Commitment, Passion, Practice
This past week our Marys’ got together to prepare them to fly! It was such an incredible experience. We took a video of them on the green screen. This video will then be edited and our Mary will fly on the big screen, in the Zale, using our projector system. Below are some behind the scenes shots!
Rehearsals this Sunday were fantastic! Our actors are in the thick of it and we couldn’t be prouder of their dedication and commitment. Hearts were pumping, feet were moving, and they did great! We are super impressed with everyone’s progress. Both casts also dug deeper into character development and blocking. As the weeks continue, it will be super important that our actors practice at home. Practice, practice, practice. Retention between rehearsals is key. Please ask your actor if they are off-book.
Electronic Resource Library
PLEASE share with your actor. This section is designed to assist them between rehearsals. Parents can help by setting some time aside each week encouraging and helping their actor to use the dance videos and MP3 files. What a great way to bond too! Happy practicing!
Spoon Full of Sugar Cast
- Meditation: During our meditation, we focused on joy. All the actors laid on their backs and were asked to imagine a space where they felt safe and themselves. Then they were asked to imagine their best friend entering the space and telling them something funny. They were invited to laugh out loud and share all at once what made them laugh. Finally, they came to a sitting position and were encouraged to bring that joy with them into rehearsal.
- Theme of the Week: Review Review Review. Bruce continues to emphasize the importance of repetition to make the show tighter and full of life. We also talked about how after a scene is blocked, actors should memorize their lines, choreography, songs, as well as blocking by the next rehearsal to keep rehearsals moving forward.
- Theatre Etiquette: Set pieces and props should only be touched and walked/stood on by the people blocked to use them.
- Theatre Vocabulary: Cheat out! Cheating out refers to a position where actors make sure their bodies are somewhat facing the audience so their faces can always be seen. We never want an actor’s back facing the audience. Therefore, when turning around, turn toward the audience, and when speaking to a scene partner, position yourself on a diagonal so the audience can still see our actor’s face on an angle.
Step in Time Cast
- Meditation: We focused on finding the good in others during our meditation. After several calming, deep breaths, our actors were invited to let go of everything that happened before they arrived and just be in the now. Then, our actors were encouraged to find the good in others by noticing during rehearsal what someone else may have done well. This “noticing” was then used during our closing appreciation circle.
- Our actors’ characters really started to come to life on Sunday. The personal choices they were making were beginning to take shape. Their movement, too, was beginning to resemble the time period. Actors were encouraged to do their Character Worksheets that can be found in their rehearsal folder.
- Theme of the Week: Review Review Review. Bruce emphasizes the importance of repetition to make the show tighter and full of life. We also talked about how after a scene is blocked, actors should memorize their lines, choreography, songs, as well as blocking by the next rehearsal to keep rehearsals moving forward.
- Theatre Etiquette: Set pieces and props should only be touched by the people blocked to use them. They also learned how to integrate scene changes into their character and their importance.
Rehearsal – Sunday, February 20
- Everyone should arrive promptly at 1:15 pm.
- Please remind our actors to bring their scripts, rehearsal folder, pencil, and a highlighter.
- Please pack a healthy snack and a water bottle.
- Wear clothes you can quickly move in with sneakers or bring your jazz/dance or tap shoes.
Marketing Materials – Digital Marketing & Social Media Kit
Thank you to everyone who offered to hang a poster and who took a yard sign. I have a few more posters. Please email me if you would like one, and I will have them ready for you at drop-off on Sunday! Yesterday, you received your digital marketing and social media kit email! I can’t wait to see everyone engaging on social to help us create a buzz about our fantastic upcoming performance and tickets sales. Please join the conversation and use the images I sent in the digital marketing email from yesterday. I can’t wait to fill the theater for our actors.
Mark Your Calendars – Costume Fittings
- Spoon Full of Sugar will have costume fittings on Sunday, March 6.
- Step in Time cast will have costume fittings on Sunday, March 13, and March 20.
- Next week, I will be sending an email with specific time slots for each cast member along with details. Please keep an eye out. More to come.
Purchase Your Tickets – Buy and Save!
Please spread the word about Mary Poppins Jr. to friends and family! Purchased tickets and complimentary tickets (which can be used for any performance) will be available for pick-up at will-call on the day of the performance.
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.
Performing Arts Camps
- StarQuest only has 10 spots left.
- StarPower has 5 spots left.
- Once all our spots are filled, we will open a waitlist.
- If you know of any excellent college theater students who would be interested in an amazing summer job, please send them my way. I may have an opportunity for them.
Never been to Camp StarQuest or Camp StarPower? 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.
- 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!
Shine Bright,
