Strike Preference, or, When am I gonna close this [redacted] out?

Here's the link to your strike preference form:

LINK

Remember: Your options are...

1) Sunday, 1000a-300p

2) Monday, 400p-900p

3) Some blend of the two, totaling 5 hours.

Please submit by 1159p, today (5/17).

- jm

Teen West Project: Year 14 - A Conversation

TEEN WEST PROJECT: YEAR 14

A Conversation with the Playwright

The thrilling tradition of developing new work for the emerging generation continues next season at SouthWest StageWorks with Playwrights West and Teen West Project. Year 14 is going to be incredibly special as we are inviting back the remarkably gifted theatre artist, Conor Eifler, to be our playwright. Even more exciting is that the play will be written to "live" in the same universe as his award winning Teen West: Year 8 play, You Cannot Undo This Action. This will not be a sequel - and will not be dependent on audiences having seen the first play - but will continue and expand upon its themes - themes that remain relevant to our current societal challenges. Think of it as a "companion piece".

The drafting of the play begins soon. Prior to that, the process will commence by having a conversation with Wells students. Conor will be asking questions and will give you a chance to enter into dialogue about various topics...all of which may inform the direction the play takes. Director Matthew B. Zrebski will we acting as the dramaturg for the show and will also be there to take notes and assess.

We sincerely hope many Wells students - drama participants as well as others - returning students next year as well as soon-to-be graduates - will join us for this launch of what is sure to be an invigorating, collaborative project. 

WHEN: 

W 5/21 3:45p - 5:00p

WHERE: 

Room 108 or Auditorium 

(look for signage when you arrive)

NOTE: 

Feel free to leave early if needed or drop in late

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Conor Eifler is a playwright and performer based in Portland Oregon. His plays have been produced by Ars Nova’s ANT Fest, The Samuel French Off-Off Broadway New Play Festival, The Actors Theater of Louisville, TeenWest Project, Action/Adventure Theater, and Nomadic Theater, The Ruben Museum, Portland Center Stage, and at high schools around the country. As an actor he has also performed at most of those companies as well as Oregon Childrens Theater, Lakewood Theater and Dixon Place and elsewhere. He has held residencies with The Verdancy Project, The Make America Project and was the first Playwright In Residence at the University of Portland. He has taught and mentored young writers at Writopia and Lakewood Theater. He holds a B.A. from the University of Portland and apprenticed at Actors Theatre of Louisville. His play You Cannot Undo This Action was published by Stage Partners and won the Angus Bowmer prize for Drama as part of the 2021 Oregon Book Awards and was a finalist for the Lanford Wilson Award for Best New American Play. His writing has appeared in The Northwest Review, The Verdancy Project Anthology and on his friend’s refrigerators. When not making theater he is a banjo-picker, an avid reader, and a long distance walker.

TW13 - Schedule Reminder

The Demolition - Run Week 2 Schedule

W 5/14

4:00p - 9:00p

Called: Full Company

Agenda: Video Pick Up / Archive Photos 

NOTE: Get into costume / prep set /  and be ready for the run ASAP!

TH 5/15, F 5/16, SA 5/17

Called: Full Company

Call Time: 5:30p

Show Go: 7:30p

SU 5/18

10:00a - 3:00p

Called: Full Company

Agenda: Strike

NOTE: Strike is required. If there is a conflict, you must clear it with Mr. Miller and make arrangements to make up the time.

TW13 - A Great Opening - Thoughts

It was a hugely successful opening! By far...the best overall run, with each aspect of the show being executed with more confidence and determination than ever before. Lovely work all the way around. Cast and crew - you should all be VERY proud! 

A few things to always keep in mind...

1. Crew, be aware of the space when you do scene changes. We had a marker dropped on the floor during THREE and it did not get picked up until after FOUR. Try to maintain awareness and take care of things like that should we have unexpected events occur regarding props, etc. Giuseppe saved the day last night! 

We also had the blanket for SIX nearly placed too far DS.

2. Actors - it was the first time I've been able to assess the vocal levels with audience members in seats, which has quite the impact on acoustics. Overall, vocal technique was strong last evening, but always be vigilant about your projection and enunciation. And whenever you are on the floor or facing mostly to one side - you must be extra full voiced. A few moments that got nearly too quiet last night were: 

-all of the first lines in ONE after Olivia's entrance

-all of Scotty's final lines in FOUR on the bench when looking at Nathan

-all of Geo's and Mari's lines post Nathan's monologue in SIX

-all of Will's lines in the wandering section of SEVEN

-all of Zach's and Nix's lines after the wandering scene in SEVEN

-all of Nix's, Perry's, and Dana's lines in the first section of EIGHT prior to Nix standing

-all of Justin's monologue about Davis and the drawing pad in TEN

To be clear, the above was not a "big problem" last evening - but in watching the audience, they had to lean in and listen really hard to hear those sections, and you could tell by observing them. So just be aware and give yourself a reminder.

