* Permission Slips

All students attending Bomb-itty of Errors at Syracuse Stage Saturday March 15th, please make sure you bring in your permission slips this week. Those students that do not have their signed permission slips in prior to the field trip will not be able to attend the performance. (Which would be a real bummer, so get them in folks!)

Notion Pictures: Casting Q & A

Casting Director, Barbara Cokus of Notions Pictures will join us for an in-class workshop. This Emmy-Award winning film and video production company's work comes into thousands of households each day. Notion Picture's client list is long and includes work that I am sure any Syracusian would recognize. They have produced commercials for such clients as, The Syracuse International Film Festival, Centro, The New York State Fair, The Corning Glass Museum and Raymour & Flanigan.

Behind the scenes at the Notion Pictures you can find Ms. Cokus casting talent, arranging for costume designers, hiring a translator and/or voice-over narrator, selecting music, and scouting locations. She also speaks regularly to young performers interested in pursing work in television commercials.

Full Cast Audio Workshop

Friday, February 15th Full Cast Audio Artistic Director, Dan Bostick will be joining us for a workshop! Learn about audiobook production, casting voice talent and why vocal exercises, character development and stretching your imagination are great for the stage and the page!

Founded by Moongobble and Me Series author Bruce Coville, Full Cast Audio (FCA) has a simple rule: to produce unabridged full cast recordings of great books for young readers. Whenever possible, they also invite the author to serve as narrator. Some of the Full Cast Audio productions include The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale,The Cat Ate my Gymsuit by Paula Danzier and The Evil Elves by Bruce Coville.

Hip - Shake Workshop February 28th!

Okay, this might seem like a strange comparison, but trust us, Shakespeare was a stone cold gangsta. With Hip-Shake, we’ll show you how the Grandmaster Bard and modern hip-hop artists use the English language in very similar ways. Here’s a few facts about Shakespeare that might just boost his street cred.

ONE A 1589 production of Comedy of Errors probably felt more like a rap concert than a trip to the opera. While the royal and elite audience members sat in private boxes, the ‘floor seats’ (standing room only) were available to the lower-class masses of ‘groundlings,’ as they were called. We don’t think there was a mosh pit, but it could get pretty raucous down there. Check out page 8 for more on the groundlings.

TWO Shakespeare came from nothing. His parents couldn’t read or write, but he managed to be- come one of the most prolific writers of all time. Not bad, huh?

THREE Don’t let the frilly clothes fool you. Shakespeare was tough. The year he was born, his town was hit with the Black Plague, and Baby Shakes survived. 50 Cent may have been hit with a few shells (he don’t walk with a limp,) but he never had to deal with the Plague.

FOUR Rap producer and artist Timbaland raised $800,000 for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Russell Simmons and Sean Combs are outspoken political activists. But Shakespeare wins again. Queen Elizabeth I was one of his biggest fans. Show me George Bush at a Snoop Dogg show and we’ll talk.

FIVE He didn’t think to add “-izzle” to any of them, but Shakespeare invented an estimated 1,700 words. Here’s a few of our favorites: assassin, bloody, critic, generous, gloomy, gnarled, laughable, lonely, majestic, and puke.

When Hip-Shake visits your class, you will have the chance to ask the characters any questions you like. Be creative! If something they say makes you wonder “why?” or “how?” make a note of it and ask when it is appropriate. We’ve even given you some space below for your notes! Here are a few subjects you might want to consider, but just use this as a starting point. What do you really want to know?

Blog info. courtesy of Syracuse Stage

Visit from Violinist Tai Murray

Friday, February 29th Kuumba students will have an opportunity to meet national violin virtuoso Tai Murray. Ms. Murray is a rising young star within the world of classical music, and only in her early 20s. Known for her beautiful, mature phrasing and graceful bow work, Murray has received critical acclaim from coast to coast. She has also drawn attention as one of the few African-American musicians involved in classical music.

Click to learn more about Tai Murray