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By: scriberess,
on 12/24/2015
Blog:
A. PLAYWRIGHT'S RAMBLINGS
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ZOO DIARY
SCENE: A small zoo. Zebra, Christmas show director/producer/mentor to the lesser talented, is preparing the zoo denizens to put on their annual Christmas performance
AT RISE: Some of the performers are chatting amongst themselves while others work closely, in some cases too closely, going over lines
ZEBRA(checking list)
...sleigh...bag of toys...jingle bells... What's missing? Hello? Where are the reindeer?
REINDEER RANDY(munching on moss)
I'm here, Zee (burps) There - better
ZEBRADid your mother not teach you it's uncouth to burp out loud, not to mention very impolite and boorish
REINDEER RANDYMaybe she did if I knew what those words meant
ZEBRAWhy...why do I agree to do this every year?
(
ZEBRA stares at himself in the mirror) 'You do it for the sake of the theatre, you talented, handsome beast...'
(cont'd.) Where, pray tell, are the others, he asks, afraid of what he'll be told
REINDEER RANDYThey're back in the barn, playing poker.
ZEBRA(jumps back)
Say what? The show is about to begin and they're gambling?
REINDER RANDYThey're playing for some green
ZEBRAStop them immediately! The last thing we need is for the zoo to be raided!
(staring at himself in the mirror)' It just never ends, does it, gorgeous beast!'
REINDEER RANDYNot to worry. There's only moss in the pot. Want me to go get them?
ZEBRAWhy must I suffer the humiliation of
amatoor performers? Why?
REINDEER RANDYBecause nobody else will do it?
ZEBRA(pacing)
Tell them to take their places in front of the sleigh, immediately. I'm a professional... I have a reputation to retain... they need me... without my presence there is no show. Go and bring them here posthaste - that means fast for your edification
(ZEBRA stares at himself in full-length mirror. Places a cloth on his forehead)(cont'd.) I feel a
mee-graine coming on...must control myself
(cont'd.)'My but those stripes are stunning! I would fall in love with you if I hadn't already!'
(loud squawking can be heard)(cont'd. ZEBRA) My head...the noise...Is there no peace for
moi?
(staring at himself in the mirror) 'What did I do to deserve to be put in charge of these...these
maladroit soubrettes? Still, the show must go on. I am a professional.
Hmmmm - my stripes do give my very well proportioned body a certain je ne said quoi...What are you doing after the show, handsome...
RATExcuse me Zeb...but there's a problem
ZEBRA...those dark enquiring eyes...those long lashes... Rat! Why are here? You're in the opening scene
RATFigured you'd want to know -
ZEBRA- we can't afford any more delays. My
mee-grain is definitely getting worse so break it to me in gentle hints
RATWell...it has to do with Santa....
ZEBRA- are my eyes bloodshot? There's nothing worse than a zebra with red eyes. People will think I've taken to drink, although I wouldn't blame myself. Is it the costume thing, again? I mean, really, the chicken is quite vain. She assured me she could handle the role. Nobody will even realize that the jacket won't close...just tell her to hold her mitts in front...
RAT...and one of the actors
ZEBRAI sent her to a quiet place to go over her lines with the acting coach, although why the necessity is beyond me. I mean, really, "Ho-ho-ho. I think I hear Santa" Nevertheless - where is she? Thespian chickens tend to be peckish. I'll have to give her a pep talk
RATWell that's just it...
ZEBRAWhat's it? Stop speaking in riddles and go get her
RATSeems somebody offered to give her private coaching in his den
ZEBRAThat can't be a bad thing. Wait a minute - did you say
'den'? That Cheetah! I should have known better! Last year it was Mr. Squeeze who got up close and personal with the squirrel and now this. I need some of my special tonic to help assuage my nerves.
RATPerhaps that's not such a great idea, Zeb. Remember what happened last year
ZEBRAThey don't pay me enough greens to direct this Christmas show. Must calm down. Is it...
RAT(holding up feathers)
...too late
ZEBRANo! This can't be happening! There's no time for a replacement so I, myself, will be forced to don the red costume, even though it clashes with my stripes and does absolutely nothing for my skin. The show must go on. But first, a dose of tonic....maybe two doses...down the hatch. "Places everyone! Curtain up!"
NEXT:IT'S SHOW TIME, IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
By: scriberess,
on 12/7/2015
Blog:
A. PLAYWRIGHT'S RAMBLINGS
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ZOO DIARY
SCENE: A small zoo. Preparing for the holiday performance. At rise: The residents of the zoo are practicing for the annual holiday performance. It's the last dress rehearsal before the actual production and chaos reigns supreme.
