Cast Party

The really important stuff that you need to know (READ ALL OF IT!)

1. We have a matinee on Saturday, so call time is 12:30 or 1:00 for full/half day.
2. Everybody will STAY between the matinee and evening performance.  
3. Everybody will change into their GREEN EYT shirt after the matinee (even half day kids: make sure you have a change of clothes!)
4. We will walk down to the MAGNA COPPER PARK together.  Half day kids will walk in their half day groups.
5. There will be plenty of food for dinner for all of the EYT kids. 
6. Families are also welcome at the awards ceremony (but there may not be enough food to feed a full dinner to everyone).
7. We will have our traditional EYT award ceremony, complete with our "Empressive Awards."
8. We will use the convenient bleachers to get a huge group picture in our green shirts.  DON'T FORGET YOUR GREEN SHIRT!
9. We will walk back to the theater together and prepare for the evening show.

Thanks to everyone for making EYT (and the cast party) a success!

Important Dates

All items shown are from Walgreens

Wednesday, August 7th: All FULL DAY girls need to bring the makeup they plan to use for the production.  Jamie Victor will be available to show you the looks we've designed for each of you and how to achieve them with the supplies you already have.  She will also provide information on where to get additional items for super cheap.

Thursday, August 8th: ALL EYT STUDENTS need to wear their base costume to rehearsal.  The costumer wants to see how everything looks together and make any final approvals.  This includes socks, shoes, and everything listed for the base costume.

**Note: Half Day students will NOT be storing their base costume at the theater during rehearsals or production.  Half Day students will arrive in base costume, hair, and makeup at call time.

Monday, September 9th: I found out some exciting news last Friday (that I obviously overlooked earlier in the year). It turns out "Alice" closes on Sept 9th, not Sept 7th. The Empress gave us the 9th to make up for no Labor Day performance. I had put the closing date of the 7th because that was what the EZticket site said, but the correct date (and the one on all the other Empress materials) says Sept 9th. MY BAD! I need to know ASAP if anyone has conflicts on Sept 9th. If you have already "liked" the status on the EYT Facebook page, you do not need to do anything else.  Please "like" that status to confirm, comment on this post, or send me an email confirming your receipt of this information.  Phone calls will happen soon to those families who have not responded in some way.

Thanks for all the hard work that has happened already!

Andrea Fife

First Week Recap

There's an interesting phenomenon that happens each week at EYT; time stands still.  Or at least, it certainly seems like it does when you stop to consider all we can accomplish in, as Melina pointed out, only 37 1/2 hours.

• Learned music and choreo for the entire introductory sequence
• Painted set pieces for Wonderland
• Choreographed small group numbers including "The Golden Afternoon" and "Painting the Roses Red"
• Learned how to use power tools (16 and up only...)
• Crowned winners of popular EYT games including "Parlez Vous Francais?" and "The Question Game"
• Sweat like crazy during our Zumba workshop
• Got to know the production staff, each other, and the theater
• Completed a read through
• Learned about the importance of volunteering in a non-profit organization
• Started a crazy, choreographed game of musical chairs
• Set specific goals and dreams; started working toward achieving them
• Posted 74 vocabulary words from the script all over the theater
• Watched our stage transform as blue paint started to appear on the walls
• Learned about a caucus, and then dried off in a Caucus Race
• Gained a new skill to bring to the table: tap dancing
• Learned every measure of music in the entire show

Only 71 hours of rehearsal left! 

A few "Starfish" and "Seahorses" setting their specific dreams.

Half of the Full Day Kids - Post ZUMBA!

Learning how to use a jigsaw (16 and up students only)

Keeping this in mind, and working to make them come true!

Huge, Exciting PRE-SALES DISCOUNT News

For the first time ever, The Empress Theatre will be offering discounted pre-sales tickets to the summer EYT production.  This is huge because so many of your friends and family already know they are going to come see Alice.  By purchasing pre-sales tickets, they get to save $2 on a purchase they would have made anyway.

This is a seriously limited offer, though.  There are only four small windows of time to get these discount tickets, and they have to be purchased at the box office.

