The
Great Dickens Christmas Fair Missive
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Dickens Christmas Fair 2009 October Missive #4
The Great Workshop Missive
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Notes from your Missive Maven:
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It's a massive missive! Please
read this information carefully and save and/or print it for further
reference.
Please remember to contact the folks referenced in each notice, rather
than hitting "reply". Thanks.
Past missives can be viewed at http://www.cattaylor.com/missives.html
Cat Taylor
Entertainment Director and Missive Maven
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Special Note: Changed Requirements for
New Folks
Please see specifics under "Performer Requirements".
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| In
This Missive |
| Workshop Schedule &
Descriptions |
| Changes
Happen |
| Please Do Not Bring Animals to
Workshops! |
| Workshop Locations |
| Directions to Sunset Ridge
School, Pacifica |
| Workshop Weekend#3 (Dress
Rehearsal Weekend) |
| First Day of Workshops Morning
Meeting! |
| The Office: Passes, Parking
Passes & Participant Tickets |
| Performer Requirements |
| I'm New - What Do I Do? |
| A Request of Those Who Will
Attend The Makeup Class |
| Dark Garden Workshop |
| Breakfast & Lunch at
Workshops |
| Costume Items for Sale at
Workshops |
| Auditioning for The Dickens Book
Character Groups |
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Workshop Schedule & Descriptions
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Workshops
start
Saturday morning, November 7th 10:00AM
at Sunset Ridge Elementary School,
in Pacifica. (see below for more info) The third weekend (aka dress
rehearsal
weekend) will be at the Cow Palace. Please do not go to the Cow Palace
on
these first two weekends. Stakeout
for the vendors isn't until the 14th, so it will not be available
the first weekend of workshops.
Please do not go to the Cow Palace until
dress rehearsal weekend unless you are building a booth or
environmental area,
as we have limited build time and there will be much construction
equipment,
power tools, etc. The Green Room areas will be available on dress
rehearsal
weekend.
The workshop/rehearsal schedule and the workshop descriptions for the
first two
weekends can now be downloaded from http://www.cattaylor.com/missives.html
as .pdf ("portable document format") files, which can be opened with
the free and downloadable Adobe Acrobat Reader. Remember to chose
"landscape" if you print the schedule. The printed copies handed out
at workshops will be black and white as color printing is much more
expensive
when doing hundreds of copies.
The schedule for the third weekend at the Cow
Palace will be forthcoming.
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Changes Happen...
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Important Note: Since life often happens without consulting us, there
may be
changes between now and November 7th. I will update the files on the
website as the changes are given to me, so please re-download the files
later
in the week to make sure you have the most recent information. I will
also send
out a missive if there are any major changes. Please also check in at
Area 51
(see below) for posted changes or special notices.
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Please, Do Not Bring Animals to
Workshops!
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We are not allowed to have them there. Please
do not endanger our relationship with the school by bringing them.
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Workshop
Locations
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As I mentioned in a previous missive, workshops
will be held at Sunset Ridge Elementary School in Pacifica (address
below).
We'll be using various multi-purpose type rooms and a few hallways that
are
blocked by doors, so the sound issues shouldn't be too bad, except
perhaps on
the first day, which is always pleasantly insane since we have so many
folks
there. There are also lots of outdoor areas if the weather is nice.
Note: The rooms at the school are numbered as on the schedule, allowing
us to
pick the most appropriate classrooms for classes with specific needs.
There is a map of the rooms on the missive
site.
- Please park only where you are instructed to by
security personnel.
- Please do not move furniture if you can
possibly help it.
- In order to disrupt
the school functions as little as possible everything must be exactly
as we
found it *after each class or rehearsal*.
- Please pick up after yourself and the people
around you.
