From Jennifer Ackland, The Producers' Costumer

Hey, Everybody! I'm Jennifer Ackland, the costume shop manager at NCSF. I'm doing the costumes for The Producers. Below is a list of costume pieces that I need. If you have any of these items that you think are appropriate please reply to jennyackland@yahoo.com and let me know. If you don't have something it's not a big deal. Please don't go out and buy anything. This is just so that I can know what is available to use so that I can fill in the gaps. Within the next week or so I will start having fittings either at the rehearsal hall or at my office at NCSF. Jennifer will have a sign up sheet. Please bring ANY items that may be useful (shoes, hats, glasses, whatever) to your fitting.

All Male Cast Members need: 1 pair black pants,1 light colored dress shirt, 1 suit (jacket and pants) in navy blue, gray, or black, 1 neck tie.

All female cast members need: any dress that might work for your characters. Black character shoes ( Chorus Girls)

Jennifer A.

Regional Artist Grants

Applications are now being accepted for the 2008-2009 Central Piedmont Regional Artists grant program. Funds available total $15,000. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16.

The United Arts Council of Greensboro coordinates the Central Piedmont Regional Artist grant program on behalf of a consortium of five counties: Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham. Funding is provided by the North Carolina Arts Council and matched locally by participating county arts councils, such as the High Point Area Arts Council. Applications may be downloaded at www.uacARTS.org or by calling 336-373-7523, ext. 256.

Grants for Regional Artists are designed to support exceptionally talented visual, performing, literary and interdisciplinary artists at all stages of their careers to pursue projects that further their professional artistic development. Eligible artistic disciplines are music (both classical and contemporary), dance, visual arts (painting, photography, sculpture and pottery), film/video, drama and literature. Applicants must submit artistic work samples and provide a narrative case for support.

Regional Artist Grants are open to artists living in Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham counties. To be eligible, an artist must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be a student enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in their art form.

Regional Artist Grants provide important financial support and recognition for Triad area artists. In 2008, Regional Artist Grants totaled more than $16,000 to 13 regional artists. This cooperative effort fosters relationships between arts organizations while also encouraging networking between Triad artists.

Thursday's Rehearsal

Hi All,

Thursday’s rehearsal schedule is changed.

Please note later start time.

Thur, Jan 29th
7:30 Choreograph #11 Keep It Gay - Max, Leo, Roger, Carmen, Bryan, Kevin, Scott, Shirley
9:00 Finish #6 I Want to be a Producer – Leo & Chorus Girls

I MUST have measurements from the following people by 5:00 pm on Tuesday.

If I don’t, I will assume that you are planning to be responsible for all of your own costumes.

Please notify me IMMEDIATELY if you think that you have turned them in so I can do a search.

Measurements below for you to cut and paste.

Latimer Alexander V
Jennifer Arnold
Tim Brown
Daniel Harr
Katie Jo Icenhower
Gareth Stearns (more complete)

Thanks,

Jennifer


Measurement Sheet/ High Point Community Theatre

Production: “THE PRODUCERS”

Please measure carefully

Name__________________________________ Date / /

Male/Female

Character(s)______________________________________

Height___________ Weight_________ Shoe Size_______

Pierced Ears Y/N LR

Suit/Dress Size_______

Shirt Size (neck)____(sleeve)_____

Pant Size (waist)____(length)_____

Hat Size/Head Measurement________

Shoulder to Shoulder (front)______(back)_______

Bust/Chest__________

Natural Waist______________

Hip(9” below waist)________

Neck to Waist________

Waist to Floor________

Monday's Snow

Monday's brief snowstorm was certainly beautiful from the HPCT office.

Monday at Jimmy's Pizza

Join us Monday at 5:30 pm for an HPCT tradition - Dinner at Jimmy's!

Jimmy's Pizza is located 1 block South of the rehearsal space. Park in the rehearsal space parking lot and walk over.

Dutch-Treat! All HPCT "family" members are welcome whether you are in The Producers or not and feel free to bring guests. We just sorta take over the joint on Mondays before rehearsal.

Hope to see you then!

Jennifer

The Producers TENTATIVE Rehearsal Schedule

THE PRODUCERS - Tentative Rehearsal Schedule – Have questions, contact Jennifer 882-2542 or jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org

JANUARY

Day & Date
Time - What - Who

Sun. 18
2-4 - Block I-2 – Max, Leo, Hold Me/Touch Me
2-4 - Music – Full Company
4-6 - Block I-3 (pgs. 20-22) –All Men except Max & Roger
Block I-4 (pg. 26) – Max & Leo
Block I-5 – Max & Leo

Mon. 19
7-10 - Choreo #2 It’s Opening Night – Everybody except Roger

Tue. 20 - Off to celebrate National Jennifer Is Happy Day!

