Family Friday

Running Through the Christmas Season

Snap! What a couple of crazy weeks we have had!  Busy! Busy! Busy! As soon as we got home from picking up Chad from the airport, it was time to set out the shoes for St. Nicolas Day.  St. Nick was good to all and brought a couple silly things and Harry Potter shirts and… Continue reading Running Through the Christmas Season

Theatre Thursday

The First Read Through Rehearsal – Unlocking Potential

I've been crazy busy.  In the past 8 days I have attended 2 first read through rehearsals for 2 different productions: Lion King Jr (our next after school production) and Noises Off (our next class production).  Sometimes the first read through of a script is called a table read.  This rehearsal is the foundation for… Continue reading The First Read Through Rehearsal – Unlocking Potential

Theatre Thursday

Unlocking Potential Through Theater Education

Studying theatre can be a great starting point for careers such as teaching, law, and politics, not to mention broadcasting and performing. If this is the case why are classes in the performing arts the first classes on the chopping block when budgets get tight. This week I had the opportunity to speak to the… Continue reading Unlocking Potential Through Theater Education

Theatre Thursday

Lessons from Addams Family… Round Two

Before I begin I must give credit to my friend, and talented photographer, John Bruning, for the excellent photos of our process and production.  His talents and contributions for our theatre program can not be measured.  He is truly a valuable member of our team! We recently (well, a month ago) closed our production of… Continue reading Lessons from Addams Family… Round Two

Theatre Thursday

Painting Grandma

Our stage makeup class just finished the old age unit.  Just in time to apply those lessons to work on the cast of Addams Family the Musical.  Grandma needed some work. Here are the steps we taught the students to create a great old age makeup for the stage. The first step is RESEARCH.  We… Continue reading Painting Grandma

Theatre Thursday

A Chorus of Power

I am so sad!  I was adding my last picture to a blog post I was proud of and it all froze.  I lost everything.  I sure hope I can do justice to my first attempt or maybe even "one-up" myself. My co-worker and friend Jeff is fond of saying that you go to a… Continue reading A Chorus of Power

Family Friday

Family is the Best

Wow!  Another crazy week at the Boyack funny farm!  We have all been super busy with school, work, and staying afloat. The girls and I have been running.  Addams Family the Musical opened at Central High school on Thursday.  I have been working major overtime putting finishing touches on all the lighting, sound and set… Continue reading Family is the Best

Theatre Thursday

Theatre Rules of Engagement

An other opening!  An other show!  Tonight we open Addams Family the Musical at Central High School. Last night we had our final dress rehearsal with a few invited guests (young students).  It occurred to me, as I watched people pop up and down, walk in and out, cell phones on and cell phones, feet… Continue reading Theatre Rules of Engagement

Theatre Thursday

A How-to – Painting a Large Scale Design on a Stage Floor

I've had several people ask just how I create what I create... all with kids.  First key ingredient... I have GREAT KIDS to work with.  They learn quickly; they are willing to learn; they work hard. Last weekend 16 kids (2 of my own kids), and my co-worker, came together to paint the floor for… Continue reading A How-to – Painting a Large Scale Design on a Stage Floor

Theatre Thursday

Building Flexible Ship Stairs for Escape Stairs

As I looked at my stock stairs and the narrow "backstage" area I needed them to sit in, I realized it was time to invest in a "new" stock item.  I needed something that could be flexible as escape stairs... anywhere from 3 feet high to 10 feet high... time to build ship stairs.  I… Continue reading Building Flexible Ship Stairs for Escape Stairs