huge.  There are going to be very talented children who do not make the musical.  If I could cast every one of you, I would!  No matter what happens, I would encourage you to audition for the variety show.  The capacity of the show allows me to cast a larger cast!  

Stay tuned for the CAST LIST that will be posted no later than Saturday by noon.  

Enjoy this last week of school!

Miss Wilmes

CALLBACK LIST

Congratulations to all who auditioned tonight for Honk Jr.!  It takes extreme confidence to audition in front of your peers and an educator, so thank you to all who stepped up to audition.  I am so proud of you!  Please know that there were almost 80 students who auditioned.  I am thrilled with the interest in WMS drama!  The overwhelming response to auditions for a school musical is certainly exciting.

With that said, PLEASE KNOW:  Even if you do not see your name on the callback list below, please check the final cast list that will be posted no later than noon on Saturday, December 17th.  As I explained to each group at auditions, if you are invited to callbacks, I need to see you again before I make final decisions.  It does not mean that you are cast if you have been asked to callbacks; whereas, it also does not mean that you are not cast if you aren't invited to callbacks.

THINGS TO REMEMBER FOR CALLBACKS:

• BRING YOUR A-GAME.  I have some tough decisions to make.  I need you to show me what you will bring to the stage.
• BE PATIENT.  I have the auditorium for three hours on Wednesday for callbacks.  In case I need the entire time, it does mean that you will sit for awhile.  Please bring something to work on -- a book to read, video games, homework, etc.  I will call students into the auditorium as needed, so be prepared to spend time in the hallway waiting.  Remember, you are still auditioning for me as you are waiting for your turn.  I am looking for responsible students.  I will dismiss students when they are finished.
• IF POSSIBLE, bring a cell phone.  I realize that this may be impossible for younger students.  Parents, please feel free to stay and wait with your child if you prefer not to leave them.  I will have parent volunteers with students in the hallway, while I am inside with callback groups.  I will dismiss kids as soon as I can, as I realize it is a school night.
• BE PREPARED.  It would be very wise of you to look at songs from the show, as most decisions will come down to singing.  YouTube Honk Jr. and check out the show itself at www.MTIshows.com
• GIRLS:  Look at: "Joys of Motherhood", "Wild Goose Chase", "Play with Your Food"
• BOYS:  Look at:  "Different", "Wild Goose Chase", "Warts and All"
• I don't expect all of these songs to be perfect, but regardless, it would be smart of you to check out songs from a show if you are invited to callbacks.  It helps you understand more of the character, as well as shows you possible vocal ranges.
• KNOW THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY HAVE MORE TIME AT CALLBACKS THAN YOU:  This does not mean that you are not good or that you didn't make the show, it just means that I might have already decided your role.  The best thing that you can do is trust the director :)
• YOU DON'T NEED TO OFFICIALLY PREPARE ANYTHING.  I will provide scripts for you to read from, as well as music.  You don't need to prepare anything additional, unless I have asked you.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME ON THE CALLBACK LIST BELOW, please plan to be at callbacks on Wednesday, December 14th from 6:00 - 9:00 in the WMS auditorium.


CALLBACK LIST: 

Jadyn Collinsworth

Ellie Donnelly

Gabrielle Blade

Symantha Rathbone

Kaelyn Cortes

Isabella De Jesus

Evan Morley

Elijah Feazell

Melissa Campbell

Ethan Kahn

Jacob Olausen

Alex Kopnick

Nicholas Denson

Matthew Bonner

Ian Fridy

David Easton

Christian Robles

Gareth Norris

Nolan Morley

Sam Hunter

Lia Thomas

Maddie Henke

Monica Unzueta

Ella Hipsley

Deja Gause

Addison Burke

Elena Skidmore

Tess Young

Terra Forsythe

Anna Zidarescu

Lucy Walton

Olivia Ardo

Asia Blue Jones

Ellen Boster

Margot Grom

Madeleine Morstadt

Janey Elliott

Olivia Newfarth

Caroline Theile

Honk Character List

Thank you for your interest in Honk Jr.! With almost 100 students auditioning, please know that I cannot cast everyone.  To better prepare yourselves for auditions and the cast list, please look over the following parts.  Although this number may slightly change based on auditions, I am currently seeking to cast 30-40 students to perform various roles.  


Break a leg!

HONK JR. SYNOPSIS

If you are auditioning for Honk Jr., please read the below summary of the show.  It tells you a little more about Hans Christian Anderson's story of the Ugly Duckling's musical-version, as well as introduces the characters and what they sing.  It would be a good idea for you to familiarize yourself with the story before coming to auditions and callbacks.


