Coming this March/April to Indian Trail!
Chicago cast earns accolades!
Comments from the critique:
"Phenomenal direction. I'm always a little nervous when I see things like high school productions of Chicago about how the adult content will be handled, because it NEEDS to be there to tell this story & to acknowledge that yes, young people are aware of sex & murder... but also we certainly don't want to overly sexualize students on stage. I have to give everyone a HUGE round of applause for how well that was approached in this production... I never once felt like the
show was being deprived of its adult content or made too "nice," but there was a fantastic sense that the show was sexy but each individual was not being objectified in a sexual way. It's such a hard balance to find, and I'm just so impressed with how well everyone found it. Bravo!"
"The costume design was impressive. Each female performer had a black dress with one element that placed it in the 1920’s, whether it was sequins, fringe, or the length/fit of the dress. The leads each had multiple dresses, allowing for the dress to add to the characterization of the scene, with bright golds, silvers, and blacks for different scenes. Billy Flynn’s costume was a pinstripe suit with a rich maroon shirt and a bright red bow tie. The pop of color immediately gave a sense of love/romance. Even Amos’s argyle sweater gave a clear insight to his character in contrast to the solid black of the male ensemble members and Billy’s pinstripe elegance. All costumes fit well and allowed the performers to move easily."
"The cast embraced the show's presentational vaudevillian style, with some good evidence of understanding the deeper, darker themes. The cheeky final trial scene was a great example of this. Staging used the space well and kept the action running smoothly. Design elements were cohesive and of excellent quality."
"Absolutely incredible ensemble work, bravo! The energy & investment in the ensemble characters throughout was so high, it was vibrating through the room. Most of the people around me spontaneously burst into cheers and excited shouts at the end of "Cell Block Tango," for instance, the ensemble's wild & razor-sharp movements & singing were so powerful. The dancing & singing in complex time in "We Both Reached for the Gun" were so perfect & precise BUT ALSO not just accurate but fully in character."
"The singing throughout was strong & blunt (in the best way). This musical relies so heavily on style, nailing that very specific aesthetic that's both fun and super-dark, both jazzy and mean, and it was just a pleasure to see the ensemble understand that style so well in both their singing & acting... it was clear from the very first moments of "All That Jazz" and through to the ending. Congratulations, WOW."
"Phenomenal direction. I'm always a little nervous when I see things like high school productions of Chicago about how the adult content will be handled, because it NEEDS to be there to tell this story & to acknowledge that yes, young people are aware of sex & murder... but also we certainly don't want to overly sexualize students on stage. I have to give everyone a HUGE round of applause for how well that was approached in this production... I never once felt like the
show was being deprived of its adult content or made too "nice," but there was a fantastic sense that the show was sexy but each individual was not being objectified in a sexual way. It's such a hard balance to find, and I'm just so impressed with how well everyone found it. Bravo!"
"The costume design was impressive. Each female performer had a black dress with one element that placed it in the 1920’s, whether it was sequins, fringe, or the length/fit of the dress. The leads each had multiple dresses, allowing for the dress to add to the characterization of the scene, with bright golds, silvers, and blacks for different scenes. Billy Flynn’s costume was a pinstripe suit with a rich maroon shirt and a bright red bow tie. The pop of color immediately gave a sense of love/romance. Even Amos’s argyle sweater gave a clear insight to his character in contrast to the solid black of the male ensemble members and Billy’s pinstripe elegance. All costumes fit well and allowed the performers to move easily."
"The cast embraced the show's presentational vaudevillian style, with some good evidence of understanding the deeper, darker themes. The cheeky final trial scene was a great example of this. Staging used the space well and kept the action running smoothly. Design elements were cohesive and of excellent quality."
"Absolutely incredible ensemble work, bravo! The energy & investment in the ensemble characters throughout was so high, it was vibrating through the room. Most of the people around me spontaneously burst into cheers and excited shouts at the end of "Cell Block Tango," for instance, the ensemble's wild & razor-sharp movements & singing were so powerful. The dancing & singing in complex time in "We Both Reached for the Gun" were so perfect & precise BUT ALSO not just accurate but fully in character."
"The singing throughout was strong & blunt (in the best way). This musical relies so heavily on style, nailing that very specific aesthetic that's both fun and super-dark, both jazzy and mean, and it was just a pleasure to see the ensemble understand that style so well in both their singing & acting... it was clear from the very first moments of "All That Jazz" and through to the ending. Congratulations, WOW."
Bright Star production awarded!
Directed by Kristen Singer, the Harborside Academy production of Bright Star received eight Jerry Awards and 24 award nominations. The cast will perform at the Jerry Awards in Madison, Wisconsin, on June 12th, for this televised event.
