Notes for Sunday March 1

Hi team!

I missed you all so much on Sunday!! I heard rehearsal was very productive so I'm looking forward to being back with you all on Sunday. And it will be MARCH when we see each other next...we are getting closer to spring and thus our show!!! :)

Here's the schedule for Sunday:

1:15  Fatty Legs Music & Movement
3:15  Break
3:30  Fatty Legs Rehearsal w/ Lisa Nasson

Alto 1s are on snack!

When Lisa arrives we will be running My Name is Olemaun Pokiak & Snowforms with music, text, and choreography (don't worry we will have time to review choreo before the break). We'll then start to put the text and music together for Noviori Ani.

Reminder that Noviori Ani music is to be memorized for this Sunday's rehearsal. Since it has been a couple of weeks since we were able to rehearse the choreo for MNIOP & Snowforms, PLEASE review your notes and watch Erin's videos. I will be making changes to a few things (the snowdrifts etc) in light of the new divisi, but I am expecting you to come into the rehearsal feeling confident about the choreo we have already worked on for these two pieces.

Countdown

I just posted a poll on the Facebook group regarding our filming date for the Countdown promo video - Saturday March 14th. Please respond to this poll by end of day on Thursday to let me know your availability. For the video, you will need to wear jeans and a white plain crewneck T-shirt.

Fatty Legs Tech Week

Hi everyone!

It's still February but the end of April is really not that far away! We wanted to make sure you had some important details about the tech week for Fatty Legs so that you could block off your calendars appropriately!

Venue

Though we had hoped to be performing in Paul O'Reagan Hall at the Halifax Central Library, their booking policy changed so that unfortunately they are not accepting any bookings in that space until June. We tried our best but we reached a dead end and had to look for a new venue. Taking into account the amount of space we need, the acoustics, and a central location we have decided to perform in St Matthew's, our regular rehearsal venue.

Schedule

The entire tech week schedule is now on the Google Calendar. Note that there have been a couple of changes, notably that the rehearsal on Sunday April 26 has been moved to the evening (due to a conflict with another booking in the sanctuary), and an additional rehearsal has been scheduled on Monday evening. Here's the schedule (except where noted, all rehearsals at St. Matthew's):

• Sunday April 26, 6-10pm - Run through rehearsal with Sarain + Lisa
• Monday April 27, 5-10 pm - Dress/Tech rehearsal
• Tuesday April 28, 5-10 pm - Dress/Tech rehearsal
• Wednesday April 29, 5-10pm - Dress rehearsal 
• Thursday April 30, 7-9pm - Spot Check Rehearsal ***at Dalhousie Arts Centre, Rm 121
• Friday May 1
• 6pm call
• 8pm show
• Saturday May 2
• 6pm call
• 8pm show

Notes for Sunday February 22

Hi everyone!

Super bummed to have had to cancel last week's rehearsal but it was necessary given the craaazy snow :)

This week's rehearsal is music-only, as I will be at a yoga teacher training program all weekend! Here's the plan:

1:15-4:00  Fatty Legs Music
4:00-5:30  CD Rep + Countdown

Soprano 2s are on snack!

Please review Christina's previous post regarding our new divisi for this show.

Note that for this Sunday, My Name is Olemaun Pokiak and Snowforms must be memorized!!! Those who are learning a new part have more flexibility this week given the short notice in the new divisi!

Thanks everyone, and have fun practicing! :)

Divisi Changes

Well, it's been quite the couple of weeks with epic snowstorms and some surprise departures from our ranks. It's is always hard to say goodbye to wonderful singers but it's especially difficult (and tricky) when this happens midway through a show period. Of course, we wish only wonderful things for those who have had to leave but it's created a bit of a domino effect for the company. In order to ensure that we've got a fabulous and professional production, a workable touring company and, most importantly, well balanced sections that don't put undue stress on those left behind, I've had to make some big shifts in divisi. The following are the new section groups.

Here's to an amazing show and no more surprises!!!

FATTY LEGS PERSONNEL • 2/4/8 part split

SOPRANO 1

Carolyn Curry (a)

Kallie White (a)

Shila LeBlanc (b)

Maria Casey (b)

Zoe Leger (b)

SOPRANO 2

Leah Boulos (a)

Brianna Coombs (a)

Hayley Giles (a)

Paige Marvel (b)

Colleen MacIsaac (b)

ALTO 1

Mackenzie Hepditch (a)

Sydney MacLennan (a)

Joanna Burris (a)

Robin Lauriston (b)

Tenille Goodspeed (b)

Jenny Trites (b)

ALTO 2

Sara Jellicoe (a)

Jess Sharpe (a)

Talisa Edmunds (a)

Cat McClouskey (b)

Nikki Martin (b)

Leah Pritchard (b)

FATTY LEGS PERSONNEL • 3/6 part split

SOPRANO 1

Carolyn Curry (a)

Kallie White (a)

Shila LeBlanc (b)

Maria Casey (b)

Colleen MacIsaac (b)

SOPRANO 2

Brianna Coombs (a)

Hayley Giles (a)

Paige Marvel (a)

Zoe Leger (a)

Leah Boulos (b)

Mackenzie Hepditch (b)

Sydney MacLennan (b)

Tenille Goodspeed (b)

Jenny Trites (b)

ALTO

Joanna Burris (a)

Robin Lauriston (a)

Sara Jellicoe (a)

Nikki Martin (a)

Jess Sharpe (b)

Cat McClouskey (b)

Leah Pritchard (b)

Talisa Edmunds (b)

Notes for Sun Feb 15!

