Blocking.... the bane of my existence....

Little Johnny Jones opened last night.
All I'm going to say is that it lived up to all the expectations I had gained through peeping in on rehearsals...
Yep.

So Treasure Island rehearsals start on Monday.
How amazing is that????
I am excited to get started just so we can get the blocking over and DONE with.
Ugh.
I don't think anyone really likes blocking....
It is so tedious.
Plus, everytime we've done blocking in the past (as an assistant Director), I couldn't give real notes.
AND I HATE THAT!
I want them to start thinking about volume and emotion always!
However...
I know they have get the blocking first.
THEN, the REAL acting can begin...
UGH.
We'll be blocked by the end of February...
That may change depending on how these first two weeks go....
And by change I mean we may be blocked sooner than that and have moved on to doing rehearsals act by act...
We WILL be COMPLETELY blocked by the end of the month.
My actors will know their blocking by the end of this month.
Hopefully they will know their lines too.....
One might think that is pushing it a bit, but I know for a fact it can be done.
I had to memorize 120 lines in a two week span to fill in for Junia a few years ago.
And last year, I had to learn a part in Pinocchio.
I found out Tuesday and had to do the character Friday.
It can be done!
And I'm going to work with all of them to learn their lines.
These people will either love me or hate me...
Then, as soon as Little Johnny Jones is finished, I'm going to tear that theatre apart looking for costumes, props, and set pieces.
I really want to be prepard ahead of time so the actors can get used to using their props and working around a set.
I'm even planning on making/building a camp fire.
AUGH!
It's going to rock if I can get it just right.

Another thing I need to learn is DELEGATION.
I'm going to be very hands on with everything, but I need to remember that I have a lot of people willing to help.
Plus, James will need stuff to do.
lol
I'm going to ask him to find Pirate-y music to play during before and after the show, and during intermission.
I've already to everybody that we're all getting together on the 28th for set building and painting.
That's going to be fun.

ARGH! I be excited.... Part two

AH!
Another snag in the mix...

Some of the cast members will be using the cutlass, which, according to wikipedia, is a short, broad sabre or slashing sword, with a straight or slightly curved blade sharpened on the cutting edge, and a hilt often featuring a solid cupped or basket-shaped guard.

They'll also be using guns and knives as well, being that they're pirates and all...

AND there's a fight in the beginning of the play with Bill and Black Dog where *GASP!* they each use their cutlass...

Hhhhhmmmm....

Now where, O where, shall I find someone who will teach us all the art of swordplay for kids???
Hhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmm....

Oh, where could I find such a man????

Hhhhmmmmmmmmm.......

I've decided to start emailing kids and parents alike and start getting together a following now.

That way I'm sure to have a crowd at auditions.

AGH!
So excited!

BTW, one of my families that are always involved in the children's production is currently going through the adoption process.

Here's a link to their blog all about it.

They are a real blessing to the theatre and to me and I know this baby will be raised with nothing but love.

And the fabulousness of these people, of course.

http://warneradoption.blogspot.com/

http://www.deadmentellnotales.com/onlinetexts/treasure/pictures.shtml

http://www.deadmentellnotales.com/onlinetexts/treasure/island.shtml

AH!
A depiction of Dr. Livesey, Jim, and Squire Trelawney.