Last night was the first night with costumes for THE WIZARD OF OZ. Fortunately, there were not many problems with costume changes - we have wonderful volunteer dressers - so that did not delay the show. In addition, adding the costumes usually adds some energy to the performance as the actors begin to feel that it's closer to opening night and their excitement rises. Tuesday night, we will be adding hair and makeup, and really get a feel for the overall look to the show.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wizard - Tech Weekend
We are currently in the midst of tech weekend for our 2010 opening musical - THE WIZARD OF OZ. On Saturday, we worked on flying in the morning - with the two flying monkeys - and then tested microphones and started a tech run at 1 p.m. that didn't end until 6:45 p.m. However, we worked through all of the problem spots, and hope to clean them up today (Sunday) in order to move into dress rehearsal in a good place. Today, we had an actor rehearsal this afternoon where we ran the show with just acting, singing and dancing - no tech elements - and I'm writing this blog after dinner while we're doing the hair and makeup workshop and then we'll move into the tech run around 6 p.m. I will try to update with more information early this week.
Ticket sales have picked up, but there are very few shows that are "sold out" so join the fun and come support MCT and our talented volunteers - Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10-5:30 p.m. or you can check our website
Ticket sales have picked up, but there are very few shows that are "sold out" so join the fun and come support MCT and our talented volunteers - Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10-5:30 p.m. or you can check our website
Monday, January 25, 2010
WIZARD stumble thru
On Sunday afternoon, we did a "stumble thru" of the whole show - started at the beginning and went through every scene, song and dance in order. It's an important step in the process for the actors, who need to learn how their individual part fits into the overall whole of the show. We definitely had many stumbles on Sunday, but I feel that this will be a learning experience for everyone involved. We move upstairs to the stage tonight to adjust the entrances, blocking and dances to the spacing on the stage - should be interesting.
We are still in need of volunteers to help us build the sets and costumes for this show. We are working every night from 6-9 p.m. in both the set shop and the costume shop - no experience required. We start technical rehearsals on Thursday.
We are still in need of volunteers to help us build the sets and costumes for this show. We are working every night from 6-9 p.m. in both the set shop and the costume shop - no experience required. We start technical rehearsals on Thursday.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Wizard Update - Monday, January 18th
Rehearsals have been going well - the cast is learning the songs, dances and blocking, and now we have to get the cast off-book and doing the show without their scripts in hand. The real test will be Sunday afternoon when we do a "stumble thru" of the whole show. At this rehearsal, we'll learn where the problem spots are located and what needs to be worked on before the technical and dress rehearsals.
This past weekend, we did some "guerilla marketing" of the show. On Saturday afternoon, we dressed up Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman and the Lion in the costume rental shop costumes and went to the mall, HEB and Target. We didn't talk, sing or perform - they just walked around, let people take pictures and handed them a brochure (if asked). It's our hope that this and other events like it will get people thinking about the show and planning to attend.
The Box Office is now filling member reservations for the show. If you're a 2010 member of MCT, you can make a reservation - non-members can not make a reservation until Monday, February 8, 2010. To purchase a membership, visit our website and click on the link to 2010 memberships - they start for as little as $85 for the season.
This past weekend, we did some "guerilla marketing" of the show. On Saturday afternoon, we dressed up Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman and the Lion in the costume rental shop costumes and went to the mall, HEB and Target. We didn't talk, sing or perform - they just walked around, let people take pictures and handed them a brochure (if asked). It's our hope that this and other events like it will get people thinking about the show and planning to attend.
The Box Office is now filling member reservations for the show. If you're a 2010 member of MCT, you can make a reservation - non-members can not make a reservation until Monday, February 8, 2010. To purchase a membership, visit our website and click on the link to 2010 memberships - they start for as little as $85 for the season.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Wizard of Oz - First Week
We are getting close to the end of the first week of rehearsals for our 2010 opening musical - THE WIZARD OF OZ. Early rehearsals are both fun and anxious. There's none of the pressure of later rehearsals when the show is about to open and you're wondering if it's all going to come together. Rather, it's fun to start to develop a character and have the cast get to know each other. As a director, the early rehearsals are a little strange - I'm always wondering if my blocking on the page is going to translate into something that works on the stage - certainly, changes are made and the actors are allowed to bring their own interpretation of the character into the process.
After Saturday morning's rehearsal with the Munchkins, all of Act One will be blocked - by the end of next week, we'll have blocked all of Act Two and be into reviewing scenes, songs and choreography. On January 24th (prior to the Annual Meeting) we're going to do a "stumble thru" of the whole show to see where we stand on everything, and then we'll start the process of moving the show upstairs.
Right now, the crew is working on painting and creating props and scenery upstairs - they work during the day (for anyone who can come by) but they also have work calls on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6-9 p.m. - come join the fun!
After Saturday morning's rehearsal with the Munchkins, all of Act One will be blocked - by the end of next week, we'll have blocked all of Act Two and be into reviewing scenes, songs and choreography. On January 24th (prior to the Annual Meeting) we're going to do a "stumble thru" of the whole show to see where we stand on everything, and then we'll start the process of moving the show upstairs.
Right now, the crew is working on painting and creating props and scenery upstairs - they work during the day (for anyone who can come by) but they also have work calls on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6-9 p.m. - come join the fun!