Hi everyone!

AWESOME choreo rehearsal on Sunday. I am so amped about getting the first two pieces of music nearly entirely blocked after only a month of rehearsal. We are making great progress!!!

Here's the plan for this Sunday:

1:15-3:00  Fatty Legs rehearsal Xara only
3:00-3:15  Break
3:15-5:30  Fatty Legs rehearsal with Lisa Nasson

This week it's soprano 2s on snack!

When Lisa arrives we'll be working through My Name is Olemaun Pokiak + Snowforms with music, choreo, and text. We'll then start working just the music & text for Noviori Ani.

Please make sure to be reviewing your choreography this week, and make use of Erin's excellent notes and rehearsal videos!

Memorization Schedule

Reminder that the music for My Name is Olemaun Pokiak and Snowforms must be memorized for Sunday, February 22nd.

Erin’s Notes from February 8

MY NAME IS OLEMAUN POKIAK – Choreography Video

M 23 – 42 (first time) Hold hands. Move into a  ¾ semi-circle (igloo/tent) over the course of these measures – step-together every two bars (each step on the downbeat). Right foot, together. Left foot, together. 10 steps in total. 

M 43 – 44 – Turn to face the centre

M 45 – 58 – Sway SLOWLY right to left (two bars in each direction) Come to stillness on the downbeat of 59

M 59 – 62 – Stillness. Release hands on the downbeat of 62.

M 63 – 67 (first time) Tiny steps backwards on every beat (People on the end, peel back a little bit to open the circle wider)

M 63 – 67 (second time – immediately after the first time) Tiny steps on the spot on every beat

M 68 – 70 – Tiny steps forward on every beat. Last step on the downbeat of 71.

M. 73 – 76  (first time) When you sing, turn to face the audience and break the circle. (You should move in a cascade)

M 23 – 42 (second time) Hold hands with whoever is closest (with at least one person). Drift back to a scattered formation near the back of the stage, same step pattern as before (10 steps total)

M 73 – 76 (second time)     1^st – stillness (still holding hands)

                                             2^nd – Look & lean to the right, small step with right foot – hold this position through the fermata (still holding hands)

M. 77 – 78 – Slowly drift back to a regular standing position, slowly release hands as you go (head comes forward over the last two beats)

M. 79 – 87 – Stillness

M 88 – Right shoulder back & down

M 89 – Left shoulder back & down (*5 beats)

M 90 – Step back with right foot

M 91 – Step back with left foot (past right foot)

M 92 – Step right foot to meet left foot

M 93 – 94 – Stillness

M. 95 – End – Subtle choreo TBA J It will be very minimal if anything.

SNOWFORMS – Choreography Videos

Part 1 (sorry, my battery ran out!)

Part 2

0” – 50” – TBD

55” – 2’05” – Scattered formation, using the entire stage. Starting on the Soprano entry, slowly drift backward towards an upstage left clump (A2s in the back of the clump, then A1s, then S2s, then S1s in the front). Maintain a low centre of gravity, feet should glide along the floor, and arms should be engaged (imagine there are balloons under your arms)

On Mauyuk – People in the front row, do a bit of a lean forward, everyone else clump in behind them (85% - 90% clumped)

2’05 – 3’00” – Each section splits off from the big clump to form smaller clumps. Soprano 1s end up downstage right. Soprano 2s end up upstage right (slightly toward the centre). Alto 1s downstage left (slightly toward the centre). Alto 2s upstage left.  You should be still by the time the Sopranos do their descending Qanit line.

Text : “Father, Father, please Father…. Pleeeeease can I go to school this year?” His answer had not changed. On the first “Father” – move to two diagonal lines on either side of the stage, in a V shape. Sopranos stage right, Altos stage left.

3’00” – 3’35” – Remain in the V position throughout. Dialogue back and forth.

Text: “That is what the outsiders will do to you at the school.”  Pivot into two straight lines across the back of the stage.

3’35” – 4’40” – Remain in two straight lines.

4’40” – 4’50” – Altos take a large step forward and cross in front while Sopranos cross behind. Create two diagonal lines (mirror image of  3’00” – 3’35”, Sopranos stage left, Altos stage right)

5’05” – 5’15” – Move to your position on stage.  Create a channel that runs from upstage left to downstage right, with Altos on the upstage side and Sopranos on the downstage side.

