Stage Door September 2009
OKTC’S STAGEDOOR NEWSLETTER Sept., 2009
Editor: Art Fidler fidlera@rogers.com
WHAT’S THE STAGEDOOR?
I know that there are many families new to Original Kids who, right now, are puzzling through a lot of things about the Company. I send out a Stagedoor at the beginning of each month to help you keep tuned in to what’s going on in the entire Company, and to help you capture those experiences available to our members far beyond the single project they are involved in. As an integral part of Original Kids since 1992, I helped to articulate and integrate many of the values we stand for and to help design some of the patterns we go by. I feel that I can take the long view, and when I see good things happen, I can help everyone recognize them and know about them.
Often I’ll begin a Stagedoor with a short editorial in which I’ll try to use my experience to help everyone know what theatre is all about, and what values, attitudes and skills we offer to all of our young artists, no matter what their age or previous experience. Since we are a true theatre COMPANY and not just a bunch of classes for kids, we emphasize most of the values and behaviours that are followed by professional theatre people. And so, I believe that we truly offer our families a remarkable growth experience.
When I look at a young OKid, I’m trying to seen not just what the OKid is right now, but what she or he can become while in our program, just as when I look at a new script, I’m not trying to merely see what is on the pages, but also to visualize the amazing creation that it can become. We look at our OKids as young artists. We want them to learn to work selflessly with others to create something beautiful together, which they can then offer as their gift to audiences coming to our theatre seeking enrichment, reinvigoration, fun, emotional involvement- and all the gifts that live theatre exists to honour and deliver.
And so, our essential value is teamwork, or in theatre terms, THE ENSEMBLE. In an arts world where celebrity worship and the competition to be the one winner over all the other losers constantly bombard our children and us, Original Kids Theatre is a small voice in the wilderness speaking up for co-operation, doing your best for the team, giving all you’ve got, being trustworthy to others, and always trying to do and say things that will build others up, and not tear them down. We are “Original” not only because we value individuality and uniqueness, but also because our values are the values that have represented the best in the human race since it began - the ORIGIN.
So, everyone, just relax, get into the Original Kids process, form your ensembles and start to prepare the lovely gift you will all end up presenting to your wonderful audiences. It isn’t that we don’t believe in stars at OKTC. It is that we believe (in the words of Sly and the Family Stone) that “Everybody Is A Star”.
One of the great things at OKTC is that you begin already knowing that you are part of the cast of a show. When you do an audition it is not life or death. You are already in! The audition is a means by which your director can sort out “who does what” on your team. It is all about the ensemble. So take heart, and give it all you’ve got-for your team!
Finally, here’s one of my favourites. (Some of you’ve seen this one before!)
“Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
But the team with some chuckles replied,
That maybe it couldn’t, but they’d be the ones
Who wouldn’t give up till they’d tried.
So they buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On their faces-if worried, they hid it,
And started right in to tackle the thing
That couldn’t be done – AND THEY DID IT!!”
(And, so that’s what I mean when I say “Editorial”, I guess!!)
CHECK OUT THE ENTIRE SEASON!
To get a kick start on this Season, I suggest you move beyond your own show or your TAG Company, and browse the entire program we are beginning to bring to life. You can find out about all 11 shows now going into rehearsal by checking out your very own website, www.oktc.ca . You can read our illustrious history, find out about our trips, discover Original Kidlets (so that you can pass on word about it to your friends with 5, 6, 7 & 8 -year-old kids).
There is a banquet waiting for you to sample! You’re missing out by focusing only on your own production or TAG showcase. Outside your own 14 small teams is the One Big Company that you are all a part of. And there’s so much to do and to learn!
There are short, well-planned family orientations for OK’s and families during the first 15 minutes of your first Saturday or Sunday rehearsal in your own Spriet Family Theatre on the Covent Garden Mezzanine. It is in the best interests of parents to arrange to attend with their OKid.
HEADS UP! ALL TICKETS SOON GO ON SALE!
Mark Mon., Sept. 14, 11am as the exact time that all tickets for all Fall shows go on sale. Everyone seated in the Spriet is close to the stage, but I for one love to be really close, to get the full spirit of our young actors. And maybe you are like me! Anyway, our tickets are for reserved seats, so you get your choice by buying early. And it really makes sense, when buying for the show your young actor is in, that you come at least twice. The first time (like me with my granddaughters) you’ll mainly watch your own kid - your irresistible “magnet”. The second time, you’ll think, “I had no idea all that great stuff was happening on that stage!”