THE STORY:


The show begins with the dawn of a glorious summer's day out in the country. Standing in the sunshine is a small farm, behind which is a lake surrounded with cattails. Drake, a proud father-to-be, introduces us to "A Poultry Tale." His wife, Ida, and the rest of the farmyard residents join in the telling while the Cat hides, eyeing the duck eggs in Ida's nest which he hopes will make a savory dinner. As the assorted barnyard animals rush offstage, Ida remains to tend to her nest of four average sized eggs and one curious looking large brown one. Ida is bossy and irritable after tending the eggs for such a long time, and she complains to Drake about her cramped quarters and his unwillingness to shoulder some of the burden. After Drake makes a hasty exit, Ida sings affectionately about "The Joy of Motherhoood" with a neighboring moorhen, Maureen. They exchange observations on the anguish and happiness of bearing children just as the eggs start cracking. Four perfectly respectable ducklings emerge from the four perfectly respectable average sized eggs. After Maureen coos over the newly hatched ducklings, she goes off in search of Drake to tell him the good news. While the wide-eyed newborns yearn to explore their new world, mother Ida strictly lays down a few "nest rules" for her youngsters. Drake returns to meet his new children just as Ida realizes that the large egg has yet to hatch. Though Drake tries to persuade her to leave the big egg and join him and their ducklings for a swim, Ida insists upon staying with her unusual, unhatched egg. Drake joyously races the children down to the lake for their first swim while Ida resumes her position on the nest. Ida contemplates the last remaining egg and broods about why this one is so "Different." Suddenly there is a chipping sound followed by a cracking sound. Ugly, a large, ungainly bird waddles out of his shell with a loud "HONK!"

Ugly cannot quack like the others. He is much larger than the others. Ida worries that Ugly is indeed a turkey, as Drake suggested, but he allays her fears when he doesn't react to the word "Butterball" and he is eager for a swim. Though at first taken aback by her unusual child, Ida hugs her duckling and all is well between mother and son. They make their way to the pond for his first swimming lesson. Ida instructs Ugly on the various joys and dangers of swimming in "Hold Your Head Up High." Ida soon realizes that Ugly is an amazing swimmer, and he is exhilarated and joyous until he meets Drake and the ducklings on the shore. They humiliate their awkward sibling with "Look At Him." Ida tries desperately to defend Ugly as the ducklings, along with the neighboring animals, and even his father, Drake, taunt and tease him unmercifully.

Grace, a duck so lovely that she is honored with a red band, meets Ida's new offspring and congratulates her--but only on the perfectly respectable ducklings. Ugly suffers further humiliation from the members of the barnyard when they gather for a taste of French bread thrown in the pond. He is crowded out and unable to share in the feast. Alone, hungry and miserable, Ugly laments his fate of being "Different." However at the end of the song the devious Cat sidles up to him, commiserates, and persuades Ugly to join him for "lunch" in his den. When Ida realizes that that Ugly is missing she organizes a search. Cat and Ugly arrive in the conniving feline's kitchen. Cat prepares his delectable repast a' la Julia Child's cooking program. He encourages Ugly to "Play With Your Food" as the innocent but hungry duckling joins in--never realizing the Cat's dubious intentions. By chance, a baseball whizzes into the Cat's lair and strikes him on the head. When the child who hit the ball decides to retrieve it, Ugly becomes frightened and decides to go back to the duck yard, leaving the unconscious Cat behind. However, as Ugly tries to retrace his steps back to the duck yard, he realizes that he is lost. Meanwhile, back at the barnyard, the neighbors are certain that a culinary death at the paws of the wicked Cat befell poor Ugly. But Ida refuses to believe it. Suddenly the fate of the missing fowl becomes a media event when Drake invites Jay Bird of "America's Most Feathered" to do a feature story about the missing duckling. In her television interview, Ida sings a heartbreaking "Every Tear a Mother Cries." She then sets out on a journey in search of her not so little, but very lost ugly duckling.

On the marshlands Ugly has sought shelter in a ditch. There he encounters Greylag, a stern admiral sort of gander, and his wife Dot, who are looking for their wayward flock of geese. Ugly asks the flighty pair for directions back to the farm, and the geese offer to help Ugly find his home. They advise Ugly that the Cat is not his friend, and since it is hunting season, they warn him to stay out of sight. The military minded Greylag assembles his squadron of geese to join him on "The Wild Goose Chase." But who should pop up on the scene promising to take Ugly back to his disconsolate Mom? The Cat. Greylag, however, won't buy it and has taken personal charge of the duckling's safety. The Cat warns them not to fly while the hunters are about, and he magnanimously offers to spy on the hunters and to advise Greylag "when they are putting away their guns." Greylag, although wary, agrees. When the Cat assures the geese that it is safe to fly, Greylag insists that the Cat join them with a parachute. Cat, Greylag and the flock fly off in search of Ugly's mom leaving Ugly, the poor lost soul, safely behind. But as soon as the search party is airborne, shots ring out and feathers fly. Ugly now knows that the Cat is deception purr-sonified and never to be trusted. He's learned a valuable lesson, but he is still lost.

