MS Rehearsal Schedule and LS Reminders!

 

WE WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY CHANUKAH, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

THERE IS ONE LAST POST BEFORE THE WINTER BREAK!

Middle School Cast Members, your MS rehearsal schedule for January 3rd through February 14th, 2024, has been posted under the MS schedule tab at the top of the blog and the Schedules tab to the right of this post. 

You may also access the schedule HERE. 

Please refer to the scene-by-scene character breakdown chart to know in which scenes your character appears and what rehearsals you need to attend. 

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS BLOG POSTS TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE CAUGHT UP ON ALL IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

Here are quick reference links to the most recent LS info below:

LOWER SCHOOL CAST REHEARSAL SCHEDULE HAS BEEN RELEASED!

Please fill out and submit a costume form by the date listed below. 
Lower School Cast Costume Sizing Form 
(due by Monday, January 8th, 2024)

Lastly, if you have not done so, please join our LS Remind group and/or our MS Remind group.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE ANY AND ALL POSTS AS EMAILS WITHOUT HAVING TO CHECK THE BLOG DAILY, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW POSTS BY EMAIL LOCATED ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE BLOG.

LOWER SCHOOL SCHEDULE & COSTUME SIZING FORM ARE RELEASED

 

THE LOWER SCHOOL CAST REHEARSAL SCHEDULE IS  LINKED BELOW IN TWO DIFFERENT VISUAL  FORMATS:

LS Rehearsal Schedule organized by grade level

LS Rehearsal Schedule January - March 2024

The schedule is also located under the LS Schedules tab to the right of this blog post and under the LS Schedule tab at the top of the blog.

PLEASE NOTE THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE FROM THE INFORMATION PACKET ON THE 1/4 and 1/11 rehearsals- we needed to flip-flop the M-2 and 3-5 grade levels.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause for those who have already marked this on their calendars! 

• Rehearsal is in the LS Theatre right after school. Students will be dismissed from their end-of-day classrooms directly to the theatre.
• Students will be dismissed through the normal carpool line at 4:30pm.
• Students should pack a snack and water to drink. They will eat their snack and drink from 3:20 to 3:30 pm. Rehearsal is from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. 
• All LS  participants will receive their scripts at the first rehearsal! For those students who were absent from the first rehearsal, we will deliver your script to your homeroom teacher. 

LOWER SCHOOL

Thursday, January 4th 

Mechina- 2nd grade rehearsal

3:20 to 4:30 pm 

Thursday, January 11th 

3rd- 5th grade rehearsal

3:20 to 4:30 pm 

Please fill out and submit a costume form by the date listed below. 
Lower School Cast Costume Sizing Form 
(due by Monday, January 8th, 2024)

We wish all of our lower school families a very Happy Chanukah! 

REMINDER LS REHEARSALS START TODAY!

Dear Lower School Aladdin Jr. Families,

We hope this message finds you in high spirits and ready for the magical musical journey that awaits us with Aladdin Jr! We are thrilled to have your child as part of the Lower School cast and 5th-grade crew, and we look forward to creating unforgettable memories together.

As we kick off our rehearsals, please take note of the following important reminder details for the ALL-LOWER SCHOOL REHEARSAL, which were in the information/registration packet, posted on the LS schedule section of the blog, and emailed to all registrants prior to this post. 

Date: Thursday, November 30th

Time: 3:20 PM - 4:30 PM

Location: Lower School Theatre

Dismissal:

• Rehearsal will begin promptly at 3:20 PM in the Lower School Theatre.
• Students will be dismissed directly from their end-of-day classrooms to the theatre.
• Carpool dismissal will take place at 4:30 PM at the regular carpool line. 

Snack and Hydration:

• Students should bring a snack and water to the rehearsal.
• Snack and hydration time will be from 3:20 PM to 3:30 PM.
• Rehearsal will commence at 3:30 PM and conclude at 4:30 PM.

Scripts Distribution:

• All Lower School participants will receive their scripts at the first rehearsal.

