For Thursday (12/13)

Just a quick reminder that we'll be working on "Confucius Say" from Scene 2B from 12:30--1:00 (after a warm-up, of course).  

From 1:00--2:25, I'm planning to hang out with the Scene 4 people.  If there is time, I'd like to work with Kathryn & Thomas on "Chasing Dreams".  I've written a small soprano harmony part for Kathryn that I'd like for us to try.  If there isn't time, then I'll make a vocal video of it and post it this weekend.

I will be gone for the December 20th practice, so look ahead to see if you have any questions for me regarding "Tell Me (I'm the One)" and/or "Drink a Cuppa".

Thank you!
~ Mrs. Green

Scenes 1 & 2 (December 6th Practice)

Hi everyone!  I'm posting a few pictures and videos now, but check back later for comments from directors.  

 Here is Mrs. Stuewer showing blocking by using a chess set.  Genius!!!

I guess we're all just pawns in the chess game of life....

Scene 1A & 1B

Scene 2A & 2B

Great job yesterday!  I was very pleased with how well-prepared many of you were--so many lines were already memorized!  I was especially impressed with "Lock, Stock, & Barrel" singers.  We hadn't gone over it at all yet, so...well done!  ~JLG

Remember to check back here later for any directors' comments!

Updated Cast List

Factory (1850’s England)

Albert Hopkins (Manager – Kathryn, Beatrice & Elizabeth’s father) – Evan Kluge

Ann Chamberlain(secretary) –Trisha Conto

Beatrice Hopkins (Albert’s daughter) – Krista Fuller

Bessie (Artist) – Savanna Braun

Camellia (tea lady) – Maddi Stuewer

Constable – Gabriel Cary

Contessa de la Milano – Angela Cary

Cordelia (Tea Lady-in-training) – Juliana Cary

Customs Officer – Conner Fregien

Elizabeth Hopkins (Albert’s daughter) – Morgan Fregien

Ernest Caulk (Foreman) – Henry Stuewer

Genevieve (Worker in Act 2) – Angela Cary

Jo (Cleaning Lady) – Ally Boughton

Kathryn (Albert’s oldest daughter) – Sloane Schinke

Lily (Worker) – Laura Hintz

Lottie (Artist) – Micayla Pedersen

Lucy (Worker) – Erica Conto

Lady Mary Barnes (widow, factory owner) – Michelle Hintz

Peggy (Artist) – Marie Kluge

Polly (Worker) – Emma Green

Potter Parimutuel (Manchester Moneylender) – Nick Boughton

Sally (Worker) – Nora Kowalkowski

Shinplaster (Auditor) – Michael Conto

Stella (Worker in Act 2) – Elizabeth Cary

Thomas Barnes (Jr. Accountant- nephew of Mary Barnes) – Ethan Fregien

Translator – Elizabeth Cary

Victoria Gilbody (widow, factory owner) – Georgi Ritter

China

Captain – Elliot Kowalkowski

Chang (accountant) – Brandon Martin

Feng (debt collector) – Seth Schinke

Guard – Peter Fuller

Koong Se (Tso Ling’s daughter) – Elena Kowalkowski

Lian (Koong Se’s maid) – Maria Fuller

Ta Jin (nobleman) -  Isaiah Torrez

Tso Ling (wealthy man) – Coulter Boughton

Zhong (debt collector) – Raphael Cary

Zhenjiang (fortune teller/secretary) – Maddie Fregien

Chen Family – Charli Ritter, Lydia Braun, Conner Fregien

Liu Family – Steven Holbrook, Grace Stuewer,  Peter Kluge, Alex Mielke

Yang Family – Megan Pedersen, Chris Cary, Isaiah Torrez

Sailors* – Elliot Kowalkowski, Peter Fuller (Ishmael), Gabriel Cary (Erasmus), Alex Mielke, Steven Holbrook, Peter Kluge

Sailors’ Sweethearts** - Angela Cary, Elizabeth Cary, Erica Conto, Savanna Braun, Laura Hintz, Nora Kowalkowski

Thugs – Gabriel Cary, Steven Holbrook, Conner Fregien, Chris Cary, Peter Kluge, Alex Mielke

Gypsy Dancers*** – Marie Kluge, Micayla Pedersen, Savanna Braun

TaJin’s Family Members – Charli Ritter, Lydia Braun, Grace Stuewer, Megan Pedersen

Chang’s Friends – Elliot, Peter F., Isaiah, Alex, Conner, Steven, Peter K, Chris C., Gabe

Shi-Jing Background People:  Bandits:  Charli Ritter, Lydia Braun, Grace Stuewer, Megan Pedersen

Ghosts:  Laura Hintz, Erica Conto,, Nora Kowalkowski

Tiger:  Michael Conto

Four Starts Dancers – Parasol Dancers:  Charli Ritter, Lydia Braun, Megan Pedersen, Grace Stuewer, Hope Kustic

Dragon Dancers: Conner Fregien, Steven Holbrook, Chris Cary, Peter Kluge, Alex Mielke, Gabe Cary****

Lantern Dancers;  Seth Schinke, Raphael Cary

Ribbon Dancers:  Maria Fuller, Maddie Fregien

* We have sailor tops and, I think, white pants.  (see Mrs. Conto for details)

** Angela & Elizabeth – you can probably use your same costumes, just dress down the accessories as sweethearts.  After this scene, you can join up as workers in the factory.

Workers – you’ll take off your aprons for this scene and maybe add an accessory or two for this scene.  If you feel there’s time to change and would like to do scenes 14 & 15 as the Contessa and Translator, that would be great!

***You will be in Drink a Cuppa.  You can take off your tint jackets and add a shawl and a gold necklace or two.

****You will be in the background of Shi-Jing Shi Sanbai, behind the big white curtain, acting out as Chang reads his poetry.

"Tell Me (I'm the One)" Vocal Video

This one is for Brandon, but Elena, you might want to sing with it too.  It starts at about measure 32 (Chang's verse) and goes to the end.

"Confucious Say (Finale)" Vocal Video

This is the song on the last page of your script.  The entire cast is in this song.

Please pay attention to the comments at the beginning of the video.  Thanks!

"Confucious Say" (Scene 2B) Vocal Video

I apologize for how blurry this video is, but it was "take 3" and I really didn't want to do a fourth!
  ; )  You don't need to look at me anyway.  Your noses will be in your scripts/scores.  

We'll be working on this song and (hopefully) "Confucious Say (Finale)" on Thursday, December 6th.  There is a separate blog post for the Finale version.

Please be on time.  We'll start at 12:30 sharp.  Thank you!

"Thomas" Vocal Video

I explain some things in the video, so please watch the beginning (talking part) at least the first time.  Once you understand what I'm talking about, then skip to the song whenever you practice on later days.

Evan, I sang all of your parts, but I like how you spoke some of them on Thursday.  Do what you like best.

Sloane, the tricky part I tell you about in the video?  Well, I came in a little late myself here.  It's tricky, but I have total confidence in you.  

Workers & Artists, I was thinking of doing parts in a couple of places, but there really aren't as many of you as I had originally thought.  We'll just all stick to the melody for now, and if we feel like adding an alto part later, well...there's plenty of time.