Monday, July 29th from 8:30 to 9:15 am

Monday, July 29th from 12:00 to 1:00 pm

Monday, Aug 5th from 8:30 am to 9:15

Monday, Aug 5th from 12:00 to 1:00 pm

So what do you need to do?  Tell everyone you know!  And then help them get their discount tickets.  If they can't head to The Empress themselves, perhaps you could collect their money ($8 a ticket, CASH please) and purchase tickets for them.

A few guidelines:

Students will not be allowed to purchase tickets during rehearsals.  It would be best to have a parent or older sibling come in to purchase tickets.

The Empress Theatre will not be responsible for purchased tickets; once the tickets are in the possession of the student/parent, the Empress Theatre will not be able to replace or refund misplaced tickets.

Performance dates/times are as follows:

Friday, August 16th at 7:30 pm

Saturday, August 17th at 7:30 pm

Monday, August 19th at 7:30 pm

Friday, August 23rd at 7:30 pm

Saturday, August 24th at 2:00 pm 

Saturday, August 24th at 7:30 pm

Monday, August 26th at 7:30 pm

Friday, August 30th at 7:30 pm

Saturday, August 31st at 7:30 pm

-- NO SHOW ON SEPT 2nd --

Friday, September 6th at 7:30 pm

Saturday, September 7th at 2:00 pm 

Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 pm

What to Bring to Rehearsal

New or returning, here's some good advice on what to bring to daily rehearsals:

• Your script or lyric book | Everyone will receive a script or lyric book on the first day of rehearsal.  You must have this item every day.  Must.
• A pencil | Maybe even a backup pencil.  Your script/lyric book will be yours to write in.  Please write in it.  A lot.
• Water | Bring a water bottle or three.  We work really, really hard at EYT, and you're probably going to get really, really thirsty.  
• Snacks | Half day kids will get some sort of an official snack break each morning.  Bring something to recharge.  Full day kids are allowed to take snack breaks as needed.  Seriously - don't go all day without eating!
• Lunch | Only the full day kids eat lunch at the theater.  Full day kids should pack a healthy lunch to eat outside behind the theater.  Students will NOT be allowed to leave the theater during lunch, even if they have their own car.
• A quiet activity | Although I try to work everyone really hard every moment of every day, there will be occasional down time.  Students should bring a book or something quiet to do.  While electronic devices with headphones can be great, The Empress Theatre does not assume responsibility for items sent with your students.
• A smile | Please focus on bringing a good attitude each day.  We are all going to be tired.  Some of us are going to get sick.  Let's focus on being friendly all the time and having the best experience possible!

What to Wear to Rehearsal

If you're new to EYT this year, you may be curious what to wear to daily rehearsals.  While it is ultimately up to you, here is my advice and suggestions for what will make you and others comfortable.

The most important choice you have is what to wear on your feet.  You already know what type of shoes you will be wearing in the show.  If you're wearing heels, practice in heels.  If you're wearing converse, practice in converse (or a similarly flexible shoe).  No matter what, DO NOT wear flip flops or other sandals, and DO NOT go barefoot in the theater.  (Andrea will try really hard to set a good example of the no bare feet policy.)

Keep in mind that you will be dancing every day.  It is a great idea to wear flexible clothing that will move well with you.  Many students find athletic shorts, lounge pants, or leggings to be great options.  You can certainly wear jeans; just remember the focus should be on how well you can move, not on how you look.  When it comes to shirts, the best options are items that fit well and stay in place with no fuss.  Constant tugging and pulling at clothing during choreography rehearsals is a distraction to both you and the choreographer.

Be respectful of those around you.  Remember we have a variety of ages (8 to 18) involved in this production.  Please dress in a way that is appropriate for everyone around you.  Although there is no specific dress code for EYT, please consider the length and cut of your clothing and how it may fit when you are stretching and dancing.

Don't forget important details like deodorant.  The stage area is small, especially when all 72 of you will be crammed together for activities.  Shower daily.  Use deodorant.  Bring deodorant to reapply later if you need to.  Go easy on the colognes, perfumes, and body sprays.  Let's try to make the theater smell like a wonderland. :)

Cast List Part II (Full Day)

Before I announce the list, first I have to gloat about how proud I am that so many of you auditioned SO well.  I heard many great song choices from well-prepared and well-dressed kids.  I could tell how hard you've worked and how excited you are to be a part of this year's show.  And I feel honored that of all the places you could choose to spend the last weeks of summer, you choose to spend them with me at the Empress.  {awww....}

But I will stop blabbing and praising, because I know what you all really want:

Congratulations, everyone!  I can't wait to get started.

