DISTRICT CONTEST - CODY, BUSH, BUCHANNAN

Buchanan’s notes

Jack Cody gave us a 1

Bush a second and Buchanan a 3

Notes from Buchanan – These are from her oral critique.

1.       Actors must call each other by names to avoid confusion.

2.       All actors are playing the same age.

3.       Billy needs to look more tired.  We need to see the hard life.

4.       All actors – we need to see the wear and tear on bodies.

5.       Need to see the difference in each person.

6.       Plant feet

7.       Must see the relationships between characters – not just couples.

8.       Domestic violence scene seemed staged.

9.       Must see tension in all actors.

10.   Billy needs to feel the heat more.  She liked the first monologue, did not think he connected in the second.

11.   Nate and Rose’s scenes were too choreographed.

12.   Nate – need to see the decision to take Billy’s bag

13.   Louis shuffled feet. Need to see more of a relationship between Louis and Alice

14.   All girls need lower register in voices.

15.   Carson – Hilton – needed to punch UNION.  He needs to find different ways to show his emotion other than yelling. He needs to use different tactics with different people.  Watch being choppy.

16.   Rose – don’t anticipate violence.

17.   Paige – lower voice as welfare person.

18.   The tension in shoveling must be felt throughout the show.

19.   Nate – we need to see the tension in the body.

20.   Moment – Michelle and Carson – missed that –hilton and Kelly

21.   Alice – feel the emotion and try not to cry in the mortgage scene.

22.   Louis needs more texture in  his character

23.   Thought that Frank and Reg’s backing up seemed staged. Needed eye contact and a brotherly hug that lasts.

24.   Did not like music at the beginning –wanted to start with organic sounds.

These are from her notes:

1.       Beautiful staging – wow –such pretty stage pictures and it flowed so well from scene to scene.  Really tight ensemble from the entire company.  I can tell everyone is engaged.  Make sure all physical intentions are always clear and focused.  Some characters need age and maturity.  It’s a hard life and they read too youthful and naïve in places –especially let me see how they change at the end.  There were articulation problems.  Many characters are too youthful, not mature enough , not tired enough.  Keep working on relationships – relationships between partners and relationships within your circle of friends. The clarity of all relationships can help make this show shine. Motivation – Don’t play at scenes – live through them- you feel – don’t tell us how you feel. The audience will be more moved if you are trying not to cry instead of crying – trying not to be tired instead of being tired – trying not to be angry instead of yelling. Rising action and climax needs to be clarified.

These are from Dr. Bush – the shorter judge.

2.       Story was well told.  Loved costuming and props.  Work on accents and articulate.  Hit consonant sounds. Great visual – good use of full stage.  Keep soft moments soft and show the contrasts.

These are from Mr. Cody – the tallest judge.

Strengths –ensemble is strong.  Strong characterizations.  Pacing and tempo were great.  Lighting was amazing.  Good use of space.  Lots of energy.

Weaknesses –need help in identifying couples and establishing relationships. Sometimes the tempo is really too fast.  Slow down and wait for the audience to catch up.   The clarity of relationships need work. All the women looked alike.

From Couch -  We need more energy in Billy’s first speech – warm up to the audience.  Tell the story of a memory that you loved. SMILE and connect. Watch noodle arms – make gestures strong or do not do them.  Watch unnecessary pacing. Stand still while in dialogue. Think about the changes.

·         WOMEN – Three judges this contest said they cannot tell the women from each other.  Come up with a “leading gesture” that makes each actor an individual.

·         GESTURES – need to be big or don’t do them.  They must be strong.

·         Need levels vocally. 

·         We must see emotions on the faces and in the bodies.

·         We must see you thinking on stage.

NEW STUFF

·         HIT THE BRICKS –beat beat beat-Billy’s monologue beat beat beat Rose’s monologue beat beat beat –Marie’s monologue.

·         Kelly: Mr. Hilton.  You have to think about these men and their families. I’ve been down on the line, beat beat beat watching them march, beat beat beat hearing them cheer for the people who support them. Beat beat beat They deserve to be treated like humans, not machines.  I don’t think it will be the end of the company.

·         At the end – celebrate a long time. Make physical contact with each actor on stage except for Carson and Frank.  Michelle will walk into your scene and shake hands with Reg.  ----THIS IS THE CLIMAX. 

