Reflection. . . .

“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” -- 

John F. Kennedy

Dear Into the Woods Family,

I miss you!

It is a strange feeling not being with you all....focusing on something that we all care about so intensely.

I still marvel at the tenacity and courage you had to embrace all that is Sondheim and his "woods".

Do you remember how difficult Boot Camp was?  

How long one of our "Midnights" took to learn? How about how hard the ensemble worked to get the movement and syncopation together for our Ever After?  How about that guy/gal  learning a role in about two weeks time?

Or how we were constantly working on rhythms, meter complexities, key changes?  Not to mention lines, choreography, set moving, painting, costumes, fund-rasing, programs, ads, sound...tickets, cupcakes?

When we first began our journey, I was apprehensive about taking on a Sondheim musical.  I hope you all realize how advanced his music is and how spectacular you all were.

I now know that the theater students here at JM/HS can accomplish anything they set their minds (and hearts) to.

Bravo to you all! 

You are a very special group of young people.

Take a moment and be thankful for our journey that we shared together.

Our experience was magical and does not happen at too many other middle/high schools.  The bond that you created will last forever....you will always be part of this unique and gifted group of individuals who dared to go into the woods together...and to understand the beauty of theater, and what a community can accomplish as "one".

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,

Lys

INTO THE WOODS!

Hello Cast,

Here is the link to the pictures Mikayla took of our journey "into the woods".

You all look so great!

Have a good weekend.

Lys

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B3Q3MV2U9OjHM3pMVmUtY2hWSU0?usp=sharing

OUR BEAUTIFUL WOODS!

More to come!

INTO THE WOODS KYW NEWS RADIO!!!

Friends!

On November 19th, on KYW News Radio, senior Jillian Condran will be on "air" doing a news segment on the JHS Theater Department's performance "Into the Woods" and the "Cappies".  

Tune in at 12:24 p.m.

Congratulations Jillian!

INTO THE WOODS! More love. . . .

To the Cast and Crew of Into the Woods- 

It has taken me a couple of days to process what you have done. You have taken one of the hardest musicals and created something beautiful, making it look flawless. It is so clear that you have been working on this show for such a long time and it really payed off, I promise you. 

Each scene in the show was something special and incredible. Even after seeing the show multiple times, I still found myself laughing, and obviously crying, during multiple scenes. The acting in this show was spectacular. It was hard to believe that this was only a high school production, you were all truly unbelievable. 

You all did an amazing job!! The Cappies critics that came to see the show seemed to really like it too. I read some of the reviews on the blog and it seemed like they were very happy with what they saw. 

Congratulations!! You guys clearly blew people away with the show. 

I’m sure to most of you it’s strange why I do cry at the end of shows. It’s strange to me too, believe me. But you are all so amazing and welcoming to me, so thank you. Each and every one of you have made me feel like a part of this community in some way or another. I’m so lucky to be able to come to Jenkintown and see all of you, and have this escape from reality for a couple hours and get to know all of you better. 

I am proud to call all of you my friends. 

Congratulations (again), 

I hope to see you all soon!! 

xxoo, 
kaitlyn 

INTO THE WOODS!!!!!

Each November I am blown away by the musical performance that JHS puts together. I have a little inside understanding of the proceedings as I know how many hours Lys puts in. I don’t see much of her between the last week of August and the middle of November. I know exactly how hard you are working. I also understand that this work is on top of your school workload as well as sports requirements and a million other things that don’t go away just because you are involved in a musical. On top of that, this was “Into the Woods” which is an extremely difficult show.

Each year some excellent actors and singers graduate, and I wonder - how will the show go on the following fall? I shouldn’t wonder. The talent pool at your tiny school is nothing short of amazing. I know that Lys takes great care in picking shows that she feels will best match the talents of the kids involved, but I also know that she trusts each of you and your skill and dedication, and knows that you will rise to the occasion.

Due to puppy training issues (I’m sure you have heard about Nesbitt from Lys and Kaitlyn), I was only able to see one performance this year and it was the finale on Saturday night.

Avery, Charlie, Alicia, Emily – you have a level of excellence that is not often found in young performers. It has been an honor watching you blossom into the creative forces that you have become…and that is at age 18 or below. 

Amazing!

Each year there are cast members that I don’t know who make an immediate impression on me. This year Maria as Cinderella, Mia as the Wolf, and Danny as the Steward – you all owned the stage when you were on it. 

Likewise the banter between Cade and James’ princes was absolutely hilarious.

