Being involved in the production is like belonging to a sporting team. Everyone involved has their own unique role to play. Everyone is working toward a common goal. We work together doing something we enjoy. It allows us to be creative and belong to a community. It allows all involved to work with students and teachers across the whole school. It is another example of the many varied extra-curricular activities this school provides to help create positive balanced individuals.

What sets the Drama Production apart from other teams is our sheer size. This year we have 61 cast members and over 100 crew members involved in making this production a success. To celebrate and identify as being part of a team, we have provided students with the opportunity to wear a 'team' Hoodie. This sweatshirt is in black (a staple colour for those involved in Theatre) with the school logo also in black. It reads SSIS Drama in white along the back. Students are allowed to wear this as part of their school uniform just like they would if they had a volleyball Hoodie.

The design is below. Students can purchase these by paying 160RMB to finance and returning the order form to Miss Studdert in CN204.

Sixty plus students gathered in the theatre for their first rehearsals this week. The cast includes some familiar faces from past productions as well newcomers in their first experience of ‘treading the boards’. We have a great mix of students across all grade levels, including some of our newest members to the secondary school; 7 grade six students.

Rehearsals began on Tuesday with some team-building and getting to know you activities run by our Director Mrs Gambrill. This cast has a long and time-consuming rehearsal process ahead of them so it’s important they feel comfortable with each other and the rehearsal process. On Wednesday the cast launched straight into rehearsing scenes. Students were on stage, scripts in hand familiarizing themselves with the characters they will play.

Auditions were held this week. We were fortunate enough to have a great turn-out of students in attendance. However, it also makes the task of casting very difficult. There are so many talented student at this school. Many were very nervous to participate in the singing audition, but we did uncover some hidden musical talent.

The cast list will be posted on the noticeboard on Monday… and then the hard work begins. The cast have a big job ahead of them, afternoon rehearsals every Tuesday and Wednesday for the next three months plus four Saturday rehearsals closer to performance week.

Of course the cast are really just the tip of the iceberg. The majority of students involved in the Production take on ‘behind the scenes’ roles. Work will soon start on the set design, painting and building.

Remember keep an eye out for the cast list posted on the Drama noticeboard outside the BlackBox Monday.

The Secondary Production this year will be Up The Down Staircase.

It tells the story of a rough New York High School and how the new first-year teacher copes with interesting students, staff-members and confusing administrative procedures.

Already we have a great team of teachers involved in this year's Production. The play will be directed by Mrs. Santina Gambrill and Produced by myself, Lyndal Studdert, also author of this great blog. As well a talented array of teachers helping supervise students in such roles as backstage crew, technical crew, make-up, costumes, set-painting and construction.... but more about that later. This blog will feature regular updates, pictures and information for all you need to know about the production.

Students have already had a chance to sign up for any activities they want to be involved in. Next week sees the start of auditions. Grades 6, 7 & 8 will audition on Monday and Tuesday and 9,10,11 &12 will audition on Wednesday and Thursday in the Black Box at lunch time.

An interesting addition this year will be a musical audition.... for some. The play is not a musical, but will include a series of 'musical interludes' by some of the main characters. Those wishing to audition for a main role will have to complete a musical audition. We have an equal division of frightened and excited students at the prospect of this. If you can't sing - don't worry, still many non-singing parts available.

See you at the auditions next week Thespians.

We have just one week to go until opening night. Rehearsals have been happening on the weekends and the play is looking great.

The rehearsals have expanded and we have crew now joining us.

We have Mrs Preston leading a very excited and capable Stage Crew. The stage crew is responsible for ensuring actors are where they need to be. They are also responsible for props, scene changes and following the script.

Mr Smith and Ms Olmez have also joined our rehearsals. They are leading a Technical Crew. The Technical Crew is responsible for the lighting and sound effects you will see in the performance. You will see these students in the booth behind the last row of the audience during the performance. They will be communicating with Stage Crew backstage to ensure their lighting and sound cues are on time.

Mr Nugent and the Production band have also joined rehearsals. This small group of students will be providing live music during all performances. These students have composed these pieces themselves and will be playing these from the first floor of the theatre, above the tech booth.

Mrs Williams and Ms Pretious have also been busy with their team of students, making sure all cast are wearing great costumes. Fittings are almost finished and the cast are getting excited about wearing these great costumes on stage.

An enthusiastic Set Painting Crew led by Mrs Bastow and Mrs Stefureak has been busy for the last few weeks painting an undercoat onto the flats used for the set. Students began this week with colour transforming the bare flats into a wealthy English manor owned by the Shropshire family. It is in the Shropshire Manor where most of "The Prime Time Crime' takes place. It is where the mysterious phantom has begun to eliminate the Shrophire family one by one.

This year we will be providing students with the opportunity to purchase a Drama Production Hoodie, in the same style as those available to students in athletics teams. This will be a black SSIS Hoodie with a zip front, with SSIS DRAMA across the back. All students involved in the production including cast, set builders, set painters, make-up artists etc, can choose to purchase one of these hoodies.

The Hoodies will cost 160RMB. To order a Hoodie, please return the slip attached to the order form by Friday 24 September 2010 accompanied with 160RMB. Please collect an order form from your teacher leader or Miss Studdert and Mrs Gambrill. This slip must be returned to the finance office. Payment and slip must be returned together to Miss Studdert or Mrs Gambrill.

