Valley Theatre’s Fall Production

Why are we having this meeting: Part 1 I respect you I respect you We are all invested in this program We are all invested in this program I want you to be informed I want you to be informed No one should be excluded No one should be excluded

What goes into picking a show? Opportunities for actors Opportunities for actors Audience appeal Audience appeal Challenges and potential triumphs Challenges and potential triumphs COST COST

This Fall’s Show: Spamalot What makes this show work? What makes this show work? What are some of the issues? What are some of the issues?

Why are we having this meeting: Part 2 This year’s fall production will NOT be Spamalot This year’s fall production will NOT be Spamalot Why? Why? COST: the #1 reason this show just doesn’t work for us….NOW COST: the #1 reason this show just doesn’t work for us….NOW Rights for Spamalot: $ Rights for Spamalot: $ Cost for choreographer and Vocal director: $ $ Cost for choreographer and Vocal director: $ $ Set, Lighting, Costumes: $ $ Set, Lighting, Costumes: $ $ Projection and other special effects: $ $ Projection and other special effects: $ $ Miscellaneous: $ Miscellaneous: $ Typical ticket sales: $ $ Typical ticket sales: $ $ Opportunities for Actors: fewer women than men. Opportunities for Actors: fewer women than men. Audience concerns: some content issues Audience concerns: some content issues What’s best for the future of the program: rebuilding our budget What’s best for the future of the program: rebuilding our budget Ultimate reason: COST and future

FAQs: 1 What does this mean for musicals at Valley? What does this mean for musicals at Valley? You can still work on musicals in Musical Theatre class. We will be doing a small show in class! You can still work on musicals in Musical Theatre class. We will be doing a small show in class! It DOES mean we will NOT be doing a MAINSTAGE musical THIS YEAR. It DOES mean we will NOT be doing a MAINSTAGE musical THIS YEAR. Does this mean we won’t ever do musicals again? Does this mean we won’t ever do musicals again? No. Musical theatre is an integral part of the theatrical experience, and my goal is to offer a variety of theatrical experiences to everyone, including our audience. Last year, we doubled up on musicals. This year, we’re redoubling our efforts to offer musicals in the future. No. Musical theatre is an integral part of the theatrical experience, and my goal is to offer a variety of theatrical experiences to everyone, including our audience. Last year, we doubled up on musicals. This year, we’re redoubling our efforts to offer musicals in the future.

FAQs: 2 Why didn’t you make this decision earlier, Staggs? Why didn’t you make this decision earlier, Staggs? A fair question. Concerns rested in the back of my head all summer. It wasn’t until recently I rested on solid concerns that affected the final outcome. A fair question. Concerns rested in the back of my head all summer. It wasn’t until recently I rested on solid concerns that affected the final outcome. Our yearly budget became clearer; costs for various materials, including rights, became clearer. Our yearly budget became clearer; costs for various materials, including rights, became clearer. I can only offer an apology for waiting to announce this decision. A mistake on my part, one I hope to learn from. But it doesn’t change the fact that this is the best decision I can make as Artistic Director for you and future students. I can only offer an apology for waiting to announce this decision. A mistake on my part, one I hope to learn from. But it doesn’t change the fact that this is the best decision I can make as Artistic Director for you and future students.

FAQs: 3 Will the new show allow us– those highly interested in musical theatre– an opportunity to participate? Will the new show allow us– those highly interested in musical theatre– an opportunity to participate? Absolutely! This fall’s production will include dance, song, live music…but it IS a “straight play.” Absolutely! This fall’s production will include dance, song, live music…but it IS a “straight play.” Did Staggs lie? Did Staggs lie? No, but I understand your frustration. Many of you have spent the summer preparing. You are coming into the year expecting one thing and getting another…I get it! No, but I understand your frustration. Many of you have spent the summer preparing. You are coming into the year expecting one thing and getting another…I get it! I encourage you to reflect on the positive experience you’ve had as a member of Valley Theatre and hopefully you’ll recognize Staggs’ goal has ever been to maintain and grow this artistic community. I encourage you to reflect on the positive experience you’ve had as a member of Valley Theatre and hopefully you’ll recognize Staggs’ goal has ever been to maintain and grow this artistic community.

