"Spies" Singers

Guys from Scene 17 (Raphael, Henry, Coulter, and Evan)
Please be ready to work on the song "Spies" on January 5th.  While others are working on Scene 16 (2:00-2:45), I'll take you aside (either in one of those side rooms or upstairs) and we'll work out who is singing which notes when we get to "They're everywhere...."

Girls from Scene 17 (Michelle, Lindsey, Allie, Micayla, Juliana, Erin, Trisha)
Please be ready to work on parts for the "Spies" song right after warm-ups on January 12th.  We'll decide who is singing which notes, and also practice singing both melodies at the same time (last half of song).  Other cast members will be working on Scene 18 in the main room at this time, so we'll go in a side room or upstairs with my little keyboard.

Guys & Girls from Scene 17
As is already on the schedule, Jackie Holbrook will be staging your scene from 1:45-2:45 on the 12th.  My hope is that we'll be able to put the whole song together within this time.

Thanks,
Mrs. Green

Song Notes (Get it? Notes? For songs?)

Hello singers!  (Mrs. Green here.)  This is a bit lengthy, but someone asked me to write down what we talked about on December 15th.  So, here it is.  Most of you wrote these notes in your scripts already, but if you were absent/late, then you'll need to know this.  And all of you should read through this, just as a reminder.  If there's something new just for you, I've written your name in red.

Page 3

• If you are in Scene 1, then you sing this entire song.  If you're not in Scene 1, then you come in where it says "COMPANY".
• This entire song is to be sung as forte, which means "loud"--except for the very last line.  Under "And the good ol' U.S.O.!" you should write cresc. underneath or draw a crescendo symbol (it looks sort of like a thin, open-ended triangle with the larger end toward the right).  At the end of the line we should be singing fortissimo--"very loud".  You can write ff there.  That's the symbol for fortissimo.
• There are two places where we have the line, "In every nation, on land or sea".  Please don't take a breath after "sea".  Rather, take a quick one after "nation" if you need it.  If we take a breath after "sea", then it's quite difficult to get "They bring a big..." in there clearly.  
• When we sing "They bring a big warm welcome from the land of the free," I want you to think of those last words as "lan-dove-thuf-free".  Really link those words together please.  This line happens twice as well.

Pages 6-8

• Only those cast members who are in Scene 4 sing this one.
• Really enunciate the verses.  Overdo the consonants a little.  Usually I wouldn't say that because singing is all about the vowels, but these words will get lost if we don't.  For words like "jitterbug", "Saturday", "gotta", and "little", I'd like for you to sing those as "jidderbug", "Sadurday", "godda", and "liddle"--otherwise, sing the /t/ (i.e. "cats", "eight to", "fast", "last").  And guys, sing "Cud-a-rug".
• Guys, it's difficult to hear on the CD, but when you get to the floy-floy/oh, boy part, the notes change somewhat.  We'll go over this next time we rehearse the song.
• We will keep the word "shiners".
• Pop those bahps!  Sneak a breath between the two bahps, when you need to.
• Smile!  Practice singing in front of a mirror.  It helps.  = )

Pages 33-34

• "Together We Must Stand" is to be sung slowly and majestically with patriotism and pride.  It starts softly, growing louder and louder throughout the entire piece.  Sometimes we will add voices to get louder, sometimes the same voices will simply sing louder.
• Sloane (Ruth) did a lovely job on the 15th.  That being said (and deservingly at that), the solo there is just too long.  We're going to try adding Angela (Rachel) and Elisabeth (Rebekah) at the first "We are one!" part.  So, Sloane, Angela, and Elisabeth, can we get together early on Jan. 5th to try that out?  Could you be there by 11:45?  Let me know here or email me (Jen@ngyc.org).  Thanks.
• Bailey (Gladys) and Marie (Rose) will come in at their respective places.
• ALL ONSTAGE ACTORS ~ Okay, we won't know for sure who these people are exactly until we stage scenes 18 & 19.  So, please bear with us until this happens.  Whoever these cast members are, they will need to crescendo on the word "stand".  We're building up to forte here.
• ALL ~ So, this is the entire cast, except for Kilroy and the two M.P.'s.
• At the top of page 34, there's a space after "We are the land of the free!"  There is a key change here (also called a modulation).  After the key change, we will sing very loudly--fortissimo--ff for short.
• There's a mistake in CHORUS ONE.  The correct words are in green below:
• (Sings.)  We are one!
• We are the United States of America,
• We are one!
• We are the United States of America,
• We are one!
• We are the United States of America,
• The yellow highlighted words are those which have different notes compared to those same words in the rest of the song.  The reason those notes are different is so they can match up with CHORUS TWO.  Listen carefully to your CD's and you might be able to hear it.
• We will crescendo on the very last line.  Everyone sings this together.  It's supposed to end in fortissimo possibile, which means "the loudest possible".  Keep in mind that this is the loudest possible singing we can do--not screaming.  = )  The symbol for this is fff, if you want to write that by "free!" in your script.  By the way, watch your "ee" sounds.  Don't make them too bright.
• I know I still need to decide who is singing which CHORUS.  Let me know if you have a strong preference towards Chorus 1 or Chorus 2.  I'll try to be accommodating, but I can't make any guarantees.  Same goes for the very last line of this song.  Let me know if you prefer low part, middle part, or high part. Give me a 2nd choice too, please.  (The very high note at the end--I'm going to hand pick just a few people for that one.)  If I don't hear from you, then I'll assume you have no preference.  Reply here or to Jen@ngyc.org.  I just need it in writing--otherwise I'll forget.

