We do 4 performances of our musicals. So as we finish our vocal warm ups, we get into our Circle and each class is given the focus each night (oh, and it is essential that you include the tech crew and musicians in this process).
So on Opening night, the Juniors are allowed to make quick, POSITIVE comments about their experience with rehearsals and prep for the show. These comments must be short and to the point since our casts are so huge. The next night is the Freshmen, then the Sophomores and finally, Seniors speak on our closing performance. We start with the Juniors because they have enough experience to model the process.
Following this, we "Bust the Show." This is a fun, raucous chant that starts off with the kids hunkering down as low as possible (given the space in our green room, costume clearance, etc.) and begin whispering the chant: "Bust the show. Bust the show, baby, bust the show." It builds in energy and volume until they are all shouting the chant and hopping like loonies (similar to a mosh pit, but much less violent). The lead singers always take care not to injure their voices, so they focus mostly on the physical movement. It's become a joyous way to work out the jitters, focus energy and bring the entire cast - AND CREW - together.
Break a leg!
------------------------------
Josh Ruben
Fine Arts Head, Northwest Whitfield
Chattanooga TN
Original Message:
Sent: 02-09-2016 14:39
From: Lisa Dyer
Subject: Opening Night Traditions?
Hi, and congrats on your first opening at this school!
Each of our performance nights starts with "circle time", has a particular speech, and they end with a chant.
Opening Night: I recall my professor's words of wisdom about the process of creating theatre being as ugly as a big A** bird trying to take flight, but once the huge animal is in the air, it looks like it's always meant to be there...just like the kids in the show :) then, we all put our hands in the middle and yell "Big A** Bird"!
Night 2: I go into the idea of the illusion of the first time and how important it is for the kids to keep their reactions true and fresh. Then, we yell the title to a famous Madonna song ;)
Night 3: Tell the story! I remind the kids that the show is about storytelling and then, usually by this point in the run, there is something askew and wonky that we address and make everyone aware of. The kids get to choose the yell at the end (Inside cast/crew jokes are great!)
Closing Night: I stress the special nature of this being your last time saying these lines, being in this space with these people, singing these songs, dancing these steps, etc. This is senior night, so the AD and I go around the circle and single out the senior cast and crew members and highlight what makes them special. Everyone cries (me included), and then the kids decide on what to yell before they close out the show :)
I hope this helps. And, I'm aware some of the lingo during our circle time is a bit PG-13, but the kids come to look forward to the "bird speech" and know that closing night they tell each other to bring tissues to circle time. It took about 4 years for the tradition to stick, but it came from things we did in my own high school program, and it meant so much to me, so I wanted to create something for them.
------------------------------
Lisa Dyer
Henrico VA