Franklin cleaning day Tuesday 12-12-06

And yet again, we need to clean at Franklin. We've pulled nearly everything out, but need to get the last of it over to the L.T. I'm thinking of offering a sweet deal like our last cleaning day... A day or two of cleaning out our stuff and putting it away over at BHS, and I'll do a trip down to the cities for some theatre. Anybody interested???

How about Tuesday after school (12/12/06) -- and we'll open up a few slots on Wednesday 12/13 for folks who can't make Tuesday in case we still need to put away once we get it all moved. Is there a particular time for a field trip? (I was thinking over Christmas break).

Note on the field trip: because we also need to purchase some lighting instruments, I don't know that [word this stronger] We can't afford to have drama pay for full tickets and meals and transportation... if this changes your mind, come see me. perhaps we could add in some additional sweat equity...
But I'm thinking if we do a $25 show, drama would pick up transportation and ask you to kick in somewhere around $10. If we got discounts, I'd pass the savings on to you.

what's happened here?

It's not so much that this blog is dead. Rather, most of what I imagined would happen here has moved to the message boards, where there are amble threads to chat about. I'll figure out what to do with this space soon enough -- revamp or put it out of its misery.

The Summer Hiatus is over

Check out the BHS Production Blog page!
(yes, somebody may get around to updating this... )

:-)

Are you guys ready to get going????

Cow Pie Bingo

Official Rules

1. Take a large arena designed for showing livestock, and mark it off into a grid 5 x 7 squares.
2. Audience participation factor: the audience places $5 bets on particular squares (B5, I14, etc.)
3. Bovine participation factor: release a lone cow, fed well, into the area.
4. Watch and wait -- Winner takes all.

I should clarify: winner takes all the cash.

Clear communication channels are a good thing

So I need to begin by issuing a general apology for the communication breakdown. We've been without a decent computer this summer (and hence, no internet). When I couldn't make it to the hill, I tried to text everybody and called the few folks I knew had no phones. Turns out I was texting some of your home numbers and the message didn't get through. Sorry about that!

I had company drop in the Monday July 3rd, and the next Monday had to fill in for the T ball carpool. (Ahh, motherhood.) All along we'd planned the trip to SD the end of July. If you guys want to organize and keep the hill going, great. But do talk to each other so you're not stranded out there alone!

Upcoming:

• My boys and I are in SD until the first week in August.
• Then, I'd like to get down to the Guthrie to see The Great Gatsby. We'll need to purchase our own tickets, but I think drama club can pick up the transportation and we'll make a field trip of it if anyone would like to join me.
• Dens at one point suggested we all take a pontoon ride somewhere. If that's still in play, hooray!
• Some folks have asked about On-Stage's fall production. Based on the info I had early on, it sounds like the schedules won't overlap too much -- if they are still slated to perform in September and you'd like to go for it, well, go for it. A September performance won't conflict with our fall play. Speaking of, I've read through just about every script and text on my list, and think I have the season schedule selected. More on that later.

Some Sad Late-Breaking News:

• Even though the powers that be thought our scene shop was a wonderful addition and huge step forward for the drama program, they rented out the location. So it looks like we are in the search for a new scene shop home. We can't construct in the Little Theatre anymore, so we've got to find a new space, and at some point need to move our materials out of the Franklin space. (Yup, I've been "working the phones" lately!) Matt knows about this and may be able to help us out before he leaves, provided we have a space for him to work. I'll find out more once our administrators return from various vacations and breaks... probaby the first week in August.
• At any rate, I'm feeling better about this, because I've seen you guys band together when we need to get something done. As soon as I find out anything new, I'll let you guys know.

But for now, I've got to get my kids over to the county fair. Abe may enter the sheep riding contest (bull-riding for kids), and quite honestly we're curious about the newest event: cow-pie bingo... (what the heck?) If it turns out to be fun (I'm thinking probably not) I'll share it with you guys in the form of a game :-) At the very least, I'll pass on the sordid details.

Until August, take care.

looking for feedback.
check out the comments under Absurd theatre upon the hill.

Absurd theatre upon the hill

Well, our first foray into summer theatre was pretty fun...
not so much theatre activity as hanging out... some time spent wondering if we had enough people to jump into games. I'll plan a bit more, and hopefully we'll continue to have a couple people or more show up!

New location and time:
sledding hill by the North parking lot at the high school (inside the Little Theatre if it rains or we feel like it...)
MONDAYS @ 7:00 p.m.

-- the time should better accomdate fun n friends and will avoid both tee ball games and Rhythm of the Rails rehearsals.

intended activities --
theatre games (works best with 5 or more)
improv
if we build scenes, we'll perform them at some point!
maybe some scene/play reading
hanging out
maybe some test drives of scripts/ideas for next year's theatre season
coffee drinking / snack consumption
tech help for Matt? (or at least organizing to meet another time to help out Matt!)
stargazing
nefarious plans to take over the universe

Theatre of the absurd in the Park

So our first ever summer play date is on.

Kiwanis park (Little Theatre if its raining)
Tuesday June 6, 10:00 am or thereabouts.
Bring yourselves and friends who don't read blogs.
We'll: play theatre games ... or ... football.

The plan hope dream whatever is to set up a dependable schedule so that you can casually say to your employers (before they make up the schedules) "hey, would you mind not scheduling me Tuesday a.m." or whatever day we decide works out.

Yup, for those working 9-5, check in here anyway. We'll find all sorts of excuses to get together at times you can make it!

