92. New link

Added this new link: click-a-dress, which is a fun tool for a quick dress design-Elizabethan/Tudor.

91. CNMI Competitions

You can check out news and notices at CNMI Competitions about Thespians, NFL, NJFL, Math Court, PGFC, CCHLS and more, if you're interested.

90. Look for the MCS Junior Thespians at the Activity Fair

Wednesday, August 13, MCS students will be attending an activity fair, checking out various organizations that offer activities and opportunities.

I believe that the MCS Junior Thespians will have a table there, with an informational brochure.

Look for it. Check it out!

89. ITS Festival Makes NYTimes

It's true. A photo from the ITS Festival 2008 made the front page of the Arts & Leisure section of the New York Times (7/13/2008). The article, here, is interesting reading.

The writer, caught up in the glamour of the big shows, though, missed out on Team CNMI.

88. Publicity!

Thespian Team CNMI 2008 made today's Tribune. You can read it here.

Edit. Also in the Marianas Variety on Wednesday here.

87. Video moments.

86. Festival Redux-A few more photos

Imagine! Some thespians hide from the camera!





Rehearsing.




Playing:



Conceptual art on display at UN (Bi-tunes):


The trip is exhausting, and the journey home long...

85. ITS Festival-Photo Redux

These photos were taken by Anna Rose DLG. And these photos are heavily populated by Anna Rose, because she was taking them. If any one else has photos to contribute, please send them to me and I'll post them, too.


Have ukulele. Make friends. Moon and others.


Johnna and Anna, making sure everyone knows they're island girls.


Tommy break-dancing?

BTW, if you notice the dates on the photos...well, they're wrong. Sorry.



Moon and thespians from around the states, hanging out.


Myrene, and Tommy's mouth.





Anna, meeting another Thespian.


Anna & Tommy, practicing faces.


Anna and Reece.


Kay, with new friend.


Matt, in his tux.





The dressing room, before the show, An Evening of Culture.


Anna & Dayanara in costume for An Evening...



Jimmy & Victor, in costume, waiting for An Evening... to start.


Stolen moment, Victor & Reece, backstage before the show.


Anna, before Cinderella...


The Cinderella cast, pre-show.


Dayanara and Royze, at the airport.




Anna & Jimmy, at the airport.


Miki Nadia, Myrene & Anna.


On the way home.

84. 2008-2009 TWPI Season

The TWPI Board of Directors met to discuss what plays to include in the 2008-2009 season. This year, we present a musical, and possibly will again present a junior thespian one act and a senior thespian one act in the Spring.

Although students and teachers are hopefully getting some R & R this summer, the schedule will be tight and busy when school starts. Because of the cost-cutting delay adopted by the PSS this year, school starts after Labor Day instead of in early August as usual. So we're looking at approximately a 6 to 8 week schedule for auditions and rehearsals and then staging!

The play will be THE SECRET GARDEN, a Broadway musical based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The musical won 3 Tony awards and incorporates many elements we've been working on here in the CNMI-a Greek-style chorus, this time of ghosts; a simple set that may use backdrops or flats; and a full orchestral production.

If you want to get an idea of the show, you can watch this student production (from the French Woods Festival). Note the sound/dubbing is off in some of these, but still they give the full flavor! (And you can pick the parts you're auditioning for!):



Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5


Part 6


Part 7


Part 8


Part 9


Part 10


Part 11


Part 12









We're targeting the weekend of November 14th -16th, 2008.

Everything, of course, is subject to change (even the play selection). But for now, this is what we're thinking will be first up on our 2008-2009 production schedule!

83. IEs Are In!

I don't have all the news, but I do have some.

Kay Park got 2nd PLACE in Costume Design! Oh wow! That is so great!

Miki Nadia Dela Cruz made the top 10 in Solo Musical. That field had about 56 competitors and is always a tough competition. Well done!

Both Kay and Miki Nadia were given special recognition with their names in the program at the IE recognition ceremony and awarded special certificates.

We are so proud of you!!!

The rest of the CNMI team did well, too.

MCS students first (since this the MCS troupe blog!):
Anna Rose Deleon Guerrero: 2 excellent and one good overall ratings. She received a total of 8 excellents and 4 goods. And this, despite forgetting the chair! Nice job!

Jimmy Baik and Victor Sablan: overall good ratings from the judges, who Mr. Easton reports were very tough. And they earned some excellent ratings in individual categories!

