NW14 Writer Selection

The selection process this year was incredibly rigorous.  There were 17 applicants. My initial assessment led me to narrow this to 10 finalists.  The proposals and writing samples from the 10 finalists were sent to two out-of-state colleagues of mine - two women playwrights / dramaturges who read them "blind", meaning names were removed from the documents.  I held interviews with the 10 finalists and scored the interviews.  A conference call was then held with my two colleagues, and they offered their scores and thoughts.  Everything was averaged.  And the results are below!  

If you were not selected, please know that the overwhelming sentiment was that all the finalists possess immense talent.  And I will add, so do all the writers who did not make the finalists list.  I urge every single applicant to keep writing.  And I hope everyone will want to be involved in the festival in some way.

Congrats to everyone for the hard work and thoughtful applications!!!

The Lincoln High School Drama Department presents

The 14th Annual New Works Festival:

Eye to Eye

directed by Matthew B. Zrebski

Playwright:  Michael Walsh

Genre:  Absurdist Comedy

Casting:  3 teen men, 1 teen woman

Length:  15 - 25 minutes

Issue:  The death penalty

Playwright:  Sammy Martin

Genre:  Psychological Thriller

Casting: 2 teen men, 4 teen women

Length:  15 - 25 minutes

Issue:  The American diet and the relating health crisis

Playwright:  Tucker Litch

Genre:  Surreal Romantic Drama

Casting: 3 teen men, 3 teen women

Length: 15 - 25 minutes

Issue:  LGBTQ and gender

Playwright:  Barrett Kent

Genre:  Farcical / Satirical Comedy

Casting: 4 teen men, 3 teen women

Length:  15 - 25 minutes

Issue:  The impact of media

Playwright:  Rory Hays

Genre:  Naturalistic Drama

Casting:  1 teen man, 1 teen woman

Length:  15 - 25 minutes

Issue:  The education system in America

Playwright:  Bowen Hampton

Genre:  Devised (tonally varied, pending discovery)

Casting:  3 teen men, 4 teen women

Length:  4, 5-minute segments and 3, 90 second segments

Issue:  Division in America

NW14 Application Assessment Timeline

Thank you to all who applied to write for New Works 14!  The assessment process will now begin.  

There are 17 applicants this year.  The list will be narrowed down to 10 finalists who will then be passed on to interviews.  

Every applicant will be sent a personal email no later than 5:00p on Saturday June 24th.  This email will alert you as to your status in the selection process with instructions for next steps if you are selected as a finalist.

Feel free to email is you have questions.

NW14 Application Deadline Eve!

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend and Father's Day.

This is also the NW14 Writer Application Deadline Eve!

Reminder - Deadline: 

Monday June 19end of day

NW14 Playwriting Application is Live!

The Lincoln High School Drama Department presents

The 14th Annual New Works Festival:

Eye to Eye

wanna apply to write?...

deadline: 

Monday June 19

end of day

application 

here

    

NW14 Informational Meeting

The Lincoln High School Drama Department presents

The 14th Annual New Works Festival:

Eye to Eye

directed by Matthew B. Zrebski

opening in May, 2018

The core question at the heart of this festival is:  In a divided 21^st Century America, will we ever be able to find common ground, despite rarely seeing eye to eye?

THE PLAYS

The festival will feature 6 playwrights.  There will be 5 scripted works, all based on controversial and divisive topics as well as a 6^th piece that will be devised - a collaborative effort involving the director, playwright and actors. 

ROLES

The festival has 16 roles available for men and 16 roles available for women.  It is possible all roles will be cast separately or that some actors will double. 

No roles will be specific to race or ethnic background; everyone should audition who wants to! 

Though gender is specified in the writing prompts, please know that we intend to be fully inclusive in casting for any actors who do not identify as either male or female.  We are open and more than happy to cast trans-actors who fall anywhere on the gender spectrum.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING

A meeting will be held after school in the auditorium at 3:30p on Thursday, June 8^th for all interested writers, actors and technicians who simply want more information and to ask questions.  The different issues that will prompt the scripted work will be announced at that time, and writing applications will go live that day both in hard copy and electronically.

DVD Orders: Superstition

DVD orders AND payment are due: APRIL 7!!!

If you want to order a Superstition DVD, they are $15 each.  To place your order, we must have your payment in hand by then.  