Thank you!  And congratulations on reading it all! 

A Few Reminders

Just a reminder that Mrs. Green will be going over 'Don't Say No to the USO', 'Together We Must Stand', and 'Jitterbug Saturday Night', at this week's practice.  It might be a good idea to bring a water bottle along because you'll be doing lots of singing.  We'll also be doing scenes 14 & 15, and then running through scenes 1-15.  So everyone be sure to brush up on all of your lines.

I'm hoping to be ready to do some more delegating in early January.  Also in early January, be prepared to get your ad assignments.  We need to start on that earlier this year, since the performance dates have been moved up.  As a reminder, every family needs to sell a full page of ads or pay $50.

Scenes 10, 11 & 12

I’ve scheduled some extra people to be in the background at the newsstand, and then do some dancing in Scene 12.  If you are scheduled for these scenes, but don’t see any lines for your character, it’s not a mistake.

I wasn’t very clear about that, and I apologize for any confusion.

Updated December Rehearsal Schedule

My husband tells me that every new teacher doesn’t schedule enough for their first day.  So, at least I’m not alone.  J  I guess Prepared Students + Skilled Assistant Directors + Short Scenes = Early Finish Time.  I want to say again how pleased I was with the work all of you guys did yesterday at rehearsal.  I also appreciate the fact that you were so willing to go over the additional scenes that we hadn’t scheduled.  It makes my job so much easier when I have people to work with who have such great attitudes.

I’ve adjusted the schedule for the next couple of weeks.  Next week, Abby will start working with the Harmony Brothers learning how to use their harmonicas.   Besides doing Scenes 6, 8, 9 & 10 next week, I’ve moved Scene 11 up from December 15, and added Scene 13 to the schedule. 

As a reminder, use your CD’s to learn ‘Don’t Say No to the USO’ (everyone), ‘Jitterbug Saturday Night’ (Scene 4 people only) and ‘Together We Must Stand’ (everyone) for the December 15 rehearsal.  I’ve also added Scenes 14 & 15 to that day’s schedule. 

I know it probably seems like we’re moving very fast, but we’ll slow down once we start learning our dances.  Be prepared to do a lot of dancing in January & February.  J

Lindsey Stratton will be choreographing Scene 2 for us on January 5.  I’m hoping to schedule Kilroy Was Here for January 12 (the Carys will be doing the choreography).  I’ll get a January schedule to you as soon as I’m able. 

Thanks again for the great job everyone!  Given the caliber of yesterday’s rehearsal, I’m very excited about us putting on a great quality show!

UPDATED Schedule for December 2011 Practices:

December 8:            12:00-12:20       Additional Grid Assignments, Warm-ups, Distribution of Harmonicas                                 

                       12:20 – 12:45   Scene 8                 CS (Up)

                       12:20 – 1:30     Scenes 10&11      JH  (Down)

                       12:20 - ?           Abby Holbrook will start teaching the Harmony Brothers how to use the  harmonica (downstairs room)

                       12:45-1:45        Scene 9                 SK  (Up)

                       12:45-1:00        I have a couple of new lines from an Act 2 scene.  I'll want to work with Sarah Reinke & Henry Stuewer on them at this time

                        1:30 – 2:00      Scene 6*               CS  (Down)

                                                (*Lines only)

                       2:00 – 2:30       Scene 13               SK (Down)

                       2:30-2:45           Scenes 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13

                       2:45 – 2:55       Feedback

                       2:55 – 3:00       Dismissal and Directors Huddle

December 15:  12:00 – 12:15  Warm-ups

                        12:15 – 1:00    Practice songs for Scenes 2, 4, & 19 (no dancing, just music)  

                          1:00* – 2:00 Scene 14               SK

                          2:00 -  2:20    Scene 15               CS

                          2:20 – 2:35    Scenes 1-15 (no choreography/no Scene 12)                                      2:35 – 2:45 Scene 19  (music only)

                          2:45 – 2:55    Feedback

                          2:55 – 3:00    Dismissal & Directors Huddle

*Boughtons and Stuewers will be late to practice on 12/15 because they’ll be attending A Christmas Carol at the PAC.  Starting Scene 14 may have to be delayed until the Boughtons arrive.

