FAME, An Inspirational Musical that Changed My Life

LYRICS TO FAME: THE MUSICAL

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

In the late 1970's my friend Scott Hogan and sat in his basement in our neighborhood. Scott popped a copy of the original film FAME into the laser disc (the newest technology of the decade) and I was lost. Not even in high school yet, I watched the film over and over again. These students in New York were getting a shot at what I wanted in my life--the excitement of live performances, the audiences, the spectacle, the success.

As the years passed, Debbie Allen's famous lines "You want fame? This is where you start paying for it." And as I was cast in my first high school productions, I gained a glimpse of the dedication and "Hard Work" that it took to "Make Magic." During the summer of my sophomore year, we discovered that we would be getting a new drama teacher at Holy Name High School. Mrs. Wilson certainly changed my life. And as I watched episodes of "Fame" and the "The Kids from Fame" on tv, that little stage at Holy Name High School became a launching pad for a life in the theatre. And what a wonderful ride it has been. "The drafty halls, the penciled scripts, the stories...ow, the stories that you hear, the people you grow to love. Ephemeris, ephemeris, eh?"

In the early 80's the stage grew into stages and opportunities that have forever changed who I am. Northwest Missouri State's friendships and opportunities along with the training and the life lessons that I learned there have served me well. I can't imagine what I might be like had Dr. Schultz, Dr. Ross, Mike Ludwick, Chan Fischer, Sheila, Roger, Steve, Chris & Linda, Steve, Jonathon, Pink Boy, Buckethead, Harry, Russ, Chuck, Tom, Trisha, Kim, Robert, Jerdwa, Jerry, Doug, Jim, Denny not been in my life. The shows that we did were absolutely incredible. And the songs from "FAME" quietly played in the drafting room, the costume shop, the scene shop.

In the late 80's I met Dana Pinkston at K-State. A fantastic scenographer who designed the set for MASTER HAROLD...AND THE BOYS. She was also designing a set for the Wamego High School production of FAME. Her renderings were beautiful. And when I took the job at Concordia High School in Kansas, the show would surface now and again as a possibility. The songs from the television serious, though were used on more than one occasion to inspire casts. In ORDINARY PEOPLE the songs were used to inspire Darrick, Monica, Rich, Amanda, Erica, Marsha, Kevin, Bob, Nancy and so many more kids that I still cherish. People who remarkably are still part of my life and valued life-long friends.

In 1998 I directed the production at Lewis Central. Dusty, Katrinka, Mandy, Erin, Andy, Andrew, April, Marty, Kevin and those students were incredible in the production. It is still the largest cast in LC history with 120 students in the cast alone. We held double-rehearsals every day to accomodate everyone's hectic schedules.

And now 30 years later, after seeing the Broadway production on tour with Heckman, another chapter for FAME in my life. As we prepare to audition for the production and I get to work with Brian, Andy, Rachael, & Mel, I am excited to celebrate the tradition that has been built at LC by all of the dedicated students who know that the "Magic" on stage is an illusion painted with the brush of sacrifice and "Hard Work."

I am considering adding one or both of these songs to the production.

McG

I STILL BELIEVE IN ME

LIFE IS A CELEBRATION

Extra Credit Opportunity--Leave a Comment Here

Congratulations for showing the initiative to earn some extra credit in your Drama I class. That's the way to start!

You need to go down to the pencil icon on the bottom of this post. Click on it and leave a comment after you take a look at the blog. Let us know what you think about it.

Please make sure that you leave your full name and the class period that you are in. I am excited to have you in class. Just think...you already have an "A+". Way to go.

Mr. McLaughlin

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Team Announced

TEAM LIST

ACTORS

THE ROYALS

Danny Lich
THESEUS

Katie Madsen
HIPPOLYTA

Doug Johnstone
EGEUS

Tyler Cota
PHILOSTRATE

THE LOVERS

Blake DeForest
LYSANDER

Mark Hamilton
DEMETRIUS

Jenna Ladd
HELENA

Catie Geier
HERMIA

THE CREATURES

Tyler Butler
PUCK

Patrick Cox
PUCK DOUBLE

Ryan Epperson
OBERON

Jordan Morgan
TITANIA

Alex Smith
Sarah Anson
Alli James
Sarah Gates
Molly Lightfoot
FAIRIES

Lauren Christensen
Alyse Higgins
Hannah Kreitzinger
Taylor Stuart
Emily White
FAIRY DOUBLES

THE RUSTICS

Trever Daniels
BOTTOM

Katie Jacoby
QUINCE

Dylan Wulff
FLUTE

Shawn Moore
SNOUT

Ben Tweedt
STARVELING

James Hodge
SNUG

UNDERSTUDIES
Tyler Cota, Lover & Creature Understudy
Molly Cox, Royal & Creature Understudy
Thomas Jacobs, Rustic Understudy
Madison Massey, Lover Understudy

DIRECTING TEAM

Eric Clark
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Brooke Elliff
Courtney Zucca
STUDENT DIRECTORS

Bianca Zerwas
Shaylia Barber
ASSISTANT STUDENT DIRECTORS

Becca McMillen
PUBLICIST

Jorge Villalta
STAGE MANAGER

Andrew O’Reilly
Jeffrey Wallin
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS

Derek Sevener
Rachel Shrader
TECHNICAL DIRECTORS

Maddie Overholtzer
Trever Stephens
ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTORS

Whitney Clark
Taylor Kastrup
ASSISTANTS TO THE DIRECTOR

Kaiti Madsen
Sabrina McKeever
CHOREOGRAPHERS

Camilla Cortney
Megan Fender
Hannah Jacoby
PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Joe Stokes
Jessica Willadsen
TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORS

Kyle Wineland
LIGHTING DESIGNER

Cesly Gouchanour
Ashley Minnick
MAKEUP DESIGNERS

Charlotte Berryman
Alex Tucker
SOUND DESIGNERS

PRODUCTION TEAM

Matt Beer
MASTER SCENIC ARTIST

David Mescher
Erik O’Doniel
Alex Tucker
SPOTLIGHTS & HANG/FOCUS CREW

Charlotte Berryman
Eric Finnegan
SOUND BOARD OPERATOR

Taylor Kuhn
HOUSE MANAGER

Alaura Bingham
Courtney Anin
Emily Raygor
MAKEUP TEAM LEADERS

Tayler Mehsling
Nick Narmi
PROP MASTER

Liz Knoble
Becca Piercy
COSTUME CREW CHIEF

RUNNING CREW SHIFT, PROPS,
COSTUMES, MAKEUP, LIGHTS

Courtney Annin
Stevi Brougham
Ronette Bruner
Yadi Diaz
Saedy Hartley-Purdy
Jasmine Knudsen
Cassidy Miller
Michael Miller
Morgan Miller
Anna Mohatt
Ellen Overholtzer
Andrew Sachs
Dillon Smith
Bailey Shaw
Amanda Shoening
Dylan Smith
Brianna Steele
Raquel Weis

DIRECTOR’S NOTE
PLEASE READ

Congratulations to all who were cast in an acting, directing team or production team position.

Condolences to all those who were not cast. You were all wonderful. It’s too bad we can’t use everyone who wants to act. We’re sure you’re as disappointed as we are--our decision was very difficult. We will be happy to visit with any of you about our decision and your audition.

We are missing audition forms from several people.
We will be contacting them and revising the cast list.

109 students attended the general meetings. We cast 27 actors and 4 understudies. We chose 27 students on the directing and design team. We also chose 31 students for production team.

Anyone who was not cast who is still interested in working on the production should see Mr. McLaughlin. Please check your emails and text messages. We will be communicating with you then.

Thank you for all your energy and efforts. We are excited about the production.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Actor Callbacks

AMSND ACTOR CALLBACK LIST

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTE
...if you do not, we will consider this when we choose
the cast for our production.

