Best Place on Earth

It's Friday night in the middle of February. Snow is falling, a cold wind is blowing and I am in week two as a high school musical awards adjudicator. I’m arriving at another high school, in another brightly lit parking lot, scanning for a building I've never been in, looking for the auditorium entrance.

It turns out it’s not hard to find. I follow a group of parents and grandparents carrying huge bouquets of flowers and balloons, no doubt, for special cast members. Once inside, everyone clamors for the ticket table. Parents are selling flowers nearby (for those who may have forgot them at home) candy grams, raffle tickets for the drama club (please send us to NYC so we can see a Broadway show) and a host of delicious snacks and baked goods. There is so much excitement in the air, and although most people would choose to hunker down at home on a cold winter's night, with their favorite TV show, for me, a high school musical is the BEST place to be.

During the past three months, I spent my Fridays in numerous high school auditoriums and gym/auditoriums across New York State. I've sat on elegant velvet seats, cushy chairs and tin folding chairs, and yes even gym bleachers when the gym doubles as the aud. I watched more high school musicals then I care to count. And you know what? I would do it all again in a heartbeat. For me, late winter and early spring means spending time with the greatest kids ever. The high school musical kids.  You might call them theater geeks. I do, but like the wonderful Lin Manuel Miranda I'm proud to be a former theater geek kid.

I've seen some musicals that I would have to admit needed some work. I watched kids who could barely sing to kids with voices ready for the Met. I saw some rather basic scenery and costumes I saw some you could call Broadway worthy, but what I saw in each and every performance, in each and every school was a true love of theater. Every musical large or small good or bad had one genuine element across the board. These kids love what they are doing and they wanted to be on that stage!

I saw the smiles and squeals when they met parents and friends after the show.  I saw the proud directors hugging them. Not everyone will win a theater award or scholarship but on my score sheet they all won for their genuine enthusiasm.

Some of these kids will go on and pursue musical careers. Many won't. But what they learned in their theater years will speak volumes in the real world. They know how to present themselves, know how to feel comfortable in a group and know disappointments and rejection. Remember those auditions? If I were to interview a former theater kids for a job, you bet your bottom buns I'd hire them. Theater kids are the whole package.

So everyone, enjoy your fireplace, popcorn and Netflix on a Friday night. Let it snow. I'll just bundle up a little warmer and hunker down in a seat next to two grandparents who proudly tell me Nathan Detroit is their Grandson, or a crying dad who tells me his Elle Woods is going off to one of the biggest musical theater colleges in the fall, and he's going to miss her like heck.

Yep, just give me a good old fashioned high school auditorium in mid winter, and I am one happy camper. Or should I say proud card carrying theater geek kid! 

No Vacation from Theater

If you’re anything like me the saddest day for my theater peeps and me was closing day of our shows. After that final bow we usually celebrated with an awesome cast party…but then…it was all over. All the weeks of after school practice, the nightly practice and eating cold pizza while the early evening hours went into late night hours. I remember the Monday after the show as being the longest day of the year. No more show. Now what?

If you really love theater and think that maybe next year you would love to try for that lead or a supporting role that you didn’t get this year, think ahead to summer vacation. Look into voice lessons, dance lessons, acting classes. Many community colleges offer fun programs in singing and acting for teens and young adults.

Look into one of the many summer musical theater camps throughout the country. Many even prepare a musical production at the conclusion of the camp session.

Some Communities also present summer theater productions. If you can audition for one of them, go for it. It’s a wonderful way to hone your skills and many times, you’ll be working with local amateur actors. They truly are a wealth of information and inspiration, as many have been performing in Community Theater for years, starting with their own high school musicals.  You can learn a lot and gather experience, too.

If you get a chance to travel and see a show, do so. Obviously, Broadway is great, but local community or nearby towns offer many touring shows, and local theater productions. Observe the show, the leads and supporting players. What draws you to their characters? What skills are you noticing that perhaps you can bring to your production next year?

Summer vacation presents a myriad of activities for high school musical theater performers. Take everything in that you possibly can and I guarantee when fall rolls around you’ll be ready for that big audition.

