DRAMA CLUB - TROUPE #4614
The International Thespian Society (ITS), or "Thespians" for short, is the Educational Theatre Association's honorary organization. ITS recognizes the achievements of high school and middle school theatre students. Since 1929, EdTA has inducted more than 2 million Thespians into ITS. That number continues to grow, with more than 36,000 students from around the country inducted each year.
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Should I audition?Well, there are two reasons you might be asking this question – is it because you’re afraid but your heart telling you that you should? If so, listen to your heart. Go for it. Are you worried that you’re taking on too much with everything else that you’re doing? Welllllll, perhaps you are. Think about your priorities, your class schedule, your mental wellbeing, and your balance. If you are too busy and don’t think you can be healthy, keep up your grades, and still do the show, we love you, but don’t audition. If you are ready to commit and your heart is singing to be onstage, then YES.
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When are rehearsals? What’s the commitment?We typically meet 3 to 4 days a week after school for rehearsals. We also occassionally meet for rehearsals on Saturdays. Click here to check the audition packet on The Callboard for more specific information. The week before the show opens is called "Tech Week." It is when we add all of the lights, sounds, costumes and technical elements of the show. During this time we rehearse every day.
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I want to be part of the show but I don’t want to be onstage!We have a thriving tech crew at Sehome and we are so excited to have you join us! No experience necessary. Click here to learn more about joining Tech Crew for a production at Sehome.
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How do auditions at Sehome work? What should I expect to happen?Usually, there are two days of auditions for a show at Sehome. You only need to come to ONE DAY of auditions. If you would like to audition, you must sign up for a time slot on The Callboard. When you arrive for your audition, you will check in with a student Stage Manager and turn in your audition packet and any other paperwork. The Stage Manager will give you any materials that you might need. You can use the time before your audition to practice or warm up. When you are called into the theater for your time slot, you will audition with a group of about 5-8 other students. We will do a quick warmup together and then you will perform your prepared piece one at a time. For a play you will perform a monologue and for a musical you will perform a song. More information below on how to get ready. After that will do another small activity as a group. We might read from the script (this is called a "cold read") or do improv games. Check The Callboard for more specific audition for each show. NOTE: If you are auditioning for a musical, there will be one extra audition day for "dance auditions." This is a one day audition that everyone must attend. More information below.
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How should I get prepared for auditions?First of all, READ THE PLAY. Scripts are available in Room 220 to check out. If you can’t read the play, then at least watch a movie version. At the very least read a summary of the plot of the play online. It’s always helpful to walk into an audition with a familiarity of the characters. Next, practice reading out loud. The script is good, but reading anything out loud is a good idea, really. Try to use your voice expressively. Get comfortable reading in front of people. Depending on if you are auditioning for a play or a musical, you may need to prepare something specific (a monolgue, a song or a dance). Check the audition form on The Callboard for specifics about what to prepare. More tips on that below.
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You want me to sing a song!? I’ve never done that before!If you are auditioning for a musical you will need to do a vocal audition. If you’ve never done a musical before or you’ve never sung in front of people before, NEVER FEAR! Part of the fun of doing a musical in high school is learning HOW to do a musical! Mrs. McGowan, the director, doesn’t expect you to be perfect walking into an audition! The directors just want to hear your voice and see how you can perform while singing. Choose a song that is fun to sing and that you connect to. We’ve had people sing all types of songs: “Happy Birthday,” that song that everyone knows from Mulan, pop music, rap, etc. Please don’t sing anything from the show. There’s lots of resources out there of “good audition songs” – feel free to talk to McGowan (the director) or Ms. Aguilar (the musical director) or Ms. Katz (the choir teacher) for help choosing something.
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You want me to learn a dance!? That sounds terrifying!If you are auditioning for a musical you will need to do a dance audition. Don't worry! You don't need to make up your own dance. At a dance audition the choreographer will be teaching you a combination of movements and then you'll perform in small groups. Check The Callboard close to the audition date to get access to the music for the dance. If you’ve never done a musical before or you’ve never danced in front of people before, NEVER FEAR! Mrs. McGowan, the director, doesn’t expect you to be perfect walking into an audition! The directors just want to see you move and see how you deal with challenging material. The dance portion is SUPPOSED to be hard. We want to challenge you and see what you do when you struggle to learn a piece of choreography. Do you give up? (Don’t do that.) Or do you dig deep and keep trying? We want to see you “make it work” and do your best. In the end, just have fun.
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You want me to do a monologue!? I’ve never done one!If you are auditioning for a play (a show without music) you will need to memorize and prepare a monologue. If you’ve never done a monologue before, never fear! Mrs. McGowan, the director, doesn’t expect you to know everything walking into an audition! She wants to see that you tried your best to prepare and that you’re willing to put in the effort to be a part of the play. Choose a monologue that feels fun to say and that you connect to. There are a lot of resources out there on Youtube to help you find and prepare a monologue. Feel free to email McGowan if you need more help! You can also tell a story for your audition if you don't want to do a monologe, however, make sure that no matter what you do, you have practiced and are prepared. Note: You don't need to prepare a monologue to audition for a musical.
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What are "Callbacks"?"Callbacks are the second round of auditions. It is a chance for the directors to see your skills for another time and start to make specific choices for casting the show. The Callback List is posted after the first round of auditions is complete. Callbacks look different for every show so check The Callboard for more information about what you need to prepare if you are "called back."
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I’d like to get more information or I have a question that isn’t covered on here.Please feel free to email Mrs McGowan anytime. She’s happy to talk with you more about the show and all things Sehome Drama!
THESPIAN COMPETITIONS.
Each year, Troupe #4614 participates in ITS Competitions in acting, music and technical theatre.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
October 11 - Seattle, WA
In association with The Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle, the Washington Thespains kick off the year with a leadership workshop for students interested in performing arts and theatre.
Click here to learn more about the workshop.
THESPYS COMPETITON (NORTH) - ACTING AND TECHNICAL THEATRE
January 18 - Everett, WA
The International Thespian Excellence Awards (or Thespys® for short) recognize the highest level of achievement in school theatre performance, technical theatre, writing, and filmmaking. In Washington State, the journey begins at one of the four Regional Thespy Events where students share their work with their peers and for written feedback and adjudication by industry professionals. Students who score Superior are invited to audition for our State Thespian Festival’s Thespy Showcase AND the National Showcase held at the International Thespian Festival with scholarship money attached! Registration for IEs is limited so see Mrs. McGowan for more information.
Click here to learn more about Thespys.
WASHINGTON STATE THESPIAN FESTIVAL
March 20-21 - Seattle Convention Center
Competition at the State Thespian Festival is one of the most exciting events for ITS members each year. Students who scored highly at their regional Thespys event move on to compete at the state level. High school drama programs from all over the stage can also present performances of with large musicals or straight plays. Workshops teaching everything from scenic painting to stage combat are held all weekend for participants. Registration for the State Conference is limited so see Mrs. McGowan for more information.
Click here to learn more about the ITS State Festival.
ITS NATIONAL THESPIAN CONFERENCE
June 22-27 - Bloomington, ID
The National Thespian Conference is a week-long event held every summer in Bloomington, Indiana. This is the final culmination for students who scored high enough in Individual Events and State competitions. Workshops in everything from rigging to dance to acting technique are held throughout the week and attendees can see fully staged performances of award-winning high school productions from all over the country.
