HEART Academy s Youth Theater Project Lion King, Jr.

Transcription

1 HEART Academy s Youth Theater Project Lion King, Jr. Auditions & Callbacks: May 29 th from 6-9 pm AND Callbacks: May 31, 3:15-6:15 pm Location of Auditions & Callbacks: Calvary San Jose, 1175 Hillsdale Avenue, San Jose, CA First Week Rehearsal Dates & Times: June 6,7,8 from 3:15-6:15 pm June Dates & Times: June 13,14,15, 20,21,22, 27,28,29 from 9:45-1:45 pm July Dates & Times: July 5,6,7 from 9:45-1:45 pm (This week is Wed, Thur, Fri) Tech Week: July 9,10,11 from 2-8pm; July 12 from 10-5pm Performances: July 13 at 7pm,14 at 7pm,15 at 2 pm Minimum: 20 students Family Volunteer Hours: 30+ hours; Moms once a week for rehearsals; 4x-5x during tech week; Dads 2-5 hours during tech week Individual Fees for Upper Academy $ payable to HEART Academy, Material Fees (total due at the time of registration, no discount applied for scholarships) $45 payable to HEART Academy, Producers (Jere & Crissi Allen) $45 payable to Artistic Director, TBA $45 payable to Music/Vocal Director, TBA $45 payable to Choreographer, TBA Total $ Optional: Buy Out of your Volunteer Time, add an additional $200 per family payable to HEART Academy Note: $65 HEART Academy Upper Academy classes meet 40 hours in a year and cost $585. This production class will meet 90 hours and will normally cost you $1, We have discounted this class $1,016. Scholarships are considered on a case-by-case basis. Thank you for your diligence in filling this paperwork out carefully. *Costumes and makeup are an added expense between *50% of tuition fees due at time of registration and the balance is due one month after that *100% Material fees due at time of registration Course Description Encompassing drama, music and movement, this fun drama camp will focus on developing the ability to communicate through the powerful and multifaceted tool of theater. We accept beginning, experienced and aspiring actors who desire to be in a musical stage production and seek to focus on developing their acting, dancing, and singing skills. ++++Students will have the opportunity to participate in every aspect of production; from set design/construction to costumes to makeup and hair to choreography. In this way, we hope to inspire students to become effective communicators using various media, there is MUCH more to shows than who is on stage! Your kids will be taught some or all of these areas: 1-organizational skills (planning, organizing, teamwork, serving, and preparing while keeping spiritual content and atmosphere in place), and 2-artistic media (power point presentations, sound technology, lighting design, costume design, makeup and hair design) and 3 performing arts (dance/choreography, acting, singing). A Vocal Libretto and audio CD will be provided for you and will be given to you the first day of rehearsal. We will be working on gaining basic and intermediate /advanced theatrical skills in singing, dancing, and acting. Students will have lots of opportunities to try on new characters, voices, and movements. Families will work with their child(ren) on their costume and a small portion of the set (or other aspect of the production.) We highly encourage parents to keep their theater student involved in any such contributions; this is a learning process they will greatly benefit from. We hope your student will show up with an attitude of excitement, desire to learn, and willingness to TRY! The student is expected to attend rehearsals and is responsible for inquiring with the artistic director as to any music/blocking/choreography etc that has been missed. A text/ should be sent to Crissi Allen if any absences are to be expected beyond what you have written down on the conflict calendar. If you have more than 5 conflicts, these absences will be taken into consideration for lead roles. If you have more than 6 or more absences, it may be necessary to re-evaluate priorities. Page 1 of 8

2 We expect to have fun during camp yet be focused and safe at the same time. Students will be treated with respect as and their respect to teachers is expected as well. The Participation Contract will give you some of the guidelines and expectations during our time together. Most importantly, if you behave in a way that we feel is disrupting the learning experience of others; we will discuss it with you and your parent in a private meeting outside of rehearsal. Student Leaders We believe children are the future leaders of our community therefore, there will be opportunities for students to take part in the leadership of this show. We will be choosing student leaders in the following areas: Spiritual Director These (male & female) students will be helping to lead prayer before & after each class. They may receive anonymous prayers that cannot be shared in the large group. This person can send s to the cast members for prayer updates. Costuming/Makeup/Hair Designer This student will help the Costume Designer research where to get the costumes, who can make them, etc. They will be responsible for helping out in the costume parade. Secret