FINAL WEEK!!

We made it - this is the week we have been waiting for!  There is still a lot of work in store for us this week, but all that hard work will definitely pay off! 

Please be sure to read all the information below so you are prepared for rehearsals and performances this week!

COSTUMES:

********At the conclusion of each performance you must change out of your costume and show your NEATLY hung costume and accessories to a Costume Representative before you may go down to the lobby to greet friends or family and/or leave for the night.  NO EXCEPTIONS!

FINAL REMINDER THAT ALL MISSING COSTUME PIECES MUST BE BROUGHT TO THE SCHOOL ON MONDAY, MARCH 16^TH.

Naya: Black Socks

Kayla:  Black Socks

Tyler:  Black pants, socks and shoes

Greg: Black pants, socks and shoes

Bridget: Black shoes

Nate: Black socks

Cameron:  Black Pants and socks

Matthew:  Black Shoes

Ilira Marsena:  Flesh colored dance tights

Natalie S:  Black shoes and socks

Morgyn: Black socks

Sarah:  Black socks

Kendall: White Blouse

TICKETS:

Advance Ticket sales will take place again in the lobby directly after school on Monday and Tuesday this week until 3:30 pm.

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY:

REMEMBER TO EAT SOMETHING SUBSTANTIAL BEFORE YOU ARRIVE!!  You will not be leaving the school until after 9pm each weekday performance night, so you need to make sure you fuel up at home.  We will be providing some peanut free snacks that can be eaten in the classrooms before the performance, however, NO outside snacks whatsoever are not permitted anywhere in the school.  Please do not bring anything from home as you will not be able to consume it in the school building.  We apologize for the inconvenience but it is for everyone’s safety. You may bring a water bottle (labeled) to keep with you before the show and in the library when you are not on stage.

CAST PARTY:

We will be having a Pizza Party for all Cast and Crew on Saturday, March 21^st after our final performance to celebrate once the dressing rooms and stage are cleared.  The party will take place in the Cafeteria from 4:30 - 5:30, however it is for Cast and Crew of the play only.

PARKING ON THURSDAY AND SATURDAY:

This is a busy week in Newton.  Thursday night at 7pm, St. Joseph's Church on Halsted Street is having a church service for the Feast of St. Joseph.  Parking may be tight along Halsted Street that evening so please urge any family or friends that are coming to the show Thursday night to arrive as early as possible. We are hoping to be able to park cars on the blacktop behind the basketball courts as well.  For Saturday, the St. Patrick's Day Parade will be taking place at 11:30 am. The Emergency vehicles and fire trucks line up by the school along Halsted Street early Saturday morning in preparation for the parade.  In year's past the street has been closed off by the police.  If you have an early arrival time for hair and makeup Saturday morning your parent may have to explain that you have a school function so that you can get through.  Expect delays getting to the school all morning until the parade ends around 1 pm.

HAIR AND MAKE-UP

The Hair and Make-up Schedule is listed below.  Call times for hair and make-up are early because there are so many students in our production.   Time slots are staggered so that we will hopefully have a steady flow of students being helped with minimal wait.  When you arrive at your given time, please report to the upstairs hallway above the library where the classrooms will be used for dressing rooms and hair and make-up rooms.   You will need to get into costume and then report to the hair and make-up rooms.  You can do hair or make-up first – whichever has the smallest line – in order to keep the flow of students moving. 

If for some reason your name was accidentally left off the list below, please bring it to our attention right away so that we can be sure to schedule you a time slot.

4:00 Wed, Thurs and Fri (11:00 Saturday)

Ivy

Eva

Alexis

Kendall

Kya

Miranda

Madison

Jessica

Kate

Erin

Gemma

Bridget

Mandy

4:30 Wed, Thurs and Fri (11:30 Saturday)

Elissar

Kelly E.

Abigail

Danielle

Dezarae

Katelyn

Morgan

Ella

Isabelle

Cecelia

4:45 Wed, Thurs and Fri (11:45 Saturday)

Ilira-Marsena

Christina

Katrina

Naya

Kelly P.

Melanie

Natalie S.

5:00 Wed, Thurs and Fri. (12:00 Saturday)

Sarah

Morgyn

Natalie C.

Kayla K.

