This is a webinar centering around a couple young actors, Andrew Barth Feldman ("Dear Evan Hansen" Broadway 2019-2020) and Shereen Pimentel ("West Side Story" Broadway Revival 2020), who starred on Broadway and what they experienced in achieving their current level in the arts.

 

https://youtu.be/IFWS9MSXuLs 

 

They tell about what they did before their successes and how they faced setbacks.  (In particular, there's a very good story that Ms. Pimentel tells about resilience.)

NOTE: You'll need to connect to this webinar link when you're outside the school computer network.

Please make all submissions to the Drama Club email address:  pantherplayersdrama@gmail.com

 

 

"Bio" Entry (Leads and Understudies) and

"Final Bows” Entry (for Seniors only)

 

Please type this information in either an MS Word document or compatible or ASCII text (Notepad) type file prior to the Deadline Date posted in the Drama Club Calendar.

Submissions might be edited due to space limitations and will NOT be posted to the website.  Please note word limit maximums posted below.

Please include the following information:

Name (first and last):

Character/Club Position:

 Bio (leads and understudies only)(Think about your previous theatrical experiences along with hobbies and study interests):  

Word Limit:  125 words  

Sample--

"This is John's fourth year in the Panther Players and as a senior he is so excited to be playing the role of the Scarecrow in this year’s production of The Wizard of Oz. John’s previous Panther Players’ roles have been in Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Addams Family, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Besides his theatrical experiences, he’s also involved with the school’s basketball team along with being an officer on the Chess Club."

Final Bow (seniors only) (What you would like to say as your final good bye to the Drama Club):

Word Limit:  150 words

 

Sample--

"Wow, I didn't think this would come as fast as it did. I wish I could give a shout out to every person who I have built a bond with since joining this fantastic club, but it would probably take up the entire program. Knowing I won't have a Drama Club to go to and have fun with every night is going to hurt, but I am so grateful for everything I’ve experienced. To all past members, I miss you so much and I hope you're at the show reading this right now. To that unbelievable Sound Engineer Mr. B, I will miss your laugh so much. To my parents, thanks for being who you are."

A short document to fill you in on some ideas and teminology that may help with performing and participating with the Drama Club.  You can find the document at this link:

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p2VZs_RrU1fEeGiNzkE39NTiK4ZA4VFF/view?usp=sharing

 NOTE: You need to be OFF the school district network, for example at home or Panera Bread,  in order to get to this document.

[Submitted by Meghan Tobias]

 

NOTE: I know you’ve heard it a million times, but that’s because it’s super important. Everything you put on social media can be found. So, if you don’t want your parents or employers to see it, don’t post it.

 

10 Tips for a Winning Audition (from backstage.com)

Confidence: “You don't get sympathy points if you're nervous, not feeling well, or having a bad day. Leave it outside the door.” Feel free to say hi how are you, be confident, know your pieces well so you’re not nervous about messing up, be 100% yourself, always smile, be polite.

Personality: Be smart and curious. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t give one-word answers. You may only have 5 minutes, but those 5 minutes are yours.

Connection: Not really relevant for high school. Has to do with a reader for sides and memorizing. But I will say, look about the casting director’s head during your audition, eye contact can be awkward. Read the scenes of the character you’re auditioning for beforehand so you’re a little more familiar with the lines.

Character: Know the character. Read the entire script beforehand to pick-up as many clues as possible. We know about a character by the following:

What he/she says about himself/herself

What other characters say about him/her

What the playwright or screenwriter says about him/her (them). Basically, just know who you’re portraying and be ready to answer questions about the character.

Objective: What does the character want? Go underneath the lyrics or dialogue.

Obstacle: What’s in the way of the character getting what they want? Acting is what happens when you try to get your objective met, in spite of the obstacle.

Opposites: Yelling is not the answer. Sometimes storing the energy of anger into quietness is much more powerful.

Love: Even nasty characters should be likable on some level. Find the love. Also, you should love the pieces you pick and the character.

Act: To Do, not to talk.

Variety: Feel the levels and dynamic in the scene. Don’t play one emotion. If the character is angry or tough, when might he/she/they show some vulnerability?

 

 

 

Auditioning is very hard at first. You must be vulnerable, you must show who you are, you can’t be super nervous, but you are. The only thing that makes it easier is practice.

 

 

[Additional suggestions by submitter]

More tips:

Always have backup pieces!!!!

Do your research.

Warm your voice and body up before.

Be at least 15 min early.

If you’ve prepared, think of your audition as you showing your work (your art), don’t think of it as you trying to impress the people behind the table.

Make the room your own.

Say your lyrics as a monologue when rehearsing to understand them better.

Figure out your beats and when you will breath.

Never apologize.

No props.

If you’re given a direction, do it. Show the director that you’re easy to work with and take direction well.

Be fully engaged and then stillness is beautiful.

ALWAYS say thank you at the end and thank the accompanist.

Make sure the accompanist knows what you’re with the music selection before you begin.

Practice the walk into the room.

Slat: Your name and what you will be doing for us today.

When looking for the page in the script, don’t be all awkward.

Say thank you and leave.

Understand that casting is sooooo much more than you can understand and do not be upset with us when you don’t get the role you want.

 

What to wear:

Show who you are.

Be comfortable (big one for tight clothes and shoes).

Appropriate for the role.

Highlight your best features in sizing and color.

Your outfit shouldn’t be distracting to you or to us.

Rehearse in your audition clothes.

For college purposes-ALWAYS look like your headshot. Same makeup and hair.

 

DONTS

Don’t be overly aggressive.

Don’t enter or exit awkwardly.

Don’t forget your umbrella.

Don’t audition for roles you don’t fit (figure out your type, may change in college).

Don’t be too enthusiastic.

Don’t be too competitive in the holding room. Be nice to your fellow actors.

Don’t act like a big star when you’re not one yet.

Don’t be disruptive during someone else’s audition.

Don’t get tripped up if you make a mistake. Just recover. If it’s the first time, you may ask to re-start ONCE.

DO NOT be intimidated by the other actors. They are not better than you. Even if they are stronger actors, you may fit the role better. Casting is VERY complex.

Don’t forget to be professional.

Don’t be afraid to find joy in what you’re doing.