·         Go back to your original places from the beginning. Billy returns to his place at the edge of the stage.  He turns back and looks at his friends, says,”union. Immediately stepping on lines, we hear Louis and Marie look at each other, whisper union, Reg and Alice, then Rose and Nate. FREEZE   Reg takes his sign, smiles, looks at the audience and says union.  Lights go down slowly with Reg’s last line.

MORE NEW STUFF

• Hannah –First bar scene, be chatting with women, but let the audience know you are paying attention to Reg and Frank’s disagreement.
• For crew – When we go to Wayland and the next contests (knock on wood), ask if they have a white wall behind the back drape.  We can use that instead of a scrim.
• Billy, Reg, and Frank –after the welfare scene, Billy and Reg are talking about being kids. Frank crosses to right stage, and they gesture while kids are on the ladder.
• Rose & Hannah – Don’t get up too quickly when you are pregnant. Put one hand on the back of the chair to lift yourself up.
• Rose & Paige – Cover baby’s head.  When Rose hands Paige the baby, Paige – keep talking to the baby. Others can bend over to look at the baby.
• Billy – Be charming at the beginning, flirty. You are mischievous, unsettling, hard to reel in; the kid in class no teacher wants.  You are a rebel.  Same character at the end.
• Opening of show – WHISTLE, factory sounds, light and Billy speaks.
• Closing of show – Billy’s last line is to Frank. These whispers are stacked on each other. Rose & Nate whisper Union; Reg and Alice whisper union; Marie and Louis whisper union.  During this, we hear three staggered hits on metal with whistle.  Billy smiles at the audience, holds the sign and says Union.

·         Go back to your original places from the beginning. Billy returns to his place at the edge of the stage.  He turns back and looks at his friends, says,”union. Immediately stepping on lines, we hear Louis and Marie look at each other, whisper union, Reg and Alice, then Rose and Nate. FREEZE   Reg takes his sign, smiles, looks at the audience and says union.  Lights go down slowly with Reg’s last line. 


CANADIAN TRIVIA -Today, anyone who  wears a flannel lumberjack jacket, eats too many doughnuts and collects welfare cheques risks being labeled a hoser.