Our MCS Junior Thespians went to the ITS Festival, competed against the best HIGH school thespians in the states, and came out with very respectable ratings and evaluations! GREAT JOB!!!

Now for the rest (and I apologize I don't have all the details):
Four other students (besides Kay and Miki Nadia) got overall superior ratings from at least one judge.

2 more received overall excellents.

And 4 more received overall excellents from at least one judge.

(My numbers don't add up. Sorry) Mr. Easton says all but 3 students received at least one overall excellent or better rating. And the students who did not receive any overall excellent ratings received excellent ratings in at least one category on the evaluation sheets.

TEAM CNMI rocked!

Tommy Baik got 8 college auditions.

And ITS Festival coordinators selected Tommy Baik to operate one of the cameras at the Main Stage shows!


Oh, and according to Mr. Easton, the plays went "very, very, very well." The theatres were about 2/3 full (one seats 200, one seats 300), so more than 300 theatre students from around the nation (and the world-Australia and UAE troupes were at Festival) watched our CNMI students perform!


TEAM CNMI--great job all around.

82. A Little More News

Team CNMI staged both AN EVENING OF CULTURE (FAITH COUNTY II) and CINDERELLA WORE COMBAT BOOTS. Anna says the latter got more laughs.

While some of the team were on stage, others went to see SWEENEY TODD! (Sheesh!)

The group has seen more shows, besides HAIRSPRAY, including ANATOMY OF GREY and PROOF.

College auditions happened, successfully (meaning callbacks! Yay!).

And all of the students are still waiting on their I.E. evaluations.

And while I'm posting about bits of info relayed to me (secondhand), there are some blogs and websites reporting directly from the festival, like this one and this one and this one.

81. Festival News & Notes # 15-the early reports

The news is trickling in.

Team CNMI students have settled into their dorm rooms at University of Nebraska. They're paired up into rooms, but because there is an odd number (15) of CNMI students, one is paired with a student from another place: Matt Wheat is rooming with a boy from Michigan.

Monday, they attended the workshop on preparing for Individual Events (IEs). Anna recognized a workshop presenter from Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (from attending a summer camp there a few years ago).

Matt Wheat is wearing his ITS/CNMI sash (a graduation sash) as a means of promoting his candidacy for ITO officer for region 1. It's attracting attention, which is good promotion for him.

Team CNMI attended the student production of CHICAGO. Some production photos are posted on the EdTA site.

IEs happened today. Anna is disappointed because she forgot to set the stage with a chair before starting, but in true show-biz fashion, she carried on and performed her piece (Forget About the Boy from THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE). She watched Miki Nadia perform her solo musical number (from AIDA) and reports that Miki did well. I'm still waiting to hear about the others. Evaluations from the judges aren't usually distributed until later in the week.

Tonight (well-Tuesday night Nebraska time, which is our Wednesday), CNMI students will be attending HAIRSPRAY, the production by the national cast. Should be starting just about now (noon, local time). Sounds like fun!

80. Festival News & Notes #14-Students Depart for Festival!

Saturday, June 21, 2008, 13 CNMI students left Saipan for the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska. Yay! (Two more are already in the states, attending the NFL competitions first.)

Dora Borja Miura, SSHS math teacher, arrived early to check in and be ready to help with all the traveling students' check-ins. And she was happy and perky!



Students line up at 7 AM to check-in. (Miki Nadia Dela Cruz and Johnna Lubuguin, Royze Banados and Dayanara Flores, Anna Rose Deleon Guerero, Jimmy Baik, and Victor Sablan.)




MCS team members Anna Rose, Jimmy, and Victor.




The arty girls, Kyoung Min Park (costumes) and Myrene Evangelista (set design), juggle extra cargo at check-in.



Shauna Brown, another troupe director chaperone, stands in line with Moon Hyo Lee and Reece Brown.


The last ticket is handed off to Matt Wheat, who arrived on time, but was last because everyone else arrived early!!!


Front row: Johnna Lubuguin, Dayanara Flores, Royze Banados, Anna Rose Deleon Guerrero, and Myrene Evangelista.
Back Row: Sung Woo (Jimmy) Baik, Victor Sablan, Sung Yul (Tommy) Baik, Miki Nadia Dela Cruz.
Absent from photo: Moon Hyo Lee, Kyong Min Park, Matthew Wheat, Reece Brown. They were still waiting their turns at the check-in counter.


