From the Page to the Stage...
The Magic Behind Bringing Aladdin Jr. to Beatty
Week One
Day one found the cast eager to get started. We started with a team building game and basic overviews of the process to make this show happen. The cast took right to the script and began to work on act 1.
Day two we began to work on act 2. By the end of the rehearsal we have finished the book and had time to play a game or two. As much as the company likes games, these are special games. Every one of them teaches a drama technique or concept the company will need during this show.
Our third day was spend on the wonderful music of Aladdin. This is the first cast that I have felt comfortable devoting an entire rehearsal to musical numbers. In fact this cast has gelled and worked together remarkably well from the first day. If they keep up the current state, this will be a very special cast.
Day two we began to work on act 2. By the end of the rehearsal we have finished the book and had time to play a game or two. As much as the company likes games, these are special games. Every one of them teaches a drama technique or concept the company will need during this show.
Our third day was spend on the wonderful music of Aladdin. This is the first cast that I have felt comfortable devoting an entire rehearsal to musical numbers. In fact this cast has gelled and worked together remarkably well from the first day. If they keep up the current state, this will be a very special cast.
Week Two
Week Two has been a productive week. We had many cast out on a field trip so our rehearsal had to be very structured. Our first rehearsal of the week was all script. We needed to make sure to cover as many lines as possible while we had the entire cast at one time.
The second day we were missing many so we focused on the final scenes and some music that will help when we are all back together. Mrs. Katz was able to get the crew started on designing the backdrop and the early sketches look fantastic. Ms. Garreffa was able to take several students to the stage piano and work her magic with harmony singing. We even found time to play a more involved drama game. We made the most of a day that had many people gone.
Music day might be my favorite day so far. This is the first cast that has handled the script well enough that we could devote an entire day to music each week. As a director, this is really a treat. I can say that great progress was made today musically. We have much work to do, but this cast is doing wonderful things
The second day we were missing many so we focused on the final scenes and some music that will help when we are all back together. Mrs. Katz was able to get the crew started on designing the backdrop and the early sketches look fantastic. Ms. Garreffa was able to take several students to the stage piano and work her magic with harmony singing. We even found time to play a more involved drama game. We made the most of a day that had many people gone.
Music day might be my favorite day so far. This is the first cast that has handled the script well enough that we could devote an entire day to music each week. As a director, this is really a treat. I can say that great progress was made today musically. We have much work to do, but this cast is doing wonderful things
Week 3
Week 3 finds the company tweeting and polishing lines and deliveries. Not much in the way of games this week as we are working very hard to make a big move next week. Aladdin Jr. is a very busy show. We are hoping to move to the stage next week so we may start moving through space. We have done very well sitting and reading, now it is time to start moving.
The Company is to have Act 1 songs and lines memorized for next week. This will allow us to start moving and planning out how to make this show come to life. We also hope to start learning the productions numbers and various dances.
The Company is to have Act 1 songs and lines memorized for next week. This will allow us to start moving and planning out how to make this show come to life. We also hope to start learning the productions numbers and various dances.
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Week 4
Week 4 was our first week at our new home… the stage. Act 1 is going very well with the expected line drops here and there. I can say that I am very happy with the cast and their work to memorize Act 1. Next week we can go off book and memorize Act 2.
Being free from the scripts allows us to move about space and develop characters and movement for the show. Our first production number has been taught and we are getting it secured while singing. I am very happy to say that this production number was choreographed by one of our cast members who worked an extra day with us to work out the dance.
Being free from the scripts allows us to move about space and develop characters and movement for the show. Our first production number has been taught and we are getting it secured while singing. I am very happy to say that this production number was choreographed by one of our cast members who worked an extra day with us to work out the dance.
Week 5
Week 6 we attempted to go completely off book. We had much success and a little reworking that needed to happen. All-in-all I think we had a great week. Our second production number was written and put into the show. This show has many, many moving parts. The more this cast goes through it, the better they are able to handle it. This is by far the most involved ensemble I have had in a show.
Week 6
This week the show was run on stage start to finish. We spent Friday working on music and polishing/reviewing our 3 production numbers we have been working on. It has been some really good work by the company. We also visited our very own Agrabah Cafe to sample some Baklava Mrs. Wilson made. The cast has been working really hard and we thought a little treat might be in order.
Week 7
Week 7 is done and we are well on our way to putting this show together. Over the past two weeks we have put several production numbers into the show. We have been rehearsing all these dances as well as a new one this week. This show has many more dances than we a used to. It is a very nice change of pace for us, however, the pace keeps things moving very quickly.
I am happy to say that the cast has memorized their lines and we are finally off book and able to move around the stage freely. This is where acting and character development can take place. I am enjoying watching the characters come to life.
I am happy to say that the cast has memorized their lines and we are finally off book and able to move around the stage freely. This is where acting and character development can take place. I am enjoying watching the characters come to life.
Week 8
Everything production number and scene are in place in the show right now. This week we finally got to get an idea of the whole show as it will flow for the performance. This is going to be a great show once we smooth out the scene changes.
I am trying to keep the photoblog going for your enjoyment, however, as we approach opening night I am keeping a few costumes and props hidden from view. I will make sure after the show you have access to every picture we have, but we don’t want to spoil any of the magic fo you.
I am trying to keep the photoblog going for your enjoyment, however, as we approach opening night I am keeping a few costumes and props hidden from view. I will make sure after the show you have access to every picture we have, but we don’t want to spoil any of the magic fo you.