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 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 actors are coming home excited and inspired, and we are thrilled…thank you for sharing!
This week we will be diving deeper into blocking, choreography, and character-development, 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 – they’re doing great! Our amazing artistic staff is also hard at work, ensuring everyone is giving it their all, yet having fun!
Electronic Resource Library
Get the latest and greatest on music and choreography learned from past rehearsals. Happy practicing.
Choreography
The past two weeks both casts have been working hard on the musical dance number, Step in Time. Most of our actors in this scene are learning tap for the first time! We couldn’t be more excited or proud of our actors. For those actors in this number, we had a large supply of tap shoes for our actors to try on. I will be sending out a list confirming who was able to fit into a borrowed pair and who will need to purchase a pair. Here is a sneak-peak at their hard work!
Spoon Full of Sugar
- 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. Our actors lied down on the floor and were invited to allow their backs to sink into the earth. Then, we were all empowered to leave our worries at the door and create a space for a positive rehearsal by envisioning what that would look like for us as individuals and as a cast.
- Accent workshop: The cast worked on their British accents (Received Pronunciation). What our actors learned was that the main difference was in the A vowels. Changing “ae” to “ah”.
- Being a Good Ensemble Member: We talked about 4 things that make you a good ensemble member.
- Memorize your lines after your first blocking rehearsal.
- Pick up your cues! It’s important you’re following along in the script so you can keep the rehearsal running smoothly.
- Set changes! Moving set pieces around is just as important as speaking.
- Make choices! Don’t be afraid to make your character original 😊 making physical or vocal choices that are specific and consistent make the show richer and full of life!
Step in Time
- Character development deep dive. We worked a lot this week on our relationships between family members and servants and what that meant for this show’s time-period.
- Improvisation is such a great way to get our actors out of their head and into their character. Using improv, we began to create more dialogue and opportunities for our actors to shine on stage.
- Accent workshop: The cast worked on their British accents (Received Pronunciation). What our actors learned was that the main difference was in the A vowels. Changing “ae” to “ah”. Actors can go through their script and see what words they don’t know how to still pronounce in a British accent.
- 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!
Important Dates & Reminders
- HEAD-SHOTS: Will be taken this Sunday, February 13. Please make sure your actor is camera-ready!
- BIOS: Wednesday, February 9 – actor bios are due. Thank you to everyone who has handed them in! Reminder, if we do not receive your actor’s bio by end of Feb. 9 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: Wednesday, February 9 – actor Playbill Ad/Messages are due. 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.
- To all our Rock Star Families, who Knock it off your to-do list already thank you. If you haven’t done it yet… you have till mid-night LOL 😊
Let Your Inner Marketer Shine – Marketing Materials Are Ready!
On Sunday, at drop-off, I will have some marketing materials available 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, rock on; we would love that too! I will be sending out the digital marketing kit in a separate email soon.
Purchase Your Tickets – Buy Early and Secure Your Tickets
Please spread the word about Mary Poppins Jr. to friends and family!
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 or email me (214-239-7140) or arobinson@jccdallas.org). I would love to tell you all about it. Please register today to save your spot. Seriously!
- Click here for to learn more about JPAS Camps, StarQuest, and StarPower
- Registration is open – Click here to register for camp
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Looking forward seeing everyone this Sunday!
Please don’t forget to inquire about your marketing materials at drop off at 1:15 pm.
Shine Bright,