EDIT add-on. The press release I sent in made both the Variety and the Tribune.

#79. Festival News & Notes # 13-Break a Leg!

Everyone has been given their costume and props for the Chapter Select and Free-Style shows. Everyone has been given a packet of programs and handbills. By sharing responsibility for transporting these to Lincoln, we save money: we don't have to pay for extra luggage or cargo to take these. Please don't forget to bring these!

Your suitcase may weigh not more than 50 pounds. And only one suitcase per person. One carry-on, too.

DEPARTURE: June 21. Please be at the airport no later than 7 AM, with your passport in hand. This will help avoid making our fearless chaperones worry. And you don't want worried chaperones!

WEATHER: In Lincoln, NE, the current weather ranges from low 60's to high 80's, and they're having and predicting more thunder storms. Bring an umbrella, if possible.

Please gather in front of the counter at the airport for a photo shoot before you leave. I hope to put a short news release in the papers.

Break a leg!

78. Festival News & Notes #12-Festival Schedule

Hurrah! The entire Festival Schedule is now available here. And there's a workshop checklist to help you decide what workshops you want to attend here.

The workshops are arranged by category:

Acting
Auditions
Colleges and Careers
Dance
Directing
General Theatre
Movement
Musical Theatre
Playwriting
Teachers Only
Technical Theatre

I'll be perusing this and will get back with details of what I think is most interesting, but I encourage all of you to check it out, too. After all, I'm just enjoying the Festival vicariously. You all will be going there!

77. Festival News & Notes # 11

EdTA has posted the NIES (National Individual Event Showcase) schedule.


OOH! This is so exciting!

Here's a summary of Team CNMI.

All NIES performances are scheduled for Tuesday June 24, 2008.

Schedule by Time
9:00 AM in Ferguson 113, Myrene Evangelista
9:15 AM in Temple 104, Kay Park
11:52 AM in Temple 104, Matt Wheat
12:37 PM in Temple 304, Moon & Tommy
1:18 PM in Ferguson 113, Richille & Ryan
2:08 PM in Temple 304, Victor & Jimmy
2:15 PM in Ferguson 113 Johnna
2:29 PM in Howell Theatre, Anna Rose
3:26 PM in Temple 304, Dayanara & Royze
4:24 PM in Carson Theatre, Miki Nadia
5:02 PM in Howell Theatre, Reece

And for another way of seeing the schedule:

Schedule by location
Howell Theatre*:
2:29 PM Anna Rose
5:02 PM Reece

Carson Theatre:
4:24 PM Miki Nadia

Temple Room 104:
9: 15 AM Kay
11:52 AM Matt

Temple Room 304:
12:37 PM Moon & Tommy
2:08 PM Victor & Jimmy
3:26 PM Dayanara & Royze

Ferguson Room 113:
9 AM Myrene
1:18 PM Richille & Ryan
2:15 PM Johnna

Also
EdTA is encouraging all NIES participants to attend a special workshop called PREPARING FOR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS AT FESTIVAL, scheduled for Monday, June 23 from 2:30 to 4 PM at the Studio Theatre.







*Shauna Brown is the door guard in the afternoon solo-musical session.

.

76. News! New Troupe Director for 2008-2009.

I am so very pleased to announce that you will have a new Troupe Director for school year 2008-2009. MCS teacher Rommel Calcena has agreed to take on the responsibilities of managing the troupe.



I think this will provide students with better access to information and more encouragement, because Mr. Calcena will be in the school on a daily basis, unlike me, who as a parent volunteer only visits occasionally for meetings and such.

I hope that all of the middle school students will take advantage of the great opportunities the Junior Thespian troupe offers--a chance to compete against students from other schools, a chance to try new dramatic endeavors, and a chance to win a free trip to the International Thespian Festival held each June in Lincoln, Nebraska (at the University of Nebraska).

I'll be posting photos our three winning MCS junior thespians bring back from the ITS Festival this year, and possibly post a few more news & notes, but that will be about it from me!

Hope you all have a wonderful summer.

75. Troupe News-Induction Photos & Caesar "Review"

TROUPE NEWS: Nine MCS middle school students were inducted as junior thespians into Troupe 88799 of the International Thespian Society. The new junior thespians are Sung Woo (Jimmy) Baik, Lourence Camacho, Mariel Ferrer, Hope Gomez, Angeliya Lizama, Andrea Manese, Victor Sablan, Josie Santos, and Ginny Wu.

