The ongoing partnership between Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School's SouthWest StageWorks company and Playwrights West to develop and eventually publish new theatrical works where aspects of the teen experience are explored and expressed through bold and innovative storytelling.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
IMPORTANT: Schedule Update and Reminders
Congrats on a VERY successful opening!!!
ONE
This is a reminder that on Sunday, 2/15, following the matinee, there is an archive photo shoot of the show. DO NOT get out of costume or make-up after curtain call on Sunday. You may say hello to your audience in costume. And then go directly back into the theatre and wait for instructions. We will be shooting the show in reverse order, starting with the ending. Once we have finished with a particular group or cast member, we will release them. The shoot should end no later than 5:30p.
Photos will be taken by Steve Patterson, a Playwrights West member. I would also love for Jenna Hillenbrand to shoot as well (for any shots she is not in). Jenna, please confirm with me.
TWO
This is a slight schedule and preparations change.
Wednesday 2/18
Pick-Up Rehearsal / Video Shoot
(This is now not only a brush up run-through, but the official videotaping of the show. As a result, you must now be in full hair and make-up and treat the run exactly as a show. There will be no audience except for the two camera operators.)
CALL: 3:30p
GO: 4:30p
*Given the start time could be slightly delayed due to video set up, make-up, etc, I would plan on your release time being around 6:30p. Please plan ahead and have snacks that you can eat as you get ready.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
A note from Ellen...
To the cast and crew of Prime:
As I said to Matt recently, I could go on and on about every single one of you. You each bring unique talents and presence to the show. Most of all, you each bring such heart and dedication--and that, in the end, is what makes the world of our play come alive.
And what a world it is! I've truly never seen a show quite like this. Audiences will come away from every performance feeling like they've been transported. (I expect we may hear responses like "I'm not sure what that was . . . but it was cool.") All created by actors, designers, and crew all breathing life into every moment, every inch of the stage.
I never expected that this high school production would be one of the most satisfying experiences I've had as a playwright, but that has been the case. Thank you all.
My friend Matt, of course, brings magnificent gifts and profound commitment to everything he does--and I never want to take that for granted. Thank you, Matt, for believing in Prime and bringing out the best in it.
As I was heading to the theatre last night, I thought back on how I came to write this play, and a simple answer occurred to me. I needed to be in a place where love wins. We play every moment of confusion, frustration, anger, fear--every odd rhyme and complex bit of verse--as truthfully as we can. And in the end, love wins.
That's what I need to believe, and every night for an hour an a half, you all let me live in that world.
Thank you and break a leg!
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Schedule for Sunday 2/8
I hope things are going well at Regionals!
Tomorrow is going to be a long, but very fun day. Please come in with focus and energy - and ready to work.
The day will go as follows:
1:00p - 4:15p
Work through the entire show with tech. No costumes. This will be an actual work through - we will not be skipping. I expect full performance commitment. Both tech and acting notes will be addressed. This is also the opportunity (likely the last) for the cast to watch each other with lights and sound.
4:15p - 5:30p
Meal Break / Get into costume. By 5:30p, you must be in costume, at places, and ready to begin a run through. I strongly suggest bringing your meal. There may not be time to leave campus and then get back. We will not be doing make-up and hair. If you wish to start trying it, you may. But the focus will be on costumes only. We will add full hair/make-up on Monday.
5:30p
Dress #1 GO
6:50p - 8:00p
Notes / Break down / Re-Set
8:00p
Released!
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Call for Friday 2/6
FRIDAY 2/6
4:00p - 6:30p
No Qs
No Seven
We will work from the beginning to just before The Qs enter. (Grace - no need to stay, we can imagine you are there, and you have already learned the music cue - enjoy your day off!)
Sunday remains the same. Get some rest and come ready to BRING IT on Sunday.
:)
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
The Public Preview on 2/12
We will be having a public preview of Prime on Thursday 2/12 at 7:00p. Jamie Miller is inviting middle school students from the feeder schools. I am inviting some professional industry folk.
But ALSO… We want to make it a graduate night. Wilson Drama alumni are welcome to come to this preview for a pay-what-you-will ticket price. All of you know multiple graduates from this program. Many are in the Portland area… So reach out and tell them to come Thursday 2/12 for a 7:00p show, and they may pay the ticket price they want! No need to reserve - just show up at the door no later than 6:45p.
Monday, February 2, 2015
SCHEDULE UPDATES!!!
After a very productive weekend with the design team, it's become obvious that this week should be handled slightly differently to obtain our best results. The following days have been changed. All others remains the same (so far...).
Please stay on top of the blog postings and call board. This is the time when small schedule changes can happen as unforeseen challenges arise in tech rehearsals.
Please stay on top of the blog postings and call board. This is the time when small schedule changes can happen as unforeseen challenges arise in tech rehearsals.
Tuesday 2/3*
CAST OFF!!!
(Tech with Board Ops / Crew:
4p - 7:00p)
*This will allow for the tech team to have time to really prepare so as to waste less cast time. Board ops will be trained. Prop table and back stage will be fully prepared.
-Cast members: please take this opportunity to remain on top of school work. Get ahead in this new term when you can. :)
Wednesday 2/4+
4:00p - 6:30p
CALLED: Full Company
AGENDA: Run / Notes / Work
+Tech was originally going to start on this day. We will now do a run without tech (though there may be sound)
Sunday 2/8++
1:00p - 8:00p
++We are extending rehearsal until 8p. It is quite possible this could change back to 7p, but we want to make sure we have enough time should something go awry. Should we get ahead, we will certainly release early.
THANKS!