Clarification on My Decision Regarding Devotions at Rehearsals

Wolf River Homeschoolers is a Christian support group.  But, we need to respect that not everyone in our group has exactly the same set of doctrines.  We are all Christians.  However, we have many different denominations within our support group.  We have Baptists and Catholics, Non-Denominationals and Lutherans, Assembly of God members and I’m sure some other denominations as well.  What seems obviously true to one member might not be so apparent, or it might even be offensive, to another member.  One person’s church might encourage prayer between different denominations as a statement of unity.  Another person’s church might discourage it, because it implies an agreement on doctrine. 

There is a time and a place to have your child lead devotions.  It is my opinion that a better place would be within the context of your own church body.  It is my opinion that devotions are a form of worship and can lead to division within our group.  As a support group, we need to focus on the areas we have in common.  As long as we are all Christian, I feel it is our role to respect each family’s religious preferences.  We exist to support and encourage each other in our homeschool journeys.  We don’t exist to decide what devotional material each child should be taught.

As homeschoolers, by nature we have strong opinions and generally have a strong sense of the beliefs we want to instill in our children.  That is how it should be.  God placed each of our children in our respective families for a reason.  He wants each of us to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord as the Holy Spirit leads us. 

The decision to not have devotions was something I struggled with over the summer.  It was my decision, made with my husband’s counsel.  I’m sorry if I blindsided some of you with that decision.  I guess I got caught up in the many logistics of getting everything ready for practice and didn’t communicate it as well as I could have.  However, I feel strongly that a child’s parents should be the ones who have the final say about what devotional material their children are taught.  Since my name is down as director, I am the one who is ultimately responsible for the content of the rehearsals.  I felt this was the only decision I could make in good conscience. 

I would highly encourage all of our parents to lead their children in prayer and/or devotions before each rehearsal and performance.  Either I or one of the directors will lead the entire group in a prayer before each session.  We will also be having a more involved music session at the beginning of each rehearsal, which I’m sure you will find to be God-pleasing.    

WRHS is set apart as a Christian group, not by the 5 minutes at the beginning of each rehearsal, but by the entirety of our time together.  It’s not the devotions which define us as existing for God’s glory.  Rather, it’s how we behave during the three hours of practice.  It’s how we prepare at home.  It’s how we learn our lines.  It’s how we act towards each other and encourage each other.  It’s how the children behave towards the adults, and it’s how the adults behave towards the children.  It’s the language we use with each other.  It’s how we act when we are going into the community and asking businesses to put ads in our program.  It’s how we behave during performances, both backstage and in front of the audience.  It’s how we greet our audience members at the end of the show. 

Again, I’m sorry I mishandled the communication of this new policy.  I truly apologize if I offended anyone.  Rest assured that my top priority is that every aspect of our time together should be to God’s glory.

Char Stuewer

Page 11 Insert Correction

Page 11 Insert

HORACE:  Mendez was my grandmother’s name.

RACHEL:  ‘Donald Douglas Dixon, ONI - Office of Naval Intelligence’

DONALD:  Donald was my Uncle Herman’s name (others look puzzled)

REBEKAH:  ‘Ben Malone – Secret Intelligence Service.’  This looks foreign.

BEN:  That’s right, ma’am.  The SIS is the secret front line of British National Security. MRS WILCOX’s VOICE:  (from offstage, left)  Put out that light!  (flashlights are turned off)

RACHEL:  What exactly is the Office of Strategic Services?  Something like the Federal Bureau of Investigation?  The FBI?

ELLIOT:  You might say that.

HORACE:  Actually, I’m with the FBI.  I’m on detached duty.

ELLIOT:  Officially, the Office of Strategic Services is referred to as OSS.

REBEKAH:  Let me see if we have it right.  (points to Elliot)  You’re OSS.

