Greetings Blake Families!
For the coming school year we have a new team at the helm of the Blake Theater Program. My role is one of overall coordination, but the folks who will be running the program have crafted the message below. As our new staff is still being “onboarded,” you can reply to this email with any questions and I will either do my best to answer them, or forward them along to the appropriate staff member.
Thanks so much!
Mr. Jason Bielik
As our after-school drama program is changing this year, we have a new team leading our 2024 Fall Production of Curtains Young@part. and our 2025 Spring Play of I Hate Shakespeare!. Our rehearsal schedule is adjusting to 3 days a week from 2:30-5pm with tech week rehearsals running 2:30-6:30pm.
We will have an information meeting on Aug 29th starting at 2:30 in the auditorium for parents and students to meet the new team and get all questions answered.
Our New Team
Director: Tyler John
Music Director: Renee Hersee
Assistant Director/ Choreographer: Jill Tokac
Lighting and Sound Designer: Kray Casper
Information on Curtains auditions:
Auditions: Sept. 4th 2:30- 5pm
Callbacks: Sept.5th 2:30-5pm
***Caregivers, please fill out this form before auditions.***
Auditions will start with group dance auditions. Following this, students will individually sing and act for us.
Dancing
Students will learn a short dance sequence at auditions to perform in groups.
Singing
We want to hear the students sing. They are welcome to sing any song they are comfortable with. This can be any song they choose (limited to 16 bars). If they have nothing prepared or don’t have a song they know, they are welcome to sing Happy Birthday! All songs must be sung to an accompaniment part and not acapella. If they want a piano accompaniment they must bring music with them.
We have selected two songs from the show and would recommend they audition with one of these selections. In this folder: (Audition Materials)
We will also be teaching the music at auditions.
Male-identifying students will sing Show People (track #11)
Female-identifying students will sing Thataway! (track #15)
Other gender expressions may choose either song.
Acting
We have two monologues in the folder (Audition Materials) we would like to see students perform. This does not need to be memorized and paper copies will be available at auditions.
Male-identifying students will perform Cioffi
Female-identifying students will perform Carmen
Other gender expressions may choose either monologue.
Information on the productions:
Curtains Young@part
Auditions: Sept. 4th 2:30- 5pm
Callbacks: Sept.5th 2:30-5pm
Tech: Nov. 4th-8th, 12th-14th from 2:30-6:30pm
Performances: Nov. 15-17th
Nov. 15th Preview (Final Dress) @3pm
Nov. 16th Matinee @ 3pm & Performance @ 7pm
Nov. 17th Final Performance @ 3pm Strike to follow
Synopsis:
A 60-minute edition of the full Broadway musical. It’s the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959. Boston’s Colonial Theatre is host to the opening night performance of a new musical. When the leading lady mysteriously dies on stage the entire cast & crew are suspects. Enter a local detective, who just happens to be a musical theatre fan! Packed with glorious tunes and a witty, charming script filled with delightful characters, Curtains Young@Part is a hilarious who-done-it journey for both performers and the audience.
I Hate Shakespeare!
Auditions: December (TBD)
Tech: March 19th-27th from 2:30-6:30pm
Performances: March 28th, 29th
March 28th Matinee @ 3pm & Performance @ 7pm
March 29th Final Performance @ 7pm Strike to follow
Synopsis:
We hate Shakespeare! At least that's what the audience thinks until they get a rip-roaring rundown of Shakespeare's classics. With zombies, talking cows, and an appearance by Jerry Springer, I Hate Shakespeare! is a hilarious and fast-paced introduction to Shakespeare -- with a modern twist. Plus, someone gets a pie in the face. This 60-minute play has 43 separate characters, allowing students to be cast in a variety of roles!
Participation Fee
If your student is only interested in doing one show, the fee will be $200. If your student will be working on two shows, the fee will be $250. Should your student change their mind and want to do both shows, you will be asked to provide the extra $50. Conversely, if your student chooses not to continue on after the first show, three tickets will be provided for the second show as compensation. If you are in need of financial assistance (partial/full scholarships, deferred payments, etc.), please contact Mr. Jason Bielik at jbielik@email.medfield.net. We do not want finances to prohibit a student’s ability or potential to participate. Participation fee checks should be made out to “Town of Medfield,” and dropped off at the Blake Main Office.
We look forward to putting together these amazing productions for the year ahead!
Best,
Tyler, Renee, Jill & Kray