Stage Door
OKTC STAGEDOOR. OCTOBER, 2011
Editor: art@oktc.ca
Bulletin just in!
Jennifer Meister has announced the first meeting of the Sounds of Love Gala II planning committee for Friday, Oct. 7, 7pm. Everyone interested in helping in any way is welcome to meet then at the Spriet Family Theatre. More info? Email Jennifer@meister.ca .
We’re delighted to welcome a guest columnist this month.
Paula Shuck, a professional journalist and blogger, is a 3 year Original Mom and Volunteer. She recalls her own period of adjustment and search for understanding upon coming into OKTC with her daughter. She hopes this article will help new families and re-invigorate the veterans. Cheers to you, Paula!
BECOMING AN OKTC FAMILY
By Paula Schuck
So your son or daughter has just been chosen to join the main cast of one of the most dynamic youth theatre groups in Canada! Congratulations. You must be proud. It is an incredibly exciting time for you and your child, regardless of age, gender or grade at school. This is just the start for your little Drama Queen or King. And for you too.
This year marks my third season as an Original Kids Theatre Company Mom. My daughter Payton was asked to join after she did OKTC summer camp. It was thrilling when she got the letter in the mail asking her to join the cast. We’d heard of OKTC of course. We knew the little snippets of information, the highlights that made the newspaper every time some hometown celebrity like Rachel McAdams made the news and was referred to as a former Original Kid. But what we did not know could fill a book. It was a steep learning curve.
Luckily I am going to give you a few pointers – parent to parent.
- Attendance is not optional. (That first season we really thought this a general guideline. But it really is true. If your children miss rehearsal they can miss big chunks of choreography or lines. That slows the whole production down. That the show must go on is a truism. We missed a couple of rehearsals for the production that year. We had a funeral and a camp outside town. We were metaphorically called into the principal’s office over it. In retrospect it was the pep talk we needed.)
- There really are no small parts. (When my daughter was cast in her first play we read all of the materials given and were familiar with the story of Velveteen Rabbit. It was her first season and she had just turned eight. Nonetheless she was sure she wanted the lead role of the Rabbit or the Child. Naturally she was instead cast as a baby bunny. There were tears and so forth. But after a couple of seasons here, we know the beauty of OKTC is that it really is an ensemble. In fact I would go so far as to say that if you show up with the attitude that you will be the star of every show, you will not last long.)
- It will be hard work. It will also be rewarding beyond anything else imaginable. (Through snow and sleet and storms that shut the core down, you will drive to rehearsal. Your child may miss some birthday parties, meet the teacher night and maybe even March break. The end product will be worth the sacrifice.)
- You get what you give. If you were thinking you could just show up and drive the kids back and forth to rehearsals well you’d be right. But you would also be missing out on a lot. I did my first turn as props lady recently. (And although I was in way over my head, well, it was enjoyable and the production was the best ever junior musical I have seen. There are many ways to get involved. This goes for you too, Dads: perhaps you can help with props, or sets.)
- Get your tickets early. Nothing is worse than missing your child’s show.
- Opening night is amazing and closing night is emotional. (Which brings me to number seven) Cast mates will form a family and they will miss each other when the run is done.
- There will be tears. (That first audition we brought Payton to the market not knowing what to expect. She was eight. Inside the rehearsal hall another child her age was crying. There were some teens inside and young adults giggling, breaking into spontaneous dance and song and hugging each other. We know that now as the OKTC greeting. Those glorious shrieks of joy when Original Kids discovers they are in a play with a friend they haven’t seen for two seasons. It is charming and hopeful.)
In the end your child will find a tremendous sense of community here. Hopefully you will too.
Paula Schuck is proud to be an OKTC Mom. When she is not driving her daughter Payton back and forth to Original Kids rehearsals, she runs thriftymommedia, a freelance writing and social media marketing business. She can be found on line blogging at http://www.thriftymommastips.com/ talking books at thriftymommasbrainfood and tweeting @inkscrblr.
HILARIOUS HALLOWEEN HORRORS WAITNG IN THE WINGS!
These is no better way to begin a theatre company season than to actually come to the theatre and see a show-or, in typical OKTC fashion, to see 3 shows! We’ve got those 3 in rehearsal right now, and getting ready for their Oct. 21 to 30 run.
All of the classic horror characters come together in one spooky castle in the Halloween Hijinks of I’M SORRY, THE BRIDGE IS OUT; YOU’LL HAVE TO SPEND THE NIGHT!
Students from two rival high schools (and a ghostly presence) collide in the same eerie mansion in THE BEST HAUNTED HOUSE EVER!
Two Great Detectives combine their sleuthing to uncover the arch-murderer in a mansion filled with odd, suspicious celebrities- and a deadly cobra! in THE CURSE OF THE COBRA’S KISS!
All 3 are chosen to provide Halloween fun for ALL AGES!
A special SHOUT-OUT to TAG Families: Get your OKids to some of our shows right at the beginning. They’ll feel more part of the Company; they’ll see how the things they are learning in their workshops are being used to create our shows; they’ll have a great time- the OKTC WAY! By supporting their own Theatre Company!