ELLIOT:  Uh-huh

RACHEL:  You’re FBI. (points to Horace)

HORACE:  Uh-huh

REBEKAH:  You’re ONI (points to Donald)

DONALD:  Uh-huh

RACHEL:  You’re SIS (points to Ben)

BEN:  Uh-huh

RUTH:  We have the OSS, the FBI, the ONI and the SIS in the USO. (Agents are confused for a split-second)

ELLIOT, HORACE, DONALD & BEN:  Yeah

Parent Helper Assignments

Stuewer – Director

Holbrook, Jackie – Assistant Director

Kluge – Assistant Director

Conto – Assistant Director –General Overseer of Time Period Integrity, Costumes,            Hair/Makeup

Green – Music Director

Schinke – Ads

Pedersen – Press/Ads Assistant

Fuller - Fundraiser

Bergmann – Program

Hintz – Video

Schuler – Hair/Makeup (Leader)

Neil – Hair/Makeup

Reinke – Hair/Makeup

Martin – Hair/Makeup

Cary/Torrez – Refreshments

Michael – Refreshments

Stratton – Refreshments

Boughton – Backstage

Bartz – Backstage

Braun – Backstage

Kersten – Backstage

Holbrook, Pam – Backstage

Holbrook, Jamie – Backstage

Holbrook, Ginger – Scrapbook Display

Parent Helper List

SCHEDULE FOR PARENT HELPERS

We may need to have extra parent helpers volunteer

At individual rehearsals or when we get to the theater

December 1 -  Rehearsal          Angie Boughton

December 8 -  Rehearsal          Connie Schinke   

December 15-  Rehearsal         Sharin Bartz

January 5    -  Rehearsal          Lisa Bergmann

January 12  -  Rehearsal          Jamie Holbrook

January 19  -  Rehearsal          Karen Hintz

January 26  -  Rehearsal          Donna Stratton

February 2  -  Rehearsal          Tracy Schuler

February 9  -  Rehearsal          Lori Pedersen

February 16         -  Rehearsal          Janet Cary

February 23         -  Rehearsal          Holly Reinke

March 1      -  Rehearsal          Ginger Holbrook

March 8      -  Rehearsal          Amy Martin

March 15    -  Rehearsal  (Last rehearsal at Bethany)    Patty Fuller

March 22    -  Rehearsal (First rehearsal at CHS) Neil/Braun

March 29    -  Rehearsal          Torrez/Michael

April 5        -  Rehearsal          Kersten

April 12      -  Rehearsal          Pam Holbrook

April 19      -  Rehearsal            Boughton/Braun/Pam Holbrook

April 26      - Dress Rehearsal   Kersten/Bartz/Jamie Holbrook

Scene 24

We caught a snafu in the people listed for each scene.  I had put the government agents and g-men in Scene 24, but I missed that they left at the end of Scene 23.  So, Micayla, Juliana, Erin, Trisha, Raphael, Henry, Coulter and Evan are not in Scene 24.

Rehearsal Schedule

Next spring we will be performing in the Clintonville High School Auditorium.  Given the fact that they have a portable microphone system available for us to use, it will actually end up costing us less to perform in Clintonville than at the Mielke Theater.

I think you are all going to like the facility.  It seats around 570 people, so we will be cutting back from 4 shows to 3 shows, and we will not need to take reservations.

However, in order to work around some scheduling issues at the high school, we are going to need to move our performance dates to the last weekend in April.  Performances will be April 27, April 28 and April 29.  Because of this change, we are going to need to move up our rehearsal schedule.

We will have our first meeting on November 17 from 12-3 at Bethany to hand out scripts  and go over parents’ and students’ responsibilities.  Rehearsals will begin December 1.  Here’s our tentative schedule (all rehearsals are from 12-3):

November 17 – First Meeting

December 1     -  Rehearsal

December 8     -  Rehearsal

December 15   -  Rehearsal

January 5         -  Rehearsal

January 12       -  Rehearsal

January 19       -  Rehearsal

January 26       -  Rehearsal

February 2       -  Rehearsal

February 9       -  Rehearsal

February 16     -  Rehearsal

February 23     -  Rehearsal

March 1           -  Rehearsal

March 8           -  Rehearsal

March 15         -  Rehearsal  (Last rehearsal at Bethany)

March 22         -  Rehearsal (First rehearsal at CHS)

March 29         -  Rehearsal

April 5             -  Rehearsal

April 12           -  Rehearsal

April 19           -  Rehearsal

April 26           - Dress Rehearsal

April 27           - Evening Performance

April 28           - Evening Performance

April 29           - Afternoon Performance

Clintonville High School Musical This Weekend

Here are some details on the musical this weekend, in case anyone wants to check out the auditorium:

Clintonville High School

The CHS production of "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the CHS auditorium. Tickets are $7 adults and $5 students.