Please find below a 'mock-up' design of the hoodie.

Wednesday 1st of September marked the first step in a long journey for the cast of the Prime-Time Crime. Some very excited seasoned performers met with keen fresh-faced production beginners for a successful first rehearsal. Introductions were made, information handed out, a cast photo taken and the rehearsals began.

Rehearsals will occur every Wednesday and Friday from 3:40-4:50 in the theatre. Only select scenes will be rehearsed each day, students need to be present only for the scenes they are in. Please download the attached document for a complete rehearsal schedule.

Of course a production is like an iceberg; there is so much more under the surface. Things have started to happen behind-the-scenes as well. Approximately 60 students have expressed an interest in working 'Backstage'. Students have signed up to help out teachers leading teams in make-up & costume design, stage crew, lighting & sound, set design and construction, set painting, props making and front of house. Stay tuned for more updates and photos about these teams.

The following students have been cast in the Production. Congratulations and we will see you at the first rehearsal on Wednesday 1st September.

Jive Eddie: David Sun 8E

Ballerina: Chloe Little 8N/Alena Cover 8N/Emily Fu 11N

Aristotle: Rewa Fowles 9N/ Aline Irhamye 9R/ Amanda Asen 11 R

Cracker: Amy Won 8N

Kojacket: Joe Witchger 11E

Sorbina: Shu Yi Ching/ Michelle Toyloy 12E

Nellie: Charlotte Eriksen 11N

Dill: Marie Gaucher 10N

Boris: Olivia Chan 8R/Sandra Bruderer 8N /Cinthy

Norbinski: Olivia Thiele /Maddy Lyman 7R /Jenny Yoon 9R

Kane: Kevin Toyloy

Able: Aaron Chiam 11N

Boy: ShunMin Ching 7E

Barotta: TJ Brindle

Marie: Alison Warth 11R

Abigail: Laura Hedley 7E

David: Jeffery Liu

Tony: Josh Tan 11E

Vivian: Raissa Schaller 10R

Arthur: Gabriel Schaller 9A

Kathryn: Angela Ma 9A

Chives: Teophile Rabu 10E

Constable Danner: Ray Warth 8A

Reggie: Chester 12E

Policeman: Zi Yan Wong 11L

Voice of Charlie: Claire Wu

Security guard: Kevin Lu& Kevin Mao

Thankyou to all who auditioned. There were so many talented students who came along it made it very difficult to choose cast members. It was so difficult in fact that some parts have been triple cast. This means that three actors will play the same part - not at the same time obviously, but one actor for each of the performance nights. It is great to have so many students involved.

The full Cast List will be posted on the Drama notice board Monday lunch time.

If you were not successful in gaining a part, do not worry, you can still be involved. The actors on stage are only a small part of all of the people involved in a production. A production needs people to help out with make-up, costumes, set construction, set painting, lighting, sound and stage crew. If you are interested in these roles, please come to a meeting in the BlackBox on Tuesday 31st August at 1:05pm. Please come along even if you have signed up on Dragon Net. There will be lots of information you will need to know.

Auditions for the production begin next week. All students are welcome. Middle School Students audition Monday and Tuesday 1:30-1:55. High School Students audition Wednesday and Thursday 1:05-1:30. Friday is reserved for Call-Backs.

Simply come along. Some students have collected a script already, if you have read the script and have a part you would like to read, tell Miss Studdert and Mrs Gambrill and we will ask you to read a scene. If you are not sure what part you would like, the teachers will give you a part to read. You do not have to learn the parts off-by-heart, you can have the script with you. If you have a script, bring it to the audition. If you want to audition with a friend, that's OK too.

You will also be asked to think about what other commitments you have coming up. Are you trying out for the basketball team? Are you involved in student council? It's important to consider these things. Some other school events may clash with rehearsals, so it is important that you think about the level of commitment you can offer.

What is a Call-Back?

A call-back is when the Director requests to see you again. It means that you may be asked to read another part, to read with another student or be asked to read the same part again. It just helps the Director make decisions. Don't worry if you don't get a call-back, it does not necessarily mean you have been left out.

The play for next year has been decided, a comedy called The Prime Time Crime by William Gleason.

A group of experts in crime-fighting including a glamorous all female trio, a street-wise city cop with a pet buzzard, a Kung Soo Master and a seasoned Detective have been gathered together to solve one of the most baffling mysteries in decades. 'The Phantom' is wreaking havoc at Shropshire Manor again. Soon there won't be anyone left in the 'unique' Shropshire family to inherit the family estate.... but perhaps that's what 'The Phantom' wants. Can these crime-fighting experts solve the crime before it's too late?

The Performance dates have been set for December 1st 2nd and 3rd of 2010.

Rehearsals will begin after school Wednesday and Fridays 3:45-4:45 beginning September 1st. Auditions will take place during lunch time the week August 23rd - August 27th. The Auditions are open to Middle and High School students. Those wishing to take a script over the summer to prepare for auditions can collect one from Miss Studdert or Mrs Gambrill.

This blog will provide cast, crew, parents and teachers with up to date information on the progress of the production.