Meanwhile, back at the duck yard, Drake is burdened with the brunt of the responsibility of minding the brood ("Joy of Motherhood--Reprise"). Ugly, who is still lost, encounters Penny, the most beautiful bird he has ever seen, tangled in a fishing line. A chivalrous Ugly comes to the lovely swan's rescue. When Penny learns that Ugly is lost and alone she eagerly suggests that he join her flock, fly south for the winter and then they will both search for his family next spring. Obviously attracted to this beautiful swan, Ugly is tempted, but he opts to stay and search for his worried Mom. Penny embraces Ugly and takes off with a resounding "honk." Ugly is confused when he hears the familiar cry. He has been touched by the snowy feathered, beautiful Penny, but he despondently concludes that she will forget him. Before he can get too maudlin, a Bullfrog with a Lily Pad under his arm jumps in front of the heartsick Ugly. The Bullfrog soon realizes that Ugly has a problem with his appearance. No stranger to denigration because of uncommon attributes, the Bullfrog cheers Ugly up and teaches him to love himself with "Warts and All."

Sufficiently cheered up and with a much better attitude, Ugly bids the Bullfrog and his Froglets good-bye. But as soon as the frogs depart, a farmer ensnares Ugly in his net and threatens to turn him into his family's Sunday roast. When the farmer briefly retreats, the Cat appears and offers Ugly a dubious proposition: he'll help Ugly escape the net and the farmer's fate, and reunite Ugly for one last farewell with his mother, if Ugly will agree to be the Cat's main course. Desperate to see his mother, and realizing that he's a dead duck either way, Ugly agrees to this ill-fated plan.

Throughout Ugly's journey the seasons have changed. As Cat and Ugly make their way back to the barnyard they are caught in a late winter "BLIZZARD." They fight desperately to make their way through the snow, but as the storm blows over, Ugly and Cat succumb to the weather and are completely buried beneath a snowdrift. Ida, having searched far and wide, recognizes her offspring's figure in a lump of snow, and realizing that she is too late, approaches her son's icy grave. As she sinks to her knees sobbing, Penny and her swan family have returned. Mother Swan sees Ida and encourages her tears, "for the warmth of a mother's tears can thaw the stoniest frost." As she turns away in frustration, Ida's warm salty tears melt the snow revealing her ugly duckling. The ice falls from his feathers, and Ugly emerges as a beautiful swan. "I'm not a duck" he honks, "I'm a swan!" Ida and her handsome Ugly embrace. Penny appears and love is instantly rekindled. Ida, in her motherly wisdom, recognizes true love when she sees it.

So, despite the heartache of saying good-bye to her son, she sends Ugly off with his lovely Penny to learn the ways of the Swans. She follows the swans flying off and tearfully misses her son ("Different--Reprise"). Suddenly Ida hears a joyful "Honk!" from behind her. Ugly declares that he could never leave his true mother who raised and loved him unconditionally. Penny and Ugly decide that they will be the first swans to live on the duck pond. Ugly is proud to be different, and he likes his "Honk." Ida beams with pride. But before they return to the barnyard there is some unfinished business. Ugly taps the other lump of snow. The ice chips away and a rather batty Cat breaks out singing a befuddled "Melting Moggy." ("Moggy" is a British word for a house cat.) After all the Cat has been through, he has cracked up and is no longer interested in duck or swan dinners.

In the finale, ("Look At Him--Reprise") Ugly, Ida and Penny return to the barnyard with a flourish. The ducklings, the neighbors, and even Drake now extol the virtues of having such a fine bird in their midst. Grace, previously the prettiest duck on the lake, graciously relinquishes her coveted red band to the handsome Ugly. The whole neighborhood has learned how important it is to "just believe in yourself. Don't be left on the shelf feeling that all hope is dead and gone. And you may find, in your own way, you're a swan."

WANT TO LEARN MORE & EVEN LISTEN TO A FEW OF THE SONGS?

Check out:  MTI SHOWS

I Auditioned, Now What?

Curious what to expect after auditions?  Please see the below flyer.  This will be handed out at auditions on Monday.  Thank you to all who signed up for auditions!  I am looking for students who are well-prepared and show great stage presence.  Please be memorized and come with lots of energy!

See you there!

Spring Musical Audition Form

Please print this, fill out the entire form, and bring this to your audition.