Pals This person would help Mrs. Allen coordinate and execute this fun and encouraging event. They will be revealed during tech week! Auditions We will go through some of the expectations for students and families, conflict calendar, and answer questions so that you know what you re getting yourself into! Even though there are auditions for this musical, everyone who auditions will be given a role in the show. Conflict Calendar: We understand that life can be busy! However, when you are cast in this production, it is expected that you will attend all rehearsals for which you are scheduled. When you attend an audition, you will be asked to fill out a conflict calendar and submit it to the HEART staff so that we are aware of any prior commitments that you may have during the rehearsal period. Please include any and all commitments that might prevent you from attending rehearsal, especially during the crucial two weeks immediately prior to the opening of a show. This includes anything from birthday parties to athletic practices or events to vacations you get the idea! It is better to inform us of anything and everything that might present a problem, rather than run into difficulties in the midst of the rehearsal process. If you have too many conflicts during the rehearsal period, it may be suggested that you wait and audition for a show when you are able to make rehearsing and performing a top priority in your life. We want every show to be a smashing success and your participation will be a valuable part of that success! Participation Contract: We want everyone in the production to be on the same page when it comes to participation therefore, a participation contract will be signed by both parent and student. Contacting the Leaders Jere & Crissi Allen, Producers at heartacademy@comcast.net or Production Manager Monica Song at monica_song@sbcglobal.net or Artistic Director Rachel Lin at rachel.lin@biola.edu or at Choreographer Catherine Hsu at shootingstars88@gmail.com or Music/Vocal Director Peter Ku at jpeterku@gmail.com or About Your Mentors Jere & Crissi Allen Jere & Crissi are founders of HEART Academy and have been ministering to the homeschooling community for 15+ years. Because of their children s involvement in the theater world, they spent countless volunteer hours in all aspects of drama such as set shop construction, supervision, sewing 20 renaissance costumes, sound and lighting development, stage management, tech crew implementation, volunteer coordination, etc. They primarily worked with San Jose Children s Musical Theater, Yancy Theater Company, Youth Focus, and Youth Theater Project at HEART Academy. Jere & Crissi have participated in 15+ productions/musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables, Cinderella, Leader of the Pack, The Wiz, Snow White, Swan Princess, Lion King, Annie, Aladdin, Emma, Godspell, Jr, The Family Nobody Wanted, Disney s Beauty & the Beast, Jr. Produced by HEART Academy, Godspell, Jr was one of their favorite shows they loved the exuberance of the students dancing and singing. Their passion is for parents to win/keep their children s hearts as they get involved with the community and theater productions. A note from Jere & Crissi Allen: We highly recommend the following directors to you.. We believe that each individual has risen to a level of excellence in their chosen field of work and expertise. Because we ve known them on a personal level for many years, we trust that they will be professional in their conduct and interactions. It is our intention to partner with parents in this endeavor and offer support, training and proficiency in the area of performing arts. Production Manager Monica Song is wife to a retired Firefighter-Paramedic and homeschool mom of four wonderful children. Since her childrens' first musical with HEART YTP in 2014, she has served as Rehearsal Supervisor, Set/Props Manager, Costume Coordinator, House Manager,and Backstage Manager during production of Peter Pan Jr, Singin' in the Rain, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Mary Poppins, Honk Jr, and the Wizard of Oz. Her two older children worked on the set and tech crews for Seussical Jr., and Into the Woods, also through HEART YTP. Under the Page 2 of 8

3 mentorship of Crissi Allen, Lion King Jr. is her first experience as Production Manager. Monica is thankful for the encouraging and Christ-centered theater environment in which her children can pursue their passion for theater. She has enjoyed participating in the process of bringing a production to fruition and in watching the entire cast and production team work together, laugh together, and pray together. Her love for Jesus, her children, and the HEART YTP community motivates her to continue to jump into new roles, to learn new skills, and to be stretched beyond her comfort zone! She thanks her husband for supporting her in this endeavor. Artistic Director Rachel Lin is a freshman undergraduate student currently studying film production at Biola University in Los Angeles. She spent several early years in