I hope all of you take a look here -- I didn't want to keep you on Friday, so here are the notes for the first full run of the show.
EVERYONE: Check the call times and show times on the bulletin board outside the theatre. You must attend all the shows next week.
Let Hannah know what kind of pizza you want for Monday after the rehearsal. We will likely be at school until 5 or so, because we will do notes after the run through.
Be quiet backstage, in the wings, in the stairwells, in the booth.
Leave the doors to the theatre open. YOU CANNOT COME AND GO DURING THE SHOW. YOU NEED TO BE VERY QUIET AND SNEAKY WHEN YOU COME IN TO THE THEATRE.
When you are backstage, stay FAR back. If you can see the audience, they can see you.
ACTORS:
SOME OF YOU ARE DOING THIS LEG KICK THING WHEN YOU ARE STANDING. DON'T DO THAT. PLANT YOUR FEET. (ASK ME TO DEMONSTRATE IF YOU AREN'T SURE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.)
LEARN YOUR LINES!
PROJECT YOUR VOICES! USE CRISP DICTION -- IN A MASK, IT IS HARDER TO UNDERSTAND YOU SO YOU MUST FOCUS ON COMMUNICATION WITH THE AUDIENCE!
EXPECT PEOPLE TO LAUGH WHEN NO ONE HAS LAUGHED BEFORE! AUDIENCES ARE STRANGE AND THEY MIGHT FIND THINGS FUNNY THAT YOU DON'T. IF THEY LAUGH, IT'S A COMEDY. (That's an old saying.)
YOU MUST BE READY FOR YOUR CUES. DON'T ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE DISTRACTED. DON'T GO OUT INTO THE HALLWAY AND FORGET THAT YOU HAVE A SCENE. (You know who you are.) YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE REST OF THE CAST AND CREW.
CREW:
Wear black for all the shows. If you don't have black clothes, you can find lots in the prop room.
Someone needs to be on the headset on both wings at all times. You need to communicate with the booth.
Don't run when you're changing the set. Just walk swiftly and purposefully.
Make sure the actors return their props to the prop tables. Don't let them leave the theatre until they do that.
Add any changes to the prop list backstage.
Turn off the trouble lights at the end of the show. (They get hot!)
SCENE BY SCENE NOTES:
Scene 1: I have changed my mind about having the lockers on stage in scene 1! (Director's prerogative!) Let's cover them completely with the leg and change the set for scene 1b. We will use Madeline's suggestion (Vampire Weekend) for the music. Madeline, can you add that to the playlist? Chastain, Tan, Graves, Paramedics -- put your hair in buns. Wear dark shoes, dark pants and white shirts.
When you get the water, Adelaide, can you just pull your mask down briefly to drink? That is the only time anyone should actually drink anything. Narin, we need to wash the glass every day before the show in soapy water.
Voices -- be confident about calling out. Be prepared that some audience members might join in. If they do, react a bit, Adelaide.
Mom and Alex -- great with the muffling of Mom in the stair well.
Chastain -- you must focus on projecting your voice. It is essential that we hear you!
Scene 2: Don't turn your phone on until the lights start to go up.
Do you have a more threatening t-shirt, Jason? Make the "your crazy parents are screwed" threatening.
Think of what cues you. Listen to the other actor.
Scene 3: Make sure you have money, jewelry, guns!
React to Alex's weirdness. DO NOT DROP YOUR VOICES!
Scene 4: Tuck in your blouse neatly, Mom.
Mom and Dad, react when she says "remember" that you promised her a cat. Did you promise her a cat? Is she telling the truth?
Scene 5: Counter should be in front of steps. We need mugs for everyone (3).
When you come back in, Mom, have your hair up and carry a briefcase.
Mom, don't forget the line -- I'm not telling you, I'm telling Addy.
Scene 6: Lift up your face, Mr. Clarendon. We want to see you. Sit straight in the chair. (I could see your left leg under the desk, stretched out!)
He needs a box of tissues on his desk.
Adelaide needs a bag of weed and "blunts" to share with Jessica.
Scene 7:
Lou-Lou -- make the "Adeline" word VERY LOUD AND PURPOSEFUL.
We need cups for Lou-Lou and Mom.
Gang don't move or watch Lou-Lou scene.
Gang- do you have edgier t-shirts?
Great scene -- well executed.
Scene 8:
Chastain -- never drop eye contact with her. Make her look down.
PROJECT!
Make the silences full of tension.
Scene 9:
Zip up the jacket, Officer Tan.
We should not see you standing in the landing. You need to be further down in the stairwell before you make your entrance.
Scene 10: Don't come out until it's dark.
Jason, don't tap your feet as you speak.
Scene 11: Carissa, will you be able to actually make some muffins? (If not, I will buy some.)
Hilary -- I really like the two faced quality of your voice. You're nice to Adelaide, but not to your own kid.
Scene 12: Don't come from the stage to the audience. Go around to the front doors.
Voices: You cannot be shy. You need to yell out aggressively.
Adelaide: Say "at this very moment?" looking out at the audience.
Adelaide: Great on "It's what I want you to believe"
Scene 13:
Clapper! Where were you?
Carissa: She said Jason was afraid of the electric chair. (Check your script.)
Good with Bible.
Voices: Boo Hoo needs to be stronger, louder, nastier.
Jason, where were you in this scene? You have a responsibility to fulfill to the show and you have "dropped the ball" here.
Scene 13:
Remember! Many of you have lines in this scene that you are not doing. I will not be able to yell out your line during the show and this is the last scene, so it is vital that you remember and yell out loudly, or the play will end weakly which is a disaster. Again, Jason, you were not there -- very disappointing.
Nice final speech, Adelaide. Be prepared that some audience members might yell out when you ask if they believe you. Be prepared to react.
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Next week will be very busy for all of us. I will send an email to your teachers telling them that you will be missing B Block on Wednesday and D Block on Thursday. Wednesday is Connections Conference Day and the timing is different than we expected. The show will start at 1:45 -- you should be in the theatre at 12:45. For each show, when you arrive, let Hannah or Narin know.
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