Willy Wonka Jr: Week 5
“We are the Music Makers, and We are the Dreamers of Dreams”
- Willy Wonka (1971)
We have reached the half-way point – way to go! It’s now more than ever that our actors need to come prepared and focused. All actors should be off-book by this weekend. PLEASE encourage them to memorize their blocking and lines, to know all the songs learned to date, and to use the Electronic Resource Library to help with music and choreography.
This week, for our JPAS mindful moment we focused on gratitude and the things in our lives that make our world feel sweet. For our production team, that is all of our wonderful actors! We are so grateful for the energy they bring to each rehearsal.
Now we are in the fun part of rehearsing. Well, it’s all FUN! As our actors get used to saying their lines off-book combined with their director encouraging them to think more about their character and how they would talk, and move, all the character development we worked on earlier in the process comes into play. Our characters come alive with meaning, purpose, and personality. It really is such a cool process!
Our actors are doing great, and we want to keep the momentum going. We believe with some practice in between rehearsals our actors are going to nail it. Please remind our actors to keep bringing their best selves each week, we’re almost at the finish line!
Electronic Resource Library
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE share this with your actor. This section is designed to assist them between rehearsals. all the recordings of the dance videos we’ve taken so far underWeek 5. Happy practicing! ERL (Electronic Resource Library).
4 Things you can do with Your Actor This Week
- In the car: listen to the music in the car as they sing along (in character).
- Ask to review the ERL videos with them for 10 minutes and then ask your actor to show you what they learned.
- Ask your actor to give you a “sneak peek” of one of the numbers and have them perform for you.
- Practice lines with your actor and act out a scene or two with them.
Golden Ticket Highlights
- This week our Award of the Day went to Maya for being an absolute rockstar and leader among our Oompa-Loompas. She’s been going above and beyond to help develop the oompa’s world and incorporate many of the elements our Oompa-Loompas have been creating!
- We got a chance to get on stage this week and use our soon-to-be Pink Candy Boat as we staged There’s No Knowing.
- Our actors were vocal powerhouses this past week learning and reviewing the music for eight songs including iconic ones like I've Got the Golden Ticket and Cheer Up Charlie, and our fun ensemble numbers I See It on TV and I Eat More.
- We got a chance to get a sneak peak at some of the costumes for the show as our actors did their costume fitting. They look fabulous!
Pure Imagination Highlights
- This week the Award of the Day went to Lou for staying focused throughout rehearsal last week and helping to keep us on track!
- Our tip of the day encouraged our actors to keep going, even if you mess up or something unexpected happens, the audience won't know the difference.
- Our Golden Ticket Winner families worked hard mastering a new dance move: The Figure Eight Step!
- Our actors put on their dancing shoes as they learned two new dances this week, I Eat More and I See It On TV
Rehearsal – Sunday, February 15th
- Everyone should arrive promptly for drop off at 1:30 pm
- Pure Imagination Cast will meet in the Zale
- 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.
Costume Fittings
Our Golden Ticket cast had their costume fitting last Sunday! So fun to see it all come together. Our team has been working behind the scenes. Set design is in full effect too!. Everything is looking fabulous.
Pure Imagination will have costume fittings this Sunday, February 15 PRIOR to rehearsals. This week I will be sending out an email regarding final time slots for costume fittings. Please remember to bring your actor’s base layers (per email) with them to the fitting, labeled with their name on their clothing and in a bag with your actor’s cast name and their name as well.
Friendly reminder to our Golden Ticket cast: If your actor didn’t bring their base layers on Sunday, please do! Everything must be labeled per the above and per email. In addition, if you plan to use your shoes during rehearsals, please remember to bring them back. Thanks!
Social Media Challenge – Digital Marketing Kits
Who has used their digital marketing kit to spread the word? Please use the materials you received last week from the parent digital marketing kit email to help us ensure we have a packed house for our actors – so exciting! What about this…if each of us did one post that would be 78+ posts circulating on social media about our fantastic upcoming performances.. Please join the conversation on our Facebook and Instagram pages too! If you missed the email and would like access to the parent digital marketing kit, you can click the link below.
Parent Digital Marketing Kit Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qnhmQMRueqkTXxBk-pLpAD771TUBRCFW
Kids are Marketers Too!
This week, both casts were provided small flyers to promote the show and their hard work! We create these so our actors can hand them out to friends, teachers, and family – you name it! I love watching our actors have an opportunity to feel empowered! The response from doing this year after year has been very positive – the actors love it. Please encourage your actor to bring them to school, give them to their friends/teachers, or hand them out to your neighbors at another one of their after-school activities. This exercise is beyond marketing the performances. This small act teaches our actors to take ownership of their “work”, to speak out when otherwise shy, to learn a “behind-the-scenes” skill, and ultimately, a sense of pride in something they are committed to.
Volunteering is Fun!
Have you ever wanted to be in a theater? Why not take advantage of this opportunity! I will begin requesting volunteers to help during our show and encourage you to join the volunteer team! 😊 We will need assistance in the dressing rooms, front of house and with our dinner party on the Sunday of each cast’s final performance. Being a part of the action behind the scenes will truly offer a new perspective of what it takes to put a show together. We can’t do it without you and would love you to jump in and join the magic. PLEASE VOLUNTEER! An email was sent this morning. For easy access here are the links to volunteer
Purchase Your Tickets – Buy and Save!
Please spread the word to friends and family! Our shows are starting to gain some traction so please purchase your tickets today! 😊 Online tickets cost less than door sales so buy now and save!
Galleria Preview Showcase
Several actors have been selected to be in the Willy Wonka Jr. preview at the Galleria Mall on Wednesday, March 4th from 6-6:30 pm.. Come support your fellow cast mates at Level 1, near Banana Republic as we sing and promote our upcoming performances. Friendly reminder: to those selected, we have two additional rehearsals set for Sunday February 22nd and Sunday March 1st from 5:30 – 6:30 pm following our regular rehearsal time. Be sure to email me back if you can join us to confirm your spot!
Reminder About Healthy Snacks
Please continue to do your best to provide healthy snacks, low in sugar. Healthy, low-sugar snacks help to keep our performers engaged, focused, and on task. Actors will not be allowed to use the vending machines.
What’s the Best Camp At the J?
Like so many of our JPAS campers, camp is my favorite time of the year. For those who haven’t tried one of our performing arts camps before, they are truly the best!
Never been to Camp StarQuest, Camp StarPower, or a One Weeker?! Want to learn more? Call me at 214-239-7140 or email arobinson@jccdallas.org.I would love to tell you all about it. Please register today to save your spot.
- Click here to learn more about StarQuest. StarQuest has an official waitlist.
- Click here to learn more about StarPower. Only a few spots left!
- Click here to learn more about our One-Weekers, one week boutique specialty camps.
- Global Gourmet, July 20 – July 24 Has an official waitlist
- Whisk and Wonder July 27 – July 31 Only a few spots left!
- Creative Fusion, August 3 - August 7 Only a few spots left!
This is How We Do It At JPAS
Looking forward seeing everyone this Sunday!
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