Parent Note

Hello Drama Club Parents,

The kids have flown thru the first few practices, the drama of tryouts, and we are now set to begin rehearsals for our production of Peter Pan.  Thank you for all the support you've given so far in practices, and most especially during the difficult process of casting.  There are a few notes you need to be aware of.

First - A reminder there will be no practice tomorrow, Monday, 2/16.  This means our next practice will be the first Monday following vacation, 3/6.  We will be sending home scripts with your child this week, please help them in memorizing their lines and understanding the script over vacation.  We will expect each child to know their lines (within reason) upon their return 3/6.  They will not however need to start any songs or stage direction and may still work with their script in hand.

Second - We've received a greatly appreciated donation to use towards costumes. Several parents signed on as willing to help with costumes or other jobs and we're wondering if we could put together a committee for costumes and props.  We'll need parents good with a needle, glue gun, "creatively cost conscious" ideas, or thrifty shoppers.  Please let us know if you are interested and willing.

Third - We would like to apply for a small grant through Donors Choose, a small foundation that offers supplies to public school teachers when the budget doesn't cover expenses.  While the dues paid by parents cover the costs of scripts, licenses, cds, and music, that's all they cover. Specifically we'll be applying for the purchase of some sound equipment like wireless microphones that will work with the system we already have in place.  The cost should fall just under $400. In order to make this application I need to write a letter explaining our need, accompanied by a group picture of our club members.  If our request is granted, each student must write (with help) a short thank you letter.  We need your permission to use your child's picture for this process. Please let us know either in writing or by responding to this e-mail by Friday, 2/20. Your child's age and name will not be printed with the group picture and their separately attached thank you note will only have their first name.

Thanks,

Cat, Eileen, Sage, and Maria

_______ Yes I give permission for the Calais Drama Club to use my child's picture for the grant application to Donors Choose, one time only.

_______ No I do not give permission.

_______________________________________ Signature

Casting comments

Hello All,

Congratulations to all on tryouts and casting.  Everyone did a fantastic job and we were really impressed with all the growth that we saw this year.  For some you're probably wondering a little about the parts you were chosen for.  Please keep in mind, that like most of our plays, the script differs a little from the movies.  In this case, the role of narrator (stars) is an opportunity to set the scenes and interact with the audience.  This part requires a good memory for lines, humor, drama, personality and a strong singing voice.  The brothers will get a chance to try a little of everything with Peter, the pirates, indians, and lost boys.  Tink will need to be dramatic, comedic and willing to be very physical as we plan to shake her up and down to sprinkle her fairy dust for flying:)  Wendy and Peter will be required to work hard on lines but perhaps even more important, play nicely with others.  Hook and Smee will need to create a team of the diabolical, eeeevil, and hysterical.  

Look for your scripts to come home next week for study over vacation and remember that there will be no practice next Monday, 2/16.  Play hard over vacation and save a little time for studying lines.

Cat, Maria, Eileen, & Sage

Casting Decisions

Category	Part – Bold for 6th grade part	Cast
	Peter Pan	Jackson B
	Wendy	Tehya
Star	Winky	Liz
Star	Sparky	Louisa
Star	Flashy	Isla
Star	Stellar	Sasha
Family	John	Nik
Family	Michael	Ohan
Family	Mother	Ashley
Family	Father	Altan
Family	Nana	Schuyler
	Tink	Olivia D
Mermaids	Moonglow	Bailey
Mermaid	Starfish	Kelcey
Mermaid	Pearl	Faith
Indians	Tiger Lily	Olivia P
Indian	Great Big Little Panther	Addie
Indian	Lean Wolf	Helen
Pirates	Captain Hook	Dylan
Pirate	Smee	Marta
Pirate	Tattoo Bill	Maddie
Pirate	Skylights	Lydia
Pirate	Noodler	Chris
Lost Boys	Tootles	Reed
Lost Boy	Nibs	Logan
Lost Boy	Curly	Amariah
Lost Boy	Harry/Twin	Jackson R
Lost Boy	Terry/Twin	Jules
	Peter’s Shadow	Helen
	Crocodile	Taylor

 2/10/09 Jessie commented:Hey everyone,

I think that 
1) We are going to have FUN!
2) Everyone will be great in the parts they are in.
3) If you aren't happy with your part, think of this-make your part special, and I don't mean taking over the stage- I mean making your part your own.
4)Just have fun. Lot's of fun- but know that the nearer we get to performance time- the more insane it will be!
I am so excited!!!!
Jessie

Thanks Jessie! - Cat

Tryouts

Tryouts will be tomorrow, February 9th.  Thankfully for the students, tryouts are a little different this year.  We have been tracking the changes and growth in students that we have past experience with over the last couple of weeks in the areas of singing, acting, and attitude as well as getting to know a few of our new members.  At this point for the directors, we have a good sense already of what all of kids are capable of and will cast for roles to the best of our abilities.  If you are hoping to prepare your child for tryouts and casting decisions, please review the letter sent home previously and posted here.  It should help deal with some of the ups and downs that go along with this process.  