PLEASE NOTE:  This audition form requires a parent/guardian signature.  I take this very seriously.  With only 25 rehearsals and a large number of students auditioning, I need to only cast students who will also take the rehearsal process seriously.  I am looking for students who are willing to make rehearsing for the musical a priority.  By signing this form, you are signaling the following:

1. You agree that the musical will be a top priority to your student's schedule, directly following school work and pre-planned family events.
2. You will support your student in memorizing all lyrics, songs, lines, and dances by the memorization date of Monday, January 9th.
3. One parent/guardian per child will volunteer 4-6 hours before the show weekend AND at least during one performance.
4. You will get your child to rehearsal in a timely manner.
5. You are confirming that all known conflicts are listed on the audition form, and your child will not miss any other rehearsals (unless an emergency arises). 

Honk Jr. Rehearsal Calendar

Please know that if your child is cast in the spring musical, I will give each student a detailed rehearsal calendar at the Parent Meeting on Tuesday, January 3rd.  Below you will find the maximum times that a student will be required to attend Honk Jr. rehearsals.  There is a chance that each student will not be required to attend every rehearsal; however, please take into consideration the number of rehearsals I need a commitment that your student will attend rehearsals if cast in this show.  Please carefully consider this time commitment, as the months of January and February will be quite intense since we only have about 6 weeks of rehearsals.

PLEASE NOTE:  In case of several missed rehearsals due to weather conditions, I will have to add additional rehearsals.  Please be flexible, but I will only do this as needed.

Please click to enlarge and print

Auditions for Spring Musical

Auditions:  Monday, December 12th:  4:00 - 7:00
Please sign up for an audition time on the theater door.  The audition sign-up sheet has already been posted.  Please arrive 10 minutes before your audition time and show up for you audition prepared and ready to go.  In the event we have a large crowd for auditions, I want to make sure we can move all students through the audition process quickly.  Please know that auditions will be downstairs in the learning center.  Auditions are open for all students grades 5-8.  


STAGE CREW AUDITIONS:
I am doing things a bit differently for the stage crew for the musical.  All students wanting to participate in the tech crew MUST audition in January.  I will hold separate auditions for those students wanting to participate in the tech side in mid-January.  Please stay tuned for more information and additional requirements.  Please know that you do not need to show up for the acting auditions before Christmas break.  


Callbacks: Wednesday, December 14th:  6:00 - 9:00
The callback list will be posted no later than Tuesday night at midnight.  I will do my best to post this list earlier, but please know I am trying to quickly take care of the audition and callback process to catch your children before Christmas break.  Please know that even if your student is not invited to callbacks, it does not mean your student is not cast in the musical.  Callbacks are a chance for me to see certain students again.  Please be prepared to dance at callbacks, if necessary.  


Cast List will be posted no later than Saturday, December 17th by noon.
I would like to be able to give scripts and possibly music to a majority of the cast to work on over their break before they leave for the holidays.  Please stay tuned for more information for a script/cd pick-up.


ITEMS REQUIRED TO AUDITION:

• Memorized Monologue (1 minute or less)

• Memorized Song (1 minute or less - no longer than 1 minute, please)**student must bring an accompaniment/karoke cd or sing a capella (there can be no vocals on this cd).  There will be no pianist for accompaniment - a cd player and iPod dock will be provided.  Please sing a a Broadway tune that best represents your voice.  This can be a song from any musical.

• Audition Form (please check the blog to print this out and bring to auditions filled out **requires parent/guardian signature)

• Headshot

• Theater Resume, not required but helpful - please attach to your Audition Form

• Comfortable shoes/clothes to dance for callbacks

PLEASE NOTE:  The Calendar for all rehearsals will be located with the Audition Form online; by obtaining parent/guardian signature, the student is confirming that ALL rehearsal conflicts are listed, and he/she will be at all auditions unless noted on the audition form

Please check back to the blog to download the audition form and calendar by Wednesday, December 7th.  Please be patient, as I want to make sure all information is accurately posted.  Please carefully watch the blog, as all updates will be posted here.  

Due to the time frame of the musical, I am looking for dedicated students who will be memorized by Monday, January 9th.  Doing the musical in a month is a huge commitment.  It will be one of the highlights of your middle school career, but please know that is it a lot of work.  Please carefully look over the rehearsal calendar to see if you can make the musical a priority for six weeks.  


I am looking forward to meeting each of you at auditions!
-Miss Wilmes

Spring Musical Flyer

DVDs for Night at the Wax Museum

A HUGE thank you to all involved in the production of Night at the Wax Museum.  It was truly a success! I could not have done this without all the help and support of the fantastic cast and crew and our team of parents!  Thank you!