3. With such a stellar opening, you have now set the standard for the show. More than one audience member told me they had never witnessed high schoolers execute a show to such a high standard - just blown away. And now...you must do this every time. No matter the size of the audience, no matter how you're feeling...to maintain the integrity of your fantastic and inspiring work, you must "get up for it" every single run!

Again - I'm so very impressed with you all...and so blessed to have had this chance to work with you - and to have such talent bringing my new play to life.

TW13 - Updated Schedule for TH 5/8

TH 5/8

5:30p - 10:00p

Called: Full Crew / Full Acting Company

Agenda: Preview / Notes

NOTE: Eden needs have a make-up practice session with Skylar at 5:30p. 

NOTE: All others - go into full "show prep mode" as though this were opening. "Go" will be at 7:30p. After curtain call, actors out of costume ASAP and return to the stage for notes. Crew go into "post show" once the music stops.

NOTE: Etta will come in around 6:45p to the theatre for a run of curtain call with Baxter and MZ. She will join curtain call tonight.

LET'S DO THIS THING!!!

TW13 - Updated Schedule for 5/7

NOTE: Run crew, please have the scenic and prop  elements ready by the time the rehearsal starts.

NOTE: Actors, please be ready to start on time - plan to arrive a bit early.

NOTE: Eden and Charlie come in at 5:30p for costume / make-up issues and practice. 

W 5/7

5:15p - 5:45p

Called: Simone, Felix, Savy, Aspen

Agenda: THREE

5:45p - 6:15p

Called: KJ, Abby, Max, Josh, Ella

Agenda: SIX

6:15p - 10:00p

Called: Full Company

Agenda: Dress #3 / Notes

"GO" at 7:15p

TW13 - Dress Schedule / Shows

DRESS / PERFORMANCE 

SCHEDULE

NOTE: It is expected from crew and SMs that the stage is set and ready for full tech so that we can begin at 5:30p sharp. We will work scenes with full tech.

NOTE: Actors called at 5:30p this week, you need to be ready to say your first line, on the stage, at 5:30p. Plan on arriving a bit earlier so we can begin on time.

NOTE: Actors are not in costume for the initial 5:30p work calls.

T 5/6

5:30p - 6:15p

Called: Simone, Savy, Felix, Eden, Charlie, Ella, KJ

Agenda: TWO & FIVE Work

6:15p - 10:00p

Called: Full Company

Agenda: Dress #2 / Notes

Note: "GO" will be between 7:00p - 7:15p

W 5/7

5:30p - 6:15p

Called: TBD (will be announced at notes on 5/6)

Agenda: Scene Work

6:15p - 10:00p

Called: Full Company

Agenda: Dress #3 / Notes

Note: "GO" will be between 7:00p - 7:15p

TH 5/8

5:30p - 6:15p

Called: TBD (will be announced at notes on 5/7)

Agenda: Scene Work

6:15p - 10:00p

Called: Full Company

Agenda: Preview / Notes

Note: "GO" will be at 7:30p

F 5/9, SA 5/10

Called: Full Company

Call Time: 5:30p

Show Go: 7:30p

SU 5/11

Called: Full Company

Call Time: 12:00p

Show Go: 2:00p

W 5/14

4:00p - 9:00p

Called: Full Company

Agenda: Archive Photos / Video Pick Up

TH 5/15, F 5/16, SA 5/17

Called: Full Company

Call Time: 5:30p

Show Go: 7:30p

STRIKE: TBD

The Demolition - Official Trailer

TRAILER

SHARE EVERYWHERE!!!

LINK

Bios for the Program

Attention: Cast/Crew/Mgmt/Creative -

The Bio Form is now available: HERE!

Please fill out the form by end-of-day tomorrow, May 5th for inclusion on the website and program.

The guidelines are as follows:

-Word Count (Fr/Soph/Jr): 30 words (non-Thespian); 40 (inducted Thespian)

-Word Count (Sr): 50 Words (non-Thespian); 60 (inducted Thespian) 

-Serious Bios Only, Please (no jokes/hidden messages)

-3rd person writing, please; 'jamie hopes', not 'I hope', for example

-Potential Inclusions:

--Past Roles

--Thank Yous

--Well Wishes

Example:

Jamie Miller (19th) - Producer/Scenic Designer:

Jamie is excited to be sharing this world premiere with you! Past credits include 'The Wolves' and 'Hadestown: Teen Edition'. He hopes you enjoy the show, and tell your friends!

I reserve the right to edit for length or content…bear that in mind! Anyone who doesn't submit a bio (which of course you can choose not to), will be grouped together at the end of the Bio section of the program with a generic greeting to the audience...fyi.

Thanks!

- jm