I hope the few words I’ve left here will help you with future productions. I hope they will inspire you to get that “wow”! I hope, most of all you will continue on this wonderful high school musical journey. I can promise you it will be the time of your life, shared with special people making special memories. I can promise you will remember your high school musical days forever.

We'll be back next month with lots of theater subjects to ponder before school rolls around again this fall.

Another Opening...

Weeks of musical rehearsals. Hours of choreography rehearsals until you couldn’t move. Hours of studying scripts each night. Now every song, step and line is committed to memory. Heck, you can probably recite your fellow cast mate’s lines as well. Opening night is here, and it’s time to show the world the very special show you 

and your fellow cast mates spent so many hours preparing.

While opening nights can be exciting-I can remember not being able to sleep a wink during mine-they can also be a little terrifying for a newbie. I don’t have a magic cure for nerves. Certainly, your directors are a wealth of information in this department. They have been dealing with students and opening nights for years.

Tell yourself you are ready. You know your lines and people have told you you’re good. You know your songs and can do a mean showstopper, and your dance steps are perfect. Being well prepared is half the battle to conquering nerves. You’ve got this. Now show the audience.

I once had a wise director tell us that the people coming to our musicals want to see us succeed- yep that includes the judges.  Many schools have “reputations” in their hometowns for fantastic musicals. So, if you’re a part of this great show you’re about to perform, congratulations.

Some tips for opening night. Your director and choreographer will bring you in for warm-ups. General vocal warm ups with ensemble. Leads may do a separate warm up. Choreographers will give you some stretching exercises. Then it’s costume and makeup. Some schools have you do your own make up, but usually there is a makeup crew so let them do their thing. Most directors’ call for casts to report about two hours before curtain.

I often have kids ask if they should eat. Absolutely, yes. I would not have a ten course meal but a nice light meal about an hour before you have to report is good. Also, you want to keep your voice hydrated but keep in mind once curtain goes up bathroom breaks are going to be limited. So know your body and your system. Generally, intermittent sips of water are a good idea. Keep a bottle handy (often schools keep them backstage for their casts, bless the 

stage moms).

Now, you are ready. Curtain up. It's showtime!

Show Week is Here

It seems an eternity, and you wondered if show week would ever come around. Well, surprise. It’s finally here, and here are some tips to get you through that final push

Because rehearsals take such a dramatic turn (no pun intended) during show week, we’re going to deal with this important week and what to expect, right here.

Scenes are blocked, choreography is down and so is the music. Your director will tell you, “we’ve got a show”. Now it’s time to put those finishing touches the week before, and get the show audience ready.

The weekend before, it’s time to “move into the aud.” From early afternoon on the weekend before expect complete run through, but now with tech (the lighting and prop people will begin doing their thing) and pit. Piano will be gone and orchestra will be in. This is why rehearsals are so long. Details. Details.

Is the curtain closing at the right moment in a particular scene? Are the sound effects coming through? Are leads under lit in that all important love song? Your director will work on minor details. Again, patience guys. You will be doing a lot of sitting in between.

Some schools bring the stage door moms in for that final week push, wonderful parents who cook meals and bring them to hungry actors. God love them. I can still remember Mrs. Robinson’s awesome Mac and cheese. It hit the spot. Check to see if there will be a meal brake, if meals will be provided or if you should pack a lunch. Sounds crazy but weekend before show means hours at school and you need to eat. No skipping meals. Pack a few snacks in a back pack as well-and a bottle of water. Hydration is important.

I would also bring stuff to do-hint- school work. Even though you’re performing for your high school, schools rarely like to see you slack off from school work. Reading works well too. I know it’s hard to keep you from phones and tablets. I would just suggest if you are going to be on your phone put it on manor mode so your friend’s texts don’t ring in while someone is on stage during dialogue. If you must use your phone make sure that it's silent, and  if you need to make a call, go out in the hallway. Simple theater etiquette we suggest for our audiences goes for actors too.

It’s also time to iron out any problems you're experiencing. Can’t get from stage left to stage right in time for your big switch? Let your director know. Need help in a quick costume change? Again let back stage crew know so someone will be there to help. One of your costumes not fitting right? Reach out to the costume head and get it addressed before opening night.

This is the week that everyone who is anyone involved with the show will be there from beginning to end. Even your ticket ladies. So if Uncle Henry and Aunt Sally are coming in from Albany just to see you in that all important lead, you can get tickets for them as well.

