Wednesday, November 18, 2009

More LAST words from Audra - last week

My friends,

There are not words to express the joy I've experienced working on this
amazing project with each of you. I will treasure this forever.

Remember in the next couple of days to study your parts, study your music,
walk through the play in your mind and think of all it's parts and pieces.

Most of all, study the words of our Savior. Feel His love and ponder what He expects of you.
If you are honest, you'll realize He expects only a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and
that is enough. It is enough to procure the miracles necessary to touch the heart of the
one He has prepared to receive the blessings of the restored gospel.

Remember our purpose, and He will bless us, this I know!

Oh, a couple other things to remember:
***If you want to own your costume, ask Betsy Lowe or Amy Smith for the final cost and then write a check and give to your bishop.
***We're taking a picture at 5:45pm Fri in costume, be ready!
***After Saturday's performance, you can take home all the props you have donated, your costume if you've paid for it, and please help with whatever clean-up is necessary.

I love you all, see you soon,
Audra

Monday, November 16, 2009

COSTUMES

Hey there everyone,

I just wanted to remind you about paying for your costumes if you would like to own them. And aren't they beautiful!!!

What you do, is ask Amy Smith the cost for your costume. We estimate that each "full costume" is approximately $25 but some will be more and some less depending on the number of parts and the type of material.

To pay for your costume, please put the money in a tithing envelope and fill out the slip with your information at the top. Then, write "stake production" in the OTHER catagory. Keep the yellow copy for your records and give the envelope to a bishopric member.

Betsy Lowe has constructed a list of everyone that previously fill out the costume form indicating they would like to purchase their costume. Please let her know if you are interested in purchasing your costume so she can ad you to the list and Amy Smith can configure the cost of your costume.

On Saturday we will have a sheet in the Relief Society Room for you to sign out your costume
...only if you have paid your money to your bishopric.
Then after the play on Saturday, if your name is on the list you may take your costume home (but only after that has been verified with Betsy).

If you have any questions or would like to know the exact cost prior to Friday, please contact Betsy Lowe at betsy4kids@aol.com or Amy Smith at amyshake7@aol.com. They are happy to answer any of your questions.

Act ahead of time on this so Amy or Betsy are not hounded for three months after the play
about costumes.

You are all magnificent,
Audra

Important Notes from Audra!

Hello my friends,

Thanks for making our cast party so much fun!!!
You are all a bunch of nuts!
I am really going to miss seeing you every week!

I just don't even have the words to describe how beautiful the performance was on Friday.
It came with enough power to fulfil Alma's wish (Alma 29:1-2)!

Here's some important notes...

First of all, NO ONE GOES OUT TO LUNCH DURING INTERMISSION!

1. Bring food with you if you get hungry!
2. Always be looking ahead for the next scene!

You must take some time to prepare yourselves this week so we don't go into Friday's performance too raw. Please read through your script & check lines; do a mental walk through of everything you'll be doing. Call upon the Lord and study his word and bring His spirit with you!

Remember, we can ask for these miracles and we will receive because He has prescribed a great work to be done through this production.

Sound:
Can we meet Thursday night (what time?) and run though our procedures half a dozen times so we are quicker at the draw? (Lisa and Jeff Gosnell)
Also, the sister missionaries can meet Sat at 4pm to check out the Spanish interpretation equipment to make sure our systems don't clash.

Cast:
Before you go on stage make sure your mic. box is on and not on mute!
Please don't switch switches on it. If you can put it in a sash on the outside of your tunic if you think you may accidentally flip switches, then that would be best.
If you are about to walk on stage, your mic may be on so don't clear your throat or talk.
If you are wearing your wedding ring on a chain around your neck please tape it away so it doesn't gleam in the lights or don't use a metal chain.
Keep speaking out and really bring out your climaxes in your songs strongly.

Nathan keep plucking your harp during your solo not just before- listen for the harp sounds.

Shepherds, remember we will turn off your mics for your "Good tidings of great joy" speeches and slow them down so the choir cuts you off!

Elisabeth, "honey" is not a Jewish term of endearment. Check those lines when Zach is brought back mute. I think the music cue may be waiting to hear a "vision" line that is being skipped.