We understand the importance of clear communication and want to ensure that everyone is well-prepared and informed. Please join our LS Remind group, follow our show blog, and mark these details on your calendars. If your child is a 5th-grade tech pioneer serving on the crew, please bookmark our crew page for all updates, schedules, and FAQs.  Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!

The full Lower School rehearsal schedule will be released next week now that registration has closed and we know our numbers for each grade level.

Thank you for your commitment and enthusiasm as we embark on this magical musical carpet ride with Aladdin Jr. 

We look forward to a fantastic journey ahead!

MS CAST & CREW Happy Chanukah Secret Genie/Wish Likes FORM!

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAST 

& 

CREW 

PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW BY 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1st at 4 pm 

Happy Chanukah Secret Genie/Wish Likes! 

More info to come on for our party next Tuesday! 

MS CAST LIST- Bravo to all!

   CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!!

Thank you for your patience in releasing the cast list for Aladdin, Jr. We share in your excitement!

Thank you also to our audition panel members for donating their time and professional expertise. They have worked tirelessly throughout auditions and callbacks and worked to expedite the cast list.

Our audition adjudication panel has finished reviewing the copious amount of notes from the three auditions, callbacks filled days, and each actor’s individual audition forms in which any scheduling conflicts and special skills were noted. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding of the thoroughness and time that goes into creating the cast lists and the integrity and thoughtfulness with which the panel makes decisions to place everyone where they will shine best for the most wonderful experience and show.

Aladdin Jr. is a vibrant iconic movie and Broadway musical (which is very different from both movie versions) and whose heart relies upon the strength of the ensemble to breathe life into Agrabah!

Every cast member is CONSTANTLY moving in and out of numbers.  This music has incredible harmonies to learn and solo lines for all,  HILARIOUS and HEARTFELT scenes, the  HIGHEST Energy dancing we have attempted yet, and more.  Quite possibly the MOST FUN and COLORFUL show of any show we have ever produced. We need every voice, every actor, every dancer, and every performer to keep this musical moving literally and figuratively!


PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY:

You will definitely enjoy the incredible music, choreography, comedy, and a great story!

THERE ARE FEATURED ROLES,  FEATURED ENSEMBLES, DANCERS, SOLOISTS & UNDERSTUDIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN CAST, AS WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THESE ROLES YET. Your work ethic, openness to taking direction, and ability to "BE" these characters and show us through your movement and voice. THESE WILL BE CAST DURING REHEARSALS! Including Abu - we will discuss what Abu's role is in our show during our first rehearsal tomorrow. 


PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING NOTES THOROUGHLY! 

• BE AWARE THAT ALL ACTORS HAVE MORE THAN ONE RESPONSIBILITY IN THE SHOWS!!!! The cast will be placed into show dates over the next 8 weeks of rehearsal.
• UNDERSTUDIES ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT and may be cast for certain roles during the first month of rehearsals.
• Please remember that several acting, singing, and dancing roles will be cast during the first weeks of rehearsals.  Some roles, extra lines, featured solos, ensembles, featured solo singing or acting lines, dances, tumbling, and extra roles will be assigned during REHEARSALS—it really pays to be at rehearsals working hard and showing off your hard work and commitment! 
• Understudies must memorize lines and be at all rehearsals for the part they are “understudy” -ing! You may be called upon to go on for actors during dress rehearsals and for the performances...it has happened every year!! 
• We will be moving fast—so please treat rehearsal time seriously, and learn your music and lines as soon as possible.
• You ALL will be busy when your part is called for rehearsal; the show moves fast—and will be so much fun! Study hall quiet rooms are available if you want to do homework during rehearsals. 
• Please trust that you will learn more about your part at rehearsals, and DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE IT!—We have cast it to allow everyone to have substantial stage time in which to shine. There is more than what meets the eye on the page of the script books!
• THE CAST LIST LINK IS LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST.
• We ask that everyone feeling all of the emotions that come with auditioning and casting please read the How to Handle Disappointment letter 
• Please note that the cast list is alphabetically listed by role, not by show time/day! Thank you!!
• The FIRST MS rehearsal is tomorrow from 3:45  to 5:15 pm for ALL MS CAST & CREW (crew attendance is optional)  in the LS Theatre. MS Cast- if you have a basketball game or Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutoring on this day, or a conflict noted on your conflict calendar you are excused from the first read-through! 