There is no set schedule for show week and directors are going to run show week in a way that fits them best, and what has worked for them over the years.

However, in some form or order you will do a tech rehearsal, or full tech. You’ll do a pit rehearsal-some even begin working with orchestra weeks before if it is a school orchestra. You will then do full dress with makeup- some schools choosing to do one night of costumes only and one night of costumes and makeup. Many schools open their dress rehearsals to local senior homes or schools. This gives you a chance to work with an audience before opening weekend, and a chance for groups that wouldn’t ordinarily see a show a chance to enjoy.

Will you perform two weekends in a row? Your director may schedule a run through or two in between to keep everyone fresh and on their toes.

I am going to touch briefly on the subject of makeup. You’re going to need to wear it, guys. Simply because of the lighting. You will wash out under the spots and no one will see you and that would be a shame with Uncle Henry and Aunt Sally coming all the way from Albany.

Theater makeup has come a long way since I was in my musicals in the late 70s.Gone are those horrendous cake sticks and the breakouts you suffered for weeks afterward. There is actually makeup for every skin type so if you do have allergies please let your costume person or makeup person know so they can suggest makeup that you can buy or have it there for you.

Your director may also choose to “go dark” one night of show week. Usually at the beginning. So for instance, you may have a big push on Saturday and Sunday, go dark on Monday (translation no rehearsal) and resume on Tuesday night with full dress, tech and pit. Many directors choose a “go dark” for one particular reason. It’s a rest time for their actors. So, my advice to you is, take it as such.

Catch up on your sleep. With the growing popularity of high school musicals, many schools do double weekend performances now.If you've been this route before you also know show week can be EXHAUSTING! Extra sleep and rest can only help. 

Also, please, please, please rest those voices. Keep cheering at high school games until after the show is over. Sip a lot on warm drinks. Be wary of too much caffeine. Eat as healthy as possible- one of the reasons the stage moms have become popular-kids get decent meals instead of potato chips and cold pizza.

I touched on this a bit earlier but musicals come in the heart of cold and flu season and if you’ve ever been a part of a group event before, you know that germs can run rampant and people in the cast can start dropping like flies. Boosting your immune system can help- I always dosed on extra vitamin c during show-helped me feel good and kept the colds at bay. Wash your hands often and REST as much as you can.

Go With the Flow

It’s getting close to show week. Just a little reminder that no matter how well your cast is prepared, crazy things can happen. Here are some tips how to “go with the flow” if the uncontrollable happens on stage.

True stories, guys. Story number one. One year ago, I was sitting in a high school auditorium in a small city in Upstate, New York on a cold rainy night in early April waiting for a production of Les Miz. We were literally just seconds from opening curtain. In fact, the director welcomed everyone and asked us to silence our cell phones. Then it happened. A fire alarm. Everyone grabbed their stuff and headed for the door.

That meant cast and crew too. There we were, outside in the pouring rain waiting for the fire department to give the all clear. We at least had our coats on and if lucky, umbrellas. Cast was in costume and make up. Turned out a smoke machine used in the opening number set off the alarm. Probably twenty minutes passed before allowed back in and the show resumed.

The first thing that came to mind was the many skating performances I’ve witnessed over the years. A bad fall at the beginning of a program can take a skater in two directions. They will either get up or continue with an over the top phenomenal performance, or they will literally fall apart and the program will continue with fall after fall.

I felt the same that night. These kids would come back in cold, wet and rattled and the production would sink. Or, they would perform the musical of their lives.

You guessed it. They knocked it out of the park In fact, they won best musical that year.

Fast forward one year later. A cast of Addams family was nailing their first act. All of a sudden, silence. The orchestra stopped playing. The orchestra leader took off her head phones and signaled all the actors on stage to leave the stage. The curtain closed with an announcement of a technical failure. Returning shortly.

Turns out all their sounds system suddenly went down including special effects sounds. We waited what seemed to be forever but actually just five minutes. Then the curtain opened, the orchestra began playing and the players literally picked up from where they left off. Did not skip a beat. Fantastic rest of the show.

