Jack: Why I Come Back

For the next several weeks, different cast and crew members of our talented Signature in Schools program will be taking over our blog. Check back for frequent updates to get an inside track on their process and mindset with our latest production, Hero Worship! 

Today we will be hearing from Jack, our Sound Technician for Hero Worship, who is returning to participate in Signature in Schools for his 4th year consecutive year.

Jack (second from left) helps create a vignette during a SIS workshop with fellow students.

It is funny how people tell you first impressions are so important, because I had an interesting first couple of days at Signature. Now, I had no prior experience in theater; I went because my best friend told me I was going, and I had no choice in the matter. I visited Signature twice before our first show, “Image is Everything”, went into production. The first was at auditions, and the second was the script read through, so at this point I still hadn't gained a whole lot of actual experience. So when I went in on my first day of actual rehearsal and hated it I felt like I was out of my depth of experience and was being bossed around.

This has all changed now of course. It was a sink or swim experience, and I ended up swimming. I couldn't be more thankful this is something I stuck with. Signature has been an integral part of who I am today. My work ethic and my love of shows just to name a few. It has become so much more than a building to me. It is where I know I am going for something great.

This is why I keep coming back, because I am among friends; new and old, and I know every time I enter I am about to learn something.

Hero Worship performs March 10th and March 17th at 8:00 PM. Tickets are free but reservations are required. To reserve seats, call 703-820-9771. Reservations are available beginning February 10th.

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Of "Revolution" and Reflection

Now that Revolution is said and done, we've asked the students who made up the cast and crew to share some of their thoughts about being part of Signature in the Schools:

"Signature in the Schools is phenomenal. The program has helped me grow so much as an actor, a student, and as a person over such a short period of time. The sense of community and family SIS creates is just mind blowing and the commitment from everyone involved is simply fantastic. It is difficult for me to articulate all of my positive feelings for this program so just trust me when I say SIS is a beautiful thing."

- Brandi, Actor (Basma)

Patrick and Basma share a quite moment. Photo Credit: Dennis Deloria



Andy reads a moving story with the class. Photo Credit: Dennis Deloria

"Signature in the Schools is what inspired me to continue theatre in college and into the future. Without this program, I would probably have no idea what to do after high school. I also can't think of anything I would have rather done these past four years than come to rehearsals and hang out with David, Ellis, Laura, Joan and Marcella!" 

- Max, Stage Manager

Larissa and Marcus perform characatures of King Louis
and Queen Marie Antoinette for a class presentation.
Photo Credit: Dennis Deloria

"I will never forget my great experiences and the friends that I gained through Signature in the Schools. Signature brings you into a new world of theatre like no other. I will miss Signature the most after I leave high school."

- Sean, Actor (Marcus)

"Signature in the schools has been one of the best programs I have ever participated in. Not only did I learn how to work on a professional play in a professional environment, but it also broadened my interest in theatre. I have met so many wonderful people and worked with such amazing mentors and I will definitely be back next year."
- Marwa, Lighting Board Operator

The cast of "Revolution" creates a tableau to depict Arab Spring protests.

Larissa, with the help of Caroline, puts her own spin on "protest."
Photo Credit: Dennis Deloria

"It’s been amazing to have the opportunity to work alongside such talented actors and dedicated directors. Signature Theatre has provided me great exposure to the field of theatre which has broadened my view on the arts, culture and life."

- Karl, Actor (Zerah)

 

"Perhaps one of the most astounding thing about Signature In The Schools is the sense of professionalism, yet at the same time a cast and crew bond equal to that of family. Your light operator, sound operator, crew, prop crew, stage managers, and fellow actors are all there to make you feel like you are actually part of this environment that is being created. I love, and all audiences love, what Signature Theater is able to present, and this year's performance of Revolution, written by Joe Calarco, was a fantastic example. I hope everyone is able to experience the insurmountable amount of joy that I have experienced while being able to participate with Signature in the Schools." 

