Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Children's Theatre, Day Two

We had a pretty good day on Tuesday. We did a couple of more acting exercises, and I taught the kids about character development. After that, we held auditions for this year's show. Letting everyone read who wanted took a long time. Especially with some kids who can barely read, or who cannot read at all.

On the technical side, I discovered that the reason I couldn't get the stage lights to come on was because the breaker switch for the dimmer packs was off. Also, I figured out how to record on my computer using an external microphone, so we'll be able to do some things that I wasn't sure we'd be able to handle.

Today, we start blocking the show.

Monday, July 09, 2007

Children's Theatre, Day One

I am teaching the Children's Theatre camp at KCCT this summer. Burning about a whole week of vacation to do it, too. Missing a chance of a lifetime as well (although it might not be gone completely). Today was the first day. If my brain hasn't completely lost its functioning, I believe I have 26 kids ranging from Age 6 to 16.

We had a pretty good first day. The attention spans of some of the younger ones leave a little to be desired, but I guess that's to be expected. I've been a little spoiled. My #2 daughter is the youngest camper, and she behaved exceptionally, so I think the other kids should, too.

I am exhausted. It's time for a shower and then to bed. I am working half-days and teaching the camp in the afternoons, so I have to get up and drive downtown again in the morning.

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Dream Shows/Dream Roles

I would love to see what shows & roles people are dying to do.  Please use comments to share yours.

If you aren't a performer, you can list shows you would love to see staged.

For me:

MUSICALS 

City of Angels (Buddy Fidler)
A Year with Frog and Toad (Toad)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (I should get the chance for this one next spring)
The Music Man (Would love to play Harold Hill, but would be happy as Marcellus)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Chicago
(Billy Flynn or Amos Hart)
Cabaret (Would love to play the Emcee if I ever get thin enough, if not, then Ernst)
1776
The Producers
(Max Bialystock, but would be happy with a number of roles)
Avenue Q (Brian)
SPAMalot (Sir Robin, King Arthur, or Patsy)
High Society

PLAYS

Mr. Roberts
Teahouse of the August Moon
Inherit the Wind
Death of a Salesman
Proof
The Glass Menagerie
The Importance of Being Earnest
Laughter on the 23rd Floor
Barefoot in the Park
The Prisoner of Second Avenue
Noises Off


Monday, July 02, 2007

SPAMalot

My wife and I went to see SPAMalot last Thursday.  All in all, it was a good show.  The sound/acoustics in the Fair Park Music Hall may have been the worst I've ever experienced.  Several of the lines were difficult to hear, but thankfully, I knew most of what was being said from familiarity with the Cast Recording and the source material, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

I laughed more at The Producers, and overall, Wicked is a better show, but SPAMalot is worth seeing.