THE STATE OF THE UNION...oops...DRAMA NATION

The State of the Drama Nation (Much Ado About Nothing) 2007

The generalized state of things is fairly stable. In general, we are relatively on track, except for all of the questions and concerns listed below. Please review the following carefully.

ACTING

Considering where we were last Monday, obviously, we made some leaps and bounds this past week. There are certainly a large number of positives from the past few days. Honestly, you’re not that far away.

Rather than me overwhelm you with my redundant commentary, allow me to share some feedback that I received from Kaitlynn and Jacob last night. For the record, I didn’t ask them for feedback, so these comments are reactions.

1. “What’s with the enunciation in this show?”

2. “Am I supposed to understand what ______________ says?”

3. “Their emotions are clear, but I can’t understand everything they say.”

4. “The girls really get too high-pitched when they’re yelling.”

I think that feedback is legitimate. I really do, and in some ways, I find the feedback to be pleasing. Foremost, I am grateful that your lines have tones. Really, that’s a major step on the road to doing Shakespeare correctly.

However, Shakespeare is ALL ABOUT THE WORDS!!!! It’s poetry, it’s witty, it’s punny. It’s not that you can’t enunciate or articulate; you’re just not doing it! Therefore, on this day off, I would advise the following:

1. Practice saying your lines clearly with tone.

2. Record yourself saying the lines, and listen. Better yet, find someone who

hasn’t heard the show a thousand times, and deliver a speech to them. Ask

individual if they understood what you said.

The following comment came from a student whom I have in English. We are reading the play in class, and she, generally speaking, understands the play. I found this comment to be quite critical.

1. “If Leonato knows that Hero is dead, why is she so upset?”

Wow….great question. Do the Leonatos know the answer? Does anyone know the answer? Better yet, does anyone know why that point is redundantly misunderstood? Please, post an answer.

Otherwise, volume continues to be a major factor. It’s not constant, but it is a fairly consistent pattern. You must understand that your audience is in the lighting booth. They need to hear you. Of course, it would help if they would stop talking in the lighting booth, but that’s an issue for later.

Secondarily, or sixthly, ha…ha…ha…I also have a concern about your talking over the audience’s laughter, assuming there is some. This is particularly true of the Dogberry scenes. Please…in advance….allow them to laugh.

Finally, I would like to state that this is as challenging an acting experience as you will find. I’m sure that most of you realize that. It requires constant attention and focus. I still find too many of you to be unfocused.

Having said that, I would merely like to state that I haven’t “checked out” of this production yet. I very much believe in its potential at this point. I really do. It could go either way from my perspective. That’s where the seniors enter the picture. It’s the last photograph of your career. Set good examples, and whatever you do, don’t compromise excellence. You have three days left on the stage. Cherish them.

CURRENT GRADE: C+

STAGE CREW

I am very happy with the progress that you have made. I think we corrected those things that we’re making some of you crazy. I hope so. Anyway, I haven’t heard any bickering or complaining, so I’m assuming that all is well. Here are my concerns and suggested corrections:

1. You clearly don’t have enough light during the traveler scenes.

2. You don’t have enough light on the side stages.

SOLUTION: I am going to buy some flashlights for you today. I’ll look for ones that attach to your belt or head. That’s the easiest solution. However, I do have glow in the dark paint in my room. Would you like to try that on the tape? It works. I need to know early today.

1. We haven’t covered the teasers and tormentors. I am going to tape the positions of them this afternoon when I go to school. However, I need to know who will be in charge of keeping them in their place.

My only criticism is your noise level during scene changes. You need to walk quietly, slowly, efficiently. Some scenes do not require a fast change. Therefore, you should take your time and be quiet. We can play music during the traveler scenes, but we can’t cover your noise during a traveler scene. OK?

Otherwise, I will buy another roll of blue tape. Obviously, the purple tape isn’t as durable as the blue. Ah…the lessons of life. What else do you need? Wear ALL BLACK.

CURRENT GRADE: A-

LIGHTS

Thanks to Devon and Lori for all of their work there. Thanks also to Aaron and Jacob Lovelady for their assistance. Generally speaking, the system is in place. I’m not always happy with the way things look, but as always, we’re working with such limitations that it’s very hard to do anything more.

I do notice that some lights are being added at odd times, particularly in II. I. Devon, I would like the lights to come on slightly before the actor hits the space in which he/she delivers his/her lines. Otherwise, can we talk gels in the middle row?????

DEVON!!! I know that this isn’t just a light issue, but the cords haven’t been taped yet either!!!! Help!!!!!

CURRENT GRADE: B+

SOUND

Cierra is very easy to work with. I have to take the blame for the sounds being so late. Officially, we need to blame St. Bernard. Yoy…. Anyway, I will construct the master discs today, and that will help a great deal. For those of you on stage, be flexible and know that when you hear noises in the background, you need to be LOUDER!

John, check your e-mail. I found Adam’s music for you. You need to practice that today!!!!

