Contest - March 26

	Some of these are the alternates’ notes.  Some are Ms. Green’s.  Some are mine. I think people are confused with the timing.  The times are for a 39:15 show.  If you are never over 45 seconds, you don't need to worry. In spite of being rushed, we saw some of the best work ever - Crowd scenes were finally amazing. It was crazy toward the end - several mistakes.   Jack Cody - ·         All actors need leading gestures to differentiate them from other actors. ·         Gestures must be big.  ·         Levels – vocally ·         React ·         Levels – physically – he is big on dominant people standing and others are in different positions ·         Must see emotions in faces ·         Must see the conflict physically as well as mentally emotionally ·         Relationships are important. ·         Need to see actors thinking on stage. ·         Age must be specific  Actors must be believable ·         Actors must show several emotions ·         Actors must be connected to the show ·         Big on breathing ·         Say names often. ·         Take moments ·         Must see discoveries ·         DICTION ·         Should see actors change emotionally, physically, mentally ·         Play the opposites – fight against crying.  I’m scared – try not to be scared.  I’m tired – try not to be tired.  I want to cry, but I am not going to. ·         Age - play the age & there should be different ages in crowd scenes. ·         Take moments so that the audience can experience the lives of the actors. ·         React physically before you react vocally. ·         Need to see a hard life.  Must see the difference in each person ·         Plant feet. Jill Ludington Taught at Randall High School before her job at WTAMU Loves concepts - meaning she loves to see NEW ideas grow within the playwright's intent. She loves wonderful stage pictures. Pegi Lovett Loves surprises Diction - hit consonants must see the journey Must feel the environment of the play Story must be clear
Everyone	1.       We must believe everyone is listening. 2.       Be sure the show is fresh and new each time you walk on stage. 3.       Think of the emotions you are asked to play.  Write different ways you can express them physically and vocally without doing the expected. 4.       Blocking problem in the beginning – think it is the opening or redneck scene.  5.       Funeral scene – Run in – sob… people noises- turn slowly as one and sing Shall we gather at the river. 6.       Look at You Tube – how to do a Louisiana accent.  7.       Ending – slower with the light so we have a great stage picture. 8.       Cut the fog at the end unless we can make it quieter.
Willie	Let Lucy finish – Willie doesn’t want to run either. Stare & play with your wedding band when Jack comes in after Sadie. Work the alcoholism and make us hate you.
Lucy and Willie	Figure out a time when Willie can talk to Lucy at the end.  We thought about the transition before the judge scene. Lucy crosses left to right stage and Willie tells Tiny, Sugar boy, and Sadie to go on and you talk briefly to her on a chance meeting.
Hugh	Be louder You had your back to the audience in the redneck scene. Get a short haircut. Hat off in the house.
Sadie	Look at your freezes in the last flash of the hospital scene. Walk softer. Take hat off indoors & jacket.
Willie and friends	When picking Willie up, he needs to be facing the audience – I’ve got me a gospel.
Music	We need to add more thunder and rain.
Gunshot man	Gunshot was late
Lights and Dolph	The judge did not get behind the scrim before he was dead.
Ashlynn	Too slow in the opening and you are back to the way you didn’t do mom.  WORK ON IT
Rednecks	Transition into the scene was too slow.
Lucy	Watch swaying.
Tiny	Work on accent – in and out.
Jack	I don’t give a damn – say it without yelling – see # 3 above.
Mother	Dressing gown instead of yellow dress in the next to last scene.
Adam	The jacket – before you enter Willie’s office, check to make sure that your lapels are down – talk to Cheyanne.