JHStheaterarts Mission Statement

The Jenkintown High School Theater Arts Program is dedicated to nurturing and developing the talents of the Jenkintown High School student body and providing a safe and creative environment where the artists can cultivate their craft within a supportive and caring community.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

TCWs-Updated information!!!


Dear Friends,

I wanted to connect with you about the upcoming production of TCWs.   

I am very confident that this show will be a wonderful experience for all those who are part of the production.  TCWs will challenge our acting ability as we recreate multiple characters.  It is a show filled with many areas for the actor’s input as well as connecting with the audience (breaking down that fourth wall).



I am happy to announce that we will be having several workshops lead by:  J Hernandez, who has worked at venues such as: The Philadelphia Artists Collective, The New City Stage Company and The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater.  These workshops will be geared towards: “making the language accessible.   Reminding students that Shakespeare didn't write in a foreign language.   Taking them through various exercises, a few scenes, make them play around with the language, put it in their own words, then perform for each other and take a look at what it is they're working on themselves”.  J is a wonderful performer and well versed in improvisation and Shakespeare.



I look forward to working with everyone on this project.  I will see you Monday night.  If you would prefer to have some written material from the show instead of creating your own for the audition, please let me know.



Many thanks!



Lys


Friday, December 12, 2014

Welcome to the JHS Theater Arts 2015 Spring Production of. . . .




The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (A) is a play written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield that parodies the plays of William Shakespeare with all of them being performed-originally, (in comically shortened or amalgamated form), by only three actors. Typically, the actors use their real names and play themselves rather than certain characters.  The fourth wall is nonexistent in the performance with the actors speaking directly to the audience during much of the play, and some scenes involve audience participation. 

This play can have as little as 3 and as many as 20 actors.

The TCWS was chosen with the full support of Ms. Hackett, who believes it to be an incredibly positive motivational tool for her 7/8th grade Shakespeare Festival that occurs in the spring.  With her encouragement and support, TCWS will be the JHS Spring Drama.

The original version of this play, in 1987, used only three actors.  The JHS production will use at least 15 actors, however, the same actor throughout the entire production will portray the role of “Jess”.

There will be some cuts to the script as well as additions to make the material more relevant to the culture in which we live.  Your input is essential to the production.  That being said, we must remember to work as a community, and to listen and learn from one another.


TCWS is about creativity, improvisation, the breaking of the fourth wall, about going out on a limb and about playing each character to it’s fullest.  It is a physical play and requires the actor to think outside the “box”..................way outside!!!!

Please review the rehearsal requirements as well as the audition preparation details listed below.

Thank you for being part of this venture.


 Rehearsal Schedule:

Rehearsals will begin on January 6th starting at 7:15 p.m.
All weekday rehearsal will start at 7:15 p.m. and run until 9:15 p.m.
All weekend rehearsal will start at 11:30 p.m. and run until 3:30 p.m.
As we get closer to the performance: dates and times will be adjusted to accommodate our needs to insure a successful performance.

If you are not able to attend 98% of these rehearsals, you may want to reconsider being part of this production.


Auditions will be on December 22
Starting at 6:45 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
ALL interested actors please arrive at that time.

Audition Requirements:

Please prepare one of the four (4) scenes for the 21st.

You will need to work with others who are also auditioning. Please fell free to choose your partners (or groups).  Males may play females and females may portray males.  It is actually preferred.

A.        Prepare (in your own words) a shortened and lively retelling of Romeo and Juliet.
B.        Prepare an entertaining biography of William Shakespeare.
C.        Prepare a “rap” about the plot of Othello.
D.        Prepare a quick, short and entertaining retelling of Hamlet.




William Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet

Othello