Kalina - She gets the award for MOST CONSISTENT hard worker. She always has an excellent attitude and is always ready to work! Today, she insisted on working even though she had a bit of a sore throat (info on sore throat below)! What a trooper! Kudos Kalina!
Eric M. - WOW! Off book! Eric knew his lines and his cues! He gets the award today for being MOST PREPARED! Kudos Eric!
Chloe - Also off book and has been for several days (before blog). She also has a good attitude during rehearsals, which is so appreciated! Kudos Chloe!
Please work with your kids to help get them off script - as it makes a huge difference in the fine tuning we can do during the final days of rehearsal.
One thing I always notice is kids that seem to know their lines but don't trust themselves to put the script down and 'go' for it. Encourage them to TRUST themselves! They usually know much more than they think. Kids always memorize faster than adults - true story!
Additionally, it's important that the kids know their 'cue' lines too. A cue line is the line before theirs which 'cues' them to speak or take an action.
Sore Throats - with summer pollen in the air and all the swimming going on, many kids get congested causing sore throats. I recommend Fisherman's Friend for sore throats. It can be found at Walgreens with the other throat lozenges. They also tend to stock them on the candy aisle on one of the top shelves, although it is not a candy. They are very strong and minty, so the kids may only be able to handle one half of a lozenge at a time. They will soothe the throat and help the voice get back on track. Plus, the menthol helps to decongest without putting something stronger in their system, like Benedryl (yawn - sleepy!).
We'll keep up the good work and we can't wait to see you all Monday night at Stages Theatre on Allen Parkway & Waugh. Show starts promptly at 6:30!
If you want to put in a comment - click on 'COMMENTS'
immediately below this post.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
AND THE AWARD GOES TO......
Madeleine W. -- gets a KUDOS this week for being the MOST PROFESSIONAL actor on the set. She was always ready for her entrance, knows where she's supposed to be when, never complains and has lots of ideas! KUDOS MADDIE!
Kendall -- gets a KUDOS this week for being the MOST COURAGEOUS actor on the set. She started out wanting 'not too big' a role, but due to schedule changes, has stepped up in a great big way to take over a larger role! Brave girl! KUDOS KENDALL!
Erica -- gets a KUDOS this week for 'stand in' for the MOST ROLES read during a rehearsal! She isn't even in the play -- she'll be on vacation -- and has still contributed to the production. She carries the script around and reads ALL the missing kids roles that day. Friday, she was reading 5 (!) different actors roles! KUDOS ERICA!
TO LEAVE A COMMENT....CLICK ON THE
word 'comments' below to leave one ↓
Kendall -- gets a KUDOS this week for being the MOST COURAGEOUS actor on the set. She started out wanting 'not too big' a role, but due to schedule changes, has stepped up in a great big way to take over a larger role! Brave girl! KUDOS KENDALL!
Erica -- gets a KUDOS this week for 'stand in' for the MOST ROLES read during a rehearsal! She isn't even in the play -- she'll be on vacation -- and has still contributed to the production. She carries the script around and reads ALL the missing kids roles that day. Friday, she was reading 5 (!) different actors roles! KUDOS ERICA!
TO LEAVE A COMMENT....CLICK ON THE
word 'comments' below to leave one ↓
Esperanza Celebrity Sitings!
Esperanza Summer Theatre Actors
Out and About in H-Town
Hannah D. -- was seen performing at the STAGES THEATRE as part of their Young Actors Conservatory (YAC) in June of 2008. She was awesome on stage, as usual, and it was a real treat to see her. For those of you who don't know, Hannah performed for several years with the Esperanza Summer Theatre. Last year she played 'Annie', very loud (and funny!) assistant to Dr. Hoot in Survival of Ukocono. Hannah also performed in several previous Esperanza plays, including The Olympic Fairytale and The Mystery of the Totally Secret and Missing Sleuthie.
Alyssa T. -- was seen last May performing (SINGING! tra-la-la!) in the end of year award production at Sinclair Elementary school. This is Alyssa's first year performing with Esperanza Summer Theatre and she is playing the role of 'Ms. Dazzleton' in The 11th Street Bat Kids.
If your child is performing somewhere other than Esperanza (including school productions or community and/or professional theatre), please let us know the info so we can post it here!
Out and About in H-Town
Hannah D. -- was seen performing at the STAGES THEATRE as part of their Young Actors Conservatory (YAC) in June of 2008. She was awesome on stage, as usual, and it was a real treat to see her. For those of you who don't know, Hannah performed for several years with the Esperanza Summer Theatre. Last year she played 'Annie', very loud (and funny!) assistant to Dr. Hoot in Survival of Ukocono. Hannah also performed in several previous Esperanza plays, including The Olympic Fairytale and The Mystery of the Totally Secret and Missing Sleuthie.
Alyssa T. -- was seen last May performing (SINGING! tra-la-la!) in the end of year award production at Sinclair Elementary school. This is Alyssa's first year performing with Esperanza Summer Theatre and she is playing the role of 'Ms. Dazzleton' in The 11th Street Bat Kids.
If your child is performing somewhere other than Esperanza (including school productions or community and/or professional theatre), please let us know the info so we can post it here!
Esperanza Summer Theatre & the Success of Your Kid!
I am honored to work with your kids. They inspire me, they keep me laughing and they make me want to do everything possible to make their experience with the Esperanza Summer Theatre enjoyable and successful.