Comments from the critique:
"Kristen Singer's note in the program was true. This musical does compare to a great book you just can't put down. And her direction is true to this statement as well. I don't think I have ever looked more forward to transitions between scenes in a musical, how seamless and innovative, with such simple set pieces too. If I could compare to the brilliance of the chairs in "Come From Away", Kristen's set and scene changes compare. The sets do just the right amount of touch to bring us into a scene and let our imagination do the rest of the work. I love that the blocking was not always dead center and that the staging unpredictable. The intimate scenes had their own flavor and the characters personalities and traits directed the nature of this which made it organic and pure."
"The music direction by Kristen Singer was so moving that I can only imagine what meticulous dedication was required by both director and performers. Members of the ensemble had sharp diction in each number, and executed extremely tight harmonies that allowed for the full force of this score to be demonstrated by this cast. Vocal blending allowed for resonance to the back of the theater that allowed you to literally feel the music - showing just how powerful this ensemble could be."
"Ms. Singer has worked tirelessly here, choosing her vocalists with care and guiding their performances until they are literally pitch perfect. Each of her cast delivers a rich performance, able to hit their highs and lows without pulling back all while maintaining a strong character. While Bright Star is an excellent choice for a high-school performance, it would be wrong to consider the music easy. Harmony is a difficult and a constant presence. This cast had not one moment of trouble there."
"This was an expertly directed show. It's not an easy one and I appreciated the care that was done in the scenes with the newborn and the black bag. Kristen Singer picked a great piece that may have challenged her students but also featured their strengths as performers."
Comments from the critique:
"Kristen Singer's note in the program was true. This musical does compare to a great book you just can't put down. And her direction is true to this statement as well. I don't think I have ever looked more forward to transitions between scenes in a musical, how seamless and innovative, with such simple set pieces too. If I could compare to the brilliance of the chairs in "Come From Away", Kristen's set and scene changes compare. The sets do just the right amount of touch to bring us into a scene and let our imagination do the rest of the work. I love that the blocking was not always dead center and that the staging unpredictable. The intimate scenes had their own flavor and the characters personalities and traits directed the nature of this which made it organic and pure."
"The music direction by Kristen Singer was so moving that I can only imagine what meticulous dedication was required by both director and performers. Members of the ensemble had sharp diction in each number, and executed extremely tight harmonies that allowed for the full force of this score to be demonstrated by this cast. Vocal blending allowed for resonance to the back of the theater that allowed you to literally feel the music - showing just how powerful this ensemble could be."
"Ms. Singer has worked tirelessly here, choosing her vocalists with care and guiding their performances until they are literally pitch perfect. Each of her cast delivers a rich performance, able to hit their highs and lows without pulling back all while maintaining a strong character. While Bright Star is an excellent choice for a high-school performance, it would be wrong to consider the music easy. Harmony is a difficult and a constant presence. This cast had not one moment of trouble there."
"This was an expertly directed show. It's not an easy one and I appreciated the care that was done in the scenes with the newborn and the black bag. Kristen Singer picked a great piece that may have challenged her students but also featured their strengths as performers."
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2020 Claes Nobel Educator of the Year - Music
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The National Society of High School Scholars named Kristen one of the 2020 Claes Nobel Educator's of the Year. She won in the category of Band/Music and received a $5000 grant. Please visit the NSHSS website here for more information. Special thanks to Sofia Roldan, Harborside Academy class of 2019, who nominated Kristen and made this possible.
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Adjudicating
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With Tim Federle at the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta, GA
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Costume Design
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Music Directing"...GLAMDROMEDA, a rock-opera one-act with a blast of high-power energy that invigorates. This production is short and sweet, even though the original music by Benjamin M. Bonnema with lyrics by Christopher Staskel is so catchy it leaves you wanting more. GLAMDROMEDA is much like a concert, featuring Fernando Contreras as the larger-than-life and perfectly glittered lead singer who has an eerie power over Johnny (Marrick Smith), a boy next door about to experience his own kind of awakening. Each and every member of the rock-star cast contributes a stellar voice and magnetic passion." |
Photo Credit: Michael Bernstein
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Directing
Dear Ms. Singer,
I am writing to tell you how much we enjoyed the performance of The Light in the Piazza; we attended the March 24th showing. It was a beautiful performance. Thank you for making it possible for us to enjoy.
The cast, crew and orchestra were just amazing. It was most professional. The acting was great, the singing excellent; I couldn't believe the quality. I couldn't believe that the performers were young people in High School. Yet, it was such a believable performance. It really established the time, the place, the setting and the story. You did "translate your love for the show," to us. