Sleepy Bear Brushes Up On His Shakespeare!

Hi Friends,

Yesterday I got to visit another rehearsal for a show put on by the Youth Program and the Seattle Public Theater. This one is called ZOMBIE CAESAR. It's a Shakespeare play that has been changed a little bit so now it's a Halloween play, too. The cast is a group of kids in 5th through 8th grade. And they are really good! But, I have to warn you, it's a little bit scary and a little bit grown-up for kids my age. It would be perfect for an older brother or sister to enjoy.

Here's a picture of two cast members in costume. Wow! They're just a little bit older than me. Oh, and everyone was "off script" for the entire rehearsal. Sometimes the Assistant Stage Manager, Augustine, would tell them their lines if they forgot.

This is another cast member performing his monologue. Do you remember what that is?

I have a couple of questions for the cast members, so maybe they can write to me with their answers. My first question is, why was everyone talking English but it sounded different? Is it very hard to learn how to talk that way?

This is me with Kynna, the Lighting Designer. She also has a student helper. Her name is Erica. They have a very complicated job to do. They have to make sure the actors have just the right amount of light shining on them so the audience can see them and to create a mood on stage.

I hope the cast members write back to me. I also hope they share what it's like to be in a show on a stage.

Their first performance is on Friday. Check out the website for the Seattle Public Theater for more info. http://seattlepublictheater.org

If you want to learn more about Shakespeare, here's one site you can visit: http://www.folger.edu/template.cfm?cid=588

Bye for now,

Sleepy Bear

Sleepy Bear Visits The Wizard of Oz Rehearsal at Seattle Public Theater

Hi Friends,

As you know I'm blogging about my visits to the Seattle Public Theater Youth Programs. Right now the 3rd and 4th graders are rehearsing THE WIZARD OF OZ. They will share their performance with their family in another two weeks!

I thought I would read the book, THE WIZARD OF OZ. It's fun to compare and contrast the book with the show on the stage. Oh, in case you don't remember what 'compare' and 'contrast' mean, I'll tell you. Compare means how things are the same and contrast means how things are different. I'll tell you more after I read a few pages of the book.

But first, I want to introduce you to my new friend. Meet Lucius. He is the Wizard in the show. I talked to him about auditioning. He said he had to learn some choreography and read some lines. He's done this before so he wasn't nervous. Lucius also told me that acting is lots of fun! I can tell by watching Lucius during rehearsal that he's having a great time.

If you're thinking about signing up for one of the youth programs at the Seattle Public Theater, I'll tell you what to expect at the audition. First, you might have to read some dialogue. That's when you pretend you are a character in a play and read the lines with a group of kids. You don't get to practice at home first. That's the tricky part! Or you might need to read a monologue. That's when you read a paragraph of words for one character, all by yourself. And guess what? You don't get to practice that one at home either. But, everyone at Seattle Public Theater is super nice and they will help you if you get stuck or maybe if you get nervous. Just think about all the fun you can have!!

I'm going to make myself a cup of hot chocolate with whippy cream and read THE WIZARD OF OZ. Be sure to check back when I tell you what I learn about compare and contrast.

Your friend,

Sleepy Bear

Sleepy Bear Is a Contributing Blogger for the Seattle Public Theater!

Hi friends,

I’m very excited to tell you about some good news! I have been invited by the Seattle Public Theater to write about their youth programs!!! Have you ever wanted to act in a play on a stage? If you answered “yes” or even “maybe” then the youth programs are for you! It’s a great way to get started on your acting career.

The Seattle Public Theater has classes for kids that teach you how to act and move on stage. Right now there is a group of 3rd and 4th graders who are rehearsing for The Wizard of Oz. I got to visit them while they worked.

I was a little bit nervous at first. But Todd, he’s the director, introduced me to the kids. They all made me feel very welcomed and they didn’t mind that I sat and watched. While they worked hard I heard Todd instruct the kids about their choreography. “What’s that?” I wondered.