Cast List Part I (Half Day Groups)

WOW!!!  I have never seen such well-prepared, impressive auditions from elementary-aged kids.  I am so excited to come up with challenging, exciting things to feature each and every one of you during Alice in Wonderland, Jr. 

And now to announce the 2013 Half Day Groups (drumroll please...)

THE ROCK LOBSTERS (Leader: Christopher Richardson)
Rock Lobsters will also perform as Royal Cardsmen

THE FLOWERS (Leader: Mikayela McFarland / Perry S. Whitehair)
Flowers will also perform in "The Choir" (that will make more sense at rehearsal...)

THE STARFISH (Leader: Tayler Blake)

THE SEAHORSES (Leader: To Be Announced)

You are all going to be A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!!

A Change in the Game (#ICEYT)

A realization:

I go places and see random people, because I have a car.

Teenagers pretty much only see who they intended to see, because they don't.

So I'm making an update to the rules for #ICEYT.  Basically, I want to see a lot more pictures.  So here are the new rules:

1. The Empress still doesn't count.  No #ICEYT tags from backstage or after show.  Sorry!
2. You may only post one #ICEYT per friend.  In other words, if I see Sasha every day, I only get to post one Sasha/Andrea picture.  But I can post a Sasha/Andrea, then a Perry/Andrea, then a Zac/Andrea.
3. The goal is to post as many pictures as possible.  Hanging out with 5 EYT friends?  Get all the possible combinations and post them!

And... GO!

Pre-EYT

What has EYT been up to in the weeks leading up to workshops?

Well, 21 incredible full day kids plus 2 half-day leaders sang and danced their way down Magna Main in what can only be described as a PARTY ON A TRAILER!  EYT received a lot of compliments as being one of the highlights of the Magna 4th of July Parade.

Then we kept the fun going at the second annual EYT car wash.  Several kids earned their ENTIRE tuition selling pre-sales tickets to the car wash.  We completed over $500 worth of car washes this year, including one beautiful Corvette and a Nissan 370Z, which half-day kid Sylas informed me is "brand new!  They just started selling those."

Thanks to everyone who made these events possible, including our Parade and Car Wash committees and our youth council.  EYT wouldn't be the same without every one of you!

Balances

With the fundraising car wash tomorrow and tuition due in full at auditions beginning next week, I thought it might be helpful to provide each family with a balance of tuition still due.  Please verify your personal records to make certain they match mine.  If there are any discrepancies (I am far from perfect), please let me know, and I can update my personal records.

The following list is by student's last name and indicates the balance DUE (not amount paid):

Archer	75
Arsuffi	0
Belliston	90
Birge	200
Bracken	75
Brown	115
Brunson	0
Campbell	0
Carter	0
Colver	175
Cross	0
Devries	115
Dial	135
Eldredge	0
Evans	0
Evans	0
Faulkner	90
Fife	0
Forham	0
Hill	249
Hurst	100
Hymas	100
Keddington	175
Linnett	0
Marler	0
Maxwell	100
McDevitt	100
McFarland	15
McKinnon	75
Moulton	0
Nugter	205
Pearce	0
Pearson	85
Rich	0
Richardson	0
Roche	0
Rowe	175
Sikalis	0
Terry	0
Tharp	350
VanValkenburg	250
Webb	175
Whatcott	0
Woodruff	180
Woodward	100
Wrathall	0
Wrigley	0

Planning Ahead for your Head

Half Day boys should grow their hair long enough to part it on the side and comb it into that classic "boy" style.

Full Day boys' hairstyles will depend on their casting, but a few characters call for fun hair (or possibly hare) styles.  I'd like the full boys to grow out their hair for now so we have options.

Most of the half day girls will wear their hair in two french braids that then turn into ringlet ponytails.

Half day girls cast in the "purple" flowers group will wear high ponytails.

Full day girls' hairstyles will depend on their casting, but a few characters will call for full ringlets or fancy updos.  The more hair we have to work with, the easier it will be.

A few full day girls may be asked to optionally color their hair.  (Cheshire cats will need purple streaks - either dyed or inserted extensions, Alice's may be asked to color their hair.)