DVDS OF THE SHOW:
Please know that, unfortunately, we did not have a parent volunteer step up to help with creating the DVD for the play.  We were able to film the show, but we didn't have anyone volunteer to make 50 individual copies of this DVD for the cast and crew.  This is why the students did not receive this at the final cast party; however, they did get to watch the copy that was filmed.  I asked the cast to check with their parents to see if anyone has any capabilities to make copies of a dvd quickly.  Please know that I am working on a possible solution.  At the party, I told the kids to hopefully expect a copy handed out to them before Christmas break.  I realize that family who did not make the production would like to see the show, and I would love them to see your students shine!  If you have any ideas how we can make these copies without a budget in mind, please contact our Parent Coordinator at wmstheatervolunteer@gmail.com.  Please stay tuned for more information.  I will certainly do my best to get these to your students before the holiday.

I look forward to seeing you at auditions for the musical!
Miss Wilmes

Pre-Order Star Grams

Want to make tonight even less-stressful for you?  You can even pre-order your STAR GRAMS!

BOOSTERS: Last Call!

JUST A REMINDER:  
Boosters can be turned in at Monday rehearsal. The very last time for boosters to be submitted is during tickets sales at lunch on Tuesday.

Students Missing Biographies

We are still missing bios from the below students.  The following students need to submit bios by Monday rehearsal:

Olivia Ardo
Storm Hunn
Kelsey Jobalia
Madeleine Johnson
Asia Blue Jones
Anna Zidarescu


Please print out the bio sheet from a previous post or turn in on a separate sheet of paper NO LATER than 3:30 on Monday.

Reminder: Tech Crew Meeting at 3:00 Monday

Hi Tech Crew families,

I am sending this email for Alexander Nocks, the Student Stage Manager for this production.   There is a mandatory Tech Crew Meeting tomorrow, Monday, October 24 at 3 p.m. in Fay Auditorium.  Tech Crew students are NUMEROUS - which is wonderful, but also challenging.  Alexander will let your student know what days during tech week they are needed to be present (not all positions assigned are required to be there all the time).   This is especially important to learn from your child as we do not have enough parental supervision to watch 19 tech kids at rehearsals if they are not occupied with a task.  

PHOTOS of your child will be taken on Monday for the program too!



ALL OTHER STUDENTS:  Please arrive at 3:30.  You will put your costume on, pre-set your props and be ready to go, sitting in the auditorium seats at 3:45.  


Thanks!

A Note from our Make-Up/Hair Crew

Hair and Makeup List

What you need to bring next week

If you can't get something don't worry, just let Maia Bennett, know on Monday. Please come to rehearsals next week with your foundation and eyeliner (if needed) on! Students are the only ones who do not need any make-up or anything special done with their hair. You just need to look like normal middle school students! Thanks! 

Asia Blue Jones- Black liquid & pencil eyeliner, black mascara, dark red lipstick (looking for like, Crimson Red!), red/pink shimmer blush, foundation

- Terra Forsythe- light colored foundation (lighter than your actual skin color), pink blush, brown eyeliner ( do not put this on before hand), pale pink lipstick and/or lipgloss

- Oliver Connelly- black liquid & pencil eyeliner, light colored foundation (do not come with your eyeliner on)

- Tess Young- foundation, pale pink lipstick or gloss

- Cooper Simmons- light colored foundation, black liquid & pencil eyeliner ( do not come with eyeliner on)

- Lauryn Rousseau- Can you come with your hair pulled back in a tight bun? If not, bring hair gel, pale pink lipstick or gloss, foundation, pink blush

- Katie Zackerman and Katie Brown- foundation, pale pink lipstick, black mascara

-Kelsey Jobalia- black liquid eyeliner, dark red lipstick, light colored foundation, pink blush, hair gel

- Lia Thomas and Megan Levy- black mascara, light colored foundation, lipgloss

-Anna Zidarescu, Monica Unzueta, Lucy Walton, Olivia Ardo- foundation, pink lipgloss

- Madeleine Johnson and Caroline Theile- light colored foundation, black liquid eyeliner, bright red lipstick

- Storm Hunn- Black eyeliner, black mascara, foundation, purple or red lipstick

- Janey Elliot- black liquid eyeliner, blue mascara, gold eyeliner, bright red or purple lipstick, foundation, pink/red blush

PARENT VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPS

A huge thank you to all parents who have volunteered thus far!  However, we still need some help.  Please see below for the shifts you signed up for, as well as shifts that we still need some assistance.  Please remember that when your child auditioned, you signed the audition form stating that you would help BEFORE the show began, as well as DURING the show weekend.  Thanks in advance!

**PLEASE NOTE:  We do need someone to video tape the show and make copies of the DVD for the cast.  You will be reimbursed through WMS for the DVDS - we just need your time and energy!  Also, if there are any avid photographers out there, I would love someone to take some pictures during the Wednesday night dress rehearsal.  If you would also be willing to make copies of the photo cd for the students, it would help!  I would love for the students to have a physical copy of the memories from this experience!