I don’t know all of you guys by name, but I do know that there was not a weak link. I don’t want anyone to feel left out. A show's strength is based on the talent of everyone involved both onstage and off. Your shows are a testament to that.

The other thing that becomes apparent each year is that there is talent in every grade. The younger performers will take the place of the graduating seniors starting next year and keep the level of next fall’s production at the high level that is now expected.

I have one last observation. 

The fact that so many former actors come back to support the productions is a testament to the passion and caring instilled in each of you. 

Thank you for being so wonderful!

Dave

Thoughts...ITW

Missing everyone today!  

You should all be incredibly proud of what you have accomplished as a community.  

Words cannot fully express how much I appreciate all your hard work and time that you have given to this year's musical.

I shall be forever grateful for this year's cast. 

Your skill, creativity, talents, dedication and love of the theater has warmed my heart.   

oxoxoxo  

Lys

INTO THE WOODS!!!!!

INTO THE WOODS!!!!!

Good Morning Everyone!

What a fun night last night.  

Cappies went very well.  

The feedback was that the performance was very enjoyable...Congratulations!

We also heard that the first time round is always very nerve racking.  You all did a fabulous job! Next year...no biggie.

A BIG SHOUT OUT to DAN!!!!!!  
Couldn't have done it without him.

Today, we have our meet/greet with the leads and a few little ones.  

Please be ready to go by 1:00 p.m.

Mikayla will set up the community room around noon.

ALL Cast/Crew please arrive NO LATER than 12:30 p.m.

Crew-let's review the movement of the Castle, so the seams do not show....light folks, wait for the cue from Ari.

Good job to our light/sound folks.  Not an easy task.

We run today at 2:30 p.m.and again at 7:30 p.m.

Bring food or whatever you need to sustain yourself.

Long day, but well worth it.

AFTER our run tonight:

1. ALL CLOTHING/MAKE-UP  must be taken home. Any items left will be thrown away.

2. The entire theater space and choral room MUST be cleaned before anyone goes off to the cast party.  

Please....make our jobs easier.  

ALL CAST and CREW must help.

3. Everyone must check in with me BEFORE you head off to celebrate.

4. We will break down the set-probably next weekend-I will let you know when.

5. The cast party is at:
1501 Huntingdon Rd.
Abington, 19001

If you have not yet paid your $5-please bring that to the matinee.

You all should be proud of your work.  Who would have thought that we would have the courage and fortitude to perform such a musical as INTO THE WOODS!

Bravo to you all.

Lys

INTO THE WOODS!!!!!!

INTO THE WOODS!!!!!!!

I know it's not very original but, what a fantastic job last night.

You could tell the hard work that went into the performance.   Thanks for the experience.

Well done!!!!

Sue Parisi

The play was fantastic! What an awesome job everyone did!

Very professional, as always!

So proud of you and the students!

Elise Mulvaney

LAST NOTES!

INTO THE WOODS (No particular order)

1.  Narrators do not wait for action to start-keep things moving.

2.  Everyone-please keep hair out of your eyes. Ensemble especially.

3.  Avery-Beans!

4.  Avery-Nectarines!

5.  #63-B-please review words…Jest/Quest

6.  Birds sounds-we missed you-#64

7.  Sound-When the Narrators are killed-that sound needs to be stronger.

8.  B-Hold baby gently-take the time to pass it with care.

9.  B-remind me to tell you about a vamp-#48

10.                CP-Great job!  Can you be more front-than side? 

11.                Shoes-C?

12.                Giant Scene-show fear-shake a bit more…keep that going throughout the scene.

13.                JM-AWESOME!

14.                MM-AWESOME!

15.                Cast-light comes on when they see you-Lights-watch-try not to be too early.

16.                LR-stop eating so much-the food should not interfere with your dialogue.

17.                Work on mic change for CM-HELP!

18.                W-don’t block mic-move quickly in to your place on the bed-faster.

19.                B-take time with LR cape-give it back with care.

20.                B-love how you cover the W.

21.                Actors-feel the light and be in it.

22.                MM-love how you change your lines-inflection is great.

23.                CM-we see your slip

24.                MM-if the hood comes off-don’t fix it-hide your face with your hands-or turn away front he W more.

25.                CM, F/L-when exiting-leave one by one.  Don’t touch curtain.  F/L make it a competition-who leaves first?

26.                J and LR-Great job at bickering.

27.                Socks for Steward.

28.                LR-when exiting-use path.