PRODUCTION UPDATE

ROBIN and the SHERWOOD HOODIES

PRODUCTION UPDATE 1 - May 2019

Performance Dates

Monday 12th, Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th AND Thursday 15th AUGUST

Whitehorse Centre, Nunawading

Dear Production Families,

Now that rehearsals are in full-swing it seems timely to update you all on all things production.

We have a cast of approximately 240 children, with a large number of staff working towards our show across the school including acting and stage craft, dance, singing, costumes, stage set, props, logistics and theatre arrangements. Our cast is organised into particular groups with particular specialities. For our 2019 show, these are as follows:

Speaking Parts – Auditioned students in Grades 5 and 6 who are playing a specific character. Performing on all FOUR nights of our season. From time-to-time these children attend chorus rehearsals too.
Grade 5-6 Chorus – Rehearsing Wednesday morning from 8am in the Music Room. Performing on all FOUR nights of our season.
Grade 3-4 Chorus – Rehearsing Wednesday lunchtime (first half) in the Music Room. Performing on TWO nights of our season.
Dance Troupe – Various rehearsal times to be announced. Performing on all FOUR nights of our season.
Junior Chorus – Prep, Grade 1 and Grade 2 students who will be drawn “out-of-a-hat” later this term. Performing on just ONE night of our season.

Rehearsals for our upcoming production are in full swing. Drama rehearsals are led by our Director Yvette Bryant and Ass. Director Bronte Whitcher in the Hall at lunchtimes between Monday – Thursday. Chorus rehearsals are on Wednesdays (before school and lunchtime), and soloists on Tuesdays at lunchtime. Our choreographers will start working with the groups next week thanks to Kaitlin Moskovic, Caitlin Chandler, Emily Sedgewick, Haylee Page, Jo Fragiacomo and Abbey Adkins. Our spectacular Dance Troupe starts up in earnest next week with Abbey Adkins and Emily Sedgewick working on the moves! Sue Waddell is working on set design, Emily Rumble on costumes, and Jess Mann is coordinating logistical matters with our theatre venue. There is a lot going on!

How Do Parents Know What’s Happening?

As Production involves large numbers children and staff right across the school, effective and efficient communication is essential. We have an expectation that our cast members take responsibility for where they need to be, and when, with higher expectations for our oldest students. We have set up an Edmodo group for Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies which includes staff and students. All our cast members in Grade 4, 5, and 6 have access to this group due to our 1:1 iPad program. We have found this mode of communication with our older cast members to be very efficient, with a rehearsal schedule published on a weekly basis for our Grade 5-6 students, and song lyrics and vocal tracks available in digital form in clearly labelled folders. Grade 3-4 Chorus rehearsal times do not change week-to-week - always Wednesday lunchtime. Grade 3 families will be sent lyric sheets and vocal tracks for practise at home in the next week. These are to be kept at home. Please watch out for them! Hard copies of the rehearsal schedules are also posted up around the school each week in the Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 areas, and outside the Music Room.

Production Updates will come to you via Compass. These will eventually include information about our whole cast rehearsals down the track, ticket sales, costumes details, and general requests.

Want to Help?

Assistance is eagerly sought from our fabulous parent community. Ways you may be able to assist include loaning items for props, assisting with costume fittings, painting and sewing. As the production journey continues we will be seeking your help from time to time. Stay tuned!

Thankyou for supporting our wonderful production. It is always such a privilege to watch the children developing performance skills and growing in confidence. We are enjoying working with your very talented and enthusiastic children.

Warmest regards

Lucy Graham, on behalf of our Production Team