Ezra, after you bump into Mary, don't walk so far away from her. The spot light needs to
be on you when you are speaking.

After the show, it might work better to have more of us go to the lobbies to visit with people,
not just among the chairs in the gym.

Stage hands:
Canopy needs to get off stage when you are putting up the Shepherd's hill.
After the Alleluia song and the women exit, remove everything but one tree near the stg. R platform and the well and vase. (remember to put out the well while the resurrected people are coming up on the stage)

The well and last tree get off stage during Celopas and Disciple's song, when apostles enter.
Fruit tree gets of stage before the 2nd upper room- very quickly at the end of Thomas' song.
***If something is missed, do it when there is a blackout, between parts, or when action is
moving elsewhere. Be discrete not panicked.

Lighting:
***Always put a spot light on the person or persons who are speaking!!!!!!!!!!
When Gabriel visits Mary don't leave Mary in the dark. We have to see her face.
When Ezra bumps into Mary, follow him with one spot so both speaking people have light.
Remember, actors on stage opposite your spotlight is what you are responsible to light up.
(there is only a few exceptions)
Leave a small spotlight on Mary and Joseph and baby all the way to the end of the song, wait
for the music to stop then blackout and shut the curtain.
Don't loose Mary Magdalene in the dark when she has the visit from the Savior. Adjust wider
if you need to to make sure all speaking people have light.
Lets not forget to plug in the back wall lights for the angels at the start,
And not forget the ressuraction (round cieling lights) lights right when Samuel the Lamanite speaks.
Wait to come out of a blackout until all the actors are set. We flipped on and didn't have
everyone in the boat on Fri.
At the finale', the lights are going off a few at a time, and I like that, but make sure you leave that one center light above their heads on, until the music completely ends, plus count to 3 after, and then blackout.
When you blackout at the very end, let the cast turn and look forward and then turn on all the lights for the curtian call (with music).
After the cast bows, then immediatley close the curtain.
However, on Sat we'll open back up the curtain and give a special thank you before we dismiss the cast.
Kevin please forward these notes over to Trevor and Joseph and go over it with them!

You are all wonderful and I love you so much.
Have a really good week, be well, be happy and prepare for Friday,
Audra

Monday, November 9, 2009

Last words from Audra - for EVERYONE - cast and crew

Hello you wonderful people,
So, are you excited? I just can't wait. However, to be ready we better make note of some very important things, and there is a lot of information so read carefully the things that pertain to you.

EVERYONE:
--Be at the stake center at 4:30 or 5pm and be completely ready to go onstage by 6:00pm!!!!
--Put your mic. box on the outside of your tunic if possible so its easier to switch
with someone
--Tape your mic. with the grey dot closest to the corner of your mouth; rip the tape lengthwise and tape it more securely along your cheek bone and on your neck behind your ear.
--Sing out strong, forte is forte! Project.
--TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES and don't bring them onstage
--Remove jewelry, watches, nail polish, glasses etc.
--Careful coming off platforms, step quietly - no elephant parade.
--Quick through scene changes
--Be reverent in the green room; remember you need spiritual preparation before going
on stage just like the actor for the Savior does.
--Remember the "one" the Lord has prepared to partake of the blessings of the gospel will be there!

Stage Hands:
-- Mary's house ( blue rug and plant) not be out until after temple scene
--Be quick and discrete when putting out cube for Joseph's house do it while Mary is doing her monologue and moving across the stage.
--Quicker change to Nativity.
--At tomb/garden too many plants on stage right move the one I fixed over in between the
stone and left doorway
--After Alleluia song remove all plants and trees except one tree by the platform with the well
--Remove tree and well as the apostles are coming out with benches (1st upper room)
--No bent over behinds to the audience, turn around to bend
--Pull out the trees more horizontal so it is quieter and so they won't get wrecked

Make-up:
--Foundation on Savior's feet. scars are a little too black need to look less like gaping
wounds and more like scars-not bloody

Costumes:
--Various hats on Thaddeus, Matthew, Philip, and Simon Z.
--wrap Anna's pink wrap around her --"hands free"

Lights:
--Keep center of spots up on faces not knees
--Follow main characters when they are speaking.
--Shine bright on visiting Angels and the Savior and cut off spot immediately as they exit