The story centers on best friends Lois Warner and Marge Gelman, who have come to the Catskills after Marge was left at the altar. They stay at the somewhat rundown Esther's Paradise resort, determined to spend the Labor Day weekend enjoying what should have been Marge's honeymoon.

Lois encourages Marge to get over her former fiance by pushing her into a relationship with the resort's headlining singer and known womanizer, Del Delmanaco. The relatively simple storyline intertwines the shy resort handyman, Gabe Green, taking a romantic interest in Marge, who is too busy chasing after Del to notice him.

A comical cast of resort staff and a song for every situation rounds out the light-hearted production.

The show, written by Eric Jackson and Ben H. Winters, with music by Neil Sedaka and lyrics by Sedaka, Howard Greenfield and Cody Philip, is designed to showcase Sedaka's music.

Assisting Dennis and Kimberly Brei with the production are Peggy Johnson, with sets and props; Dan Schmidt, as technical director, producer and pit band director; Kathryn Murphy, with costuming; Tyler Klegin, as auditorium director; and Kieran Murphy, as student director.

Check Your Emails

Big News!

We'll see you in 2 weeks!

Stay Tuned.....

We'll be having a big announcement soon about where and when we'll be performing Kilroy Was Here.  I'll try to post the information early next week.  

Costume List

I wanted to give you each some kind of idea of an outfit to be looking for before all of the fun clothes for Halloween are gone from the thrift stores.  Look for images online of clothes from the early 1940's to help you out.

Mrs. Conto might have more ideas/details for you.  This is just to give you a start.

 All costumes must be approved by Mrs. Conto!!!!!

Necklines should not be revealing.  Hemlines below the knees.

Military Guys:

You’ll need a uniform from your branch of the military from the World War II era, preferably more of a dress uniform.  The Mielke Theater does have some available that we might be able to use.

Army:  Joe Kilroy – Soldier:  Nick Boughton

            Carl Ryder – Soldier: Christian Bergmann

            Leo Pickford – Soldier: Jordan Holbrook

            Floyd Miller – Soldier:  Israel Holbrook

Navy:  Fred O’Dwyer – Sailor:  Brendan Neil

Marines:  Jack Smith – Marine: James Kersten

MP #1 & #2 –Military Policeman:  David Neil & Alex Neil (make sure these are matching)

         

Government Men:

 You’ll need a dark suit, white shirt.  You’ll also need a tan or beige trench coat.  (You might want to look for a women’s small)  Possibly dark hats and sunglasses from the era.

            Elliot Martin – Gov’t Man: Raphael Cary

            Horace Lopez – Gov’t Man:  Henry Stuewer

            Donald Douglas Dixon – Gov’t Man:  Coulter Boughton

The Harmony Brothers – We’re going in a different direction than I had originally posted.  You will need a white, short-sleeved dress shirt, black dress pants (not black jeans)  and black dress shoes.  WRHS will supply your bowties.  You will be playing a song together on the harmonica (we’ll supply the harmonica).

Harry Harmony* – plays the harmonica:  Peter Fuller

Harvey Harmony* – plays the harmonica:  Joshua Bergmann

Howie Harmony*– plays the harmonica:  Steven Holbrook

Harley Harmony* - plays the harmonica:  Seth Schinke

Hector Harmony* - plays the harmonica: Isaiah Torrez

Herman Harmony* - plays the harmonica:  Jeffrey Green

Bob Harmony* - plays the harmonica:  Gabe Cary

Harmony Father – You’ll need something similar to the Harmony Brothers, but a little more distinguished so that you’re set apart.

Hugo Harmony – Father/Manager of the Harmony Brothers:  Michael Conto

All costumes must be approved by Mrs. Conto!!!!!

The Taylor sisters:  You are smart, efficient and patriotic, and in your early to mid-20’s.  You’re not necessarily wealthy, but you are well-dressed.  You will want 2 changes of clothing.  Or, perhaps one suit, and you’ll wear it with a jacket for part of the show, and without the jacket for the other part.

            Ruth Taylor – Co-director USO Club:  Sloane Schinke

            Rachel Taylor – Co-director USO Club:  Angela Cary

            Rebekah Taylor – Co-director USO Club:  Elisabeth Michael

Shipyard workers:  2 outfits.  Your first one will be coveralls with a Rosie the Riveter style bandanna on your hair (preferably a different color for each one of you– WRHS has quite a few bandanas for you to choose from).  You’ll also need to wear an outfit, coordinated like the singing groups from the 40’s.  It can be skirts and blouses as long as they are nicer than the female gov’t agents.

