From the President. September Welcome to the fifth newsletter for Viv Patchett

Transcription

1 Contents From the President Avenue Q Theatre Restaurant Centennial Celebrations Mary Poppins 2018 SOCIAL CLUB House keeping Evita and Shrek The Musical Next Generation Welcome to the fifth newsletter for From the President Viv Patchett Dear Members, I have heard it said lately that it s been a roller coaster ride this last month and I have to agree. A lot has been going on in the background by your busy committee, and a big thank you to you all. A special thank you goes to Robin Sutherland who has retired from the committee after four years. He has been a wonderful mentor/advisor for us all and will still help us work through the constitution changes. THANK YOU Robin. The constitution is with the lawyers being prepared for members review. To take his place, a warm welcome goes out to Mike Wentworth who has come on board the committee. You might have seen Mike in his roles behind the scenes crewing for many of the BMT shows and helping out in the workshop. He is Stage Manager for Avenue Q. I popped into a rehearsal of Avenue Q recently and Pam and the cast are having lots of fun with puppets and each other. I m looking forward to the show at the end of November. Thanks Pam and your team. Early this month I was privileged to be on the Audition panel for Mary Poppins, along with Duncan Whiting Kevin Mosely, Jeannie Mark and Linda Holdaway. It s never going to be an easy task with over 100 auditions.but the professional input from the panel made it work and a wonderful cast is the outcome. See below for details. Another big thank you to the team that helped over the weekend. The Production Manager has a big part to play in getting this and any show on the road so thank you Neville for the experience and integrity that you bring to the society in this role.

2 BMT have a lot to look forward to and I hope to see you all over the next few months, either in shows or planning the 100-year celebration functions. Congratulations to BMT member Geoff Anderson for his part in Mama Mia in Nelson. A group of us travelled to Opening Night and were very impressed. Check it out at the Theatre Royal 3-23 September. Safe travels to the Marlborough District Brass Band on their trip to China. I look forward to hearing Kevin Moseley s stories on their return. Viv Patchett President, Blenheim Musical Theatre Avenue Q Theatre Restaurant 17 November 2 December 2017 Thanks to everyone who auditioned. The cast is as follows: Princeton: Liam Watchman Kate Monster: Rose Platenkamp Nicky Newcomer: Chris Vali Rod: Darryn Bishop Trekkie Monster/Ricky: Steve Hobson Brian: Robert McArthur Christmas Eve: Sara Bishell Gary Coleman: Kate Fillenham Mrs Thistlewat/Bad Idea Bear 1: Joanne Harper Lucy: Cheryl McNamara Bad Idea Bear 2: Kim Hollis The show will open on Friday 17 th November 2017 and run for two weeks. Book your table now! Fantastic Christmas Party option (over 18 s only). If anyone would like to help with this show please contact Alison French on or ali.french@xtra.co.nz OR Production Manager Dave Barrett In particular Alison is looking for: Someone to coordinate the wait team. People to help with Waitressing Kitchen prep (during the day) Kitchen team (evenings) Table settings and maintenance. Restaurant: we need plenty of lemons. Please let Alison know if you have some.

3 Avenue Q is a coming-of-age parable, addressing and satirizing the issues associated with entering adulthood. Its characters lament that as children, they were assured by their parents, and by children's television programs such as Sesame Street, that they were "special" and "could do anything"; but as adults, they have discovered to their surprise and dismay that in the real world their options are limited, and they are no more "special" than anyone else. Mary Poppins 2018 This is our main show for Auditions were held last month and 109 people auditioned which was a fantastic turnout. Congratulations to everyone. Sam Baxter has been appointed Vocal Director. She will join Director: Duncan Whiting, Musical Director: Kevin Moseley, Choreographer: Jeannie Mark, and Production Manager: Neville Patchett. Dates: 21 April 5 th May 2018

4 Centennial Celebrations Chairperson: Andrew Scott Exiting events are planned! A full year of celebrations starting with a drinks/nibbles function on Monday 12 th February 2018 at the ASB theatre. Mary Poppins opening night will be on 20 th April and it will be a blacktie event. August 25 th 26 th we would hold a celebratory weekend and have a variety concert, directed by Duncan Whiting. Theatre restaurant in November could be something that relates to our very first production in Rotating exhibition of past show memorabilia throughout the year in the theatre foyer. The first event is on 12 February 2018 (the exact day it started 100 years ago) and will be lots of fun to be involved. To express your interest for helping with the Centennial Celebrations 2018, contact Andrew on andrew@mctt.co.nz

5 Social Club Last month the BMT Social Club held a screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. They also organised a group booking to see the Combined College s Production of EVITA. This is NOT the photo of the group going to Evita. Everyone is very welcome to attend the next event..