Angel Chorus on Balcony:
--Slow motion movements--don't fidget
--Smile and sing out show us your facial expressions(bigger because we are far away)
--very animated with bodies and faces and arms on Glory song

Prophets:
--Be on the balcony more with the angels
--When you say your line speak strong and step into light or lean down over the balcony more
its hard to get you face with the spot lights
--Animate yourselves more to draw the eye

Act 1 scene 1
--Zach. don't stand in front of Elis. when she's talking about " the Lord bless you and keep you"
--Sit back on the platform if you are the downstage person
--Ezra, step closer to Elis. when you are talking to just her
--Nathan put your arms under the lambs legs
--Nathan sing out stronger on your lamb song
--Towns people & shepherds sing Come Deliver Us; just the priests and boys don't sing
--Eric Fallon make sure you take Dilion as your shadow in the temple scene and for the wedding processional-like you are brothers or something
--North wrap your foot and up your calf (not your knee) with the bandage like you have a hurt foot then lift the foot and hop more
--Brittney say Alms Alms to both men nice and loud
--Micham and Father louder greeting outside you doorway
--Benjamin step in closer to Zach and Elis. when you are explaining to them,
stay in the spotlight

Act 1 scene 2
--Joseph drop canopy to Micham with the other hand so your back isn't to the aud.
--Nephews can't twist the canopy on the poles; please practice early on Thurs with Micham and the stagehands
--Joseph project more and sing out
--Sing out women
--Sing nephews at end of song out with Micham and Joseph
--Anna cuddle in your blanket
--Anna say your line about "surrounding you with their lights..." at the same time you are walking around Mary and up on the platform
--Anna take blanket and comb with you when you exit
--Gabriel take a step forward closer to Mary when you say "fear not"
--Elis. be a little more obvious that you are pregnant in that scene with Mary
--Mary & Elis. speak clearer in your scene together, sounds like mumbling even though I know you're just trying to be tender.
--Joseph sing clear words on your solo, project and slay us with those fortes
--When Anna and sister are finished handing off Mary's veil come down off the platform and stand on the floor in front of it
--Joseph escort Mary to the canopy on your left arm so you don't have to switch places
when you get there.

Act 1 scene 3:
--After family leaves wedding towns people get animated, get your bundle start having conversations about what is going on in Jerusalem or at the temple or at the fish market or something
--Then get caught by the trumpet blow and the soldiers
--soldiers begin your exit right after the statesman leaves
--Towns people talk excitedly or angrily or worried as you exit
--Mary come out right as the Towns people are leaving
--Nathan find the lost sheep
--Nathan your harp is your prised procession so take really good care of it (and how you play it too)
--Shepherds scoot your lines closer together, it is dragging, have an interesting conversation
--Mary speak out
--Joseph and Mary take more care and time exiting when you've found the stable, help her more, she's in labor!!!
--Nathan put all your feeling into the nativity scene, this is your most important bit, show me how much you love Jesus just like you love your own family so very much
--Shepherds slow down your last speeches as if it was the most important thing you've ever said in your whole life. and being cut off by the chorus is what is supposed to happen.

Act 2 scene 1:
--Joseph of Ar. and Nicodemus start shutting the tomb sooner and get done and get off sooner, we've got to leave some time for Thomas to be alone out there--very important
--Bright light inside tomb goes on on the second and last time they sing "come"
and if you can make it come on more gradual that would be great!!!!!!
--roll the stone away farther away out of the doorway
--Cleopus sit back on the platform so Disciple doesn't get hidden
--Mary Mag. sing out strong its gorgeous!
--Resurrected angels start walking right when Mary Magdalene exits, don't wait for Samuel
the Lamanite's line. I don't want you to rush, I just want you to get to the stage sooner so
Amalie has it to herself at the end of the song.
--Sing out chorus