Workshop
Weekend #1
November 7th and 8th
Saturday & Sunday 10:00-5:00
Sunset Ridge Elementary School
340 Inverness Dr.
Pacifica, CA 94044
Workshop
Weekend#2
November 14th and 15th
Saturday & Sunday 10:00-5:00
Sunset Ridge Elementary School
340 Inverness Dr.
Pacifica, CA 94044
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Directions
to Sunset Ridge School, Pacifica
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(from Steve Johnson. Thanks Steve.)
From the East Bay:
Take the Bay Bridge to San Francisco and stay on Interstate 80, then
follow
directions from San Francisco
From San Francisco:
Take 280 South
Exit at Highway 1 Southbound/Pacifica
As you go up the hill merge toward the right lanes
Take the Highway 35 Southbound/Skyline Blvd. exit
At the first traffic light (Hickey Blvd.) turn right. At the third stop
sign
turn left onto Inverness Drive. The school is on the right.
From the South:
Take 280 North.
Take the Highway 1 Southbound/Pacifica exit.
As you go up the hill merge toward the right lanes
Take the Highway 35 Southbound/Skyline Blvd. exit
At the first traffic light (Hickey Blvd.) turn right. At the third stop
sign
turn left onto Inverness Drive. The school is on the right.
From Half Moon Bay:
Take Highway 1 North.
Exit on Skyline Blvd./Highway 35 Southbound
At the first traffic light (Hickey Blvd.) turn right. At the third stop
sign
turn left onto Inverness Drive. The school is on the right.
NOTE: Parking is on paved areas only.
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Workshop
Weekend#3 (Dress Rehearsal Weekend)
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November 21st & 22nd
Cow Palace
2600 Geneva Ave.
Daly City, CA 94014
Click here for directions and public transit information
http://cowpalace.com/cpinfo.html
Workshops and rehearsals will be held on Saturday and dress rehearsal
on
Sunday. The schedule for the third weekend will be forthcoming. Please
check
with your director for specifics on rehearsal times and locations.
There will also be a mandatory morning meeting on dress rehearsal
Sunday at
10:00AM in Fezziwig's
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First Day of Workshops Morning Meeting!
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The beginning of workshops, first day morning
meeting is always a lot of fun and a little crazy. Staff, directors and
teachers
will be introduced and announcements made. It will be in the
multi-purpose room
at 10:00AM Saturday November 7th and will take the place of the first
workshop
period.
There will also be a big meeting at 10:00AM on dress rehearsal day at
the Cow Palace. Your attendance is
seriously requested at both of these
meetings.
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The Office: Passes, Parking Passes
& Participant Tickets
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We will once again be manning Area 51, our
affectionate name for our on-site registration office. This is where
you will
pick up your paperwork, pay your fees, buy Cow Palace parking passes
and
participant tickets (see below). Cash or check only at workshops
please, we won't have
a credit card machine.
We will be selling both parking passes and participant tickets at Area
51. Parking passes will be $45.00 (saving you $35 for the run over the
Cow Palace daily rate) and participant tickets at our very best rate of
$15
each.
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Performer Requirements
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#1 A completed registration form which includes:
#2 Your director's or booth owner's signature
#3 Costume Approval from the official costume department
#4 Sign off's from three workshop teachers
#5 The $10.00 registration fee. (We accept checks, but cannot accept
credit
cards at Area 51 as we won't have a credit card
terminal there. )
New Folks - Changed This Year!
New folks are required to take the two Orientation classes, the
costuming class,
either Victorian or Cockney language and Physical Characterization.
That's five
classes. We would also like you to take a Character Lab or Improv
workshop if
possible. Please note that Physical
Characterization is a prerequisite for the Character Lab and Improv
classes. Please
do not try to take the labs if you have not yet taken the Physical
Characterization workshop.
We have added a new Orientation Class this year, so there
are two:
Orientation I: A Beginners Guide to Life And Times in Our London
Orientation II: All You Need to Know about Dickens Fair - A Survival
Guide
We hope this will help answer some more of your
questions.