- Max, Actor (Patrick)


Basma watches on as Mr. Stieper comforts Patrick. Photo Credit: Dennis Deloria

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KidVids Part 2: French Connection

During Boot Camp, the first three weeks of rehearsal for Signature in the Schools: Revolution, the cast and crew learned all about the history behind the play. At the end of Boot Camp, they were asked to put together videos showing off what they'd learned.

Below is the video created by the second group: the French Connection. The group was assigned to create a video explaining how the French Revolution got started, including the monarchy's financial crisis and the beginnings of political upheaval. They chose to put their story in a modern setting - the overbearing King Corporation and its employees.

Check out the video below!

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An Update from Max

Actor and high school sophomore Max plays a troubled teen named Patrick in Signature in the Schools' premiere production of Revolution. We've asked Max to answer a couple of questions about his experience being part of the show:

What is your favorite scene in the show? Why? 

My favorite scene in Revolution is the final scene. The potential for shock it has is so immense. It is quite beautiful. 

What’s the funniest thing that has happened in rehearsal?

During rehearsals we were working on the scene where Caroline attempts to talk to me, and Ariel, who is playing Caroline, chokes on her own saliva mid-monologue. The awkwardness was hilarious.

What have been your favorite parts of Signature in the Schools so far?

My favorite part of Signature in the Schools has to be how the directors, cast and the ones who make the show WORK are all able to input valuable information that will make a certain scene or the performer themselves more authentic. It's almost like a family (as cliche as that sounds). 

Max hard at work.

The final scene being rehearsed, with Max in the center.

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KidVids Part 1: The Dolphin Revolution

During Boot Camp, the cast and crew of Revolution spent three weeks exploring the history behind the production, learning about revolutions in general, the Arab Spring and the French Revolution. In the final days of Boot Camp, they created videos to pull together everything they'd learned. Below is the first of these projects: The Dolphin Revolution.

This group was assigned to create an imaginary revolution that followed the four phases of revolution outlined in Crane Brinton's The Anatomy of Revolution, using a protest scenario about dolphins that we had used earlier in Boot Camp. The four phases of revolution are as follows:

1. The old government is failing
2. A combination of spontaneous uprising and organized resistance bursts into violence
3. The extremists take over
4. The terror subsides and there is a period of reaction

Check out the video below! 

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Signature in the Schools: Revolution

On December 17, the cast (and some of the crew) of the 2013 Signature in the Schools play, Revolution, met with playwright Joe Calarco to do a first read of the script. This week, we'll be continuing rehearsals with script work and staging.

Check out these pictures from our first read!

All photos courtesy of Adrian, our production archivist.

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Iiiiiiiiiit's showtime!

L to R: Jose, Cameron, Jason, Khaliun, Sean perform in Un-American

Folks, we are in business!  We have been performing night and day since last Friday.  With five performances under our belt, including an electric public performance on Monday that was standing room only, there are just two left to go.  Tomorrow morning we welcome in Wakefield High School students from the English and Theatre departments for our fifth and final matinee.  We invite you all to come to our closing evening performance on Friday at 7:30 PM.  Admission is free and seating is general admission.  Reservations are strongly recommended.  To reserve your seat, call the box office at 703 820 9771. Don't miss your chance to see this world premiere play! Production photographs come courtesy of Dennis Deloria.

Morgan (Sara) and Jose (Jorge)

L to R: Arami, Jose, Cameron, and Sean

L to R: Jason, Adrian, Ariel, Karl

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Emily: Un-American ASM backstage at Hairspray.

Emily, a sophomore at Wakefield High School, returns to Signature in the Schools for the second consecutive year as assistant stage manager with Un-American. To help prepare them for their roles in Un-American, both our stage manager and assistant stage manager had the privilege of shadowing the SM and ASM of Hairspray during a performance. Assistant stage manager, Emily, reflects on her experience. Be sure to see Hairspray now extended through February 5th and Un-American, performing for the public on February 6th and 7th.

