Week Four, Night Two

Tonight was a bit rough. Everyone was off book, including Cora and I. It was a harsh reality check for some of the actors when they couldn't call for line. There were, regrettably, some tears. I never like to see a child cry, and I tried to prevent that from happening. However, I cannot force the actors to memorize their lines. They must learn the importance of doing so on their own. Ugh. I have faith in the cast though. I think tonight was lesson enough for them.
We have most of our costumes together, yay! Now I must focus on lights, boo.

I decided to throw some of the actors into costume for an impromptu picture call. The results were stunning to say the least. With a little Photoshop magic, I created these...

Week Four

The actors were given their last day on book last week. Tomorrow shall present a challenge to them as they will no doubt struggle, some of them. I have faith that our cast shall be just fine within the next few days though. Kids pick up these things so well.

Last week Junia choreographed Hamlet (Carrie L.) and Laertes' (Tate S.) fight scene with the help of Connor S. and Heath R. 
This week, I am going to find all of our costumes, buckle down on lights and music for the pre-show, and enlist the assistance of my S.M., Cora D., to find the rest of our props and set pieces. This show is going to be amazing.

Week Three, Night One

Tonight we ran over the first part of the show several times, trying to solidify the blocking a bit more. The kids are working with their lines, grasping Shakespeare's language more and more. I'm working with Carrie L., our Hamlet, on her lines and blocking. I'm presenting the kids with more motivation and emotion to push their lines. I'm so excited to see what the kids present over the next few weeks. :o)

Week Two, Night One

This cast is tackling the script quite well already. This is one of the reasons why I love directing kids. You can present almost any challenge to them and they will rise to accomplish it with little to no hesitation. I started giving individual actors directions on their characters, sort of a jumping-off point/motivation/drive behind their lines. I'm excited to see where these guys take their roles. :o)

Week One, Night Two

Tonight's rehearsal was crazy, lol. Our cast is very high energy and delightful. Everyone is brimming with ideas and anticipation for what each night will bring. I cannot wait to see what the actors will do once their hands are free of scripts. :oD YAY!

Week One, Night One

This evening marked the first rehearsal for the cast of Hamlet or Does Father Reeeeeeally Know Best? and it was great. I decided to try a new blocking technique with the kids. Instead of blocking as the kids went through their lines, I covered each blocking note first, page by page. Once the actors had their blocking notes in their scripts, we then ran through most of the show with the lines and blocking. The kids did really well with on their first blocking run.
Before the cast arrived in the theatre, I sat down with the script and got most of the lighting blocking down and in the computer program. :o) YAY!
This week, I'm planning on pulling out costumes that may work with this production and see what we're lacking. My hope is to have a really well costumed cast for this show, elaborate and colorful. We'll see where that goes...

Hamlet Cast List

Once again we had the extremely difficult job of casting. UGH. There were so many awesome actors who came out to audition, 33 total. Having a huge turn out is awesome until I realize that I only have 14 parts in the show. :o( However, I think we made a great final cast decision.
:o)

Hamlet- Carrie Love

Claudius- Jarrod Bess

Gertrude- Jackie Richardson

Ghost- Heath Ramey

Ophelia- Allyson Withers

Polonius- Connor Stonerock

Laertes- Tate Shannon

Horatio- Makenzie Moore

Marcellus- Emily Dengler

Guards/Gravediggers- Allie Wood, Flynn Shannon

Narrators-Emily Allen, Katie Warner, Nathan Arni

Reflections....

This show was a hoot. The cast was amazing. If you missed the show you missed a great piece of  theatre. These guys in this picture were a great cast. They worked well together and just pumped it up.
Shows like this makes me so excited for the next one.  This was a great summer show and each of the actors should be proud of themselves.
This show reminded me of the beauty of delegation, time management, and relaxing.
:o)
Love you all!


http://theatrevault.com/2010/08/review-roundup-round-towns-bad-play-good-fun/

http://www.circlevilleherald.com/articles/2010/08/06/news/doc4c5b78f77a692798886449.txt

Actors bios for our program!