her childhood learning classical ballet, tap, and jazz -- and yet, today, she still cannot dance if her life depended on it. However, throughout the years, Rachel did maintain a love and an admiration of drama, and she was involved in the San Jose Children's Musical Theater productions Barnum and The Wizard of Oz. In 2012, she was the assistant stage manager for East Valley Church's Christmas musical, in 2013 held a lead role in the Easter musical, and in 2014, she directed and produced the musical Back to the Manger. Throughout high school, Rachel also owned her own business as a portrait and event photographer, a position that eventually developed into her passion for the arts and for film. She has directed and/or produced over nine short films in her first year at Biola, and has seen the impact of arts on individuals. While Rachel is new to the HEART family, she is beyond excited to cultivate relationships and community with each person who is a part of The Lion King, Jr. Her desire is to connect with participants and ensure that they have a wonderful experience in this summer show. Dance Choreographer Catherine Hsu began dancing at the age of sixteen. Growing up with severe eczema, she once thought she was crazy for wanting to join the dance world, where she could not hide or cover up. Catherine took her first ballet class in the summer of 2010: rather than getting laughed at or feeling embarrassed, she fell in love. Catherine is graduating this upcoming December from San Jose State University with a BFA in dance; she has performed in classical works such as Psalm and Choreographic Offering by José Limón, as well as original works by choreographers such as Heather Cooper and Mike Esperanza. After seven years, Catherine is still falling more and more in love with dance each year, still developing courage and faith in dance every day. There may be times when it is hard to believe in her place in the world around her, but never inside the reality of dancing and never inside the beauty of being present in the working. Catherine is so, so excited to be working with HEART Academy to produce the Lion King Jr. Music / Vocal Director Peter Ku is excited to be the vocal/music director for The Lion King, Jr. this summer. He is going into his senior year of high school. He has acted in Youth Theater Project musicals over the last few years, playing R.F. Simpson in Singing in the Rain, Mr. Northbrook and ensemble in Mary Poppins, the Baker in Into the Woods, and the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz. He is finishing his studies this year with Classical Conversations and HEART Academy, as well as continuing music lessons in voice and piano. 1 John 4:14-15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is my time commitment as a parent/guardian? The power of these excellent performances rely upon the parent participation volunteers. A minimum of 30+ hours per family is required. As you know, many hands make light work and this production will need many hands. We will need your family to help out in any of the production areas, especially during tech week. Depending upon how involved you wish to be, your total hours will vary from hours in the next couple weeks. Dads are also required to help with Tech Week 2-5 hours on Sunday or Saturday. Please keep those days open. Please look through some of the positions and then sign up. Sign-ups will be take place during auditions after the family meeting. If you have a lot of experience in the theater, we are looking for head coordinators for certain areas of the production. If you want to BUY OUT your hours due to various reasons, there will be an additional $200 payable to HEART Academy. I hesitate to give this optional buy out but we realize in some circumstances, this might have to be done. We do not recommend it because you will miss the blessing of serving and seeing a show come to fruition through hard work. How much money can I expect this commitment to cost me? Besides your registration fees, your cost for costumes will vary depending upon what role(s) you are cast for and whether or not you hire a seamstress to make them. Estimate $75.00 to $ A make-up starter kit containing base, lipstick, and eyeliner will run approximately $ When are rehearsals and how often are they scheduled? Rehearsals are scheduled every Friday from 4:15-5:45 and also on Saturday from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. See conflict calendar. What if I have a conflict? All known conflicts at this time need to be noted on your conflict calendar. Conflicts will not be accepted during the last nine days of rehearsal or during the performances. Filling out your conflict calendars accurately help us to choose our leads and ensemble participants. If you have more than 5-7 absences, it may be necessary to re-evaluate priorities. Once cast in a show, who do I go to with questions about the production? We would like to free up the directors to focus in crafting this production so all questions on any aspect of the show should be directed to the Jere & Crissi Allen, the production manager or the respective coordinators in charge. Page 3 of 8

