Parent Note

Dear Drama Club Parents,

Thank you for signing up your child for the Calais Recreation Association Drama Program.  This is an introductory co-ed program for any child in the first, second or third grade.  We are excited about working with the kids and take our coaching responsibilities seriously.  Our coaching philosophy is simple.  We want every child to have fun.  Throughout the season, we will lead by example in teaching the kids the fundamentals of Drama.  A couple of our main objectives will be to promote a positive team atmosphere and help the kids believe ion themselves while learning theater basics.  The basics will emphasize stage presence (projection, confidence,m placement), singing, acting, and dancing.  Each child should bring a filled water bottle to each practice and performance.  We will provide the school with a copy of our roster to allow your child to stay after school.  You do not need to send a bus note after the first week.  Changes to your child's schedule should be communicated to the coaches.

Practice:  Our practice schedule will start Monday, October 6th and will continue at least through December 15th.  Practice and performances will be held at Calais School in the gym.  Practice will run from after school to 5:15 pm every Monday afternoon.  Parents are responsible for transportation to and from practice and to and from performance.  Please be prompt at pickup as the gym will need to be available for Basketball starting next month.  Remember please that Drama Program is not being facilitated by the school so changes to your child's schedule/pickups must be communicated to one of the coaches.  

Cat Fair, Sage Kennedy, Eileen Peltier, and Diane Dexter

Wrap Up

Grease was a huge success last week due in no small part to all the help and support we received from family and friends.  So thank you, thank you to all who participated in some way. We had volunteers on props, costumes, scenery, practices, drivers, food, and donations. Every single item used in the play was borrowed from someone else so we now need to sort thru all these items and return them to their rightful owners.  If we borrowed a prop from you and have not returned it yet, it can probably be found on a table in the gym, or can also probably be tracked down.  There are several items we borrowed from Rumney School (Pink Ladies jackets and cheerleader outfits) that have not been returned from students yet and must be so they can be returned ASAP.  Please let Cat know if anything has been damaged and if possible, we'll get it fixed or replaced.

We're thinking now about next year and how best to ensure that we can enjoy the same successes we had this year in the future.  As many of you know, Drama Club is still a fledgling endeavor.  We are not covered by school funding, Community Connections, nor the Calais Recreation Association and participation is entirely free to all children.  So far, things have worked because we've had donations of time, costumes, and props from families.  But there are many things (copyright fees, paint, scripts, music) that flat out cost money.  This money has been collected so far from a small donation from the PTNO and our direction staff (Cat, Sage, Eileen, Lisa and Laura).  We are looking for help for next year.  Do you know anyone willing to be a "Patron Saint of Calais Arts"?  A producer for our shows?  A grant writer?  We could use all kinds of assistance from small donations per show to larger donations that would cover the purchase of a wireless microphone system and lighting.  Any thoughts generated would be welcomed as our goal is to offer this program free to all children.  Please e-mail your ideas to Cat Fair at Catsgarden@aol.com

Finally, I would like to say how proud we are of all the kids who participated in Grease (and The Wizard of Oz, and the Variety Show) this year.  At the beginning of these productions we get a large group of kids who do not seem to fit together nor do they see themselves as performers.  By performance time we have a close knit group of friends that have worked hard to become a team of dynamic entertainers!  I truly believe that kids who learn to take risks outside of their comfort zones become stronger, more resilient, and ultimately more successful in life.  Many have asked this week, "Why do you do Drama Club?"  Because with these kids, we play, we sing......, and we dance.

Cat, Sage, Eileen, Laura, and Lisa 

Updated schedule for grease

All notes in bold are required attendances.  If you have a conflict it is your responsibility to check in with one of the directing volunteers for permission and with a plan to make up whatever is missed

Friday, May 23rd All

Send a brown paper bag with your child's name on it, filled with whatever costuming you've come up with.

Monday, May 26th, noon to 4

Extra practice for those who wish to work on blocking/singing/dancing.  Not required to attend but recommended for those who are able and not going to be at all the other practices.

Possible Thursday, May 29th 3:30 to 5:30 All

Extra Practice with Nancy and Laura

Friday, May 30th 3:30 to 6:30 ALL

  Send water and a snack.

Saturday, May 31st 8-2 ALL - Final costumes are due!

