TECH CREW ANNOUNCED!

Thank you everyone who interviewed! We had over 35 applicants! It was very hard to choose and unfortunately, not every received their top pick crew position. That being said, every role is important, and we are excited to welcome you to the show.

If you have to drop tech crew for whatever reason, please email lydia.fecker@gmail.com and marjoriems5@gmail.com by Thursday April 7th at 3:30 pm.

***NOTE:  The April 2 work party is CANCELLED***

Welcome aboard!

-Lydia and Marjorie

TECH CREW AS FOLLOWS:

Sound board op:

Jared Knofczynski

Sound board mentors/helpers:

Lee Longley

Zanna Kortenhof

Props lead:

Emma Nash

Props:

Hillary Meskimen

Rachel Wood

Costume lead:

Adie Fecker

Costumes:

Eleanor McDermott

Bella Ferran

Publicity Lead:

Clements Park*

Publicity:

Austin Martini

Ethan Childs

Miles Madsen-Borden*

Charlotte Odusanya

Camille Barron

Lucy Cockrell

Andrew Sheiman

Sage Lingenfelter

Deck Manager:

Marjorie Sheiman

Run (also build):

Bilal Nasir*

Bowen Hampton

Sam Martin*

Fran Smyth

Cuer/hall monitor (backup run):

Clements Park*

Light Board op:

Lydia Fecker

Light Hang:

Lee Longley

Fran Smyth

Riley Alfaro

Zanna Kortenhof

Miles Madsen-Borden*

Shayla Rao

Alex Tees

Sam Martin*

House Managers:

Anna Smiley

Elle Budd

Build:

Alex Tees

Shayla Rao

Greer Armstrong

Riley Alfaro

Nelson Cooper

Ivy Decker

Vanessa Getchell

Michael Walsh

Terry Baron*

Elle Budd

Silver Graff

Rory Hays

Chani Daly Welle

Austin Martini

Anna Smiley

* = must turn in tech contract to be allowed to tech. Please bring it to school by Monday April 4th and turn it into Mr. Peerenboom’s box in the office.

Schedule Update for Friday 4/1

UPDATED

Friday 4/1

4:00p - 6:00p

Called:  Warning Sign* (no Barrett, no Ava)

Agenda:  Read through rewrites++

*India, this rehearsal is optional for you, given the verbal changes don't require you to read.  But you are more than welcome to come and offer feedback and participate.

++The changes are extensive and will require another reprint of the entire script.  So get ready to highlight!  Again!  :)

VE Rehearsals 1-2

Please note the times carefully as they change slightly from day to day.  You have NO EXCUSE for not knowing when things begin and end.  I will always honor release times, so you and your families can count on the "end time" being the actual "end time".  Note that April 6 was added to replace the now canceled March 30.  Various conflicts and other allowances made this necessary.

Vernal Eclipse

Rehearsal Schedule

Weeks 1-2

Week 1

M 3/28

3:45p - 5:45p

Called:  Bearing the Blaze

Agenda:  Read Through / Staging

T 3/29

3:30p - 5:45p

Called:  Warning Sign

Agenda:  Read Through / Staging

W 3/30

OFF

TH 3/31

3:30p - 5:45p

Called:  Engine

Agenda:  Read Through / Staging

F 4/1

3:30p - 6:45p

Called:  Warning Sign (no Ava)

Agenda:  Staging

Week 2

M 4/4

3:30p - 5:45p

Called:  Bearing the Blaze

Agenda:  Staging

T 4/5

3:30p - 5:45p

Called:  Engine

Agenda:  Staging

W 4/6

3:30p - 6:00p

Called:  Warning Sign

Agenda:  Staging

TH 4/7

3:30p - 4:30p

Called:  Bearing the Blaze

Agenda:  Staging

4:30p - 5:45p

Called:  Engine

Agenda:  Staging

F 4/8*

10:00a - 6:00p

Called:  Vernal Eclipse (all)

Agenda:  Staging / Memorization

*Potluck - bring a dish!

Casting Shift

There has been a casting shift in Warning Sign.  

Ryan Joiner will now be playing the role of Lilly.

Ava Sweet will be joining the ensemble as Tayce.

Excited to see your work in these roles!

IMPORTANT: Parent Meeting - New Works!

ATTENTION!!!

Meeting for Parents of New Works Festival Cast and Crew

Saturday April 2

9:00a in the Auditorium

Coffee/donuts included

Meet Matthew B. Zrebski.  Find out important details about the show and how you can help.  Take a student-guided tour of backstage and other drama specific spaces.

Please email your REGRETS ONLY to Kathy Weidenbaum at willowcomm@aol.com so we can get an accurate count for coffee and donuts.

STUDENTS:  Many of you check this blog first, so please share this information with your parents!  The more people we have involved in this exciting production, the more successful we will be!