            Gladys Brooks – Shipyard worker:  Bailey Bergmann

            Valerie Foster – Shipyard worker:  Bethany Bergmann

            Melba Nesbitt – Shipyard worker:  Hannah Bergmann

            Betty Jones – Shipyard worker:  Sarah Bergmann

Hermione is a ‘bad-tempered type’.  Wear a cap, an oversized shirt with sleeves rolled up (like a dress shirt) and knickers.

            Hermione – Runs a newsstand: Michelle Hintz

Angie is an extremely efficient assistant.  You’ll go with a secretary look.  A blouse and skirt from the era.  High heels.  You’ll need 2 outfits.  (You can do that with a change of blouse.) 

            Angie Wilberforce – Assistant to the Taylors:  Lindsey Stratton

Lucy idolizes Angie and wants to be just like her.  You’ll also go with a secretary look, but you can’t quite pull it off.  Maybe your shirt isn’t always tucked in, or you walk awkwardly in your high heels.  2 outfits, but you can also do that with a change of blouse. 

             Lucy Matthews – Assistant to the assistant, enthusiastic, maybe a little ditzy:  Lydia Holbrook

Mrs. King will need 2 outfits and a flowered hat.  You are wealthy, and your clothing should reflect that.  You are ‘fussily dressed.’

             Mrs. King – USO Supervisor, wealthy: Maddi Stuewer

Edith Ranger – You are the ‘high energy type.’  You help with cleaning, etc. at the club.  You can wear rolled up pants and a shirt with rolled up sleeves from the era.

             Edith Ranger – Club Volunteer:  Ellen Kersten

Edna Thompson – You are a club volunteer who helps with publicity and the sound booth.  You will need an outfit from the era – it can be a dress, blouse and skirt or blouse and pants.

             Edna Thompson – Club Volunteer: Emma Green

Professor Sullivan – You have a very strong presence.  Wear a dark, dignified suit and glasses on a chain.  A briefcase or very practical purse from the era would be good.

             Professor Millicent Sullivan – Hypnotist: Allie Boughton

Air Raid Warden – Check the internet for what the uniform would look like.

             Mrs. Wilcox – Air Raid Warden:  Annie Neil

Kitty Evans – You are ‘a knock-out’.  Wear a sparkly, twirly tap dancer outfit.  Have fun with it.

             Kitty Evans – Tap Dancer: Sarah Reinke

Female Government agents – Your undercover assignment is as a singing group, so you should have matching outfits.  They shouldn’t be as nice as the shipyard workers dress outfits.  Maybe simple matching skirts and blouses.  You’ll also need beige or tan trench coats.

             June Forrest – Gov’t Agent:  Micayla Pedersen

            Rona Hastings – Gov’t Agent:  Julianna Cary

            Gretchen Randall – Gov’t Agent:  Erin Michael

            Sandra Sawyer – Gov’t Agent:  Trisha Conto

Hostesses:  You’ll be okay with one outfit.  A dress or skirt and blouse from the era.  Preferably colorful

             Hazel Merrill – Hostess: Hannah Holbrook

            Judy Howard – Hostess: Maria Fuller

            Eve Denton – Hostess: Elizabeth Cary

            Rose Collins – Hostess: Marie Kluge

            Mabel Rodgers – Hostess: Naomi Winfree

            Barbara Bowers – Hostess:  Laura Hintz

            Carol Hawk – Hostess: Macy Schuler

            Sharon Crosby – Hostess:  Katherine Bartz  

Western Union Messenger:  Uniform from the era.  Round hat.  Short jacket.  Pants.

             Western Union Messenger:  Krista Fuller

Writer for Life Magazine:  Professional look.  Skirt and blouse, maybe with a jacket.

             Pamela Skipworth – Writer for Life Magazine:  Savanna Braun

Photographer for Life Magazine:  You will also want a professional look, but since you’ll be bending down to take pictures, it might be better if you wore pants from the era.  (Look online – wide-legged)

            Vida Curtis – Photographer for Life Magazine:  Brittney Martin

Female Service Members:  If possible, outfits to look like female uniforms.  Or, perhaps, white blouses with khaki skirts.

             Marion Gilford – Air Force Service Pilot: Erica Conto

            Rita Steward – WAC: Meridian Winfree

The Tiny Tappers – you’ll be learning a tap dance routine, and will need tap shoes.  You’ll also need a simple white blouse, like a boy’s dress shirt.  WRHS will provide matching vests and skirts.

