Stage Door
October 2010
OKTC STAGEDOOR. OCTOBER, 2010
20TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON OPENS THIS MONTH!
Here’s what the actors in the shows are saying about them! And there is no better advertising for a youth show that clear evidence of the enthusiasm of the actors in it!
Teenage Night of Living Horror –the Season Opener on Oct. 21
“It’s terrifying and funny all in one” Maddie Seale
“You’ll scream, laugh and even pee your pants!” Sarah Ashby
“They live! They strike! No grave can hold them!!” Nick D’Ascanio
“...sure to have you horrified and laughing your butt off.” Essah Saeidi
“...abandoned farmhouse and Halloween high-school kids-the perfect recipe for horror!” Emma Ashby
“It’s Frankenstein Meets Dawn of the Dead Meets Scooby Doo! Fantastic!” Sarah Poulter
“Puts the ‘Fright’ in ‘Frightening’!” Ashley McIntyre
So how can you resist! And teens, don’t miss the special Halloween Late Show at 10pm on Sat., Oct. 30. SCARY!!!
Meet The Creeps: Opening Oct. 22.
“Meet the Creeps is a very funny show that will ‘creep up’ your Halloween! Erin Hall
“The Creeps are different from the average Canadian family! Despite their evil neighbour, will they keep their house in Edible Falls? Will they win the street contest?” Dimi Strathopolous
“The Creeps mansion will change your life!” Aidan & Liam Attema
“See our spectacular, breathtaking show with all the wonderful characters, similar to the Addams Family, presented by amazing young actors with tons of experience on stage! Our fantastic director is Anne Marie Caicco. Join us on this exciting adventure to discover the evil plans of Flora Limetree!” Giulia Gigante
I can’t wait to see clever, energy-packed young actors like this right here on our Spriet stage! How about you?
The Headless Horseman: Opening Oct. 23
“ The audience will love this fun, riveting show!” David Carlson
“Well written songs, a great cast and a really funny show!” Daniel Oliver
“What a great script!” Addison Johnson
“Good cast! Good music! Fun show!” Jacob Mallett
“A killer musical!” Nikki Vichols
So... let’s be there for all these “Headless” (but obviously NOT Brainless) actors!
DIARY PAGES FOUND IN A BOTTLE WASHED UP ON THE BEACH
September 1: Today, I said goodbye to Daddy and Mommy. Thet are sending me away to be safe from the new war and the bombs. I don’t want to go. We are flying south and the plane is full of kids like me and some adults...Something just went wrong. Something wrong with the pla...
September 2: We crashed on an island but we’re safe. It’s hot. There’s just us kids. We have to organize. Get things done.
October (I think): We cry ourselves to sleep. Someone please save us...
??: There is a beastie! We have to kill it!
??: DON’T COME HERE!
Jack says I mustn’t write anymore...
SEE THE LORD OF THE FLIES. FRI. NOV. 5 TO SUNDAY, NOV. 7.
ART’S EDITORIAL
A simple checklist of good OK things to do!
Actors:
1. Learn your lines, songs, dances and moves.
2. Stand tough and never miss rehearsal.
3. Talk positively about your show and sell it!
4. TAGs: take advantage of all your learning opportunities.
5. Get tickets to other OK shows.
Families:
1. Take a close look at the Subscription Package, and go for it.
2. Pat yourselves on the backs for the prompt and efficient chauffeur service you graciously provide to our actors.
3. Support us in getting everyone to buy into our ideals. Teamwork, mutual support, dedication, self-expression, courage, hanging tough, positive thinking.
4. Support, encourage and help the Volunteers who work at OK, many of whom are already at work on costumes, properties and makeup.
Staff:
1. Give and expect the best at every rehearsal and workshop.
2. Inspire your actors with a vision of what their shows and companies can be and give all the help you can to help the OKids to climb the ladder toward this vision.
All of us:
AS THEATRE PEOPLE WE ARE ALL INVOLVED IN ART, AND ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SAYINGS HAS ALWAYS BEEN, “Without self-sacrifice, there is no art.”
So give of yourselves for the benefit of all at OKTC. The pay-off will be worth it... and more.
THINKING OVER THE SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE
Right now, you can choose any 5 shows from a total of 10. When the November Stagedoor comes out, that will narrow down to a choice of 5 out of 7. So it makes sense to figure it all out now. And as you can see, the offer represents substantial savings, while at the same time, strong support to the Company. NOTICE: Single ticket adult price: $16. Subscription price: $10. Single ticket youth price: $11. Subscription price: $5.
Assuming that 1 of your choices would be the production your own OK is in, you could take one of several approaches:
- 4 shows that are being revised as popular hits from our 20 year history: Choose from Teenage Night of Living Horror, Stuart Little, Aladdin, Annie, Annie Warbucks
- 4 of our shows with Senior OK’s comprising at least part of the cast: Choose from Teenage Night of Living Horror, Nine, Lies & Legends, Lord of the Flies, Annie Warbucks, Annie.