Vernal Eclipse: Tech Positions!!!

Vernal Eclipse
Technician Interviews

DATES:
Monday 3/28
Tuesday 3/29
Wednesday 3/30

TIME:
During Lunch

WHERE:
Auditorium

WHAT:
No experience necessary!
100 - 200 incentive points!
Responsible, driven, and excited students wanted!

Vernal Eclipse: Casting Announcement

Bearing the Blaze

by Caroline Fenty

JEN - Katie Reahl

LIZ - Olivia Baker

CLAIRE - Emma Weightman

MAGGIE - Isabella Messer

KENZIE - Harper Wilamoski

                                            

Engine

by Alex Denman-Still

TILLMAN - Ben Adams

CARLETON - Kris Nine

TIERNEY - Teis Jayaswal

DANNY - Tucker Litch

PETER - Tristan Muresan

                                            

Warning Sign

by Alexandre Crepeaux

SASHA - Chynna Shurts

TAYCE - Ryan Joiner                                                     

LILLY - Caroline Fenty

EVERETT - Alex Denman-Still

ERICA - Olivia Fouser

DOLORES - India Houides

ZANE - Barrett Kent

TRISTAN - Ben Pagano

I want to congratulate everyone who auditioned for this show. It was, by far, one of the most competitive casting calls we’ve had in the 12 years of the festival. 

For those who did not get a role… I sincerely hope you will be involved in other ways.  We have exciting crew positions, marketing posts, and other ways to engage in the department during this exciting process.  And selfishly, I’d simply love the chance to work with as many of you as possible.  

And last - please do not give up on auditioning in the future.  I always fear that rejection leads to young actors losing faith.  Please be kind to yourselves.  Not everyone can get cast…it’s the cruel part of this process - but it’s not a statement about your talent.  So keep going after it. 

FIRST REHEARSAL

Thursday 3/17

3:30p - 6:00p

MANDATORY

(failure to attend will result in losing your role)

Thanks for a wonderful week of auditions.  We are going to have a stellar production!!!

-Matthew B. Zrebski

Director / Dramaturg

Vernal Eclipse: Final Callbacks Notice

Thanks for the terrific first day of callbacks - and you're all returning tomorrow!

Wednesday 3/16 2:00p - 6:00p

Katie Reahl

Emma Weightman

Ava Sweet

Harper Wilamoski

Sage Lingenfelter

Ryan Joiner

Olivia Fouser

Adie Fecker

India Houides

Chynna Shurts

Isabella Messer

Fiona Lett-Alagoz

Olivia Baker
Caroline Fenty

Sammy Martin

Kris Nine

Ben Pagano

Jared Knofczynski

Teis Jayaswal

Bilal Nasir

Alexandre Crepeaux

Tucker Litch

Andrew Sheiman

Barrett Kent

Ethan Childs

Noah Gladen-Kolarsky

Ben Adams

Clements Park

Bowen Hampton

Tristan Muresan
Alex Denman-Still

Be prepared to stay the entire time, but I will release people throughout the day. Come with both patience - and a sense of fun.  I look forward to it!

Vernal Eclipse: Callbacks Notice #1

Thank you all for the extraordinary day of auditions.  I was thrilled to see the depth of talent in the department.  Below are the people I want to see for callbacks.  If you are not called back, you are no longer being considered for a role.  I hope you will consider being involved in other ways.  And I hope you keep auditioning for shows!!!

Please arrive 10 minutes early in the foyer to check in.

Tuesday 3/15 4:00p - 5:00p (Bearing the Blaze)

Katie Reahl

Emma Weightman

Ava Sweet

Harper Wilamoski

Sage Lingenfelter

Ryan Joiner

Olivia Fouser

Adie Fecker*

India Houides

Chynna Shurts

Isabella Messer

Fiona Lett-Alagoz*

Olivia Baker

Tuesday 3/15 5:00p - 6:00p (Engine)

Sammy Martin

Kris Nine

Ben Pagano

Jared Knofczynski

Teis Jayaswal

Bilal Nasir

Alexandre Crepeaux

Tucker Litch

Andrew Sheiman*

Barrett Kent

Ethan Childs

Nolan Gladen-Kolarsky

Ben Adams

Clements Park

Bowen Hampton

Tristan Muresan*

NOTE:  Alex Denman-Still and Caroline Fenty are called back for Final Callbacks on 3/16 when we will look at Warning Sign (as well as further auditions for Engine and Bearing the Blaze).  Others will be alerted about callbacks for 3/16 by 11:30p on 3/15.

*Missing parent/guardian signature.  You must provide a signed form to be admitted to the callback, even if you are already 18.

On the Eve of Auditions!...

