Nov 2 Performance Critiques

November 2 Performance
Congratulations! You did an outstanding job!
1. First, I want to apologize to Savannah and Jake for leaving their names off the program. Again, my eyes have affected my brain. SORRY!
2. Second, we all owe three people a round of applause. For contest or public performance, my high school kids, the ones who are truly committed will perform, run back stage and throw up, and keep on going. They will perform with broken legs, etc. Two of our family have exhibited these team building qualities – Hayden, Shane, and Nathan. Nathan, with his broken toe, came to rehearsals and did what was needed. Shane performed, under pain killers, impeccably with his broken arm the day after he broke it. Hayden, WOW, I anticipated a “guarded” performance. You gave 100% and then some. I don’t think I could have done it. This is what creates an ensemble when you put the needs of the team ahead of your own.
3. Third,I want to say thank you to our alternates and crew members. You truly never complain. I know it is difficult to sit in the audience and watch your friends on stage. However, read #2, we could never pull this massive undertaking off without your help. If I ever decide to do another animal play, insist that I retire. Abby comes in and goes right to work, and she has a knack for makeup. Kayla is always early and has attended to her job backstage before I have a chance to ask her if the props are in place or we have enough crazy cloaks. Meagan is serious about her undertaking as stage manager. I never worry about what is happening backstage because I know she can handle it. The team of Links, Ayers, and Hamilton glue items before I know that they are no longer glued. They look for ways to help instead of asking “What can I do?” Cheyanne’s fund raising enabled us to purchase more makeup for last night’s performance. Hannah is always thinking and makes suggestions that enhance the show – weasels stealing clothes onstage. This eliminated what to do with costumes and props that were left in acting areas. Mac will be a future director. He ensures that the set is right. He writes in-depth critiques, and he is always interested in learning the craft. Reagan has probably been an understudy more than most, and he knows all the lines. Parker is always willing to help. He has creative ideas, and my life would be a dim place without his unfailing enthusiasm. Nathan helps time the music – if we go over 10 minutes, we are disqualified – and he gives insightful suggestions. It was his idea to have Toad hide from the policeman at the end of the play.
4. Now for the bad part – critiques. I have changed my method of critiquing for middle school. If you are a weasel, look in the weasel section. If it says everyone, it probably applies to you as well as looking at suggestions under your section.
5. Everyone
a. Wednesday’s clinic at 7AM. EAT BREAKFAST!
b. HIT CONSONANTS. WATCH WORDS LIKE THINK, THING, GET, etc.
c. CURTAINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
d. Don’t talk behind the ladder – ask Kylee
e. Villager’s reaction to lines and the car was better, but make it BIGGER!
f. There were several straight lines. Remember that this is a basic rule, and he judge will slam us for doing this.
g. When Jack is found, all actors stood in a straight line. If this happens, adjust your stance, everyone BUT Badger. Move backwards, forwards, sit, squat, etc. Mole does a great job of this.
h. The weasel dance line. This is truly a line. Girls, move a little bit back and you are dancing for Toad and friends, not the audience. Put Macy in front, but do not stand on the same plane as Badger and friends.
i. Badger says, …..you force me….. Straight line again.
j. Straight line When Toad comes out of the water and again when Badger comes in. Mole, Rat, Otter, Toad, and Badger – change this.
k. WATCH LINES. That is really my only criticism.
l. Great expressions overall.
m. Celebrate or be negative following the weasel fight. We have to have FIGHT noises during the fight from EVERYONE. This is important. Slap backs, shake hands, hug, etc.
n. Do not sway. IT tends to be contagious.
o. Find motivation for every movement. It shows when you do not have it. Do not do it because Couch told me to.
p. In the fight scene, there was a tug of war between two people not connected to the ladder. I loved it but can’t remember who it involves. I also loved Ms. Otter hitting Jack with the broom. Be careful.
q. REACT, DON”T RECITE LINES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6. Weasels
a. Jack, show more emotion during and before the crash scene. Be excited and full of energy.