Robert Neal (Narrator)

Counting this production, this is Robert's 5th show with Roundtown and his 4th with Tahrea as director. These have included, Treasure Island and Arsenic and Old Lace. He is 19 and has graduated High school, and hopefully going to Shawnee State next year. He has enjoyed working with Tahrea and thanks his family for their constant support for his spiraling insanity.

Henry Laux (Director)

Henry is 15 and is into music. He plays soccer and wrestles. He has been a number of past RTP productions including Grease, Pinocchio, and The Madwoman of Chaillot.

Katie Warner (Flapjack)

Hi, I'm Katie Warner.  I am 12 years old and this is my 10th play.  I am playing the part of Flapjack and having tons of fun!  Some other things I like to do ( besides acting) are playing basketball, soccer, singing, and hanging out with my friends.  Oh, and you two directors out there..........YOU'RE AWESOME!!!!

Jessica Minney (Director's Inner Voice)

Jessica is 16 years old and will be attending her junior year at CHS. This is her third play (Wizard of Wonderland, Kidsummer Night's Dream) working under Tahrea and Junia and her fourth play overall (I Never Sang for My Father). She loves working for Tahrea and Junia because Tahrea.... “Makes sure”... you are acting to your to your full potential. Junia is the motherlike figure everyone runs to for protection. Jessica would like to thank everyone who supports her and shun those who don't.

Allyson Withers (Actor's Inner Voice)

I am 9 years old and in the 4th grade at Court Street School. I was in Kidsummer Night's Dream and this is my 2nd RTP production. I love softball, silly bandz, Joe Jonas, webkinz, and ACTING! I love Tahrea..she is the awesomest (is that a word?) director ever! Peace Out.

Connor Stonerock (Romeo)

Connor is 11 years old and in the 6th grade at Saltcreek Elementary. This is his 2nd production with RTP. He enjoys acting, sports, and go kart racing. A special thank you to Tahrea and Junia...you guys are the best!!!!

Zoie Amey (Juliet)

Zoie Amey is 9 years old and is so excited to be in her 1st production with RTP. In her free time, Zoie enjoys reading, crafts, volleyball, swimming, and talking on the phone. She will be a 4th grader this fall at Court Street Intermediate. She would like to thank her family for their constant love and support. 

Maryane Kimbler (Counselor)

Maryane Kimbler is 18 and a recent graduate of Logan Elm. She has appeared in a couple of shows including The Crucible (Sarah Goode), 30 Reasons Not to be in a Play, and Somewhere Else Dreams. She was the Improv Team Leader at Logan Elm for two years. Maryane plans to attend Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Her goal is to work for Disney, Pixar, or Dream Works. “I'd like to tell Tahrea she's the best!!! It was so much fun working with you, I always looked forward to play practice! You act just like one of us kids and have the best ideas! I just love how your mind works.”

Carley Derexson (Bill)

Hi my name is Carley I am 10 years old . I will be going into the 5th grade at Court Street Inter mediate. My character is Bill/Actor 1. Other plays I have been in are Kidsummer Nights Dream and some church plays. Hope you enjoy the show. :)

Rhiannon Hood (Samantha)

Hi there I'm Rhiannon Hood let's see here what don't you know about me? Well if your a family member you might know a lot about me, but if your a complete stranger you might not know anything about me unless your a stalker, that's a different story. I'm 13 years old from Circleville, OH.

I'm going to be in 8th grade at Mcdowell Exchange school. (Yes! only 5 more years to go!) This is the 2nd play I've been in I was in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as an Ompaloompa, I have 2 cats, 1 dog and unfortunately I have only 1 sibling and unfortunately she's 4 years older than me... You do the math. When I grow up I want to work with animals, be a comedian, travel the United States on a bicycle, end my journey either in Las Vegas or California, host the Oscars, meet Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt and you can't forget the one and only. . . ELLEN DEGENERES!!! I'm a major fan! I want to be on the cover of Forbes magazine, smiling next to Oprah and the Queen, oh I'm thinking of a song but I do want to have a nice pay check and help out with charity. My goal every day is to make everyone or someone smile or laugh. I like to ride my bike, learn history, learn about celebrities that I don't already know, travel, landscape, paint, and most of all what I really love doing and what I'm great at doing: just be myself! That's just half the things you just learned about me but I won't make you be bored there you go. WAIT! I didn't tell you I play SAMANTHA/Actor #11 in the play! Okay there you go.

