Marshall Middle School Theater

Proudly Presents

Based on the timeless and beloved books by Dr. Seuss,
A complex amalgamation of his most famous children’s stories come to life.

Filled with imagination, music and huge dance numbers, all students are encouraged to
audition for this amazing production.

Performances: December 3rd, 4th and 5th, 7:00pm

Tickets: $5.00 each, children 2 and under are free

Directed by: Jason Haws jhaws@osd.wednet.edu
Produced by: Kathy Muehleisen kmuehleisen@yahoo.com

Our theater productions at Marshall Middle School are parent based,
providing families with an opportunity to be a part of an amazing project.

Notes for Cast Families from the Producer -

October 25th - Regarding Costumes

Marshall Theater will be providing the main body of your students costume. Your student will be responsible for what is listed in the 'clothing, hair, and makeup' catagories (unless specified differently). I strongly suggest that the students footwear be worn to rehearsals as soon as possible to break them in and for practice purposes.

After locating your childs list (see wardrobe list), please go to the bottom where you will find information on the easiest (and maybe cheapest) places to find your students clothing pieces and shoes. Borrowing from friends is a great idea as well. Please make sure that there are no logos or embellishments on these items, as that may be distracting from your students costume.

Jason Haws and I will be holding consultations with each group of students on hair and makeup prior to production.

Please feel free to contact me regarding any questions you may have.

Thanks so much!!
Kathy Muehleisen

October 28th - Off Script by Nov. 9th, Practice, Practice, Practice!

Attached you will find the new schedule for the dates Nov. 2 - Nov. 5. Each day is an 'All Call'. All cast members expected to be there unless ill. Students can expect that most rehearsal days will be 'All Call'. We may ask for a specific group of students at some point, but we will let you know when that is going to happen.

Your students have been working hard on various scenes throughout the show. Please encourage them to practice what they learned that day, after returning home.

All students are expected to be 'off script' and only working with accompaniment CD by Nov.9. Practice!!

We only have 19 rehearsal days left!! It is vital that your student attend each scheduled rehearsal they are called for (barring illness). We are missing several students every day, and no longer have the luxury of time to help catch them up on what they've missed. They need to be prepared to take the stage and to be proud of their performance.

Wrestling has begun at Marshall. We are now rehearsing on the stage or in the choir room. Please wait in the cafeteria to pick up your student, we will send them down the ramp as soon as they're done. We apologize if a rehearsal runs a few minutes late, it's important that we iron out problems with a scene as soon as they're noticed, and we'll get them out and on their way home as quickly as we can.

We are still in desperate need of large sheets of cardboard!! Set work will begin next week and we have had very few donations. If you or someone you know has access to it (know someone at Costco?), we would be extrememly grateful!! Cardboard should be refrigerator or twin bed size and up.

Please contact me with any questions you may have.

Thanks so much,

Kathy

November 4th - Rehearsal Changes/Additions

Your students had a fantastic rehearsal yesterday!! They worked really hard, and in the end, we have a fantastic scene for the show. Only 17 more rehearsal days left, yikes!

We have a change, and an addition to your schedule. The schedule currently calls for 'All Call' every day until performance. We will be changing the following:

•     Principal cast only; Friday, November 13 - Rehearsal cancelled due to Marshall early release day

The addition for ALL students is as follows:

•     Saturday Rehearsal; November 21. 11:00 - 2:00. All Call!! (come ready to work, and having had a well balanced meal).

Please make sure to reinforce the importance of your child taking care of themselves. We still have many students out sick daily (including my own) . Please stress the importance of hand washing, getting plenty of rest, and drinking lot's of water. They should be bringing their own water bottle from home (with their name on it), to avoid using the fountain at school.

Saturday the 21st will also be a 'parent build' day! All parents that volunteered to work on sets (and even if you didn't, but would like to join us), we will be meeting in the cafeteria at Marshall at 11:00.    Most set construction will be done from cardboard, paint and tape. If you can 'paint by number', or cut cardboard, we can use you.

We do need a few dads that are handy to help us with a wood box/platform. If you are interested in a simple project that will be an important part of the show, please send me an email and we can discuss the details.