Emily hard at work during a rehearsal

How was your experience shadowing the assistant stage manager of Hairspray during a performance?          

Hairspray is one of my favorite musicals so when I heard that Signature in the Schools would be using the Hairspray stage I already was so excited!  After seeing their amazing performance I was even more excited to get the wonderful opportunity to shadow the Assistant Stage Manager during one of their performances.  I had a really great time getting to see everything that goes on backstage before, during and after the show.  I learned more about the job of an Assistant Stage Manager through questions I asked and information told to me by the person I shadowed.  For example, she told me about her responsibilities during rehearsals and I learned how they differed from mine.  

What did you take from this experience and how can this help you as ASM for Un-American?

It was a valuable learning experience to get to see the job and responsibilities of an Assistant Stage Manager during a live performance.  Not only were my questions answered, but I got to see the stage in use.  Every stage is different at Signature and it really helped me as the Assistant Stage Manager to spend time backstage during a show and see how this stage works.  Also, I got to see the layout of the props list that they used during the pre-set of the show.  This gave me an idea of something I could put together to help with our show.  This experience will improve my performance as an Assistant Stage Manager for Un-American.  

I really appreciate getting this opportunity and the time and courtesy given to me by the Assistant Stage Manager that I shadowed and others backstage. 

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An interview with Signature in the Schools Veteran, Amanda

Amanda returns to Signature in the Schools for the third year in a row. Through her year, she has worm many different hats (both metaphorically and on stage) with SIS.  Her freshman year, she was the Backstage Manager for the Shakespeare, Will. Her sophomore year she was the light technician for Image is Everything. This year she will be making her SIS stage debut, creating the role of Grace, in the world premiere production of Un-American.

How is working as an actor different than working backstage?

            Working on stage versus off stage is very different for two reasons. First, I have different responsibilities. Instead of being in charge of set up and take down, my roles as an actor are to know my lines and cues and most importantly act. Second, I get seen. When you are working backstage, although you have an important role, the audience does not know you are there. This year however I get to be seen and known by the audience. This also means I get to watch the show from a different perspective. I am excited to see these differences and new experiences more when we get to our performances!

How has this changed your understanding of theatre?         This shift from off to on stage has changed my perception and understanding on theatre in a few ways. Being off stage I got to learn about acting by watching, yet this year I get to learn by experiencing. Also, after working off stage and now on stage I get to see the big picture. I now understand that they actors do not wholly carry the show on them, but the things that the audience does not see are sometimes the most important. Having this mind set about the show, I get to appreciate more as an actor what happens backstage.

What has been the biggest challenge as an actor thus far?

            The biggest challenge this year as an actor is understanding that when a light, sound, or other cues are told to be taken note of by the crew I am not responsible for knowing them. Also understanding that I on a different side of the show, where as an actor I have to be vulnerable as a person in order to play my character. This also means that everyone can see when I make a mistake.

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One/Tenth

Last week we brought you the final product of one group's Dramatic Retelling of the Rosenberg Trial.  As promised, here is the final product of our other group!  They were asked to cover the story of the Hollywood Ten. They chose to portray an inside look at "One Tenth" of them by creating a trailer for a fictional movie that follows the life and involvement of screenwriter, Dalton Trumbo.  

To fill you in on the history surrounding the Hollywood Ten, we have included a brief synopsis below.  Just as before, this group was given only two and a half hours to cast, write, rehearse, and film their projects. ( Additional time was spent on editing.)  So, due to certain limitations with resources and time, you may see some elements such as contemporary clothing, gender/color-blind casting, and resourceful uses of Shirlington Village throughout the film. 

The Hollywood Ten

 The first systematic blacklist was instituted on November 25, 1947 and contained a list of ten Hollywood screenwriters and actors known as “The Hollywood Ten.” When asked, “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” they simply refused to testify.  The following April, The Hollywood Ten was convicted of contempt of Congress and sentenced to jail.  All the members of the Hollywood Ten were screenwriters, except for director  Edward Dymtryk. Although, in addition to their efforts as screenwriters, most doubled as actors, authors, directors, and even journalists.