Last school day of fun

If you can, please join us Thursday from 11:30 until whenever at Kiwanis park for a freaky theatre send off. Bring chips, pop, whatever. It's time to unleash the drama nerf footballs and other sundry toys. Obviously seniors need to leave in time to ready themselves for graduation. Since I'm responsible for "sector 5" at graduation (the west balcony inside or the stage right bleachers outside), I need to be gone by 5. Theoretically, we could play until the sun sets, or until we trail off to our various summer jobs. But stop by! It promises to be a nice send-off, and maybe even the start of a sweet tradition.

Another summer opportunity.

CLC has plans to produce some summer theatre and may need some tech help. I think they could offer a CLC tech theatre credit.

Matt still needs help. See Alb or Matt (you can usually find him at Coco Moon.)

ALSO -- those of you considering the Acting class next year need to see Alb or register ASAP. If too few students enroll, the course could potentially be cancelled. Brownie points will be awarded for kids who decide to take acting courses. :0)

Summer theatre in the park is a go. It looks like Terrific Tuesdays, sometime around 10:00.

Theatre de la Jeune Lune trip

See the extended post on BHS Drama reaches out beyond the 'nerd for all the details on our trip.

Summer Theatre Anyone?

Wondering how you'll make it through the summer sans drama?

These links might give you some other avenues --

• BHS summer playtime in the park (see the post below this one)
• Theatre de la Jeune Lune has two one-week summer acting workshops for students aged 16-18, (June 12-16 or June 19-23). Space is limited. If interested, register now.
• U of M's Summer Theatre Institute (for sophs and juniors) -- applications due Friday, May 12.
• We'll be doing some preliminary tech before school starts in the Little Theatre...
• Maybe a road trip is in our future...

Keep in mind that we still have a calendar of stuff happening now (see below) -- jump in when you can!

Upcoming Theatre Events

Stay tuned for upcoming events...


THE THEATRE NEEDS YOU!
If you couldn't make it on the 3rd or 4th due to AP study sessions/whatever, and still want to help out (yes, we still need some help with a few organizational / clean up projects), arrange some time to stop by and help -- if you'd like to make the trip to the cities with us. Right now it looks like 10 or 12 of us will drive down for a fun theatre experience... expenses paid.
** See Albrecht if you have any questions or want to join us!

THIS SPRING: See some of our BHS theatre students and friends (Pat and Matt and Cody Olson) in the CLC one-acts this coming Wednesday May 10

Cheer on Ginny and Brendan in the Tri on May 13

Tara's recital is either May 16 or May 18th in the CHOIR room sometime around 7:00 or something. She wants us to show up and support her. so do it.

May 19 or 20th -- CAST PARTY II @ ???'s house

NEXT YEAR: looking for applications to join the BHS Drama Production team. Tell Alb if you'd like a position, what area you'd like to offer your input/talents in, and why you think it'd be a good idea. Easiest way to do this? Put it on a sheet of paper... Perks included... see Alb for details.

This summer -- this isn't so much about performance as much as it is a chance to hang out and play theatrically. How about summer play time? See the note sent out -- thinking one day a week, a chance to play theatre in the park -- Kiwanis on Tuesday or Thursdays around 10:00? if it rains, we'll meet in the Little Theatre.

The ultimate existential question

Derbs is suffering from a lack of existential questions.
So here we go... the ultimate existential question:

To be, or not to be... that is the question:
whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer
the slings and arrows of outragious fortune
or to take arms in a sea of troubles
and by opposing end them.

So folks if we're not talking about Hamlet's ultimate end (and being), which is the nobler end?

JC Superstar tickets dates and times

JC Superstar tickets Updated updated (again)
*** No tix available for this coming Sunday

OK, Here's the plan...

We have a block of seats for the show Friday, May 5, @7:00 at the Chalberg Theatre @ CLC. Cost = free

YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR TICKETS IN ADVANCE

Sign up sheet is in A100 (Alb's room). 1 ticket per person, and please sign up no later than next Tuesday (May 2) @ 3:00 for Friday's show. Tickets are available for all drama freaks. Since the CLC box office is quite busy, I've put in a request for 25 tickets. We may not be able to offer more than that, so it's first come, first served!

To be a drama freak, you need to have helped out/performed in any capacity (tech, acting, box office, whatever) for at least one of this year's shows:

• Street Scene
• Tairy Fales
• This Music Crept By Me (our one act)
• Aristophanes Birds
• Albrecht's World Drama class

We'll consider it a reunion of sorts, a chance to get together and go see someone else's show. For those of you with AP tests, plan ahead, get your work done, and let this be your study break! Of course, as a courtesy to CLC, please don't sign up if you don't intend to come (that's really embarassing)! I'll be there early on Friday May 5 to hand out your tickets.

***************************************************************

Hey, I know some of you guys have AP tests coming up, but Patrick Spradlin has offered us complimentary tickets to come see the CLC production of JC Superstar. I think they're staging it more as an opera than a musical. Patrick says it is more abstract, so I'm interested to see what he does concept-wise.

I have to be out of town on Saturday April 29 for a state-wide director's conference at Perpich, but could possibly make the Sunday show...
what do you guys think? Ideally we should all go on one day -- to make it easy on the box office and I think he prefers we all go in a group. Plus, it'd be a reunion of sors. Would you be able to take an evening off of studying to see the show?

Most days are still open except May 6, which is the closing night.