Hey all!  Last night (3/10/07) was our opening night for DHSM!!! In almost 50 years of theatre, I don't think I've ever seen such a reaction from an audience, parents or not.  When my 60 kids came dancing through the house, the audience rose to their feet to dance and sing with them!  Fair warning: get a small audience for your last tech rehearsal and tell them to 'over' applaud.  Trying to explain to 60 kids about waiting for the peak of the laugh/applause doesn't get it.  It took them about 1/2 of first act to get the hang of it.

Want a little IRONY?  We had to postpone tonight's performance and put in two Sunday performances.  WHY?  Our upper school boys are playing tonite in the STATE BASKETBALL tournament.  WE were told we had to postpone so EVERYONE would go support the basketball team.  Who cares about my voices or the fact that most of those didn't buy tickets anyway and we still have sold out shows.  It DOES continue, doesn't it.  I just went to party city and bought more New Year's EVE clackers to give my kids so hopefully, they will clack instead of screaming their lungs out.  Ah well, life in the

the-ate-ah.  Hopefully, my pix will be back next week.  Can I post them here?  How?  If not, I'll put them on my personal web site and send you the link.

Da Mama Luvs Ya!

Originally posted by Gaafa I use this with great effect for in front projection, using the Selecon Pacific range of lanterns, with Mylar gobo images printed from a computer. {the Pacific lamps are unique because they dissipate the light source heat via the rear of the lantern, allowing plastics to be used between the light bubble & the lens.

WE SUCCESFULLY PRODUCED THE SHOW USING THE CD MUSIC.  THE SHOW IS A LOT OF FUN.  OUR CAST RANGED IN AGE FROM 3RD GRADE TO HIGH SCHOOL.  YOUR CAST WILL EASILY LEARN THEIR LINES--THEY ARE SIMPLE.  OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR WAS ANNOYED ABOUT THE CANNED MUSIC, BUT WE REALLY FOUND IT AN ADVANTAGE FOR ALL THE SOUND EFFECTS AND TO HELP OUR CAST DEVELOP THE TIMING NEEDED FOR EACH SCENE.  WE USED A SIMPLE SET PIECE--2 LARGE STEPS--4 FEET WIDE AND THE WIDTH OF THE STAGE.  ONE STEP WAS 2 FEET OFF THE GROUND AND THE OTHER WAS 4 FEET.  THE BACK WALL OF THE FOOR FOOT LEVEL WAS 8 FEET HIGH AND PAINTED TO LOOK LIKE THE HIGH SCHOOL HALL WITH LOCKERS--SHARPAY'S WORKED AND WORKING DOORS FOR ENTRANCES AND EXITS.  WE DID NOT SET UP JACK SCOTT IN ANY BOOTH RATHER WE POSITIONED HIM UP ON THE HIGHEST STEP SL AND HIT HIM WITH A SPOT--THE CAST WOULD ACT AS IF THEY WERE LISTENING TO PA ANNOUNCEMENTS.  WE NEVER SHUT THE CURTAIN AND SCENE CHANGES TOOK PLACE BELOW JACK.  OUR LEVELS ALLOWED US TO EASILY STAGE STATUS QUO AND WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER 2 INCLUDING THE LEAP BY RYAN--HE WAS CAUGHT BY CHEERLEADERS--A GREAT CROWD PLEASER.  COSTUMING WAS SIMPLE, KIDS ENJOYED THE DANCING--WE WERE VERY TRUE TO THE MOVIE--GET THE VIDEO WITH THE DANCE DIRECTIONS.  WE ALSO HAD 90+ KIDS IN TWO SEPARATE CASTS SO WE INVENTED WILDCAT DANCERS AND A 3RD GRADE CHORUS.  WE ALSO DID AUDITIONS LIKE  A CHORUS LINE WITH ALL OUR THESPIANS STANDING IN A LINE WITH THEIR PHOTOS--WE HAD A DANCE BREAK HERE ALSO BY LOOPING MUSIC.  HOPE SOME OF THIS HELPS.  I KNOW YOUR CAST WILL BE SELF MOTIVATED TO DO THIS SHOW.  BREAK A LEG.

Good to hear. 

Yes, many schools and community theaters are doing it in this area as well.  In fact, I have already promised all my show-specific scenery to the childrens' community theater in town.   They're doing it next season with young teens.