Jenna

Anthony

Christopher

5:15 Wed, Thurs and Fri. (12:15 Saturday)

Danny

Alex

Brett

Ryan

Imad

Trent

Greg

Matthew

Kyler

Xavier

Nate

Cameron

Josh

Tyler

Rehearsal and Performance Schedule for the Week:

Monday, March 16th:

3:00 - 5:30   Full Cast and Crew

Tuesday, March 17th:

3:00 - 5:30   Full Cast and Crew

Wednesday, March 18th

4:00 - 5:15   Cast members arrive as scheduled on Hair and Makeup schedule

5:00   Crew arrives

6:10  EVERYONE reports to the auditorium for final notes before performance

6:35  Cast goes to Library and Audience arrives

7:00 - 9:00  Performance begins for Senior Citizens

*** When the show is over, all students must change out of their costumes and check out with costume representative before going home.

Thursday, March 19th

4:00 - 5:15   Cast members arrive as scheduled on Hair and Makeup schedule

5:00   Crew arrives

6:10  EVERYONE reports to the auditorium for final notes before performance

6:35  Cast goes to Library and Audience arrives

7:00 - 9:00  Performance begins

*** When the show is over, all students must change out of their costumes and check out with costume representative before going to lobby to greet family and friends or leaving for the night.

Friday, March 20th

4:00 - 5:15   Cast members arrive as scheduled on Hair and Makeup schedule

5:00   Crew arrives

6:10  EVERYONE reports to the auditorium for final notes before performance

6:35  Cast goes to Library and Audience arrives

7:00 - 9:00  Performance begins

*** When the show is over, all students must change out of their costumes and check out with costume representative before going to lobby to greet family and friends or leaving for the night.

Saturday, March 21st

11:00 - 12:15  Cast members arrive as scheduled on Hair and Makeup schedule

*** If you are participating in the parade (NOT WATCHING, BUT PARTICIPATING with an organization) please let us know ASAP so we can figure out when you can get into hair and makeup)

12:00   Crew arrives

1:10    EVERYONE reports to the auditorium for final notes before performance

1:35    Cast goes to Library and Audience arrives

2:00 - 4:00  Performance begins

*** When the show is over, all students must change out of their costumes and check out with costume representative before going to lobby to greet family and friends or leaving

4:00 - 5:00  Everyone helps clean up dressing rooms.  

5:00 - 6:30  Cast and Crew Pizza Party

6:30  Students are picked up promptly by parents

Rehearsals for the Week of March 8th

We made great progress last week despite the weather so hopefully with good weather this week we can polish up our show and be ready for opening night next week.

There are several students who still need to bring in costume pieces.  Please have them ready to hand in on Tuesday unless you have made prior arrangements with us.

Everyone needs to review their lyrics for their songs.  Leads who received a CD with their solos on it need to practice with their CDs over the next week.

Advanced Ticket sales will take place this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, March 10th, 11th & 12th directly after school until 3:30.  Tickets are $5 and can be paid for by cash or check made payable to "Halsted Middle School".

Some parents have let us know that they are able to help with hair and make-up the week of the show. If you are interested please see the information at the end of this page for details.  Thank you!

Rehearsals for the Week of March 8th

Monday, March 9th
2:40 - 3:00   Snack
3:00 - 4:30   Drake, Ida, Turkey, Maureen, Henrietta, Ugly and Penny 

Tuesday, March 10th
2:40 Report to Project Launch for Snack
3:00 - 5:00  Full Cast and Crew

Wednesday, March 11th
2:40 Report to Project Launch for Snack
3:00 - 5:00  Full Cast and Crew

Thursday, March 12th
2:40 Report to Project Launch for Snack
3:00 - 5:00  Full Cast and Crew

Saturday, March 14th
9:00 am - 1:00 pm  Full Cast and Crew
MANDATORY REHEARSAL
Bring a peanut free snack and drink to have at break time.



Hair and Make-up Volunteer Information:

Below are the days and times that the kids will be here to have Hair & Make-up done.

Help on any or all days (or even portions of days) is SOOOO very appreciated!

Wednesday   3/18 (Dress Rehearsal ) from 4:00 – 6:30

Thursday   3/19 from 4:00 – 6:30

Friday   3/20 from 4:00 – 6:30

Saturday   3/21 from 11:00 – 1:30

Hair and Make-up are done in the second floor classrooms down the hall from the Nurse’s office. 

Hair responsibilities:

This year we only need to worry about hair dos for the girls.  Depending upon their character, girls will need either ponytails, braids or buns (only a few buns!).  We will have a list with the character name and the type of hair do they will need.  Other than that, we just need to bobby pin back any hair that would fall into or cover their face. 