CURRENT GRADE: Incomplete

PUBLICITY

We need to have an announcement placed in the bulletin for Friday. Also, since we didn’t get one in for tomorrow, we will need one read over the intercom in the morning. Kelly, can you take care of that? Here is the announcement:

BOONSBORO HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA WILL PRESENT WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING” TONIGHT, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7:30 P.M. TICKETS ARE $6 FOR ADULTS AND $5 FOR STUDENTS, AND THEY CAN BE PURCHASED ON ALL THREE LUNCH SHIFTS OR AT THE DOOR. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, SEE MR.BAIR OR ANY DRAMA MEMBER.

Furthermore, I think we need a contingency plan in the even school is cancelled tomorrow. I highly doubt that it will be, but who knows? Anyway, I would suggest the following: In the event of a cancellation on Thursday, we should add a Saturday matinee at 2:00 p.m. Publicizing this is obviously the hard part. However, we could attack that on Friday. Any conflicts?

CURRENT GRADE: B- (I’m not hearing the buzz about the show….)

COSTUMES

While this section should be dedicated to Renata, unfortunately, it needs to be addressed to many of you who aren’t responsible for the creation of the costumes. When will you remember to bring your stuff? Holy cow…if Renata can remember everyone else’s stuff, why can’t you remember your own clothing? That’s frustrating. Here’s the list of “stuff” bothering me:

1. Sigh….the pants get tucked into the socks. The socks are aligned at the same level as the top of the “faux boots.” It’s not that hard. I still haven’t seen some of you where the boots. Is this passive resistance? You will wear them. People in this era didn’t wear khaki Dockers.

2. Girls….do I need to say more. Stage lights are bright and revealing. In the immortal words or Mercutio, “The slip…the slip. Can you not conceive?”

3. Shoes…..what are my Beatrice’s wearing? I am going to a Wal-Mart today. If you need something, speak now.

4. Otherwise, Friar’s wore sandals, not jeans. John, do you have sandals? Does anyone have sandals we can borrow? (By the way John, I need to wear your outfit during II. iii.)

5. I am heading to a costume shop later. If we need anything, say it now!

CURRENT GRADE: RENATA A (It would be an A+ if she would see things my way in Act V!)

EVERYONE ELSE’S CURRENT GRADE: D-

ART

While I think everything looks great, we’re still not finished. That’s a bit troubling. I don’t know when you’re going to get to it, but well….yeah…there you go. We could go on as it is, but I wouldn’t be completely satisfied, and I don’t think you would be either. Yes?

CURRENT GRADE: B+

SINGING

Well…finally…yesterday…we sounded like we knew what we were doing. However, now that we can actually sing it, that leads to the following concerns:

1. Does everyone know what he or she is doing in this scene?

2. According to Brad, we are singing, but we’re not acting. We need to smile, act as if we’re enjoying ourselves. In other words, we are characters in the play. Act. Smile.

3. Mandy, shouldn’t your lines say “us” or “we” instead of “I” and “me?”

4. Do you really need me at this point? I think my presence on stage could be a distraction. I could sing from the wings. I don’t mind going on stage. You tell me. I guess we should test it during the in-school performance on Thursday.

5. We need a different CD player.

CURRENT GRADE: C (We waited too long to get this moving, but we’re closing the gap quickly!)

PROPS

Amanda seems to have things under control. There are some random moments where things are missing, but I’m not sure why. Do you need anything?

CURRENT GRADE: B+

MAKEUP

Ha…Ha….Yes…well…there are some serious makeup concerns. I will list them below:

1. Jackie needs to be an older man. Facial hair would be lovely.

2. The Pirates, I mean…Watchmen, need to be men. Facial hair would be great.

3. Corey Hackley needs stubble to look more menacing. He’s so pretty as it stands.

4. Corey and Joe enter Act V looking a bit bloodied. Someone, like Pattie, should attend

to that. I’ll get the stage blood today.

5. Both Leonatos need to be made to look older.

6. The Ursulas need to be older too.

7. The Sexton needs to be a man. A beard would be lovely.

8. Dogberry and Verges need to look dirtier. I bought beads for Austin’s hair. Where are they? Who is putting them on him?

9. Does anyone have the makeup list? Maybe I do….

CURRENT GRADE: F- (I can’t even blame anyone!)

CONCESSIONS

I know that you’re working on this, but you MUST communicate with each other today!!! Who is making what? I heard that Mrs. Sumpter will be there all three nights. What else do we need? Again, I’m going to a store later.

TICKETS AND USHERING

I need names! This happened at the One-Acts. I was told that there were enough people, and one night we had one usher. One night, we had 12 ushers. Please!!!! VERIFY!!!!

FINALLY

Wow…every time I type this, I remember how much goes into a production. It’s a bit overwhelming. However, the hard part is nearly behind us.

Don’t get too troubled by school being cancelled today. I’m one of those people who really believes that snow is a miracle. I will never grow tired of watching it fall. It’s like the ocean. To me, it’s so beyond my understanding. I always try to thank God for the snow. It’s too beautiful to complain.

As for me, I don’t think I’ll be around a computer much until 5:00 or so. I’m going to Frederick shortly, and then, around 5:00 or so, I’ll make my way back to school to deal with all that needs to be done there. I’ll check the BLOG until 1:00 or so this afternoon, and then, I’m off.

Actors, please read my words in the first section carefully. Don’t waste today. You don’t need a stage to practice. All the world’s a stage! Sorry…I couldn’t resist that one.

WORD!