PCMS All-School Musical

InformationShow Dates: November 15-17, 2012

Director: Mrs. Moira McCracken

mmccracken@parkwayschools.net314.415.5845

Book by Anthony Drewes

Music by George Stiles

Brief SynopsisHonk! is based on Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale of The Ugly Duckling. In this version, Ugly is born to a family of ducks. He is teased and ostracized by most of the farm community and pursued by the hungry cat. Only his mother loves him

despite his appearance and strange honking sound he makes. One day, he gets lost after almost becoming the cat’s meal and spends the remainder of the play trying to get home to his mother who spends months trying to find him. Along the way, he meets several interesting characters who help him learn to appreciate himself. In the end, he discovers his true nature as a

swan and reunites with his faithful mother.

*Actors are encouraged to play the parts as humans with animal-like qualities.

Show Participation

• Open to all students at PCMS• Involvement in the show depends

on:- Permission Forms- Auditions (for actors)- Sign ups and selection

(for technical crew members)- Recommendations- Meeting ALL deadlines

GPA/Citizenship• Maintain a C or better overall academic GPA• Maintain S or better in citizenship

• You may NEVER use the play as an excuse for not doing your school work!

• Expectation: Work on homework when not actively rehearsing.

Time Requirements: Actors & SMs

• General schedule:

o September: Regular After School Activity times

o October: Late rehearsals 3-4 days a week (3:20-5:00)

o Late October into November: Daily late rehearsals (3:20-5:00)

o November 3rd: Possible Saturday rehearsal

• Required rehearsals: November 12 & 13 NO EXCEPTIONS!

o These are dress rehearsals & will last as late as 7 pm.

Time Requirements: Tech Crews

• Props & Costumeo Meet Thursdays in late Sept. – Oct. (until finished)

o Again during run of show

• Lights, Sound, Stageo Begin attending rehearsals in Late October

• Required rehearsals: November 12-13 NO EXCEPTIONS!

o These are dress rehearsals & will last as late as 7 pm.

Performances

• Everyone is expected to attend all 3 performances.

• Saturday after show:o First, strike the show

o Second, party to celebrate show (over by 10:30 pm)

Cost & Supplies• All participants: $15 Participation Fee Covers:

o T-shirt (ADULT sizes – mark on permission form)

o Snacks & water at dress rehearsals

• Actors must provide:o Stage Make-up

• Can purchase for $16 from school store until 10/12/12

o Hairbrush

o Undergarments

o Shoes

Transportation• Activity busses run M, W, & T at 4:25

o We will rehearse on many Tuesdays and some Fridays

o Rehearsals in October & November will run later than the activity bus

• If you MUST ride activity bus everyday, mark on permission form

o As we get closer to the show, students are expected to stay for later rehearsals

• VICC students will be provided cabs for late rehearsals at no cost to them

o Be sure to tell Mrs. McCracken if you are a VICC student ASAP so cabs can be properly arranged!

• No Parkway employee will be allowed to take a non-relative home.

• Audition for the Musical & Show Choir at one time!

• Prepare the SAME audition for both performance groups.o Judges for each group will watch the same audition.

• You have the chance of being cast in both groups.

• Simply indicate on your permission form if you want to be considered for both groups or just one.

* The Musical and Show Choir are separate groups and work around each other’s rehearsal schedules.

Auditions: NEW THIS YEAR!

Auditions:Signing Up

• Drop off your Permission to Participate form with Mrs. McCracken (room 815) or Mr. Lackey (room 830).

• Permission forms are due by Tuesday, 9/11 in order to be guaranteed an audition spot. o Late forms will be considered on a first come/first served basis

o Late forms will result in the student taking a possible open slot only; we cannot accommodate special requests

• Tell Mrs. McCracken or Mr. Lackey:o Which day would you like to audition? (9/12 or 9/13)

o Are you trying for chorus only or a main role?

o Do you have to leave by 4:25 (bus or car rider)?

Auditions: The Process• ALL ACTORS:

o Prepare the General Audition (A Poultry Tale)

o Audition in groups of 6• Groups will be randomly assigned

o Present 2 times• Once in front, once in back

• Anyone wanting to try out for a featured (speaking) or main role must complete a MAIN ROLE audition in addition to General Audition.o Those preferring chorus only are finished after the General Audition.

Auditions: The Process• MAIN ROLE AUDITIONS

o Gentlemen: Prepare Different (the ugly duckling sings about being different)

o Ladies: Choose between The Joy of Motherhood (Ida duck ponders the fun of being a mom) OR Now I’ve Seen You (Penny Swan convinces Ugly of his beauty)

o Don’t forget to prepare your general audition as well!

