The Oregon Thespians State Festival is VIRTUAL this year, and we must be registered by this Thursday, March 11!!

This year’s theme is “Out of This World”! The Festival will be comprised of workshops, virtual productions, virtual one-act entries, Showcase entries, opportunities to visit with representatives from colleges and professional programs, socializing, dance parties, and other theatre nerd shenanigans. There are a lot of people working very hard to ensure that this year’s Festival will be both educational and entertaining.

WE don’t have many details yet, but I do know:
-The festival starts on the afternoon/evening of Friday, April 9, and continues/concludes on Saturday, April 10.
-The cost is $35.00 if you are an inducted Thespian, $40 for all other participants
-You will get a t-shirt!

If you want to attend Virtual State this year, you must:
-Commit to attending by informing Annie Kaiser – kaisera@wlwv.k12.or.us
-Drop off a check for the fee of $35/$40 at the WLHS office no later than 3:30 pm on Thursday, March 11. Please make the check out to “West Linn High School” and put it an envelope that says “Annie Kaiser – State Fee” on it.

YOU WILL NOT BE REGISTERED YOU IF MONEY IS NOT RECEIVED BY 3:30 PM ON 3/11 AND YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO ATTEND STATE.

It’s going to be OUT OF THIS WORLD!!

Amid an ice storm, and just before mass power outages, many of our Thespians “powered” through submitting performance videos for the 2021 Virtual Regional Acting Competition. Coaching students on their pieces via Zoom, Annie and I found great joy and pride seeing these students engage in something they are passionate about. The results of the competition were announced on 2/23. We could not be more proud. Here they are:

Solo Musical Novice, Regional finalist – Alexandria Evans

Solo Musical Novice, State Qualifiers – Sofia Gomez, Ellie Seward

Solo Musical Experienced, State Qualifiers – Brigitte Chenevert, Karah Rhoades, Parrish Noce, Brett Mason

Duo Musical, State Qualifiers – Brett Mason, Aymeric Burthey

Solo Acting Novice, Regional Finalist – Ainslie O’Connor

Solo Acting Experienced, State Qualifiers – Karah Rhoades, Rachel Dumas

Pantomime, Regional Finalist – Evan McCreary

Pantomime, State Qualifiers – Brigitte Chenevert, Coleman Henry

Tomorrow (JAN 11), Mr. B and Ms. Kaiser will hold a Regionals 2021 informational meeting from 3.30-4.30ish. If you have any interest in participating in Regionals this year, please attend. Email Mr. B at beckings@wlwv.k12.or.us for the Zoom details.

Check out the previous post for specific details about Virtual Regionals 2021.

The 2021 Regionals Acting Competition is going forward as an online competition. Participants will record and submit pieces. The categories are limited this year for obvious reasons, but we encourage students to participate.

Here are important dates:

Feb. 6 SUBMISSION WINDOW OPENS
Feb. 12 SUBMISSION WINDOW CLOSES
Feb. 14 JUDGES ACCESS ENTRIES
Feb. 21 ADJUDICATION ACCESS ENDS
Feb. 23 FEEDBACK AND RESULTS POSTED

Here is a link to the SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) detailing all information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17d40SuqfE8fPov_e2WnEnQG5iT__m3CXoGHb9iHmopw/edit

Please contact Mr. B or Ms. Kaiser with any questions.

Next, a new theatre project will soon take shape! There will be no auditions or posted cast lists……all students who are interested may participate. The project is entitled, YOUTH’S A STUFF, and it will be a devised piece that looks to artistically chronicle the thoughts and experiences of high school students during 2020/21. Here is a Power Point PDF breakdown of the project:

If you are interested in being a part of this project, sign up here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mC7J3SwfBqtZNqEdVSplBDrD0mnMBImntQHwP9rTTQQ/edit?usp=sharing

Please contact Mr. B with any questions.

People are raving about The Den Improv Troupe…..

“The Den?…As in a wild animal’s lair?”

“Do I know anyone in it?…..Eric who?”

“Yeah, I’d like to improve a lot of things in my life.”

Back by slight demand, and featuring actual humans, we present The Den Improv Night 2020: “This Time it’s Virtual.” Directed by the inconsolable vagrant, Eric Nepom, this live stream event will have you itching….

Join us, courtesy of WLHS ASB and their YouTube channel (suckers!) this Friday, Dec 18, at 7pm.

Here is the stream link: https://youtu.be/pRmBNeXu90U

This event is free, but we ask that before you tune in, please consider donating $5 through this link: https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Support-the-West-Linn-HS-Theatre-Arts-Pr/SbkpaO7

Come and support our students and the arts during these challenging times!

…is TODAY at 3.30. Even if you did not come to the Q & A, you can still join the troupe! Email Steve for the Zoom details.

Join professional actor and improviser, Eric Nepom, for a Zoom meet and greet/Q & A (with games!), this Friday (11/20) at 12:30pm. It will go for about an hour. The Den Improv Night is one of out most popular department events….and ALL STUDENTS are welcome…no experience necessary! There will be a few Zoom rehearsals stating in December, then a live streamed performance on December 18 at 7pm.

Email Mr. B at beckings@wlwv.k12.or.us for the Zoom meeting details.

Don’t miss this opportunity to work with a pro……and be a part of history (as we have never done a Zoom Imporv Night before 🙂

NOW AVAILABLE! Our two radio plays, featuring Principal Neuman as the ” Man in Black” and vocal performances from Allie Evans, Brigitte Chenevert, and Payton Henry.

https://www.pawsforthoughtpodcast.com

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Only “Sorry, Wrong Number” will be uploaded to the Paws for Thought Podcast feed tonight. You will have “The Hitchhiker” to look forward to on Halloween!!!

Our “Radio Show” performances of Sorry, Wrong Number and The Hitchhiker will premiere on the Paws for Thought Podcast on Friday, October 30, at 7pm. The Podcast episode will also include music featuring WLHS student vocalists!

Bringing the 1940s into 2020, these radio plays offer suspense, intrigue, wickedness, ringing phones, and screeching cars….oh, and a guest appearance from Mr. Neuman.

Here is a program for the production:

If you are able, please donate to the WLHS Theatre Arts Program by clicking under the pointing commedia character to the right. Thank you very much. We appreciate the support, especially during these tumultuous times!

ENJOY THE SHOW!