Monthly Archives: April 2016

One of my favorite events of every performance happens AFTER the show. We have a bit of a lobby outside the Blackbox that parents and friends have been trained over the years to wait for their budding actor to express their love and support. Pictures, stuffed animals, and cheesy photographs abound. I would be easy to be very “above this,” but it is actually quite sweet. Anyone who poo poos this is likely jealous and missing a few stuffed animals in their life! Read more →

As my advanced class, Company, is drawing to a close we were reviewing some the activities that we explored during the year. The one that seemed to draw the most attention was our habit of “Checking In” with each and every class. Read more →

Shadow Box has the luxury of having seven showings split over two weekends. This is very rare in high school theatre as most shows use only one weekend and usually have only four performances. I have always had a problem with this plan. With a four performance plan, young actors are barely figuring out what they are doing until the third or so performance and then it is time for strike and the pizza party. I have often seen these actors sit there at the post-show, pizza-on-the-loading-dock-party turning to each other to say, “Oh, I guess the play was a comedy.” But now too late. . . Read more →

Now in the in the midst of performance week, the reviews are coming in – – not exactly from the newspapers or the national press – but more likely from the hallways. They are usually quite positive as they speak about the work of their friends. They want to be there for their friends – just as they want they want their friends to be there for them. But then the wolves come. . . Read more →

“I am so tired.” “I cannot get up in the morning.” “I have lost all interest in school.” “We’re not doing anything in class anyways.” “The show takes up all of my night.” “There is no way that I can get any homework done.” “Can I take a nap during class?” “Can I bring my blanket and a pillow and sleep in the hall?” “Can we call every day a senior skip day?” “Do I need to continue with respiration? – breathing is just too difficult.” “My arms are too tired. I can’t hold things – how can they expect me to hold things without arms?” Read more →