Wed. 21 - Off

Thur. 22
7-10 - Choreo Review/Finish #2 – Everybody except Roger
Start tap number (Little Old Ladies**)

Fri. 23
7-8:30 - Block I-6 – Max, Leo, Franz
7-8:30 - Music – Full Company
8:30-10 -Block I-7 – Max, Leo, Roger, Carmen, Bryan, Kevin, Scott, Shirley

Sat. 24 - Off

Sun. 25
2-6 - Music – Full Company
2-4 - Block I-8 – Max, Leo, Ulla
4-6 - Detail I-2 & 5 - Max, Leo, Hold Me/Touch Me

Mon. 26
7-10 - Choreograph #6 I Want to be a Producer - All Men except Max & Roger plus Chorus Girls*
Choreograph #12 When You’ve Got It, Flaunt It – Ulla, Max & Leo
(Check with Benji for time for Ulla & Max’s call)

Tue. 27 - Off

Wed. 28 - Off

Thur. 29
7-10 - Choreograph #11 Keep It Gay - Max, Leo, Roger, Carmen, Bryan, Kevin, Scott, Shirley
Review Choreography TBA

Fri. 30
7-8 - Block I-9 – Little Old Ladies**, Cop+, Max, Leo, Roger, Carmen, Bryan, Kevin, Scott, Shirley, Franz, Ulla
8-10 - Detail I-3, 4 & 6 – All Men except Roger

Sat. 31 - Off

FEBRUARY

Sun. 1
2-4 - Detail I-7, 8 & 9 - Max, Leo, Roger, Carmen, Bryan, Kevin, Scott, Shirley, Ulla, Little Old Ladies**, Cop+, Franz
4-6 - Work Thru Act I– Everybody

Mon. 2
7-10 - Choreo - Act I Finale (I-9) - Little Old Ladies**, Max, Leo, Roger, Carmen, Bryan, Kevin, Scott, Shirley, Franz, Ulla
Choreo #10 - Hop Clop – Franz, Max & Leo

Tue. 3 - Off

Wed. 4 - Off

Thur 5
7-10 - Choreography Review TBA

Fri. 6
7-10 - Block II-1 – Max, Leo, Ulla

Sat. 7 - Off

Sun. 8
2-4 - Block II-2 – Everybody
4-6 - Block II-3 – Everybody

Mon. 9
7-10 - Choreograph #19 Springtime for Hitler (II-4) – Everybody except Max & Leo

Tue. 10 - Off

Wed. 11 - Off

Thur 12
7-10 - Choreo Complete #19 - Everybody except Max & Leo

Fri. 13
7-10 - Block II-5 – Max, Leo, Roger, Carmen, Ulla, Franz, Police++

Sat. 14 - Off

Sun. 15
2-4 - Block II-6, 7 & 8 - Everybody
4-6 - Detail II-1, 2 & 3 – Everybody

Mon. 16
7-10 - Choreo #17 It’s Opening Night Reprise - Everybody except Leo, Max, Ulla, Roger, Carmen
Choreo #16 Auditions (opening bit) – Reid as Jack, Jim as Donald, Mickey as Jason
Choreo #16a German Band - Franz

Tue. 17 Off

Wed. 18 Off

Thur 19
7-10 - Choreo #23 Prisoners of Love & Finale Act II – Everybody

Fri. 20
7-10 - Detail II-5-8 – Everybody

Sat. 21 - Off

Sun. 22
2-6 - Run Thru - Everybody

Mon. 23
7-10 - Music/Choreography Review – Everybody

Tue. 24
7-10 - Run Thru - Everybody

Wed. 25 - Off

Thur 26
7-10 - Run Thru - Everybody

Fri. 27
7-10 - Run Thru – Everybody

Tech Week – Everything from this point forward will be held at the High Point Theatre for the full company.

