SOCKS - Week 1 Schedule / Conflicts Challenge

Thank you for your patience in waiting for some scheduling. Only yesterday did all conflicts and availability come in (and some things are still in flux). And we now have a wonderful new Musical Director / Pianist: Tim Ribner.

We also have a HUGE challenge I did not foresee. Currently, if I were to honor every conflict request, there would not be a single day when the entire cast can be on stage together until we hit tech rehearsals. Some individuals have listed up to three major conflicts each week - many are missing almost an entire week. And the hope of adding some flexibility with Fridays and Sundays has basically not panned out at all. 

It never occurred to me that with this show - and given how much we emphasized its difficulty and the importance of few (if any) conflicts - that I'd be dealing with more conflict requests than for any show in Teen West Project history. Obviously, if I honor all these requests, the show will not go on. 

(To the few who listed no conflicts, you are our cast heroes at the moment!!!)

My hope is that this ensemble wishes to remain in tact - and that we, as a show company, do not want to cancel the production. That said, in talking with Mr. Miller, we must face the fact that we can't mount a premiere musical if the cast cannot work together on stage at the same time. 

So what is the plan?

I have penned a schedule for this coming week. See below. Please note that all conflicts for first rehearsal on Monday 3/6 were listed as "Flexible". I will not honor any requests for Monday 3/6. You all must attend. If you do not, you will no longer be in the production. (Obviously, in the case of severe illness or a family emergency, we'd negotiate this. Otherwise...no.)

At this first rehearsal, we will do a read through (no singing) of the book. And then we will have a discussion about how to move forward, given the conflicts. In preparation for this meeting, I ask that you each look again at your requests and see what can be cleared - especially for M-TH (4:00p - 7:30p) which was the original schedule you all signed off on last fall at auditions. 

I regret that the tone of this post is so dire and somewhat negative. I absolutely LOVE this cast and have been looking forward to collaborating with you all year. But Playwrights West and SouthWest StageWorks will not put forth a poor product - and enter into a process knowing that it can't work. It dishonors your talent, the department, our two theatre companies, Nico Vilches, and the audience. 

My hope is that we will problem solve this together on Monday - and then move forward with joy - and bring this exciting project to life!

Here is the schedule for next week:

M 3/6

4:00p - 7:30p

Called: Full Cast

Agenda: First Read, Schedule Solving, Script Discussion

T 3/7

4:00p - 5:15p

Called: KIRK / EMMA

Agenda: Scene / Character Work

W 3/8

4:00p - 7:00p

Called: Full Cast

Agenda: Music Rehearsal

TH 3/9

4:00p - 5:15p

Called: KIRK / GRANT

Agenda: Scene / Character Work

F 3/10

4:00p - 5:00p

Called: GRANT

Agenda: Music - "I Don't Know"

5:00p - 6:30p

Called: MADISON

Agenda: Music - "Egregious Agreement" / "Call Me How You Feel About Me"

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

SOCKS: FINAL WORKSHOP CANCELED

😒SUNDAY 1/29😒

Unfortunately, due to illness, we must cancel our final musical workshop for the show. We are terribly sorry for the late notice and regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Our goal remains to enter the March rehearsal process with all of the currently worked pieces OFF BOOK and MEMORIZED. So keep practicing your music and listening to the provided tracks.

Soon, we will start publishing more tracks for solos and duets. 

We are going to try and make up these 4 lost hours during the actual rehearsal process. Be on the lookout for various blog posts that will request conflicts and the like from each of you. 

Thank you for your understanding and enjoy the remainder of your weekend.

SOCKS - Rehearsal / Part Tracks

Please click HERE for tracks designed by Rob to assist in learning your music.

Please remember that the goal is to have everything off book and able to be run through cleanly by the end of our final workshop on 1/29.

SOCKS REMINDER - THIRD WORKSHOP TOMORROW SUNDAY 1/15

MUSIC WORKSHOP #3

TOMORROW - SUNDAY 1/15 5:00P - 9:00P

In addition to working on the score, we may jump into some script work too!

This is a reminder that these workshops are mandatory per the audition packet, signed by both you and your guardian. 

Failure to be present for all remaining workshops (1/15, 1/29 from 5:00p - 9:00p) may result in removal from the acting company.

See you tomorrow night. DO NOT FORGET TO BRING ALL OF YOUR MATERIALS!!! :)

We are on for tonight!

Hello, friends - Your friendly neighborhood producer here...

Despite the white precipitation falling from the sky, we are on for rehearsal tonight at 500pm.  There are a few things you'll need to remember about today, though:

1) The sidewalks are slushy...wear good shoes and walk carefully.

2) We have a dance recital onsite.  Don't engage...you all are 'stranger danger' to some of them.  Let the person at the check in desk at the head of the Drama Hall know that you're there for rehearsal, and head straight to the Choir Room.

3) Parking sucks.  We have a house of 600 people and they didn't walk.  Plan ahead.

4) Come in through the Vermont St/Main Office doors...NOT the Stage Doors.

5) Come and get warmed up.  Singing stinks in cold weather.

See you then!  

- jm