Sunday, August 19, 2012




PLAY PRODUCTION

The purpose of this class is to produce plays.  This requires commitment on the part of the actors and stage technicians who work on these plays; this commitment includes staying after school until five or even later for rehearsals.  It is impossible to mount a show with one hour of rehearsal a day and we pride ourselves on producing professional and polished shows, which require a minimum of three to four hour rehearsals. We have had this policy intact for the past thirty years and it is the prevailing custom at all performing arts schools and drama programs to hold a minimum of three to four hour rehearsals for each produced show.

If you agree to remain in the class, then you will be involved in the production of the show.  If you are acting in the show, then it is mandatory that you stay after school for rehearsals.  You may not be called every single day at first, but as we get closer to opening night, you will be.  At least one and possibly even two Saturday rehearsals will be scheduled close to the opening of the show.  Failure to attend the mandatory after school and Saturday rehearsals may result in a lower grade.  Failure to perform in the show will definitely result in an “F” in the class.

The first show of the year will be Woody Allen’s PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM.  The play dates for this show are November 1st, 2nd and 3rd, on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the auditorium. Auditions will be held during the week of August 20th.  Rehearsals will begin the week of August 27, 2012, and will go from 2:15 (during sixth period) to 5:00.  Approximately a month before we open we will begin to have rehearsals until six (October 1st) and the last week of rehearsal (October 29th) we will be staying until 8 p.m.  It will also be necessary to have one and possibly two Saturday rehearsals from 9 to 4, one to two weeks before we open, which will be October 27th and possibly October 20th.

If you are not cast in the show, you will be called upon to help with the technical aspects of the show, which will include stage managing, assistant director, running lights and/or sound, props and costumes.  You may not be called upon to stay after school in the beginning of rehearsals, but as we get closer to opening night, you will be required to attend all rehearsals and all performances.

Again, be mindful that you may not be called for every single rehearsal in the beginning, and that after school rehearsals will be from September through October, and again from the middle of January to March.  We understand that emergencies arise, and if you cannot make it to rehearsal, please give us 24 hour notice if at all possible and a note from your parent/guardian with a phone number where s/he may be reached.

You will be given a rehearsal schedule each week which will detail who is called, which scenes will be rehearsed and when.  The schedule will also be posted each week on the blog at hollywoodhighschool.net.  Please go to the website’s homepage and click on “teacher”, “blogs”, “jbridges”, and “Play Production” to check on that week’s schedule.

During rehearsal it is imperative that everyone is punctual, attends every rehearsal, and stays for the entire rehearsal.  The actors and technicians must refrain from horse playing, talking, and texting during rehearsal; it is imperative that actors and technicians follow direction and at all times display respect for everyone involved in the show.  It is the prerogative of the director to recast or remove anyone from the show at any time if it is determined by the director that the recasting of the actor or the removal of the technician is for the good of the show.

After PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM has closed, we will begin auditions in November for the next show, which is yet to be determined. We will rehearse during sixth period in November, December, and the first half of January.  Starting in the middle of January, we will begin rehearsing until 5 and around March 1st, we will start staying until 6. The dates for the second show will be Thursday and Friday, March 21st and March 22nd at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.  The venue will be in #503. Although the second show is a smaller show, the same rules apply. 

The last half of the spring semester will be spent on student-written and directed plays. There will be a small recital of these scenes in May in #503.  The date has yet to be determined.

Please carefully read and discuss this with your parents.

Thank you,
Kate Bridges
Director/Teacher

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I have read the above contract and am in agreement with the requirements of the class.
Student Signature:_________________________________________________
Please Print Your Name:__________________________________________
Parent Signature:__________________________________________________
Please Print Your Name:__________________________________________

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