Emily Allen (Kelly)

Hi, my name is Emily Allen. My parents are Scott and Anne Allen .  I am 9 years old and will be in 4th grade at Washington Elementary School.  I tried out for Roundtown Players because my music teacher, Mrs. Barns, said that she thought I would be good at it and enjoy acting.  She was right. The reason she said that was because I tried out for being Nelly Bly . I love acting, being on stage and being in a play.  Everyone is nice and has made my first experience of being in a play alot of fun!  I'm also glad I listened to Mrs. Barns.  I guess sometimes grownups know what they are talking about.  I think the play will be funny and weird.  The Director, Tahrea, aka Mcfunnypants,  I really like her because . . . . . . . .well . . . . .she likes me , cares about people, and is the funniest person I know .

Mackenzie Beard (Francis)

Mackenzie is 10 years old and is going in to fifth grade. This is her second play and she would like to thank Tahrea for making the rehearsals so much fun.

Cora Derexson (Warm-up Coach)

Hi, I'm Cora Derexson and I am 17 years old and I am a senior at Circleville High School. I also play volleyball. I have been in 5 theater productions: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, No, No, Nannette, The Hot Mikado and A Kidsummer Night's Dream. This is my first real Roundtown production but the ice monkeys makes this my second production with Roundtown. This play has made my summer fun and exciting. The cast has been unbelievable and a blast to work with. Tahrea I love you and you are an amazing director an you make rehearsals so much fun. Junia you are a blast to work with too. Thanks!

Tiffany Speakman (Terry)

Tiffany Speakman is a Junior at Circleville High School. This is her 2nd RTP production, her first being A Kidsummer Night's Dream this past winter. Her character, Terry, is the uptight stage manager that loves to boss people around. She's really excited to be in this play with her amazing directors Tahrea and Junia. Tiffany is delighted to have the chance to work with this amazing cast.

Jake Six (Tybalt) 

Jake Six is a seventh grader at Teays Valley Middle School West.  "All Really I Need to Know..." is his third play and he hope there will be many more.  He is glad to be a part of the Round Town Players family.  His hobbies are building with Legos, video games, and swimming.  He thinks this play is hilarious and hopes everyone enjoys it.

Cameron Aume (Usher)

Cameron Aume is going into the 6th grade at Salt Creek Elementary in Logan Elm. My favorite sport is baseball, but I also like football. My pet rats are called Ann and Ratty McRatty Pants. Oh yeah, I'm supposed to tell you that I'm playing the part of the "Usher".

Ally Roberts (Kay)

Ten-year-old Ally Grace Roberts is an 8-year veteran of Roundtown Players. Included in her resume are a stage debut with her dad in When the Oldest Baby Jesus Got Lost and an award-winning role as a squirrel in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. She adores her Roundtown Players family and gratefully thanks her big sisters Mary, Lillie, and Samantha, and directors Tahrea and Junia for inspiration and encouragement.

Hannah Mogan (Actor # 10)

Hi! My name is Hannah Mogan. I am 10 years old, and I am going into the 5th grade at Court Street Intermediate. This is my 3rd play at RTP. It's so much fun! I love everything about being in theatre! I love Tahrea & Junia... they're awesome!

Kasey Derexson (Actor #12)

Hello my name is Kasey Derexson! I am 14 years old and will be a freshman at CHS this year. This is my 4th play I have been in. I have been in Pinnochio, Treasure island, Kidsummer Nights Dream. My character is actor 12. Hope u enjoy the show!