Ways to Pay:

1.  Bring a check or cash to school and give it to Jim Peerenboom.

2.  Mail a check to Lincoln High School (ATTN:  Jim Peerenboom)

3.  Mail it to Kathy Weidenbaum at:

748 NW Macleay Blvd

Portland, OR  97210

Please write check to "Friends of Lincoln" with Lincoln Drama in the memo line.  

Post Show #2

REMINDER!

We have another post-show discussion this evening, Friday, March 10, with the seven playwrights.  As we did last week, playwrights will quickly come up to the stage immediately after curtain call to engage with the audience and take their questions. 

If you are a parent or friend (or anyone!) who isn't seeing the show this evening, but would like to take part, you are more than welcome to come in at the end of the show - usually around 9:45p.

Looking forward to it!

Soundtrack

The soundtrack to Superstition will be up temporarily for download. Various students have expressed an interest.  Please be advised that the music is protected under copyright and should not be used except for private use.  For use in a public venue where the public is paying, please seek permission from me (Matthew B. Zrebski).

To download, go to each track of your choice and download individually.

Enjoy!

The 13th Annual New Works Festival:  Superstition

Soundtrack

Composed by Matthew B. Zrebski

Get Your Tickets!

Reports are showing a major slow down in ticket sales after what was an explosively successful weekend.  It would be fantastic for the department and the festival to continue the strong box office and go out with a bang.

Please remind people to purchase in advance and to do it now! What inevitably happens is people wait and then all want to come to the closing show - and we end up turning people away.  

Bottom line: push sales to family and friends.  Tonight, Thursday 3/9, has many seats available and would be a great opportunity for friends to come check it out.

Get out your phones and computers and blast social media with info!

This is the link:

https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=lhs

URGENT: Mactop! stopped - for this afternoon...

ALERT

Due to illness, we will be unable to run the pick-up rehearsal for Macstop! this evening.  This means all cast members for Macstop! (except Ava, of course) are released from the rehearsal today.  

However, this puts us in a rough spot.  We are filming tomorrow, Thursday, and really need to have a strong pick-up rehearsal.  Therefore, the call tomorrow is augmented as follows:

5:00p  

Macstop! Cast / All Crew Called

-Check Lights and Sound and prep for Macstop! (including the drop) - you will have only 30 minutes to do all this.  Work quickly and efficiently.

-Cast get dressed and ready.

5:30p 

Run Macstop! with full tech / notes

6:00p

The rest of cast is called as per the original schedule.

7:30p

GO Show #4 with videotaping

NOTE: Due to filming, the crew needs to have things re-set as early as possible, so that when the videographer arrives, the set up will be easy and free of distractions.

UPDATE: Pick Up Rehearsal 3/8

PICK UP REHEARSAL

Wednesday 3/8

Full Cast and Crew

(no house manager required)

Call:  3:30p

Go:  4:00p

Release:  Staggered

This will be a full run of the show in costume, but no make-up/hair.  The idea is to brush off the dust and to get ready for not only continuing the high quality of opening weekend, but elevating the show further.  The goal should always be to improve with each run.  

You will be allowed to watch the act you are not in if you'd like.  You will also be allowed to leave once your play is finished (sorry, second act!). We will not do curtain call.  We will also shorten intermission, so I anticipate crew and The 13th Floor releasing no later than 6:30p.

On Thursday 3/9, I will give notes at 6:00p at the top of the call time.  

Study Room!

Room 145 will be open through the end of the run for company members who need to work on homework or simply want a quiet space.  There is a lot of down time given the episodic structure of this show, so please take advantage of this so as to remain on top of your academic obligations.

Post Show Discussions!

I'm happy to report that we will be holding post-show discussions after both Friday performances with the playwrights and audience.

These will be short chats that begin right after the show.  After curtain call, the playwrights will all come on stage with me, and we will launch into a roughly 20 minute discussion.  Playwrights may wear their costumes if need be - but Bowen...put on a shirt before coming back on stage.  :)

If room allows, actors may also join the audience.

Playwrights should consider how they'd like to articulate their process and how New Works fits into their development as writers.

Let me know if you have questions.  I'm excited to engage in dialogue with the audience about this unique festival.

