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 27, 2017

12 AJ Note

Dear Friends,

We want to thank you all for auditioning for the 2018 Spring production of 12 Angry Jurors.  Needless to say...casting has been an arduous journey this season, and we thank you for your patience.

The cast list will be posted by tomorrow night.  We have asked some of our cast members to be part of the costume and publicity team.  This being a Cappie's show; we strongly suggest those two components of the production be student run as much as possible.

The rehearsal schedule has already been posted-the only dates missing are the two Theater Horizon workshop dates (which have yet to be confirmed). The workshops will focus on character development and Juror relationships.

We are looking forward to working with the cast/crew/production team of 12 Angry Jurors.

Happy New Year!

Miss Laverty, Miss Ann and Lys


Tuesday, December 19, 2017

12 Angry Jurors Audition Information

Dear Friends,

Tonight are the auditions for 12 Angry Jurors.  It is a very powerful and exciting play.  So many layers and possibilities.

Our guidelines for tonight are as follows:

*Please arrive at 6:45 p.m. no earlier.  
*You will need to have your audition form filled out and your script.  There will not be extra scripts available.
*NO FOOD permitted in the auditorium-water is fine.

There are quite a number of students auditioning this evening.  

All participants must come in prepared and with a professional attitude.  Take this audition seriously.  Not everyone can be cast.  Those who respect  the process, understand their character, and present their lines the best will be cast.

Rehearsals will be Wednesday and Thursday evenings beginning at 7:15 p.m. and Saturday/Sundays......Saturdays will begin at 12:30 p.m. Sundays at 12:00 p.m.

You must be able to attend every rehearsal.  If your schedule doesn't permit that, then it is best not to audition this evening.

Thank you everyone.
We are very excited to see your work.

Ms. Laverty, Miss Ann and Lys





Wednesday, December 13, 2017

12 Angry Jurors

Auditions for 12 Angry Jurors will be held on December 19th at 7:00 p.m.

Callbacks will be on December 21st at 7:15 p.m. (if needed)

All information for the auditions can be found on the sidebar of this blog.

The remind.com code is:
@jta12 text to 81010.

Good luck everyone!

Sunday, November 12, 2017

THANK YOU!

Dear Friends,

It is hard to imagine that we have just completed our first production of the JTA 2017-18 season.  Time moves so quickly.....didn't we just meet in the choir room in August to start on our journey?

I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to share some thoughts and to tell you how much I appreciate all you have done for the theatre department this fall.

I realize that we all participate in so many other activities, in and outside of school, not to mention keeping up with our school work.  

Time is precious.  

No one can truly understand the time commitment and energy it takes to create such a musical as ours, unless you are thoroughly immersed in it.

But the payoff is so well worth it!!

To watch you all gather last night as "one community" is really what it is all about.  You have embraced each other and, I hope, that you will always support one another, in and out of school.

Crew:

Michael, Aniya, Josh, Siobhan, Jack, Ari, Delene, Reilly, Ada......really, what would we have done without you?

Robert!  You handled light changes with grace and (as always) with laughter and smiles!  It was a pleasure to work with you.

Hannah and Mattie, thank you so much for sharing your furry friends with us.  They really did a beautiful job!

Cast.....WOW!!!!  From our very newest and youngest members to our seniors...you created something so beautiful, so special, that the audiences kept returning to share in the experience.

Yes...I know that the talk-back may not have been a highlight of the journey.....but how wonderful it was to hear you share your thougths; to let the audience understand that the themes of the show are prevalent within our society and must be talked about open and freely.

To our Set Design Committee.   I was thrilled to see your vision come to fruition.  Do you remember way back-trying to figure out what we really wanted?  I beleive that was last June?  

To watch how the crew moved the set with ease, and to see all the props being moved without hesitation (or panic) was really quite something.

Lastly....you must always trust in the process. 

It can be arduous some of the time and incredibly stressful.  I didn't, for once, doubt that you would have a successful show.  I knew that it would be at the very last moment that everything would finally all come together.

