First Impressions at Auditions

With Beauty and the Beast auditions coming up this Saturday, I thought it might be a good idea to review some tips on making a good first impression at auditions. I believe this came from Chrissie Addison, one of our IT! supporters. It was one of those hidden treasures found in the IT Insider's desk drawer.

Logistics:

• Arrive on time
• Be ready
• Be prepared to stay as long as necessary
• Think through your commitment before you make it
• Get plenty of sleep the night before
• Bring your appointment/date book
• Be positive. Be prepared. Be professional

Preparing your material:

1. Know the type of audition (general, specific, cold)
2. Know the length of the selection desired. Stick to it!
3. Select something that shows your best
4. Avoid well-known, overdone pieces.
5. Bring music
6. Prepare an up-to-date resume and locate your latest head shot

Preparing yourself:

1. Get plenty of rest
2. Rehearse well before you go on your pieces, songs etc.
3. Present a neat and neutral appearance
4. Arrange for transportation and your work schedule for day off

At audition:

1. Don't bring family and friends
2. Don't second guess or distract panel by leaving and reentering room unneccesarily
3. Don't wait to be coaxed up on to stage
4. Make no disclaimers before or during auditions
5. Keep going no matter what
6. Know about the play, the playwright, the director, the company
7. Ask the see the rehearsal schedule
8. Be friendly, ready to do whatever is asked of you
9. Read whatever is asked of you. Any part

Have fun! Stay healthy. Continually study acting, dancing, singing etc. Become a student of theater!

Man of La Mancha Opening Night Review

The production was great! We all enjoyed it! I'm always amazed at the talent we have here in El Dorado County. My students loved it. In fact, they studied the program and want to come again next Fall, probably to Beauty and the Beast. I'll pass the word around here that everyone should come to Man of LaMancha. Thanks!

Librarian
Union Mine High School
El Dorado, CA

Tickets Available Next Weekend, April 3-5

Did you miss the opening weekend of Man of La Mancha? It's not too late to purchase tickets for next weekend's shows. Tickets are still available for Friday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 4 at 2:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 5 at 2:00 p.m. See the show soon; you won't be disappointed.

Man of La Mancha Photos

The Vision



Sancho and Aldonza



Prison Attack



Gypsies



Governor's Trial



Aldonza and Quixote

Aldonza and the Muleteers

Dracula Needs Sandwiches!

Volunteers are needed to make sandwiches for the Dracula filming on Monday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 7. IT! is looking for simple sandwiches--including peanut butter and jelly. Ingredients will be provided. We need a few people to make them. Be a part of this groundbreaking film and theater production. Contact the box office at 530-642-0404 or Lanny at 530-903-6361 for details.

IT! Needs Cookies

The film portion of Dracula is coming up the first week of April. We are looking for a few good cookie bakers (or purchasers) to donate a few dozen cookies for the cast and crew of the production. Contact the box office at 530-642-0404 or Lanny at 530-903-6361 if you are interested in this vital role.

Man of La Mancha opens March 27

Tickets are on sale now for the musical Man of La Mancha. Contact the box office at 530-642-0404. Below is a video of Ambassadors in Harmony singing one of the songs from the musical. Very cool.

"Extra, Extra! Read all about it!"

Imagination Theater is looking for a dozen more extras for the train scene in Dracula. On Monday morning, April 6, IT! and Porter Media Group will film a scene at the train musuem in Old Town Sacramento. We are looking for men and women, young and old. You will need to wear dark shoes. Costuming takes place on site. Contact the theater at 530-642-0404 or email ITPlacerville@yahoo.com with your name, phone and email address if you are interested. First come, first served.

Workshop Postponed

Due to the scheduling of the filming of Dracula and full schedule of the theater, we have postponed the Intermediate Acting Workshop to later this summer.

The new dates (tentative schedule) are:

Tuesday, July 28 to Friday, July 31, 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Saturday, August 1 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon (Dress Rehearsal)
Monday and Tuesday, August 3 and 4, 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Wednesday, August 5 - Performance at 7:00 p.m.

If you have an interest and would like to be added to the waiting list, please contact the theater at 530-642-0404.

How do you spell relief?

Although the following clip is about the upturn in movie audiences during the downturn in the economy, it still is a reminder that RELIEF can also be spelled

L-I-V-E--T-H-E-A-T-E-R.

Imagination Theater! tickets prices are a great value--even more reasonable than a movie ticket. Man of La Mancha, opening at the end of the month, all tickets will be $9 on Thursday nights, April 9 and 16. Weekend matinees aren't much more, especially if you come in a group. Spend an afternoon or evening with us--and escape to another place and time. 530-642-0404 for tickets.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Ch-ch-ch Changes . . .

Things are always changing here at Imagination Theater! I'm amazed at how Lanny and Peter can juggle everything. It's enough to make my head spin (that's another post!) I wanted to give you the update of the latest update for Beauty and the Beast. Originally scheduled for December 2009 - January 2010, we had hoped to change it to November/December 2009 (similar to the Wizard of Oz schedule). After pleading our case (to those that hold the rights and make the decisions), we now have the dates of the show:

Opens: Friday, December 4
Closes: Sunday, December 27

It is a full schedule. (Shows are not scheduled between Dec 22-25)

"Dressers" Needed for Greater Tuna

No, we aren't talking about furniture! This fall, IT! will be producting the comedy Greater Tuna. (Shhhh, we're not advertising it yet!) Two people (age 18+) are needed to assist the two actors on stage helping them change into different characters during the entire show. Although you will be on stage, you will not be seen. Some rehearsals will occur over the summer. The production is slated for late September and October 2009. Please contact Lanny at 530-903-6361 for more details.