4 How am I expected to participate as a parent? While we are fortunate enough to have directors, volunteers are an essential component of each show. Volunteers are depended upon to accomplish much of the production workload. Both you and your child have roles in a production. For example, a typical show has a total of about 100+ hours of volunteer time divided among the families of all cast members. There are four required areas each family must participate in and several areas to volunteer your talents and time. Required Areas - Each family is required to participate. 1. Rehearsal Supervision Attend at least 2 rehearsals as a supervisor to monitor cast member behavior, keep noise down, and make sure everyone is picked-up safely after rehearsal ends. (Written guidelines are provided; you will work as part of a team). If we have enough TA s this won t be an issue. 2. Costuming - Each family is responsible for their own cast member s costume pieces. Specific design instructions and fabric will be provided or rental costumes will be made available Volunteer Hours In any of the elective areas below per family plus 2-5 hours completed by Dads Elective Areas - Select as many different areas as interested in or become a guru in one area. Volunteers work under the guidance of a Coordinator in each area. Prior to Move-In During the rehearsal phase of the production Set Construction Build and paint set pieces. No experience required! Costumes Assist costume designers with taking performer s measurements, record keeping, and accessory construction. Props Create/gather required props from director s list Planning Cast Party Choose date & location; collect money Rehearsal Supervision Become the adult presence and helping with snacks After Move-In During Tech week and show run Lobby Display Create welcoming display in lobby using rehearsal photos, etc. Photography Liaison Coordinate sitting times for optional cast member s portraits. Attend photography sessions and be available as needed Backstage Supervision Assist Coordinator with cast member preparations, behavior, noise control and meeting cues at the proper time Stage Crew Work in the wings to assist cast members and move set pieces and scenery Spotlights Operate spotlights during tech rehearsals and performances Make-Up/Hair Assist cast members backstage prior to the show and/or during the performance Ushers Welcome and direct members of the audience to their assigned seats, assist audience members during the show, and monitor the lobby during the show Props From the wings, manage the prop table by assisting cast members in dealing with their props Conduct Cast Party Coordinate the event with the show coordinators and have fun! Microphones Assist the sound operator and performers Box Office Assist Crissi in the box office What happens during tech week? All families should keep your schedule open for tech week. You will be asked to help out in supervision of the kids, props & set, costumes, hair, makeup, move out, clean up, lobby supervision, prayer, etc. Crissi will be sending out a schedule 2-4 weeks before the performance with your work schedule. Strike or Move-Out will be Saturday night after the show and all Families will be helping with Strike. Where will they perform? Calvary San Jose, 1175 Hillsdale Avenue, San Jose, CA What about scholarships? I have a scholarship for the following jobs (this is on top of tech week responsibilities). 1 Lead Supervisor - attend rehearsals 12 hours per week for 5 weeks. You would make sure to take roll call, call those families who are late and make sure they are coming, help out with setting up snacks and putting aways snacks, clean up after by vacuuming putting away tables, throwing garbage away. Committed to helping Crissi with anything she needs help with. Total hours 50 hrs 1 Stage Maanger TAKEN- spend 5 hours in buying, making, and researching props in June - all props should be done by June 30. Come to rehearsal 12 hours the last week before tech week - prep them in bins, take notes, work in making transitions easier, put props away in the SOE Room. Committed to help another stage manager with taking care of prop items. Total hours Lead Costume Coordinator - spend hours in looking for rental costumes in June - CMT in San Jose and Theatreworks in Redwood City. Need cost and pictures of possible outfits - should be administrative and organized with this, love costumes, know how to sew. Come to rehearsals starting June 28, to work on speicial costume items and set up a sewing team to help. All due for Costume Parade June 28. Committed to help Crissi Allen with anything costume related. Total hours 50+ Page 4 of 8

5 1 Master Carpenter - Work with Set Designer, our set designer and master carpenter. Must know how construct items and store them in their own garage hours total beginning January. Spring Shows only AUDITION DAY What to Expect Here is what you can expect during the audition process: Please be aware that the total audition process may take a total of two to three hours. The audition process is broken down into four steps in order to provide our aspiring performers and their families the best possible introduction to performing with HEART. Registration Packets are due before your auditions make an appointment with Crissi at heartacademy@comcast.net. Participants and families will have already received an audition packet, conflict calendar, general rehearsal schedule. All forms must be completed. Crissi will review your conflict calendar during the registration appointment. The purpose of the conflict calendar is to ensure expectations are set between the performer, the performer's family and this production. Please be prepared to discuss any questions or concerns that you have about your schedule with us at that time. At this time, all forms and fees will be collected. Information Meeting Every audition begins with a mandatory meeting for the performers and their parent(s)/guardian(s). We will explain what to expect during the course of a production for the performers and their families. Each performer should have their picture on the audition packet and will be given a nametag. Audition Performers will audition in a group. Each group learns and then performs a short dance combination. Individuals will then have an opportunity to perform a prepared song. The final audition step is to quickly learn a choreographed dance. Congratulations! You have completed your audition! Callbacks Immediately following the audition, the directors may ask specific performers to come back to audition further for specific roles. The remainder of the performers are considered cast in the show. The final cast list will be sent 1-3 days after auditions. If you have a conflict with the callback auditions, please inform the director at the time of your audition. Synopsis RAFIKI gathers the ANIMALS of the Pridelands to welcome the newborn cub of King MUFASA and Queen SARABI ("Circle of Life with Nants' Ingonyama"). The king's jealous brother, SCAR, no longer heir to the throne, skips the ceremony, upsetting Mufasa. Time passes ("Grasslands Chant") and YOUNG SIMBA grows into a curious young lion. Mufasa explains the circle of life and that Young Simba will one day be king of the Pridelands. Young Simba shares this news with Scar, who encourages his nephew to visit the forbidden Elephant Graveyard. Young Simba finds his best friend, YOUNG NALA, hunting with SARAFINA and the LIONESSES ("The Lioness Hunt") and invites her on his adventure. Once they ditch their overbearing babysitter, ZAZU ("I Just Can't Wait to Be King"), the cubs encounter the ravenous SHENZI, BANZAI and ED in the graveyard. Mufasa arrives and pummels the hyenas then takes the cubs home. Scar emerges from the darkness to recruit the HYENAS in his murderous plan to become king ("Be Prepared"). Back in the Pridelands, Mufasa reprimands Young Simba then shares the guidance of their ancestors, up among the stars ("They Live in You"). Enacting his plan, Scar leaves Young Simba alone in the gorge and signals the hyenas to scare a herd of wildebeest ("The Stampede"). Scar alerts Mufasa, who leaps into the stampede to save his son. Mufasa rescues Young Simba, but Scar pushes his brother back into the gorge, where he is trampled. Scar blames Young Simba for the king's death and tells him to run away and never return. As Sarabi, Young Nala, Rafiki and the lionesses mourn the loss of Mufasa and Young Simba ("The Mourning"), Scar assumes the throne, uniting lions and hyenas under his dark reign. Lost in the desert, Young Simba meets TIMON and PUMBAA, who take him to their "worry-free" jungle home ("Hakuna Matata"). Under Scar's reign, the Pridelands are nearly destroyed. Now grown, NALA decides to leave and seek help ("Shadowland"). To her delight, she finds SIMBA alive in the jungle ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight"). Nala urges him to take his rightful place as king but, still ashamed, Simba refuses. Rafiki appears and helps Simba remember his father ("He Lives in You"). With newfound courage, Simba agrees to return to the Pridelands. Timon and Pumbaa distract the hyenas ("Luau Hawaiian Treat") while Nala rallies the lionesses. Simba confronts his uncle, the truth of Mufasa's murder is Page 5 of 8

6 revealed and Scar runs away, pursued by angry hyenas. With peace restored in the Pridelands, Simba takes his place as king and the circle of life continues ("Finale"). Casting Cast Size: Flexible Cast Type: Children Dance Requirements: Standard Character Breakdown Casting Info Rafiki A wise mandrill who acts as healer of the Pridelands and guides Simba on his journey home. She is an omniscient character, evincing an air of mystery. Rafiki has significant solos in "Circle of Life" and "He Lives in You," and leads the African chants throughout the show, so cast a confident performer with a strong singing voice. Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: A3 Ensemble The ensemble plays various inhabitants of the Pridelands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes, wildebeest, and other creatures you choose to include. This group can have as few or as many performers as your production permits. Be sure to cast many strong singers. There are also several moments to showcase individual dancers in "The Lioness Hunt" and "I Just Can't Wait to Be King." Mufasa The strong, honorable, and wise lion who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba. Cast a mature actor who can convincingly portray the king. Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: B3 Sarabi A featured lioness, Mufasa's mate, and Simba's mother. Sarabi has a few key speaking lines for an actor who can deliver the care and command of a queen. Zazu The anxious yet loyal assistant to Mufasa who is always busy trying to do his duty. Zazu's lyrics are spoken rather than sung, and the role can be played by a boy or girl. Scar The antagonist of the show, overcome with jealousy of his brother, Mufasa, and nephew, Simba. Coldhearted and wickedly intelligent, he will stop at nothing to become king of the Pridelands. Cast a mature performer who can bring out this villain's dark side while handling Scar's sarcastic sense of humor. As his solos can be spoken, opt for an actor over a singer. Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: A3 Young Simba The protagonist of the story, is an adventurous and endearing cub who can't wait to be king of the Pridelands. Simba is playful, energetic, and naive, but after his father Mufasa's death, Simba struggles with shame and his destiny. Cast a strong singer and dynamic performer in this role. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: B3 Simba Grows from a cub to lion in "Hakuna Matata." Older Simba has more complex moments as he reunites with Nala, mourns his father, and returns to confront Scar, so cast a more mature actor. Be sure that the change in actors is clear: Try having Young Simba hand-off a costume piece, such as a medallion, to older Simba. Also be sure that Simba and Young Simba share a movement vocabulary. Vocal range top: E5 Page 6 of 8

7 Vocal range bottom: B3 Lionesses The fierce hunters of the Pridelands and featured in "The Lioness Hunt," "The Mourning," and "Shadowland." These actors should be strong singers, as the material can be challenging. Depending on the complexity of your choreography, particuarly for "The Lioness Hunt," strong dancers may be desirable as well. Young Nala A courageous lion and Young Simba's best friend. She is not afraid to speak her mind. While Young Nala does sing a little, look for a strong female performer who can portray this confident cub. Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: A3 Nala Grows from a cub to a lioness before she confronts Scar, so cast a more mature actress to play the character beginning in Scene 10, As with older Simba and Young Simba, ensure that this switch in actors performing a single role is clear. Direct the actors to share a mask or costume piece that distinctly represents Nala, as well as a movement vocabulary. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: G3 Sarafina A featured lioness and Nala's mother. She has one short, spoken line, so consider giving this part to an actor who is putting in a lot of effort and hard work in rehearsal as a lioness. Shenzi One of Scar's hyenas who plot to take over the Pridelands. She is the sassy one of the trio and is always looking out for herself. With Banzai and Ed, she should be able to laugh loudly and long, as well as be menacing to Young Simba and Young Nala. Banzai A slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. He would be the leader of the group if hyenas weren't so lazy. Look for an outgoing and confident actor who can portray nastiness and gruffness. As banzai is always featured with Shenzi and Ed, consider audit Ed The third member of Scar's trio of lackeys. He has a loud, cackling laugh that is his only form of communication. Ed should be played by an actor who can laugh unabashedly and communicate through physicality and facial expressions rather than words. This role can be played by a boy or girl. Hyenas Scar's army, helping carry out his evil plot to take over the Pridelands. Hyenas are mangy, mindless creatures who sing in "Be Prepared." Cast actors who are able to sing the background parts of that song while playing the loud and raucous characters. Your hyenas can double as animals of the Pridelands or lionesses. Timon An outcast meerkat who lives in the jungle with Pumbaa. He is afraid of his own shadow, but pretends to be the confident, relaxed leader of the duo. Timon is one of the funniest characters in the show and should be played by a charismatic actor who understands comic timing. This part can be played by a boy or a girl. Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: B3 Pumbaa A kindhearted, sensitive warthog who enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation. Cast a boy or girl who can portray this loveable and loyal friend to Timon and Simba with deadpan humor. Page 7 of 8

8 Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: D4 Page 8 of 8