May your love of theater stay with you always.  Being part of such a unique venture is something to cherish.

Much Love,

Lys























Legally Blonde "the facts"





The Legally Blonde Journey!
https://www.wevideo.com/view/1011358394


Legally Blonde as we see it!
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DPEkdMI2ng1hrCn-LrReiqH0DQu0_D6muuOEVNqRMxA/edit#slide=id.p-Dramaturgy



Saturday, November 11, 2017

Today and Beyond. . . .

Dear Cast and Crew of Legally Blonde,

What a wonderful job you have all done.  You should be very proud.

From creating wonderful theatrical moments to knowing how to conduct yourselves during a fire drill, you have been a pleasure to work with.

Today will be quite the adventure...so here is the game plan for the matinee and evening performance...as well as cast party and breakdown tomorrow.

Matinee:
All Cast/Crew arrive at 12:00 p.m. 
We will meet in the choir room!

Places will be at 2:25 p.m.  We will do our best to start on time.

After the matinee, we will eat.

There is a parent who is supplying some salads and pasta....but I highly suggest you also bring some of your own food to supplement what is being donated.

If you prefer to go home-you MUST let me know that you are leaving.

We will get ready for our last show at 5:45 p.m. If you are staying at school-you might want to start a little earlier so you have time to relax.

After the show:
EVERYONE must stay and help clean up.  Please take all of your personal items-anything left behind cannot be saved.

Some of you asked if you could keep your cheerleading outfits.  If you would like to keep them, the cost is $16.00

The Cast party is in basement section of Marzano's.  We will all leave around 10:45 p.m. after the school is cleaned up.  If you have not yet paid-please do so today.  You need to provide your own transportation.

The party will run until 12:45 a.m.  When you leave, make sure you check in with me.  

The cast party is for you!  Celebrate your accomplishments and enjoy being together.  Remember to be respectful of the space and throw out trash when need be.

Tomorrow's break down is for all Crew and 9th-12th graders.  We will begin at 11:00 a.m.  I am waiting on our set builder to see if he is able to help break down the larger items.

We will clean up props, remove benches and all items that are manageable.

If he is not available tomorrow, I will post the day/time when he will return to school to help us with the set.

If you are in 7th and 8th grade and want to help, that is fine, but not necessary.

Thank you all so much for a really wonderful journey.

See you all very soon.

Lys










Tuesday, November 7, 2017

LEGALLY BLONDE!

Reminders:

1.  All Cast members must have their make-up checked by Lys/Miss Ann before the show tomorrow night.

2.  We will run the musical in its entirety.  The show is approximately 2 hours, 15 min.
We will start at 7:15 p.m.  Places at 7:10 p.m.

Please understand it is a long process.  We will do our best to be done by 9:45 p.m.

4. CALL TIME FOR NOVEMBER 8th 4:30 p.m. ALL CAST/CREW.  Review Bows and Legally Blonde Remix/Graduation.


5. Be positive!  Support your cast/crew.  Embrace your Legally Blonde family.  You have worked so very hard.  

6.  Continue sharing with your buddies!  

7. Enjoy the moment-Shine on Stage-Get Excited!  Get Pumped!  ENERGY!!!!!!


Monday, November 6, 2017

Tech Update!

Tech Update:

November 7th
All Cast/Crew in the auditorium at 4:30 p.m.

THANK YOU!

Motivation #1 Thank you Ms. Dewees




Read, Reflect, BELIEVE

Think of the Little Blue Engine from the Little Engine that Could. 

The Little Blue Engine had to pull a train loaded with good food and toys for the children on the other side of the mountain. 

As the little blue engine pulls the train up the mountain she repeats “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can”. 

Although she thinks this is an impossible task she is able to do it because she believed in herself. 

Be like the little blue engine (and Elle Woods!) and believe in yourself and keep pushing yourself. 

You can do it and you’ll be able to look back and say to yourself “I thought I could, I thought I could, I thought I could”, just like the little blue engine.   

Go Cast/Crew of LEGALLY BLONDE!

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Run #1 LB Notes November 5


Notes:
ALL CAST/CREW read through entire document!