b. Jack – be louder with “killjoys”
c. Weasels, when you exit with Toad, exit USL because Badger and friends come in CSL. Dipprey weasel, watch this please.
d. Jen Weasel, & Tilly Weasel – You were great!
e. Tom, great delivery and then. We also love your entrance preceding Portly.
f. Chauffeur –outstanding job. You came in as the chauffeur and were consistent with the “haughty” attitude until you realized it was Toad. Great job changing attitude when you see it is Toad. Then you became your consistent “haughty” self exiting and you kept this going through your exit. Talk to Toad more and do not address your lines to the audience. Toad may need to move DS more.
g. Policeman – Louder with the first line. After that, it was magic, Policeman. However, you need to change your weasel persona because both characters exhibit slow movements. Quicken the weasel persona more. I know you don’t want to do that because you have established your character, but I think you need to be more manic. It is not consistent with the weasel character when you are carrying off Tilly.
h. Penelope, undoubtedly your best performance. You were so different from the weasel girl. You were curious –asking Toad about Toad Hall. You might make that even bigger. When you are angry at Toad, make it bigger. Throw something at him. The weasels will steal it anyway. When you say “in and out,” gesture to show what she does. Don’t use air quotes.
i. Jack – great job of “Portly” coming into your head. We could see it.
7. Toad - Your best performance yet! I could not believe it – even with your handicap.
a. The dazed toad was of your best scenes.
b. When Penelope is angry at you, make it bigger when you are trying to persuade her you are sorry. Go to her and get on your knees.
c. The Chauffeur is having difficulty speaking to you and keeping his face (voice) DS. Will you adjust your movements so that he can talk to you without speaking upstage?
d. Better job of enunciating.
e. When dying, think damsel in distress – ask Kylee.
f. Toad, move the horn and let’s attach it to your belt.
g. So you don’t take the focus of the scene, go behind a crate to change. Badger, if he is drawing too much attention, shake a hand at him.
8. Badger – This was your best performance as well. You improved SO much. For the most part, your enunciation had improved. However, with “…five times….” This needed to be enunciated better.
a. Walk with purpose toward Jack, with no fear, just commitment and seriousness.
b. You backsliding animal….. Great deliverance and your touching the other characters created more of an ensemble.
c. Last time…. Another great delivery.
d. I gave you 2 stars and I don’t know why.
e. Help Mrs. Otter up when she falls down hysterically.
f. Remember to act like Toad’s dad when you are telling him about the tunnel. REALLY HAM IT UP!
g. So Toad doesn’t take the focus of the scene, he will go behind a crate to change. Badger, if he is drawing too much attention, shake a hand at him.

9. Mole – great job! Your best performance as well. I could see your mind saying – everyone is standing, I need to sit. You also did not blurt out your lines and kept your intensity up when you did not have lines.
a. You interacted more with rat and it worked so well.
b. Vary gestures and mannerisms when Toad is in the water.
c. During the Toad in the water scene, Otter will watch for awhile. She will try to reach him, then become increasingly hysterical and then faint. Don’t anticipate Otter fainting.
d. Since you are doing better about being intense following your lines, keep it up.
e. Remember to find your motivation for saying your line so big. Don’t let the intensity die.
10. Rat – Yesterday was one of your best performances as well. In the part, where you are watching Toad – this was SO much improved. Touching worked well yesterday. You and mole were more interactive, and it worked so much better.
a. Where was the fishing pole?
b. Vary gestures and mannerisms when Toad is in the water.
c. Rat, take off your hat often. This will give you additional stage business.
d.
11. Otter – This was your best performance.
a. During the Toad in the water scene, watch for awhile. Try to reach him, then become increasingly hysterical and then faint. Don’t allow Mole to anticipate the fainting.
b. Don’t look at action US. Ask Kylee. Watch the broom. If it is hard to carry, let’s think of some way to attach it to your costume or basket.
c. Be louder – ask Kylee. Don’t hide your face and use the upstage hand.
12. Portly -Great JOB
Music and lights - great job