Troupe president Anna DLG., and troupe secretary Victoria Camacho helped with the ceremony.

Troupe member also came to support the new troupe members.

The ceremony was held before the premiere of CAESAR, the MCS theatre club's feature movie. We had to wait at the AMP visitors' center because of a minor screw-up in their scheduling of events. SIS had its 8th grade graduation ceremony scheduled for essentially the same time as CAESAR was supposed to be screened.

CAESAR: The SIS and MCS administration, teachers, students, parents, and friends worked out an amicable co-use agreement on the spot--with SIS going first, and agreeing to be as quick as possible (and still give due pomp and circumstance to the 8th grade graduates). The film-goers agreed, for the most part, to hang out in the lobby and chat, not too noisily, waiting for their turn.

I was impressed with Galvin Guerrero's easy acceptance and acommodation of the situation. Hal Easton, who came as the Chapter Director of the Thespians of the Western Pacific Islands, said that theatre people know how to roll with the punches, that the motto "the show must go on" is deeply ingrained, so that even students don't lose their cool when the power goes out in the middle of the show (as happened recently at the Multi-Purpose Center when the TWPI were performing their two one-act plays!).

And as for my impression of the MCS movie CAESAR:

Wow! It wasn't Hollywood, but it was good for a student production. The production choices worked well within the context of the movie--choosing a gritty "film noir" tone, using light and dark contrast for drama, using modified, ordinary English for much of the story but putting the words of Shakespeare in the mouths of the actors and actresses who could best pull off that level of powerful drama.

I loved the music used, although the sound was a little sketchy at times (going to loud, or too soft, and occasionally causing the actors' utterances to be inaudible or indiscernable). Some of the transitions (fades to black) seemed slow, but other transitions (cross-fades) were marvelous. I loved the use of different venues in Saipan to dramatic effect.

The story is well-known, of course, being Shakespeare. I liked that Brutus and Mark Antony were recast as women, and there was a slight love-interest aspect between Brutus and Cassius (gee, I hope I got that right. Between Letition Cabrera and John Babauta.)

This version of CAESAR will not win awards, drags a bit in the middle, and is clearly a student production, but it is well worth seeing.

Second show TONIGHT (SATURDAY 5/31) at AMERICAN MEMORIAL PARK, 7 PM.

Come and enjoy the show, and then take in dinner at the last Taste of the Marianas.

74. Yay! Induction News!

Finally! We've set the induction of our Junior Thespians for Friday evening, May 30, 2008, at the American Memorial Park. The short ceremony will take place before the premiere of the MCS film, CAESAR.

Tickets to the movie are wending their way to our new inductees as I write this. (Actually troupe President Anna Rose is handing them out at school.)

MCS Principal Galvin Guerrero is searching for our framed list of Junior Thespians (misplaced in the move to his new drama room) so we can add the names of the 9 students getting honored this year.

Unlike last year (when we held the induction inside Mount Carmel Cathedral), there will be no roses or candles, but I should have something appropriate to the occasion and venue for each celebrant.

So bring your parents and friends to the movie, and let's all congratulate those who've worked hard this year with dedication to drama and theatre arts.

FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2008 AT 6:30 P.M.
AMERICAN MEMORIAL PARK

73. ITS 2008 Festival News & Notes # 10

Can't get enough? Want to hang out with kids from a different place?

Here's another opportunity from the Drury Drama Team:

We will be performing "Booby Trap", a short drama at the festival in Lincoln. We have openings for two small parts. One male and one female part is available. If you are interested, I would need a recommendation from your teacher. We will perform the play at the Carson Theatre in Lincoln on Wednesday at 2:45. You would be responsible to learn your part before the festival. We would have just one day to rehearse with you.I will be off line until June 2. Please contact me at drurydramateam@aol.com

Dr. Len Radin
District Drama Coordinator
North Adams, MA
www.drurydrama.com

72. ITS Festival 2008 News & Notes # 9

Here's the promo for the ITS Festival. Obviously this was shot previously--as in ITS Festival 2007. Thespians of the Western Pacific Islands (that's us!) make important appearances: Look for a brief scene where the TWPI Thespians are on screen in their dressing room before their Chapter Select Showcase performance. And be sure to watch all the way to the end for those credits--more TWPI talent recognized!

