Willy Wonka Jr: Week 3
Voice, Heart, and Soul!
We hope everyone has been staying warm! On Sunday, although we had to pivot from our in person rehearsal, we definitely made lemons out of lemonade. I loved how our actors showed up ready to connect and work.
As I watched the zoom screen fill with our 78 awesome actors accompanied by our amazing JPAS team, gratitude filled my heart. Everyone was so excited to see each other and be together. It’s incredible to see how unified we’ve become in such a short amount of time, and to watch the friendships and the camaraderie build with the common thread of doing something we love - making art. On our zoom call, I shared with everyone that this is what it looks like to show up for each other, to remain accountable and committed to a common goal and how special and cool our JPAS community is! They agreed! This sense of belonging we intentionally cultivate continues to make our program successful. It is what I know to be the key to helping children rise to their personal greatness. So, thank you again for making the time and space for our actors to be involved in our pivot plan. We couldn’t do this without you.
Another highlight was our JPAS mindful moment. Our focus was the idea of wonder. We took a few grounding breaths, and our actors were invited to look around to find something ordinary and imagine seeing it for the first time - with a sense of curiosity and awe. We then closed our eyes, took a few more deep breaths and repeated the following phrase silently to ourselves - “The world is full of wonder. I open my eyes and heart to see it.” What I loved most about this week’s mindful moment was the dialogue that followed. I inquired, what does that statement mean? The wisdom and insight that came from the minds of our JPAS actors was amazing. I just reflected back what I heard, acting as a mirror full of observation and I could see the light bulbs inside their young minds turn brighter! Pure magic!
Please continue to encourage your actor to be “off-book” (both lines and songs) and to practice their choreography at home. The actors that were asked to stay on the zoom to discuss dance with Mr. Gali should be practicing using the videos in the google link (also now uploaded on our educational resource library) I provided in this past Sunday’s pivot plan email . Everyone who met with Mr. Adam along with Ms, Skylar and Ms. Linda too, should be working on their songs and deepening their character development. We also have an extra rehearsal planned for several actors. Again, please refer to this past Sunday’s pivot plan if you are unsure if your actor should be attending.
Putting on a main-stage production is hard work. It requires 100% dedication. We need and we will, make up for our lost in person time together. In order to do this, please encourage your actor to practice this week and come to Sunday’s rehearsal prepared and ready to rock!
Electronic Resource Library
Now more than ever it’s super important to empower your actors to review the resource library and practice their blocking, songs, and dances learned. The more they absorb at home, the more productive our rehearsals can be.
The videos Mr. Gali discussed on Sunday (two new dances along with corresponding instructional videos) and the music rehearsed with vocal notes for each character from Mr Adam’s zoom meetings can be found in our ERL (Electronic Resource Library).
More Rehearal Highlights
- We were so excited to be joined by our actors even in the snow and started with our mindful moment and wished Jonah a happy birthday!
- Our actors were encouraged to use the time to call a friend or family member to practice their lines.
- Several of our actors stayed on as we discussed how to use the videos to learn the dance from Oompa-Loompa 1 and 2.
- We took time during our music rehearsal to dive into character motivations and empowered our actors to use those when singing their solos or duets.
Rehearsal – Sunday, February 1st
- Everyone should arrive promptly for drop off at 1:30 pm
- Pure Imagination Cast will meet in the Zale
- The Golden Ticket Cast will meet upstairs in the Mankoff room.
- Pick-up will be at 5:30 pm in the lobby.
- Please remind our performers to bring their scripts, rehearsal folder, pencil, and a highlighter to every rehearsal.
- Please pack a healthy snack and a water bottle.
- Wear clothes you can easily move in with sneakers or bring your jazz/dance shoes.
Important Dates & Reminders
HEAD-SHOTS: We will be taking headshot photos this Sunday, February 1st for both casts. Please make sure your actor is camera-ready!
EXTRA REHEARSALS
Please refer to this past Sunday’s pivot plan email sent, last week, to check to see if your actor is on the list to attend the extra rehearsals below.
Pure Imagination: tomorrow, Thursday January 29, 6-8pm
Golden Ticket: Tuesday, February 3, 6-8pm
Actor Playbills & Bios are Due Today!
Bios: We are still missing a bunch of actor’s bios! It is so important to get these submitted as soon as possible so that your performer is able to be included in the playbill.
- Pure Imagination Bio: Pure Imagination Cast - Cast Bios
- Golden Ticket Bio: Golden Ticket Cast - Cast Bios
Playbill Ad: If you’d like to place an ad or message in our playbill use jccdallas.org/playbillads to purchase your playbill ad and to submit the actual ad using the google form. Instructions can be found using the link I provided above.
Mark Your Calendars – Costume Fittings
Golden Ticket Cast will have fittings Sunday, February 8 prior to rehearsals. I sent an email yesterday with specific time slots for each cast member..
Pure Imagination Cast will have fittings February 15 prior to rehearsals. . I will send your schedule soon. .
Marketing Materials – Digital Marketing & Social Media Kit
Thank you to everyone who offered to hang a poster and who took a yard sign. Have you put them up? If you want to begin spreading the word via social media, rock on; we would love that too! I will be sending out the digital marketing kit in a separate email soon. I can’t wait to see everyone engaging on social (tag us using the handles in the links below) to help create a buzz about our fantastic upcoming performance and tickets sales.
Did You Purchase Your Tickets? Tickets on Sale Now!
Please spread the word about Willy Wonka Jr. to friends and family. Your word of mouth marketing makes a big difference.
Reminder About Healthy Snacks
Please do your best to provide healthy snacks, low in sugar. Healthy, low-sugar snacks help to keep our performers engaged, focused, and on task. We will not be using the vending machines. Again, please pack a water bottle too!
What’s the Best Camp At the J?
Ask someone who has attended our performing arts summer camps or our specialty boutique camps and they will tell you! Camp StarQuest, Camp StarPower, and our One Weekers rock! Want to learn more? Call me at 214-239-7140 or email arobinson@jccdallas.org. I would love to tell you all about them.
Please register today to save your spot! Seriously! We have started an “official” waitlist for some of our camps. Get on the waitlist!! I will reach out if spaces become available.
- Click here to learn more about StarQuest, June 8 – July 3
- Click here to learn more about StarPower, July 6 -July 17
- Click here to learn more about our One-Weeker, one week boutique specialty camps.
- Global Gourmet, July 20 – July 24
- Whisk and Wonder July 27 – July 31
- Creative Fusion, August 3 - August 7
This is How We Do It At JPAS
Looking forward to seeing everyone this Sunday!
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