Saturday, December 17, 2011

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

Friday, December 16, 2011

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
 

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

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

Sunday, December 11, 2011

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

Friday, December 9, 2011

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!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

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

Monday, December 5, 2011

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