52. Nice Job, MCS Middle School Mock Trial Team!

The MCS Middle School Mock Trial team did a great job on Saturday. Billy Ocampo was the smart, organized, and persistent lead counsel, assisted by the commanding and prepared students--Carmen Borja and Rina Park. The witnesses, with great acting skill, were Frank Villagomez, Anna Rose Deleon Guerrero, and Victoria Camacho. The Mock Trial coordinators awarded certificates of recognition to Rina Park, Carmen Borja, and Frank Villagomez. Congrats!

Although there were no official "team winners," I'm glad to offer my professional opinion that the MCS middle school students beat the SIS competitors (Sev Tured, Andy Nutting, Chris Barry, Amy Hudkins and two other students.)

Here are some photos from the event.


MCS students, supported by the high school Mock Trial Team, break after a prayer before the competition begins.


The MCS High School team (coaches), eagerly await the start of the competition.



Galvin Guerrero and Joe Taijeron show relaxed confidence.



Grace Christian students sit in the courtroom, waiting for their turn. (The student in the middle is Stacia Schweiger.)

SIS competitiors (Sev Tured, Chris Barry, and ?) represent the defendant.

Carmen Borja and Billy Ocampo do a last minute review.

MCS team Rina Park, Carmen Borja, and Billy Ocampo wait, with witnesses Victoria Camacho, Anna DLG, and Frank Villagomez seated behind them.

The MCS witnesses get into character.

The opposing witnesses (Chris Barry, Amber ?, and Amy Hudkins) are all smiles, apparently unaware that "Frank Camacho" a/k/a Chris Barry is headed to jail!

MCS parent Nora Borja came to support her child.

Humanities Council director Paz Younis makes opening remarks.

Court official Glenn Mendoza lays down the rules for use of the facilities.

Mock Trial coordinator Teresa Kim explains the competition rules, while the CNMI Bar Association's Suzanne Steffey stands by.

Frank, Anna and Billy are proud and happy when the competition is over.

51. Awards Ceremony!

Yay!!

The Thespians of the Western Pacific Islands (TWPI) chapter is hosting its annual awards banquet on APRIL 1, 2008 at 6:30 PM at CANTON RESTAURANT. (note, I've edited this post because of a change of venue.)

Ribbons and medals for the Regional Competition (held March 8) will be distributed. Ribbons and medals for the overall winners of the year-long TWPI Competition will also be awarded.

And of course, with those awards, we'll get a good picture of our TEAM 2008 for the ITS Festival!

The awards banquet is free to junior thespians (and high school thespians) WHO COMPETED AT LEAST ONCE in the 2007-2008 competitions, so I encourage all of you to attend. Most of you will receive some award! All of you deserve to celebrate your efforts, triumphs, and excellence!

Talk to me for more details, if you're interested.

50. Caesar Trailer

It's called a "trailer" because, in the old days, a short movie clip of a coming attraction was shown after the feature film. Now, these clips are usually shown as "previews" before the feature film. But in the movie industry, the term "trailer" is still used.

So here is the trailer of the MCS film, CAESAR, now being filmed by the high school and middle school students.





I'm impressed with the techniques for using the printed word. Nice job!

49. The Popularity of Broadway

Broadway is popular, not just with Thespians, but across entertainment genres. And nothing is a bigger crowd pleaser than the Broadway musical.

This year, at the ITS Festival, the big production will be the national cast version of HAIRSPRAY. Other main stage musical productions include CHICAGO, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and RENT.

I hope that dance choreographers for Broadway productions borrow from the high energy hip-hop and modern takes on Broadway classics recently shown on America's Next Dance Crew!



Wow!

48. Festival 2008 News & Notes #2

ITS Festival 2008 tee shirt! More information is available HERE.

47. Middle School Movie Underway

Okay. Production of the script I wrote for a middle school/ junior thespians movie is getting underway! The script is titled "JIMMY LEARNS TO CHA CHA!" It is presently being reviewed by Mr. G. So look for announcements about this upcoming short film production.

We especially need extras who can skateboard, cha-cha, or do both! We need tech help. Artists, musicians, those with organizational skills, or computer whizzes--all welcome.

Want to be involved in making a movie or being in one? Contact me (see profile on this blog), or tell Mr. G.

46. SCRIPT FRENZY

Don't like my movie script, boys? Write your own.

APRIL is Script Frenzy! An entire month dedicated to writing your play, movie, or graphic (anime) novel. "Young" writers (meaning anyone who is high school age or younger): Read about it here.

45. Festival 2008 News & Notes #1

The ITS Festival is scheduled for June 23 to June 28, 2008, at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. We're still waiting on final results to know who is on the CNMI's Team 2008, and whether we'll have funding to go.

But in the meantime, I'm canvassing for details of what's in store for you, if you do get to the Festival this year. So periodically, I'll post some "notes" on this topic.

This is the first one--on the frivolous side.

WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE? In Theatre, in Life?

To encourage socializing and to give you a chance to relax after spending hard days in workshops, showcases, productions and auditions, ITS hosts several dances. Each dance has a "theme" because, of course, ITS knows how much Thespians like to dress up. This year's dance themes are as follows:

Tuesday: 60's Hairspray-- to celebrate the national cast production of "Hairspray." Get out your teasing combs, girls, and plan on having "big hair" for this one!

Wednesday: Red for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids (BC/EFA) (Of course, wear red.)

Thursday: Fashion Faux Pas (Mix and match clothes, or wear out of style clothing. Should be easy for some of you!)

Saturday: All Grown Up. (Wear formal wear. Look pretty!)

Be sure to take pictures at the dances. I want to be able to blackmail you, I mean, tell everyone how much fun you had and how well you participated in Festival events.

44. Congrats to the MCS Mock Trial team!

Congratulations to the MCS Mock Trial team on your win! Good luck at the competition in the mainland.

Go Knights!

43. Unofficial Results--NOW OFFICIAL!

Congrats to the MCS Junior Thespians who competed in the Regional Competition of Thespians of the Western Pacific Islands, today. Good job.

Unofficial results (based on my sneak review of the scoring!) --Yay! These are now official results:

Regional Competition:
Duet Acting--Anna & Mariel--2nd place.
Mime--Jimmy & Victor--1st place.
Solo Musical--Anna--1st place; Mariel--2nd place.

Nice job.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
Duet Acting--Anna & Mariel--2nd place.
Mime--Jimmy & Victor--1st place.
Solo Musical--Anna--1st place; Mariel 3rd place.

Congrats, congrats, congrats!

STAY TUNED for official announcement, and news about the ceremony for award of medals--to be held at China House.

42. Regional Competition!

The TWPI Regional Competition is this Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 1:30 PM at MHS Room D 101. See you there!

TROUPE MEETING--Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at lunchtime. Probably Mr. G's classroom. Listen for the announcement at school.