1. Light Cue:  change first cue to .5 (RAD)
2. Fix the placement of the clothes rack and dressing screen.
3. No mic for Sydney?
4. No mic for Marielle?
5. Great singing Marielle!
6. Diction-Elle-slow down.
7. Warner-Diction!
7a. Crew: Table set-up.  2 cups, plates, silverware.
8. "Serious" -Warner, more front.
9. Stage Right-3 more law books needed for Delta Nus.
10. Replace bad candles with small votives.
10a. Harvard Variation: Enid you need to work with Lys before run on Monday evening.
11. Admission folks-need mics!!!!!
12. Elle-Headshot! 
13. Please review all placement of props with crew/cast movers.
14. Diction!!!!!  Everyone!
15. ALL Harvard students look engaged!  Make sure you are taking notes: have pencils/pens/ bags, appropriate notebooks.  SIT TALL!!!!!!  
Watch ending choreography.
16. Elle-make sure pink hate does not cast a shadow-push it back a bit on your head.
16a. Kyle-UPS Package-with UPS decal. 
17. Check light cues: 
Cue #2, add #2a.  
Cue #67, 69 (a little more SR).  
Cue #7 check as well.
18. Party Scene-needs to be worked out much better.  Please look at markings on the stage to see where table goes.  Tablecloth needs to be taped to the table-evenly and ready to go.  This needs to move VERY quickly.
19. Crowd in Party Scene-spread out and do NOT watch the scene taking place.  You are part of that scene.
20. CHIP-Doors must open earlier in song-changed on November 5th.
21. TRANSITIONS need to be worked on.
22. Light Cue #104 change to RAD
23. Whipped-SMILE and review the choreography.  SING!
24. In the jail-where are your pads? Pencils? Please take care of this. Enid, Vivienne, Warner, Elle, Emmett-you need a notebook/pen.  Callahan-always have your binder/notebook and a pen with you.
25. Re-block "Like A Man"-props!!!!!!  Please bring them in.
26. Bella-wear Greek Chorus outfit for Bend and Snap.
27. Light Cues: #128/#129-possible RAD
27a. Light Cue: #136.5 Small light on Elle and Warner DSC while -Crew/Cast-open doors-set-up rooms.
27.b Elle /Emmett-"Legally Blonde" run song at 4:30 p.m. November 6th (you need come early to work on this piece).
28.  Page #67-possible light cue change at 91.5
29. Pg. 69 in script.  All Ladies in chorus for "So Much Better"-review motions/lyrics and when you exit the stage BEFORE tonight's  (7:15 p.m.) rehearsal.


Everyone remember:
Diction, energy, clarity, focus, choreography, know your lines.

Keep areas clean.
There will be a pre-selected group of cast members, each night, cleaning up the spaces used for the show.
The groups are:

Monday night: Sophomores
Tuesday night: Seniors/Freshman
Wednesday night: Juniors
Thursday's Performance: Sophomores
Friday's Performance: Seniors/Freshman
Saturday Matinee: Juniors
Saturday Evening Performance: ENTIRE CAST and CREW!


All cast/crew will remain in the auditorium until all spaces are adequately cleaned.












Thursday, November 2, 2017

JTA Logo available on the school Web-Site!!!!

Folks!

Thanks to our very creative team of Yusra and William, we now have our own logo on the school-web-site! 

You can pick any color and style of your choosing!

It's listed under "Drama" in the drop down bar.  

Place your orders today!!!!




Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Legally Blonde Update

November 1st (9 days until Opening!!)
Arrive at school at 7:00 p.m. All Cast/Crew
Be sitting in the middle section of the auditorium at 7:15 p.m. for notes.
7:30 p.m. we RUN Act !
We will stop at 9:15 p.m.

November 2nd All Crew/Leads (8 days until opening!)
3:00-6:00 p.m. Light Cues: Ari, Delene, Robert, Lys, Crew
Pit Run-Through 7:00 p.m.-9:45 p.m. (Auditorium)
Leads in Choir Room 7:15 p.m. RUN all scenes (no Jury)
Crew-7:00 p.m.  Complete set with Pete/paint stairs/ramp

November 3rd 7:00 p.m. (7 days until opening)
Painting front of Set-Crew (we also need 10 cast members please!!)