ANYONE WHO HAS NOT TURNED IN AN AUDTION FORM WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. PLEASE SEE THAT THESE ARE TURNED IN BY NOON ON TUESDAY.

THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS
NEED TO TURN IN AUDTION FORMS
IF THEY WANT TO BE CONSIDERED

Trevon Barber
Matt Beer
Trevor Carl
Eric Finnegan
Erica Frain
Josh Lawrence
Jenn Leafty
Heidi Mailahn
David Mescher
Cassidy Miller
Kayla O'Doniel
Hannah Piercy
Jessica Powers
Kyle Ranney
Nina Sauvin
Jorge Villalta
Kyle Wineland

We believe that we can use 17-23 actors; 11 directing team members and a production team of 34 students.

The following code should show you what role(s) we want you to read for during A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM callbacks:

RO=Royals
C=Creatures
L=Lovers
RU=Rustics

Sarah Anson--C
Tyler Butler—Ro, L, C, Ru
Lauren Christensen--C
Tyler Cota—L, Ru
Molly Cox-- Ro, L, C, Ru
Patrick Cox—C, R
Trevor Daniels--Ru
Blake DeForest--L, C, Ru
Yadi Diaz--C
Brooke Elliff-- Ro, L, C, Ru
Ryan Epperson-- Ro, L, C,
Sarah Gates—C, Ru
Catie Geier-- Ro, L, C, Ru
Mark Hamilton—Ro, L
Elise Higgins--C
James Hodge—Ro, Ru
Thomas Jacobs—Ro, Ru
Hannah Jacoby—Ro, C, Ru
Katie Jacoby—Ro, C, Ru
Alli James—Lo, C
Doug Johnstone--Ru
Hannah Kreitzinger--C
Jenna Ladd—Ro, L, Cr, Ru
Danny Lich—Ro, C
Molly Lightfoot--C
Ashley Love—C, Ru
Kaiti Madsen—L, C
Erick Martin—L, Ru
Madison Massey--L
Becca McMillen—Ro, C, Ru
Michael Miller--Ru
Anna Mohatt—L, C
Shawn Moore--Ru
Jordan Morgan—Ro, L, C
Ellen Overholtzer--Ru
Maddie Overholtzer—C, Ru
Alex Smith—C, Ru
Dillon Smith--Ro, C, Ru
Joe Stokes—Lo, Ru
Taylor Stuart--C
Drew Tudzin--Ru
Ben Tweedt--C, Ru
Emily White--C
Dylan Wulff—Lo, R

Please see the CALLBACK SCHEDULE below. Please be “ON-TIME” for ALL CALLBACKS. If you are called back in more than one category, we NEED to see you during the scheduled CALLBACK times.


DIRECTOR’S NOTE

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTE
...if you do not, we will consider this when we choose the cast for our production.

Thanks so much to the 109 students who were brave enough to attend the general meeting and audition/interviews for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. We are overwhelmed by the talent pool. Although this is a large production, we can only offer up to 70 of you jobs on this team.

ANYONE WHO HAS NOT TURNED IN AN AUDTION FORM WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. PLEASE SEE THAT THESE ARE TURNED IN BY NOON ON TUESDAY.

It’s truly unfortunate that we cannort work with all of you. We are happy that this ‘student-centered” program will afford all those who are interested with an opportunity sometime in the future.

We believe that we can use 17-23 actors; 11 directing team members and a production team of 34 students.

It appears that our A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Team will be 70 students strong.

We will offer any student who successfully completed the application process, a role on our challenging SETS/PAINTS team. Please let us know if you are NOT INTERESTED.

44 students have been called back for acting roles. 32 students have been called back to read for one of the creature roles. 28 students have been called back to read for one of the rustic roles. 18 students have been called back to read for one of the lovers. 15 students have been called back to read for one of the royals. 44 students have been called back for the 17-23 roles. Please be prepared to attend one of our workshops if you are seriously interested in a role for our production.

Please read the following information carefully if you are called back. You will tell us a lot about your team-mindedness based on your attention to these details.

Callback auditions will be held from 3:00-6:00 PM on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.

EVERYONE WHO IS CALLED BACK needs to attend the CALLBACK GENERAL MEETING FROM 3:00-3:30 on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.

Homework tables will be available in the Commons for students as they wait for their “shitft” to read.

ACTOR’S WORKSHOP SCHEDULE


There will be two characterization/actor workshop held from

3:15-3:45 on Monday, May 18, 2009 &
6:55-7:25 on Tuesday, May 19, 2009

ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE CALLED BACK SHOULD ATTEND ONE OF THE TWO SESSION. ATTENDING BOTH SESSIONS IS A PLUS.

CALLBACK SCHEDULE

EVERYONE CALLED BACK MEETS FROM 3:00-3:30
32 Creatures will read from 3:30-4:00
28 Rustics will have callbacks from 4:00-4:45
18 Lovers will read from 4:45-5:30
15 Royals will read from 5:30-6:00

Thanks so much for the overwhelming response. The directors worked until the late hours of Sunday night to make our final choices for actors.

ANYONE WHO HAS NOT TURNED IN AN AUDITION FORM WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR A ROLE. If you would like to revise your production team, directing team and crew preferences, please see Mr. McLaughlin or Courtney Zucca ASAP.

Thanks again for throwing your name in the ring to considered. This was truly a difficult task.

Mr. Heckman
Mr. McLaughlin

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Audition Scenes

WELCOME TO AUDITIONS FOR OUR AWESOME 2009-2010 SEASON

General Meetings are listed below. Actors and interested production team members should attend one of the three meetings listed below. Both actors and production team folks need to sign up for an audition/interview in the times we have open for auditions. Anyone interested in any position should attend one of our general/informational meetings.

Those interested in Directing Team positions will need to answer some open ended questions and be prepared to interview. Those interested in acting, should find a partner and sign up for one of the audition times with a friend/group of friends.

Please see the audition scenes we'll be using:

AMSND Audition Scene 1 Bottom and Flute.doc

AMSND Audition Scene 2 Peter Quince.doc

AMSND Audition Scene 3 The Rustics.doc

AMSND Audition Scene 4 Demetrius & Helena.doc

AMSND Audition Scene 5 Lysander & Hermia.doc

AMSND Audition Scene 6 Hippolyta & Theseus.doc

AMSND Audition Scene 7 Titania & Oberon.doc

AMSND Audition Scene 8 Puck & Fairy.doc

More scenes are likely to be filed tonight... Hopefully, you'll receive our text messages and check your email.

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BRING THIS SHOW TO LC.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Lewis Central High School proud to announce A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM as Fall 2009 School Play
Come back here later tonight (Thursday, May 7, 2009) to see audition scenes and more about auditions. You will be able to access a Word version of the scenes right here.
1. First, you need to attend ONE of the three general meetings.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009--3:15-4:00 PM--LCHS Drama Room
Students may sign up for auditions from 4:00-7:00 PM in 15 minutes slots. Sign up sheets will be located outside the Drama Room on Tuesday, May 12, 2009.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009--6:55-7:30 AM--LCHS Drama Room
Students may sign up for auditions from 4:00-6:30 PM. Sign up sheets will be located outside the Drama Room on Tuesday, May 12, 2009.

Thursday, May 14, 2009--3:15-4:00 PM--LCHS Drama RoomStudents may sign up for auditions from 4:00-7:00 PM. Sign up sheets will be located outside the Drama Room on Tuesday, May 12, 2009.

2. You attend the general meeting and we'll tell you all of the following, give you an audition form and let you sign up for an audition (acting) or interview (production) time.

Those interested in production team and directing team do need to attend one of the general meetings. We explain the responsibility and time commitment of each job. If you are not sure that you can make the commitment, you should not audition. We don’t want everyone; we want the best.

Those interested in acting need to attend the general meetings as well. Usually, we have students choose a reading and their partners. However, we don’t always need to see a student read a specific role to consider them for that role. We are asking that students read for their top choice and bring a friend/friends to read with them. We may still cast the student in a different role than what he/she reads for BUT we will need to see everyone read for the role in which they are cast.

