TheatreCentreville.com

Fall VTA/VHSL Show/Auditions

The 2009 VTA Competition one act will be Karel Capek’s revolutionary play R.U. R. or Rossum’s Universal Robots. This work addresses a society that is surpassed by its technology and the results.

Virtually every encyclopedia or textbook etymology of the word “robot” mentions the play R.U.R.   Although the immediate worldwide success of the play immediately popularized the word (supplanting the earlier “automaton”), it was actually not Karel Capek but his brother Josef, also a respected Czech writer, who coined the word. The Czech word robota means “drudgery” or “servitude”; a robotnik is a peasant or serf.  Although the term today conjures up images of clanking metal contraptions, Capek’s Robots (always capitalized) are more accurately the product of what we would now call genetic engineering.  The play describes “kneading troughs” and “vats” for processing a chemical substitute for protoplasm, and a “stamping mill” for forming Robot bodies.  A more imaginative and scientifically plausible description of the artificial creation of armies of workers would have to wait for Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (1932).

Auditions will be held at Centreville High School on September 10^th at 2:30. You can find a copy of the original version of this work online. It is also available on Mr. Hudson’s Blackboard site. Email Mr. Hudson for access or Google it yourself. We will produce an updated version of the work.

Rehearsal schedules will be posted prior to auditions.

Cast of 20-25

Fall Mainstage Auditions

Our Fall Mainstage production will be Stephen Deitz’s adaptation of Dracula.

DRACULA is sure to please thrill-seekers with its striking visuals, rich language, and classic gothic chills. Forget the silly costumes and camp-ridden stage versions of this horror classic! As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate…
Rich with both humor and horror, this play paints a wickedly theatrical picture of Stoker’s famous vampire.

Auditions will be held at Centreville High School on September 17 and 18 at 2:30. Look for details outside Mr. Hudson’s room or on Facebook and the Theatre Centreville Website.

10 speaking roles and 10 ensemble.

Rehearsal schedules will be poster prior to auditions.

Student Directed One Act Plays

Seniors, enrolled in Theater 4, who wish to direct a one act play in February will need to attend a mandatory meeting with Mr. Hudson on September 21^st at 2:30 in room 331. You will need to pitch your production at that time. You must provide a complete script of a published work (NO ORIGINAL MATERIAL WILL BE CONSIDERED). You must include a written treatment of the work (what is your concept and how do you intend to stage it?) We are limited to NO MORE THAT 6 one acts. One performance is guaranteed but two are planned. Directors will also produce the work. CVHS provides the venue and technicians, a door, a set of stairs, and a window….nothing else. Directors are responsible for all costs incurred (including purchase of scripts and royalties.)

See Mr. Hudson for details prior to the start of school if you are interested.

We will be able to determine general musical talent of the department and it will help us to decide whether we produce a musical this year and could help us decide which show to choose. We intend to make this a yearly event regardless of our season.

Dear Drama Boosters,

I wanted thank everyone again for a wonderful year.  The generous gift given to me at the Thespian Awards this year was a welcome surprise and one that my children will enjoy very much. I plan on using the gift towards a visit to SESAME PLACE. As all of you know Sesame Street plays such a big part in the lives of so many children and my sons are looking forward to meeting Elmo, Big Bird and the gang next week!

This year has been a most rewarding one due to the wonderful teamwork that has been demonstrated by all of our theatre boosters, students and volunteers. The help has been outstanding and is the talk of Centreville High School. When we all work as a team then we truly can provide a great outlet for our talented students. Your support this year has provided a foundation from which all our students can have future success.

I will be teaching at the Institute of the Arts this summer and hope to have the pleasure of teaching some of our own Centreville students. As of this writing, there is still space available for more students. For more information please go to http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OHSICS/FineArts/IFTA/index.htm.

Respectfully,

Mark Rogers
Theatre Arts Instructor
Centreville High School

AEA, AFTRA, SAG,

EDTA, VTA, FEA

Dear Drama Boosters:

I would like to thank you  for the very generous gift of $400 for my use at the school. I plan to purchase the software “Student Tracker” by the International Thespian Society. It will allow me to track Thespian points (It automatically lines up rosters for the induction ceremony and keeps track of who has paid dues, etc.) and also allows for the inclusion of day to day/show to show info such as costume measurements, etc…This will certainly help simplify my life next year and will also provide a reliable way to track points and data.

Your kind personal gift was most unexpected but certainly welcomed! I will use your gift to purchase perennials for my garden. I have added many beautiful plants and flowers over the years and many have been through the kindness of the Drama Boosters.

I want to express my gratitude to you all. This has been a remarkable year for me. The greatest gift Boosters could have possibly made to me was the opportunity to direct The Laramie Project. It was a wonderful experience and one that I will not soon forget.

I look forward to working with each of you next year and hope that the coming year will be as enjoyable and fulfilling as this.

Thank you.

Respectfully

Mike Hudson