Oh, and all the kids had a stack of papers stapled together. Sometimes Todd would say, “OK, everyone is off script, now.” And then the kids would drop their stack of papers on the floor and out of the way. “Hmmm,” I wondered, what that was about?” Luckily for me, when the kids were finished working, they sat with me and answered my questions.

I made some new friends at the Seattle Public Theater. Sean, Aliza and Makena each helped me to understand choreography. They said it’s planned dancing or movement while you’re acting like a character from a play. That sounds very difficult. But there’s more! Sometimes you even have to sing, too! I don’t know if I would ever be able to do all that at the same time. But these kids are good. They were all following Todd’s choreography instructions.

I also learned what the stack of papers is called. That’s the script and each actor has one. They told me it is the story typed on paper and it tells which character says which words. Sometimes it also tells the characters what they are supposed to do on stage. When Todd tells them, “off script,” that means they can’t look at the words typed on paper! Yikes, that sounds very difficult.

Aliza and Makena let me look at their scripts. Each girl used a different colored highlighter pen to mark the words they had to memorize for the character they were playing.

Wow! That’s a lot of words to memorize. They said it takes lots of practice. They read and re-read many times a day, every day. When I read a book, I read it once and then go on to another book. I can’t imagine reading the same story, over, and over, and over, and over again. That’s dedication!

Todd has invited me to visit them again while they rehearse. In a few weeks the kids get to perform the show for their parents. It’s not a real performance for the public to watch because the kids are learning what to do right now. Sometimes I’ll get to visit rehearsals for shows that you can see at The Bathhouse On Green Lake. I’ll let you know which shows those are, too.

So, if acting on stage sounds like something you want to do, then you should ask your parents to visit the website for the Seattle Public Theater and sign you up for the classes. Here’s the link: http://www.seattlepublictheater.org/education-programs.htm.

Be sure to check back next week when I write more about how to audition for a show.

Your Friend,

Sleepy Bear

Sleepy Bear Has New Books - In French!

Hi Book Buddies,

Look at what Moosey-Moose gave me.

He was in France on another one of his adventures. While I was home missing him, he was shopping for books for me! These books are in French! One is about a dog, another one is a Madeleine book, one is about history (I think), and two are about famous artists.

I can't wait to look at them and maybe learn some French words. Which one should I read first?

Your Book Buddy,

Sleepy Bear

Sleepy Bear Answers His Mail

Hi Book Buddies,

I want to say hi to Cammie. She suggested I read CHARLOTTE'S WEB next. I think that is a good idea. I have friends who have read the book and watched the movie! Who wants to read CHARLOTTE'S WEB with me?

Your Book Buddy,

Sleepy Bear

Sleepy Bear's Book Club - A BIRTHDAY FOR BEAR

Hi Book Buddies,

I just finished reading A BIRTHDAY FOR BEAR. I was very surprised by the ending of the story. I never expected Mouse to give Bear red roller skates for a present. I have a prediction. I bet Bear is going to have an adventure on roller skates in his next book. I can't wait!

I hope you enjoyed reading with me. Finishing a book is always exciting because you get to find out what happens to your friends in the story. But it is sad at the same time because you have to say good-bye to them.

I guess it's time for me to make another new friend! What should we read next?

Your Book Buddy,

Sleepy Bear

Sleepy Bear's Book Club - A BIRTHDAY FOR BEAR

Hi Book Buddies,

I bet you think I'm reading upside down. Well, I kind of am upside down. One of my favorite ways to read a book is with my feet up the back of a sofa or a chair. Here at Mockingbird Books I got to try out the sofa in the book club room. You should try it sometime.

Well back to Bear and his birthday. I can't believe he turned down a large present that was wrapped up like a Christmas present. I would never do that. Especially since Mouse was really trying hard to make Bear's birthday a special day.

But, luckily for Bear, Mouse did not give up. Read chapter 4 to find out what he did!

Your Book Buddy,

Sleepy Bear