REMAINING SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY NIGHT REHEARSAL IS CANCELLED.  Please enjoy a night off!  Some of you are burning the candle from both ends.  I can tell you are very tired.  I'd love all of you to be healthy for next week's tech week, as it will be a very long week for all of us.  So, enjoy the night off -- you deserve it!

With that said, please remember that on Thursday, there will be NO BOOKS allowed on stage.  Also, there will be a costume run through for me to see the costumes on stage on Thursday.  Please remember to bring what you need to show me what you will be wearing for the show (right undergarments, tights if you have been asked to wear them, and proper shoes).  It's really important for me to see what you plan on wearing, just in case you need something else or we have to change something.  We all need to know this before approaching tech week.

REMAINING SCHEDULE:

Wednesday: NIGHT OFF

Thursday:  Run entire show with costumes, ALL CAST*

Friday:  Run entire show, fixing areas that need trouble, ALL CAST*

Alexander will get auditorium ready for Smitty to set up sound, as well as pull out lighting/sound board

Saturday:  Fix fight scenes and curtain call & Run Show, ALL CAST

Saturday morning 9:00 - 11:00:  Hang drop and paint set / make all final adjustments

Monday:  ACT 1 & ACT 2 + costumes, make-up, lights, and sound

<actors be prepared to stop for lighting and sound cues>

Tuesday:  RUN SHOW, break for dinner, RUN SHOW + costumes, make-up, lights, and sound

Wednesday: RUN SHOW, break for dinner, RUN SHOW + costumes, make-up, lights, and sound

**ALL CAST AND CREW:  Please be ready to start rehearsal right at 4:00 (3:30 on Monday).  We need to utilize all the time we have together.  I will be starting rehearsal right on time, so please do what you need to in order to start on time.  Thanks!

FEW REMINDERS: Week Before the Show

Hello Cast & Crew!

First of all, a HUGE thank you to all the parent volunteers who have stepped up to help with the production.  We could not do this without you!  Also, to the cast and crew -- thank you for your hard work thus far.  We have made tremendous progress so far!  We have a lot of work to do in this next week, so I am asking all cast, crew, and volunteers to give your 100% effort over the next week.  Each individual effort will not go unnoticed.  Remember, as I told you the first week of rehearsals, we are only as strong as our weakest link.  Let's work really hard to showcase our time and efforts in this next week. We open a week from tomorrow!

Here are a few things you need to know, as we are approaching tech week:

• Biographys are past due.  Please get those into us as soon as possible.  You can give them directly to Mrs. Henke or Maddie Henke at rehearsal.  It's imperative that you turn this in, as we want to put this in the program for all to see.  Thank you to all that have turned them in thus far!  Stage crew will do this in their pre-rehearsal meeting on Monday at 3:00.
• ALL ACTORS NEED TO BE MEMORIZED!  Technically, our off book date was this past Monday.  Most of you are doing well with your lines, but let's get rid of those books.  No books will be allowed on stage starting Thursday.  You can do this!  Memorize your line, as well as the line before and after you.  You will need to know your cue lines too, as this will help you on stage.
• If you have not done so, laundry baskets and garment bags MUST be in the green room on Thursday.  Please plan to keep this in the green room until the show is over next weekend.  We are doing a costume run through on Thursday, so make sure you have all that you need to show Miss Cindy your costumes (i.e., proper undergarments, the right shoes, etc.)
• PROPS:  You might have seen a prop in your laundry basket.  If so, please start using this on stage on Thursday.  This is also a gentle reminder to all cast and crew that if it is not a prop you are using, please do not touch or play with any other people's props.  We would hate to have something broken or have an actor miss his/her cue because she is looking for the prop someone else was playing with.  Make sure you know where your props are at all times.  
• STAGE CREW:  Please plan to meet with your stage manager on Monday at 3:00 before rehearsal. 

Keep up the great work!
Miss Cindy

T-SHIRTS

CAST & CREW:  I will need to get your t-shirt size, as I will be placing the official order this week, so that we can have them by our tech week.  Please make sure to give me your preferred t-shirt size by today at rehearsal - Monday, October 17th.

PARENTS:  If you'd like to have a t-shirt, this is the last call to let me know.  If you could let me know no later than midnight tonight if you would like a t-shirt, that would be perfect.  Below is the form - don't forget your $10.  Thanks!

BOOSTERS

Please find the BOOSTERS form below.  This was also located in your parent packet.  Don't forget to support your fellow cast and crew members by sending an encouraging sentence or shout out!  These will be printed in the program as well.


**Don't forget to give your dollar and form to Maddie/Mrs. Henke by Monday, October 24th.  

Bios due today!