Here’s what Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Heckman will do in the general meeting:

*Welcome you and talk about the play, our approach, what we’re looking for and the calendar.

*Talk to you about how auditions will function. How you sign up, where you find readings, what you need to do if you’re interested in production.

*Read the “LCHS Casting Policy” to students. All students must sign off that they have read and understand the policy.

*Show photos of research, film clips and other possibilities.
*Get us fired up to take on a great show.


3. You sign up for an audition time or for an interview time. You come in and do your best. We look at our talent pool and try to use as many of the fantastic students who attend as possible. Get excited! We are.

Plot and Characters

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a tale of simplicity itself. It's about ideas and emotion rather than plot. Notice that the fairies' magic takes place at night -- how much is really a dream?

Theseus, Duke of Athens, is about to marry Hippolyta, a lady warrior who he conquered. Egeus brings his daughter Hermia to court. She and Lysander want to get married, but Egeus wants her to marry Demetrius, who also wants her. Under Athenian law, Hermia must marry the man of her father's choice, choose "single blessedness" (i.e., celibacy in a religious order), or be executed. Theseus says he will enforce this law and gives everyone a few days to decide. Demetrius has seduced and abandoned Helena, Hermia's friend. Lysander and Hermia decide to elope and get married in the next town, beyond the reach of Athenian law. (Probably Theseus and everybody else expects them to do this anyway.) Hermia tells Helena, who tells Demetrius in order to ingratiate herself to him. Hermia and Lysander flee into the woods, Demetrius follows the lovers, and Helena follows him.

Out in the forest, Oberon and Titania, king and queen of fairyland, have quarrelled over who will raise an orphaned Indian boy. Oberon sends Puck to find a magic flower. Cupid's arrow, aimed at Queen Elizabeth, was diverted and hit the flower ("love in idleness", a pansy). Now this flower's juice, applied to a sleeper's eyes, will make the person fall in love with whoever he or she sees first upon awakening. Puck brings the flower, and Oberon applies it to the eyes of sleeping Titania. Oberon then tells Puck to apply it to the eyes of Demetrius, so that when he wakes and sees Helena he will love her instead.

Hermia and Lysander fall asleep, with Lysander honoring Hermia's request to sleep a little distance away. Puck mistakes Lysander for Demetrius and puts the love juice in his eyes. Helena sees Lysander, thinks he may be hurt, and wakes him. Lysander sees Helena and falls in love with her. This gives rise to a comic situation, with much clever language and remarks about the ironies and irrationality of love.

Some skilled laborers have gone into the woods to rehearse a play for the wedding. They rewrite it, replacing the lovers' parents by "the moon" and "a wall". Puck puts a donkey head on Bottom the weaver. Titania, awakening, falls in love with him. (In Elizabethan times, the male donkey was proverbial for his generous sexual endowment.)

Demetrius and Lysander meet Helena and Hermia and the love-comedy continues, with the men about to come to blows. Oberon sees what has happened, and instructs Puck to separate the two men, which he does using ventriloquism, and to apply the love-juice to Demetrius's eyes. Lysander is lost in the dark and decides to sleep it out. Demetrius is tired and rests, and Puck reapplies the antidote to Lysander. Oberon applies the antidote to Titania. Demetrius wakes up and falls in love with Helena. After more dialogue and action, Theseus enters, the now properly-paired lovers are united, and everybody is happy. The humans wonder how much of the night's events have been real, and how much was a dream. The laborers perform their play-within-a-play. Although it's bad, Theseus and the others appreciate the sincerity and effort.

Don't look for depth of characterization in "A Midsummer Night's Dream". It's about ideas rather than personalities.

Theseus: Kind and generous. He must enforce the law, but talks privately with Egeus and Demetrius (I.i.115) to get them to relent. He appreciates the effort that goes into the play-within-a-play, and the sincerity of the ordinary people. He lets his imagination turn good people's sincere effort into a good performance.

Hippolyta: More literal-minded than Theseus. She cannot bring her imagination to consider a bad play good. But she notes that the lovers' tale of paranormal experience in the woods presents "great constancy" -- what paranormal investigators look for today. Like most of us, Hippolyta decides, "If they're all telling the same story, there may be something to it."

Philostrate: Master of ceremonies for Theseus. In Chaucer's The Knight's Tale, one of the rival lovers takes the name "Philostrate" to work for Theseus and Hippolyta. This is almost certainly an oblique reference to Chaucer's tale.

Demetrius: Not a nice person. By the time he says he wants to feed Lysander's carcass to his hounds, this seems completely in character. I don't know what Helena sees in him. Neither does she -- such is the irrationality of love, even before the lovers enter the forest. He is the only one who remains under the influence of the magic juice. This is probably good.

Helena: Tall, blonde beauty. Verbal abuse from Demetrius has made her think she's ugly. We have to hope that the love juice never wears off Demetrius, or she is in trouble

Hermia: Short, dark-complected beauty. Spunky and likable.

Lysander: Likable, rationalizer, sense of humor. He suggests Egeus and Demetrius get married. He cites classic stories as models for "the course of true love", and thinks the effects of the love juice are the workings of his own "reason".

Peter Quince: Playwright for the amateurs.

Nick Bottom the Weaver: Enthusiastic. Wants to play all the roles. Likes to overact.

Francis Flute the Bellows Mender: Young man. He points out that he's just getting his facial hair. He thinks this will make playing Thisbe a problem, but this is actually why he was chosen.

Robin Starveling the Tailor: Just a few lines portray a pessimist. He plays the part of the moon. He seems to forget his lines, and explains who he is in prose.

Snug the Joiner: "I am slow of study". The lion need only roar. Actually Snug does learn a few lines.

Tom Snout the Tinker: Literal-minded. Plays the wall.

Often the same actor who plays Theseus also plays Oberon, the same actor who plays Philostrate plays Puck, and the same actress who plays Hippolyta plays Titania. You may enjoy thinking about why this makes sense, especially if the dream-world is a shadow of ours. One of my correspondents reminded me that this also happens in the film version of "The Wizard of Oz".

CHARACTERS (from another point of view)

MALE CHARACTERS

THESEUS. The Duke of Athens. About to marry the conquered Amazon queen, Hippolyta. Confident and authoritative, yet benevolent.

EGEUS. A respected nobleman in Theseus's court. Hermia’s father.

LYSANDER. A young nobleman of Athens in love with Hermia. Although Hermia's father refuses to let her marry him, Lysander believes that love conquers all.

DEMETRIUS. A young nobleman of Athens. Demetrius thought he loved Helena, but after Helena fell for him, he changed his mind and pursued Hermia.

OBERON. The king of the fairies. Oberon begins the play at odds with his wife, Titania. (may be doubled with role of Theseus)

NICK BOTTOM. The overconfident weaver chosen to play the lead in the play-within-a-play. Is also turned into a donkey by Puck and Titania falls in love with him. Must possess excellent comedic timing.

FRANCIS FLUTE. The bellows-mender chosen to play the female lead in the play-within-a-play. Is not pleased about playing a female role. Must possess excellent comedic timing.

FEMALE CHARACTERS

HIPPOLYTA. The legendary queen of the Amazons, engaged to marry Theseus. Although Theseus defeated her in combat, she does not act like an unwilling bride. Confident and strong.

HERMIA. Egeus' daughter. A beautiful young woman of Athens; both Demetrius and Lysander are in love with her, but Hermia defies her father because she loves Lysander. (must be shorter than Helena)

HELENA. A young woman of Athens in love with Demetrius. Helena has been rejected and abandoned by Demetrius, who said he loved her before he met her best friend, Hermia. (must be taller than Hermia)

TITANIA. The beautiful queen of the fairies. Titania resists the attempts of her husband, Oberon, until he gives up his demands. (may be doubled with role of Hippolyta)

MALE OR FEMALE CHARACTERS
ROBIN GOODFELLOW/“PUCK”. The mischievous fairy who delights in playing pranks on mortals; Oberon's “right hand man”.