- 4 of our shows to bring the little kids and whole family to: Choose from Meet The Creeps, The Headless Horseman, Stuart Little, Aladdin, Annie, Annie Warbucks.
- 4 Musicals: Choose from The Headless Horseman, Stuart Little, Aladdin, Lies & Legends, Nine, Annie, Annie Warbucks.
- 3 plays + a wild card: Meet the Creeps, Lord of the Flies, Teenage Night of Living Horror and ??.
- Or, of course your own unique, eclectic combo.
We’re doing the world premiere of the co-production of Annie & Annie Warbucks, which tells the entire Annie story. Most of you know (what you thought was) the happy ending of Annie, but not many know that there are villains still lurking to threaten the happiness of Annie, Oliver Warbucks and Grace! You will love finding all of that out in the delightful Annie Warbucks. So the cool idea is to see them both, Annie first, and then Annie Warbucks.
I’m such a fan of Annie Warbucks anyway. In January 1996, I retired from teaching drama at Oakridge and began as Artistic Director on OKTC. The first big project that I chose to direct was Annie Warbucks.
We chose a huge cast and presented it at Talbot Theatre at UWO. With 10 performances in a 330 seat theatre, we sold out in advance. Jessica Dawson played Annie. Some of you know the grown-up Jess as one of our Camp OK leaders up to this summer. Oliver Warbucks was played by Kyle Blair who has since enjoyed a fine career with the Stratford Festival and the Shaw Festival where he is a headliner this summer. Our production of Annie Jr., somewhat later, had Meaghan Furlonger as Annie. Many of you know and love her from Camp OK, for many summers past.
A FUN BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEA!
This season, we’ve begun booking group tickets for our shows for Birthday Party groups. The hot performances for this are Saturday and Sunday matinees. If you are interested in group tickets for your OKid’s birthday party, I’ll look after booking them for you at an attractive discount, equivalent to the price of the Subscription package individual ticket price. art@oktc.ca
Thanks to OK Mom Carrie Solomon for this excellent idea!
20TH ANNIVERSARY MOTTO CONTEST
We need a catchy motto to represent OKTC on its 20th Anniversary. I’m challenging all our OKids, families and staff to use their brains and imagination to come up with a good one. As soon as you do, email it to me (art@oktc.ca). I’ll list all that I receive in the November Stagedoor, and then you can vote on them to choose the one you think is the best one of all. It will then become part of our advertising and promotions package for this 20th Season.
Actually, this would become our 3rd motto. Here are the other 2:
1. IT NEVER STOPS AT ORIGINAL KIDS.
2. ONCE AN ORIGINAL KID, ALWAYS AN ORIGINAL KID.
3. ?? Up to all of you!
SPECIAL AUDITIONS UPCOMING!
Both Annie and Annie Warbucks will need canine actors to portray the crucial role of Sandy - Annie’s beloved doggie pal. Sandy appears in each of these musicals, briefly but very significantly. Here are the requirements:
- Must be “sandy” colour to match the name.
- Well trained and able to learn and follow simple visual commands.
- Placid and quiet.
- Available for some rehearsals and all performances of the show.
- Used to resting quietly in a pen likely owned by the dog’s family.
- Should have celebrity doggie dreams.
- Must NOT be a human OKid cleverly disguised in a doggie suit!
We’ll send full details of the auditions as we arrange them. Meanwhile, email art@oktc.ca to get your furry star-in-waiting on the Sandy wanna-be list.
OKNY 2011
Things are on the move already for our 11th week-long March Break trip to Broadway. The Information meeting happened on Sept. 26, and registrations are rolling in. Deposits have been made to both the Cherrey Bus Lines and to the Hotel Edison at Broadway and 47th St. in Manhattan. If you are a high-school-aged OK, and want to know more about this, art@oktc.ca .
SOME SHOW POSTERS NOW AVAILABLE
As our shows get near, we supply professionally designed posters to all the actors in each show. Each poster has a value of at least $1.50, and so it is important to us that they get seen. Our deal is this: families get to keep one souvenir poster on the understanding that they will put up 1, 2, or 3 more in good places – school, church, business, favourite shop, supermarket, etc. When you approach people, remember that OK is a charitable not-for-profit organization. My experience is that if a poster stays in your back seat for 2 days, it will stay there until you throw it out. So the thing to do is to get them up- and fast!
OKS IN THE COMMUNITY
Our hearty congratulations go out to OK Cassandra Hodgins who has just won the Western Fair Youth Talent Contest in which there were 150 contestants. Cassandra won by singing the Burt Bacharach song, “A House is a Home”. In November, Cassandra will travel to Calgary to compete in the Canadian National Youth Talent event.
Congratulations to OKs Stephanie Wojtowicz, Emma Dunlop and Julie Beaumaster who also competed very honourably.
Every one of the actors in the Grand’s High School Project is shining it on in a very big way in this highly enjoyable musical, but my eyes slid time and again to our terrific OK representatives (whom I mentioned in the Sept. Stagedoor).