Please complete the below Biography form and turn it in today -- Monday, October 17th!  This form was found in your parent packet.  ALL CAST AND CREW SHOULD FILL THIS OUT.  This will be printed and put in the program.  Thank you!

Rehearsal Calendar by Scene

Please see the below calendar for an updated rehearsal schedule of who is called for which night.  Please consulate your script for a detailed list of when your child should be there; however, please see below in case you need further clarification.

WHO IS IN WHAT SCENE?:
Act 1, Scene 1:
All 6 Middle School Students + Heather
(Emily Blake, Victor Tates, Carrie Gale, Joel Kreeble, Rolf Rizzo, Lupe Lopez)

Act 1, Scene 2:
5 Historical Society Adults (Ivy, Ethel, Hazel, Julene, Jolene), Skip, + Villains (Polly, Jasper, Violet)

Act 1, Scene 3:
5 Historical Society Adults (Ivy, Ethel, Hazel, Julene, Jolene)
All 6 Middle School Students
Heather
Skip
Villains (Polly, Jasper, Violet)
**We do not need HISTORICAL CHARACTERS FOR Scene 3 until specifically called)

Act 1, Scene 4:
Villains (Polly, Jasper, Violet)
Heather
All 6 Middle School Students
Cleopatra, Henry, Anne
ALL PIRATES: Blackbeard, Bonny, Mary, Madame, and Pirates 1 & 2

Act 1, Scene 5:
5 Historical Society Adults (Ivy, Ethel, Hazel, Julene, Jolene)
Skip
Heather
Outlaws:  Butch & Sundance, Pancho, Calamity Jane
Anne, Cleopatra, Henry
Villains (Polly, Jasper, Violet)
**Lizzie Borden does not need to be here until we start running Act 2 in its entirety

Act 2, Scene 1
All 6 students
ALL PIRATES: Blackbeard, Bonny, Mary, Madame, and Pirates 1 & 2
Heather
Outlaws:  Butch & Sundance, Pancho, Calamity Jane
**Lizzie Borden does not need to be here until we start running Act 2 in its entirety

Act 2, Scene 2
Villains (Jasper, Polly, Violet)
Outlaws:  Butch & Sundance, Pancho, Calamity Jane
All 6 students
Heather
Skip
ALL PIRATES: Blackbeard, Bonny, Mary, Madame, and Pirates 1 & 2
Cleopatra, Henry, Anne
John Adams

Act 2, Scene 3
All except Lizzie Borden

Act 2, Scene 4
All 6 students
Heather
Skip
5 Historical Society Adults (Ivy, Ethel, Hazel, Julene, Jolene)
Lizzie Borden
Pirates 1 & 2
Villains (Polly, Jasper, Violet)
**Wax figures do not need to be here for this scene

TEAM WAX MUSEUM

PLEASE READ THIS AGAIN:
CONGRATULATIONS to all who auditioned.  It takes a lot of guts to stand up and audition on a bare stage in front of an adult and your peers.  Regardless, you have won!  Having the confidence to prepare for an audition and follow through shows character and responsibility.  I was thoroughly impressed with the talent that showed up at auditions, and I am excited to work on this show with you.  Last year, I had 30 students audition for 20 roles for our fall show, The Canterville Ghost.  This year, I picked a show that had additional roles to accommodate a larger cast size; however, I had 42 students audition.  I am incredibly thrilled with the growing interest to be involved with the WMS Drama Department, but regretfully, I cannot cast everyone.  Please continue to audition for WMS, and I look forward to seeing you audition for the musical and the talent show!


If you have been cast in the show:
ALL CAST - You are REQUIRED to be at each rehearsal that you are called to attend.  If you did not give me a conflict on your audition form AT AUDITIONS, I am expecting you to be there.  If you told me you would be late or miss a partial rehearsal, I expect you to show up when you told me you would be there.  Please know that the audition form your parents signed stated that in order to audition, the fall play came directly behind family and school work.  Students who miss rehearsals not called out on their audition form may be removed from the show.
**PLEASE NOTE:  Due to the short time frame (5 weeks) of rehearsals, I need everyone to be present.  I looked at conflicts when casting this show, so it is not fair to the others who auditioned with you for you to miss more than what you wrote as conflicts.  If you noted a "flexible" rehearsal on your conflict list, I expect you to be at rehearsal if you are called.  


STAGE CREW:  You are not called until Monday, October 24th.


WE ARE A TEAM!
Please remember that we are a team.  A team is only as a strong as it's weakest link.  Let's work together to build each other up and encourage one another's talents.  We have a fun and exciting month ahead!  I promise you that this will be an experience to remember and certainly a highlight of your middle school career!