QUINCE. A carpenter and leader/director of the play-within-a-play. Must possess excellent comedic timing.

STARVELING. The anxiety-ridden tailor chosen to play Moonshine in the play-within-a-play. Must possess excellent comedic timing.

SNOUT. The reluctant and frightened tinker chosen to play Wall in the play-within-a-play. Must possess excellent comedic timing.

SNUG. The timid and dimwitted joiner chosen to play the lion in the play-within-a-play. Must possess excellent comedic timing.

PEASEBLOSSOM, COBWEB, MOTH, AND MUSTARDSEED. The fairies whom Titania orders to wait on Bottom after she falls in love with him.

OTHER FAIRIES AS NEEDED.

Once on This Island Tentative Calendar

Calendar will be complete Friday, March 6, 2009 following the Directing & Production Team meetings.

An electronic copy of this is posted on the school website. An electronic copy of the final calendar will be sent out this weekend. Parents will receive calendars at the Parent Meeting on Monday, March 9, 2009. Students will receive copies at the ALL CALL on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.


See the calendar online at
http://www.lewiscentral.org/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/03/03/49ae8bff86e81

Wednesday, March 4

Rehearsal for ensemble members and directing team in the Drama Room from 3:00-6:00.

Thursday, March 5

Vocal rehearsal with Mr. Pivonka will all ensemble and extended ensemble members from 3:00-4:30. Acting rehearsal with Mr. McLaughlin from 4:30-6:00 pm. in the Drama Room. Directing Team members need to attend no production team members need to attend.

Friday, March 6

Production Team and Directing Team meet with Mr. McLaughlin from 3:00-6:00 in the Drama Room.

Saturday, March 7

Dark

Sunday, March 8

Dark

Monday, March 9

Pivonka with Ensemble and Extended Ensemble from 3:00-4:00. Directing Team with McLaughlin from 3:00-4:00. Ensemble and Extended Ensemble with McLaughlin from 4:00-6:00.

PARENT MEETING 6:30-7:30 PM in the Drama Room.

Tuesday, March 10

ALL CALL FULL CAST SING THROUGH from 6:30-9:30.

Wednseday, March 11

Pivonka with Ensemble and Extended Ensemble from 3:00-4:30. McLaughlin with Directing Team from 3:00-4:30. McLaughlin with Directing Team and Ensemble from 4:30-6:00.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION--Thursday, March 12
Directing Team and all ensemble members except Mundt, Rausch and Ladd from 3:00-6:00 with McLaughlin.

Rausch, Ladd, Mundt and choreographers with Mrs. Walters in the evening.

Friday, March 13

Pivonka with Ensemble and Extended Ensemble from 3:00-4:30. McLaughlin with Directing Team from 3:00-4:30. McLaughlin with Directing Team and Ensemble from 4:30-6:00.

Saturday, March 14

TECH DAY ONE. Booster Club Auction.

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Team Chosen

THE PERFORMING ENSEMBLE

Blake DeForest*
AGWE,
God of Water

Jenna Ladd*
ANDREA,
An elegant and refined your
woman betrothed to Daniel

Danny Lich*
ARMAD,
Daniel’s stern father

Annie Smith
ASAKA,
Mother of the Earth

Ben Rausch*
DANIEL
A young handsome, aristocratic
young man who falls in love with Ti Moune

Jordan Morgan*
ERZULIE
Goddess of Love

To Be Announced
LITTLE TI MOUNE

Amberley Proctor*
MAMA EURALIE
Ti Moune’s adoptive mother

Seth Means
PAPA GE
Demon of Death

Jami Mundt*
TI MOUNE
A beautiful peasant girl with a childish innocence

Matt Sharp*
TONTON JULIAN
Ti Moune’s adoptive father

Milky Agreda
Noah Anderson
Tyler Cota
Molly Cox*
Brooke Elliff*
Sarah Gates
Andrew Gulden*
James Hodge
Hannah Jacoby*
Katie Jacoby*
Kelsey Johnson
Molly Lightfoot
Alex Mares*
Madison Massey*
Nicole McGuire*
Sabrina McKeever
Becca McMillen*
Michael Miller
Shawn Moore
Maddie Overholtzer*
Megan Reif*
Cole Schnitker*
Ben Tweedt
John Tweedt*
THE VILLAGERS
Jewels of the Antilles

Tayler Mehsling*
Cole Templeton
GOD PUPPET COORDINATOR/LIAISONS

Ryan Epperson
Ali Almazen
Trever Daniels
AGWE Puppeteers
God of Water

Nathan Black*
Alex Smith
Emily Raygor
ASAKA,
Mother of the Earth

Ryan Penney*
Billy Coon*
Ashley Minnick
PAPA GE Puppeteers
Demon of Death

Tyler Robbins
Alaina Walker
Ashley Zerwas
ERZULIE Puppeteers
Goddess of Love

DIRECTING TEAM

Tom McLaughlin*
DIRECTOR

Ryan Pivonka
VOCAL DIRECTOR

Brian Johnson
VOCAL DIRECTOR

Melanie Walters
CHOREOGRAPHER

Andy Walters
CONDUCTOR

Blake Christiansen*
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Taylor Kastrup
ASSISTANT TO THE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Courtney Zucca
STUDENT DIRECTOR

Kelsey Moore*
STAGE MANAGER

Camilla Cortney*
ASSOCIATE STATE MANAGER

Elizabeth Knoble*
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Whitney Clark*
Jessica Willadsen
ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR

Eric Clark*
Rachel Shrader*
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Jeff Wallin*
ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Shannon Gascoigne*
Andrew Gulden*
Sabrina McKeever
Kaiti Madsen*
Alysha Rau*
STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHERS &
DANCE CAPTAINS

PRODUCTION TEAM

Jorge Villata
SOUND BOARD OPERATOR

Kyle Wineland*
LIGHT BOARD TEAM LEADER

Kyle Stazzoni
Ashley Zerwas
LIGHT BOARD OPERATORS/FOCUS CREW

Alaura Bingham,
Jennifer Leafty
COSTUME COORDINATORS

Shaylia Barber
Alaina Walker*
PUBLICISTS

Ali Almazen
Jessica Powers
ASSISTANT PUBLICISTS

Ashley Minnick
COSTUME COORDINATOR

Chloe Smith*
MAKEUP COORDINATOR

Becca Piercy
Michaela Sutherland
ASSISTANT MAKEUP COORDINATOR

David Mescher*
Ricky O’Doniel
Matt Wolf*
SPOTLIGHT OPERATORS

Tayler Mehsling*
Cole Templeton
GOD PUPPET COORDINATOR/LIAISONS

Ryan Epperson
Ali Almazen
Trever Daniels
AGWE Puppeteers
God of Water

Nathan Black*
Alex Smith
Emily Raygor
ASAKA,
Mother of the Earth

Ryan Penney*
Billy Coon*
Ashley Minnick
PAPA GE Puppeteers
Demon of Death

Tyler Robbins
Alaina Walker
Ashley Zerwas
ERZULIE Puppeteers
Goddess of Love

Tayler Mehsling*
PROPS COORDINATOR

Taylor Kuhn*
ASSISTANT PROPS COORDINATOR

Nate Black*
Austin Blay*
Tyler Butler
Billy Coon*
Trever Daniels
Lily Mescher
Kayla O’Doniel
Ryan Penney*
Emily Raygor
Jordan Reese
Tyler Robbins
Sara Piercy*
Brady Wells
PRODUCTION TEAM & CREW MEMBER

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Callback List

A big thank you to all of the 96 students who attended our general meetings, to everyone for their auditions and for your interest in working on the Production Team, Directing Team or one of our crews.