March 26

March 26, 2013

Everyone	Overall – great job on the performance last night!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We just need to polish now. We have two days to do this.  Be in my room tomorrow by 8:30. We will have time to rework scenes.  Think about which ones we have trouble with.  Can’t hear people center stage and at cooper, you will have to be really loud. Pervert would get more reaction – he is calling you bad names. After HIT THE BRICKS –some yell while other sing. Union song should be hearty – passionate and LOUD Every actor – how have you changed during the play? DO NOT TALK TO THE FLOOR.  Heads up!!!!!!!!!!!!! People noises after Frank and Reg’s argument. Hell with us – people noises – you are angry. Quiet getting second bar scene fixed. Set changes are too loud. Don’t drag the set – be quiet so it is not distracting. Umbrella scene – deathly cold everyone is despondent.  WE HAVE TO HAVE CONTRASTS.  The transition after that is sad too. Nate’s fight scene – we must have deeper voices and deep shouting. When Frank says think I’m right hit(MAC) & celebrate. Step on lines more in the intro. Girls – deeper and more noise during Frank and Reg fight.  More people noises before and during Cody’s Order Order Share umbrellas Struggle with the umbrellas because it is windy. ACCENTS AND DICTION _ EVERYONE LEVELS Be confident mumbling – don’t look like you are mumbling. More strikers and passing out flyers – flyers are passed out before results of the vote, then both signs and flyers after result. Cough and sneeze in welfare scene.  IT IS SAD!!!!!!!!!!! BUT PAY ATTENTION TO WHO IS TALKING! Lost lines in mill scene. Accents were a problem Cheers must have more levels – it still sounds like everyone is saying yeah at the same level- men and women.  Clap. Stamp your feet BE DIFFERENT! In Frank’s work council line, everyone is in a straight line. Be quiet when it is Hilton and Kelly’s scene. Walking was too loud on the radio static scene. You need to be in the room when static begins. Savannah – turn on the radio. After train celebration, we could not hear it’s a bust.  Michelle, wait until the last yell to talk.  More levels and panic when Reg says the police are coming. Perverts reaction looked fake. Kayla said we have the case of the haunted radio. It came on because no one turned it on. No one was affected by the wind. In the train scene, hands must be up in a believable motion.
Men	In the back – you are working well, but we need more levels.  That is why we have gray set on top of gray set.  We also need men on the floor, but not everyone.
Allison	You are losing your accent a lot. - lost half your jobs. Cry Cry Cry Emotional – cry slammed the door in my face.
Jared	We need to see the decision why you pick up the bag. Pull your cap up. Still a shadow. At the beginning, SMILE at the audience.  Let us see the good times in your memory on your face. React to each scene facially – use people noises too. Smile – ay   growl during Hilton, etc. Accent was consistent. Work on onion union scene. Glory days – mystical and sentimental SMILE When you are narrating, be in the light so we know what your job is.
Michelle and Carson	Look at what happened scene.
Hannah, Savannah, Avery, Paige, Cheyanne	Don’t believe you are tired of the strike.
Mac	We need to work more on the mustache. Did it come off?
Cheyanne & Paige	Good job  on working together on the sign in the bar scene.
Alice	We changed by getting a union – work on this. YOU are not strong enough. Saying REGGIE _ SCREAM AND CRY UMBRELLA IN THE WALKIN AROUND DRIVING ME CRAZY SCENE Louder on mortgage.
Nate	DICTION – hit consonants even with accent. Much better last night. Use upstage hand to gesture. Build to the violence. BE HURT Throughout that scene – not in and out.  Much better – groan more. Crew chief to audience. Louis, Louis – did you hear?  Slow down and say it more to the audience. Good job reacting to checkers line. WONDERFUL JOB last night.
Reg and Alice	Be more of a couple. Touch moer.
Cody	More love. When she says capice luigi – do something funny  - 1940’s funny Work on Italian accent especially in yours and Marie’s scene. angry about dagos. Slow down and exaggerate the part about the boss and the oil. Command the stage. Don’t sway in scenes. On police siren scene – men are ready for action when Billy says get the barricades.
Frank	Louder after train scene.
Kelly, Frank, Carson, Photographer	Move your scene more CS so that we get a view of the picture taking scene more and so that no one touches the curtain.
Rose
Mac	No jacket in the steel mill.
Billy and Reg & Frank	Look and gesture toward your memory – a slow gesture.  Reg be dreamlike.
Louis and Marie	Don’t anticipate each other’s lines.
Reg	More heart – cry- foreclosing is the end.  Not only did you lose your house but everyone else’s.  This is the end LOUDER Go at Billy – PEOPLE NOISES- a guttural cry when you jump at him. Pick up some of the Canadian accent. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think you could do it.  Get hints from Ty and Jared.
Marie	Fuller brush men – don’t let this die. Make sure you turn the radio on BIG so we don’t have a gap between scenes. IT was late last night. Slam your picket sign and be mad when you say it is your strike too. It is still not strong enough. The hair bump needs to go. You have to be unkempt, weary, and poor. Lost accent in welfare scene.
Lights	On snow!!!!!!!!!!!!  Cole and Lane Turn lights off Rose and Paige after fight.  Keep it on Reg and Alice – Jared will move. – Jared- get emotional during that scene.
Nathan Photographer & Little reg	Head up on the ladder.
Nathan and Cole	Be careful that we do not see your shadow on the cyc when you are holding the spot.

