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a note from alise

Voice, Heart, and Soul!

Our performers are working hard – way to go! It is so incredible to see how unified each cast has become in such a short amount of time, and to watch the friendships and the camaraderie build upon doing something they love. Each of you would be super proud to know that all our actors are stretching their comfort zone and putting themselves out there by embracing all of the theatrical direction they have been given. It’s amazing; they are amazing.

Please continue to encourage performers to be “off-book” (both lines and songs) and to practice their choreography and accents at home. I’ve received such wonderful messages from parents that their actors are coming home excited and inspired, and we are thrilled…thank you for sharing!

This week we worked on diving deeper into blocking, choreography, character-development, and working to find our characters’ voice, heart, and soul! Putting on a main-stage production is hard work. It requires 100% dedication. Rehearsing for four hours takes focus, refocus, and then some more focus – and they’re doing great! Our amazing artistic staff is also hard at work, ensuring everyone is giving it their all, and also having fun!

Electronic Resource Library

Get the latest and greatest on music and choreography learned from past rehearsals. Happy practicing.

Choreography

These past two weeks both casts have been working hard on the musical dance number, Revolting Children . We couldn’t be more excited or proud of our actors.  Both casts showed awesome recollection of the previous week’s choreography!  This week, we added a new dance number into the mix, challenging their skills.  Each new dance requires different dance styles, and the use of our body to tell the story in differentiating ways. Here is a sneak-peak at their hard work!

A Little Bit Naughty Highlights

  • Our theme of the Week: Repetition! Repetition allows actors to not only get their blocking written down in their script, but also allows them to get it in their bodies. By repeating the movement in a scene, the actor can find how it makes sense for their character and the motivation behind it.
  • Our meditation was wonderful. “Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.” As a cast, we broke down this quote before we meditated. We decided that it means you have the special sauce inside you, to make a change. You may not necessarily change the world, (while you absolutely can) you can certainly change your own world, or someone else’s.
  • We touched upon theater etiquette like “Quite Offstage.” Ask your actor what this means.
  • We also touched upon some acting principles, “Don’t tell me your idea, SHOW ME!” The great thing about acting is that our actors get to make their own choices for their characters. This means that as an actor, we have the freedom to come up with ideas without asking the director’s permission. Rehearsals are a safe space to experiment with ideas; so we encourage our actors to keep trying things that feel right to them. If the director doesn’t like it, she’ll change it.

When I Grow Up Highlights

  • We began with our weekly meditation. This week’s quote was “Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.”
  • We took time this week to do a deep dive into character development. Many of our cast members this week dove into their character, “who am I” and “what is my purpose” using our character development sheet from our rehearsal folders. The rest of the cast will be diving in next week!
  • Shout out to our Wormwoods as they are almost off book!!
  • We were able to begin combining different theatrical elements learned to create full scenes. We had a great time integrating blocking, choreography, and music! What fun!
  • We also celebrated Mila’s birthday!!

Important Updates and Reminders

  • BIOS DUE TODAY: Wednesday, February 8 – Thank you to everyone who has handed them in! Reminder, if we do not receive your actor’s bio by end of Feb. 8, today, they will not be included in the playbill. Click here to look at a sample format/instructions on how to send in your actor’s bio
  • PLAYBILL ADS DUE TODAY: Wednesday, February 8 – Think of our playbill as our annual fundraiser and a special way to create a memory to last a lifetime for your actor. Click here to purchase your playbill ad and learn more.
  • Thank you to all our the rock star families, who have already knocked it off your to-do list! If you haven’t done it yet… you have till midnight 😊
  • MATILDA “BE YOU” CONTEST/PROMOTION GOING ON NOW: Join in and participate! Here is how it works: In the main lobby of the J, you will see a large Matilda themed backdrop. Have fun taking a photo striking your most powerful Matilda pose!
    • To participate on Facebook: Tag us in your photo @JPerformingArtsSpace and use #BeyouJPAS when you post.
    • To participate on Instagram: Tag @jpasdallas on use #BeyouJPAS when you post.
  • We have instructions up next to the backdrop to help you.  All of photos posted that include the tag and hashtag, will be entered to win a special Matilda performance prize package which includes two free tickets. A winner will be announced March 1st LIVE on Facebook.

Let Your Inner Marketer Shine – Marketing Materials Are Ready!

On Sunday, at pick-up, I will have some marketing materials available for you in the lobby if you would like to help spread the word – yard signs (limited amount – some of you already requested signs – thank you) and flyers (hang at school, temple, local coffee shops, libraries…you name it). If you want to begin spreading the word via social media using the above “Be You” Contest or by sharing any of our existing Facebook/Instagram posts, rock on; we would love that too! I will be sending out the digital marketing kit in a separate email soon!  Get involved, be part of the magic to help us fill our theater for our amazing actors!

Purchase Your Tickets – Buy Early and Secure Your Tickets

Please spread the word about Matilda Jr. to friends and family! Ticket prices increase at the door.

Reminder About Healthy Snacks

Please continue to do your best to provide healthy snacks, low in sugar. Healthy, low-sugar snacks help to keep our performers engaged, focused, and on task. Actors will not be allowed to use the vending machines.

What’s the Best Camp At the J?

Ask someone who has attended our performing arts summer camps and they will tell you! Camp StarQuest and Camp StarPower rock! Want to learn more? Call me at 214-239-7140 or email arobinson@jccdallas.org. I would love to tell you all about it. Please register today to save your spot.Seriously!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We have some amazing social going on this year and would love for you to engage with us!

Looking forward seeing everyone this Sunday!  Please don’t forget to inquire about your marketing materials at drop off at 5:20 pm.

Shine Bright,

alise sig