Vernal Eclipse

Auditions Eve

Congratulations to everyone who worked on Grease!  I had a marvelous time at the show. 

I’m excited to dive right into New Works with auditions tomorrow.  We have a very healthy number of people auditioning, and as result, everyone needs to be extremely organized and efficient about the way things run - especially during generals.  Please read the following carefully to help you be the most prepared - and to help us all run things smoothly.  The better things run, the more accurately I can assess the incredible talent!

ONE:  Audition Numbers / Letters

The audition sign up sheet will go back on the door.  Please check your number or letter.  These numbers / letters will be used by me to assess you during the general.  Please clearly write this number / letter on the top right corner of your signed audition form.

TWO:  Arrival and Paperwork

Please arrive 10 minutes early to your audition time.  You will gather in the foyer.  A stage manager will then check you in.  You must give the SM your signed audition form / headshot.  The SM will hand you an adhesive name-tag with your number / letter on it.  You must wear this in a prominent place on your clothes during the audition.  The SM will then take you to the audition room.

THREE:  Clothing / Movement

Remember to wear movement-appropriate clothing.  You will be working barefoot.  No shoes.  No socks.  The audition is in the yoga room.  You will leave your shoes/socks outside the room.  When you come in, you will be prepared to work.  The movement audition is not about testing movement for the actual production.  It is about how well you work in an ensemble.  It will require you to connect with your peers, express yourself in abstract ways, and to tell a story without words. 

FOUR:  Voice / Text

There will also be a vocal/presentation audition as part of the general.  So be prepared to read a short section of text. 

FIVE:  What Am I Looking For?

“YES”. That is what I’m looking for…the energy of the word “yes”.  Of course, I must cast an ensemble of actors who can successfully play these roles.  But equally as important is that I cast an ensemble that is open, willing, receptive, respectful, and kind.  In other words, both in professional and educational theatre, I choose to work with collaborators who are more open to saying “Yes, I’ll try that!” before they say “No, I hate that.”  Likewise, I remain open to saying “yes” to the exciting interpretations you will all bring to the table.  It’s not that I want everyone to agree and simply say “yes” as a matter of yielding to authority.  NOT AT ALL.  When I say “yes energy”, I mean that, as artists, we should resist the urge to put walls up as a first response…in fact, we should resist resistance.  Rather than think, “That’s weird…” consider thinking “How interesting, I’ll try that!”.  Rather than think, “This is scary, I’m out of here!” consider thinking, “This is scary, I should make myself try this!”  And last - come in with a sense of fun.  My hope is that no matter what happens in terms of your audition process, you have fun…that the audition process itself is both educational and exciting.

I can’t wait to see you all soon!

-MZ

Announcement: Stage Managers

I am happy to announce that we will have a Co-Stage Management team this year.  

Marjorie Sheiman

&

Lydia Fecker

Welcome aboard!!!

On the Subject of Conflicts...

A few more words on various potential conflicts...

April 8 - The Choir Trip

I am aware that some of the people who would like to audition would not be able to be at the mandatory rehearsal on Friday, April 8, due to an exciting choir trip.  May you still audition?  Yes, you may. But understand that the conflict will be taken into account when I make casting decisions. Those who have the fewest conflicts always get top priority in my initial casting filter.  Let me also note that if you have already committed to the choir trip, you should honor that commitment.  

Outdoor School

No actor may be absent for an entire week at any point in the process. This makes outdoor school nearly impossible to negotiate.  

April 30 - Prom

Currently tech rehearsals go until 10:00p on that day.  I will be looking at a way to stop earlier so as to allow people to attend prom. But understand that tech will happen on that day.  Likely, actors will now be called in at 11:00a, and we will end no earlier than 5:00p.  So realize that if you are attending prom, you will have a long day.  

In General

I am aware that it's frustrating to have to make choices.  But I also think there is great value in that.  It's not possible to do everything.  And I honor everyone's determination regarding their own priorities.  My policy on conflicts is in place to ensure the production process honors the talent and time of all the collaborators...and that it's as fair as possible.  New Works is a big commitment, and as always, I will try to remain clear on expectations.  

When I approach casting, I first look at all the conflicts on the audition forms.  Those who have the fewest conflicts instantly get moved into the preferential pile. That said, you must be honest and clear on your audition forms. Because if you are cast and then you begin to add various conflicts that were not on your form, it may jeopardize your involvement in the production.  I also urge you to be clear when listing conflicts.  If there is flexibility on your end, say that:

Example:  

Wednesdays, voice lessons 4p - 5p (flexible)

Monday, April 11, out of town

If you have questions about anything, you may always email me at matthew.b.zrebski@gmail.com  

Though I have pretty strict policies, I do remain reasonable and understand you are all having to juggle many things!  I'm really excited to see all your talent at auditions on March 14!!!