Monday, December 21, 2009
2009 A Year in Review
Friends of Midland Community Theatre:
Now that we have closed all of our 2009 productions, it's a good time to review this past year. We had a wonderful season, including a community theatre premier (RENT) and the first mainland US community theatre to produce a show (LES MISERABLES). We also had an outstanding run of our two holiday productions - A TUNA CHRISTMAS and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Many other shows were extended, including MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, SUITE SURRENDER and the 2008 McLaren winner KNOCK KNOCK. Shows were sold out for the Pickwicks PINNOCHIO and FOOTLOOSE . Finally, Summer Mummer broke every record for income in 2008, and we thought that the economy might hinder our fundraiser in 2009 - but it didn't happen. Summer Mummer made more money in 2009 than in 2008 for MCT. All in all, it was a great year of productions.
In addition to our work onstage, we continued to expand our educational programs. MCT has partnered with the Rays of Hope Grief Center to utilize drama therapy for those in need, and Bill and Judith have also expanded their work with the Autism Society to help kids find new (and creative) ways to express themselves. MCT continues to work with MISD to expand their drama programs in the schools, and the Pickwick Players, Theatre School and Centerstage programs continue to flourish. Education remains an important element of your community theatre.
Overall, MCT remains extremely blessed to have outstanding volunteers. Whether it be onstage or backstage, front of house or building sets, costumes or props, our staff is lucky to have so many outstanding volunteers. This past month, we were worried about auditions for our 2010 opening musical THE WIZARD OF OZ - very few scripts had been checked out, and we had not run many ads in the newspaper. To our surprise, over 150 people auditioned for the show, including 100 adults! We were at auditions until 1 a.m. each night, and this goes to show that MCT remains committed to our mission of allowing the community to participate in our productions.
In 2010, we have an exciting season of productions, starting with THE WIZARD OF OZ and ending with our 2010 holiday musical IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS. In between, we have two great musicals - GODSPELL and THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE - as well as comedies - THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB, the 2009 McLaren winner VIRTUALLY IN LOVE and ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT - and drama - THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK and DOUBT. In addition, we are doing the live musical version of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at the Yucca in April/May. There's something for everyone in 2010 at MCT!
To those who have supported us this year as a donor, an audience member or as a volunteer, I thank you for your support of our community theatre. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you at MCT in 2010!
NOTE: MCT will be closed from December 22nd through January 3rd.
Now that we have closed all of our 2009 productions, it's a good time to review this past year. We had a wonderful season, including a community theatre premier (RENT) and the first mainland US community theatre to produce a show (LES MISERABLES). We also had an outstanding run of our two holiday productions - A TUNA CHRISTMAS and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Many other shows were extended, including MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, SUITE SURRENDER and the 2008 McLaren winner KNOCK KNOCK. Shows were sold out for the Pickwicks PINNOCHIO and FOOTLOOSE . Finally, Summer Mummer broke every record for income in 2008, and we thought that the economy might hinder our fundraiser in 2009 - but it didn't happen. Summer Mummer made more money in 2009 than in 2008 for MCT. All in all, it was a great year of productions.
In addition to our work onstage, we continued to expand our educational programs. MCT has partnered with the Rays of Hope Grief Center to utilize drama therapy for those in need, and Bill and Judith have also expanded their work with the Autism Society to help kids find new (and creative) ways to express themselves. MCT continues to work with MISD to expand their drama programs in the schools, and the Pickwick Players, Theatre School and Centerstage programs continue to flourish. Education remains an important element of your community theatre.
Overall, MCT remains extremely blessed to have outstanding volunteers. Whether it be onstage or backstage, front of house or building sets, costumes or props, our staff is lucky to have so many outstanding volunteers. This past month, we were worried about auditions for our 2010 opening musical THE WIZARD OF OZ - very few scripts had been checked out, and we had not run many ads in the newspaper. To our surprise, over 150 people auditioned for the show, including 100 adults! We were at auditions until 1 a.m. each night, and this goes to show that MCT remains committed to our mission of allowing the community to participate in our productions.
In 2010, we have an exciting season of productions, starting with THE WIZARD OF OZ and ending with our 2010 holiday musical IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS. In between, we have two great musicals - GODSPELL and THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE - as well as comedies - THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB, the 2009 McLaren winner VIRTUALLY IN LOVE and ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT - and drama - THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK and DOUBT. In addition, we are doing the live musical version of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at the Yucca in April/May. There's something for everyone in 2010 at MCT!
To those who have supported us this year as a donor, an audience member or as a volunteer, I thank you for your support of our community theatre. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you at MCT in 2010!
NOTE: MCT will be closed from December 22nd through January 3rd.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Wizard of Oz Auditions
Last night, we had the first night of adult auditions for THE WIZARD OF OZ. Youth auditions were on Saturday, and there were 38 youth (ages 8-13) at these auditions. A good number - and lots of talented kids - but not an overwhelming number. We start auditions at 6:30 p.m., and on Sunday night at 6 p.m. - when those of us who had worked all afternoon on A CHRISTMAS CAROL returned from a quick dinner - there were already 20 people in line for auditions and by the end over 80 adults auditioned for the 2010 opening musical.
It takes a long time to audition that many people - especially since they all need to dance, sing and read scenes from the show. In the end, we completed the first night of auditions at 1 a.m., and will continue auditions tonight (Monday) along with casting the show - this could be a long evening!
It takes a long time to audition that many people - especially since they all need to dance, sing and read scenes from the show. In the end, we completed the first night of auditions at 1 a.m., and will continue auditions tonight (Monday) along with casting the show - this could be a long evening!
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