November 4th 9:30-11:30 a.m. (6 days until opening) 
Light Cues-Ari, Delene, Lys, Crew

ALL CAST AND CREW 
NOVEMBER 4TH     11:30 p.m.-5:15 p.m.
Make-up
Costumes
Shoes
RUN SHOW at 1:45 p.m.

November 5th 9:30-11:30 a.m. Cue Lights
(5 days until opening!)
Ari, Lys, Delene, Crew 
11:30-6:00 p.m.  All CAST/CREW
RUN SHOW /POT LUCK!!!!!

TECH WEEK
November 6th-8th

Call Time: 5:00 p.m.

Bring Snacks, Homework-quiet things to do!

November 9-11 SHOW!!!
Call Time: 4:30 p.m.

Important days/times to remember:
November 9th
Talk Back after show-Full CAST/CREW
November 10th
ES Preview (1:15 out of class)
Talk-Back after show Full CAST/CREW
Fancy Night! CHILIS!! 

November 11th
Talk Back after 2:30 p.m. Matinee
Cast Party at Marzano's (Basement Venue)
$8 to be given to Sophie P., Lys or Ari (in an envelope with your name on it) NO LATER than November 8th.

November 12th 
10:30 a.m. BREAK DOWN OF SET
ALL CAST/CREW!!!!!






















Sunday, October 29, 2017

Legally Blonde Rehearsal Update

Monday October 30th
2:45-4:00 p.m.
Courtroom Scenes: including Callahan/Elle scene (no Jury).  Review scenes that need work.

Monday October 30th 
7:15-8:30 p.m.
45-47 Elle, Paulette, Vivienne, Whitney
48-49-Whitney, Vivienne, Warner, Elle, Enid
65-68-Elle, Paulette, Dewey, Emmett, Aaron, Callahan, Warner, Vivienne
77-84-Guard, Brooke, Emmett, Warner, Vivienne, Warner, Elle, Callahan
90-92-Paulette, Serena, Pillar, Margot, Elle, Kyle
98-111-T.V. Reporter, Emmett, Callahan, D.A. Joyce Riley, Nikos, Carlos, Brooke, Elle, Vivienne, Warner, Enid, Emmett, Judge 
113-115-Kyle, Paulette, Elle, Vivienne 
120-127-Brooke, Serena, Callahan, Emmett, Judge, Margot, Pillar, Chutney, Warner, Elle, Court Stenographer

Monday 
8:30 p.m. 
Lights!

Tuesday October 31st
3:00-6:00 p.m.  
Lights!

Happy Halloween!


Wednesday November 1st
7:00 p.m. 
ENTIRE CAST/CREW

Thursday November 2nd
3:00-6:00 p.m. 
Lights

7:00 p.m.
Pit in Audtorium
Crew-Painting Stairs (in Auditorium)
Leads in Choral Room




Friday, October 27, 2017

Legally Blonde Prop Information

Prop List:
  • Candles-amazon-lys
  • Golf Club  
  • Whistle?
  • FakeTurkey?
  • UPS box


Hi Cast Members! If you have any of these things to bring in for props it would be extremely helpful:
Greek Chorus Needs:
  • Fluffy Pens
  • Old Cellphone for Madison (flip up if possible)
  • Elle + Town and Country
  • “Lsat” paper with 175 written on i
  • Timer for Elle
Paulette Needs:
  • Cake
Emmet Needs:
  • Shampoo in wrapping paper
Sean Needs:
  • Stylis (Mattie/Sean)
  • Ipad Mini (Mattie)
Anyone Bring in:
  • Soda Cans
  • Redbull Cans
  • Application in manila Folder with HeadShot of Elle
  • Law Textbooks
  • Notebooks for Callahan Class
  • Small fake manorah  
  • Diffuser (Mattie)