SOCKS - Schedule Weeks 2 & 3

WEEK 2

M 3/13

4:00p - 5:00p

Called: GRANT / KIRK / ANGIE / SETH / TAMMY / MADISON

Agenda: Tuesday (staging)

5:00p - 7:00p (w/Tim)

Called: KIRK / EMMA / GRANT (ADIN out at 6:30p)

Agenda: Music Rehearsal (duets / solos)

T 3/14

4:00p - 4:45p

Called: EMMA / BRODY / KIRK / ANGIE 

Agenda: Wednesday (staging)

4:45p - 6:00p

Called: KIRK / EMMA

Agenda: Wednesday (staging)

W 3/15

4:00p - 6:30p (w/Tim)

Called: FULL CAST

Agenda: Music Rehearsal (group numbers)

TH 3/16

4:00p - 7:30p 

Called: FULL CAST

Agenda: Monday (staging)

F 3/17

4:00p - 5:30p (w/Tim)

Called: KIRK

Agenda: Music Rehearsal (trouble spots / solos)

WEEK 3

M 3/20

4:00p - 6:00p (w/Tim)

Called: FULL CAST

Agenda: Music Rehearsal (group numbers)

6:00 - 7:00p (w/Tim)

Called: MADISON

Agenda: Music Rehearsal (solos)

T 3/21

4:00p - 7:30p 

Called: FULL CAST

Agenda: Thursday (staging) / Monday (work)

W 3/22

4:00p - 6:00p

Called: NORA / ANGIE / SETH / BRODY / ZOE / TAMMY (optional for MARINA - come if you are willing)

Agenda: Characterization Workshop

TH 3/23

4:00p - 5:00p (w/Tim)

Called: THE CHORUS

Agenda: Music Rehearsal 

5:00p - 6:00p (w/Tim)

Called: GRANT

Agenda: Music Rehearsal (solos)

6:00p - 7:00p (w/Tim)

Called: CASS

Agenda: Music Rehearsal (solos)

SOCKS - Practice Tracks Links

There are now two links to reach rehearsal / parts tracks.

The original link for the group numbers is still live and active - and it is HERE.

The new one, mostly for solos and duets (but there are some group parts in some of the numbers) is HERE - and this folder will be continually updated by Nico. Currently, there are no "piano only" (e.g. karaoke) tracks, but those will be coming. Check back often as you get new sheet music.

It is expected that all are working on their own to both learn and memorize music as quickly as possible, so that sessions with Tim are less about "teaching" and more about shaping and interpetation.

Best!

Crew List!

 Crew List - On The Subject Of Socks

Leads/Artisan/Apprentices:  

There’s a new thing this year that we’ll be carrying forward on future shows.  The roles on the shows, as on Monsters, have changed to accommodate the increasing number of folks interested in, and capable of, supporting our crews.  

1. Leads: Leaders in their particular field.  They know the show process, their primary job is making sure things run smoothly, their secondary role is training future Leads on the show process.

2. Artisan: Active and committed.  They have Apprenticed and know the show process, and have committed to being a vital part of the show.  They’ll be at all the builds, and can handle their own.

3. Apprentice: Curious and committed. They’ll be at all  the builds, and are learning the rhythm and routine of the show process.  They’re maybe knowledgeable, maybe passionate, but definitely want to be a part of the team…now and in the future.

4. Company: Interested and available.  They care about the production, the people, and/or the work, and want to help…but might have commitments beyond theatre, and can’t give the same time as others.  

Run Crew or House Crew: These roles will see folks assigned to a variety of show-necessary tasks once we reach Tech Week.  There is no way at this stage to know how many tasks will be necessary to set up, run, and strike each night the front of house or backstage (both part of the prospective assignment).  We may ultimately have too many…or not enough crew members.  If you commit to going forward on the Run/House Crews, be prepared to be very flexible in what you expect to do each night…there’s just no way to predict.

Let’s do this!

- jm

STAGE MANAGER                 Sam Grommes

APPRENTICE STAGE MGRS. Helena Stedman, Abby Powell, Katie Douglas

SCENIC LEADS                         Jack Reynolds

SCENIC ARTISANS                 Skyler Roy, Eloise Fleschner, Katie Merkel

SCENIC APPRENTICES         Parker Maly, Kip Craig

SCENIC COMPANY                 ALL WELCOME

COSTUME LEAD                         Simone Taylor

COSTUME ARTISANS                 Trillium Huey, Arlo Austin, Elijah Reaves

COSTUME APPRENTICES           Brooklyn Hall, Sunny Press

COSTUME COMPANY         Maddie Brooks, Josh Organezova, Lyra Roska + ALL WELCOME

HAIR/MAKEUP LEAD                 Corinna Murdock

HAIR/MAKEUP ARTISANS Savy Carey

HAIR/MAKEUP APPRENTICES Perses Cooke, Red Ball

PROPS LEAD                         Maddie Laboe

PROPS APPRENTICES                 Arlo Austin, Felix Hendrickson, Lauren Devlin

SOUND LEAD                         Hayden Dennis

SOUND ARTISANS                 Calder Baker, Baxter Ellis, Max Niedergang

SOUND APPRENTICES                Koji Tsugawa

LIGHTING LEAD                         Robin Boyce

LIGHTING ARTISANS                 Porter Gaab, Milo Reynolds, Katie Merkel

LIGHTING APPRENTICES         Ian Lafrenz, Sebastian Evens

BUSINESS/HOUSE LEADS         Connor Alexander, Skyler Roy

RUN/HOUSE CREW Jack Reynolds, Parker Maly, Robin Boyce, Koji Tsugawa, Anya Leontovich, Ellen Murchison, Sebastian Evens, Maddie Laboe, Kip Craig, Perses Cooke, Eliana Walcott, Russell Ellis, Skyler Roy, Adaya Smith, Arlo Austin, Jake Hopkins, Giuseppe Lipari, Porter Gaab, Alex Buckley

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.