It's not about making your kid the next Nicole Kidman or Lucille Ball....or the next George Clooney or Jack Black -- it's about helping your kid become successful. I tell the kids that one day, they will have to stand up and give a speech in front of a group of people. Instead of their knees knocking together and their voice shaking, they will be ready for it! They will be able to stand up and take command of the audience - whether that audience be in a board room or a civic club meeting.
It's not about making your kid the next Nicole Kidman or Lucille Ball....or the next George Clooney or Jack Black -- it's about helping your kid become successful. I tell the kids that one day, they will have to stand up and give a speech in front of a group of people. Instead of their knees knocking together and their voice shaking, they will be ready for it! They will be able to stand up and take command of the audience - whether that audience be in a board room or a civic club meeting.
They will be ready to breath deep, think calmly and speak intelligently. They will be ready to talk - and they will be heard. It's about that. It's about giving them a secret toolkit to have at their disposal.
TO LEAVE A COMMENT....CLICK ON
THE word 'comments' below to leave one ↓
Surviving Ukocono!
Many of your children participated in last summer's production entitled Survival of Ukocono. The production turned out wonderful and I'm happy to report that we all did survive and are doing very well!
I am pleased to ANNOUNCE that this 'rainforest comedy' is being published by Brooklyn Publishers (which is located in Odessa, TX - not New York [I know, go figure!]).
Without the participation and inspiration of YOUR children, this play never would have been written, never performed and never published. I humbly THANK YOU ALL!
TO LEAVE A COMMENT....CLICK ON
THE word 'comments' below to leave one ↓
I am pleased to ANNOUNCE that this 'rainforest comedy' is being published by Brooklyn Publishers (which is located in Odessa, TX - not New York [I know, go figure!]).
Without the participation and inspiration of YOUR children, this play never would have been written, never performed and never published. I humbly THANK YOU ALL!
TO LEAVE A COMMENT....CLICK ON
THE word 'comments' below to leave one ↓
Esperanza Summer Theatre is Great in 2008!
I dearly wish I had thought of this sooner.....blogging about summer theatre at Esperanza Summer Camp!
Alexandra Couvaras -- dazzling diva and owner of Esperanza -- thought I should try to document the summer rehearsals in some way for the parents. We really aren't sure if the parental units realize just how MUCH work the kids put into rehearsing the summer plays. Your kids are always so excited to get started on rehearsals and work very hard to pull it all together -- they want you all to be proud of them....and of course, be entertained!
Alexandra suggested taking pictures of the kids working on the play, you know, the entire process, soup to nuts! She also suggested making a video diary of the show coming together each summer. Well, it's late in the summer to get started, but Alexandra has inspired me to try and do something about all this!
So much work - so little time to get you all on the inside track.....but I will do my best. As the mom of a 10 year old boy, I am always curious about what he's up to when he's not with me. This will be your chance to get a rare glimpse of your child's day.
As luck would have it -- and I am a very lucky girl! -- Ms. Maggie has been taking photos of rehearsals for the last two weeks. SOOOO....I will get some of those posted as soon as I can!
I will post here as often as I can to keep you informed about what the kids are up to, the goofy things they say, the silly things they do and the fantastic contributions they make to our summer play. It is truly a group effort, an ensemble production in every way!
And, check back here during the school year too! I often get notifications of what Esperanza kids are doing during school months and I'd be happy to keep everyone updated with the 'goings on' around H-town.
Also, I would greatly appreciate your COMMENTS! But please do keep to 'child appropriate' language on this site, as I know many of the Esperanza 'theatre' campers will want to peruse the blog themselves. We need to keep this totally child friendly, thanks.
TO LEAVE A COMMENT....CLICK ON
THE word 'comments' below to leave one ↓
Alexandra Couvaras -- dazzling diva and owner of Esperanza -- thought I should try to document the summer rehearsals in some way for the parents. We really aren't sure if the parental units realize just how MUCH work the kids put into rehearsing the summer plays. Your kids are always so excited to get started on rehearsals and work very hard to pull it all together -- they want you all to be proud of them....and of course, be entertained!
Alexandra suggested taking pictures of the kids working on the play, you know, the entire process, soup to nuts! She also suggested making a video diary of the show coming together each summer. Well, it's late in the summer to get started, but Alexandra has inspired me to try and do something about all this!
So much work - so little time to get you all on the inside track.....but I will do my best. As the mom of a 10 year old boy, I am always curious about what he's up to when he's not with me. This will be your chance to get a rare glimpse of your child's day.
As luck would have it -- and I am a very lucky girl! -- Ms. Maggie has been taking photos of rehearsals for the last two weeks. SOOOO....I will get some of those posted as soon as I can!
I will post here as often as I can to keep you informed about what the kids are up to, the goofy things they say, the silly things they do and the fantastic contributions they make to our summer play. It is truly a group effort, an ensemble production in every way!
And, check back here during the school year too! I often get notifications of what Esperanza kids are doing during school months and I'd be happy to keep everyone updated with the 'goings on' around H-town.
Also, I would greatly appreciate your COMMENTS! But please do keep to 'child appropriate' language on this site, as I know many of the Esperanza 'theatre' campers will want to peruse the blog themselves. We need to keep this totally child friendly, thanks.
TO LEAVE A COMMENT....CLICK ON
THE word 'comments' below to leave one ↓
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)