Extraordinary Players

Jessie and Wes arrived yesterday with a fabulous new design for our set!  Jessie immediately began sketching them out on 22 8 foot panels.   Today, thanks to many helping hands,  we made great progress as our scenery started coming to life with vibrant colors.

It looks like we are going to get  to practice tomorrow so come prepared for scenes 8-10 and if we get so good on them we will go back to scenes 1,2,3. Mr. Carver will be working with small groups on choreography for random scenes.  Another crew leader will be working on characterization and reading or saying lines.  It will be a busy rehearsal because we need to take advantage of the good weather day at school.  EXTRAORDINARY PLAYERS, please come prepared to read or say from memory your lines.  Beginning in March we will not be using scripts any more so begin now learning your lines.  I would like you to read your lines every day to someone else to practice saying them clearly and with expression.  Also, it is approaching painting of the scenery time.  If you would like to stay after school on Friday, Feb 18, you must send a note indicating that you will be staying later on that Friday.  We are only painting until 5 that day so you must be picked up by 5 pm at the front of the school. so EXTRAORDINARY PLAYERS READ YOUR SCRIPTS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW so that you are fully prepared to rock my socks off in rehearsal. BRING YOUR SCRIPTS TO REHEARSAL. See you in theater tomorrow.

As Hook would say. “AY Maties, what has happened to my story?????” The weather has certainly played havoc on practicing for Hooked but it looks like there might be an opening tomorrow. Since I have been unable to send out scripts, scenes to be practiced, tomorrow we will begin with scene 1 and work our way through , hopefully 1-4.  I will have scripts available to take home and practice your lines since the school days are so unpredictable.  Painting of the scenery is set for mid February and it will involve some late afternoon and weekend volunteering from parents and students.  I will send out a notice as soon as it is set in stone as to the day and time of arrival. This year we will have 2 visiting artists for which Mr. Carver and I are delighted. Get ready to do some good acting, dancing, and perhaps learning about songs  that will be included in this year’s amazing version of Peter Pan.Hook  We can’t wait to see you all tomorrow from 2:40-4.

Ms. Laurie and Mr. Carver

Today was the day that we got to see just what creative and talented actors can do with a fresh newly written script.  Yes, today the “players” were given the scripts to see just what Hooked is all about.  We plowed through 3 scenes and began our 4th with a preview of what our punky Lost Kids are all about.  Mr. Carver played the opening song for the Neverland home of the lost kids and the mood was set.  We have dancers, actors, singers, and risk takers ready and willing to try something out of their comfort zone.  This years’s team includes Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Waycaster, Mrs, Burnop, Ms. Sharayah, Kelli Lawrence, and student teachers as they can volunteer.  Even though Mr, Carver is now working at AMS as the Assistant Principal he remains as Co-Director for Extraordinary Players and returns to his old roots at NES every Monday for practices while teaming with me daily on new song,dance and set ideas.  WE have some great ideas planned for music, dance, and sets.  Kevin and Kristen Lawrence are already working on the poster and brochure graphics and Mr. Carver and I are discussing t-shirt graphics for this year’s Hooked.  Our traditional actors guild parte’ will be held at NES on Friday, December 3 so save the date.  They are always a fun time for all with lots of food, music, and video clips of relevant movies, ie. Peter Pan, Hook, and maybe Neverland,  As soon as the scripts are to my satisfaction I will be sending home copies of each player’s lines to be practiced.  We will be learning lines by groups of scenes and practicing those scenes on Mondays so it is important that everyone learns their lines on time to make for fun and easy practices.  Again, I would like to say how impressed I am with our group of players this year.  I am looking forwad to some real surprises as we come closer to showtime in May, 2011.  Look for notes/permission/volunteer lists  for the up-coming HOOKED party and respond  on time.  Arrrrrggh  Maties, I believe we have a winner in this production. Imagine that!

Ms. Laurie

Finally have a computer that is up and running, a  theater room full of anxious students awaitng the title and summary of this year’s production, and a script that is almost completed.  Welcome to this year’s fine group of Extraordinary Players.  This is the largest group of students I have worked with since we began as an after school event. Mr. Carver and I are gearing ourselves up for another very energetic and fun show this year.  We have back with us Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Waycaster, and this year Mrs. Burnop will be helping out.  Practice will be on Wednesday this week from 2:40-3:30 but then the day and time will change to Mondays from 2:40-4:00.  That will allow us more time to teach dances, acting, singing and stage presence to such a large number of highly motivated actors.  Mr.Carver and I are very excited about the talent we have seen so far this year and hope to encourage many others to take the risk to try something new.  I will be revealing the title of the show that will be presented May 3,4 at Farthing Auditorium on Wednesday but the parts have not yet been cast.  We are still “checking out “our players hidden talents.  Go to www.extraordinaryplayers to get a very small hint as to what it might be about.  It is a quote that  will be used throughout the script. Remember to be on time to pick up your children, continue to be motivated players and kind to your peers who are still trying to get accustomed to what it is like to be an Extraordinary Player. See you on Wednesday at 2:40, Players!

Ms. Laurie

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES, PLAYERS..  That is what Mr. Carver and I say AND everyone that watched it.  Way to go…Way to make a change in our world and show them what we all have to offer even in the elementary school. WE had about 350 for the Tuesday evening show and then 1500 for the Wednesday show.  How many students in grades pre-k thru 5 can say that they performed in front of that many people and got standing ovations both days.???NO ONE .  NO ONE CAN TOP WHAT YOU ALL DID> We are so proud of you;the entire team is beaming with pride with what we all have accomplished this year.  And now it is time to start thinking about what we will be wearing to the Academy Awards Ceremony.  We know what Dancing Dan will be wearing!! and Douglas will not be wearing an atrocity of an outfit!!! The date has not yet been set, but  we are hoping it will be towards the end of May on a Saturday evening for candlelight dinner and award ceremony.  Look for leters home about time, place, and asking for  sponsorship money from  adults wanting to make a donation or from those who saw the fabulous Cinder 5.  Mr. Carver and I can’t stop smiling about the entire experience….WE THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR WORLD THROUGH THE ARTS and exploring your own talents and capabilities.

Love you all. Ms Laurie and Mr. Carver** WE ROCKED THE HOUSE LIKE NO OTHER PLAYers COULD DO!