Dickens Fair
Veterans
Dickens Fair Veterans please take a language class, either Physical
Characterization or Character Lab, (preferably both) and another
workshop of
your choice. Please note that Physical Characterization is a
prerequisite for
the Character Lab and Improv classes. Please do not try to take the
labs if you
have not yet taken the Physical Characterization workshop.
Class Size Limitations
Some classes can only accept a
limited number of people at one time in order to functionally teach
their
class. Please arrive at that class early if that is the only time you
can take
it. If any of the teachers turn you away because their class
is full,
please do not argue, but come back at another time.
Take Lots of
Workshops!
We encourage you to take as many workshops as possible, they are meant
to be
both fun and educational and will help you make your way more credibly
and
enjoyably through the streets of our London.
I know it may seem like old hat to some of you, but to have a real
ensemble
cast, we all need to work together and remember that we really are
creating our
version of Victorian England and should be representing our characters
*ALL THE
TIME* when in front of the audience. Workshops are the best way to make
that
happen and we are offering some new ones to keep it interesting. You
veterans can be a real help to the new folks in the classes.
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I'm
New - What Do I Do?
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Come to the morning meeting at 10:00AM on
November 7th, where all of the workshop teachers and directors will be
introduced. Some of the directors will still be looking for people,
they will
announce whether they are. Read the missives and look for groups that
interest
you. You must be part of a group to work at the Fair, whether it's
caroling,
dancing at Fezziwig's, being a Dickens character, or working with the
Christmas
Keepers. Don't be shy, ask questions of the directors and see if it's
what you want
to do and might be good at. Please check the previous missives for more
information.
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A
Request of Those Who Will Attend The Makeup Class
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Makeup Class participants are asked to bring a
portable, freestanding mirror if they have one, as well as their own
makeup and
brushes if they have them.
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Dark
Garden Workshop
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The Dark Garden corset modeling workshop this
year will be required of "new" models only. If you are
interested in modeling for us this year, but did not model last year,
or if you
modeled for the first time last year, please plan to attend the
workshop on Saturday, November 7th, at 11:15. Our experienced
models need only turn in a
completed model worksheet to Miss McAvoy at the Dark Garden booth in
the Cow
Palace on dress rehearsal Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The information pamphlet and application are downloadable from the
missives
page.
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Breakfast
& Lunch at Workshops
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Patrick Morris will once again have food for
sale at all three workshop weekends. Expect many tasty treats for both
breakfast and lunch.
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Costume Items for Sale at Workshops
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(from Liz Martin)
Once again the Costume Rummage Sale returns to the Dickens
workshops! We invite you to clean your closets of all
your Dickens appropriate fabric, excess clothing, patterns, trims and
accessories - just imagine what you can buy with the money you make!
If you would like to
sell your wares, please contact myself -
Liz Martin at costumes@redbarnproductions.org for specifics and fees.
Some of the participating vendors will be:
Holzer & Combs Haberdasherie:
Clothing & Accessories for Ladies & Gents
Alan Jeffrey's Fine Gentlemen's' Attire
(Jeffrey Schoenberg)
Joann Peterson from Laughing Moon
Patterns & Sac City Dry Goods
Tara and her bloomers
Annie Lores' Hair & Hoops
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Auditioning for The Dickens Book
Character Groups
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The book character groups are ensemble
casts that pride themselves on
showcasing the vast panoply of Dickens' brilliantly wrought characters.
We put
the Dickens in Dickens Fair! Dickens' characters are big, bold
and quirky
with a lot of theatrical and interactive opportunities, plus tons of
scenery to
chew. Audience interaction is our raison d'etre and our lives are one
big
theatrical and improvisational banquet throughout the day.
We are looking for energy, commitment, fearlessness and
willingness to be
part of an ensemble. We are interested in casting a wide variety of
characters,
ranging across all ages, classes and emotional quirks. We encourage
interested
parties to read one of the books, or at least view one of the superb
adaptations currently available to get a clearer picture of these
characters. A list of characters we are specifically looking for
will be
follows.