ALADDIN JR MS CAST LIST

MS Cast to be released by mid-week and ALL MS Cast & optional MS Crew rehearsal Wednesday 11/29 &

Dear Aladdin Jr. middle school auditioners and families,

We're thrilled to announce that the Aladdin Jr. cast list is nearing its final stages, and we couldn't be prouder of each and every auditioner!

We appreciate your patience as our casting panel diligently reviews copious pages of notes, conflict calendars, and the incredible talent gracing our auditions and callbacks.

After the panel reconvenes post-Thanksgiving, the much-anticipated cast list will be released by midweek as shared with our auditioners. This will be released on the blog, and we will send out an update once it is posted.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their enthusiasm and dedication throughout this process.

To kick off this exciting journey, there is an all-middle-school cast (and optional crew) read-through and rehearsal this Wednesday, 11/29, from 3:45 to 5:15 in the LS theatre.

Please check out the MS Schedule Page of the show blog for our December rehearsals.

Stay tuned for the official cast list, and thank you again for your continued support and patience!

We encourage all cast and crew members to join us as we embark on this magical adventure together.

Final Callback Schedule for Wednesday 11/15

Thank you for another great days of callbacks. 

Here is the callback schedule for tomorrow's final callback!

Please take the bus down to the LS and be ready to start at your call time! : )

3:45 pm - 4:00pm     C Girls Basketball Team will read additional lines during this time and then report to 

                                   the LS gym for practice.

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm     All 6th-grade girls (except those who are on the C Basketball team)

4:00 pm - 5:45 pm     Evie Carmel, Ben Slipakoff, Eli Bier

4:00 pm - 6: 15 pm    Emma Gluzman, Alyssa Medwed

4:00 pm - TBD*        Remaining Auditioners who were not mentioned above

* this dismissal time is a rolling dismissal time which can be anywhere from 6:15 to 7:30 ish- students may keep phones on them to let their rides know they are ready to be picked up and may stay with us until their ride arrives at school).

                                   

Callbacks: Round #2 (Tuesday, 11/14) & Final Callback (Wednesday, 11/15)

 

Thank you for a fabulous day of callbacks last week!

What great teamwork, energy, and professionalism you all displayed. 

BRAVO!

PLEASE READ THIS POST IN FULL AND FULLY THINK ABOUT  THE ADVICE SECTION TOWARDS THE END OF THE POST! 

ALL ALADDIN AUDITIONERS, PLEASE FILL OUT 

THIS CALLBACK INTEREST FORM IF YOU HAVE NOT YET DONE SO! 

This form will stop accepting responses on Tuesday, 11/14, at 8:00 am.

Everyone is called back to the Tuesday 11/14 callback. 

You will take the bus down to the lower school, where you will sign in to the call board, start a 10-minute warm-up, change clothes,  put on a mic, and pin on your callback number. 

From 4:00 to 4:40 pm, we will be practicing and reviewing material, what we are looking for, and how to make strong choices on stage in character. 

We will start the callback material at 4:45 pm sharp. 

Everything happens in real time; if we see what we need from each actor to make a decision, we will be able to dismiss students throughout the afternoon and not keep every actor until the end of callbacks at 7:45 pm sharp.

 If you are dismissed before pm, you may stay in the theatre/arts wing of the lower school until your ride is able to pick you up.

Please pack a snack/light dinner, water bottle, script (if you have registered), and your best energy for tomorrow. 

