By STO Marisa Berrones
Are you interested in design but don’t know where to start? Well, this is a good place to look! We asked Texas Thespians across the state what questions they had about theatrical design and answered them to the best of our abilities. So let’s soar into theatrical design. Q: What does theatrical design encompass? A: There are four areas of theatrical design: scenery, lighting, costuming, and sound. Without any of these areas, the show will be missing a crucial part of the experience you get from live theatre. Q: When a tech crew is working on designing a show, how can you make sure everyone is on the same page and properly communicating? A: While it may seem like an easy answer, the best way to make sure everyone is communicating effectively is to talk. My favorite way to communicate is by sending out rehearsal reports after each rehearsal and making sure everyone reads it by adding a few questions in! Q: What skills do you need in order to do lighting design? A: Whether you are new to tech, or have been a part of the crew for years and are just starting to learn the ropes of light design, there are no skills needed prior to joining. Just come prepared with a ready-to-learn attitude and lots of extra paper! Q: What is the average size of a set? A: There isn’t one! Every show is different and every stage is different so there is no average set size! Q: In theatrical design, how often do you view the set from the audience’s view? A: I personally look at the set from the audience’s view every time the set is put up and taken down. I also take pictures from the middle of the auditorium to compare the set from other perspectives. For my OAP set last year we changed the setup nearly every day, so watching from the middle and back of the auditorium was crucial to our set design. Q: How does viewing a set design from the audience change the final layout and mapping of the stage? A: Viewing the set from the audience’s perspective allows directors to see where the performers may be hidden, light cues need to be fixed, or props need to be moved. Another part of sitting in the audience during a rehearsal is being able to see if any dialogue is misheard or if any sound cues are too low. Q: What is the average amount of time it takes to fully design a show? A: The average amount of time it takes to design a show is around 4-6 months, but that does not include the hours of rehearsals used to get every last cue exactly how it needs to be. Now go out there, and design those shows! Best of luck, Your 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers
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By: STO Gentry Phillips, Springtown High School, Troupe 1494
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for… Broadway is finally making its way back onto the stage! After a long wait, shows will finally be opening back up starting in September. Let's take a look at some of the productions we will be seeing back in swing next month! Hadestown Being one of the first shows to reopen, the cast and crew of Hadestown are ready to get back into the saddle! This show will be opening starting September the second. Before their Broadway return, Hadestown has toured in South Korea, these performances being first non-English productions of the show. The North American tour will begin on October fifteenth in D.C.. What an excellent show to kick off the reopening! Waitress Waitress is also reopening on September second! Sara Bareilles is set to star in her musical as the central role come opening day. Waitress’s first show back will take place at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, a new stage for this company seeing that the original production was performed at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (which is now the home to the musical Six!). Dear Evan Hansen Lastly, Dear Evan Hansen will be reopening on December eleventh. Casting has yet to be announced, but everyone is eager for the list. The London production of the show will be opening back up on October twenty-sixth. The North American tour for Evan Hansen is set to get on the move December seventh. Excited for the things to come, Your 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers By STO Abi Colburn, The Woodlands High School, Troupe 1053
It has come that time to start auditioning for high school shows. Here are some tips and tricks so you will absolutely rock your audition:
2. Know your character. Read up on the show you are auditioning for; it gives you an idea of what the directors are looking for. 3. Don’t be nervous. Everyone gets nervous, but try to remember that the directors are on your side. They want you to be the person that they have been looking for. 4. Don’t apologize. In your audition, don’t be overly apologetic. Be confident in yourself and you will rock it! 5. Don’t be afraid to make choices. Many directors are looking for fresh perspectives to work with. If you have an idea that fits your character and piece, go for it! 6. Pick material from published plays. If you are asked to perform a monologue, pick one from a published play. Directors much prefer it and it makes it easier on you because you can find out exactly what your character is going through using the play. 7. BREATHE. Auditioning can be a very scary thing. You are putting yourself out there in front of directors in the hopes of being casted. Just breathe, taking deep breaths helps calm the nervous system and then you will be more confident in your audition! Hopefully these tips will help you succeed in rocking your high school auditions! And remember, it's just high school. It is not the end of the world if it doesn’t go the way you want it to. Sincerely, Your 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers By: STO Marisa Berrones, Midland High School, Troupe 3376 STO Deonte Sanseverino was a part of Troupe 7556 at Pottsboro High school, where he worked as a tech and cast member. He served on the 2016 STO Board when the theme was “Home”. He is now an Electrical Engineering college student.
Q: What was it that made you want to run for the STO position? A: Getting to work with talented individuals from across Texas. Being on the National Qualifying All-State Show Big Fish helped me see that I wanted to spread out more. Q: What is your favorite memory of being an STO? A: Socktober, our final planning meeting in October for festival! Q: What was your favorite musical then? What is it now? A: Hamilton, it still is Hamilton. Q: What did you learn then that you still carry with you? A: Be agile, things don’t always go as planned but they have to be carried out somehow. Q: What would you have done differently in high school? A: Focused more on SAT/ACT instead of my class rank. Q: What would you have done differently in your troupe? A: I would have done more teambuilding events! Q: What would you have done differently as an STO? A: I would have visited more neighboring troupes! Q: If you could send your troupe one message what would it be? A: Act well your part, for there all the honor lies, and that applies beyond just theatre you know! Would you like to be like Deonte and represent Texas Thespians? Check out how to become an STO here! By: STO Gentry Phillips, Springtown High School, Troupe 1494
As the new school year draws ever so near, the concoction of nerves and excitement is producing a strong brew. What will I wear the first day? When will our first auditions be? Will people like my new haircut? Did I personalize my school supplies too much? Don’t stress, this blog has got your back! Here is some advice for each grade, school and theatre related, that will hopefully mellow out all those emotions you’re experiencing. Freshman: First and foremost, BE YOUR AUTHENTIC SELVES!!! High school can already be a stressful place, so there is no need to exhaust your energy pretending to be someone you’re not. By being true to yourself and your personality, you will find where you fit in much quicker and make friends faster as well. Confidence is key! Keep in mind everyone is made unique and our differences are what makes us special and great. In regards to theatre, familiarize yourself with your director(s) and peers. Experiment with different jobs in the department and figure out what you like to do best! Sophomores: Now that you have the general idea about what high school is and what it has to offer, try something new! This could be theatre related, or pertain to some other activity. Find a new hobby, join a new club, or push boundaries into new territory. Maybe switch it up and give improv a shot, or try your hand in the lighting booth. There is so much to explore, so why not try as much as possible?! Juniors: Hate to break it to you, but this year is the heaviest when it comes to academic work. College entrance exams are super important to your future, so study, study, study! When you have free time make sure you are preparing for college auditions or focusing on your best skills. Make yourself impressive so you get into your dream school, or get that perfect job after graduation. We believe in you! Seniors: This year will be truly bittersweet. Take this year to focus on what’s important, reminisce on what you have accomplished, and have fun! Take that last bow with pride and know that you have done well. However, don’t neglect your responsibilities, high school isn’t over just yet. We can’t wait to see what you accomplish, Your 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers |
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