As we did last year, we will post our casting decisions online, by Monday at 8 pm.  We encourage students to review casting decisions in private at home with the support of their families rather than at school or with friends.  No matter the role, there are often unpredictable and emotional reactions that can be made worse when acted out in public.  With that in mind, it's also important to remember that the Drama Club at Calais is not a school function but rather is associated with the Calais Recreation Association.  So any questions or concerns should be directed to the head coach (Cat Fair) rather than your child's teacher or to another member of the Calais Recreation Association.  

We're looking forward to beginning our work on Peter Pan in the coming weeks.  Please remember from previous notes, there will be no practice next week, Monday, 2/16.  We will send home with your child that week a script for them to begin to memorize over February vacation.  

Cat, Sage, Maria, and Eileen

Practice and Tryouts

Hello All -

Our first practice this afternoon focused on information about our performance of Peter Pan, coming Friday, May 8, 2009. There are roles for 28 students, both large and small.  What that means is we only have room for 28 students to participate in Drama Club this semester.  Should we have a smaller number join, we will simply “double” up on some roles.  Should we have an interest greater than 28 students we will have to come up with a formula that incorporates “first come, first served” with an eye towards giving our 5^th and 6^th graders priority before moving on to U32.  Peter Pan gives us the opportunity to focus more on character acting as many of our parts can be played by either male or female actors. 

 

The remainder of our practice focused on casting.  This is often the most challenging aspect of theater for children, parents, and directors. In thinking about how best to manage the casting process this year, we have talked to other schools, listened to your feedback, and learned from our own experiences here at Calais.  We believe it is critically important that everyone understand our goals for Drama Club and our approach to casting.

 

Drama Club Goal

 

The goal of Drama Club at CES is to provide each child with a positive theatrical experience.  We believe that at this age, the child’s experience in the theater should focus on the skills of singing, dancing and acting to the best of their ability.  We also believe that there should be a strong emphasis on the cooperative nature of performing. 

 

Casting Approach

 

This year, we will be considering several factors to determine roles for each child.   These include

• Skill – acting, singing, movement, projection
• A positive attitude (being a good sport)
• Past experience
• Commitment
• Ability to show you can play nicely with others

 

 

All of these are important aspects of successful theatrical experiences.  We will be considering each child’s abilities in these areas over the course of the next few weeks as well as at tryouts on February 9^th.  It is important to hold a day of tryouts so that children get used to this universal method of casting.  It also allows the directors to hear and see children individually.  On this day, we will ask each child to perform a song and a few lines from the play.  Parents can help their child prepare for tryouts by practicing the song and lines that have come home today.

 

 

Here are a few thoughts for parents and students that we consider when making casting decisions. It may be helpful to discuss these with your child before and after the casting decisions are announced.  Hopefully, it will help with whatever emotional response may happen at your house! 

 

 

Cat Fair, Sage Kennedy, Eileen Peltier, Maria Smart

 

Casting 101

 

Sometimes parents, and students, ask how we arrive at our casting decisions for these elementary school productions. During practice and auditions we observe the students and ask:

 

1. Does the student read with a voice that projects volume?
2. Does the student read with expression and interpretation?
3. Is the student able to sing on pitch and in tone?
4. Can the student follow the music while singing or dancing?
5. Does the student exhibit a willingness to try different parts?
6. Are they willing to be team players?
7. Can the student take direction as to different ways of reading lines and interpreting the parts?
8. Does the student have experience with Drama Club?
9. Is the student willing to commit to the time for rehearsal and practice at home?

 

A few more details about the decision process…

 

If we have worked with a student before, we will try to think about the past experiences the child has had in drama club. For example, a student who may have recently played a villain may be cast as a hero, to give that child another aspect of theater and acting. If a child recently played a leading role where they may not have had to be part of the ensemble, we may give them an ensemble role to get them acquainted with that type of acting. We also think about our past experience with the child: did the child follow directions in the past? Show interpretive skill? Participate willingly with the group? We do also consider especially with older students that they deserve a chance to shine before moving on to U32. If the student is new to us, we have to lean a bit more on their audition, reading and interpretive skills.

 

With students at this age and skill level, we basically think of them as all equal in acting skill. A few kids may stand out as natural talents, but in most cases it is more beneficial at this point in their theatrical education to give them a variety of roles to play and experience. So, while most kids equate "getting the lead" with "I'm talented" and getting a smaller part as "I'm not good enough", what we are really trying to do is mix things up for them so that by the time they get to middle school and high school, if they are still participating in theater, they will have experienced enough different types of roles to find their niche and understand their own capabilities and talents.

We ask students to be open to any role they might receive.  On the day of the tryouts, we will be asking the students to tell us only if they do not wish to be considered for a lead role. 

 

The bottom line is, every person is important, and the play cannot proceed without every actor taking part. We urge you to encourage your child to try to understand that just because they may not have gotten what they wanted; there is still value in participating in the experience. They may just have the best time ever and learn something about themselves in the process.

 

We welcome any comments you may want to send our way on this topic!