ITS Festival 2008 is going to be fun, fun, fun!

71. ITS Festival News & Notes # 8-Chapter Select Showcase

There will be some fun shows on stage at the Chapter Select Showcase. These are less formal, less polished productions than those on the Main Stage, but you'll still get a chance to see some talented students giving it their all in presenting a wide variety of theatre.

WEDNESDAY June 25, 2008
2PM The Compleat Works of Wllm. Shkspre. (abridged) by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, Jess Winfield. Performed by Troupe 3161, Owensboro HIgh school, Kentucky.

3PM Faith County II, The Saga Continues--An evening of Culture--Romeo & Juliet Presented by the Mieola Society for Cultural Recognition, by Mark Landon Smith. Performed by TWPI, Saipan!! (They've got this listed as an MHS troupe production on the schedule. But WE know the truth--it will be staged by our junior thespians! Hahaha! Those attending are going to think we've got the smallest high school students in the world!)

4PM A Doll's House is a Metaphor, by Patrick Greene. Performed by Troupe 1540, Parkersburg South High School, West Virginia.

5PM Honour, by C. Denby Swanson. Performed by Troupe 6055, Woodcreek High, California.


THURSDAY, 6/26/2008
2PM Final Draft--original script written and performed by Ponderosa High School, Colorado.

3PM Making Nice by Alan Haehnel. Performed by Pearl High School, Mississippi.

4PM Cut, by Ed Monk. Performed by Troupe 6325, Blue Valley West High school, Kansas.

5PM Crazy Eights, That Other Person, Baby Food, by David Lyndsay Abaire. Performed by Troupe 6641, Cypress Ridge High School, Texas.


FRIDAY, 6/27/2008
2PM Big Mary, by Mark Medoff. Performed by Troupe 6492, Community HIgh School, Michigan.

3PM 'Dentity Crisis, by Christopher Durang. Performed by Troupe 6730, Liberty High school, Nevada.

4PM This is a Test, by Stephen Gregg. Performed by 6338, Alma High school, Arkansas.

5PM The Zoo Story, by Edward Albee. Performed by Troupe 6977, Marion Franklin High School, Ohio.


SATURDAY, 6/28/2008
2PM Controlling interests (Terms of the Agreement), by Wayne Rawley. Performed by Troupe 5350, Westview HIgh School, Oregon.

3PM Instincts, by Jason Milligan. Performed by Troupe 106, Maconaquah High School, Indiana.

4PM The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr. (abridged), by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, Jess Winfield. Performed by Troupe 3676, Lewisville HIgh School, Texas.

5PM Wiley and the Hairy Man, by Alice Molter. Performed by Troupe 452, Clinton High School, Iowa.

70. ITS Festival 2008 News & Notes #7-Team CNMI

I should have posted this much earlier, but in case you've lost track, here's a listing of the CNMI Team for ITS 2008.


Name, School, Category, Type, Level

Baik, Sung Yul (Tommy), MHS, Mime (duet),Performance, High School
Dela Cruz, Miki Nadia, KHS, Solo Musical, Performance, High School
Denora, Richille. SSHS.Duet Acting.Performance,High School
Evangelista, Myrene, MHS, Set Design, Technical, High School
Gutierres, Ryan, SSHS,Duet Acting, Performance, High School
Lee, Moon Hyo, MHS, Mime (duet), Performance, High School
Lubuguin, Johnna, SSHS, Monologue, Performance, High School
Park, Kyoun Min, MHS, Costume, Technical, High School
Wheat, Matthew, MHS. Film, Technical,High School

Baik, Sung Woo (Jimmy), MCS, Mime (duet), Performance. Junior Thespian
Banados, Royce, HJHS, Duet Acting, Performance, Junior Thespian
Brown, Reece, SAEF, Monologue. Performance, Junior Thespian
Deleon Guerrero, Anna, MCS, Solo Musical, Performance, Junior Thespian
Flores, Dayanara, HJHS, Duet Acting, Performance, Junior Thespian
Sablan, Victor, MCS, Mime (duet), Performance, Junior Thespian

Chapter Director: Harold Easton
Advisor: Wesley Foster
Chaperones: Dora Miura & Shauna Brown



Departure Date: 6/21/2008
Return Date: 7/01/2008

69. ITS Festival News & Notes # 6-What's Showing on Main Stage?

EdTA lists these as the main stage shows. I've added links to help you figure out what the plays are all about (in case you don't already know).

