All I Really Need to Know I learned by Being in a Bad Play

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2009-2010 audience appreciation awards for Dorothy Meets Alice and Kidsummer

Tonight was the annual RTP banquet. I was not able to go as I am currently in South Carolina on a family vacation. As I wasn't there, someone else gave away the audience appreciation awards to my actors. I was able to send along some kind words for each actors that were read in front of everyone. I wanted to pass along those words....      

    Dorothy Meets Alice or The Wizard of Wonderland was a delightful show. I loved the script and loved every minute of the rehearsal process (minus the heat). Each of our cast members enhanced our production with something brilliant, heart-warming, and bit frightening at times. This is truly one of those shows where I feel each of the young performers deserved an award. But that's why the directors aren't allowed to vote for these particular awards.

This first actor never ceases to wow audiences. I've learned that she is like a ninja. She looks small in stature, but she is truly a juggernaut onstage. She beams talent and personality and I know big things are in store for her. It should come to no surprise that this first award goes to Miss Katie Warner.

Our next performer has grown at least two feet since I first met her. She has also grown as an actor in our theatre and I am delighted to see that she is getting an audience appreciation award for this role as she worked hard and did it with a smile, Miss Gwenndolyn Aume.

This young man is a somewhat quiet dude, but is quite talented onstage. I cannot wait to work with him again as he is a wonderful actor and has a wonderful ethic when it comes to working in the theatre and with his castmates. I'm am proud to see this award go to Mr. Chase Euton.

These last two awards go to a pair that have rocked RTP for the past year. They walked into auditions for Treasure Island having NO CLUE as to what they were doing and have never left. And for our sakes I hope they never do. They have quickly become a couple of my favorite people. They are always willing to help and help even when they are sick or in a foul mood. Many thanks to Richard and Robert Neal.

 

         A Kidsummer’s Night Dream was a fantastic production. I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew in choosing to do a musical for this past season. I had never directed a musical before though I have been enough to know how much work I had ahead of me. However, the cast, the musicians, and the parents made it a fantastic show. The script isn't actually as hilarious as it may seem. The young folks that made up the cast gave it the charm a lot of you experienced. RTP certainly has an amazing core group of young people that have made the children's productions so vivid and wonderful over the past couple of years.

The first award goes to a young lady who is so helpful and always has a big smile on her face. She has so much talent inside her and definitely shared that talent with us as the wonderfully tragic Helena, Miss Tabitha Clifton.

I was not surprised to see this next young man's name on the list. Though he didn't have a large part, he definitely has a habit of stealing the show. He is a helpful guy and has a great work ethic. I hope to work with him again and again, Mr. Robert Neal.

This young lady comes from a terrific family that has been involved in RTP for several years. I have watched her grow into the wonderful person she has become and I know she will continue to grow and continue to wow us all in the coming years. This award goes to Samantha Roberts.

I could not think of anyone better than this young man to do the role of Nick Bottom. He brought the perfect level of hilarity and absurdity and was an absolutely fantastic addition to our cast. This young man is Sean Anderson.

This young lady blew me away yet again in this production. One of my fondest memories of Kidsummer was watching rehearsals where she alone equaled in volume with the rest of the cast when singing her solos. She is amazing and I love her. Miss Katie Warner.

This young man put so much into his character. Not only did he have to sing and dance, but he had to do most of it in a dress and with a broken wrist. In my opinion he deserves a medal in addition to this award for putting up with so much. Again, many thanks to Richard Neal.

    

Summer show news!

I ordered the scripts for the summer show today! Fun fun fun! As I am going on vacation this Monday, I will not be here to eager await their arrival. However, our house guest will let me know when they get here. Oh, I am ready to get started on this show. :o)
Auditions will be June 26 and 27, probably early afternoon at RTP.
More info to come!

The Summer show........

Once again, it is that time of the year when I plan for the summer show. I am not currently able to disclose the show's title or information at this time, but I know the audition dates will be towards the end of June and rehearsals will go up soon after with performances in August. Vague? I know. I'm sorry... I'll reveal more soon enough.

Reflections.....

Another fantastic show over. I feel that we really outdid ourselves with this one. I don't mean to pat myself on the back, but it was a well casted and well performed production. The audience loved it, and I think they and the actors fed off of each other's enthusiasm and energy. You could tell the actors truly enjoyed their roles and enjoyed their production.
I look forward to the next theatrical conquest with this great bunch of kids. I believe I shall do a summer show..... hmmmmmmmmm........

KSND Montage....

Opening Weekend

This weekend was spot on. The actors have every right to be so proud of themselves. They were amazing.
Teatime with Titania went off without a hitch and managed to be more awesome than I imagined when I first thought up the idea. I will post pictures soon to illustrate how truly adorable and successful it was.
Major props to Cora Derexson for hopping on as Peter Quince this weekend so Jessica could heal and rest her injured knee.

I love all of my actors!

Opening Night!

ROCKED! Everyone was on spot and was amazing! The kids were so awesome. The audience could not get enough of them. I love my cast!

Tech Week, Night Five and OPENING NIGHT!!!!

Our last Tech Week Rehearsal/ Dress Rehearsal went so well. We have a Cub Scout troop come to see the show and they loved it. We had a show, a GREAT show! I really hope to see everyone there this weekend or next.

The Fairies

 The Royal Court and Lovers

The Workers 

 Bottom, transformed, and the Fairies

 Titania and her beloved Bottom

 Pyramus and Thisbe (and wall)

Tech Week, Night Four

Tonight brought some interesting news to our cast and crew. Our dear Jessica (Peter Quince) fell and busted up her knee pretty badly. Either she broke it or tore a ligament. Whatever the case, we had to find someone to fill in for the production dates this weekend. Luckily, we were able to ask Cora Derexson, an older sister to a couple of our cast members, to fill in, to which she obliged. Junia and I were so relieved as we truly did not want to be onstage when we are needed behind the scenes. I am confident Jessica will be able to heal enough to rejoin our cast next weekend.
We, in short, have a show. The kids and musicians have done so well and we are so proud of them all. It is amazing how much they have accomplished over the past week and a half. It's a great show and everyone is going to love it.