If there is a
character in our list of available characters, a role in a Dickens
book or
adaptation that you want to play (or simply find appealing) prepare a
brief
piece to read - and act - for the audition team. It
will give
us a clearer idea of your capabilities and the type of character you
want to
play.
Participation
in the Dickens Fair book character cast requires the ability to make
the time
and energy commitment, and the willingness to work in an ensemble
cast.
If you are cast, it is expected that your commitment to the cast will
be your
primary performing responsibility. You will be expected to
provide your
own, Dickens approvable, costume.
We will be
auditioning one day only during workshops - Saturday, November
7.
If you are interested in one of these characters, please come prepared
to audition. Folks who are not prepared will not be
auditioned. (See time and location in the forthcoming workshop missive.)
Auditioning for a
Dickens character is like any other theatrical audition - preparation
is
crucial. When considering auditioning for any of these roles,
please take
the time to do some research on the character to determine both that it
is a
role that you would be able to play and something you would enjoy
doing. Being prepared also makes it easier for you to show
yourself
at your best and will make the casting process move more smoothly for
all
parties.
Nicholas
Nickleby:
Newman Noggs - a kindhearted older man who is down on his luck but was
once a
gentleman. Utterly devoted to the Nickelbys
Ralph Nickleby - a hard cruel man of business, enemy to his own kin
David
Copperfield:
Uriah Heep - oily, unctuous villain
Steerforth - David's dashing, aristocratic and somewhat feckless friend
Dan Peggoty - rough, gruff, salt-of-the-earth friend to David
Great
Expectations:
Herbert Pocket - Pip's cheery friend and roommate.
Abel Magwich - Ex-felon. Pip's secret benefactor.
Molly - The extremely reserved, mysterious and slightly unnerving
servant to
Mr. Jaggers (she has a secret)
Little
Dorritt:
Arthur Clennam - Long-suffering, poetically morose gentleman (Mrs.
Finching's
former fiance).
Daniel Doyce - Indefatigable inventor and entrepreneur, the "Spirit of
the
Age" made manifest
Mr & Mrs Meagles - a kind and comfortably settled older couple with
a taste
for traveling (can be cast separately rather than a set)
Pet Meagles - their adored and slightly spoiled daughter (young woman)
Bleak House
Mr Tulkinghorn - a slow, careful, secretive lawyer
John Jarndyce - beneficent protector of Esther, Ada and Richard, prone
to fits
of generosity and moody introspection
Charley - Esther's plucky young cockney maid
Mrs Pardiggle - comically self-righteous "philanthropist"
Joe - poor, young and sad, a crossing sweeper
Martin
Chuzzlewitt (only
casting English, NOT American):
Mercy "Merry" Pecksniff - The younger Miss Pecksniff, lively to the
point of pertness, the "pretty one" Charity "Cherry"
Pecksniff - The elder Miss Pecksniff, very proper on the
surface,
the "smart one"
Martin Chuzzlewit (the elder) - Rich and cantankerous old gentleman.
Mary - The elder Mr. Chuzzlewitt's companion and nurse, poor but
proud,
restrained and sensible
Martin Chuzzlewit (the younger) - A vain, strong-willed,
egotistical and
ambitious young man, the elder Martin's contentious nephew
Mark Tapley - Relentlessly upbeat companion to young Martin
Tom Pinch - Martin's preternaturally cheery and optimistic (to the
point of
delusion!) friend, and dogsbody to the Pecksniffs
Mrs. Todger - Very proper, very nervous, very Dickensian landlady.
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For specific questions
regarding performing at the Fair or to submit a show proposal please
email Cat
Taylor
If your group would like to perform at the Fair for just one day
(school
caroling groups, etc., please email Robert
Young
For specific questions regarding vending at the Fair please email Vendors
For specific questions the beverage department please email Beverage
To learn what you can do to help save the Cow Palace, please visit
http://www.savethecowpalace.com
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