Great rehearsals toay!

Wow...what a day! We learned the entire 1st number and began on the 2nd number...i just love it when you all work that hard! Cat In The hat, JoJo, Horton, Mayzie, Gertrude, Mayor and Mayor's Wife...impressive work this afternoon. They have the majority of the opensing sections memorized...memorized!!!! I am thrilled at their work so for...keep up the good work!

I am sorr i am going to miss you guys this week. With my grandma passing, it is really important tha i am there with my family. i will be back next week and we will pick up right where we left off. We will also have a large group rehearsal in the gym on Thursday and friday of next week. So..be ready to work!

Have a great holiday weekend!
Mrs. Root

Hellooooooooooooooooooooo..............

Good Monring my little Whos!
I hope all is well on this 2nd week of school, here in Whoville.

All of the applications for auditions have been turned in...what a crew!
It will be exciting to hear all of you.
Auditions are Friday after school. Remember to bring a snack and the drink machine is only $1.00 if you want a cold drink.

Re-read the guidelines below for helpful hints on how to prepare. There are specific things I am looking for in the auditions and all the details are below! Prepare yourself well. You are only ever as good as you practice, so make your efforts worth while.

In class this week and next, we will continue to work through the script, so that you sort of have an idea of the storyline. Then, we hit the specifics of each song; emphasizing dynamics and individual interpretations. I am hoping to start choreography the beginning of Sept., which is in less than 2 weeks! Bwaaahhhhhh! Get ready to move:0)

I will see you all today, tomorrow, or Friday!
Have a great rest of the week!

Hello my Who's out there in Whoville.... being back at school this week has been fabulous.
The 5th graders have been off to a "Seussistical" start. The songs are fast and have lots of new words, but we are moving right along. I have received quite a few audition slips, remember that they are due next Tues. If you are considering auditioning, get that slip turned in so you can get your slip.

I am hoping to have the 1st 2 songs completed by the end of next week. Auditions will be Friday and then we can really get to work. Understanding who is singing what will simply things a bit. We will work on choreography and new music during each class period.

It is so good to have you all back and to see you each day. You make me smile with your energy.

Alright, this cat needs some sleep.
Talk to you soon!

Back to school and 5th grade Seussical Auditions!

Good morning everyone!
I know that none of you know this blog exists, but starting next week, you will!
I am just sending "thinks" trough the air at this point.

Back to school for all of us! I am so looking forward to seeing all of you and to hear about your fun summer antics and see how much everyone has grown. For the time being, most of this blog will be for the Seussical auditions, but very soon, we will have something for everyone to come and check out. I will post all of the dates of our children's K-5 performances this year. I am hoping this will be a resource for everyone.

See you all on Thursday evening at open house!

5th Grade Seussical update:
Audition date - Friday August 15th afterschool until 4:30 p.m.
Lead Rehearsals will be Mon. and Thurs. until 4:00 p.m. beginning August 21st.

I will be passing out permission forms the 1st week of school, along with audition scripts.
You will need to have the entire script memorized. The singing portion will be with music and I will teach you what you need to know. It is the memorization and the personality of the cat that you will need to create yourself! ALL lead parts sing solos in this show.

Here is a link to a place that has a recording of exactly what you need to know. http://www.broadwayjr.com/store/showkitproduct.asp?oid=18 The recording is on the left side, with a small earphone and says "Oh, The Thinks you can Think!"

Only worry about what I have given you for the audition. Feel free to explore the entire page though, as lots of hints as to what the individual characters are like. The section marked AUDITION CETRAL has all the details. There are also examples of some of the other songs for you. This is an excellent way to prepare for the audition.

Memorize for confidence.

Aspects of a strong audition:

1. Speaking strongly wth confidence - If I can not hear you, I can not understand what is happening in the show. Seussical is full of crazy and new words, so delivery is essential..
2. Performing the script with emotion and correct delivery of desired message - You have to have the ability to memorize. This is a difficult aspect of theatre. Memorize, with emotion. the audience needs to understand the message that is being delivered through the words you are saying.
3. Singing strongly with confidence - Sing out! I want to hear that beautiful strong voice. if you are too loud, I will let you know. But if i can not hear you, you can not be cast as a lead in this show. Every lead character needs to be able to sing a solo.
4. Singing on pitch - OK guys, this is essential, but something that we can work on together. yes, I need you to sing the correct tune. Listen well in class and you will do fine. Some of us struggle with pitch and that is something personal we will continue to work on together as a group. Let someone at home listen to you and help you match pictches to the tune. (You can find ALL the Seussical songs on youtube - have your parents help you)
5. Behavior and cooperation with the rest of the group dring the audition and in class - Behavior is the key to success, not just with me, but in life. People want to be around people who are nice and supportive of them. they don't want to work with people who make them feel uncomfortable. This means no talking, whispering, or even funny looks while anyone is auditioning.

If you are prepared, it will fall nto place. remember, everyone auditioning wants the same thing. Yes, it is a competitive thing. there is no way getting around that. But, I have found that the better prepapared you are, the more supportive you are of everyone, the better I end up doing. With that said, not everyone can earn a lead part, there are only so many characters to be cast. The students who auditon for our lead cast are usually my most talented students, kindest students, and love music. Casting a lead cast in one of our shows is the hardest thing I do all year as a teacher, but a decision that must be done to move toward our goal. Please know I understand people who are upset about not getting what they desired. It is something we learn about it life. We don't always get what we think we deserve and yes, it has happened to me many more times than I would like to remember. But, my overall motto has become "Life is about playing the game with the cards you are dealt." We don't always get a "re-do", so we need to become a success with what we are given. It is how we play the game with those alternative cards that makes the difference in our own future. So we will pick up are cards and move on with whatever happens in the audition process. Everyone will be cast in the chorus, if not a lead part. The show is an amazing show, for everyone!!!!!

Parts that will be cast from the auditions:

Cat In The Hat
Gertrude
Horton
JoJo
Mayzie
Mr. Mayor
Mrs. Mayor
Sour Kangaroo
Yertle the Turtle
4-8 Bird Girls (girls ensemble)
4-8 Wickersham Brothers (Boys/girls ensemble)

The chorus will play roles as the Whos of Whoville, Fish, and Jungle Citizens.

Who or what is really a Who?

This evening has been an evening in search of Seussical costumes, only to come up with lots of bright colors running around in my head. I mean, what does a Who really look like? Where is Sallasaloo actually located and what would we expect to see if we went there to vist? Hmmmm....maybe the reason I continue to search is that I can't really put my finger on it is because since it is imaginary, it really could be interpreted in so many unique ways! Your Mazie the bird, could be a totally different look as what I am thinking of for Mazie! Your Horton may look a whole lot different than my Horton....we can imagine anything we want in Whoville, can't we?

Do elephants really babysit eggs? Would you babysit an egg for a friend of yours?

Oh the thinks we can think..............what do you think a who should look like?
Really think about that one?

Coming.....to a STAGE near you!

Lincoln Trail Elementary 5th Grade presents this Fall............. Seussical Jr.!
Audition dates and specific information will be posted soon.
Audition scripts will be passed out the 2nd week of school.
Classes participating include Mrs. Gray, Ms. Brown, and Mrs. Simpson's class.
Get ready guys...this is one Rockin' show! I am psyched!
See you all in less than a month!