UPDATED CALL TIMES 2/27 and 2/28

CALLS FOR MONDAY 2/27

4:00p - 5:00p
Knuckle Knock

5:00p - 6:00p
The 13th Floor

6:00p - 7:00p
Full Cast and Crew
(into costume / make-up and stage prep)

7:00p
Dress #2
(note:  we will be using stage blood tonight)

10:00p
Release
(Please note this earlier time and alert rides and the like.)

CALLS FOR TUESDAY 2/28

4:00p - 5:00p
Full Cast for Dress #2 Notes

5:00p - 6:30p
Full Cast and Crew
TBA

6:30p - 7:30p
(into costume / make-up and stage prep)

7:30p
Dress #3

10:30p
Release

Schedule Update: Saturday 2/25

TECH BEGINS!

Updated Schedule

Saturday 2/25

9:00a - 11:00a

No Cast

No Crew

Jared Only (with Matt and Becca)

11:00a - 1:30p

No Cast

Full Crew Called for Prep

1:30p - 2:00p

-Break-

2:00p - 10:00p

Full Cast and Crew Called

<Dinner will be from 5:30p - 6:30p>*

*Finger foods/snacks will be available all day.

Dinner will be provided for the dinner break.

NOTE:  Please bring homework to do.  There will be moments of down time; use the time wisely.  We can also designate a quiet space for study if necessary.

Props Anyone?

Hey team!

We are in need of a few props.  Please let Jered or Bella know if you possess any of these items and are willing to loan them to the department from 2/23 - 3/13.

* A Dungeons and Dragons set 

* Large classic black umbrella 

* A red scarf (darker red, not candy apple or orange/red)

Schedule to the end!

Lincoln Drama Presents

The 13^th Annual New Works Festival

S U P E R S T I T I O N

Schedule: 2/21 through 3/13

Tuesday 2/21

3:30p - 4:30p

Full Cast

(costume parade)

4:30p - 5:30p

The Many Droplets

5:30p - 6:30p

Knuckle Knock

Wednesday 2/22

3:30p - 5:00p

The Ladder Queen

A Soul in Seven

Knuckle Knock

The Purring

Macstop!

5:00p - 6:30p

The Many Droplets

The 13^th Floor

Thursday 2/23

4:00p - 7:00p

Full Cast and Crew

(run through + headshots)

Friday 2/24

4:00p - 10:00p

No Cast

SMs and selected crew for Cue Build*

*Jared will notify crew members

Saturday 2/25

9:00a - 1:00p

No Cast

Full Crew for Prep

2:00p - 10:00p

Full Cast and Crew

(tech)

Sunday 2/26

1:00p - 10:30p

Full Cast and Crew

(tech and first dress)

Monday 2/27

4:00p - 10:30p

Full Cast and Crew

(tech and second dress)

Tuesday 2/28

4:00p - 10:30p

Full Cast and Crew

(tech and third dress)

Wednesday 3/1

6:00p - 10:30p

Full Cast and Crew

(preview)

PERFORMANCE WEEK 1

Thursday 3/2 (opening)*

Call:  6:00p

Go:  7:30p

*company dinner 5:00p - 6:00p

Friday 3/3 (show 2)

Call:  6:00p

Go:  7:30p

Saturday 3/4 (show 3)

Call:  6:00p

Go:  7:30p

PERFORMANCE WEEK 2

Wednesday 3/8 (pick up rehearsal)

Call:  TBD

Go:  TBD

Thursday 3/9 (show 4)

Call:  6:00p

Go:  7:30p

Friday 3/10

Call:  6:00p

Go:  7:30p

Saturday 3/11 (closing)

Call:  6:00p

Go:  7:30p

STRIKE

Monday 3/13

3:30p - 8:00p

(Strike is mandatory for cast and crew)

Costume Parade Tomorrow!

From Jim Peerenboom

Tuesday is dress parade.  Mr. Peerenboom will be sitting down with Matt to look at everyone’s costumes. 

1.        If you have brought in something to be considered, by Tuesday Mr. Peerenboom will have marked the one(s) he wants you to show he and Matt.

2.       If you have communicated with him (email, please: jpeerenb@pps.net) that you have nothing that he listed on the blog for your character, he purchased something for you this past weekend.

3.       If you have not communicated with him at all, he is assuming you are providing your own costume and will have it at Tuesday’s rehearsal to show and Matt and him.

4.       Any questions about your costume?  ASAP email Mr. Peerenboom.

Counting Vegetarians!