Sat. 28
10am - Load In - HP Theatre Plan for a long day

MARCH

Sun. 1
6-10 - Spacing Rehearsal

Mon. 2
6:30 call / 7:00 go - Tech/Dress

Tues 3
6:30 call / 7:30 go - Dress with Orchestra

Wed. 4
6:30 Warm-ups
7:30 Final Dress

Thur 5
6:30 – Warm-ups
7:30 - Opening Performance

Fri. 6
7:00 – Warm-ups
8:00 - Performance

Sat. 7
7:00 – Warm-ups
8:00 - Performance

Sun. 8
1:00 – Warm-ups
2:00 – Final Performance followed by Strike

Cast Assignments

* = Chorus Girls-Ally, Cara, Donna, Christi, Katie Jo, Krista, Lisa, Mary Margaret, Morgan

** = Little Old Ladies (I-9):
Hold Me - Touch Me – Sally
Lick Me – Bite Me – Marjorie
Kiss Me – Feel Me – Daria
Little Old Ladies (Dancers for I-9)
Ally, Avis, Cara, Christi, Donna, Kaya, Kelly, Krista, Lisa, Mary Margaret, Meaghan, Morgan, Paige, Sally, Chris, Daniel, David, Gareth, Matthew, Skyler

+ = I-9 Cop – Mickey Hyland

++ II-5 Policemen
Sargeant O’Brien = Mickey Hyland
Officer O’Rourke = Daniel Harr
Officer O’Riley = Eric Dowdy
Officer O’Houllihan = Skyler Brown

Additional Cast Assignments:
I-1 & II-3
Usherettes – Mary Margaret & Morgan
Blind Violinist – Gareth
Bum – Michael
Newspaper Vendor – Jim
Bag Lady – Katie Jo
Nuns – Avis & Lisa
Street Walkers – Ally & Cara
Ticket Taker – Reid

II-4
Storm Trooper – Gareth
Churchill – Mickey
FDR – Latimer IV (This one makes me so happy!)
Rolf & Mel – Michael & Latimer V

II-6
Guard – David

II-7
Jury Foreman – Latimer IV
Bailiff – Jim
Judge – Reid
Court Stenographer - Daria

Jennifer Needs Bail!

Hi Friends,

I'm proud to tell you that I'm being locked up...that's right, I'm going behind bars to help Jerry's Kids© and MDA. To be released on good behavior I have to raise bail and I need your help!

All you have to do is click here to make a secure, online donation before 02/04/09. Your donation will help families living in our community and help guarantee me an early release. I can't wait to add you to my list of contributors.

Thanks in advance for your help. Don't hesitate to call or email me with any questions.

Together we'll make a difference,

Jennifer

P.S. I'm counting on you, click here to donate.

If the link above does not work, please cut and paste the address below into the address bar of your Internet browser.
https://www.joinmda.org/2009highpoint/jblevins/

#1 Song

Do you know the #1 song for the day you were born? Go to http://www.joshhosler.biz/ and look it up. Post your name and the song in comments.

Mine is "Sleep Walk" by Santo & Johnny (An instrumental that I have heard but didn’t know the name).

Kim Harrison's song was "Wedding Bell Blues" by The 5th Dimension and she had never heard of it. I absolutely insist that she goes and buys a copy of their Greatest Hits or at least goes to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkMhWQgkZ8c

Although I really wish that I had a video of 5 white kids lip-synching to it in my 5th grade class "Talent Friday." I was Marilyn McCoo. It was our greatest performance other than "Harper Valley PTA." "This is just a little Peyton Place / And you're all Harper Valley hypocrites." We certainly chose age-appropriate material.

The Producers Rehearsal Schedule - 1st 2 weeks

Have questions? Call Jennifer at 882-2542 or jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org

Monday, January 5
7:00 – Company Meeting – Full Company
7:30 – Full Company Music Rehearsal

Tuesday, January 6
7:00 – Full Company Music Rehearsal
Followed by Max and Leo Music

Wednesday, January 7
7:30 Max and Leo Music

Thursday, January 8 - Off

Friday, January 9
7:00 – Full Company Music Rehearsal
Followed by Franz Music

Saturday January 10 - Off

Sunday, January 11
2:00 - Roger, Carmen, Kevin, Bryan, Scott, Shirley
Followed by Carmen & Roger Music
Scenework - Max & Leo T.B.A.

Monday, January 12
5:30 – Dinner at Jimmy’s – All Welcome
7:00 - Read Through Full Company

Tuesday, January 13
7:00 – Max, Leo, Roger, Carmen, Kevin, Bryan, Scott, Shirley Music
7:45 – Add Ulla Music

Wednesday, January 14
7:00 – Ulla Music
Scenework T.B.A.

Friday, January 16
TBA (But plan on ALL)

Saturday, January 17 - Off

New Year's Eve Ramblings!

At rehearsal one night, there was some confusion among our younger cast members’ parents about who needed to be at rehearsal. On the schedule I had listed the scene and put the word “All except” and then listed a couple of specific adult characters. Rehearsal starts and we were missing quite a few children so I started making some phone calls to find out where they were and the parents’ response was “oh I didn’t think they needed to come tonight”. I told the cast, “I know some of you think that the theatre has some sort of mysterious, secret language but the word “all” means the same as it does everywhere else”.