Act 2 scene 2:
--Peter be conscious to step forward so James' (or any one's) shadow is not on you and there
is no reverb on your mic.
--Alleluia song gorgeous but make your vowels more formal and tall--women's chorus not girl's chorus
--Savior use slow smooth movements when you go to let the apostles touch your hands.
--Rebekah start right away when the lights go up after everyone and everything is set
--Mary MOJ sit next to Rebekah when you say your line "put these in too", I can't see Joshua when he starts
--Joshua look at the people you are talking to
--Mary Mag. walk over closer to Salome when you say "childbirth" line then stay there
--Peter step forward
--Thomas slay us with that loud climax in your song
--Set change to Sea of Galilee black stagehands only, cast can get seated while they are finishing up
--don't hide the big net of fish so much let it be seen more as you pull it into the boat don't stash it so soon.
--James don't say "mill" say "meel"
--Apostles and Savior check the floor fro tape marks for where you sit on the seashore
--Savior put your arm around John while people are eating
--All apostles stand up straight, shoulders back and step forward animated when you say
your final lines.
--Peter be conscious of posture

BREAD:
We've practiced so long without bread that we didn't think to use it last week!
--Zach. puts flat bread in cloth and in travel bag
--Ezra has a big loaf in a basket when he bumps into Mary on his way to Elis.
--Shepherds break and pass around flat bread
--Cleopas packs flat bread in a cloth and in his travel bag
--Upper room has fish and honeycomb -- not bread
--The women are packing few loaves of whatever bread into cloths and into travel bags
--Savior breaks a big loaf on shore of Galilee

I just tried to think of every detail possible. I will print this and put it up in the green room
but please share the knowledge in case someone doesn't get this.
I will see you at 4:30-5pm on Thursday!!!!!!!!
Audra

Friday, November 6, 2009

Dress Rehearsal - last rehearsal before we go live!

Hello, how's my favorite people?
Just some notes:
Tonight lets do it like the real thing.

Things to remember:
No jewelry, street shoes, street clothes, showing through costumes.

No lights in hallways.

No noise in the wings or hallways.

Shut green room doors, rely on video & managers. Every cast member helping to create a reverent atmosphere in the green room.

All stage hands, light guys, sound people dress in black.

Where light clothes under your tunics, pockets or a waistband would be good for putting the Microphone box in.

If something goes wrong just improvise and make it work. Know your music well enough you can keep singing right even if you can't hear the music well enough.

Place the microphone square close to the corner of your mouth with the grey dot to your cheek. And Project! Speak/Sing Out!

Those with long hair, try to get it out of your face, we need to see your expressions. Mary's especially!

Keep your wraps down off your shoulders, its not cold out, let it hang down your back just below your shoulder blades. Be careful to pin or whatever it takes to have you not constantly
adjusting you costume on stage.

Enter/Exit over platforms much more quietly---no elephant parades!

If there is a shadow on your face, move downstage a step (closer to audience).

Show your emotion bigger---especially chorus angels. Careful because concentrating
sometimes comes out looking like scowling on your face.

And the last note: If the spirit promts "yes, you need to add a rehearsal on Saturday,"
I will add one, but only if He directs. I want to know that we have done all we can do,
and then we can count ourselves worthy for the Lord to make up the difference.
We'll talk tonight about it.

Please make these adjustments if you get this in time, and we'll see you tonight at 5pm.
Be ready to start costume make-up and all at 6pm.

May the Lord bless us and keep us in the hollow of His hand,
which I have no doubt He will. Its just that we need to remember that!
Audra

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Make up Check - please contact Juliana Allen

All cast member, (Please Respond ASAP)
The makeup committee needs to be prepared. We need to know if:

You are bringing your own makeup but need to have us apply it for you
You do not have your own makeup and you need us to apply makup for you.
Anything else you will need help with


So far, I only have one person that will need makeup done. This is great! It makes our job easier. But I suspect there are others. Please let us know so we can be prepared.

Love,
~Juliana
Juliana Allen
502-500-5156julianaallen5@yahoo.com

Dress Rehearsal this Week - 11/5 & 11/6

I just want you all to know how wonderful you are.
What a joy it has been getting to know you and feeling
of your spirits and learning from you.

Dress rehearsal this week:
Thursday Nov 5th call time 5pm
(costume if you have one, no make-up unless
you need practice with it)

Friday Nov 6th call time 5pm
(costumes and mak-up.. the works!)

I know we are being blessed just look and see,
Audra