Music Man update

its just one week away to the gala and the opening night.
and we are scrambling to put it all together. No matter how hard I try and be on top of things there is always last minute things that come up that I missed. this time its the props. I tried to solicit help and have not found any. so...Sophie and I are doing it now!
Bruce is single handed building the set. I will do a lot of painting this weekend as well as sprucing up the place for our guests.
and we are still looking for a board operator. YIKES!
well...at least we found a Music Director. Thank you Kevin Smith!

Music man update 6/15

Hello everyone. Music man has just 4.5 weeks to go to opening night. Yikes!!!But we do have a cast and have started rehearsals so things are moving in a forward motion. My biggest concern are the costume room being a huge state of chaos. Racks are being moved and redone and clothes are everywhere. The Music man costumer, Cindy Blanchard is anxious to get cracking on MM but right now no one can even move until the renovations are done and organization is restored.
Another concern is we do not have a committed musical director. We have directors that will help prepare for the show but so far no one can do all the shows. Maybe we will have to have co-directors.

Music Man has started

Hello everyone.
My next show to production manage is MUSIC MAN!
Auditions were last night, May 21, tonight, May 22 and tomorrow, May 23.
So far we have had 24 people come to audition. And yes, you guessed it, we have had a lack of ADULT MEN show up. What is going on with shows that I manage? I had this same problem with MOLLY if you remember. Music Man needs several men to put on this show, including the lead male character, Harold Hill. So, sound the alarm again for me and put out the word that we need men to come and audition tomorrow.
With Bruce Avery at the helm of the show as artistic director, Music man will be a sure winner with the audiences. Not to mention the pure love of the story and the classic musical numbers like, Trouble and WellsFargo Wagon.
8 weeks to go to opening night on July 17. Stay tuned as I chronical the amazing journey of the 2013 Schoolhouse Arts Center production of MUSIC MAN.

Molly is a HUGE Success

Molly went up last weekend starting with Thursday, April 11th as an invitational dress party. 50 people attended the thursday dress of Hold on Molly, including Hank and Nancy Beebe, playwrite and founder of schoolhouse.

Pictures of some Molly costumes so far

Here

Molly is Coming along strong!

Molly has two weeks to go and things seem to be coming along great! We found coverage for the two guys we lost...finally! Craig Holden stepped up to filling for Boivais! and Dillon will be double casted for the other missing guy. all good news. thank you so much Craig and Dillon! Set is also coming along with Darrel Wright and Dennis Libby. They are in the process of building two houses. Amy Franklin is an INVALUABLE asset to costuming! thank you very much Amy. Tracey Garland, the choreographer, has been fine tuning all the dance numbers. Both Harlan and Kathleen have been working hard to direct and practice and rehearse. The actors have been coming almost every night for rehearsals.Everyone is off book now and now the real acting begins. Chrissy and Nancy  have established the knack of stage managing. They really are naturals at the job! Neil Rucker has been busy writing press releases. I will have to add a copy of that to the blog. Neil and his wife, Diane are also almost done with the driveway sign, so make sure to look for that and give Neil and Diane a pat on the back. Terri Plummer is getting all those little details in order...Thank God! In fact you can start calling and reserving tickets now Tell her you want to come to the invitational dress on April 11th and meet Hank Beebe, and I said it was cool.  I have also spoken to two news paper journalists over the past week talking about Schoolhouse and our 25th year anniversary and Hold on Molly! Stay tuned for more on that! I am also doing props and costumes. I wish I had more time to dedicate to the project. I absolutely LOVE the creative parts of the productions. Everyone has sent in the Bios for the programs and we are ready to go to print on that, It is still not to late to advertise your business in the program. Actually, You can buy a space and say Thank you schoolhouse for 25 years from...YOU in the program and it will go all year long! how cool and fun AND a great way to donate to our cause! Well, that's the update on Molly. Comment on this blog and get free tickets to the show.~Kristen

Hold on Molly update

WOW! Molly is in full swing at Schoolhouse. We've got sets going up, props coming out and costumes being put on. We have the choreographer teaching dances and we've got the blocking and acting and memorizing and singing. Even publicity photos were taken today! The shots I have added below are from my phone. So, not the best, but hey, its something!

We are STILL looking for a few good men to join our cast and fill out the ensemble. But the parts available have speaking lines and are very funny. Why not join us?

AND, I am giving away FREE tickets to anyone who comments on this blog.

FREE TICKETS

Anyone want free tickets to Hold onMolly??
Comment here and I will hook you up.

ACTORS WANTED

ACTORS WANTED
Hold on Molly needs more actors
It is a historical musical that takes place in Maine in 1756. The story is based on true events that took place. Early settlers, indians, french canadians, sailors, action, comedy, and music.
What a great history and arts project to be involved in.
the truth is we desperately need MALE ACTORS. Two of our men dropped out last week and we are desperate. But anyone who wants to join this project is welcome.
The commitment would be several evening a week rehearsing at Schoolhouse.
and some weekends.
the show runs April 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21.
please share this post to ANYONE who might help us out.
thank you 
Kristen

Nancy Beebe Saves the Day

As you may know already, Schoolhouse is producing Hold on Molly this April. Hank Beebe wrote Molly and it was one of the first plays Schoolhouse did in 1988 when it opened. 25 years later we decided to bring Hold on Molly back to performance for our 25th year anniversary. In previous blogs you may have read that Molly was casted and in rehearsals. Today I drove to Portland to the Beebe's house and Nancy had ready for me 15 boxes of old costumes. Yes, that is right, Nancy Beebe saved all those costumes for 25 years!! AND I got parts of the ship and some props. Nancy truly saved the day today. These costumes will not only save the costumer hours and hours of time but isn't it cool to be using some of the original costumes. It makes this tribute to schoolhouse all the better. Thanks so very much Nancy! Here is a picture of Hank carrying out some Molly props!