I mention these two shows for a reason. Crapola happens. It’s going to happen. Missed lines. Forgotten lyrics. Scenery falls. Drops don’t work. Curtains stick. Props break, and wardrobes (yikes) malfunction. It’s all how you handle it. If it’s a small mistake, you will need to cover. I will tell you now, most audience members don’t notice a missed lyric here or there, a line or dance step.

If it’s something big, sound or lights go down, power failure, scenery or major malfunction, just listen to your director. They will give directions on what to do. Remember the audience wants to see you do well and perform a great musical, so when you do return to the stage after a major malfunction, smile, take a deep breath and continue.

And More Rehearsal Stuff

From blocking , to extra choreo and music rehearsals, each rehearsal from now until show time is an important one. Here's what to expect over the next few "Musical" months and a tip or two on taking good care of yourself so you'll be your stage ready best!

I touched on this a bit earlier, but rehearsals will generally begin slowly, usually with a cast read through or two, then increase to the all important push during show week, which we will mention in a bit. Keep in mind at the beginning you will be required to do a lot of music rehearsals with your director or music director, learning the songs, perfecting them, working with your co star or co stars if you are featuring duets. There will also be chorus or ensemble rehearsals.

I can’t emphasize enough how important these rehearsals are. You will work with accompaniment, developing a singing style for your character. Yes, acting is important even while you are singing. Also, ironing out any other difficulties that may come up. Perhaps having to rearrange music to work more with your range. So music rehearsals are very important.

Likewise, choreography rehearsals. Your choreographer may hold after school practice for leads and for ensembles, especially for the all important production number.

Now for the dancing. I know from my own high school musical experience singing was my forte, dance…not so much. For some high school musical performers’, choreography is a difficult part of any musical. My advice to leads, however, is to try and make it look like you’re having fun, and you can dance. Most school choreographers will create pieces that take into consideration the level of talent he or she has to work with.

I’ve seen so many good characters suddenly get marked down once the choreo begins. Why? They suddenly look disinterested. If you’re finding parts of your choreo challenging, ask to work with your choreographer after school or on weekends. Work with your fellow cast mates if you have to. I had a drama teacher friend who brought her Captain and Maria in every day for a month till they could perform a kick ass Laendler. Choreo is as important as singing so work on perfecting both.

You need to be present for blocking rehearsals –actual rehearsal of your scenes where you will learn where to stand and where to enter and exit, among other things. From my high school musical days and from other students I speak to, they are the most tedious rehearsals but the most important.

There will be a lot of sitting around and waiting around but blocking is the core of the show and without it, there wouldn’t be a show. So be patient with your director. They are working to put together a good show. Pay attention, and be tolerant. When blocking is set and everyone is comfortable with scenes, it’s time to run through entire acts along with corresponding songs and choreography.

Also, depending on the size of your school, smaller schools often have smaller budgets, you may help paint scenery, build sets, design programs, tickets, posters, and serve as publicity person, too.

Make sure to take care of yourself. No doubt, you already know this but spring shows come slap in the middle of flu and cold season. Your directors probably tell you, but rest and take care of those voices, and you. Many schools do not work with second casts or understudies. They are depending on you. And with all that hard work, you don’t want to get sick at the last minute and miss the show. If you are committed to the musical, commit to it. Time with your friends, parties and other activities should come secondary and the show commitment first.

Ready...Set...Rehearse

The show is cast and you have that special part. It’s now serious musical time. In our next few blogs, we’ll be covering some good rehearsal tips to keep you in your best rehearsal mode, and help you and your cast mates create the BEST show ever.

The show is cast. Parts are assigned and it’s time to take part in your high school musical. Fasten your seat belt and get ready for a fantastic ride. Oh, there will be a few bumps along the way, but I can promise you it will be quite the journey, and one you'll want to repeat again and again. Once you take part in your first high school musical, you’re hooked.

Most directors hold a general meeting with the cast and ensemble once the show is cast. This is where scripts and a printed detailed rehearsal schedule are distributed. Some schools even invite parents to this meeting just to let everyone know the amount of time it will take to get the show off the ground, and note any scheduling conflicts.

You will receive your scripts and musical score at this time. This is important. 

