Dialect Files are Up! (Finally)

The necessary files to begin dialect work are now up on the blog, under the microphone image to the right of the page.

Please read the 'How To Use This Book' pdf first, so that you understand how the instructions work.  Then select the reading file germain to your character: Yorkshire, or British RP.  The audio files are the examples that are quoted in the readings...and are great for getting the basics in your ears.

The underlying truth to this work is that for all the authenticity we may strive for, our primary concern is creating a truthful illusion for our audience...to establish the location and relationships aurally.  We must 1) be clear in our communication with our audience; 2) be consistent, to establish the truth of our world; and then 3) sound like the recordings.

This is a layer to be worked.  When you're memorized, and have some down time on the show, this is a good thing to use to help us bring the audience into the play...bon appetit!

j.

Crew Meeting - 1/30

Attn: Crew (or potential Crew) - Meeting at Lunch on Mon. 1/30! 
Come whether you've signed up, or you just want to get involved! #SW2

Public Meeting 2/2 @ 700pm

Attn: All parent/guardian/alumnus/supporters of the (SW)2 Company -

I'm calling together all of those folks who would like to be a part of the fine work at Wilson HS through our SouthWest StageWorks Theatre Company in the Theatre Lab/Drama Room on Thursday, February 2nd at 700pm.  

I'll be laying out a basic vision for our work, some ways people can get involved in the Company, ways to support (SW)2, and hopefully to open up a structure for building a strong network for enabling the fine and compelling work we're famous for.

Please bring your ideas and input!  I look forward to working with you as we take our Company and our work forward into 'The Secret Garden' and beyond!

J. Miller, Director

Secret Garden Tickets Now Onsale!

We are officially dialed in!

Dates for The Secret Garden are set and tickets are onsale! Go to southweststageworks.com to get yours now!

#SW2

Time to Band Together...

Well, nothing like a record-type cold/snow snap to test the best laid plans of people...

In case you've not seen the notices, PPS has closed all buildings, including WHS, until Tuesday, eliminating both the Sunday tech call, and Monday's rehearsal.  This makes the remaining schedule very tight, and will demand a lot out of all of us.  I believe we can do this...but we both have to want it, and be ready to make this show our primary concern over the next several weeks, along with Finals.  I'm allowing all of you a 24-hour window to comment on the schedule privately with me via email (mjamie@pps.net) before I finalize it.  I'll assume everyone I DON'T hear from is fine with it.

Some keys to making this work:

1) Communication to/with your families.  This is going to seem like a big ask, and to any new families to theatre, totally unreasonable...I know.  The reality is still, this is no more than most athletic teams ask of their people and families...we just usually try to accommodate more than the average organization.  What won't work is if you don't share the new schedule with them and then badger them with obligations and requests.  Share now!

2) Plan ahead.  There are rehearsals during Finals Week...there's no way around that.  Do not assume you'll be able to pull an 'I have a test tomorrow and really need to study' card, because it won't fly.  You will need to start that process now, as I won't be excusing students for study related needs...but I also won't be holding you for more than a standard rehearsal, and rehearsal will not begin until AFTER any Tutor Time periods each day.  You'll have time, if you use it thoughtfully.

3) Take care of yourself.  Get sufficient sleep, eat sufficient quality food, drink sufficient water, and don't let yourself fall behind on your obligations (and thus increase your stress and anxiety levels to an unhealthy place).  We're not going to be the most socially available people while we put this show together, and we're all going to have to accept that fact...myself very much included.  This is something with which we must all be ok.

4) Take care of your business on the show.  We will have very little time to go over things in rehearsal that we've said should be taken care of individually.  Work your music, memorize your lines, review the dramaturgical/table work items (once they're posted), have the necessary materials each day, and adhere to the three prior items on this list...it's a lot to ask, but anything worth doing always asks a lot of us.

5) Keep your chin up!  It's easy to get frustrated and angry when things keep piling up...but we'll get there.  The weather shows nothing in the 15-day forecast to suggest more stoppages/delays.  We'll get there, but we have to believe we can get there.  I do.

Again, look at the 'Revised Revised Schedule' tab and send me your thoughts via email by 100pm tomorrow...and be looking over music and lines, doing your homework/projects for class, hit the readings/basic dialect recordings once they're posted, and keep well!

Much love team...see you Tuesday.

j.

Tech Call - Cancelled (1/7)

Due to the likelihood of inclement weather, including 1-3 inches of snow and potential freezing rain, the Tech Call on 1/7 is cancelled.  We all know that Portland does a meh job of clearing streets, and safety of our people must come first.

The next Tech Call we have on the books is on 1/15 from 12-5pm...hope to see you there!

j.

Revised Show Schedule - Please Read

In consultation with our creative team, the (SW)2 T-Board, and your scheduled conflicts, and as a result both of days lost prior to Winter Break and the potential for more lost days in the next 2 weeks, I have built a new schedule for the production that accomplishes our goals of 1) Seeing the show through to performance, 2) Doing our best quality work, and 3) Wrapping our process in time for Spring Sports practices to begin.  The schedule is posted in detail on the linked Google Sheet Calendar

-The first key to reading the schedule is to know that every actor and management team member is now officially called every day there is rehearsal (tech calls are excluded).  Actors, when not actively involved in staging or music rehearsal should be working on memorization, dialect work, movement, individual music, or homework.  We need the flexibility to use our time in rehearsal efficiently, and we need to insure that actors are making measurable progress on show-related work (which has not yet been consistent).  SMs will be available to help and facilitate work.  **Note: all listed, posted, and communicated conflicts will be respected…new ones will be addressed as possible, but my first priority is the ensemble as a whole and the show.

-The second key is the show moving one week later into February.  We will be teching beginning February 6^th, with the show opening February 16^th, closing February 25^th, and striking February 26^th. This insures we have adequate time to make up for that we lost, and any future delays due to inclement weather.  This also insures we are still wrapped in time for tryouts for Spring Sports, Solo/Ensemble, etc.  All key dates have shifted, so make sure and check the calendar.

One of the ‘joys’ of collaborating on a piece of live theatre is the thrill of uncertainty…where any number of things can step in and potentially derail the entire project.  That is also why there is such a fulfilling reward when you overcome those variables and create a truly inspiring work of art with your peers and move an audience emotionally.  We took a number of curveballs up front, but I know we can still hit this one out of the park.  That work starts now.

See you all very soon!

j.