Memorization Tips

This year is a little bit different than years past because our show has a lot more dialogue in it than usual. The task of memorizing lines might seem scary, but with practice, it becomes very easy! It's like memorizing lyrics to your favorite songs... after a while, it's like second nature! Here are some line memorization tips for you all:

(via Thwaites Theatre Photos @ flickr's creative commons)

1. Read through a set number of lines (maybe 5 lines, or one page at a time) 3 times.
2. Take the lines apart. Know what your character is saying. Once it makes more sense to you, it will come more naturally.
3. For long speeches, start by memorizing the first sentence. Recite the first sentence from memory, and then add the second. Recite the first two sentences from memory, then add the third, and so on.
4. Group the words and thoughts into things you can remember... for example, Peter's line on pg. 31: Wendy, this is a very important rock. It is called Marooner's Rock. When a sailor has done something really dreadful, the captain will bring him to this rock, tie him to this stake and leave him to be marooned.

You might take a look at the word "rock." Notice that it is in every sentence:

• Wendy, this is a very important rock. It is called Marooner's Rock. When a sailor has done something really dreadful, the captain will bring him to this rock, tie him to this stake and leave him to be marooned.

The first two sentences are short and sweet -- easy to remember. For the last sentence, you might try to remember that Marooner's Rock will play a part... "the captain will bring him to this rock ... leave him to be marooned." And you can remember the Sailor will be tied to the Stake.

• Wendy, this is a very important rock. It is called Marooner's Rock. When a sailor has done something really dreadful, the captain will bring him to this rock, tie him to this stake and leave him to be marooned.

Hope this helps. Happy memorizing!

December News

Thank you all for such a great music rehearsal yesterday. We definitely accomplished a lot, but we still have a lot more to go! Thanks for your patience as we learn the music. To make the process go faster, you can acquaint yourself with the music files I've posted here or, as I joked yesterday, get the CD from iTunes (but seriously... you can buy the CD on iTunes).

(via heatherknitz @ flickr's creative commons)

A few notes before you fly away for winter vacation...


Academics
As we explained to the students at both rehearsals, the musical is treated just like a sports team in that the participants' grades are monitored, making sure that students who take on extracurricular activities are still putting academics first. That being said, each week, we receive a list of students who are to be put on academic probation. Starting January 4th (our first rehearsal after break), the students on that list will not be able to attend rehearsal that week, unless they improve their grades.

What constitutes being on academic probation? 

1. A student has a failing grade in any of their classes
2. A student has NI or U as their qualities of a learner grade in more than two classes

Students and parents should be able to check academic standing on Skyward. The list we receive comes out on Friday. Parents: what is the best way to keep you abreast of your student's academic standing? Please leave a comment here letting us know how we can best work together on this issue.

IMPORTANT: Peter Pan Homework

- Mr. Darling, Mrs. Darling, Michael, John, Liza: have dialogue from pages 1-21 memorized

- Wendy, Peter: have dialogue from pages 1-14 memorized and move on if you can!

- Lost Boys: have dialogue from pages 21-35 memorized, familiarize yourself with Wendy's Song

- Pirates: have dialogue from pages 21-35 memorized, familiarize yourself with Rich Damp Cake

- Everyone: have the lyrics to Come Away and The Darlings memorized

A Little Fun
In case you need a tongue twister to play with at a holiday party or on New Year's Eve, here is the "Yolanda" tongue twister that is part of your acting warm-up:

Yolanda was yearning to yodel

She yaya ya-ya-ya yaya a lot

And lady oh-lay as often as not

Yada oh lady, oh lady, oh-lay

Yolanda would yodel all night & all day!

Thanks for your hard work, and keep it up! Have a wonderful winter break, and see you next year,
Ms. Hrap & Ms. Neville

First rehearsal? Check!

Thank you to our wonderful cast for such a successful first rehearsal! We let you know our expectations, and are excited that you are all willing to rise to the occasion. Our production is going to be amazing, so it's time to get crackin'!

Below is a list of the first three songs we will be learning at upcoming rehearsals. Please click the links to download the songs and take a listen so you can familiarize yourself with them. If you'd like to familiarize yourself with the music by purchasing the CD (which you don't have to), it is available on iTunes (Peter Pan the British Musical, release date: 11/16/09). We realize that not many of you are familiar with the show and we just wanted to give you some options to get to know the music if you choose to do so.