Master Harold...and the Boys, by Athol Fugard, performed by The Westminster School, Troupe 3327, Atlanta, Georgia

Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, performed by the Las Vegas (Nevada) Academy of Performing Arts, Troupe 5273

James Still’s And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank, performed by Roosevelt High School, Troupe 5832, Seattle, Washington

Little Shop of Horrors, performed by Pennsbury High School, Troupe 830, Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania

Rent School Edition, performed by Bradford High School, Troupe 4982, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Proof, by David Auburn, performed by Ryan High School, Troupe 1417, Denton, Texas

Noises Off, by Michael Frayn performed by Salina (Kansas) High School Central, Troupe 639

James Leonard Jr.’s Anatomy of Gray, performed by Blue Valley High School, Troupe 4847, Stilwell, Kansas

The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, performed by Randolph School, Troupe 4590, Huntsville, Alabama

The Diviners, by James Leonard, Jr., performed by Floyd Central High School, Troupe 1794, of Floyds Knobs, Indiana, and Silver Creek High School, Troupe 5151, of Sellersburg, Indiana.

Crimes of the Heart, by Beth Henley, performed by Tupelo (Mississippi) High School, Troupe 1949.

Chicago, performed by Pleasant Valley (Iowa) High School, Troupe 856.



I hope the CNMI team enjoys all of these productions!

68. Some How To Mime videos

There's a new series of "How to Mime" videos on You Tube. They've been around about 3 months. They cover some of the same basics that Mr. Easton reviewed (like opening doors, lifting, driving a car, pulling a rope, a wall) with our troupe back in September, and add some other basic techniques (leaning, blowing balloons, sewing, brushing teeth, etc.)

So here are a few, but reallly, I encourage you to check them all out on You Tube.


How to Drive




How to climb a ladder




How to pick flowers

Enjoy!

67. ITS Festival 2008 News & Notes # 5

Junior Thespians can look forward to college auditions when they are in 11th grade. It's never too early to be thinking about college. So here's a list of colleges auditioning at the 2008 ITS Festival, with their links. Check out some of these, just for fun!

*The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, AMDA, New York, New York
*The University of the Arts, UARTS, Philadelphia
*Chicago College of Performing Arts, CCPA, Chicago
*University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, UC-CCM
*Cornell College, Cornell, Mount Vernon, Iowa
*DePaul University, DePaul, Chicago
*University of Evansville, UE, Evansville, Indiana
*Gustavus Adolphus College, Gustavus, St. Peter, Minnesota
*The University of Houston, UH, Houston, TX
*Kirkwood Community College, Kirkwood, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
*Lindenwood University, Lindenwood, St. Charles, Missouri
*Loyola University New Orleans, Loyola, New Orleans, LA
*Marquette University, Marquette, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
*University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater,
UM-Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
*University of Nebraska-Lincoln, UNL.
*The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, NYCDA, New York, New York
*New York University/Steinhardt, NYU-Steinhardt, New York City
*University of Northern Colorado, UNC, Greeley
*Ohio Northern University, ONU, Ada
*University of Oklahoma, OU, Norman
*Otterbein College, Otterbein, Westerville, Ohio
*Penn State University School of Theatre, Penn State Theatre, University Park, Pennsylvania
*Rockford College, Rockford, Rockford, Illinois
*Saint Louis University, SLU, St. Louis
*Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, St. Mary's, Winona
*University of South Dakota, USD, Vermillion
*University of Southern California, USC, Los Angeles
*Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, SIUE.
*Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts, SMU, Dallas
*Viterbo University, Viterbo, La Crosse, Wisconsin
*Wake Forest University, Wake Forest, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
*Webster University, Webster, St. Louis
*Western Michigan University, WMU, Kalamazoo, Michigan
*William Woods University, William Woods, Fulton, Missouri
*University of Wyoming, UWyoming, Laramie

66. Meeting Notice-PARENTS

There is a meeting for parents of students going to the states for ITS Festival, NFL, and NJFL.

Scheduled for Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 5 PM, at MHS Room 101 D.

Parents will get information about the trip, do a last check-through of paperwork (their initials may be needed on some forms), and get the necessary information about travel insurance.

Students--you need to have a parent attend this meeting. :-)

(Something like turnabout--as when parents must try to get students to go somewhere or do something...)