  I am looking for a few parents to donate snacks and finger foods for this day.  Call Diane Dexter to let her know what you can send (456-9842).

Monday, June 2nd 3:30 - 6:30 ALL Closed Dress Rehearsal

  This is a dress rehearsal.  Send water and a couple of snacks.  They will be working very hard.

Friday June 6th, Showtime!  Open Dress Rehearsal during school at 9:30

Performance is 6:00 p.m.  Please consider asking family and friends who are able to attend the Dress Rehearsal during school if able.  I'm afraid performance night will be so full that many will be standing outside the doors!

  Cat, Laura, Sage, Lisa, Ryan, & Eileen

Costumes - Only useful if you know which scenes you're in

Miss Lynch (Jessie) Dress, heels, hair upswept, prim

Patty (Sasha) Cheerleader Outfit (we have)

Eugene (Max) Geekwear – short pants, buttoned up shirt, tucked in, neat hair.

Pink Ladies (Rachel, Marta, Rosa, Cheyenne, Teagan, Liz, Lily, Riley) Pink tops/jackets (we have some) open with white tanks and Capri pants.

TBirds (Silas, Jackson, Erhan, Dylan, Nik, Aidan) Dark Leather Jackets (we have some), white t-shirts and jeans that fit (shirts should be tucked in without pants falling downJ)

Sandy (Halle) White Cardigan (we have) with skirt and shirt underneath, sweet

PJ Party (Pink Ladies, Olivia, Tehya, Louisa) Old fashioned looking PJs – nightgowns, robes and slippers, nothing too modern or printed

Cheerleaders (Sasha, Maddie, Lydia, Olivia, Louisa, Tehya) Red and White cheerleading outfits (we have some), pompoms and batons.

Picnic Party Scene (All Pink Ladies and TBirds plus Ashley, Becca, Val, Isla, Reed, and Jessie and Marley if different looks) Regular clothes for all like Pink Ladies and TBirds but without signature jackets if not a Pink Lady or TBird.

Dance Scene (All but Sandy and Ashlyn) Regular outfits for all with added “dressier” touch. For girls a skirt substituted for pants or dress and boys a nicer shirt. Johnny Casino (Reed) and Vince Fontaine (Ohan) should both be dressy in “suitish” attire. Ms. Lynch should be slightly dressier by adding jewelry and makeup. Cha Cha should be very fancy if possible.

Beauty School Dropout Scene – Danny (Silas) sweat suit, Roger should have colorful boxers underneath jeans (with safety pair of snug briefs “just in case”) Teen Angel (Ashlyn) and Choir (Becca, Val, Isla, Ashley ) all in white with Choir perhaps covered in salon smocks.

Last Scene Danny (Silas) letterman sweater (we have) and glasses, Sandy (Halle) changes to Pink Lady jacket and pants. Eugene (Max) changes to leather jacket (we have) and hair greased back.

Prop needs

Sunglasses (Sonny/Dylan)
Two Tables (borrow from school?)
School Books
Cardboard backdrop of Lockers
Side Table/Dresser for Bedroom
Lamp
Chair (library?)
Old fashioned Radio
Ring, Pin, and Wallet (Marty/Marta)
Combs
Street sign/street light
CAR – this is a signature piece that can be made simply but needs to start out looking shabby then end up looking fabulous. Kids need to be able to sit in it.
Leather jackets, dark for Thunderbirds
Astro Turf? to mimic grass
Picnic blankets and baskets
Tire Iron and Watch (Sonny/Dylan)
Counter Girl Wanted Sign (Frenchy/Cheyenne)
Salon Smocks
3D Glasses (2)
Old Fashioned Record Player (library?)

This is a complete list of everything needed for props for our production less the items already received in. We’re hoping by asking for help that many will not mind letting us borrow items that will be returned after 6/6. If you may be able to help, feel free to reach one of the direction staff. Thanks, Cat, Sage, Laura, Lisa, Ryan, and Eileen

Grease Schedule until Performance

Schedule – Practices are after school until 5:15 except Saturdays

Mondays Fridays Saturdays
Monday 4/28 All Character Development, Singing, & Dancing

Friday 5/2 Pink Ladies & T-Birds

Monday 5/5 All - Act I - no more scripts

Friday 5/9 Pink Ladies & T-Birds

Monday 5/12 All - Act II

Friday 5/16 Pink Ladies & T-Birds

Saturday 5/17 All Must Attend Full Run Thru 8-2, Come with lunch, any costumes or props, and a good attitude

Monday 5/19 All – Blocking, Character Development, Question/Answer, Singing, and Dancing

Friday 5/23 No Practice

Monday 5/26 No School, No practice

Friday 5/30 Pink Ladies & T-Birds

Saturday 5/31 All Must Attend Full Run Thru 8-2, Come with lunch, any costumes or props, and a good attitude

Monday 6/2 Full Run thru – All

Friday 6/6 In school Dress Rehearsal – time tbd - We go until we’re finished – 6?