Schoolhouse is OPEN

Yes, Its true! Schoolhouse is officially open for 2013. From now on all rehearsals, meetings, classes and events will take place with in our beautiful big building, located at 16 Richville Road in Standish. The annual clean day went well and the space is ready to start holding its projects.

New Classes start March 18th

Do NOT miss this springs classes.
Bruce Avery will be directing Guys and Dolls Jr. Last year Bruce did Annie Jr and it was a HUGE hit with everyone. Guys and Dolls Jr. will most defiantly follow the trend and bi a big hit as well.
Jerry Walker pitched a great idea to us and we jumped on it. Join Jerry and other teenagers to make a movie and play. think it, write it, practice it, film it, and produce it. from start to finish.
Sharon Trace is back to teach guitar!
Tracey Garland joins us to teach all sorts of dance and movement classes.
and don't miss the chance to sign up early for one of our many summer camps.
Go to www.schoolhousearts.org for complete class descriptions and sign ups. or contact me.
Don't see something you want offered? let me know and I will find a way to put in there for future class sessions.

Schoolhouse Black Box is a GO

The black box at schoolhouse is one of those spaces that is way underused. in 2012 it5 was used a few times but not as much as we are looking at doing in 2013. A official black box committee is forming and we have some great ideas. 

cheap ticket shows, 

short 1 hour shows, 

one acts with small casts and simple sets, 

comedy acts

mystery dinner theater

spoken word poetry slams

open mic night

film viewing

teen acting troop/club

and more and more.

On Saturday, March 9th, I will be at schoolhouse at 10 am to start cleaning the black box, taking inventory and making a list of what we need to do to get this wonderful space up and running. I invite you to join me there and help. feel free to comment on this blog post any ideas you might have for the black box.

thanks!

Schoolhouse needs YOU

On March 9th we will be opening up the schoolhouse doors and blowing of the dust and clearing away the cobwebs from our almost 12 week shut down. We had this event last year and the turn out was great. Many hands make light work! But, last year we just scratched the surface to where we need to be. It can be very overwhelming for me to walk through the place and see all the work there needs to be done. I cant do it alone. I need HELP.
Please consider joining me for a few hours on the 9th to help with anything you are interested in. We have general cleaning but also a lot of organizing. The black box will be making a come back this year and it needs new paint and cleaning.
Dont have time on the 9th? You can come join me any time or maybe donate some supplies.
I hope to get a good turn out and have a bon fire and grill going.
email me if you are interested. deadfangirl@hotmail.com

Hold on Molly's 1st cast rehearsal

The first rehearsal for Molly went GREAT! I saw some old faces and some new faces. We have 19 cast members and there is still room for more. The best parts in Molly is the ensemble by far. The ensemble gets to be towns folk, indians, mariners, french canadian can can waitresses and french soldiers. Some people will have 4-5 costume changes, big dance numbers and a lot of singing. Teresa Dyer is Molly Finny and Matthew Ryder will play her suitor, Captain McLellan. Both actors are perfect as far as I am concerned after hearing them just one time.
I looks like I will be the stand in Stage Manager for a while until we find someone who has the time. There are several people who would do it but have conflicts with the shows run which is April 12-21st. It looks as though I may be costuming as well. Our usual go to costumers have conflicts like the stage managers. So, if anyone knows of any stage managers or costumers out there that are interested have them contact me. There is a small stipend for each position.

Hi, Today is Thursday, February, 27th and yet another snow storm has swooped through Maine to make travel difficult and cancellations have been happening everywhere. Tonight is the first read through for Molly and the first time the cast will all meet each other. I plan on being there as well as a stand in stage manager and as production manager and whatever else I may become (coffee girl?).
We still do not have a stage manager or a costumer so if anyone is interested email me asap.
Ill blog tomorrow about how everything goes .

Hi There.
My name is Kristen Watson and I am the president of the board of directors of Schoolhouse Arts Center in Standish, Maine. I live in Gorham, Maine with my three kids, Jon, Sophie and Zeb.
2013 marks the 25th year anniversary of schoolhouse. Founded in 1988 by Hank and Nancy Beebe. To kick off our year long anniversary party we will be producing a Hank Beebe original, Hold on Molly.
For the next 7 weeks or so you will hear a lot about Molly. There has been drama already with Molly when the first auditions turn out was low. Yup, we only had 8 people show up that first weekend for auditions for Molly. The cast of Molly has about 20 spots so needless to say, we were not going to produce Molly with only 8 people. Director, Harlan Baker, Musical director, Kathleen Scott, producer Terri Plummer and me talked over our options and decided to recruit actors for one more week and see what happens.
You see, Schoolhouse doesnt pay actors. The actors are all made up of volunteers from around the area. Families, college kids, retired folks and many other eclectic people make up our actors and performers. This snowy time of year and the fact that Molly is an unknown play equaled little interest. It was going to take lots of phone calls, emails and begging to get some actors to fill those rolls,including a leading lady, Molly herself.
Well, low and behold, it happened and we have officially cast the production of Hold on Molly, as of today. The show opens in just 7 short weeks, on April 12, 2013.
Stay tuned for more Got Drama at Schoolhouse arts Center.