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a note from alise

Diving In, Digging Deep
On Sunday, we hit the ground running. It was evident all of our actors came to rehearsal ready to work – we love that!  We got so much accomplished! But before it all began, both casts took a JPAS mindful meditation moment with this Lion King quote as our theme “You have forgotten who you are and so you have forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become”.  Each cast had the opportunity to talk about accountability in our words, thoughts, and actions.

Being an actor takes practice and self-care. Help us set them up for success by making sure each week your actor reviews their lines, songs, choreography, and blocking. Once your actor learns the blocking for a scene, it is important for them to start memorizing that scene so that the blocking and the dialogue solidifies in their head.

Please show your actor our link to the Electronic Resource Library. It has accent videos, choreography and MP3s of songs learned, organized per week, per cast. We would love actors to be off-book as soon as possible. Off-book means not needing their scripts anymore to recite their lines. Directors will be providing an off-book date this week.  Also, kindly encourage your actor to listen to the music as often as possible so that they become more comfortable with the music.

Equally as important is that our actors take the time to restore their well-being and fill their creative well – lessons we could all likely benefit from and incorporate more of into our daily routine. I encourage you too to take time for YOU.

Electronic Resource Library

Both casts learned the blocking for our big opening number Circle of Life! Help your actor practice at home this week by using our Electronic Resource Library. This week’s new songs and choreography videos are online! Please also keep practicing at home, reading the script, and memorizing lines. Keep up the good work!

Conversation Starters

  • Ask your actor…. Do you know what blocking means?
  • Ask your actor to show you some choreography from Circle of Life.
  • Ask your budding actor what their character is like.
  • Discuss some of the themes of Lion King JR at home. Maybe watch the movie together (original and remake) if you haven’t already or check out some YouTube performances – either the Broadway version and/or other youth productions.

Pride Rock Highlights

  • The Pride Rock Cast started off with a meditation about accountability–staying true to who we are by doing what’s right, just like Simba.
  • We worked together as one big cast to dance The Circle of Life. Some kids even got to practice in their costume pieces!
  • Our kids explored their character movement by practicing animal walks.
  • Last, we really shook the stage during our rehearsal of The Stampede.

Hakuna Matata Highlights

  • Our Hakuna Matata cast started the day with our mindful moment focused around accountability where our actors set their intentions for rehearsal including –dedication, joy, courage, and happiness.
  • We learned about the different directions on stage as we blocked through our two ensemble numbers The Circle of Life and The Stampede!
  • We got our first look into some of the costumes that we will be using for the show!
  • One of our actors got to share our weekly animal fact during a break with the cast.
  • Our kids got to explore the sounds of the jungle as we played a jungle rhythm game.

Rehearsal – Sunday, February 11th

  • Everyone should arrive promptly for drop off at 1:30 pm
  • Hakuna Matata Cast will meet in the Zale.
  • Pride Rock Cast will meet upstairs in the Mankoff room.
  • Pick-up will be at 5:30 pm in the lobby.
  • Please remind our performers to bring their scripts, rehearsal folder, pencil, and a highlighter to every rehearsal.
  • Please pack a healthy snack and a water bottle.
  • Wear clothes you can easily move in with sneakers or bring your jazz/dance shoes.

Important Updates and Reminders

  • HEAD-SHOTS: This Sunday, February 11 is when we will be taking head-shots for both casts. Please make sure your actor is camera-ready!
  • BIOS: Wednesday, February 14– actor bios are due. YOU got this! If we do not receive your actor’s bio by Feb. 14 they will not be included in the playbill Note:  the google form will not allow you to italicize, unfortunately, so we will take care of that on our end.  Thank you to those who have reached out.
  • PLAYBILL ADS: Wednesday, February 14 – 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. Scroll down to center of page to find the Playbill ad section.
  • I encourage you to please take care of both the bio and playbill ad now. Knock it off your to-do list and feel like a rock star.
  • TICKETS: Each actor will receive one complimentary ticket. Parents who sent their actor’s bio in by end of day on Tuesday, January 30th received an additional complimentary ticket. All complimentary tickets can be used for any performances and all complimentary and purchased tickets will be waiting for you at Will Call on the day of the performance. Again, Congrats to everyone who took our bio challenge! You did such a great job!
  • Costume Fittings will be here soon!  Pride Rock cast – keep an eye out this week for an email from me with the date/time of your actor’s fitting. Hakuna Matata your actors fittings will take place in early March. Stay tuned.
  • Save the Date: March 17 in the morning before rehearsal we will be going to the zoo!

Exciting – Tickets are on Sale Now!
Please spread the word about The Lion King JR to friends and family.

Our parent digital marketing kits will be ready soon!   I look forward to seeing you work your magic on social media.  interested in a yard sign or a marketing flyer to hang up at School, coffee shop, etc… please let me know. I plan to have all marketing material in the lobby ready to pick up at the end of this Sunday’s rehearsal.

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. We will not be using the vending machines. Again, please pack a water bottle too!

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Performing Arts Camps – Filling Fast!
Remember our performing arts camps are amazing and have limited space. We want to see you this summer, so please register today to save your spot! StarQuest has an official waitlist (still register if interested – in case a family drops) and StarPower has 4 spots left! Once full we will be starting an “official” waitlist for StarPower too!

New! One Week Theater Specialty Camps

  • July 15, July 22 and July 29!
  • Stay tuned for more info.

This is How We Do It at JPAS

Looking forward to seeing everyone this Sunday!

Shine Bright,

alise sig