To get tickets, go to www.oktc.ca and follow the links to the Grand Theatre booking site, or call 519-672-8800. Sometimes there could be tickets available for a performance 30 minutes before curtain, if you have a last minute impulse.
OR BETTER- AND $$ MONEY-$AVING $$ – GET A $UB$CRIPTION!
You just can’t beat our deals for 5 and 10 production Subscription Packages! No live entertainment deal in London can come close to matching it! Go to www.oktc.ca, print the form, fill it in, and bring it with payment to our office or mail to the address supplied.
A TRIBUTE TO JOE DONALDSON
It is a truth well known to everyone in theatre, that for every actor basking in the spotlight, there are several loyal, helpful workers toiling in obscurity behind the scenes. And from time to time, we all need to look that truth in its human face. Since the 1990’s one of those people at OKTC has been Joe Donaldson. Doesn’t ring a bell? So read on.
Joe, as with many of you, began as an OK parent (Tyler Donaldson), but early on, showed his eagerness to give more. While we were still in Museum London, Joe collaborated with fellow OK parent, Keith Bull, to construct an entire theatre for us in the Museum basement, and in their honour, we named it the Bull-Donaldson Theatre.
Joe has been here ever since, and in his retirement from an educational career specializing in physical education and dance, Joe has stuck with us in his thoughtful, kind, trustworthy way. He has been the person entrusted with all the maintenance and upkeep at our facility, and we always knew that when something came up, like, say, a loose row of seats, Joe would be right there to fix it. Joe’s love of kids and of OK specifically, is a true, quiet, steady, unwavering one, and that love always showed in his happy attention to so many little details.
Early this summer, Joe underwent a rather serious spine operation, and he is in recuperation from it now. We hope that he will be able to return to duty, but you never know with these things, do you?
So, Joe, it is time to tell you publically that you are a true gentleman, and we all owe you a great debt for being one of our best- willing to do whatever you can for us, with no thought of praise or glory. You’ve done OKTC, your lovely wife Marion, your family-and yourself-proud! You and people like you, so easily overlooked, are the private flowers that make out lives more beautiful.
SPONSORSHIP BONANZA FROM THE JACK & BARBARA HAY FOUNDATION!
Leigh Folliott, our OK Business Manager, has announced that our OK gratitude goes out to London’s Jack & Barbara Hay Foundation which has provided a special grant of $3,000 for equipment to enhance our artistic vision. This means that we can finally purchase a real piano! (We can already hear the cheering from our Music Directors!!) Look for the piano to appear soon in the Rehearsal Hall, and for a commemorative plaque to the Hay Foundation for this generous gift! PLAY ON!
OKTC NYC 12 SOLD OUT!
STRATFORD TRIP TO JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR SOLD OUT!
I’ve begun a waiting list for the NYC Trip, in case there’s a blip for anyone already signed up. But I’d need to know as soon as possible.
The Oct. 12 Stratford Trip has a Waiting List too, so if anyone on it has a problem with these arrangements, let me know now, and I’ll try to sell your spots.
Wed., Oct. 12. Stratford Festival for Jesus Christ Superstar
1215pm: Board bus at JLC Talbot St.
2pm: Performance at Avon Theatre.
410pm: Board bus for return.
510pm: Arrive JLC Talbot St.
NOTES:
1.Those who are driving rather than taking the bus-NOTE that the destination is the Avon Theatre in the city centre by the Stratford City Hall, and NOT the Festival Theatre along the river. Meet me at the theatre to get your tickets.
2. Dress: casual.
3. As I emailed you earlier, I’ll be collecting $10 per person on the bus (or at the theatre), as costs are up somewhat this year. Still an amazing deal! Please bring exact amount. Tickets will be distributed on the bus.
4. It is worth your time to go on the internet with your OKId and research this musical. The more theatre kids know about what they will see, the richer their experience. Jus the concept of JCS beginning as a rock album rather than a traditional musical will get you in tune with the rock concert ambience of the production. Also go to You Tube. (If you are unfamiliar with it, your OKid will help you!) There you will find a wealth of videos, including several posted by the Festival, including interviews with the actors and staff. Very enriching for all! Some knowledge of the actual story in the New Testament will help too. JCS tells the story from Jesus’ triumphant parade into Jerusalem to his trial and crucifixion. It is a big help is you know who the main players are in advance.
When I was preparing to direct JCS, I went right to reading the New Testament. My eyes were opened as to how closely JCS is drawn from it.
OK’S SOUNDS OF LOVE GALA II! PLAN EARLY
This special fund-raiser isn’t until February, but sales begin Nov. 1, and it is always pleasant to have a great evening in the winter to look forward to!
As Nov. 1 approaches, look for all information on the event to be posted on www.oktc.ca . And buy in while there are lots of openings!
Great cause. Great evening.
OK! Now get those Halloween shows ready to rumble! And get your tickets to start OKTC 2011-12 with a BANG- and a Halloween SHRIEK!!!
