We are a little more than a month away from our first rehearsal and I hope everyone is getting excited to start.  To help everyone prepare, we would like to provide you with as much information as possible. Our primary means of communication will be by Email.

Script Pickup:
Mar and I will be at the Middle School (same location as auditions), to pass out scripts and information packets, on December 10th, 6pm-8pm.  You can come anytime from 6pm-8pm, and this is optional, but if possible it would be great for everyone to get their scripts so you can start learning lines.  Please remember to bring a$ 25 check or cash to pay the deposit for your script.  We will not deposit the checks and we will return your check or cash back to you at the end of the show when you return your script.  Checks can be made out to Sparta Area Schools.

First Practice:
Our first practice will be on 12/28/2024, 9am-2pm @ Sparta High School Auditorium.  I wanted to get the schedule out to you so you are aware of the upcoming practice dates.  It may not make total sense until you get your script.

Please park in the football field parking lot and enter on the west side of the building by the band room. That will be the only entrance open, and the doors will automatically lock 30 minutes after the start of practice.

We can't wait to get together and start working on another amazing show.

Again, If you have any questions feel free to reach out.

Thanks,

Jeff VanSyckle
Producer
jvansyckle@gmail.com

It is unbelievable that we are all done with Cinderella.  It feels like just yesterday we were casting and starting practices.  Everyone did such an amazing job and I could not be more proud of what an amazing job everyone did.  I was only able to watch one performance from beginning to end, but I stood in the entryway for the rest of the performances during the wedding/bows.  I will be the first to admit that as I watched I found myself with tears running down my face.  They were tears of joy and happiness because of the incredible work everyone did.  Here is a quote from an email that I received today.

"Last night my wife and I greatly enjoyed our third viewing of Cinderella, and continue to be amazed that the multitude of moving pieces come together so perfectly.  From the youngest mouse to the most seasoned actor, everyone has mastered their part."

This week has been a really good week and we made really good progress.  Both Dress Rehearsals went very well.  Cast, Orchestra, Stage Crew and Tech Crew you never cease to amaze me.  We have not been able to work with the full set and props until this week and by Saturday everything went like a well oiled machine.

Instead of picture collages this week, I am including the link to a private online gallery of pictures I have taken during the week.  As the week goes on I will be adding more pictures that I have taken during practices as well.  You can view the pictures and download what you wish, but please do not post any of the pictures to social media until the start of the show.  We don't want to give away any secrets of our transformation.

Link to Pictures

I have attached the schedule of workers I need for the show, box office, pre-show concessions, ushers and intermission concessions.  If you have questions or concerns please let me know at practice on Monday.  I will be there to help get everyone started.

Great work this week.  As you have seen this week things are starting to come together with the orchestra, sets, props, costumes and microphones.  All of these things make it so it takes a little extra time to get through the different scenes.

I have attached the initial mic list (If you are on this list you will have a mic first)  Mics 1-9 never change, but if you are 10-18, then you will likely be trading with someone.

I will be working a schedule for help with Box Office, Ushers and the concession stand for each performance.  I will be using the off night principles for the most part.  We will also be having a sign-up to help take care of the kids during the performances (5th Grade and below), these kids will be in the band room when not on stage.

Cast Pictures - we will be taking cast pictures between the performances on Saturday. The matinee cast will be right after your performance and the evening cast will be before your show.  Orchestra I will get your picture at one of those times.

Cast Party Details - Remember to sign up for the cast party, it will be by the check-in station.  Orchestra, I will have one down in the pit for you guys to sign-up on.  I need to know who is coming to the cast party by the end of practice on 2/10.

• February 25th @ 12:30pm, Sparta Middle School.  We will be providing sandwiches from Jimmy Johns (with a gluten free option).  We are asking that the cast bring snacks and desserts.

Dance Videos: 1-29-2024

• • The Wedding

Reminders for this week:

• • Tuesday 2/6  -- 6:30-9:30pm
  • Thursday 2/8 -- 6:30pm-9:30pm
  • Saturday 2/10 --  9am- until done

Everyone is starting to pull things together and we are all starting to understand the flow of the show and I have confidence Saturday is going to be a great rehearsal.

Congratulations to Abigail and Luke on a job well done directing the One-Act shows, they were great. Also thanks to all of the Cinderella Cast members that came out and supported our students.

It was great getting through the entire show multiple times this week as well as today with the orchestra.

The update schedule is below, remember Mar requested that we stay until 3pm on Saturday.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to grab any photos this week.  You will just need to remember all of the memorable moments you saw during practice on your own.

Dance Videos: This was taken last week but it didn't 

• Step Sister Lament - Green (Front)

A few reminders:

This week it was nice working through the show a couple of different times and continuing working the dances.  Hopefully everyone is starting to see the continuity of the show and understanding the flow better.

There have been a few questions about the potluck between the two Saturday performances.  I have created a Sign-Up-Genius for people to sign-up for the following Main Dish, Side/Snack or Dessert. https://shorturl.at/iwY37

This is the last week to get in a cast message in the program as well as any business sponsorships.  If you are interested in either, please let me know.

Come support the High School Student Directed One-Act performance this Friday evening, January 26th @ 7:00pm.  Each show runs about 35 minutes and there will be an intermission in between each show to reset the stage.

This week's photo collage is going to highlight some of our Orchestra members.  Many times the cast doesn't see them until they join us in the auditorium.

Dance Videos:

• A Lovely Night
• Gavotte, Ridicule, Ten Minutes Ago, Waltz For A Ball, Ten Minutes Ago Reprise, Finale (10-13a) - Front
• Gavotte, Ridicule, Ten Minutes Ago, Waltz For A Ball, Ten Minutes Ago Reprise, Finale (10-13a) - Back
• Stepsisters Lament - BLUE (Back)
• Stepsisters Lament - BLUE (Front)
• Stepsisters Lament - GREEN (Back)
• Impossible
• Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful
• Ella & Topher 1
• Ella & Topher 2

A few reminders:

We do not have practice on 1/13/2024, the Sparta School Campus is closed.

This week has been very different with the cancellations, so we are making some minor adjustments for next week's schedule. Everyone is still needed at all practices, but we are extending Saturday until 3:30pm. We will take a short 30 minute lunch, but please bring lunch with you because there will not be time for everyone to run out and pick up lunch, as well as the doors are locked to get back in.

Everyone has worked really hard this week and we have made some really good progress. The orchestra has only had 2 practices and you guys sound great as usual. Next week we will be able to start seeing the continuity of the show as we start running it.

If you were planning on attending the High School Student Directed One-Act performance tonight, it has been postponed until January 26th @ 7:00pm

A few reminders:

Online ticket sales will start on January 14th @ 1am. Online Tickets are $10 and tickets at the door will be $12.
I will have posters for people to take and post starting Monday
Due to security of the school buildings the doors will automatically lock, usually 30 minutes after practice starts. If you or a parent needs to come into the building during practice after the doors lock, please text me (Jeff) @ 616-292-8827. I will then come let you in the building.

Cast Only Website Access:

This link will take you to the cast only page(https://www.spartatheatre.org/community-theatre-cast-only/) and entering the following username and password will give you access. You can also access it by going to our website and clicking on "Community Theatre" in the top menu bar.

Username: cinderella2024
Password: SSCT2024!ella

On the cast only page you will find links to all of the things that have been passed out to you as well as videos for the dances. I will also post these updates along with other updates that I email out.

Next week's schedule -- Notice the changes in red

Cast

Orchestra
Thursday 1/18 (7:00pm-9:00)
Saturday 1/20 (9am-??)

As always if you have any questions please let me know, I am here to help.