ORIGINAL KIDS TRIPS ARE HAPPENING!
1. WEST SIDE STORY at the Stratford Festival.
Wed. , Sept. 23.
Open to all OK’s and family members.
I’ve saved a very few tickets for this trip to this amazing production (I previewed it for us), so new Company families have a shot at it. We leave by bus in the morning and, at 11, have a workshop with professional actors who are actually in the production! (Meanwhile the family members on the trip get free time!) Then we picnic for lunch, and get ready to see one of the greatest musicals of all time at 2pm. Our tickets are excellent seats in centre balcony, a perfect place from which to watch a big musical!
There is staff supervision for the Kids.
Cost for A seating (usually about $100 or more) and bus -$50!
I’m booking until sold out. Just contact me at fidlera@rogers.com . I’ll get right back to you.
2. ANNUAL NYC BROADWAY TRIP
Mar. 11 to 18, 2010.
Eligible: All high-school-aged Original Kids.
For information, contact fidlera@rogers.com .
This will be our 9th OK trip to Broadway, and there’s already a lot of interest! Places are limited, so contact me as soon as you can, and find out all about it.
NYC INFORMATION MEETING, SAT., SEPT. 26 IN THE SPRIET THEATRE FROM 5PM – 6PM. All parents and high school OKids welcome to attend this meeting!
I’ve already begun accepting registrations.
ENROLL FOR ORIGINAL KIDLETS PROGRAMS, FALL -09, NOW!
You and your friends with little kids should go to Kidlets right away. You’ll find all you need to know about the Fall Kidlets programs. You can print out a Registration and Compliance form, and mail it in or drop it off at our office by the Spriet Theatre.
Kids and parents love this program, where the children become “ Little Stars In A Big Sky”.
KIDBITS - AND - PIECES
1. We are collecting those cardboard boxes with lids that paper is packaged in to use in our extensive theatre costumes and properties storage facility. If you have some, just bring them to rehearsal and leave them in the OK Office or on the shelves backstage.
2. We always have professional theatre headshots done of all Original Kids & OK Staff for our display advertising. This year we will be doing new headshots of EVERY OK Main Company member and all OK Staff and Show Staff as well, you’ll be happy to know! For many of our members this is very exciting because this is their first actor’s headshot. The dates for headshots are as follows: Saturday, Sept. 19 from 11am to 4pm & Sunday, Sept. 20 from 1pm to 6pm. Pick your favourite time and be at the Spriet Theatre. It could take up to 30 minutes, but it is important that we have everyone’s NEW headshot. Please arrange your time to do this either before or (better) after your OKid’s rehearsal so you don’t interfere with precious rehearsal time.
LOOK SHARP!!!
3. I rely on my readers to keep me informed of the outside accomplishments of our Company members. When I get good news, I print it here. So let me know when someone gets a part in a school play, wins student office, or any worthwhile accomplishment.
4. Several OK’s past & present are in the High School Project, Grease, at the Grand Theatre. We’ll be looking forward to seeing Aaron Schaefer, Alison Aspinall, Cassandra Hodgins, Charlie Anderson, Erika Schramowsky, Imogen Wasse, Jacob Simon, AJ Macdonald, Jordan Spradbrow, Maya Findlay, Rebecca Hall, Spencer Vass, & Jeff Lupker representing our Company on the Grand stage, and demonstrating all the skills and values we theatre people care about. Grease has a long history at OKTC. We’ve done it twice in the Main Company and twice at Summer Camp.
5. When you park under the Market, even just to deliver your OKid to rehearsal, remember to bring your parking ticket up to OK with you and validate in the little blue machine outside the Spriet Theatre. Thus, you will avoid charges for short stays.
6. During the first 2 weeks of rehearsals, every OKid will be given a copy of our Family Orientation Package. It is important that you get that in your hands and read it through. It will not only familiarize you or refresh you with how we operate, but also give you the wider context regarding why we operate this way. It will help you understand our values and the nature of theatre and its demands and guidelines. When we bring any young person into our Company, the reality is that we are accepting an entire family, and we try to act on that truth.
7. And when you have questions, please just ask - art@oktc.ca . I’ll be glad to help at my email address, and Georgina can answer pretty well anything you might need to know - georgina@oktc.ca . (And one thing you all need to know is Georgina!)
8. So now, on with the show!