CALLBACKS

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST:
CONGRATULATIONS to all who auditioned.  It takes a lot of guts to stand up and audition on a bare stage in front of an adult and your peers.  Regardless, you have won!  Having the confidence to prepare for an audition and follow through shows character and responsibility.  I was thoroughly impressed with the talent that showed up at auditions, and I am excited to work on this show with you.  Last year, I had 30 students audition for 20 roles for our fall show, The Canterville Ghost.  This year, I choose a show that had additional roles to accommodate a larger cast size; however, I had 42 students audition.  I am incredibly thrilled with the growing interest to be involved with the WMS Drama Department, but regretfully, I cannot cast everyone.  Regardless, please check the final cast list that will be posted Wednesday night by midnight.

WHAT ARE CALLBACKS?
This is "Auditions Part 2".  If your name is on the list below, you get the chance to show me your character while reading from the script.  I will bring copies of the scenes I wish for you to read at callbacks, as well as I will know who I want you to read for and will guide you through our time on Monday.

**PLEASE NOTE:  It may seem that some people are reading more than others - that could mean that I have already decided what role/area of the show I want you to be in based on your initial audition or that I am trying to decide what part a person should be.  I want callbacks to be a learning experience for all.  Please be patient with me and be on your best behavior.  You are still "auditioning" for me as we sit in the theater together. 

BE READY AT 3:30:
You should be ready to start performing right at 3:30.  Please bring something to work on, as there will be downtime throughout the evening.  It would be wise of you to bring something to keep you busy (i.e., homework, a book to read, etc.).  Not all students will have to stay until 5:30.  You may be finished early, so please be prepared to leave the school earlier than 5:30, if needed.  When you arrive, please sign-in with the adult in front of the auditorium and patiently wait your turn.  I will call you into the auditorium when I need you and let you know when you are free to go.

BRING YOUR A-GAME!
The competition is tough.  You will need to do absolutely everything to show me that you want to be in this show and can do the role I have you read for at callbacks. 

Need some suggestions of how to be prepared for tomorrow?
-READ & RE-READ the cast of character list
-work on characters - be larger than life!
-speak clearly and not too quickly while reading for me tomorrow
-project your voices so that they fill up the entire theater
-be your character!  I rather have you show me you can be "over the top" than not enough.
-BOYS:  practice a Spanish accent

I am excited to see what you can do on MONDAY!
YOU CAN DO THIS!!

CALLBACK LIST (listed in no particular order):

Madeline Johnson
Caroline Theile
Rain Chou
Ellen Boster
Katie Zackerman
Danielle Naomi Jawwaad
Katie Brown
Quinn Stiefbold
Lauryn Rousseau
Sophie Harrison
Kelsey Jobalia
Tess Young
Terra Forsythe
Anna Zidarescu
Asia Blue Jones
Elizabeth Anderson
Monica Unzueta
Olivia Ardo
Storm Hunn
Maddie Henke
Lucy Walton
Janey Elliott
Ean Casada
Sean Madden
Nolan Morley
Matthew Bonner
Thomas Harmon
Cooper Simmons
Jacob Olausen
Noah Orr
Ian Fridy
Oliver Connelly

Wax Museum List of Characters

Curious about the Fall Play?

This year's fall show will be NIGHT AT THE WAX MUSEUM!

THINK:  A Night in a "Haunted" Museum.  Electricity Fails.  Historical figures come to life.  Treasure Hunt Begins.  Much like the "Night in the Museum" Movies, this suspense comedy is the perfect fit for Halloween weekend!

SYNOPSIS:  The hysterical meets the historical in this comic romp through the wackiest wax museum in history!  School's out for summer, but not for six unlucky students who don't know much about history — they have to re-take the class in summer school.  First year teacher Heather Fairchild has arranged for them to help her two aunts set up a new wax museum as a class project.  Though the students' eyes glaze over with boredom, there's a twinkle in the wax figures' eyes when a mysterious incantation from the back of Cleopatra's bracelet brings them to life!  King Henry VIII finds himself smitten with Cleopatra, making his queen, Anne Boleyn, furious.  If she can just not lose her head, John Adams is there to serve as her divorce attorney!  When Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, Blackbeard and a bevy of lady pirates show up, everybody's out for one thing — treasure!  Supposedly, there's a mighty valuable one hidden in the museum!  It's a wild goose chase to find it, with a greedy museum landlord and her bumbling son joining in the mad search.  And why is Lizzie Borden lurking in the shadows, since the aunts say they never had a wax figure of her?!  Join the hilarious fun as treasure-hungry outlaws, pirates and royalty mount the greatest siege since Vicksburg!  Wax historical in this mad-cap comedy adventure where the magic of history comes alive...  literally! 

Audition Form

Below is the Audition Form for WMS' Fall Play 2011.  Please have this filled out and bring this form to auditions.  PLEASE NOTE:  Parent/Guardian signature is required.

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