Friday 6/6 Performance at 6 pm All arrive at – tbd – for hair and makeup

Costumes and Props

Costumes and Props – Note from Cat, Sage, Laura and Eileen
As you know, we are happily able to offer drama club free to all who wish to join. The downside to this lack of funding is we have no money for costumes or props. Please help wherever you can whether it’s with your own child’s costumes/props or someone else’s child. We feel no one should go out and buy expensive costumes or props but should look in our closets, basements, and attics for inspiration. Mark anything you are willing to let us borrow and we will return to you after the show. Thanks for all the support you have offered to date and continue to give. Parent support keeps this volunteer effort thriving and fun for all. Thank You!!!!
Costumes
Attached are some costume ideas from the play producers. Keep in mind that they are guidelines and suggestions only. Take an initial look at the list with your parents, talk about what you can come up with on your own, then check back in. Many of you will have the same questions and problems so we’ll go thru the process together. All of the costume plans are very specific and not at all necessary to achieve. Depending on your part, we hope that kids pick one signature outfit then change one or two pieces at scene changes. Examples: Marty is supposed to wear a black skirt, blue cardigan sweater and pink lady jacket…… Our suggestion would be for all pink ladies to wear a “poufy” skirt or Capri length pants with something pink on top. Some jackets may be available from Rumney. Doody is supposed to wear blue jeans, white t-shirt, red plaid shirt, white socks, and brown loafers. Our suggestion would be for all T-Birds to wear jeans and a white t-shirt (that fit, nothing too baggy as shirts will be tucked in) dark coats (some leather coats may be available) and dark shoes.
Props
This is a running prop list of things we need. This list will continue to be edited as we receive items and realize we’ve forgotten others. So we’ll keep posting. It would be especially helpful to have a group of parents willing to take on the job of prop committee.
*Items for a bedroom/basement set – older looking radio, “posters”, small area rug, bedding for full size bed, big easy chair. Lamp
*Backdrops and system for backdrops (we have some ideas) for scenes. One for Rydell High entrance, a Diner scene, street scene, and night scene, and a window scene for bedroom/basement.
*Car for drive in scene. Must be sturdy enough for dancing and sitting.
*Picnic Blankets and baskets. Record Player for party in the park.
*Crepe paper and balloons for dance scene.

Signup sheet will be distributed at practice tomorrow.

Variety Show Updates

The Variety Show is only two Fridays away and practices are underway. Many have begun to practice, practice, practice at home and that is exactly what is needed. Please continue with at home practice and plan to be available wherever possible for the practices at school this Thursday and Friday after school until 4:30. Next Thursday is dress rehearsal and all are required to attend in addition to at least one other practice. Hope to see many in the audience.

Grease Cast List

I've begun to get back a few comments and I love to see that kids are beginning to check in here! One of the last comments posted asked about number of lines. I just don't have the answer to that yet. As I mentioned in the cast list yesterday there were more talented cast members than we had great roles for. This means that our crew (me, Sage, Eileen, and Laura) will be spending time this weekend making adjustments and re-writes to the play to allow for an expanded cast just as we did for The Wizard of Oz. Everyone will have a role they can be happy with and proud of. The re-writes are a huge undertaking however. Please bear with us. We hope to have all ready for our first practice this coming Monday.

Cat

The Wiz is coming to U32

Tickets are now on sale for Stage 32's performance of The Wiz. Performances are Fri. April 11th and Sat. April 12 at 7:30pm and Sun. April 13th at 1pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students/seniors. Request/reserve tickets on line at www.U32.org or call 229-0321 x5902. Tickets for Stage 32 musicals usually sell out so reserve your tickets right away!

Thanks to Ceylan Cross for providing this info.