Abigail Blust (Actor #6) My name is Abigail Blust. I am 10 years old and will be in the 5th grade this year. My character in the play is Actor Number 6. I enjoy music, especially Jonas Brothers!! I also enjoy having sleep overs with my friends and playing with my neighbor.

Chad Anderson (Tech)

Chad is completing his court-ordered community service hours by managing tech for this show. Though he requested to pick up litter off the side of the highway, to serve on a chain-gang, or to drive bamboo shoots under his own fingernails, the judge thought that working in children's theatre, especially one under the direction of Miss Maynard, would be a more severe punishment for his felonies and parole violations. Unfortunately there are still many more court hearings scheduled throughout the coming months, and any further release of information on Mr. Anderson has been denied by his legal team.

Robert Neal (Lights)

Robert is a recent graduate of Circleville High School. This fall, Robert will be attending Shawnee University. He recently appeared on the Columbus Civic Theatre stage in their production of Love's Labors Lost. Past RTP productions include I Never Sang For My Father, Kidsummer Night's Dream, Arsenic and Old Lace, Wizard of Wonderland, and Treasure Island. 

Tahrea Maynard (Director)

This is Tahrea's fourth production as a director and umpteenth RTP production in six years. Tahrea has served on the RTP board for about five years now and truly loves being a member of this wonderful theatre. Tahrea also performs with Rosebriar Shakespeare Company and is currently cast as the Duchess of York in RSC's Richard III. Tahrea recently appeared on Columbus Civic Theatre's stage in their production of No Exit. Tahrea writes theatrical reviews for www.theatrevault.com and teaches Musical Theatre classes with Charmion Performing Arts Center. During the day Tahrea works at the Tuscan Table pretending to live a normal life. “I love my cast and I am so proud of each and every one of the actors. Much love and thanks to Mom, Dad, and my future brother-in-law Tyler for their support and love! I love you guys.”

Junia Maynard (Assistant Director)

Junia is a Freshman at Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music. She has been in six RTP productions and this is her third time assistant directing with her sister. She is very proud of all the kids and she knows that they will all do a fantastic job. She wants to give a shout of to her mom and dad. “Thank you both for supporting Tahrea and I. We love you very much.” To her fiancee Tyler she says, “Ty, thank you for listening to me after every practice explaining every detail. Thank you for your love and support through this adventure. I love you!” To the cast: “I love you all. Break a leg and knock 'em dead!”

Director's Note:

When you find a script titled All I Really Need to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play you are compelled to read it, especially if you have ever found yourself involved in an any theatrical event. As I read this script I could picture several productions in my past where the various situations on which this production highlights were quite applicable. I could also envision a handful actors and directors I have known for some time. I am quite certain several of our audience members will feel the same, making the jokes and quips found in our script that much more hilarious.

I am once again beyond pleased by the work our actors put into their characters and their production. Being my fourth production as a director, these young folks never cease to amaze me with their talents, both brand new to RTP and seasoned veterans to the stage (well, as seasoned as a 12-year-old can be). My verbal thanks to these fine actors and their wonderfully supportive families is never enough and yet all I have to express how much I adore them all. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I was lucky to acquire the help of my sister, Junia, one final time before she is whisked away to college and then the ever frightening realm of MARRIAGE. I am forever indebted to Ju for her support and suggestions, her questions, input, and sanity. I love you Juju and I am always grateful to have you. XOXO.

Many thanks to the RTP board for once again allowing me to do what I love.

Thank you, wonderful and always welcome patrons and audience members for returning to our hallowed theatre show after show. You are the reason we remain your community theatre.

Tech Week and beyond

I haven't blogged for our current show in a few weeks as I didn't want to seem redundant. NOW we are well into Tech Week. We open in three days and the kids are phenomenal. We are fine tuning costumes and make up details but the acting and the lines are spot on. Each actor has been dedicated to their roles and our production. I am not worried about the kids staying back stage or dropping lines at all. I love it! I can't wait to see what this weekend brings!