Make-up responsibilities:

Make-up will be applied like street make-up only darker/heavier than a person would wear in public.  Foundation is a shade or two darker than the actor’s face.  Eyes are lined and mascara applied as well as Blush and Lip color for all actors, male and female.  The reason for the heavier than usual make-up is so that the actors’ faces do not get washed out under the bright stage lights.  Once they are under the lights it does not appear so dark and heavy! The last step is to powder or “skunk” the nose so that it does not appear shiny.

If you could send a quick text or e-mail to let us know when you would be available to help out, that would be fantastic!

Meg Penny  (973) 903-2930  Cell/Text

Meg1cent@att.net

Rehearsal Schedule for the Week of March 1st

Thank you everyone for a great Saturday rehearsal!  We got a lot accomplished and appreciate all your hard work.

Just a reminder that if you have not yet written your biography with Mrs. Marmara, please see her this week!  Also, those of you who have not yet turned in your Project Launch paperwork - please remember to turn it in ASAP.

DO NOT FORGET - THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED IN THE AUDITIORIUM AT ANY TIME! Project Launch will provide you with an afterschool snack to eat from 2:40 - 3:00 but it must be consumed in the Cafeteria only. You must remain in Project Launch until rehearsal begins at 3:00 as there will not be supervision for you in the Auditiorium until that time.

Rehearsal Schedule for the Week of March 1st:

Monday, March 2nd:
2:40 - 3:00   Report to Project Launch (Snack)
3:00 - 3:25   Featured Singers
3:25 - 4:25   Drake, Ida, Maureen, Henrietta, Grace, Turkey, Ducklings, Cat, Ugly, Jaybird, Cameragirl (Poultry Tale and Look at Him Reprise)
4:25 - 5:00   Ida, Ugly and Cat (Solos)


Tuesday, March 3rd:
2:40 - 3:00   Report to Project Launch (Snack)
3:00 - 3:15   Featured Singers, Featured Dancers
3:15 - 4:00   Drake, Ida, Maureen, Henrietta, Grace, Turkey, Ducklings, Cat, Ugly, Jaybird, Cameragirl
4:00 - 5:00   Frogs and Geese

Wednesday, March 4th:
2:40 - 3:00   Project Launch (Snack)
3:00 - 5:00   Full Cast and Crew

Thursday, March 5th:
2:40 - 3:00   Report to Project Launch (Snack)
3:00 - 5:00   Full Cast and Crew

Saturday, March 7th:
MANDATORY Saturday Practice 9am to 1pm
We recommend bringing a PEANUT FREE snack to have during breaktime

Stage Crew Meeting for Wed. End Time Changed!!

The End time of the Stage Crew Meeting was originally listed as 3:15 and it should have read 3:45.

We apologize for any inconvenience!

Rehearsal Schedule for the Week of 2/22 - First Saturday Rehearsal this Week!

With less than a month to go we have lots to do this week!  PLEASE READ THIS BLOG OVER CAREFULLY

Please note there are 3 Full Cast rehearsals this week including this Saturday from 9-1 which is MANDATORY unless you notified us prior to this week that you had a valid reason to be absent. ALL CAST MEMBERS AND STAGE CREW MEMBERS are expected to be at rehearsal Saturday for the full 4 hour period of 9am -1pm per the audition contract unless arrangements were made otherwise IN ADVANCE.

Also, Mrs. Marmara has meetings scheduled for cast member bios again this week.  Please see below for the date and time you are scheduled to meet with her and bring your form with what you have filled out so far.  If you are unable to attend at the time you are given: you will need to see Mrs. Marmara and ask her to reschedule with you for another mutually convenient time.  Please do not see Mrs. Penny, Mrs. Keppler or Mrs. Hartzell if you can't keep your appointment - you need to speak with Mrs. Marmara directly or send her an e-,mail.  PLEASE NOTE:  Bios need to be completed with her by March 4th.  If you do not do so, your bio will not be published in the program - NO EXCEPTIONS.  No one is going to run after you and hound you for your bio.  If it matters to you to have it published, please make the time to do it or be prepared to accept the consequence. This is each cast member's own responsibility - not your parents and not the directors'.  Thank you.

Below is the list of Stage Crew Members.  We had more than 30 students sign up to be on stage crew but unfortunately we could not take everyone.  Mrs. Keppler assembled the following list based the order of when  signed permission slips were turned in.  Stage crew members have 2 meetings/rehearsals scheduled for this week.  Please see Mrs. Keppler if you have any questions.  

STAGE CREW

Isabella Ghaleb

Taya Christiano

Taylor Goldschmidt

Rebecca McNulty

Samantha Wechter

Genna Vealey

Jordan Cross

Sophia L

Mercy Owusu

Abby Berkowitz

Sarah Sayner

Jesse Sayner

Natalie Squires

Nicoletta Ciccia

Vincent Manni

Rehearsals for the Week of February 22nd:

Monday 2/23

4:00 - 5:00    All Froglets

Tuesday 2/24

2:40 - 3:45   Bios with Mrs. Marmara in the Library:

Natalie C, Natalie T, Abigail, Danielle, Dezerae, Kayle, Jenna, Christopher, Ilira, Morgan M, Morgan W, Ella, Isabelle, Cecilia, Matthew, Bridget, Xavier, Cameron, Imad, Kendall, Alexis

2:40 - 4:15   Drake, Ida, Ugly, Maureen, Henrietta, Grace, Turkey,  ALL Ducklings.

4:15 - 5:00    Ugly and Cat

Wednesday 2/25

2:40 - 3:45***(time change)  Stage Crew Meeting with Mrs. Keppler

2:40 - 5:00  Full Cast Rehearsal

Thursday 2/26

2:40 - 5:00  Full Cast Rehearsal

Friday 2/27

2:40 - 3:45   Bios with Mrs. Marmara in the Library:

Kate, Madison, Tyler, Brett, Kyler, Melanie, Abigail, Greg, Josh, Ambi-Noelle, Anjali, Katelyn, Naya, Natalie S, Christina, Sarah, Nate, Miranda, Eva, Danny, Ivy, Kya, Jessica

Saturday 2/28

MANDATORY FULL CAST AND STAGE CREW REHEARSAL  FROM 9AM - 1PM. Bring a snack and drink as we will take a break --- ABSOLUTELY NO PEANUT PRODUCTS!!!

Rehearsals for the Week of February 15th

Last week's rehearsal schedule was short but productive!  In addition, the geese and frogs have been working on their choreography and it is looking great!  Unfortunately, there were several frogs missing from Friday's rehearsal, which prevented us from completing our choreography that night. We will be finalizing the choreography on Wednesday.  If you missed Friday's rehearsal and do not show up for Wednesday's rehearsal (without letting us know that you have a conflict), we may have no choice but to remove you from the frog number.  It isn't fair to the rest of the group to have their choreography changed over and over to accommodate students who don't bother to show up for rehearsal. We are just one month from our opening night and we need to buckle down and use our rehearsal time wisely.  Thank you for understanding.

Also, remember to bring in your paperwork for Project Launch so that you can go to the Cafeteria for snack on the days that you have rehearsal directly after school. Boosters can also be turned in as you sell them.

Please see the list below for the day and time you are scheduled to work with Mrs. Marmara on your Biography Blurb for the program.  Please meet with her in the Library at your scheduled time and bring what you have written for her to look at.  You do not have to stay the whole time if you finish before 3:45!  If you are unable to meet with her for some reason, please let her know.

Rehearsals for the Week of February 15th:

Wednesday, February 18th  -- (LAST DAY FOR SCRIPTS) ---
2:40 - 3:15  Featured Singers, Featured Dancers, Ugly, Cat and Ida
3:15 - 4:15  ALL FROGS, Ugly, Cat
4:15 - 5:00  ALL GEESE, Ugly, Cat

Thursday, February 19th  --- (OFF SCRIPT) ---
2:40 - 3:30   Mother Swan, Father Swan, Ugly, Ida, Cat, Penny
3:30 - 4:00   Featured Dancers, Cat and Ugly
4:00 - 5:00   ALL FROGS

Friday, February 20th --- (OFF SCRIPT) ---
2:40 - 3:45   Bio blurbs with Mrs. Marmara
(Kate, Elissar, Gemma, Madison, Erin, Tyler, Kelly P, Brett, Kyler, Anthony, Katrina, Kelly E, Trent, Melanie, Abigail, Greg, Josh)

5:00 - 6:00   Ugly, Drake, Ida, Maureen, Henrietta, Grace, Penny, ALL Ducklings, Turkey, Jay Bird

Change to Friday's Practice

As announced at the Wednesday Full Cast meeting (and on the announcements at school) we had to make a change to the rehearsal schedule this Friday:

All Geese, Ugly and Cat  will rehearse from  4:00pm - 5:00pm

All Frogs will rehearse from  5:00pm - 6:00pm

We apologize for any inconvenience!