Thanks to all the parents for being so supportive of your student's involvement in Seussical. It shows on their faces and in the performance your student gives.   I know it is a commitment on the part of the family as well as your student, and we are so happy to have such a wonderful 'theater family'.

Sincerely,

Kathy Muehleisen

November 5th - We Need Props and Shout Out Orders!

Props
The prop list is out. I'm sure as rehearsals continue, we will find more items to add. If there is anything on this list you would like to donate or allow us to borrow for our show, please send me an email (if it's a large item) or bring it during rehearsal.

Shout Out Orders!
We are beginning to put the program together and are ready for your 'Shout Outs' to your student. If you aren't sure what a 'Shout Out' is, it is a message to your student from you that is randomly placed in the program.

Sample:
Joe,
You are our rising star.
We are so proud of all you do.
Love,
Mom, Dad & Tiger the cat

You can purchase as many as you'd like. They are $10.00 each, payable at the Marshall office (make checks payable to MCC). Students may even purchase them for their friends in the performance.

Send an email to kmuehleisen@yahoo.com with your students name as you would like it to appear (if you want to call him Pookie, we'll print it), your message (20 words or less) and your signature line. Please double check your spelling of all names before submitting as they will be printed exactly as received.

Your students program is designed to be a keepsake and will include their audition picture and their biography that they completed themselves. The shout outs make it even more special.

Have a spectacular weekend! Thanks so much!

Kathy

November 11th - Students be on time, be prepared and be respectful, Parent volunteers needed! Wardrobe pieces & Saturday rehearsal

Hi Parents!

Only 12 more rehearsal days until performance time, and so, so much work to do!

Please remind your students, while theater is a fun and exciting activity, there is also a need for personal responsibility. Rehearsal starts promptly at 2:45. Students must be in appropriate clothing and shoes. Bare feet, flip flops, socks or slippers are not permissible. Dress code is the same as it is during school hours. Please remind them of this as they start their day.

Students are not allowed to leave the stage area without permission and are expected to be respectful while in rehearsal. With nearly 40 students in the show, I know there will be some down time for each student and they can become bored quickly. Please remind them, as we have, that areas are available to do their homework, read, or to sit quietly and watch the scene rehearsals of other students. With only 12 rehearsal days left, socializing is becoming a distraction for those working in a scene, we need parents to emphasize the need of being a respectful, quiet audience.

We are still in need of parent participation. Marshall Middle School Theater is not funded by the school district, and is supported by you, the parents. Your activity is what makes this possible for your students. If you have not signed up to support an area of theater, please contact Toni today and she'll let you know where our need is greatest. eantc1842@msn.com

Reminder: Saturday, Nov. 21, from 11-2, is a rehearsal and a 'parent set build' day. We are still in need of a volunteer to build us a large wooden box. This box will become the main set piece and have 4 distinct uses. Please contact me, if you can build such a box for our show.

Students wardrobe pieces (shirts, socks, leggings, shoes, deodorant, purell, etc) must be at Marshall Middle School by Nov. 20. Please provide your student with a large shoe box to store these items along with extra makeup for touch ups. For cleanliness reasons, students will not be allowed to share performance makeup. Make sure your students name is clearly labelled on the box. They will be stored in our prop room and taken home after the last performance.

And finally, my biggest 'Thank You' ever! Our students are so fortunate to have the guidance of Jason Haws and Bree Yancey. Jason and Bree provide a wonderful opportunity for our students to grow, learn and build more self confidence. While your student may not be on stage at a particular moment, listening to these directors work with other students can only enhance your childs performance when it is their turn in the spotlight. Working with them for two seasons now, I truly feel blessed that our children have this opportunity.

Middle school theater isn't just about putting on a fun show, but about giving the students the inner tools they need to become confident, positive adults. I want your student to succeed and to be proud of themselves and the performance they give to you, their family and their friends. But most importantly, I really want your student to know they can do anything they dream, if they just give it all they've got.

"If you can dream it, you can do it." Walt Disney

Thank you,

Kathy