If you were not called back, please consider working on the production team, directing team or on one of our crews. The competition for top roles was strong--especially for the girls who auditioned. Many of you have wonderful talents for other productions. The small cast and challenging music in this show requires us to use only the top voices in our school.

Please look for your name on the list below. Although most have completed the application process, some students still need to complete some paper work prior to casting.

We will NOT be doing callbacks on Tuesday, February 10th. There will also be no dancing workshop on Monday this week. Instead, we will be having a dance and acting workshop on Tuesday, February 9, 2009 after school from 3:00-3:45 pm; another workshop on Wednesday, February 10, 2009 from 7:00-7:30 am. Dancing, acting and singing callbacks will be held Thursday, February 11, 2009 from 3:00-6:00 pm.

Students who wish to update their audition form or complete them, should get them on Monday or Tuesday this week and give them back to Mr. McLaughlin.

Thanks so much for the great auditions and all of the enthusiasm. We're excited to make the most important decisions that we will for our production in casting the actors and production team folks.

FEMALES
CALLED BACK

Milky Agreda
Alaura Bingham
Molly Cox
Brooke Elliff
Sarah Gates--please complete audition form
Hannah Jacoby
Katie Jacoby
Kelsey Johnson
Jenna Ladd
Molly Lightfoot
Madison Massey
Nicole McGuire
Sabrina Mckeever
Becca Mcmillen
Jordan Morgan
Jami Mundt
Maddie Overholtzer
Amberley Proctor
Emily Raygor
Megan Reif
Alex Smith
Annie Smith
Ashley Zerwas

MALES CALLED BACK

Noah Anderson--needs to complete audition form
Tyler Cota
Blake Deforest--needs to complete audition form
Andrew Gulden
James Hodge
Danny Lich
Alex Mares
Shawn Moore
Ben Rausch
Cole Schnitker
Matt Sharp
Ben Tweedt
Jon Tweedt

STUDENTS WHO NEED TO SING AGAIN FOR MR. PIVONKA IF INTERESTED IN BEING CALLED BACK

Jay Burmeister--needs to complete audition form
Trever Daniels--needs to complete audition form
Catie Geier
Kaiti Madsen--needs to complete audition form
Michael Miller--needs to complete audition form
Tyler Robbins


WE HAVE COMPLETED APPLICATIONS FROM THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS

Shaylia Barber
Nate Black
Austin Blay
Eric Clark
Whitney Clark
Camilla Cortney
Kandice Festner
Shannon Gascoigne
Elizabeth Knoble
Taylor Kuhn
Tayler Mehsling
Lily Mescher
Ashley Minnick
Kelsey Moore
Jessica Nightser
Eric O'Doniel
Kayla O’Doniel
Ryan Penney
Becca Piercy
Jessica Powers
Alysha Rau
Jordan Reese
Tyler Robbins
Rachel Shrader
Chloe Smith
Kyle Stazzoni
Michaela Sutherland
Jorge Villalta
Alaina Walker
Jessica Willadsen
Courtney Zucca


WE ARE MISSING AUDITION FORMS
FROM THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE
WHO ATTENDED GENERAL MEETINGS

Gabby Alvarez
Sarah Anson
Billy Coon
Pat Gillespie
Mark Hamilton
Jade Harrison
Alli James
Taylor Kastrup
Holly Nicolosi
Andrew Sachs
Cole Templeton
Bianca Zerwas

WE ARE MISSING PAGE 4
FROM THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE

Allie Almazen
Ryan Epperson
Mandy Grady
Jennifer Leafty
Brandon Mabbit
Trenton Peterson
Jeanne Phillips
Jeff Wallin
Kyle Wineland

LCHS Musical Selection Committee Meets, Discusses Choices

Members of the Lewis Central International Thespian Society's Musical Selection Committee met on Thursday, December 4, 2008 and began discussing and listening to samples from five of the finalists for this year's musical.

Please check out the five musicals discussed in the meeting. Stay tuned for more details.


GYPSY--click here to access show information

The story starts in Seattle with stage mother, Rose, pushing her two daughters into Uncle Jocko's Kiddie Show. June, her mother feels, is the most likely to become a star. Louise is plainer and quieter; she stands meekly in her sister's shadow. A new act called 'Baby June and her Newsboys' is conceived by Rose, and the family is off to the 'big time' in Los Angeles. The act steeped in star spangled banners, dancing horses (Louise plays the rear end), and screaming newsboys moves to Dallas, Akron, New York, Buffalo and Omaha. Along the way Rose meets Herbie, a theatrical agent, and hires him as manager. He makes himself father to the troupe, sharing with them their meals of chow mein, Rose's favorite food. Rose scrimps as she schemes and scrambles for bookings and billings to maintain their hand to mouth existence. She sleeps her charges six in a dingy hotel room and makes their costumes from hotel blankets. Her object is to make her two penniless girls into world stars. The girls begin to grow up and the act becomes 'Dainty June and her Newsboys.' Unfortunately its quality does not improve. Bookings are cancelled and the act moves on.

Louise wishes that Momma would marry a plain man so they could settle down. Herbie proposes but is rejected. June elopes with Tulsa, one of the boys in the act. Rose sets out to make Louise into the star. She bursts into new enthusiasm with the rousing number Everything's Coming Up Roses. Behind Rose lies a worrying sense of doom; a feeling that she never will fulfill her dream of stardom for her girls because it is really a dream of stardom for herself.

Finally the troupe reaches the bottom, a burlesque house in Wichita. Rose laments that she would rather starve than perform there. Louise realizes there is no vaudeville left except for burlesque. Here the clumsy Louise shoots into stardom by becoming something different: a ladylike stripper. Three strippers dressed respectively in a ballet costume, a trumpet and well placed electric light bulbs are used in a most exaggerated, but very funny number, You Gotta Get a Gimmick, to indicate the difference between the usual brassy stripper and the very elegant Louise. At last Louise breaks away from her mother and goes out on her own as Gypsy Rose Lee.

Rose bursts into the plaintive Rose's Turn in which she sings of her suppressed talents that she has sacrificed to further the careers of her unappreciative daughters.



ONCE ON THIS ISLAND--click here to access show information

Listen to samples of the music from ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

This highly original and theatrical Caribbean adaptation of the popular fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” sings and dances the story of Ti Moune, the black peasant girl who rescues, nurses and falls in love with Daniel, a mulatto from a wealthy family. When Daniel is returned to his people, the gods who rule the island guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred and death.

“Once On This Island” is a director/choreographer’s dream, an intimate show presented in a dance/movement-driven style reminiscent of story theatre, with a small band and minimal – though colorful – sets and costumes that capture the imagination of the audience. Its catchy, contemporary, and Caribbean-flavored score by the Tony® Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (“Ragtime” and the animated film “Anastasia”) includes tender ballads and rousing celebratory numbers for an ensemble cast of strong singers.

Optional text substitutions from the authors allow “Once On This Island” to be performed in the amateur market by actors of any race, making the minimal production requirements of this moving, uplifting show even more flexible.

To order vocal selections and other musical collections by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, visit their website at www.ahrensandflaherty.com!

To find out how to order CDs in bulk quantity for resale purposes, contact the Marketing Department at MTI via email at marketing@MTIShows.com

Opened 10/18/1990 Ran for 469 performances.

A rattling good time! A carnival of swirling rhythm. Delightful." - New York Post

"Explodes with music and motion! The best musical of the season!"- Associated Press

"Rousing, musical theatre! Everyone is likely to emerge from the theatre ready to dance down the street" - The New York Times"

http://www.onceonthisisland.net




PIPPIN--click here to access show information

Listen to samples of the music from PIPPIN.

Once upon a time, the young prince Pippin longed to discover the secret of true happiness and fulfillment. He sought it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father King Charlemagne the Great). In the end, he found it in the simple pleasures of home and family.