ZEBRAHello? Everyone? May I have your attention, please? There is far too much cacophony among the performers. I can't hear myself think! Not you my dear...you embody the true thespian soul
CROW 1(laughing while watching from a tree)Uh-oh...zebra says there's too much
caca-phony around here. The elephants have been using the toilets, again
CROW 2(laughing hysterically)Oh Cyril - you're so witty!
ZEBRAYou mean, witless. Now where were we? Oh yes...we were discussing your acting abilities, my dear.
FEMALE ZEBRAYou think I have talent? My acting coach has offered to give me private lessons
ZEBRAWould your coach anyone I would know? Perhaps we could work together to maximize your performance
FEMALE ZEBRAThat's a very kind offer but 'CH' swore me to secrecy. He doesn't want the whole world calling him and begging for private tutoring> He's a very private person
ZEBRATotally understandable, my dear. Know exactly where he's coming from. I too separate myself from the lesser...well...talent-challenged among us
(ZEBRA admires his frame from all angles, in a full-length mirror)
(
cont'd. ZEBRA) 'Perfection!' (
whispering) You can share the name of your acting coach with me. There is a professional code of silence among zebra directors that is adhered to. You said his initials were CH? Hmmmm....not familiar with any coaches with those initials...
FEMALE ZEBRAHe calls himself cheetah
(ZEBRA reacts with horror)
ZEBRACheetah...you did say
cheetah? Does this cheetah...would this coach live, perchance, in a cage in this very zoo?
FEMALE ZEBRAHe would! How did you know? He said that his style of coaching requires getting down to the bare bones of acting
ZEBRA(
horrified)
My dear, naïve, zebra! Forget about - um - coach cheetah. I, myself, shall take you on as a client, gratis, and as a cost to myself (aside to himself)
...wait 'til I get my hands on cheetah...' What am I saying? Let's just say, my dear, that his reputation and taste for zebras is well developed. Why don't you go over there in the corner and study your lines
FEMALE ZEBRAIf you say so. "I think I hear Santa!....I think I hear Santa....I think I hear Santa...'
ZEBRAOkay...actors - places please! Mr. Squeeze - please tear yourself away from rat? We don't want a repeat performance of last year's incident
MR. SQUEEZEI was just trying to show him some love
RAT(
gasping for breath)
Surrre! Remember the squirrel incident? We lost our Santa Claus on account of you
MR. SQUEEZEWe're good friends! Right rat? Who ever heard of a squirrel playing Santa Claus, anyway?
ZEBRA(admiring himself in the mirror and fixing his cravat)
'You handsome devil! Your stripes don't do you justice. 'kiss-kiss....' For the record and given our budget, which is half of last year's, which was next to nothing, he was the only one who could fit into the Santa suit. Who will play the old elf this year?
(a chicken jumps down from the branch of a tree)
CHICKENI would like to volunteer my services for the cause
MR. SQUEEZE(
slithering up close to chicken)
Great idea! And my contribution will be to offer my help We can go over your lines in my den
ZEBRANot! Thank you for your...offer but I'm sure chicken can remember "ho-ho-ho..." Now if you will put on the suit, we can start our rehearsal
CHICKENIt's a little tight...jacket won't...fit...over my...breast bone...
CHEETAHPerhaps I can fix that problem ...
MR. SQUEEZE...my particular qualities can definitely fix that...
(both cheetah and MR. SQUEEZE inch closer to the chicken)
ZEBRAStop where you are, both of you! We will make do with what we have. Please put on the red hat and black shiny boots and get on the sled. The children are arriving
CHICKEN(
smoothing his feathers and pulling the jacket over his breast)I'm very nervous.. This is my first acting job
CHEETAHDon't worry my friend. I'll be watching close by...in case you forget your lines, of course
ZEBRAPlaces people! Mr. Squeeze - you're not in the first scene
MR. SQUEEZEJust helping chicken get over his nerves. Everyone needs a hug
NEXT TIME: THE SHOW MUST GO ON...MAYBEOpen the curtains and let the play begin!
