DIstrict Comments

West Texas A&M University
Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex
Branding Iron Theatre
Canyon, TX 79016
Phone: (806) 651-2799
Fax: (806) 651-2818
Perry Crafton Phone: 806-651-2813
wcrafton@mail.wtamu.edu

Load-in: Tuesday, April 7 at 9:15pm
Rehearsal: Tuesday, April 7 from 9:45am-10:45am

1. Sanford Fritch - Peer Gynt
2. Shallowater - To See the Stars
3. Tulia - Look Homeward, Angel
4. RiverRoad - Send me a Tenor
5. Friona - Flowers and Lies
6. Roosevelt - Wit

The directors' meeting is at 12:30.
First play is at 1:30. They are back to back. We should go on about 2:30.
The judge should critique about 8-8:30.
We will eat a light lunch about 11-11:30. We will bring in pizza for dinner - probably about 6:30-7PM. Following the critique, we will return home.

We need the following:

1. rolled bandages
2. blood capsules
3. corset or slip for Ruth
4. apron for matron

Judge's critiques - mine and Ms. Borders

• Dialects must be second nature. Please speak in the dialects from now until performance on Tuesday. Everyone else, work on diction.
• Watch diagonal lines and horizontal lines on stage. On the first union scene, move Roger to platform behind Nathan and Brandon. Gradually, he will make his way up by Lannon - perhaps between Nathan and Lannon.
• Actors, be spatially aware . Watch clumping. Alternates, watch this on Monday's practice.
• Everyone, don't move without purpose or reason. I thought we did this, but be careful about this.
• During weeping and screaming, you cannot be understood.
• Roth and society girls sounded like they were in their teens (she didn't read the script or she would know you weren't very old.
• Joe and Anya need to fall in love. When does it happen?
• The beginning, she could not understand the accents, so we will work on them. Everyone, slow down and hit the consonants, particularly people with accents.
• Bridget needs a lilt in the accent.
• Anya needs to egg on Roth's anger.
• Clara, try to hold the cough back since we know that drives Roth crazy.
• Anya, we don't know your dreams.
• Chavez, keep the accent; we like it.
• Need to see Joe's face at all times.
• Joe, question Anya to determine if she is strong enough to rally the women.
• Thugs, plant feet. Roger, thug, don't forget to roll up shirt sleeves.
• On choreography, we have a dancing judge - movements must be crisp and exaggerated. All men except Roger are slacking on this part. Also, expressions will be important to this judge. We HAVE to exaggerate them.
• Clara, work on accent.
• Girls need to be whipped on. I think we will tear off Ruth's shirt, and we will have blood. Then, in the jail, you can pull yourself back together. We will use rolled bandages.
• We need to see the strength in Joe
• Matron needs an apron. Do not change her character.
• Smooth transitions
• Bridget, lighten up
• Crowd noise needs to increase from rain area to union scene
• Bridget, second union scene, move down the ramp.
• Work on better stage pictures in the second union scene.
• Need to see the boys - Nathan and Brandon and Chavez, change their minds.
• Lower voices, Society girls
• Change society girls and re stage
• Society girls should seem to be more adult.
• Lenore, it is not a contest, show more adult mannerisms.
• In transition following Roth's line, we need to see Roth give the judge money. Judge, nod at Roth during the scene as if to complete the contract.
• Roth, plant feet.
• Judge, do not step down with Joe
• Judge, know who you are hollering at.
• Judge, move the girls down and talk to them both toward the audience. Show WHY you are crossing down.
• Roth, your livelihood is affected by the girls. We need to see the struggle within you. Why is it important to attack the women. You need to be three dimensional.
• Too bunchy
• Dream scream
• What is Clara's objective. We need to see her rally. She can't die in vain.
• In prison, why does Anya leave the group?
• Bridget and Anya, move toward the others.
• We need solidarity in the dancing scene - girls need to dance together.
• Different scarf for Joe. Don't be so dramatic with the story about your father. Make more of a connection with Anya. Become your father.
• Starve in the fresh air needs to be humorous and meaningful
• Don't be so cold you cannot talk. Joe, watch so much hanky business
• Roth, we need to care more about you.
• Turn around girls, with fists in the air - be more dramatic.
• DO not drop signs when Joe announces the win.
• The celebration needs to b e on all levels.
• at the end, we need to see serious, dramatic expressions on the people front stage.

I think the tragic feeling is invoked in us when we are in the presence of a character who is ready to lay down his life, if need be, to secure one thing -- his sense of personal dignity. Arthur Miller

You have come so far. It reminds me of Stolle's line - "You beat em.... they just keep comin" This may not be right, but it reflects your perseverance, your dedication to producing good theatre, and your competitive natures. I love each one of you and I thank you for your hard work. Be ready tomorrow to work. Let me know what you feel about the quote - Arthur Miller's