The opening night dinner on Thursday, March 2 from 5:00p - 6:00p (mandatory!) will have a vegetarian option.  We need to know your preference so as to get the right amount of food. 

Both crew and cast members need to email Jared your preference by Tuesday 2/21.  As he is a student, his email will not be published here.  If you do not have it, find someone and ask!

On the Subject of FOOD!!!

There will be food provided on multiple days to keep everyone energized during the long tech/dress process.  Here is the schedule:

Friday, Feb 24 (tech prep / cue build) 

-finger foods 4p-10p

Saturday/Sunday, Feb 25/26 (dry / wet tech / 1st dress)

-finger foods all day AND dinner both days

Monday and Tuesday, Feb 27/28 (Dress Rehearsals)

-finger foods both days

Wednesday, Mar 1 (Preview)

NO FOOD, you're on your own!

Thursday, March 2  (Opening Night)  

- 5:00p - 6:00p DINNER for Cast AND Crew

URGENT: Costume Alert!!!

FROM JIM PEERENBOOM

Request for Costumes from Actors

Actors:  please look below for what we are asking you to provide, if possible. 

·       If you cannot provide this, no worries—just let me know prior to Friday. We’re happy to provide what you cannot, but might as well ask you so that we can save money and be sure it fits you.  If something needs to be hemmed, we can do that.

·       The color palette for the play is neutrals (white, greys, black as well as purples/pinks and a little blue.  I’ll try to note when you are welcome to go away from the color palette.

·       In general we’ll be asking you to provide your own footwear or look through what we have in stock that fits you.

·       Once we go into tech you will need to leave this clothing at the theatre.  Think of it on loan during that time where it temporarily belongs to the department.

·       If we have to buy something for you, ask about buying it from us after the show.  If we no longer need it, we’ll sell it for 50% of the cost.

·       Questions?  Email me:  jpeerenb@pps.net.

Ladder Queen:

Currently the department will provide your costume, other than your shoes.  Can you bring in white, casual shoes that fit you well and will give you the mobility you need?

A Soul in Seven

All: Neutrals with some muted/dusty pink or purple accents. Warm clothes:  pants, sweaters, sweatshirts, scarves, hats etc.

Saul and Lucy: Keep in mind that you are basically stationary, with Saul in her arms the entire show.  So in terms of material, we don’t want sound when your clothes scrape against each other.

Knuckle Knock

Jeff: We have your costume already, but need to have you try it on. 

Adelaide:  jeans or a heavy pant, flannel shirt, overcoat in neutrals/dusty pink or purple.

The Purring

Tom-Cat: We are providing your costume.

Angelica:  Pinks and lighter greys.  A skirt with leggings, more form fitting top. Flats.

Hannah:   Darker tones with softer textures:  Pants and a bulky sweater, casual, chunkier shoes.

Macstop!

Kylie and Eliza:  We will provide your tops, as we will need two of them (one to wear that night, one that is being cleaned of “blood” from the prior performance).

Carmen:  Black/purple/or grey leggings, black full/flowy skirt, black turtle-neck or long-sleeved black top, beret, some accessories you think she would wear.

Kylie:   jeans or black/dark grey leggings, sneakers or flats.

Eliza:  Pink and/or burgundy skirt, coordinated leggings.

Jordan:  grey sweatpants, t-shirt (long or short sleeved), Converse.

Theo:  Grey slacks, form-fitting burgundy or grey sweater, black or brown dress shoes, white button down.

The Many Droplets

Luke: “nerd” t-shirt (not Star Wars or Star Trek), jeans, sneakers.

Ken: Preppy clothing including footwear.

Nina: t-shirt dress or skater dress, flats.

Luna: Jeans, bulky top, bulky coat, boots or chunky shoes.

Alistair: grey casual pants, grey thermal/Henley, hoodie. Grey Converse.

The 13^th Floor

Pete: Khakis, plaid button down, penny loafers.

Fay: short, colorful dress/palazzo pants and blouse, blazer, demi boots that are easy for you to move in

Beth: jewel-toned short-sleeved dress with coordinating leggings, flats.

Crystal: khaki pant/skinny jean, button up, cardigan, neutral flats.

Rich: Private school outfit (blue blazer, light blue or white button down, blue or grey dress shorts, navy blue tie, navy socks, maybe a beanie)