ZOO DIARY
SCENE: CITY ZOO. DAWN'S EARLY LIGHTSome of the zoo denizens are gathering together in preparation for the daily opening of the zoo. A whistle breaks the morning silence. The whistle is repeated again and again. A boa constrictor (MR. SQUEEZE) slither's out from the shadows.MR. SQUEEZEHello? Anyone? RATOh fer… That wasn`t the signal! It was supposed to be a bird callMR. SQUEEZEI think not! As I recall during the last meeting, we took a vote and decided on a whistle.RATYou left before the meeting ended. Remember?MR. SQUEEZEPerhaps…my memory isn’t what it used to be. Um…Ratty dear – you do have a lovely body…so smooth….so tempting…not a blemish anywhere… I mean, you keep yourself in such good shape. Your tail is especially attractive as a nice, little snack… I mean to say, located right there on your backRAT(running his hands up and down his tail)You think so? I have been told that by many… Why are you staring at me like that?MR. SQUEEZEHow about a nice hug, from one friend-to-another?RATYou have had supper, right?MR. SQUEEZEIf you can call cat food supper. The financial cutbacks here at the zoo leave me hungry and wanting moreRAT(backing up)Where is everyone, anyway? MR. SQUEEZEIs there any more news about the zoo being on the verge of bankruptcy? What will happen to us? It’s getting to the point that everyone is looking very – um – appealing – in the looks sense of courseRATThere’s no limit to what changes they’ll make to save a buck. We’re at the top of the list for sure. (A shadow emerges into the zoo light)(cont'd.) RAT Well it’s about time!ZEBRAI was memorizing my lines my dear man. We must emote. We must open our mouths to properly enunciate the words like this: “loooo-loooo-loooo…la-la-la-la…Me-me-me…” That’s the secret in being an adept thespian, like me. I’ll be doing a solo in the show tonight so I have to be readyRATYou haven’t heard? The show is cancelledZEBRASay what?MR. SQUEEZEUm…zebra - has anybody told you that you have a striking body structure? Do you mind if I lick you a bit? I mean, to say of course, what makes you tick as an actor?ZEBRAWhy thank you! Appearance if very important for an actor, y’know! Body appeal and all…audiences expect it, unlike other animals who shall remain unmentionedRATLet's practice in case they want us to perform for the paying customers. Who has the script, anyway?MR. SQUEEZEThe cheetah was supposed to make copies for everyoneCHEETAH(bouncing out from behind a tree)Somebody talking about me? Cheetah’s my name and running is my gameZEBRAWhere are the scripts or did you use them to line your den, again? CHEETAHA cheetah needs to make renovations now and then! You are looking particularly delicious tonight, zebra baby…that is to say, very fat and luscious… Of course I mean to say, so masterful in a leadership kind of wayZEBRAYou forgot to take your appetite depressants again, didn’t you? Ohmygawd! Run and hide!CHEETAHHe’s at it again, accusing me that I’m off my meds! Anybody tell you you’re very appealing – in an intellectual sort of way, zebra? Why don’t we go back to my den and discuss it? I’d like to show you my etchings…ZEBRAOh you’d like that, wouldn’t you? Just like the last actor you invited up. All we found of him was a paper fragment with the word HELP! You disgusting beast!RATEnough! Everyone – back to your cages. It’s almost dawn and the visitors will soon be arriving. Does everyone know their parts?MR. SQUEEZEI lay around and look hungry. No problem there.ZEBRAI’m supposed to run back and forth and chew what is left of the one pathetic patch of grass. The ground is almost bare and my bones are beginning to stick outCHEETAHI like to suck bones… I mean, that is so sad!RATAnd we rats will be…rats. A few fights - a few deaths… Okay – places everyone. The zoo is openingCHEETAHMmmmmmm – that young visitor looks quite delicious…of course I’m referring to that cotton candy he’s eatingRATNow Cheetah, let’s not have a repeat of last week’s incident. Okay everyone – look cute! The paying customers are here! Places everyone! The show must go on!
Morning birdsong. The scent of plumeria in full bloom (just in time for graduation leis). Flame trees turning from orange to green.
_____________________________
Bad News: Another high school student assaulted. This time a teenaged girl on her way to morning classes at Kagman High School. I don't know the extent of the assault, except that the girl was taken to the hospital. Although this crime happened yesterday (Tuesday) morning, it was not on last night's news and is not reported in today's papers. My Kagman staff were discussing it this morning. One suspect was apparently brought in and released already. Another is being sought.
It's becoming extremely worrisome when teenaged girls are attacked in daylight near their schools, in public places.
It's also troublesome when the news isn't promptly reported.
_____________________________
Good News: Also about students. Fifteen area students from grades 6 through 12 will once again be attending the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. They will attend workshops and plays, participate in college and scholarship auditions, compete in individual events and stage their own one act production of Pullman Car Hiawatha by Thornton Wilder.