5’15” – 5’45” – Move your body into position and hold.

5’50” – 6’00” – Transition back to standing up straight.

6’00” – 6’15” (first time) – Create a ¾ semi-circle (similar to the igloo in MNIOP, but with Altos on stage right and Sopranos on stage left)

6’00” – 6’15” (second time) – You will be in the semi-circle

6’25” – End – Drift to the very edges of the stage (ideally in place by 6’40”)

COUNTDOWN

Groups for the countdown sections:

10 – Jenny, Sara, Leah P, Talisa

9 – Cat, Jess, Tenille, Joanna

8 – Robin, Camila, Paige

7 – Colleen, Claire, Maria

6 – Brianna, Rachael, Carolyn

5 – Leah B, Georgia

4 – Hayley Nikki

3 – Sydney, Mackenzie

2 – Zoe, Shila

1 – Kristin, Kallie

On your number, each group strikes a pose (and you also make the number with your fingers) J

Notes for Sun Feb 8

Hi everyone!

Thanks for the great rehearsal on Sunday - it's very exciting that we have some choreography already started for Fatty Legs and are starting to hear the text come alive with Lisa!

Christina is unable to be with us this weekend, so get ready for a big choreo rehearsal on Sunday :) :) :) Please wear comfortable, moveable clothing (no jeans, tight skirts or anything restrictive - in general this should be the rule for every week of this show prep)

Here's the plan:

1:15-4:30  Fatty Legs Rehearsal
4:30-5:30  Countdown Rehearsal

We'll be tackling choreo for My Name is Olemaun Pokiak, Snowforms, and Countdown. Leah will guide us through a bit more music work on Countdown before we start putting in movement. Reminder to check in with the memorization schedule for Fatty Legs - the first two pieces need to be memorized (music-only) by Feb 22.

A Note about St. Matt's 
With the cold weather, we've had a few folks coming to the door to ask about the shelter that is offered at the church. It's important for me to stress that we cannot let anyone into the building who is not part of Xara - once we let them in, we become responsible for their actions. Not that we think that anyone who uses the shelter has untoward ideas, but we have to protect our organization and the rules that we agreed to when we rented the space. If someone comes to the doors while you are there, please advise them that the door to the shelter is on the OPPOSITE side of the church (between St. Matt's and the Maritime Centre) and that there usually is someone working the shelter starting at 7pm. Please be particularly aware of this at the end of rehearsal when there are many people leaving the building all at once. Thanks so much!

Erin’s Notes from February 1st

Costumes for this show will be white tunic-type tops with grey leggings and foot coverings yet to be determined (to be provided)

MY NAME IS OLEMAUN POKIAK

Special note:

Sing straight through to measure 76, then jump back and repeat measure 23 – 42. Then jump to measure 73 and sing through to the end of the piece.

Choreography:

-       In general, this piece has quite a few places where there are staggered entries. Usually, you will move when you sing.

-       At the top of the show, singers will be the only people on stage. Sarain and Lisa will enter at measure 16.

M. 1 – 15 – Snowdrifts section

Standing in sections, in this order:

Kallie, Shila, Carolyn, Georgia, Maria

Colleen, Rachael, Brianna, Hayley, Zoe

Camila, Leah B, Sydney, Mackenzie, Tenille, Joanna, Robin

Jessica, Jenny, Nikki, Leah P, Cat, Talisa, Sara

M. 1 – 4 (Snowdrift 1) When your part enters, take you time and “melt” into your snowdrift position (see photos)

M. 5 – 6 (Snowdrift 2) When your part enters, take your time and melt into your second position (see video)


M. 7 – 9 (Snowdrift 3) When your part enters, melt into your third position (see video) You will hold this position under the pause in m. 9

This video is everyone except Sop 1, from the start of the piece to your 3rd snowdrift

This video shows the Sop 1s from their 2nd snowdrift into their third

M. 10 – 15 Unwinding the snowdrift to come back to standing tall (when your part enters) Take 4 full beats to achieve this.

M. 16 – 22 Starting on the downbeat of 16: Sway gently right to left, three beats going to the right, two to the left.  Gaze should be up and out, slight smile (“I’m so at peace in this beautiful place where I live.”) On beat 5 of m. 21, come to stillness.

SNOWFORMS

If you were absent, you MUST get the markings from a friend as to where Christina will be cuing entries and cutoffs, as well as additional pauses and moments of silence to line up with the narration.

COUNTDOWN

Part 1: Kristin, Kallie, Zoe, Hayley, Shila, Sydney

Part 2: Mackenzie, Nikki, Georgia, Carolyn, Rachael, Leah B

Part 3: Colleen, Claire, Maria, Brianna

Part 4: Tenille, Joanna, Robin, Camila, Paige

Part 5: Jenny, Sara, Leah P, Talisa, Cat, Jessica