• WHAT TO EXPECT IN MAIN ROLE AUDITIONSo Audition alone in front of the judges

o Judges are looking for:

• Correct pitch• Appropriate volume• Creative character interpretation

o Remember – musical theatre is acting, not giving a concert so THINK about the lyrics and show that you feel them!

Auditions Materials• All materials are available on Mrs. McCracken’s teacher webpageo Under link “After School Play Productions”

• Materials include:o Sheet music

o Tracks with professional singers (to practice)

o Tracks with accompaniment ONLY (what you will audition with)

o Choreography Video

Call Backs• List posted on Mrs. McCracken’s teacher webpage on Thursday, 9/13 (after 7 pm)

• In Mrs. McCracken’s room, Monday, 9/17

• Will read cold readings from the script. (No singing)

• Looking for strong acting choices, emotional connections, creative interpretation of script

Cast List• Looking to cast 25-35 actors including

o Main Roles

o Supporting Roles (smaller, some with featured singing parts)

o Chorus (playing a variety of animals)

• Cast list posting:o Monday 9/17 (by 8 pm) on Mrs. McCracken’s teacher webpage

o Tuesday 9/18 on the Call Board (outside room 815)

• Mrs. McCracken available to discuss auditions Tuesday, 9/18 after school.

Audition Tips• Remember: Judges are watching you from the moment you enter to the moment you leave – even while waiting in hall

• Act confident (even if you’re not)

• Take fun & safe risks – Be different!

• Be professional after auditiono Say thank you & exit the room

o Don’t make excuses even if you think you did bad (chances are the judges thought you did great!)

Not Cast or only Want To Be On Tech Crew?

• Turn in permission form to Mrs. McCracken by 9/21.o Only need one form, so if you auditioned and didn’t make it, you don’t need to turn in another form.

• Sign up on the sheets on call board from 9/17-9/21.• Sign up for any crew you want.

o Star only once for crew you’d most like.

• Crew List postedo Friday, 9/21 on Mrs. McCracken’s webpage

o Monday, 9/24 on the Call Board outside room 815

• First crew meeting: Thursday, 9/27/12 (3:20-4:25)

Technical Crews• Props Construction Crew (2-3 people)

o Job: Find, create, and organize all handheld stage props for the show

o People needed: Creative, visually artistic, task oriented

• Props Running Crew (2-3 people)

o Job: Organize, catalogue, & maintain all handheld props during final rehearsals &

performances

o People Needed: Organized, focused, handy

• 2 props crews may be combined (5 people)

Technical Crews• Costume Crew (4-5 people)

o Job: Find all costumes for show; organize & maintain costumes during dress

rehearsals & run of show

o People Needed: Creative, Organized, basic sewing skills, focused

• Stage Crew (4-5 people)o Job: Move set pieces on and off the stage during scene changes.

o People Needed: Focused, Strong, Organized

Technical Crews• Light Crew (4-5 people)

o Job: Operate & maintain lighting equipment during rehearsals & show

(includes stage & spot lights, special

effects)

o People Needed: Strong, Quiet

• Sound Crew (3-4 people)o Job: Operate & maintain sound equipment during

rehearsals & show (includes microphones, sound

board, & sound effects CD)

o People Needed: Well -Focused, Detail Oriented, Quiet

Technical Crews• Make-up and Hair Crew (4-5 people)

o Job: Assist the actors in applying stage make-up

and doing hair for the show; tidy up McCracken’s

room (the make-up/hair room) during show

o People Needed: Creative, focused, works well with others

• Publicity/House Crew (4-5 people)o Job: Help publicize the show by putting up

posters, cutting out tickets, writing

announcements; Take care of audience by

handing out programs, ushering, assisting during

the show, & cleaning up house after show

o People Needed: Organized, Personable

Technical Crews

• Archiving Crew (2 people)o Job: Documents the process of the show by taking photographs at selected

rehearsals, filming selected rehearsals,

and filming performances

o People Needed: Creative, focused, works well with others

Permission to Participate Form

• Required to be considered for showo No form means you WILL NOT be chosen!

• Actors: fill out all blanks• Technicians: fill out only bolded items• Don’t forget to circle t-shirt size (ADULT sizes!)• Required Recommendation Signatures:

o Any 2 of your teachers

o Your counselor

o Your principal

• Mark your conflictso No marks implies no conflicts