Help Needed - ASAP!

Assistant Stage Manager (Age 18+) needed for Man of La Mancha. Must be available current rehearsals and show dates. Some heavy lifting required. Please contact Lanny directly at 530-903-6361 for additional information.

Did you know?

This was shared with the IT! Insider today by a local teacher. As I now mark time by the growth of my children, I readily observe how much has changed in such a very short time. I thought you might find it interesting. I certainly did.

Scratching the Surface - Arts in El Dorado County

Yesterday, I read an article in the New York Times about Google adding its one trillionth web address last summer. Despite this vast amount of information, it is apparently only a fraction of the information out there. Google, as well as other search engine companies, are exploring the Deep Web and experimenting with how to access material stored within databases. Pretty fascinating though I'm busy enough trolling on top of the surface!

Some of my surface discoveries include sites like zvents.com which has a wide range of event listings and tailors them to your local area. It is very cool. From big gigs to Imagination Theater shows, you're bound to find them listed here.

Today while surfing this vast web ocean, I discovered the El Dorado Arts Council website. I am impressed with their wealth of information about the arts in El Dorado County. I feel like I've discovered a not-so-hidden treasure of arts in my own backyard! Check out their monthly newsletter containing items about classes, events, artist profiles and much, much more.

"The early bird catcheth the worm."

Group Tickets for Man of La Mancha Available for Purchase
Meaning: Success comes to those who prepare well and put in effort.
Origin: This is first recorded in John Ray's "A collection of English proverbs 1670, 1678"

"The early bird catches the worm" is a common proverb that explains that the best comes to those who seek out the best, don't wait (procrastinate), or expect that someone is going to do the work for them. Imagination Theater! would like you to prepare to come, invite your friends, and purchase group tickets for Man of La Mancha.

If you're involved in a church group, service club, senior group, college drama class, or an informal "Mom's Night Out" or bunko club, we encourage you to call soon for group tickets to get the best choice of seats and enjoy a night of live theater. Group price varies by size. Savings is about $4-5 per ticket off the adult ticket price. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Call 530-642-0404.

It's live, It's local, It's Imagination Theater!

Dracula Filming - RV Needed

The filming of Dracula will soon descend upon the foothills. The film segment of this multi-media production will be shot at different locations in mid-April. Imagination Theater! would like to have use of an RV as a home base as much of the filming takes place in the evening. If you, or someone you know, could lend us an RV, please contact Lanny Langston at (530) 903-6361.

IT! on Facebook

Up until a day or so ago, I was familiar with Facebook, but hadn't wanted to jump into any social networking site--until Lanny invited me to join his page. Lanny has a page! Wow! I guesss I'd better see what this is all about. I admit that I was curious as I had recently learned at at meeting of the League of Sacramento Theaters that almost half of them used Facebook or other social networking sites to promote their theater. Having created my own profile I have managed to find long lost cousins, friends, my eighty-seven year old geocaching aunt, and even my father in law! It is kind of like a "living Christmas letter" that changes each day as people share their experiences around them. Today, for example, was filled with posted pictures of the low snow and other interesting tidbits. How fun! Search Imagination Theater under "groups" and join. We'd love for you to be a part of the IT! Group.

Calling All Ushers!

Man of La Mancha is coming up next month and we are looking for people who are interested in helping usher for the shows. Ushers need to arrive about an hour before the show starts. The theater doors and box office open a half an hour before the show, though people do arrive early. You will receive complimentary tickets to the show. If you are interested in ushering and want to be on our usher list, please contact the IT! Box Office or call 530-642-0404.

Audition Notice for Dracula

Imagination Theater and Porter Media Group announce auditions for Bram Stoker's haunting tale, Dracula. This adaptation is by Richard Sharp.

Sacramento audition:
Friday, February 27th, from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Studio 24, 2220 K Street.

Placerville auditions:
Saturday, February 28th, .

UPDATED INFORMATION (2/17/09) Auditions for Nosferatu (dancers) will be from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. at Foothills Dance Studio, 3965 Durock Road, Suite C. in Shingle Springs.

Auditions for acting roles are from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Imagination Theater
100 Placerville Drive on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds

All roles are open and include Dracula, Dr. John Seward, Lucy Westernra, Mina Murray, Jonathan Harker, Renfield, Dr. Abraham Van Helsing, and eight Nosferatu (brides and victims of Dracula, all dancers). All Nosferatu must be at least 18 years of age.

Call Backs:
Sunday, March 1st, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Imagination Theater in Placerville.

This multi-media presentation will use film to stage and stage to film seamlessly with incredible special effects. The film segment of the production will be shot at different locations from April 9 to 15. Actors selected must be available these days for evening shots. For further information call the director, Lanny Langston at (530) 903-6361. Scripts for review are available at the box office.