• Peter
• The Darlings
• Come Away
• EDIT (1/12): Comment below if you need us to re-upload the songs so you can download them.

That being said, our first few rehearsals will be devoted solely to learning music, which means that there will be a lot of sitting in the choral room with your scripts (and PENCILS!). But don't worry, we'll be up and moving before you know it! We will start doing some dancing and staging in January.

REMINDERS/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• For those who committed to the bake sale, items should be brought to the musical's table before the choral concert on 12/16, when parents drop off students at the choral concert at the high school at 7PM.
• Principals, please be sure to read through the rest of script to get to know your characters!

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, and thanks for a great first rehearsal!
Ms. Hrap & Ms. Neville

REMINDER!

Can't believe it's already that time! Our first rehearsal is tomorrow after school.

When: Tomorrow, December 14th, 2:30 - 4:30
Where: GVMS choral room
What: Peter Pan introductions & read-through

See you then!
Ms. Hrap & Ms. Neville

P.S. Bring a pencil!! And a snack if you like :)

Only a few more days...

... until rehearsals begin! We are so excited!

We sent out an email to all the cast members' families detailing the rehearsal schedule and verifying email addresses. Below is the rehearsal schedule. If any changes are made throughout the course of rehearsals, we will be sure to let you know at rehearsals. The Monday night rehearsals that are "lead rehearsals" will be for working with smaller groups. We will let students know on a week-by-week basis who we need at those rehearsals. The ensemble will not need to be available for "lead rehearsals."

Peter Pan Rehearsal Schedule

Date	Time	Place	Other Notes
Tuesday, 12/14	2:30-4:30	GVMS
Tuesday, 12/21	2:30-4:30	GVMS
Tuesday, 1/4	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Thursday, 1/6	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Saturday, 1/8	9-12	GVMS	Parent meeting, 9AM
Monday, 1/10	6:30-8:30	GVMS	The Darlings (inc. Nana & Liza), Peter Pan, Tinkerbell
Tuesday, 1/11	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Wednesday, 1/12	2:30-4:45	GVMS	In lieu of Saturday rehearsal
Thursday, 1/13	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Tuesday, 1/18	2:30-4:45	GVMS	CANCELED NO REHEARSAL
Wednesday, 1/19	6:30-8:30	GVMS	All pirates
Thursday, 1/20	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Saturday, 1/22	9-3PM	GVMS	EXTENDED
Monday, 1/24	6:30-8:30	GVMS	Lost Boys, Peter, Tink, Wendy, John, Michael
Tuesday, 1/25	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Thursday, 1/27	2:30-4:45	GVMS	SNOWED OUT/CANCELED
Saturday, 1/29	9-3PM	GVMS
Monday, 1/31	6:30-8:30	GVMS	Lead rehearsal, specifics TBA
Tuesday, 2/1	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Thursday, 2/3	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Saturday, 2/5	9-3PM	GVMS
Monday, 2/7	6:30-8:30	GVMS	Lead rehearsal, specifics TBA
Tuesday, 2/8	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Thursday, 2/10	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Friday, 2/11 - MOVING DAY, Parent volunteers move set to GWES
Saturday, 2/12	9-3PM	GWES	Pizza party!
Monday, 2/14	6:30-8:30	GVMS	Lead rehearsal, specifics TBA
Tuesday, 2/15	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Wednesday, 2/16	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Thursday, 2/17	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Saturday, 2/19	9-3PM	GVMS	Bring lunch, ice cream provided!
Tuesday, 2/22	2:30-4:45	GVMS
Wednesday, 2/23	6:30-8:30	GWES
Thursday, 2/24	6:30-8:30	GWES
Friday, 2/25	6:30-9PM	GWES	Sound check
Saturday, 2/26	9-3PM	GWES	Bring lunch, dress rehearsals begin
Monday, 2/28	6:30-9PM	GWES	Dress rehearsal
Tuesday, 3/1	6:30-9PM	GWES	Dress rehearsal
Thursday, 3/3	Performance @ 7:30	GWES	Cast call: 6PM
Friday, 3/4	Performance @ 7:30	GWES	Cast call: 6PM
Saturday, 3/5	Performances @ 2PM, 7:30	GWES	Cast calls: 12PM, 6PM, cast party 9:30-11PM

Can't wait to see you all,
Ms. Hrap & Ms. Neville