Herbert J. Biberman   Served six months in prison for his convictions and was blacklisted by the official Hollywood studio.

Lester Cole   Co-founder of the Writers Guild of America. Joined the American Communist Party in 1936. Served ten months in prison.  After the blacklisting, three of his scripts were produced under the names of his wife and friends.

Edward Dmytryk   After spending several months in prison following his conviction, Dmytryk testified again, confessing his former involvement with the Communist Party and giving away the names of those he was involved with.

Ring Lardner Jr.   While blacklisted, he moved to England and wrote for several television series under a pseudonym.  Once the blacklist was repealed, he returned to writing in America and wrote M.A.S.H.

John Howard Lawson   Co-founded the Screen Writers Guild and served as head of the film division of the Communist Party.

Albert Maltz   Won the 1951 Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written American Drama, submitted under the name Michael Blankfort, a fellow screen writer.

Samuel Ornitz   Co-founded the Screen Writer’s Guild.

Adrian Scott   After being blacklisted, he wrote for the series, The Adventures of Robin Hood, under a pseudonym.

Dalton Trumbo   While blacklisted, he won two Academy Awards for his screenplays.  One was written under his pseudonym, Robert Rich, and the other originally presented to a front-writer.

Alvah Bessie  Blacklisted and Imprisoned for ten months.

On December 3, 1947, Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, held a meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. At the conclusion of the meeting, Johnston released the “Waldorf Statement” which contained a list of over three hundred working members of the Hollywood film industry suspected of being communists or communist sympathizers. This marked the start of the blacklisting movement. Anyone on the list was questioned by HUAC which typically ruined their professional careers, friendships, and relationships. 

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Let's Get Personal with....Max!

Max Rosenberg, now in his junior year at Wakefield High School, has dedicated himself to Signature in the Schools for the last three years as our faithful stage manager.  Max was asked to say a few things about his duties as stage manager and what some of his favorite experiences have been working with Signature in the Schools in the past.  

Max hard at work during a rehearsal for Un-American.

When I was a young freshman boy coming to Signature for interviews, it was really scary. It was like walking into a new world that I knew nothing about. When I walked into the interview with Marcia and Joe I was nervous to say the least, and all I wanted to do at that point was work the lights and sound. Almost immediately after looking at my resume sheet, Marcia  asked, “How would you like to be stage manager?” That was the start of my great relationship with Signature in the Schools. 

This is going to be my third year working with Signature and it just keeps getting better and better every year. I learn more about what it’s like to work in a professional theatre, and I get more opportunities to work with others in Signature as well. Part of my job for my shows is to keep track of everything that goes on, from blocking to props. From what lines are cut to giving out calls for the next day’s rehearsal. But my favorite part by far is when we get to go into the theatre because from that point on, I am in charge of everything. I have the most authority in the room so when I call, "Break!" we have break, when I say "Let’s go back to this line," we go back to that line. From there I get to put in cues for lights and sound that I am given by the light and sound crew so that when it come to the first performance, I am ready to go. There is a lot of stress and time commitment that goes into this as well, but when you want to become something, you will work for it, and Signature is by far the one thing that that I can’t wait for each and every day.  My favorite part about doing this is being able to get to know people from my school and being able to work with them to have a great show for all the schools to see by the end. 

My first year though had to be my favorite. After the first couple of weeks Marcia started saying, “This cast always has had the most food at rehearsal by far compared to the other years.” We all laughed at that. Also, that was the year she called me the best stage manager she has ever had. This is why I keep coming back to Signature: for the people and to get better and better every year.

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Spotlight on Joseph!

Joseph, a senior at Wakefield High School, is a veteran of the Signature in the Schools program. He will be returning to the cat walk this February for a second time as one of our spotlight operators.

1.Where were you born? City/State/country?

Born in DC. Raised Northwest, Maryland, and Arlington. Stuck in the metropolitan area.