They will showcase the stage play and their individual competition pieces (which also include technical theatre presentations in costume design, scenic design, and film) Thursday, June 17 at 7 PM at the American Memorial Park auditorium. The community is invited to support these students by coming to watch. The show is free.
The student Thespians of the Western Pacific Islands will be presenting the play "Stage Door" at PIC Charley's Cabaret on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 27 and 28, 2009 at 7 PM.
The play is a 1930's comedy, written by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber. (Another of their plays--The Royal Family-- is on Broadway now, in a new revival. And one of Kaufman's plays--Once In A Lifetime--is being presented this month in Los Angeles on stage and through radio theatre. So the Saipan students have a play that is very much in vogue. )
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. I'm selling. Leave a comment --PLEASE-- and I'll get the tickets to you.
The Secret Garden--a musical
Thursday November 20
Friday November 21
Saturday November 22
7 PM
Children & Students: $5
Adults: $7.50
Dessert available for $5
PIC Charley's Cabaret
Fifteen CNMI students went to the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska.
You can check out news of their adventures and successes at the MCS troupe blog.
More than 40 students from Saipan area middle schools and high schools are staging the classic school drama, UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE. The play is set for 9/28 at 6:30 PM and Saturday 9/29 at 1:30 (matinee) and 6:30 PM at the Multi-Purpose Center. This is an entirely student run production-from directing to acting to costume and stage set design to tech crew. Our students learn a lot from this cooperative artistic endeavor and they do a great job with production values.
And you can't beat the prices. :-)
Hope to see you there.
Reports are starting to trickle in from the CNMI's Thespians who participated in the International Thespian Festival at Lincoln, Nebraska.
The biggest news so far is that Jomanda Manglona won a scholarship through her competitions. Yay! And congratulations.
You can see some photos, also, over at the Mount Carmel Junior Thespians' blog troupe88799 .
Looks and sounds like they did well, had fun, learned something and made us all proud.
Every summer handfuls of students from the CNMI head to the mainland to compete in various activities. The students who participate in Little League have gotten press, both locally and nationally, with televised games and some commentary. But there are students who get less recognition and yet who succeed each summer in improving the image of the CNMI among their peers and the adults who spend long hours involved in the activities.
Forensics and Thespian students head out with their lines memorized, their songs humming in their ears. They have worked on their sense of timing, the dramatic pause. They speak their parts in clear, unaccented English, setting aside their island-style patter for after their performances.
The thespians start their work Monday, June 25th, in Lincoln, Nebraska, perfoming their monologues, mimes, solo musical pieces and other performances for their individual evaluations, and then working together as a group to perform a one-act play that other thespians from around the country can watch and enjoy.
And the forensics students just finished their hard work in Wichita, Kansas. I don't know all of the results, but I heard that several students finished in the top 100. Ryan Ortizo of MCS finished in the top 40. And the star CNMI student this year was MHS student Rachel Reyes, who finished 9th in storytelling among all of the students from around the U.S.
Imagine a CNMI student finishing in the top 10 of any academic competition open to all U.S. students! That's what Rachel did. Congratulations to her and to all who helped make her success possible (like Harold Easton, MHS drama teacher).
And thanks to Rachel and the other students for the positive image you help share about the CNMI as unofficial summer ambassadors.
TWPI-That's Thespians of the Western Pacific! Our dramatic middle and high school students had their regional competition Saturday, April 21, 2007 at WSR. Despite the intermittent rain that turned to steam in the sun, the students managed to keep their cool and perform their pieces with flair and panache.
Winning in the high school Thespian competition:
Regional 1st places: Monologue: Ryan Gutierez.
Duet: Richelle Denora and Ryan Gutierez
Solo Musical: Tikla Brown
Mime: Moon Lee and Tommy Baik
The cumulative points for the entire Thespian season resulted in the same top place awards, except in Solo Musical, where Joan T. Liwanag outscored Tikla by 2 points for the overall seasonal win, despite the regional competition result.
Winning in the junior Thespian competition:
Regional 1st places: Monologue: Anna Rose DLGuerrero*
Duet: Dayanara Flores and R. Banados
Solo Musical: Anna Rose DLGuerrero*
Mime: J. Camacho and N. Salem
Duet and Mime regional first place winners were also the top finishers in the overall points in their categories. But cumulative points resulted in overall wins in Monologue by Dayanara Flores, and in Solo Musical by Akiko Dela Cruz.
Those with the highest cumulative points may participate in national competition at the International Thespian Society (ITS) Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska, scheduled in late June this year. There may be some slight variations, as students who won in more than one category opt for the one they'll compete in, and possibly second place winners will then compete instead; or if any student winner doesn't go to the nationals, the second or even third place finisher may take the place. It's a juggling act right now!
Congratulations to all students who participated.
Each year, we're seeing more and more students in tighter competitions. Performing arts are an important part of the school curriculum, with arts mandated to be part of the No Child Left Behind program. The talent among our kids is pretty impressive, but more important are the benefits in language development, teamwork, and cultural understanding that drama promotes.
If you want to see the complete scorecard and speculate about the national competition line-up, you can view the matrix here .
Good luck to the Thespians and Junior Thespians who will be representing TWPI in the nationals at the ITS Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska. Have fun and break a leg.
*P.S. Yes, the one and only daughter of mine! The flair for the dramatic is growing stronger. I didn't think that possible.
The Thespians of the Western Pacific staged A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum on February 24, 2007 at the MHS gym.
The show is a hilarious romp through ancient Rome, where Senex (Antonio Tiples) is henpecked by his wife, Domina (Jocelyn Lonsdale), but plans a quiet escape from her while in the countryside;
their son Hero (Tommy Baik) falls in love with a would-be courteson, Philia (Tikla Brown)
and the old neighbor, Erroneus (Jongwon Lee) searches for his long lost son and daughter. Only Pseudolus (Ryan Gutierrez), the slave, is complaining because he wants his freedom.
Pseudolus decides to win his freedom by arranging for a tryst between Hero and Philia. Lycus (Matt Wheat), the purveyor of the courtesans, tries to interest Hero in the other courtesans like Gymnasia (Joan Liwanag), but gladly accepts payment for Philia when Hero insists on her, except that Lycus has already arranged for Philia's marriage to the military leader, Miles Gloriosus (Moon Hyo Lee).
Pseudolus tries to get the contract for Philia from Miles through a fantastic ruse.
Hysterium (Christian Cruz), another slave, poses as the betrothed "lovely" Philia. Too bad that Senex unexpectedly finds himself attracted to the beauty.
And then Hysterium pretends to be dead. Pseudolus hopes to convince Miles that, with his bride dead, Miles can move on to other pastures, and thereby give room for the possibility that Hero and Philia end up together so Pseudolus can gain his freedom.
The ploy comes undone.
Filled with songs like Comedy Tonight, Lovely, and Everybody Ought to Have a Maid, the show is rollicking good fun. The supporting cast of Proteans/soldiers and Courtesans dash around the stage, sing lustily and enhance the humor.
And everyone gets a happy ending, with Erroneus learning that Miles is his son and Philia is his daughter, which puts an end to Miles' betrothal, unites Hero and Philia, and provides Pseudolus with his freedom. Happily ever after, for all.
Well, except for Senex, who is still married to Domina.
The TWPI did a great job staging the show, getting laughs with the right timing. The audiences for the two performances on Saturday were enthusiastic, if small. And the student thespians, along with the student band, and the student tech-crew, proved once again how talented and hard-working our kids are. Kudos to them all.
This Saturday, February 24, 2007, the Thespians are staging AFunnyThingHappenedOnTheWayToTheForum. Tickets are just $5. Shows are at 2 PM and 7 PM at the MHS gym.
A 20th century farce based on the Roman tradition, the musical includes songs that have contemporary application, like "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid." Listen to the melody here: Everybody
This is the third Sondheim musical brought to Saipan in recent years. West Side Story and Into the Woods also showcased the multi-talented students of Saipan. Students from the public schools, private schools and home schools cooperate to bring this production to life.
Some of the characters and their actors:
Hero--Tommy Baik
Domina--Jocelyn Lonsdale
Senex--Antonio Tiples
Philia--Tikla Brown
Pseudolus--Ryan Gutierrez
Hysterium--Christian Cruz
Marcus Lycus--Matt Wheat
Miles--Moon Lee
Of course there are Courtesans and Proteans and a few other characters (like Erroneus!)
You can get tickets from any cast member, from me (just comment here or e-mail me), or at the door.
Theatre arts offer our kids a creative outlet, help improve their vocabulary and understanding of literature and life, and have no downside. I hope the community will show up to support these students and to enjoy the show.
The gate picture is a marvelous landscaping design pic.
It is lovely, isn't it!
I meant to give photo credit, but I have no information about the photographer, location, or anything else.