People often think that what we do in the theatre is mysterious and magical. One of my favorite memories of someone assuming we were a little more magical than we actually are was during a performance of “Camelot.” The actor playing Merlyn (in full flowing beard and robes) was walking his fellow castmember “Horrid” the dog outside during a performance. A police officer pulled up in his car, looked suspiciously at the actor and said “Are you in a play?” The actor replied that yes he was in the production of Camelot at the theatre. The officer said “What do you play?” The actor said I’m Merlyn the wizard. The officer then looked at the dog and said “Is he in the play?” The actor said yes and the police officer followed with “What does he play?” The actor responded “A dog.” We’re good but not that good. So just like “all” means “all”, dogs pretty much have to play dogs.

I used to have a board member who referred to the “magic of the theatre”. I finally told him that if all the people involved propped our feet up on the desk and waited for the magic to take over – then we would be in trouble. The magical part of it all is not in a secret language or in some sort of supernatural force that does the work for us but in the dedication and commitment that the people involved bring to the productions. The community of community theatre. The good things that happen onstage go fairly quickly to the back of our memories. We all take the greatest delight in the things that went wrong, the war stories of missed entrances and lines, props that didn’t work, costumes that ripped – the things that somehow we all got through together – as a community.

High Point Community Theatre began in 1976, partially funded in its initial years by the Parks & Recreation Department and then nurtured (and often paid for) by loving volunteers as it grew into its own corporation, separate from the City of High Point. We are an affiliate of the High Point Arts Council but raise the majority of our operating budget through ticket sales and corporate and individual support. Those persons and companies who help pay the bills are an integral part of our community.

In addition we have a dedicated board of directors. Over our 32 seasons, we have had 100s of people who give their time, talent, energy and often financial resources to keep a strong community theatre in our town. They sell advertising and tickets; paint the sets; drive the truck; and most importantly advocate for the organization.

We have strong audience support whether it is from people who come see everything that we do or those who come because their niece is the 5th dancer from the end on the 3rd row. Everyone who comes to a production becomes part of our community and usually walks away amazed by the talent of their neighbors.

But the people who are the heart of the organization are our actors and crew members. With each show, people from all over the area – people who would in all likelihood never meet otherwise – come together. They come in all ages, religions, races, professions, socio-economic levels and political leanings (it’s always tons of fun to have a rehearsal on election night). They come with varying degrees of experience and talent; they come for many different reasons – teenagers who hope to be professional actors and teenagers who want to have an excuse to be out of their house; there are adults who long for the thrill they felt being in their high school production of “West Side Story” and adults who have never stepped on stage before but have always wanted to. They come for whatever reason – and somehow in the 7 or so weeks of working together on the common goal of building the best production they can – they become a family. I have seen it over and over again. The 80 year old widower who got involved after his wife passed away; the shy 12 year old boy who isn't good at sports; the newcomer to town who does not know a soul. I love nothing more than to get a phone call saying “I just moved to the area (or in some cases, am thinking about moving to the area) and I want to get involved” I know that what these people will find is an instant community in their new home town – one that will welcome them and support them. Typically 50% of each cast are newcomers to HPCT. So our community is ever-expanding.

Historically, in difficult times: wars, depressions, disasters, the arts in general and the theatre specifically have flourished. People have desperately sought out contact. But today, we live in the “netflix” society. So many people sequester themselves at home with dvds, computers, and other home entertainment items that it takes a brave soul to venture out. So I find it very brave of these people who come in search of the contact and community building that happens while building a play – and there-in lies the magic.

In a community theatre situation, we are the servant of two masters. The first is the audience. We need to build quality shows that people are willing to pay to see. We need to be a good investment for the corporate community as we fundraise. We need to be a good steward of the money that people contribute. We need to produce.

The second and equally important part of our mission is to have a process that is positive for our actors and other volunteers. One that helps them reach their potential, one that fosters teamwork, one that in some measure compensates them for the time and energy they bring.

Our greatest goal is to balance the need for an outstanding product and a fun, affirming process in a way that is the most successful for all of us. To achieve this goal, it takes a great deal of dedication and hard work, great attitudes and generous spirits by our board of directors, artistic staffs, actors, crews and other volunteers. As HPCT continues its 32nd year of bringing quality community theatre to our area, I would like to thank the many, many individuals who have supported this organization over the years.

I would also like to encourage you to join your neighbors, onstage, backstage or in the audience. Or those of you currently members of our family, invite others to join you. Our community always has room for one more. Come help us make the magic!

On behalf of the HPCT Board of Directors, I wish you a wonderful 2009!

Jennifer