2.What is your favorite subject in school?

Orchestra even though eight years hasn’t paid off yet.

3. What is a favorite memory from your childhood?

Riding on my bike around the cul-de-sac. The suburbs were very rewarding.

4. What got you into theatre?

Right now, I am trying to find my inner self which is resulting in strange acts that some people find humorous. I do like acting and watching people act; sometimes, looking at an actor makes me wonder why I didn’t audition. Still, working with the technical crew is very fun, relaxing, and enjoyable.

5.What was the best show you ever saw? Where?

Unfortunately, I’ve only seen one Broadway show but I plan to see more. I could not guarantee if it was good though; the Addams Family seemed appropriate for traveling students. One play that I loved was the play held at our school last year starring Wakefield’s finest: Lintle and Jame (Both who starred in Signature in the Schools' productions of Image is Everything and Shakespeare, Will.)

6. What was the best thing you ate this Thanksgiving?

I got back from New York to enjoy a good meal late at night. Nothing wrong with cold turkey...

7. What is one thing on your holiday wish-list this year?

I wish for new glasses. More of a need than a want at this point since my glasses broke and I am sadly blind.

8. What is your go-to song to belt in the shower?

I like to pretend that I am Win Butler and that I could sing as well as him even though some people say he doesn’t have a very good voice. I don’t have an exact song though.

Here's Win Butler, lead singer of Arcade Fire:

9. If you were forced to appear before HUAC, would you choose to give away your friends to save yourself, OR save your friends and suffer the blacklist? Why?

If my friends fooled me then I would definitely give them away but if they were in a situation with no resolve, I would testify that they were innocent…even if I wasn’t a communist.

10. What has been your favorite exercise in SIS rehearsals thus far?

I like how the cast and crew were called together to participate for learning about the background history. Last year was totally different which is why I respected this year so much since the “techies” and “acties” were both required to attend those sessions and not just the actors. I like doing improv because it allows me to become more comfortable with more people.

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A Dramatic Retelling of The Trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

This year's Signature in the Schools production, Un-American, is inspired by the McCarthy Era.  The cast and crew spent the first three weeks of the rehearsal process becoming experts on this topic. They devoted several rehearsals just to learning about the significant figures, events, and acts surrounding this period in history.  To culminate the research part our rehearsal process, the company, including both cast and crew, were asked to create short films that accurately portray  major historic events surrounding the McCarthy Era.  The company was split into two groups. Each group was assigned a topic, and given only two and a half hours to cast, write, rehearse, and film their projects. (Luckily, editing was not included in those two hours.)  Due to certain limitations with resources and time, you may see some elements such as contemporary clothing, gender/color-blind casting, and resourceful uses of Shirlington Village throughout the films. 

Our first group was asked to cover the Rosenberg Trial.   Be sure to tune back to From the Classroom soon to see Signature in the Schools coverage of the Hollywood Ten!

The Rosenberg Trial 


To this day, the Rosenberg trial is regarded by some as the most controversial case of the McCarthy Era.  Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were the only two people to receive the death penalty during the McCarthy Era and the first husband and wife to receive the death penalty in American history. They were found guilty on charges of espionage and delivering top secret, first hand information about the Atomic Bomb to the Soviet Union.
In February of 1950, German physicist and spy, Klaus Fuchs, was arrested in Great Britain for supplying information from the American, British, and Canadian atomic bomb research to the USSR shortly after World War II. Although he initially refused to name people who worked with him, he did eventually confess to working with courier, Harry Gold. In turn, Gold made remarks that led to the investigation and arrest of David Greenglass.