             Tina Tapper – Tap dancer:  Grace Stuewer

            Tammi Tapper– Tap dancer:  Caroline Bartz

            Trixie Tapper– Tap dancer:  Lydia Green

            Tabbi Tapper – Tap dancer:  Lydia Braun

            Tippi Tapper - Tap dancer:  Megan Pedersen

            Tessa Tapper - Tap dancer:  Mary Neil

Mrs. Tapper – You’ll need an outfit similar to the Tiny Tappers.  A white blouse and skirt (possibly matching the little girls’ skirts).  Possibly a vest to match the girls’ vests.

      Tallulah Tapper – Mother to The Tiny Tappers, stage mother, pushy: Addie Shuler

All costumes must be approved by Mrs. Conto!!!!!

Cast List!!!!!

Whew!  Great job on the auditions, people.  We have a cast of 60 this year.  Gulp.

Here they are:

Cast of Characters

Joe Kilroy – Soldier:  Nick Boughton

Carl Ryder – Soldier: Christian Bergmann

Leo Pickford – Soldier: Jordan Holbrook

Floyd Miller – Soldier:  Israel Holbrook

Fred O’Dwyer – Sailor:  Brendan Neil

Jack Smith – Marine: James Kersten

Elliot Martin – Gov’t Man: Raphael Cary

Horace Lopez – Gov’t Man:  Henry Stuewer

Donald Douglas Dixon – Gov’t Man:  Coulter Boughton

MP #1 –Military Policeman:  David Neil

MP #2 – Military Policeman:  Alex Neil

Hugo Harmony – Father/Manager of the Harmony Brothers:  Michael Conto

Harry Harmony* – plays the harmonica:  Peter Fuller

Harvey Harmony* – plays the harmonica:  Joshua Bergmann

Howie Harmony*– plays the harmonica:  Steven Holbrook

Harley Harmony* - plays the harmonica:  Seth Schinke

Hector Harmony* - plays the harmonica: Isaiah Torrez

Herman Harmony* - plays the harmonica:  Jeffrey Green

Bob Harmony* - plays the harmonica:  Gabe Cary

Ruth Taylor – Co-director USO Club:  Sloane Schinke

Rachel Taylor – Co-director USO Club:  Angela Cary

Rebekah Taylor – Co-director USO Club:  Elisabeth Michael

Gladys Brooks – Shipyard worker:  Bailey Bergmann

Valerie Foster – Shipyard worker:  Bethany Bergmann

Melba Nesbitt – Shipyard worker:  Hannah Bergmann

Betty Jones – Shipyard worker:  Sarah Bergmann

Hermione – Runs a newsstand: Michelle Hintz

Angie Wilberforce – Assistant to the Taylors:  Lindsey Stratton

Lucy Matthews – Assistant to the assistant, enthusiastic, maybe a little ditzy:  Lydia Holbrook

Mrs. King – USO Supervisor, wealthy: Maddi Stuewer

Edith Ranger – Club Volunteer:  Ellen Kersten

Edna Thompson – Club Volunteer: Emma Green

Professor Millicent Sullivan – Hypnotist: Allie Boughton

Mrs. Wilcox – Air Raid Warden:  Annie Neil

Kitty Evans – Tap Dancer: Sarah Reinke

June Forrest – Gov’t Agent:  Micayla Pedersen

Rona Hastings – Gov’t Agent:  Julianna Cary

Gretchen Randall – Gov’t Agent:  Erin Michael

Sandra Sawyer – Gov’t Agent:  Trisha Conto

Hazel Merrill – Hostess: Hannah Holbrook

Judy Howard – Hostess: Maria Fuller

Eve Denton – Hostess: Elizabeth Cary

Rose Collins – Hostess: Marie Kluge

Mabel Rodgers – Hostess: Naomi Winfree

Barbara Bowers – Hostess:  Laura Hintz
Carol Hawk - Macy Schuler
Sharon Crosby - Katherine Bartz

Western Union Messenger:  Krista Fuller

Pamela Skipworth – Writer for Life Magazine:  Savanna Braun

Vida Curtis – Photographer for Life Magazine:  Brittney Martin

Marion Gilford – Air Force Service Pilot: Erica Conto

Rita Steward – WAC: Meridian Winfree

Tallulah Tapper – Mother to The Tiny Tappers, stage mother, pushy: Addie Shuler

Tina Tapper** – Tap dancer:  Grace Stuewer

Tammi Tapper** – Tap dancer:  Caroline Bartz

Trixie Tapper **– Tap dancer:  Lydia Green

Tabbi Tapper** – Tap dancer:  Lydia Braun

Tippi Tapper** - Tap dancer:  Megan Pedersen

Tessa Tapper** - Tap dancer:  Mary Neil

* The Harmony Brothers will be wearing costumes to correspond with the branches of the military.  I.e., one will wear something from the army, one from the navy, one from the air force and one from the marines.  The parents can work out with Mrs. Conto which branch your son will represent.