FAQs 4 What about those of us who worked hard to prepare already? What about those of us who worked hard to prepare already? Auditioners: This is a tough thing. When you expect one thing but get another, it’s frustrating and tough to cope with…but it is a reality of life. As actors, we hit obstacles, and our ultimate objective is to find tactics that work around them. Also, you now have more material to make yourself marketable. Truly, you should be learning and rehearsing pieces all the time! Auditioners: This is a tough thing. When you expect one thing but get another, it’s frustrating and tough to cope with…but it is a reality of life. As actors, we hit obstacles, and our ultimate objective is to find tactics that work around them. Also, you now have more material to make yourself marketable. Truly, you should be learning and rehearsing pieces all the time! Designers: You worked HARD this summer! Does this mean we won’t use what you’ve made? NO! We can repurpose, adjust, and focus on a different show. They may not be designs that work this year, but they can AND WILL be used. Just like the actors, you done work to build your marketability, your portfolio, and you can now apply what you’ve learned to a new project. You did not waste your time. I know it, you should know it, too. Designers: You worked HARD this summer! Does this mean we won’t use what you’ve made? NO! We can repurpose, adjust, and focus on a different show. They may not be designs that work this year, but they can AND WILL be used. Just like the actors, you done work to build your marketability, your portfolio, and you can now apply what you’ve learned to a new project. You did not waste your time. I know it, you should know it, too.

A Reminder Please remember that you are not required to audition for anything. Being a part of this program is your choice, and we welcome you not matter what you bring to the table… If you decide not to audition, we’ll miss you, but there is always someone ready and waiting. Please remember that you are not required to audition for anything. Being a part of this program is your choice, and we welcome you not matter what you bring to the table… If you decide not to audition, we’ll miss you, but there is always someone ready and waiting. Please remember that when someone else wants to consider joining this community we’ve created. Allow them the opportunity to make their own decision. Please remember that when someone else wants to consider joining this community we’ve created. Allow them the opportunity to make their own decision. This is not about me. This is not about me. This is always about YOU, but not you. This is always about YOU, but not you. Also remember that whatever decision you make, you are always welcome as a part of Valley Theatre. Also remember that whatever decision you make, you are always welcome as a part of Valley Theatre.

Why are we having this meeting: Part 3 What goes into picking a show? What goes into picking a show? Opportunities for actors: This show incorporates as many as actors, many of them women! Opportunities for actors: This show incorporates as many as actors, many of them women! Audience appeal: This show will bring DROVES of audience members of all ages! NO. DOUBT. Audience appeal: This show will bring DROVES of audience members of all ages! NO. DOUBT. Challenges and potential triumphs: simple set, simple costumes, potentially cool special effects, driven by actors Challenges and potential triumphs: simple set, simple costumes, potentially cool special effects, driven by actors COST: Potentially $0. 100% profit is AWESOME! COST: Potentially $0. 100% profit is AWESOME!

Our Fall 2015 Production: A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol Auditions will take place either the 2 nd or 3 rd week of school. Details coming the first week of school. Auditions will take place either the 2 nd or 3 rd week of school. Details coming the first week of school. Rehearsals will likely only be 3 days a week (plus limited Choreography and Vocal Coaching) Rehearsals will likely only be 3 days a week (plus limited Choreography and Vocal Coaching) Actors of all ages will be participating! Actors of all ages will be participating! I’ve done A Christmas Carol…I can tell you it’s one of the best experiences ever…but don’t take my word for it. AUDITION!!! I’ve done A Christmas Carol…I can tell you it’s one of the best experiences ever…but don’t take my word for it. AUDITION!!!

In the end… We must “bloom where we’re planted.” We still have a job to do: bring excellent, groundbreaking theatre to the community; inspire others to be lovers of theatre; and build the family we’ve created. So, no matter the challenge… Let’s Do It!!!!!!!!!!!