Tuesday, November 14th

3:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Callbacks: Round 2

LOGISTICS

• It is important to the audition and casting process that all students attend the second callback.
• We will be looking at actors and singers together in pairs and groups, and in order to help best place you in the show, you need to be present for the callback. We have many roles to fill and many middle schoolers to see in these roles. Thank you for your understanding and help in creating a successful callback environment. 
• At callbacks, we will look at all script cuttings, movement pieces, and songs from the Aladdin, Jr. version of the musical. These can all be found linked under the audition tabs to the right of this post.
• For Tuesday, in addition to the acting scenes for Jafar, Sultan, Iago, and Prince Abdullah. We will be paying attention, particularly to the following songs:
• A Whole New World
• Babbak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim
• High Adventure
• Arabian Nights
• Prince Ali
• One Jump Ahead
• Please be familiar with these songs if you are looking at any of the characters who sing. 

DISMISSAL 

• Not every actor will need to stay for the duration of the entire second callback on Tuesday, 11/14.
• Auditioners are advised to keep their phones with them so they may inform their rides when they are finished. 
• All auditioners may stay in the arts wing or theatre until their rides are able to pick them up.
• A Final callback will be held Wednesday, 11/15, from 3:45 pm to 7:30ish pm.
• We will inform you during the  Tuesday, 11/14, callback if you need to attend the Final Wednesday, 11/15 callback. 

• We will dismiss students to the carpool lobby doors (the first set of double doors under the awnings that say Cone A, Cone B, etc.) 

FOOD

• Please do not drop off food DURING the callbacks. 
• ALL FOOD DELIVERIES MUST BE DROPPED OFF BY PARENTS BEFORE 4:25 PM! No one is at the front desk to open the door or accept food deliveries after 4:25 pm. 
• Students need to pack snacks and a light dinner with them if they are not having a dinner dropped off by a parent between 3:30 and 4:25pm. 

Wednesday, November 15th
3:45 pm to 7:30-ish pm
Final Callback (if needed)

HELPFUL AUDITION NOTES & ADVICE

Attire

• Please pull hair back from the face
  

• You may change out of your uniforms upon arriving at the lower school. Wear comfortable but appropriate attire that is memorable, shows your personality, and creates a great first impression.

• Do not wear any clothing that will cause you to fidget with it or that hides your hands. 

• Ladies, no jewelry or items on your wrists, please. 
• You will need to be able to move in callbacks, so please wear or bring shoes in which you can move/dance. NO UGGS, BOOTS, FLIP-FLOPS, or CROCS. Sneakers, closed-toed slip-ons, and flats are great. If you have dance shoes (jazz, ballet, lyrical, character shoes), please bring them or wear them.

WHAT TO BRING TO CALLBACKS

• A water bottle
• Your phone
• Your script (if you have already registered and received one)
• A pencil
• A snack and a light dinner if you would like.
• A great attitude! :) 

PREPARATION LINKS: 

PLEASE READ THE  LINKS BELOW BEFORE THE CALLBACK!!!  

Aladdin Acting Sides for Callback

Aladdin Guide Vocals for Callback

Aladdin  Instrumental Tracks for Callback

Aladdin Sheet Music Cuttings for Callback

SONG ANALYSIS & SINGING IN CHARACTER

PLEASE NOTE: 

You must be registered with your form and activity fee on file to receive your Aladdin full script and access to the full guide vocals and instrumental tracks. 

A whole list of links under cast actor resources on the blog is there to help you create the best audition and performance ever.  USE these resources to bring out your musical theatre performance's theatre and acting side. Don't just focus on singing- ACTING is the heart of musical theatre.

MUST-READ ADVICE

• Being prompt and listening to directions is an important aspect of auditioning.

• Use your best theatre etiquette.

• Don't worry if you make a mistake, own it, and act like you meant to do it! We will never know if you made a mistake or were nervous if you own the stage and "fake it 'til you make it!"
• Opportunity favors the prepared mind!

• PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE!!! We are expecting fully rehearsed, prepared, dazzling audition selections. Your audition should be BETTER than an actual show performance. 
  