You’ve probably heard that your school buys rights to perform your musical each year. The scripts come from the musical theater libraries where the rights were purchased. They are only on loan. Your director will emphasize this over and over DO NOT lose them or destroy them. If you need to make director's notes light pencil only and keep them to a minimum. I actually like to see actors buy a small notebook that fits in a back pack for director's notes. They are not expensive and you can take more detailed notes. 

Directors will also set a time limit at first meeting when they want their cast off book-that means knowing all your lines. My advice is get cracking on learning those lines ASAP. You can work with fellow cast mates especially if you have mutual scenes together. Other student actors I know record the last line or two of their fellow cast mates’ lines and that helps prompt them with their own dialogue when memorizing at home.

Your director may have other ideas for learning lines, but the bottom line is you are going to need to learn them so the sooner you start the better, and whatever method works for you, use it. Likewise, your music. Many shows have a “karaoke” version that features the show’s instrumental accompaniment. An excellent way to practice songs when at home.

As soon as you get your rehearsal schedule, check it over carefully. Make sure there are no conflicts on the dates you need to be at rehearsal. Rehearsals begin slowly. As scenes reach blocking, however, and if you are one of the leads, there is a chance you will need to be at almost every rehearsal. It is imperative that you clear any conflicts with your director from the get go. Check doctor appointments, family vacation plans or any other school conflicts, school testing, school events, etc.

I touched on this a bit earlier but one of things I notice about my nominated musicals, the cast is so engaging. They draw in the audience and make you feel like they want to perform their very best for you. Mostly, they look happy and they look like they want to be on that stage right there at that very moment, more than any other place in the world.

When you accept a part in your musical, from lead to chorus, the number one word you need to adopt is commitment. I know high school students lead busy lives. You have lots of after school activities you belong to, sports, year book, prom committees, and other clubs. Not to mention events outside of school. There are dance lessons, piano lessons, karate. I could go on forever. You get the picture.

Your high school musical is going to eat up a huge amount of your after school time. In the beginning, there will be rehearsals and a read through, musical numbers and choreo rehearsals. You’ll be required to attend after school rehearsals when it’s time to stage and block your scenes.

However, as it gets closer to the show, about a month away, there will be full run through, and then tech and dress rehearsals, not to mention rehearsals with the pit. You will most likely be rehearsing every day after school, weekends and toward opening night, many nights. Commitment.

My advice to you is that if you really want to be a part of this show, if you want to do everything to make it the best show ever, by lending your time and talent, then, go for it. I guarantee you won’t regret it.

If however, you don’t want to let go of other activities, temporarily, and you’re not sure you can devote the time, let your director know. Directors want students that give themselves 100 percent to their musical. If you can’t, they understand. But you need to let them know-at the beginning.

My other piece of advice is to be a team player. Do I notice the casts that don’t seem to work well together? Yep, it’s obvious. Check egos at the door guys. Leads, welcome the newbie’s. Newbie’s, study your leads. Lend your best efforts to EVERY scene. At a recent performance, I saw an ensemble lend so much to a supporting player’s comedic scene. It truly made the scene the hysterical mishmash it was supposed to be. The supporting actor then managed to get the entire ensemble and him in a rousing tap dance number. Perfection. If that wasn’t team work, I’m not sure what is.

Another word you need to embrace is respect. Respect for your director and music director and choreo first and foremost. They’ve been doing this a long time. Listen to their suggestions. Listen to their advice. Does that mean you can’t suggest something that you think might fit your character? Absolutely, not. A costume suggestion, accent suggestion, and the way you walk and deliver a line. Directors love creativity, but always approach in a polite way.

Arrive on time at rehearsals ready and prepared. If something comes up and you can’t make a rehearsal, hey, things happen, it’s understandable. Just make sure you seek your director out to let them know. As you know musicals involve exchange among cast members whether in dialogue or song, so a missing person can upset the entire apple cart.

Make sure you are available for costume fittings (often these are mom volunteers) and they don’t have hours each day to work with your schedule. Likewise, extra music and choreo rehearsals. Remember guys, commitment is the word.

Respect also goes for your fellow cast mates. 

Instead of criticizing, offer to help them get acclimated. Get together with other cast mates and study and feed lines. It helps, believe me. It will make all the difference and shouts “this is a group that works as one awesome unit”.