**The Tiny Tappers will need to wear matching outfits.  Parents can work out with Mrs. Conto what they will be.

I'll try to post more soon about what you should look for in costumes.

Auditions In Two Days!!

Just a reminder that auditions will be the day after tomorrow.

To make sure it's clear - you can audition in groups as long as everyone in the group has an individual part.  Please try to not have your piece longer than a minute or so per person.

I'll post the cast list on Thursday as soon as I'm able.

I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone at auditions!  I'm sure you all will do a great job!!!

More Details on Auditions

If you’ve experienced the magic of theatre, [y]ou’ve seen a variety of people with different backgrounds, different strengths and different interests all work together on a theatrical production and end up feeling more like a single, united community than a cluster of individuals. By definition, a community is a group of people with a common interest, but we know it’s so much more than that. It’s a sense of trust, care and support that makes a community thrive.  (Pioneer Drama August 2011 Newsletter)

If your child aged 6*-18 wants to be part of the WRHS Theater community and participate in next spring’s production of Kilroy Was Here, plan on attending auditions at Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Clintonville on October 6 from 1-3 pm. 

Last names beginning with N-Z will be from 1-2 pm.

Last names beginning with A-M will be from 2-3 pm.

Any student who wants a line in the show needs to be prepared with a monologue that is less than one minute long.  (This might be a poem, Bible verse, story, etc.)  

Students will also need to be prepared with one verse of a song.  You may bring a CD or sheet music (a keyboard will be available, but we are not planning on having auditions in the room with the piano).  If you do not have a song chosen, be prepared to sing a verse of My Country Tis of Thee or America the Beautiful.

Some people prefer to sing in a duet or group for auditions.  That is allowed.  However, if you do not audition with a solo part, you will NOT get a solo part in the show.

We will be looking at memorization ability, articulation, volume, clarity, expression and preparedness when assigning roles.

If you have a child who doesn’t want to audition, but just wants to be part of the chorus, they will need to sign up by this time and you will need to fill out the parent commitment form.

*Sometimes younger children need more guidance than the directors have time to give.  If your child needs extra attention, plan on being at more of the rehearsals.

As a reminder, your dues to WRHS must be paid before your child may audition

Still Here!

It's very exciting to have 7 followers to this humble blog.  Thank you for bearing with me as I try to iron out some kinks.  I think I have the comments worked out.  Hopefully I be able to get links up on the left side like Cheryl did.  I'll have to see what my personal webmaster (aka Maddi) can figure out.  Thanks again for your patience. :)

Auditions!!!

Mark your calendars for auditions on October 6 starting at 1pm at Bethany Church in Clintonville.  More details to follow.

I will have more information regarding parent commitments, etc, hopefully soon.

Just a reminder - make sure you've paid your membership dues to WRHS before auditions.  If you weren't a member last year, fees are $5/year (if email newsletter) or $10/year (if snail mail newsletter).  (If you were a member last year and haven't paid yet, you will need to pay a late fee.)  Fees need to be paid to Mary Kennedy-Kowalkowski.

I'm so excited to announce that our next homeschool play is going to be Kilroy Was Here!  This is an upbeat, patriotic play, set during World War 2 (1942).  There's going to be lots of fun music and plenty of opportunities for dancing!  You guys did such an awesome job with Night at the Wax Museum, and I think this musical will be a great way to showcase such a talented cast.

If you're interested in checking out some of the songs, you can go to youtube and search Kilroy Was Here Musical.  There are a few selections that another group posted - they should give you a good idea of  how the music goes, as well as some costume possibilities.

Here's some background on how the phrase 'Kilroy Was Here' became famous. If you're interested in finding out more about the USO, you could start here.

If you'd like to do some research on that time period, the American Girls' book Molly's World is a good resource for younger kids.  We watched a couple of Abbott & Costello movies from that time period, and you might enjoy one of those as well (at your parents' discretion, of course).  For parents, and perhaps older students, the Ken Burns PBS documentary The War from a couple years ago was well done.  It does contain some graphic scenes.

I'm sure there's a ton of great material out there for World War 2.  Please feel free to share your suggestions in the comments!