March 21

March 21, 2013

Everyone	Can’t hear people center stage and at cooper, you will have to be really loud. Pervert would get more reaction – he is calling you bad names. After HIT THE BRICKS –some yell while other sing. Union song should be hearty – passionate and LOUD Every actor – how have you changed during the play? Train scene – Disbelief – audible horror so that the freeze will be more important.  Bodies should twist and turn. Protect people.  We need to see strain in bodies. Don’t rush the celebration!  Look like it is something you have worked for. Please watch straight lines. Sing the songs like you are working people…. Not church kids. DO NOT TALK TO THE FLOOR.  Heads up!!!!!!!!!!!!! People noises after Frank and Reg’s argument. SLO MO MEN, during Reg and Alice’s scene. Hell with us – people noises – you are angry. Quiet getting second bar scene fixed. GLASSES ARE LOUD Umbrella scene – deathly cold everyone is despondent.  WE HAVE TO HAVE CONTRASTS.  The transition after that is sad too. Tear all tags out of clothing. Nate’s fight scene – we must have deeper voices and deep shouting. When Frank says think I’m right hit(MAC) & celebrate. Step on lines more in the intro. Girls – deeper and more noise during Frank and Reg fight.  Clink glasses together. More people noises before and during Cody’s Order Order Results of the vote – What is the weather? You were sending mixed messages. Spray umbrellas some.  Share umbrellas Fix Mac’s patch. Struggle with the umbrellas because it is windy. ACCENTS AND DICTION _ EVERYONE Gate needs to look the same on both sides. Don’t drag the set – be quiet so it is not distracting. Could not see Cody’s face in first bar scene. LEVELS Be confident mumbling – don’t look like you are mumbling. More strikers and passing out flyers – flyers are passed out before results of the vote, then both signs and flyers after result. Who the heck said freak? Cough and sneeze in welfare scene.  IT IS SAD!!!!!!!!!!! Lost lines in mill scene. Fade out song on Hit bricks.
Allison	You are losing your accent a lot.
Jared	Pull your cap up Go behind Marie and Louis after your line so you are not blocking Tucker and Allison in the beginning. Don’t look at the chairs when you walk around them. Cap shadow is too much throughout play Thousands not 15. Newspaper React to each scene facially – use people noises too. Smile – ay   growl during Hilton, etc. Glory days – mystical and sentimental SMILE
Paige	Don’t lift skirt when you have boy pants underneath. Talk to Jared more before the no relief for …..
Cheyanne	Work like you are painting a real sign. YOU might use a pencil and yardstick first to do the letters. You were screaming slo mo, but not moving slo mo.
Alice	Rework the baby Speak slowly.  Cannot understand you during siren scene. Paper sack was blocking yours and Graham’s faces Be sure you know the seasons. Saying REGGIE _ SCREAM AND CRY
Nate	DICTION – hit consonants even with accent Use upstage hand to gesture. Did not believe you were going to backhand Rose BE HURT Throughout that scene – not in and out. Crew chief to audience. Watch turning the right way – First Rose scene. Don’t anticipate the slap.  Don’t unfreeze early.
Reg and Alice	Move the mortgage scene more into union hall. Perhaps alice behind the bar and Louis sitting in front, then Alice can come around and hold him or he can hold her.
Cody	Be more playful. Paw Savannah. When she says capice luigi – do something funny  - 1940’s funny Work on Italian accent especially in yours and Marie’s scene.
Frank	Antagonize Reg before he pushes you. Look away pause look back before you say our jobs Look away and then back at Reggie when remembering bridge.  Radio scene –lean more on podium with right hand and cheat a little. Louder after train scene. Don’t hit the curtain.
Kelly	Cheat to the middle Vary your voice more when you are making suggestions. More flirty (Griffis).  Use a notebook to gather thoughts Say o ur side more persuasively. Need to see /hear your change of heart.  Show drastic change in demeanor.
Rose	Put hand behind you to land on chair. A pregnant woman would try to catch yourself. Slower pregnant waddle Emotional – cry slammed the door in my face.
Mac	No jacket in the steel mill.
Billy and Reg	Look and gesture toward your memory – a slow gesture.  Reg be dreamlike.
Louis and Marie	Don’t anticipate each other’s lines.
Reg	More heart – cry- foreclosing is the end.  Not only did you lose your house but everyone else’s.  This is the end LOUDER Go at Billy – PEOPLE NOISES Cap is shadowing face.
Marie	Fuller brush men – don’t let this die. Make sure you turn the radio on BIG so we don’t have a gap between scenes.Right after Nate and Rose’s scene. Slam your picket sign and be mad when you say it is your strike too. Don’t mess withyour hair.
Lights	On snow!!!!!!!!!!!!  Cole and Lane Turn lights off Rose and Paige after fight.  Keep it on Reg and Alice – Jared will move. – Jared- get emotional during that scene.
Nathan Photographer & Little reg	Head up on the ladder.