6 And why not join up with a BMT group at Avenue Q..

7 House keeping Thanks to those who that helped at the 9 th JULY Working Bee. Here is Tricia Burtenshaw christening the new washing line with the Evita costumes. Two skip loads were removed from the rooms which has lightened the cramped quarters. WANTED: Accommodation is required for the travelling mechanist, for Mary Poppins, from Easter next year until the show ends. He needs a flat/cottage or similar with microwave, and a bed. Contact Neville Patchett if you can help. WANTED: in Wardrobe: Duvet cover plastic zip bags preferably large ones, very handy for storage. At the moment Wardrobe are having working bees during the day on Tuesdays if you want to come along. All welcome. WANTED: a paper shedder for the office. WANTED to BORROW: Tap shoes will be required for some of the cast of MP if anyone has any they wouldn t mind lending. Lost property: left in a car possibly after pack out of Evita a black icebreaker top. Contact Viv Patchett Shrek The Musical and Evita! News is that one of our BMT members will be starring as SHREK in the upcoming Dance on Grove production, 1-3 December Congratulations to the Combined Colleges production of Evita. What an amazing show they put together. Well done and thankyou to all our members who helped where they could with the production.

8 A fantastic show Amazing costumes Next Generation Bootcamp report: by Billy Raynor On August 18th, I was lucky enough to travel to Cambridge to attend the NextGen Bootcamp for Part of the travel was funded by BMT so thanks for that. The wonderful organizer of the event, Kate Ghent, took us to Epworth Retreat. The 55 camp goers took part in the first activity for the weekend, the Knowledge Cafe. As small groups we discussed topics such as Technical, Committees, Youth in Theatre and Diversity including gender/age/disabilities. It was a very informative exercise where I was able to hear about what has worked and what hasn't for other committees around the country. After dinner we had a session with one of the three specialist tutors of the camp; Director, David Adkins. He talked to us about how best to work with your production crew and how to resolve conflict in any situation that may arise in the theatre. We heard of personal experiences of his and then he asked for situations we had been in, which he then broke down to show how to resolve them. Day Two:

9 We separated in to our performance groups, Group One- Basic movement and Masterclass Vocals, Group Two- Advanced dancers and Masterclass vocals, Group Three- Directing and Group Four- Technical. I was part of Group Two and our first activity was 'Manipulation of the Elements of Choreography vs. Genre' with Teesh Szabo, a fantastic choreographer. She challenged us to create our own dance in one style, then transpose the same moves in to another style. It was challenging but fun and ended up with Jazz turning in to Lyrical, Salsa turning in to Ballet and Country turning in to Swing. We then started to learn a group dance beginning in the style of Fozze, which then split in to five pairs representing the styles of Chorus Line, Tap, Country, Ballet and Hip Hop. Group Two, the Advanced Dancers and Vocal Masterclass with Teesh Szabo. Billy Rayner at the back left. After lunch we switched tutors and met with Jennifer Ward- Lealand, the incredibly talented vocal coach. Before arriving at the camp we were asked to prepare our favourite song from a musical to sing for Jennifer, with help from the incredible accompanist, Sam Cleaver. We each sang through our songs one by one and once we had sung through, Jennifer would make us break down the lyrics of our chosen song as if we were the character instead of as the actor trying to portray the character. With everyone who went through, there was a remarkable difference in the way the songs were sung the second time around, all nerves melted away and each performance became a tear jerker. Day Three: Topics were do's and don'ts of auditions, the best ways to prepare yourself for a production and how to deal with a diva. A selection of singers performed their chosen songs with the new-found direction under Jennifer. Next up was the two dance groups showing our dances to the other groups, which we each received a certificate of completion for the camp afterwards. We said goodbye to all the wonderful new friends, and connections in MTNZ that we had made over the weekend, eagerly awaiting the next opportunity to learn more and grow as performers of the next generation.

10 Your BMT Executive Left to right rear: Robin Sutherland (now retired), Alison French (Vice- President), Andrew Ritchie, Dave Barrett (Vice-President), Mark Ham, Ken Hippolite. New addition: Mike Wentworth Front: Linda McKinley (Secretary), Viv Patchett (President), Janeen Hippolite (Treasurer). Thanks to Wairau River Wines Blenheim Musical Theatre proudly sponsored by Spring is in the air so why not go out to lunch at Wairau River to celebrate. Open 10am-5pm daily for tastings and coffee with lunch served 12pm-3pm No surcharge on Public Holidays Find us on the Corner of Rapaura Rd & State Highway 6 T: or E: cellardoor@wairauriverwines.com

11 Useful dates 30 September, 4pm BMT Social Club event. Bowling RSVP by Sept 23rd 17 November 2 Avenue Q Theatre December 2017 Restaurant 29 November BMT social club night at Wednesday night Avenue Q. RSVP ASAP! 25 December Christmas Day Monday 12 th 100 th Birthday Cocktail February 2018 Party Mary Poppins Opening 20 April 2018 Night August 25 th 26 th Centennial celebrations weekend BMT USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS If you wish to contact the Committee with any concerns or suggestions, our address is: bmtinc@xtra.co.nz President Viv Patchett Vice President Alison French Treasurer Janeen Hippolite Committee Ken Hippolite Committee Andrew Ritchie Secretary Linda McKinley Vice President Dave Barrett Committee Mike Wentworth Committee Dave Barrett Committee Mark Ham Set Hire Robin Boyce Encore Editor Joanna Grigg Props Hire Sheryl Blick Wardrobe Hire Viv Patchett Room & Equipment Hire tbc