This hip, tongue-in-cheek, anachronistic fairy tale captivated Broadway audiences and continues to appeal to the young at heart everywhere (the show has become a staple on high school and college campuses). The energetic pop-influenced score by three-time Oscar®-winning composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz (“Godspell,” “Children of Eden” and the animated films “Pocahontas,” “The Hunchback Of Notre Dame” and “The Prince Of Egypt”) bursts with one showstopping number after another, from soaring ballads to infectious dance numbers.

Featuring a strong ensemble cast and a show-stealing song-and-dance narrator, “Pippin” is equally effective as an intimate, black-box production (as envisioned by the authors) or as original director/choreographer Bob Fosse’s splashy, dance-driven spectacle, which included some of the most brilliant staging in Broadway history.

Opened 10/23/1972 Ran for 1944 performances.

Beguiling, highly original and...just plain wonderful!" - Boston Globe

"Extraordinary music theatre!" - Daily News

"Splendiferous theatricality, the kick of a lighting bolt and a passionate knack for being entertaining." -Time Magazine



The Wiz--click here to access show information

The New Musical Version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Book by William F. Brown. Music and Lyrics by Charlie Smalls.

11 principals, various small parts, singers and dancers.

Var. sets.

Dorothy's adventures in the Land of Oz have been set to music in a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel and soul music. Everybody knows the story, but now it's a new fantasy for today-- mysterious, opulent and fanciful.

"Radiates so much energy you can hardly sit in your seat . . . great fun."-- N.Y. Post.

"A continuous festival of movement ... splendid character songs."-- WWD. "A carnival of fun ... wickedly amusing show."-- Time.

"A virtual musical circus ... driving rhythms, soaring songs ... boisterous, exuberant."-- WABC TV



THE WIZARD OF OZ--click here to access show information

Little Dorothy Gale of Kansas, like so many girls her age, dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away over the rainbow to another world. Come join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they travel the universe of Dorothy's imagination.

There are two versions of THE WIZARD OF OZ. Both include the songs Over The Rainbow, Munchkinland (Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead), If I Only Had A Brain, If I Only Had A Heart, If I Only Had The Nerve , We're Off To See The Wizard (Follow The Yellow Brick Road), The Jitterbug, and The Merry Old Land of Oz. The MUNY version has Evening Star. The RSC version also includes Poppies (Optimistic Voices) and If I Were King Of The Forest.
The MUNY version is the more theatrically conservative and employs its stage, actors, singers, dancers and musicians in traditional ways to tell Mr. Baum's story. The story and the music are treated by the adapters as elements of a classic stage musical without reference to their use in the film.

The RSC version is a more technically complex production and uses as much of the aura of the film as is possible to create in a modern theatre. It is an adaption for live stage performance, even while it strives to look and sound just like the famous film, in telling the story. There is more work for the SATB chorus and small vocal ensembles in the music material for the RSC version.

Put a smile on everyone's face with THE WIZARD OF OZ!

BRIEF HISTORY

A version of WIZARD OF OZ based on the motion picture was presented with book adaptations by Frank Gabrielson by the Municipal Theatre of St. Louis in 1945. A second version with book adaptations by John Kane follows the famous motion picture even more closely and was presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican Centre in London in 1988.

SYNOPSIS

Dorothy Gale, a young girl who lives on a farm in Kansas with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, gets in the way while the adults try to work. She finds a quiet place where she won't get into any trouble -Over The Rainbow. The girl is upset because their mean neighbor, Miss Gulch, presents her with a Sheriff's summons for her cherished dog, Toto. Toto escapes from Miss Gultch's bicycle basket and joins Dorothy as she runs away from the farm. They meet up with kind Professor Marvel, who convinces her to go back home. A cyclone hits the area, and Dorothy and Toto are locked out of the family's storm cellar. They go into her room in the house, where Dorothy is accidently hit on the head. This begins their journey to the Land of Oz.
When she wakes up in Oz, Dorothy is greeted by Glinda, the Witch of the North (who has an uncanny resemblance to Aunt Em.) Upon landing, Dorothy's house inadvertently lands on and fatally strikes the Wicked Witch of the East. This frees the Munchkins from the Wicked Witch of the East's power, so they now consider Dorothy their heroine -Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead & Munchkin Musical Sequence. The Wicked Witch of the West (Miss Gulch) comes to avenge her sister's death and to claim her sister's magic ruby slippers, only to find that Glinda has already put them on Dorothy's feet. The Wicked Witch of the West has a new challenge - to get those slippers for herself. Dorothy wants to go back home to Kansas, but the Munchkins tell her the only one who may help her get back home is the Wizard of Oz. So Dorothy is off to see the Wizard -Yellow Brick Road.

Along the way she meets three new friends and travel companions. The Scarecrow (Hunk, the first of Uncle Henry's farmhands) explains why he needs to see the Wizard in If I Only Had A Brain. The Tinman (Hickory) joins them because his life would be better If I Only Had A Heart and the Lion (Zeke) comes along -If I Only Had The Nerve. All four sing We're Off To See The Wizard.

The Wicked Witch of the West makes her second unsuccessful attempt to get Dorothy's ruby slippers when Dorothy is with the Scarecrow and the Tinman. But she fails to scare them. Her next plan includes the Lion, and involves a beautiful field of poppies with a poisonous scent. Glinda rescues the travelers by turning the poppies into snowflakes -Poppies.

Our travelers arrive at the Emerald City to be discouraged from entering by the Gatekeeper (Uncle Henry). He finally lets them in -Merry Old Land Of Oz. Before they are allowed to meet the Wizard, the travelers must be cleaned up by the Osians. Even after they prepare for the meeting, the Wizard refuses to meet them. The Wicked Witch appears again. The lion fantasizes in King Of The Forest. The guard finally brings them to the Wizard, but the four friends must prove themselves worthy of the Wizard's help by bringing him the Wicked Witch of the West's broomstick. The only way to get her broomstick would be to kill her. So off the foursome goes, to the land of the Winkies (the Wicked Witch's slaves) and the Wicked Witch's castle.

The group is in the haunted forest filled with jitterbugs that spook them. The jitterbugs make them dance until they all collapse from exhaustion - Jitterbug and then the Wicked Witch's flying monkeys swoop down and capture Dorothy and Toto. At the castle the Wicked Witch again fails to take the ruby slippers off Dorothy's feet, so threatens Dorothy with her life. Toto manages to escape. The Lion, Scarecrow and Tinman recover from the poppies' scent, and make it to the castle to rescue Dorothy. Toto meets them at the entrance, and they sneak in, wearing Winkie uniforms, as part of the Winkie army. The foursome and Toto are reunited, but the Wicked Witch prevents their escape. The Wicked Witch becomes even meaner and threatens the Scarecrow with fire on her broomstick. Dorothy throws a bucket of water at the fire and ends up dousing the Wicked Witch. The Wicked Witch screams, smoulders and shrinks. She melts into nothing. -Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead (reprise). The foursome take the broom back to the Wizard.

The Wizard is again reluctant to see the travelers, but Toto playfully pulls aside the curtain that separates the Wizard from them. An ordinary man (Professor Marvel) speaking into a microphone is revealed. As the Wizard he performs graduation exercises, giving the Scarecrow a Dr. of Thinkology, making the Lion a member of the Legion of Courage and giving the Tinman a heart-shaped watch. He offers to take Dorothy back to Kansas in his hot-air balloon. The balloon accidently takes off without Dorothy and Toto, but Glinda saves the day. She explains to Dorothy that all this time, Dorothy has had the power herself to go home. All she has to do is close her eyes, tap her heels together three times and repeat to herself "there's no place like home."
Back in Kansas the storm is over. Dorothy wakes up confused, with a bump on her head. She and Toto were not the only ones who had an adventure during the storm. Miss Gulch was hit by a telegraph pole and broke her leg. At least Miss Gulch won't be bothering Toto for a while. Dorothy appreciates her family and friends even more than ever.