65. Congratulations to the MCS Mock Trial Team!

Great job at the national competitions!


The MCS team came in 35th place, out of 42. This may seem low, but each of the competing states/territories/countries is sending its best team, after selective competitions. So 35th place is good.

The CNMI has been sending teams since 2000. We've come in last place two times (2004)(2005), second to last place once (2000), and 3rd to last place once(2003). So go KNIGHTS! You rocked. You didn't beat the best CNMI record (24th place in 2002), but you did us proud.

And a special congratulations to Letitia Cabrera for an individual outstanding performance, too. You can read more here.

64. Festival 2008 News & Notes-#4

The big feature at the ITS Festival in Lincoln this year will be the national cast production of HAIRSPRAY.

Want a closer look behind the scenes?

The Cast:
Tracy Turnblad- Sdyney Magers (IN)
Link Larkin - Jeff Zicker (NV)
Corny Collins - Brad Frenette (MI)
Edna Turnblad - Cory Thompson (GA)
Penny Pingleton - Allysa Schmitt (CA)
Velma Von Tussle - Natalie Wisener (AZ)
Amber Von Tussle - Molly Brynteson (CO)
Seaweed J. Stubbs - Julian Crider (NV)
Little Inez - Tarshiba Clark (FL)
Motormouth - Tetrianna Silas (GA)
Wilbur Turnblad - Jacob Porter (PA)
Prudy Pingleton - Becca Stewart (NV)
Mr. Pinky - Abraham Bobo (FL) [unconfirmed]
Gym Teacher - Amy Lamkin (WA)
Spritzer - Josh Houghton (OR)
Matron - Marie Robello (WA)
Nicest Kids- David Rossenberg (GA), Sam Lips (CO), Daniel Berryman (WA), Travis Peterson (GA), Charles Osbourne (NC) [unconfirmed], Jordan Cambell (KY), Olivia Lee Cope (TX), Marlea Jenkins (IN), Taylor Aldrich (FL), Kelly Peters (TX), Alexis Turbin (FL)

Dynomos- John Shockness (CO) Joe Maddox (IA) Jamard Richardson (OH)

Dynamites- Katherine Thomas (WI), Aisha Jackson (GA), and Tia Pinson (MI)

Assistant Stage Manager: Nikki Graves (NV)

Other cast/crew members: Nicholas Burroughs (AL), Kendal Tolle (TX), Brenna Larson (CO), Matt Palmitier (MI), Alexandria Payne (GA), Taylor Recktenwald (IN), Jenna Reyes (CO), David Rosenberg (GA), Jameson Sanford (AL), Danielle Statuto (SC), Lamont Whitaker (FL), Megan Bowdon (TX), Molly Browne (TX), Dennis Culpepper (CO), Daniell Grothus (IA), Kelsey Korona (OH), Jeff Ryder (IA), Rebecca Sheehan (TX),





Here's a profile of the student chosen for the role of Corny, the tv host.

63. CNMI TEAM rehearsals schedule

CNMI students going to the ITS Festival at Lincoln, Nebraska are REQUIRED to rehearse in preparation for the event. See schedule listed below.

Students will participate, representing not only your school (Yay MCS!), but also representing the entire CNMI. And because this excursion is paid for by PSS with hard-won grant money, students are expected to work hard to do a good job representing the CNMI (as well as have fun!).

Rehearsal schedule--starting May 19, 2008:
Monday: 4:30 to 6 PM (work on Individual Events Showcase piece)
Wednesday: 4:30 to 6 PM (work on Chapter Select/Freestyle productions)
Saturday: 9:00 to 11 AM (work on Chapter Select/Freestyle productions)

All rehearsals will be at Room 101 D, MHS.

Junior Thespians will be staging AN EVENING OF CULTURE, Faith County II, by Mark Landon Smith for the Chapter Select. If you were good, you were either in this, or watched it, at the recent TWPI production.

If not, you can read more about the play here.

See you Monday, May 19!

62. Festival 2008-IMPORTANT Notice

Come to the One Act Comedies (see last post), and then...

Let's Get READY!!!

Festival is set for June 23-June 28, 2008 in Lincoln, Nebraska, but NOW is the time to get everything in order, from travel plans to production prep.