March 20

March 20, 2013

Everyone	As much energy at the end of the scene as at the beginning of the scene. Welfare scene – be sad, tired, hungry, cold, etc. That’s all for today – Don’t react the same way. SNOW Bar scene – don’t lose energy WORK ON ACCENTS- If teachers will let you, do them in class.  BUT DO THEM BETWEEN PERIODS AND BREAKS 2nd bar scene – don’t crowd behind bar and table. Make sure that you are fearful or disdainful of Michelle in voting scene. Workers have finally spoken – should be HUGE    REACT Losing accents halfway through show. Principles we believe in – react Train scene – work on it Thursday in class They can have their union – different reactions and BIGGER Slow mo in back striking – MOUTHE STRIKE – different slogans on signs. TOAST with GLASSES not fingers  We have glasses. Voting results – LOUD, then soft, look at Cody and Graham and speak differently – in hushed tones.  Tucker, Mac and Paige were not paying attention. WE NEED STRIKERS LEFT STAGE AND MORE THAN JUST JARED AND CODY. AT THE BEGINNING, WE NEED MEN WORKING IN THE BACK. Train scene- move only on the beat. CANNOT MOVE DURING THE FREEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STRAIGHT LINES Look HOT When it is hot Do not play with hair or costumes. Quiet in voting scene when Hilton and Kelly are talking. Talk over the rain.  IT IS COLD
Tucker	Work on slag line Dropped cig – pick it back up and put it in your pocket after you have made sure it is not lit. Don’t push the baby – you moved it to her left side. She looked like she had a tumor. Draw hand back harder to threaten Rose. Tucker – don’t keep your head down.  Wince, people noises Let the women take care of you.
Paige	LOWER VOICE   in welfare and WHOA!!!! Should be jubilant. Say Rose when comforting her.
Hannah	APRON!
Cody and Sav	Where’s the love?
Michelle	Can’t hear you.
Michelle and Carson	Change your scene up.   We need adding machine tape
Savannah & Allison	Good on Monologues, but be bigger!
Mac	Hit the metal after the Frank, Kelly and Hilton scene. Climb higher on the ladder.
Hannah and Graham	Look out toward audience and talk to Graham. Got to get Billy off – shake off water on your bodies. Hannah louder
allison	Nate – you look awful
MEN	Caps are making shadows on your face Suntan – need people noise Straight line when talking to Hilton second time – bring your tools.
Nathan	Socks?
Marie & Louis	Yours and Louis scene is in winter – you need a jacket or the shawl. Louis – get your coat.
Cody	Stress DAGOS & spit React to Savannah the way an Italian would Good job coughing. During the “action” scene,  you were blocked. More neck kissing
Allison	Lost your accent in welfare scene You turned weird when yelling at Nate.
Carson	Call security – faster and meaner We need to stress the coat you wear in welfare scene.
Lights and Billy	Turn lights off rose and Paige after Tucker pushes her. Billy will have to move to be in Alice and Reg’s light.
Graham and Ty	More DCS
Billy	Shake Mac’s hand after he carries in Marie’s box. Be more into the scenes as the watcher. Lean in. sit in a chair backwards, etc. Paint us a picture when you say Glory Days – memorable Don’t walk in front of Nate’s first line. Be nervous in welfare scene. Losing your accent a lot. Bring more emotions into your lines.
Graham	Good job not moving feet. Now make sure that you move your hands above the waist.  Keep your head up even in the serious scenes.
Alyssa	Barrel has to go off in train scene during the blackout or it counts as a light.
To Do	FIX the train music Adding machine tape

Monday, March 18

Everyone	Great job overall! Step on lines Good work in the back Watch straight lines REACT DIFFERENTLY to the weather Don’t twirl umbrellas DICTION!!!!!!!!!!!! Find different ways to celebrate FREEZE at the end in the train scene. More people need to share umbrellas. Talk louder over the rain. Ms. K said she needed everyone to be louder. With Cooper’s stage and the dead spot, you need to speak louder. We have Thursday night, Sunday afternoon, Monday is a performance, and Thursday is contest. Can anyone rehearse Saturday after the 1A contest? I am trying to think of another time – or Wednesday after church - Cody, Jared, Graham Think of specific scenes that you want to work on because this week and next, we will not have class every day.
Cody	More neck kissing. After you stop, look at her face and smile Louder
Savannah and Cody	Better, but develop more of a relationship
Hannah and Graham	Let’s think of another area to do one of your scenes than at the table.
Avery	Freeze, don’t move
Hannah	Great freeze
Jared	Louder at the beginning Sound more helpless in the welfare scene. Cap is throwing a shadow on your face Be more engaged as the narrator/bystander.  Show expression when reacting to what the actors are saying.  Lean in to show interest. In the Hilton/Olive scene, you can turn the chair around and sit backwards with your hands on the back of the chair. Spot the bag, pick it up, close your eyes and remember with a smile.
Hilton	Great with varying vocally.
Savannah	Great job flirting! Wear a sweater or the shawl in the Marie/Louis scene.
Tucker & Cody	Great job working in the back. We need more men back there.
Graham	Deeper voice
Cody	Look at Savannah and smile when she talks.
Paige	Meaner on relief worker line