Students narrowed the first list of five to three titles: The Wiz, Pippin and Once on this Island. Please see one of the members of the musical selection committee: Cami Cortney, Molly Cox, Blake DeForest, Hannah Jacoby, Katie Jacoby, Taylor Kuhn, Jenna Ladd, Kelsey Moore, Maddie Overholtzer, Ben Rausch, Matt Sharp

LCHS Drama & LCHS I.T.S. Winter Performing Arts Series

In our November 20, 2008 MARAT/SADE Post-Mortem, I.T.S. and Department leaders chose two productions for our Term II LCHS Performing Arts Series as possibilities for us to attend in order to sample and experience good theatre in the Omaha/Council Bluffs Metropolitan area. Students chose A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Omaha Community Playhouse) and AVENUE Q (Omaha Broadway Series) as possibilities for our program.
Students may attend one, both (or more than two) of the experiences. Scholarship opportunities are available for students who are leaders in the program and demonstrate financial need. Please see Mr. McLaughlin if interested in a scholarship.

We will choose dates next week. Students interested in attending one or both of the events will begin payments prior to the event.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
An Omaha Classic
A Christmas Carol – Omaha, Omaha Community Playhouse
Nov 21- Dec 23
Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 6:30 PM
$24 students, $39 adults
*attendance to this performance requires a parent permission slip for content and travel
**paying adult/parent chaperones requested

AVENEUE Q

Avenue Q – (Broadway) Iowa City, Hancher Auditorium
February 24-March 1Avenue Q – (Broadway) Omaha, Orpheum Theater Mar 25 – 29
*attendance to this performance requires a parent permission slip for content and travel
**paying adult/parent chaperones requested
$25 - $50 (depends)
AVENUE Q Official Website
AVENUE Q Broadway on Tour Photos
AVENUE Q Reviews

Stomp – (Broadway Series) Orpheum Theater
Dec 12-14
$25 - $50 (depends on date and time)

Cats – (Broadway) Orpheum Theater
Jan 30 – Feb 1
$25 - $49 (depends)

Grease – (Broadway) Orpheum Theater
Feb 18 – 22
$28 - $63 (depends)

Bat Boy – Omaha Community Playhouse
Feb 20 – Mar 29
$24 students, $39 adults

Wicked – (Broadway) Orpheum Theater
May 6 – 31
$30 - $80 (depends)

Gypsy – Omaha Community Playhouse
May 29 – June 28
$24 students, $39 adults

ITS Meeting Minutes 8-26-2008

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 2:53PM in the Lewis Central High School Drama Room.

ROLL CALL

Members In Attendance: Nate Black, Tyler Butler, Whitney Clark, Billy Coon, Camilla Courtney, Molly Cox, Blake DeForest, Brooke Elliff, Shannon Gascoigne, Andrew Gulden, Mark Hamilton, Olivia Handy, Taylor Hughes, Hannah Jacoby, Katie Jacoby, Jarren Jenkins, Liz Knoble, Jenna Ladd, Nicole McGuire, Becca McMillen, Tayler Mehsling, David Mescher, Kelsey Moore, Jordan Morgan, Jami Mundt, Jessica Nightser, Maddie Overholtzer, Ryan Penney, Lauren Petri, Sarah Piercy, Alysha Rau, Ben Rausch, Megan Reif, Cole Schnitker, Rachel Shrader, Chloe Smith, Alaina Walker, Kyle Wineland, Matt Wolf, Courtney Zucca

Excused Absence: Austin Blay, Pat Gillespie, Alexix Grgrich, Danny Lich, Matt Sharp

Unexcused Absence: Eric Clark, Jared Juel, Alex Mares, Sarah Marshall, Jerrod Scheffel, Mikael Scheffel

PROJECTS

We are going to focus on fewer projects this year and actually get them done excellently.

Nebraska Theatre Caravan: McG informed us that LC will host the Nebraska Theatre Caravan, a professional Actor's Equity repertory company on September 30, 2008. They will be bringing a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream to be performed outside in the space that was initially set aside for the LCHS auditorium.

20 lucky ITS members will be chosen to attend workshops at IWCC that will be lead by the company.

ITS is thankful to Mr. Hale for helping make this a reality for us a Lewis Central. This package would normally cost several thousand dollars and our student body will be receiving it free of charge. We are extremely excited about this opportunity.

Display Case: It was decided that we are actually going to use the drama display case this year. Many cool ideas are being put together. For example curtains, mega pictures, ‘LC DRAMA’ in wood letters, plastic columns, masks, and tv screens.

We need to put together a great team that can get this project on the road. We want to show the rest of the school how amazing the drama department really is. If you would like to help with the display case, keep your ears open as a meeting will be scheduled soon.

SPRING MUSICAL

An idea came about that we start sparingly in January so that it will be less chaotic. The production team would get a plan in order, the calendar written, and the Bible set up. With the choir directors the music will be learned, the auditions will happen, and the cast will be determined.

*WINTER ACTIVITIES* We need to make sure that students invovled in Winter Activities don’t feel like we are trying to keep them out. We want them and they need to know that. Members responded favorably to this idea.

Having a choreographer come in is trying to be arranged. So that the dancers are having fun and looking great! This would also allow McG to leave so he can help the production team.

We want the approval letter sent for the spring musical a lot sooner this year so that we can get started! We need another team of ITS members to start sampling musicals. Anyone can do this and we encourage you to find some musicals so that we have a wide selection. If you have any ideas already, let your ITS Senior-President Ben Rausch, your ITS Junior-President Courtney Zucca, or McG know.

So go online…..with some friends…..or by yourself…..find ideas…..but don’t get attached. Ready? Go!

PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT CALENDAR

Something that is going to change for this year is that the students are not going to be the messengers for teachers, directors, or coaches. If they have something to say to McG, or McG has something to say to them, make sure that you don’t do it for them.

The directors will be meeting on every Wednesday early out to review the master Performing Arts Calendar and "hammer out"

FALL PLAY SELECTION

Many people agreed that since we have done a comedy for the past five years, that we should try something new and show the community that the LCHS drama department can take on something new. Others expressed how they still want a comedy because we have many funny people in our department and that we should show off their talents.

Other genres were thought up. Melodrama, Horror/Thriller/Mystery, Drama. Also the idea of having a dinner theater came up.
Thoughts on having a Melodrama: It would be something that has a hero and villain. The actors would get to interact with the audience. It would be very easy for us to do. The technical requirements are very low, but the costumes are very elaborate. Students show interest.

Thoughts on having a Horror/Thriller: The technical requirements for this genre would be quite high. But of course our drama students could handle it. We want to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Since it will be around the holiday of Halloween, members thought that we could attract more audience members. And with the arrival of our new light board (Yes, you may scream at this exciting news), we could get some really cool scenes in. This would allow a lot of opportunities. But other students think that the audience won’t want to be scared the whole time and that we would lose audience members. Either way, we still had interest shown.

Thoughts on Dinner Theatre: This would not be in the auditorium. The audience would eat while watching us perform. Some thought this could be a great learning experience. Since everyone likes to eat, it might be fun. It was asked if we could do a thriller and the dinner theatre. But we would want all the special effects that the auditorium could give us. Audience Participation, Melodrama, and a Romantic Comedy could work for dinner theatre. A disclaimer arose though. Since we would be serving food, the cost would go up. We want as many people to come as possible and this may cause a problem.

After a vote, dinner theatre was ruled out.

Genre Decision: Everyone had one vote to select the genre for this year’s fall play.
The count came to Melodrama: 14. Thriller/Horror/Mystery:18.

Some other important decisions had to be made. Cast size and set size.

Thoughts a small cast: It would turn out really well, for they would have a lot of time to work with McG. But it wouldn’t give anyone experience who isn’t part of the cast.

Thoughts on a large cast: It would give a lot of people experience. But it might not have as great as quality as a small cast. It also might confuse the audience members with so many characters.

The decision: A small-medium cast size. This means from about 8-14. Based on that decision, we decided to have a large set.