  
  

• So practice, practice, practice. HAVE FUN! BE BOLD AND CONFIDENT! Be open-minded. Take Creative Risks; these are iconic characters! BE LOUD AND PROUD! Show us your presence and style!

• Use your full voice and energy. Do not hold back. This is YOUR chance!

• Be prepared to show us you can take direction!

• Don't get stuck on reading for one part/role. Every part/role is amazing, and we will place you where you will best shine and be the star you are! 

• Don't ask for feedback during the callback. Feedback comes from acting classes, lessons, workshops, and training, not auditions. Work with a coach/teacher/director/family member/person before your audition and ask them for feedback. Come prepared with the material ready to give your best performance, and don’t expect to get anything but a “Thank you” at the end. If you get more, that is great!
• The casting directors are looking to cast the actor who best embodies the character from head to toe during auditions for the parts they are casting. 
• It is not the casting directors' job to give feedback to all the actors at callbacks.
• The actor's job is to come in prepared with all the emotion ready to give the best performance.
  
  
  
• Have fun at the audition! We want you to do well. :) 

HOW DOES CASTING WORK?

Many factors play a part in how a show is cast, such as confidence/presence on stage, ability to be heard and understood, scheduling conflicts & rehearsal availability, academic good standing, energy, and chemistry between actors and how they look together, sound together, what vocal ranges or acting demands a part requires and if that actor fit those demands/ranges, (e.g. in Lion King, Young Nala must look and sound younger than Nala who is older, wiser, and sings in a lower alto and a mezzo soprano power belt, while both Nalas need to have similar movements/tones/mannerisms/looks on stage, Young Simba and Young Nala need to look about the same age, as do Simba/Nala, so if an actor "goes out" for Young Nala but is the tallest and oldest looking actor auditioning in the group of all Nalas, this wouldn't be believable to an audience, these things are out of an actor's control and an actor shouldn't worry about what he or she can't control in an audition or in casting)

So what can an actor control in an audition?

Every actor has an equal opportunity to show what they can do. An actor can ensure they give the best audition at the moment they need to deliver it most, which means at the time of the individual audition and throughout callbacks. If an actor shows on stage that they give an outstanding, fully prepared, and dynamic audition for the role they are most interested in at the time of auditions by taking risks, making specific character choices, voices, movements, and expressions, then they have given themself the best chance at getting that part. It is about being prepared, memorable, heard, and expressive! Also, it is about taking directions from the audition panel and immediately changing a character when asked. (e.g. If the panel consistently keeps asking an actor to be louder or use facial expressions every time the actor is on stage, the actor is having difficulty applying direction. So be loud and expressive the very first time when asked! And you will wow all! :)

The basics matter!

Don't Upstage yourself. Cheat out! SPEAK SLOWLY, LOUDLY, and CLEARLY.

The more fun you have, the more fun the audition panel will have. Remember, this is in your control to have a blast and enjoy performing and entertaining a crowd!

When you sing your song, remember you are giving a performance, you MUST use your body, face, and eyes to convey emotion and your character. 

This is Musical THEATRE, so the emphasis is on acting and conveying character through song.

At the end of the day, remember the audition panel is made up of Davis staff and industry professionals who have years and years of experience casting and placing performers in roles where their talents best fit and will shine best, where they will have the most wonderful experience, and where all will shine brightly on stage. 

Theatre is a collaborative team experience that relies on the efforts of everyone in the cast and the crew. EVERY PART is equally important to the success of the show. 

The old adage rings true "There are no small parts, only small actors," or as my favorite quote from theatre says, "Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art," which is really a fancy way of saying if you really love theatre and being on stage, you love it no matter what you part you play, because theatre is a part of you. It is not the part that matters; what you do with your part makes all the difference! 

A great example is the amazing actor Dame Judi Dench who won an Academy Award for a total of 8 minutes of screen time in the 2-hour, 17-minute movie Shakespeare in Love. She upstaged the entire movie and all of the other characters because she was that memorable and entertaining! 

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO ENTERTAINING CALLBACKS!

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