2018-19 Season Announcement!

We're heading for our final show of the 2017-18 season so it's time to release some information about what will be happening in the year ahead!

With ten years behind us and a whole future in front of us, the 2018-19 season is going to be quite differently structured than in the past to allow the organization to do some much-needed strategic planning and artistic visioning. Over the last 18 months, there have been many exciting developments and a few surprising changes to the way we work as an artistic collective and from an administrative point of view. All of these things make it really important that we move forward in a way that is sustainable and fulfilling for as many of our constituents as possible!

For 2018-19, Xara will be functioning on a project-based model and will be opening performance opportunities up to our singers in a variety of configurations over the season. This means that there will be times when a large choir with people of all age categories are needed (like with RISE) and there will be other times when only small groups are required. Over the last ten years, over 100 singers have passed through our organization and approximately 60 of you remain active, on and off  (you are, effectively, part of a pool of singers upon which we draw for each show). There are several types of personnel (singers) who will have the opportunity to be part of the 2018-19 projects. They are:
1. Regular Xaras: 18-30 year old singers who have successfully auditioned for the main ensemble.
2. Pro-Xaras: singers of any age with extensive experience/training who have auditioned for or been admitted to the Pro Pool.
3. Xara Alum: singers of any age who have sung at least one show with Regular Xara or Xara Youth Ensemble
4. Youth Mentorship Artists: singers in grades 9-12 who have successfully auditioned to take part in the Youth Mentorship Program.

Instead of practicing, by default, every Sunday afternoon, for each project in 2018-19, rehearsals will be scheduled when they are needed in order to prepare for a show (largely on Sundays still). There will be really busy times and then there will be stretches of time when there are no rehearsals or performances. For each project, I will announce the show concept and the type of personnel required  and then request singers' availability in order to form a balanced choir.

So, to get us started, I'd like to announce the first two projects for the year!

THIS IS NOWHERE  - collaboration with Zuppa Theatre
Performances: September 26-30, 2018 (5 shows: Wed evening; Thu evening; Fri, Sat, Sun afternoons)
Rehearsals (max): Sun, Aug 26 (1- 3:00 PM); Sept 9 and 16 (4-6 PM); Sept 17 and 19 (7-9 PM); Sept 24 (6-10 PM)
Location: Halifax
Show concept: Learn more about the show concept here. It's SO COOL!!
We will be the closing act of this show along with the Nova Scotia Mass Choir. We will carry the bulk of the final 30 minutes of performance time. Music will be distributed at the first rehearsal. The music will not be very hard and does not have to be memorized.
Personnel Needed: Open to all. There is no limit to the choir's size, but the ensemble will need to be balanced so I will only be able to take as many singers as will allow for a balanced group. Anyone who would like to participate must be available for the dress rehearsal and cannot miss more than one rehearsal or one show. Please spread the word amongst Xara alum or anyone who is interested in auditioning for Xara! If you have already sung with Xara in the past and you're available/interested, register for the project now!

FATTY LEGS - ONTARIO TOUR
Performances: 19 shows from Oct 15-27
Rehearsals & Time Commitment: Sun, Aug 26 (1-7:30 PM); Sept 9/16/30 (1-3:30 PM); Oct 8-12 (6-9:30 PM); Oct 13 (all day - local show); Oct 4-28 in Ontario (touring)
Location: Ontario
Show concept: fourth tour of our acclaimed collaboration with several indigenous artists telling the story of one little girl's experience in residential school.
Personnel Needed: 14 Pro singers (paid). If you haven't sung with Xara Pro before but are interested in auditioning/being considered, please email me.

Lines & Solo Reassignments - June 3 - RISE

Here is the June 3 version of the script with all changes highlighted in yellow.
Erin, Maiti, Gabrielle, Theresa, Kallie, Molly, Raquel, and Antoinette - you all have at least one new line to learn. Please go through the script carefully!

Solo Reassignments:

• From Rivers: Leah take Mackenzie C's solo
• Famine Song: Kallie take Georgia's solo

I don't have the location for our June 1 rehearsal finalized but as soon as I do, I will post it on the Facebook group. We will rehearse from 6:30-9:30 PM (max ... hopefully less!)

It is CRUCIAL that you review everything from the show before June 1. Anything that was shaky up until show week may well be shaky again as it didn't have a super long time to "sink in". In particular, Winter Sun just barely made it to solid so that's the one I'm most worried about for you.

All new lines and solos need to memorized in time for our June 1 rehearsal.

Tickets are apparently selling well in Annapolis Royal! I'm excited to have one more chance at this lovely show!!

June 3 in Annapolis Royal

Let's get things firmed up for our Annapolis Royal show on Sunday, June 3rd!

DATE :: TIME :: LOCATION

First of all, there will NOT be a show on Saturday, June 2nd so this will just be a single run out on June 3rd.

Location: 209 George Street, Annapolis Royal, NS
Call Time: 11:00 AM
Show Time: 2:00 PM

The refresher rehearsal will be on Friday, June 1st (6:00-9:30). (Location TBA)

I will be reassigning lines and solos for the performers who are unable to be at this show. That will come in a separate blog post at the beginning of next week.

DRIVES

Everyone who is participating in this performance needs to fill out the Drives Form so I know that all are accounted for. If you HAVE (or can get) a car, please list your name as the driver and then list the number of seats you have available (as per the example). If you NEED a drive, please choose a seat in a car that has been listed by a driver. If there are no seats currently available on the form when you go to fill it out you can put your name (and any notes) in the extra column marked "I Still Need a Drive". Please note that the drive is about 2.5 hours and you should leave time for any pee breaks that become necessary, etc. I would recommend leaving Halifax not later than 8:15 AM.

WHAT TO BRING

• All Xara music in your possession (even things not from RISE - it all must go back to Erin)
• Your complete costume, including shoes, tights, etc.
• Make up and hair items as required
• Tuning fork, if applicable
• Bagged lunch if you don't want to buy lunch
• Snacks, water, etc

We should be able to leave the theatre by about 3:30 PM so you should be home in time for dinner. :)