Auditions are going to be held in two weeks!

If you don’t like the results, get over it. You can’t change it. So turn your harsh energy into helpful energy. Think of ways that your talents can be used to help make this an amazing year!

Lead by example!

Groups will be sent to the 9th grade Leadership Classes to try and recruit freshman. We will talk about auditions, what the drama kids are like, and what the whole experience is about.

An executive board will be created. It will contain all current officers and two representatives from each class.

Keep your ears open! Meeting times and important notes will be announced. It is your job after that to remember them and let others know.

The meeting ended at 4:00PM.

Submitted respectfully,




Camilla Cortney,
ITS Secretary

ITS Summer Leadership Academy Part I of III: Tuesday, June 17, 2008

SAVE THE DATE

June 17, 2008 * ITS Dinner Meeting

6:00 PM * Location To Be Announced

Newly elected ITS President Ben Rausch and Mr. McLaughiln have started plans for a blockbuster 2008-2009 season for the Lewis Central Drama Department. We do need to take care of some business before the school year starts.

In the past we have had a two or three day ITS Summer Leadership Academy in August. However, since we are publishing a joint Performing Arts Calendar this year and since our vocal and band camps are beginning in late July and running up until the Friday before school starts, we will be splitting our meeting up during the summer. WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO SOME TEAM-BUILDING, SOCIALIZING & FUN THINGS BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS.

So, please save Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 6:00 PM for a dinner meeting. We are looking into the possibility of Buffalo Wild Wings, Quaker Steak Oil and Lube. However, we do have some business to conduct and we are concerned about having an environment where we can (1) install our officers; (2) begin the play and musical selection process; (3) discuss some possible changes in the calendar; and (4) have some fun, fun, fun... We are thinking about using the meeting room at Village Inn or the meeting room at Tish's. What are your thoughts? Let us know... None of us is as strong as ALL OF US.

If you have any suggestions, ideas, or need to chat Mr. McLaughlin (712.326.8557), Ben Rausch (618.979.7925) or Courtney Zucca (402.980.8029). We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 6:00 PM. Email Mr. McLaughlin to let us know whether you can make it or not so we can make reservations. We will need a pretty accurate number. Hope summer is treating you well!

ITS Induction Script

Lewis Central High School
International Thespian Society Induction
Spring of 2009

Mr. McLaughlin: We will begin tonight with our induction ceremony. If you could please take your seats and turn off your phones or silence them as we are about to begin. Please refrain from taking photographs during the ceremony. There will be an opportunity to take photographs at the conclusion of the ceremony.

(Blake waits 15 seconds and begins drum beat. Lights fade once drum beats begin. Five beats into the ceremony, Danny knocks on the door three times, pauses 10 second and knocks three times again.)

Who are these strangers that knock on the doors of our theatre and seek admittance into this, our Society.

Danny Lich: They are worth initiates who have proved their commitment to our school, the drama program and their peers.

Mr. McLaughlin: Then bid them enter and take their spots on the stage to await further instructions.

(Wait for students to take their spots on the stage. )

Ben: “Friends, it is a pleasure to welcome you here to share in the induction of 18 members into Lewis Central High School’s Troupe No. 5150 of the International Thespian Society.

Through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication, the candidates have earned the right to be called Thespians. It is a title of honor, signifying a commitment to an art as old as humanity.

Courtney: “Commitment to theatre is what the International Thespian Society is all about. The Society was established in 1929 by a group of college and high schools teachers in Fairmont, West Virginia. They named their organization for Thespis. During the Sixth century before Christ, one of the writers of tragedy who won the approval of the priests at the Festival of Dionysus was Thespis.

Jenna: About 535 BC a new dimension was added to drama when Thespis, a prominent leader of the chorus, stepped from that group and recited portions of the drama alone, thereby becoming the first professional actor.

Brooke: We also believe that it was he who first used masks so that a person could portray more than one part. In honor of this early Greek playwright, all actors are called thespians.

Cami: In his honor we are the International Thespian Society. We have as our emblem the two masks of comedy and tragedy etched in colors of gold and blue bound together with the Thespian ’T.’

Nicole: Wearers of this emblem should remember that it represents a proud and dignified heritage, and that this heritage is now entrusted to us—to you.

Blake: In the 77 years since, the Society has grown into an international organization with more than two million members, but its goals haven’t changed; the Thespian Society still strives to make arts education and drama programs places for good theatre and to honor those students whose work in the theatre is excellent.

Jenna: The Society is the highest honor a secondary student can earn in drama. It is an organization dedicated to service and integrity. As a member of ITS, you join a group that includes not only accomplished actors but people who have distinguished themselves in business, science, law, medicine, and every other field of endeavor.

Katie: “We join here for a rite of renewal and celebration.” We now ask all new members of the Thespian Troupe #5150 to please step forward as we read your name.

Brooke Elliff: The new Inductees are:
(students step forward into the spotlight, there is a pause in the reading after each inductee, inductee crosses to light his/her candle)
Shaylia Barber
Alaura Bingham
Ryan Epperson
Megan Fender
Taylor:
(students step forward into the spotlight, there is a pause in the reading after each inductee, inductee crosses to light his/her candle)
James Hodge
Sarah Gates
Doug Johnstone
Jennifer Leafty

Megan:
(students step forward into the spotlight, there is a pause in the reading after each inductee, inductee crosses to light his/her candle)

Kaiti Madsen
Erick Martin
Sabrina McKeever
Michael Miller
Liz:
(students step forward into the spotlight, there is a pause in the reading after each inductee, inductee crosses to light his/her candle)
Shawn Moore
Ricky O'Doniel
Rebekah Piercy
Derek Sevener

Rachel:
(students step forward into the spotlight, there is a pause in the reading after each inductee, inductee crosses to light his/her candle)
Ben Tweedt
Jorge Villalta
Jessica Willadsen
Jeff Wallin

ALL: Congratulations on earning the right of calling yourself a Thespian.

Courtney: Will all current members and members in our audience please stand, and join the new members in saying our Thespian Pledge. Raise your right hand and repeat after the Honorable Troupe Director.

MCLAUGHLIN: “I promise to uphold the aims and ideals of the International Thespian Society. / I am a friend to the performing arts, / to morality, / to integrity, / to character, / to loyalty and to my fellow Thespians, / and to the Lewis Central Theatre Department. /
I am and always will remain a student of drama. / Excellence – not perfection – is my ideal. / I promise to perform my part as well as I can; / to accept praise and criticism with grace; / to cooperate with my fellow Thespians/ and work for the good for the troupe; / and the share my love of theatre. / It is my goal that after having labored in the theatre, / it will stand a taller and stronger institution.”

Guest members and alums may now be seated.

Hannah: “Congratulations and welcome to the Society, and remember our motto, which comes from Alexander Pope’s ‘Essay on Man’:’Act well your part; there all the honor lies.”

Becca: Your hard work, dedication, enthusiasm, and love of the theatre has rewarded you with on of the greatest honors that you could receive in high school.

Nicole: We, too, are honored to have you join our Troupe. The tradition of the International Thespian Society at Lewis Central High School has seen many talented people come and go and we are certainly glad that all of you have joined us.

Molly: It has been amazing to see your talent blossom in this program. The past years have been wonderful for drama and we are glad that you are, and will be, a part of it. We will not forget what each individual will bring to the program.

Mark: Miracles have taken place where you have stood. Just look around you, everyone that is here tonight has given something great to the theatre and to you.

Blake: No one could fill the shoes that you wear… we gave you the baton and you ran madly with it.

Whitney: For that, the world and we recognize you into the International Thespian Society at Lewis Central High School. Congratulations!!

McLaughlin: Please join us in welcoming the newest member of our three million member Society by standing and applauding their excellence.

Parents and guests who would like to take photographs can join us in taking photographs now.

Please join us in the front two rows of the auditorium for our awards show tonight.