Opera announcements, again

Thank you for your character sheets! Many were very fine and all were enjoyable. The most in-depth, creative, and entertaining award goes to GREG PAYNE, who went all out. Bravo, Greg!

Note the times for the next two days: we're starting a bit later on Friday to accommodate Julia's schedule, since it's a dance rehearsal only. I'll post who/what after tomorrow's run-through. Review everything...we're two weeks and counting! Be solid.

THURSDAY
3:30-6:30 Slog through the entire show: all called. Please be there for the whole time if you can: excuse forms are provided. If your profs will let you out of your classes without penalty, please be there.

FRIDAY
3:30-6:30 Dance rehearsal only: TBA numbers and times. (NO LES TODAY)

Opera announcements

Folks, two of you left your WIDOW scores in the theatre. PLEASE be sure to take everything with you when you leave the theatre: we can't be picking up after you, and you can't rely on the possibility that your possessions will still be there next time  you come. I have Greg's and (I believe) Ella's folders. Stop in Monday morning to get them.

Monday rehearsal time is 5:30-8:30. Email me to remind me of your class conflicts: I'll plan on having full cast no earlier than 6:30.

Character sheets due next Tuesday

Folks, we started talking character early in the semester in our large group, and have continued to address questions throughout the rehearsal process. Now it's time to really commit. Everyone in the cast is required to complete this form https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nZwKcw6mAIeC-himBYknDQBwkf4DVf-rDFfMqjjKnV8/edit by midnight Tuesday. Email it to me so it has your date stamp, either with the text in the body of the email or as an attachment. Plan ahead and give it real thought: you have all weekend! This is part of your grade: no late forms will be accepted.

Facials with Joe Hardy!

Folks, Joe has offered to give $15 facials to each of you in preparation for stage makeup. He normally charges $45. Of course this is not required of you by any means, but it's a very generous offer on his part. He is available to do them during the first part of rehearsal tomorrow, when most of you aren't called (5:30-7). There will be other times offered in the future if that doesn't work for you. Please comment here if you'd like to start discussing alternate times, and I'll coordinate with him. If you're interested, please email him at josephlhardy@gmail.com. Thanks!

Voice recital Sunday at 3

Darling students, I'll be in my office by 1pm if you would like me to warm you up for the 3pm recital. Don't feel obligated to use me, but you wish, come early enough so there isn't a stampede at 2:30. Be sure you are in the building by 2:30 and at least knock on my door to let me know you are here. Notes will be emailed to all of you tomorrow morning.

Here are the guidelines we passed out yesterday, along with a few new thoughts for the recital day itself: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NOmg04fUCUQ4ET8kvGQBLomKctxG-4N4NNv2Tf-0zOc/edit

Thanks, and break a leg!

UAB SNATS health breaks

I'll lead a Yoga class this coming Wednesday 10/24 at 4:30, and the following Monday, Callie's friend will be leading a Zumba class! Bring your mats and exercise wear: we'll meet in the dance studio. For yoga, anyone is welcome to come and meditate if you need some time to just...be. Sorry for the time change: can't do this Monday after all due to opera. More later, though, I promise!

Trouble with calendar?

If you're having trouble viewing the calendar (and I don't know why it's giving some of you problems: it looks the same as always on my end), here's the schedule for the week:

TUESDAY

3:30-4 Joe Hardy gives a makeup lesson! All called: bring anything you already own (sponges/wedges, makeup base, etc. Don't buy anything new: bring what you have.)
4-4:40 finish #3: Hanna and men
4:45-5:30 block dialogue pp. 38-39 (Dan, Olga, Sylvaine, Praskowia, Cascada, St. B, Kromov, Bog, Pritsch, Zeta. We'll start at the end to be sure we get the guy's parts done.)
5:30-6:30 Cam and Valencienne block #11
5:30-6:30 dance rehearsal: Hanna and Danilo

THURSDAY

3:30-5:30 block Act II finale (Han, Dan, Cam, Val, Zeta, Njeg until 4: all called starting at 4)
5:30-6:30 block dialogue pp. 45-6 and pp. 70-1 (with duet following): Han and Dan

FRIDAY

2:30-3:30 block last scene: all called
3:30-5:30 finish anything we haven't touched including dialogue p. 35 (top: Zeta, Njeg, Han and Dan): possible dance rehearsal

Opera this week

Darlings, this week we finish blocking the opera. Remember that your off-book deadline is a week from tomorrow, October 22. That's also the first day in the theatre, and we'll start filling in any gaps with choreography, deeper character work, etc. Please know that I won't expect perfection on that first day. If, however, it's clear you have NO idea where to go and what you're supposed to be singing, and if you're still singing wrong notes, you WILL be penalized in your final grade. Check blocking now if you're confused. Fix any wrong notes. Don't miss rehearsal. Plan ahead!

And remember that I push you so that you will succeed. Love y'all madly...

Tuesday Opera Rehearsal

Folks, please check the schedule for today's call. We'll take it very easy today...little singing, mostly dialogue and "traffic" (who goes where and when). Thanks for your work last night!

Opera notes

Hi folks, thanks so much for your work today. I hope you had as much fun as I did! You're on the way to creating a lot of interest on stage, and I commend you on your energy, flexibility, and willingness to work. Keep it up!

I forgot to mention that you are all hereby allowed to have haircuts. In fact, you are encouraged to do so before Tuesday's choir concert! Our 1950s dress for the opera will work just fine with modern hair, and I'd actually like to see your haircuts within a week so no one looks freshly snipped come opening night.

Remember that rehearsal begins at 5:30 Monday night. Only Emma and Mike are excused until they get out of class: everyone else, you've indicated that time is free so you're expected to be there. We should have an hour to eat after the dress rehearsal, and if time gets tight between rehearsals, just grab a sandwich or something and I'll give you break time to eat. I'd rather start on time no matter what and give you a break, than start late and end late.

Love y'all madly!

Question of the Day

Is there anything I am doing, consciously or unconsciously, that is unwanted or unneeded?

This was the question that Jim Brody suggested we ask ourselves during our constructive rest. I confess it's a question that can and has been useful to me throughout the day, not just during my rest. Unwanted? Biting my lip when I'm stressed. Unneeded? Clenching my right thumb when I type. Unwanted? Stressing over things I can't control. Unneeded? That half a candy bar I ate last night when I was already full. The list is actually pretty long, and can extend to unhelpful thought patterns. But I can change them...both my thoughts and my actions.

Asking and answering the question can a gold mine of discovery if you can look at it that way.

Next SNATS meeting 10/17

Folks, with Fall Break and my recital travels coming up, our next meeting will be Wednesday, October 17 at 4:30. If you can look into sponsors for our T-shirts over break, that might give us a starting place for our meeting. I'll have something for our listening/viewing pleasure, but let's be sure to do some quick business too. As always, feel free to bring your lunch/dinner or let me know if you want to dip into SNATS savings for pizza. We certainly have $20 for that if you want! Spread the word.

Enjoy the fall weather...I sure am!

SNATS bake sale tomorrow

Our bake sale will be tomorrow, Tuesday October 2. Check out the Facebook event and sign up to either bake something or work the table! Thanks.