SOCKS: Scheduling, Conflicts, Needed Flexibility - ACTION REQUIRED

As we all grieve the loss our show has suffered - and send our love and thoughts to Rob's family - we are also now in a position to honor the beautiful work Rob did with us by moving forward and mounting a stellar show. This involves finding someone to step into his role.

The process is obviously a challenge, not only because Rob was phenomenal in how he asserted his fierce talent - but also, because we don't have much time. 

We are looking at many options, and we will most certainly land on solutions. But to do that, we need the entire company to be as flexible as possible.

In the initial audition information, it was noted that we planned on taking all Fridays and weekends off prior to tech rehearsals. This may need to change. We do not know the potential availability of the person (or people) who will be added to the music team - and so we want to assess just what your availability can be.

This LINK has a conflicts document. It has instructions and should be clear. It also notes the schedule as is now proposed. There are now added Fridays after school and Sunday evenings as well as a new tech/dress/performance schedule. 

NOTE: The goal is still to take as many Fridays and Sundays off as possible. We have opened these options as an investigation of what might be possible should we need those time frames. 

We are asking all of you to do everything you can to assert as few conflicts as possible. So when considering, our hope is that you have done all you can to clear your calendars. 

Once we assess the entire team's conflict schedule - and once we have our new music team hired - we can publish a true schedule that will free up some of the dates for you - allowing you to better plan your busy lives.

As well, not everyone is called to every rehearsal, obviously. We will always do our best to honor your time - and to provide quiet on-site spaces for homework and rest.

Again, click HERE to access the conflict request document. You may download / print OR...you may pick up a copy from Mr. Miller.

We need you to turn these in to Mr. Miller or Sam Grommes no later than the end of the school day on W 2/15. 

As always, please email me at teen.west.project@gmail.com if you have questions / concerns / etc. Happy to have a dialogue with both students and guardians during this challenging moment.

Sad Tidings...

Hey there, team.

I’ve some really challenging news to report, some that some of you already know, some that is likely new and completely out of left field.

On Sunday, our music director Rob Fishel passed away after a very short battle with a very aggressive health challenge…unexpectedly and gobsmacking in every way.  The day that we canceled rehearsal he’d gone into hospital with hand tremors and disorientation, only to find out he, according to the little that was shared with me, had an exceedingly rare condition occur in his brain stem that accelerates quickly, and, again to the best of my understanding, is almost always terminal.  He was lucky enough to be able to spend his final days at home with his wife and many friends/members of the Portland Arts community…of which he was an ever-present part for the better part of two decades.  I was lucky enough to have worked with him on one of his earliest projects here at IBWHS, and he’ll be sorely missed.

What does that mean for us?  1) If there’s anyone who needs help processing this, or just someone to talk to, please reach out to me, to your counselor here (who’ve been informed and offered their help), to, well, anyone; 2) Matt, Nico, and I met about how best to try and fill the massive hole Rob’s passing leaves in the show, and more details will be coming to you very soon about that; 3) If anyone wants to send thoughts/words to Rob’s surviving partner, I’d be happy to facilitate that.

No one is more taken aback with this than me.  It’s taken me a bit to figure out how to share this with all of you, and I appreciate your patience.  Let me know if there’s anything more you need from me.  Oh, and make sure to tell those you care about, well, just that.

Best thoughts, all…

-J. Miller