MEETING--attendance is required of all CNMI COACHES (oops sorry for prior mistake) attending ITS Festival (and also for those going to the NFL or NJFL competitions).
DATE: May 8, 2008 TIME: 4:30 p.m.
PLACE: mhs room 101 D

This meeting is for COACHES (oops, not students!). There will be a meeting for parents along with students at a later date.

61. Comedies-Theatre in the Round

TWPI students are learning about theatre-in-the-round and will be staging two comedies using this structure. Come be a part of the learning process. $3 for students, $5 for everyone else. And ENJOY THE SHOW!

60. 2008 Festival News and Notes #3

Getting eager about the trip to the ITS Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska?

Here's an interactive map of the college campus. U.N. Lincoln map. Study it, play with it, have fun imagining how you'll get from one place to another!

It's all happening the last week of June.

What do you want to be in theatre? in life?

59. Thespian Scholarships

A note to the high school Thespian readers: Seniors can now apply (until May 7) for an EdTA / Thespian scholarship. These are available to seniors in high school who have at least a good academic GPA, have been admitted to college, and will be pursuing some theatre-related studies, either as a major or minor.

You can get more information here .

Theatre-relted studies includes anything in theatre, music, communications, drama education, and similar course-work.

The Thespians of the Western Pacific Islands typically contribute to the fund, as does EdTA. Students who win one of these scholarships typically receive up to $1,000 in UNRESTRICTED funds, which can be used for books, supplies, or other needs while at college. (Money is paid to the college or university where you're attending, and then accessed while there.) Of course, you can apply it toward room and board, if you want.

TWPI chooses the recipients, and tries to include at least two or three students each year as award winners, and tries to select students from various schools in the CNMI.

If you've done any drama work this year at all and you attend a school with a Thespian chapter (Mount Carmel Seniors--this means you!), then you may want to apply for this scholarship. When you're going to college, every bit helps.

58. Paperwork

Oh my gosh!

It's time for paperwork to be completed for those going to the ITS Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska. There are forms for PSS, forms for the Western Pacific Region, and forms for ITS. There are a LOT of forms.


At least one must be notarized. And you need photocopies of passports, visas, personal headshots, your health/insurance card. You need a resume.

Deadline for turning these in is now April 25, 2008.

Contact me if you have questions. And don't miss the deadline if you want to attend the ITS Festival. :-)

57. An Evening of Culture

The comedy that will be staged by the TWPI junior thespians is called "An Evening of Culture. The Mineola Society for Cultural Recognition presents Romeo and Juliet," by Mark Landon Smith. This play is sometimes referred to as "Faith County II."

If the title doesn't give you a sufficient hint, this is a spoof on small towns, community theatre, and the great art of William Shakespeare.

Can't wait!

56. Comedy Rehearsals

Rehearsals for the TWPI middle school comedy are M-F, 4 to 5 PM at Room 101 D, MHS.

If you want to help out, come to the rehearsals. If you're in the play, be on time. :-)

Play is hopefully going up on EDIT: (not May 1 and 2, 2008) May 4, 5, 6, and/or 7!

55. Comedy rehearsal starts

Rehearsal of the (undisclosed) comedy play starts Monday April 14, at 4 PM at MHS room 101 D.

There's still room if you're interested. Especially needed: boys on stage! Girls of course welcomed, too. If you have any curiosity about this, come to the rehearsal.

Directors will be high school students, with minimal adult bossing! So it should be fun.

54. Auditions-junior thespian play

This notice from Chapter Director, Mr. Harold Easton:
Junior Thespian Play Auditions will be held on Friday April 4th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at the MHS Studio Theatre. Be prepared to improvise!!!

Now from me: I encourage all middle school students to come to this audition and try out. This is a "real" audition--meaning not everyone will get a part, because there are limited roles. We don't yet know what the play will be, but most likely it will be a comedy (and not a musical).

53. Awards Banquet Photos

Duet Acting:

Solo Musical:

Mime:

Troupe 88799 students present:

Absent: Victoria Camacho, Victor Sablan

I realized today that MCS Junior Thespians took home more "overall" awards than any other middle school! I'm proud of all of you.

A Summary of the Overall Awards won by Troupe 88799:

Duet Acting--2nd place (Anna and Mariel);

Mime--1st place (Jimmy & Victor);

Solo Musical--1st, 3rd, and 4th places--(Anna, Mariel, Victoria, respectively).

The awards banquet was fun--good food, lots of high energy teens, celebration of good work done.