“Believe in Yourself and There Will Come a Day When Others Will Have No Choice but to Believe in You!” – Mufasa
This past week our Mufasas got together to get ready to roar! It was such an incredible experience. We took a video of them on the green screen. This video will then be edited and our Mufasa will appear in the water to Simba on the big screen, in the Zale, using our projector system. Below are some behind the scenes shots!
We have reached the half-way point – way to go! It’s now more than ever that our actors need to come prepared and focused. All actors should be off-book by this weekend. PLEASE encourage them to memorize their blocking and lines, to know all the songs learned to date, and to use the Electronic Resource Library to help with music and choreography. Now we are in the fun part of rehearsing. Well, it’s all FUN! But, as our actors get used to saying their lines off-book, their director is encouraging them to think more about their character and how they would talk, stand, etc. All the character development we worked on earlier in the process comes into play now. Our characters come alive with meaning, purpose, and personality.
Our actors are doing great, and we want to keep the momentum going. We believe with some practice in between rehearsals our actors are going to nail it. I will be sending out an email regarding an additional rehearsal day.
Keep bringing your best selves each week, we’re almost at the finish line!
Electronic Resource Library
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE share this with your actor. This section is designed to assist them between rehearsals. Happy practicing!
4 Things You Can do With Your Actor This Week
- In the car listen to the music as they sing along (in character).
- Ask to review the URL videos with you for 10 minutes, and then ask them to show you what they learned.
- Ask your actor to give you a “sneak peek” of one of the numbers and have them perform for you.
- Practice lines with your actor, and act out a scene or two with them.
Pride Rock Highlights
- We finished costume fittings! Our elephants and rhinos got to see their very large costume piece heads.
- We practiced mourning the death of a certain lion who will not be named.
- A big chunk of our cast practiced their ballet skills in Can You Feel The Love Tonight?
- Our meditation theme was courage. We challenged our actors to believe in themselves and work on their goals every day.
Hakuna Matata Highlights
- Our actors have done a great job of getting off book! To help them prepare even more, our Music Director, Katie, has uploaded all the voice parts onto the electronic library.
- Our kids had a chance to experiment with the puppets that will be used for the show and they look fabulous!
- Our lionesses are on the prowl as the learned the last bit of choreography for Shadowland and The Lioness Hunt even killing one of our gazelles!
- Theater Vocab: Stumble Through. This week we did our first stumble through of the show working our way from the top and trying to see how far we could get through show with choreography, blocking and music!
Important Dates & Reminders
- JPAS Social Crew – Lion King Movie Sing-along! Thursday, March 14! Register!
- Save the Date: March 17 in the morning before rehearsal we will be going to the zoo! I sent out an email with details. I will need to know if your actor will be attending by March 6. Please check your email for specifics.
- We’re now at the halfway mark for the show and so it is super important for everyone to be at all of our rehearsals to prepare for the show. We understand, that there may be a last minute conflicts due to illness, so please email me as soon as possible in advance of rehearsal, if your actor will be absent. Remember, theater is a team sport!
Parent Volunteer Time
It takes a village to put on a production and we would love your help. It’s exciting and very helpful if you choose to volunteer. Our team, your actor and their cast mates will be appreciative. Me too of course! Thank you! The below sign-up genius link for each cast explains all the opportunities available to play a part in the theater magic.
Costume Fittings
Our team has been working behind the scenes. Set design is in full effect, and so are our costumes. They are looking fabulous. This week I will be sending out an email regarding time slots for costume fittings. Costume fittings happen prior to rehearsals on the dates indicated below.
- Hakuna Matata – will have costume fittings on Sunday, March 3, and March 10 PRIOR to rehearsals.
Friendly reminder to our Hakuna Matata cast: Please bring your actor’s base layers as requested (each item labeled with your actor’s name and in a bag labeled with your actor’s name and what cast they are in on the outside of the bag) that was sent in the costume fitting email to the J on Sunday for their fitting.
Social Media Challenge – Digital Marketing Kits
Who has used their digital marketing kit to spread the word? Please use the materials to help us ensure we have a packed house for our actors – so exciting! What about this…if each of us did one post that would be 78+ posts circulating on social media about ticket sales – let’s do it! Who’s in?
In addition, this Sunday we will provide small flyers to our actors so they can hand them out to friends, teachers, and family – you name it – to promote all their hard work! I love watching our actors have an opportunity to feel empowered by handing out their flyers! The response from doing this year after year has been very positive – the actors love it. Please encourage your actor to bring them to school, give them to their friends/teachers, or hand them out to your neighbors or at another one of their after-school activities. This exercise is beyond marketing the performances. This small act teaches our actors to take ownership of their “work”, to speak out when otherwise shy, to learn a “behind-the-scenes” skill, and ultimately, a sense of pride in something they are committed to.
Purchase Your Tickets Today – Buy and Save!
Please spread the word to friends and family! Tickets are selling fast so please purchase your tickets today! 😊 Online tickets cost less than door sales so buy now and save!
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?
- Camp StarQuest has an official waitlist and Camp StarPower has only a FEW SPOTS LEFT!
Pricing for camp increases after March 1. If you haven’t registered, take advantage of this opportunity to save. Like so many of our JPAS campers, camp is my favorite time of the year. For those who haven’t tried one of our performing arts camps before, they are truly the best!
- Click here to learn more about StarQuest (Waitlist)
- Click here to learn more about StarPower (Only a few spots left)
- Click here to register
New! One Week Specialty Camps! One Weekers… a week of Wow! July 1 – Aug 2
Experience a week of unparalleled summer joy at our boutique specialty camps, taught by specialists. Uniquely crafted formats blend fun, learning, and empowerment, leaving a lasting impact on growth and mindset. A place where uniqueness and innovation converge to create an extraordinary experience for your child. With themed weeks and a traditional camp philosophy, our special sauce lies in creating a transformative experience that builds connections, confidence, and fosters acceptance. Join us for a week of discovery and joy! It’s not just a summer camp; it’s a journey that will positively impact your child’s life in ways they never imagined.
- Grades entering 1-9
- Space will be limited.
- Registration opens March 2nd https://www.jdallascamps.org/one-weekers
- Already registered for a J Dallas Camp session and want to switch into on of our one week camps, no problem!
Specialty Camp Line-Up
Cooking and Backing Bonanza, Magic Explorers, Broadway Bound, Global Gourmet, Discover Magic, AdventureScape, Lights, Camera, Action, Trailblazers of Kindness. Landmark Adventures, Act It Out!
PS. I will have created and will be overseeing all specialty one-week camps!
Looking forward to seeing everyone this Sunday!
Shine Bright,
