** UPDATED 1/22 ** Acting -- helpful tips, etc.

Thanks to Steve for starting a post on acting techniques, tips, what have you...

Here's the first link: "Acting a Better Way" ABWAG. I didn't have a chance to take a look tonight. What do you guys think?

CATCH-ALL everything theatre link: can't do better than McCoy's Guide to Theatre as a primary jumping off point.

• Feel free to post additional links -- other acting resources -- we'll add them here eventually.
• If you're interested, you may want to check out the fine assortment of acting books in the Little Theatre library... I've got a few in my room as well.
• And one last note here -- because we all seek to improve our performances, it wouldn't hurt to mention the few acting class scams that are out there... Always seek to give a better performance ... but watch out for people who may want to prey on your hopes, dreams and enthusiasm in the process!

One-Act techies

There is still some room for techies interested in helping out with our very fine one act -- check out details on the one-act's webpage: This Music Crept By Me Upon the Waters.
Sign up with Albrecht soon if you're interested in joining ... our registration deadline is this coming Wednesday, Jan. 18!

Life during/after high school theatre?

I just had a quick conversation with someone about college / acting studio theatre programs.

"OK. So this acting thing is fun. Now what?"

First thought: Come back for some more BHS theatre stuff, back or on stage. Seriously consider the Post-secondary Acting class (Acting I in Fall 2006, Acting II in Spring 2007) offered by CLC. See Mrs. Albrecht soon if you're interested, and you'll want to talk to your guidance counselor at BHS as well. It's mentioned in an earlier post on this blog. Also mentioned, the BHS/CLC Directing Class/Acting Lab opportunity.

Of course, even if you love theatre but don't plan to try earning a living in it, you can always SUPPORT THE ARTS! Go see live shows. Attend local high school and college performances. Feed starving artists.

I took a few minutes and did a bit of searching. Keep in mind this list isn't complete or even meant to be, but if you're interested in pursuing theatre in some form, maybe it's a starting place.

Read on:
In Minnesota... The U of M has a partnership with the Guthrie and offers internships. It's a big and respected program.
UMD (Duluth) has a program that is pretty well-respected. Some talented kids have gone there, including BHS theatrefreak alumni. I have a scholarship app from them posted on my classroom bulletin board right now.
Concordia (my alma mater) offers a solid liberal arts program and true hands-on student involvment. Plus you don't actually have to be a Theatre major to audition for shows. Their conservatory music program (especially choir) is phenomenal -- if you wanted to combine the two, this might be a strong consideration.
Moorhead State also at least used to have a solid drama programs. (I haven't seen anything there recently, so I can't comment on now). It's very affordable, they've got a summer rep program, and many of their alumni are working in theatre around the country.
Watch my classroom bulletin board for upcoming shows from schools close to us... Attend one and see what you think of their program.
I did a quick google search. Here's a national directory. One of the finest programs in the nation has to be the Yale School of Drama, although Julliard usually gets the nod as the best place. Look for a quality program that allows hands on experience -- the big name places are great, but if you spend three years waiting in line to get on stage, then you're not getting the regular experiences that you need. If you go to a quality smaller school for your undergraduate work (BA, BFA degrees) you can always go further and get your graduate degree MFA (Master of Fine Arts) at one of the big name schools.
Some of the most exciting regional theatre areas right now are in our own back yard. Minneapolis/St. Paul has a thriving actor's scene. Some Chicago theatres send new productions to Broadway, and have given New York theatres a run for their money. The place I spent a summer, the Steppenwolf Theatre, was the launching pad for actors John Mahoney (Frazer), Laurie Metcalf (of Roseanne), John Malkovich, Frank Galati, Gary Sinise, Joan Allen (she was Mrs. Proctor in The Crucible)... they still consider themselves "active members" of the theatre company, and "come home" to perform in between stage, movie and TV schedules. You might want to check out their website to get a feel for the different kinds of actors that can make a living... not everybody has to be Brad Pitt or Jake G to be a working actor. (On the other hand, I do have a friend whose biggest claim to fame is a "hair care for men" infomercial... and I wouldn't say he feels very fulfilled in his career!)
There are also places in Minnesota that offer summer or weekend young actor studio courses. (Summer camps, the Children's Theatre and Guthrie theatre in MPLS, etc....)
BUT, especially if you think about doing something now, read the link I put on our GREEN ROOM blog on scams (written by the Federal Trade Commission) They'll say "you've got talent, we'll be your agent and get you jobs, but first you need to take our super-high priced acting and/or modeling lessons," or "but first you need to get your resume and headshots professionally done through us; it'll only cost a zillion dollars." Programs like this have recruited kids in our area. Not all of them are dodgy, and even over-priced scams offer some form of coaching and theatre games. If something seems way overpriced or is presented in a high-pressured way that suggests doing their program can get you experience or work, it's probably not a good deal. No respectable studio or agency offers you work or opportunities to work in exchange for classes you must pay for or photo headshot services. At least be aware of the pickup lines.
Happy searching!