David Greenglass, Sergeant in the United States Army, and member of the Communist Party of the United States, was assigned to the highly confidential Manhattan Project, the wartime project intended to develop the first atomic weapons.  Greenglass began passing nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union, while also supplying his brother-in-law, Julius Rosenberg, with top secret documents. In June of 1950, Greenglass was arrested for espionage and sentenced to fifteen years in prison (although he only served ten.) During Greenglass’ trial, he implicated Julius Rosenberg as a collaborator in the espionage ring.  In 1951, the FBI offered Greenglass an immunity agreement, allowing his wife to stay at home with their children if he testified against his sister and brother-in-law.  While he initially denied his sister’s involvement with the crime, he later changed his story, admitting that Ethel Rosenberg helped to type his notes, including her in the espionage ring.

Ruth Greenglass, David’s wife, also testified that Ethel Rosenberg typed up the notes for her husband.  She also testified that Julius and Ethel were the ones that pressured her husband into sharing nuclear secrets with the Soviet Union. Both Julius and Ethel chose their right to plead the fifth in court, refusing to answer any potentially incriminating questions. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted on March 29, 1951 and sentenced to death the following April. Up until their death in 1953, both Rosenbergs denied all charges of espionage.  

Judge Irving Kauffman, upon imposing the death penalty upon the Rosenbergs declared:

I consider your crime worse than murder... I believe your conduct in putting into the hands of the Russians the A-Bomb years before our best scientists predicted Russia would perfect the bomb has already caused…the Communist aggression in Korea, with the resultant casualties exceeding 50,000 and who knows but that millions more of innocent people may pay the price of your treason. Indeed, by your betrayal you undoubtedly have altered the course of history to the disadvantage of our country…We have evidence of your treachery all around us every day for the civilian defense activities throughout the nation are aimed at preparing us for an atom bomb attack.

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Signature in the Schools: My Experience So Far

Cassandra at a recent Apprentice at Signature meeting.

By Cassandra

Cassandra, a member of the Apprentice at Signature program and a junior at H.B Woodlawn, will be working as our light board operator for Signature in the Schools' world premiere production of Un-American this year.

Signature in the Schools has already been an interesting experience. I really enjoy the time we’re taking to learn and understand the historical background of our show, Un-American. We’re currently taking an in-depth look at the McCarthy Era. A lot of the focus of our has been on trying to understand the situations that the accused people and those involved with them were put into. We’ve had some great discussion in class, taking a look at the motives people had for their actions during the anti-communist investigations. We’ve started to take a step back and view these people as humans, who have good and bad in them but also have valid reasons for their decisions. What still amazes me is that although their reasons are valid, each person that was a part of these trials was placed in a difficult situation, with a lot of uncertainty, basically forcing the decision-making process to become that much more gut-wrenching. And no matter what the circumstance, there was always some damage caused to someone.

        During rehearsals, we’ve also been learning about the effects the McCarthy Era had on the theatre world, the most notable effect being the schism of  Elia Kazan and Arthur Miller’s friendship. The breaking off of their friendship eventually resulted in Miller writing one of his most well-known pieces of writing, The Crucible, containing heavy undertones of the anger Miller felt towards Kazan for giving names of supposed Communists to HUAC (House of Un-American Activities Committee) and of common events that occurred surrounding the McCarthy Era.

        The educational portions of rehearsal haven’t been the only beneficial aspect of Signature in the Schools though. These few past weeks have been a great opportunity to get to know our cast and crew better. As a member of the technical crew, it’s great to know that I won’t just be a stranger coming in tech week in January. Our all-cast/all-crew rehearsals will end next week, but hopefully, because of these last couple of weeks, I'll arrive at tech as a friend rejoining the company. Signature in the Schools is kicking off to a great start, it’s very fun and intriguing and I’m excited to see what is yet to come!

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Welcome!

 The cast of the 2011 Signature in the Schools production, Image is Everything, written by Joe Calarco and directed by Marcia Gardner.

Welcome to the new blog for the Education Department at Signature Theatre!  Starting this week, the cast and crew of this year’s Signature in the Schools production, Un-American, will be bringing you insider looks at the creation of this world premiere production. We'll be bringing you updates each step of the way.  Be sure to check back later this week to hear from actor, Ariel, and light board operator, Cassandra!

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