TAIRY FALES

Interesting new performance opportunity:

SEE ALSO: posters hung all over BHS.
Want to be on-stage? Like to write? Love to play theatre games? Then the February Thang is for you!
We've already begun work on Tairy Fales, a twisted take on those old Mother Goose and other stories from your childhood. But it's not too late to join in the fun! Grab a friend or a few, and show up at the Little Theatre on THURSDAYs between 4:30 - 6:00. You don't need to stay the entire time. Matt Cummings has graciously offered to head up Tairy Fales and help get your creative juices flowing, help pull your performances together.

Requirements:

1. Your group must register so we know you're interested.
2. You need to rehearse/meet with Matt at least twice before January 27 so we know you're really interested in doing this and so that we can help you fine-tune and make a fabulous performance.
3. You must have fun.

Questions? See Albrecht or Sara Swenson, or show up on the next Thursday!

Acting/Directing LAB: BHS/CLC Collaboration

Acting / Directing Lab

Gain additional acting experience by working with CLC Directing class students. CLC Directing students each need a few actors (there are 16 directors) that are willing to regularly work on small scenes and serve as "guinea pigs" as they learn and try out new directing techniques.

How to get involved: Stop by Albrecht's room and SIGN-UP by Friday January 13th. Show up at the infomational meeting now scheduled for late January. Pick up a list of Acting Lab requirements (provided by Patrick Spradlin of CLC Theatre) at that meeting. There may be some paperwork we need to complete so that you can also earn credit for the experience -- more on the details later... for now, if you want to do this, make sure you SIGN UP NOW!

• Requirements include: fairly regular attendance during the Directing class (scheduled for Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm) -- you shouldn't skip, since your director's grade may depend on your showing up so he/she can demonstrate his scene! Also note the Directing class may not need to work with you EVERY week. We'll get more info on just what the commitment entails when we meet with Patrick Spradlin, CLC professor, at the kick-off info meeting.
• perhaps a few open time slots outside of the directing class in case your director needs to work with you addtionally...
• a sense of comitment -- you will need to be able memorize your lines.
• Time -- Feb. to early May, mostly Wednesday evenings.
  
• What you can get out of it: additional acting experience.
• learn new ways to approach your acting craft
• EARN credit -- students who commit and show up consistently, fulfilling the Acting Lab requirements may earn an elective credit... see Albrecht for details!
• Because BHS Drama and CLC are collaborating, we can work out schedules in advance, which means that working with the CLC Directing class SHOULD NOT conflict with either the One-Act, Tairy Fales or our Spring Play.

Post-Secondary Acting Class Offered Fall 2006

Interested?
Stop by and See Albrecht before our next school registration day for more details.
Patrick Spradlin and I have coordinated this opportunity -- you could take 2 semesters of acting class for free (Acting I in Fall 2006, Acting II in Spring 2007) from a respected local director. Potential times being considered right now include either:

• a two-day schedule from 2:10 - 3:30 (essentially 6th hour and then a bit more)
  OR
• three day schedule that would run from 12:00 - 12:50 on the days you're meeting. Essentially this is a 4th hour class -- any BHS student could access this time period with a 4A lunch, and class would be done in time for you to return to BHS by the start of 5th hour.

I did my best to recommend times to CLC that inteferred least with activities BHS Drama students often also pursue (choir, orchestra, band, AP courses). Keep in mind also that Acting I is offered in the fall of each school year, and that Acting II is offered in the spring. Also keep in mind that our school calendars don't always match up (they may hold classes over our spring break, they may begin in the fall before BHS does, etc.

Requirements: Needs Albrecht or Spradlin approval. Next-year Juniors need a 3.0 cummulative GPA and Seniors a 2.5 GPA -- to enroll you must pass the CLC entrance screening tests in Math, Reading and Writing. Mrs. Albrecht soon if you're interested, and you'll want to talk to your guidance counselor at BHS as well.

Here's to a start...

so as I was updating the One-Act web page, it occurred to me that once our fall show was over, it was easy for everyone to lose touch. So I decided to create a place where anybody can "pop in" and see what anybody else is up to... a free exchange of ideas, if you will. Post directions to cast get-togethers, thoughts on upcoming shows, audition questions and tips, photos, whatever here. You'll also be able to check in here for updates on the comings and goings in BHS drama.

My hope is that we sustain a DRAMA program as active and busy as the folks/freaks who hope and happen to walk across our stages, build our sets, promote our shows and sell our tickets!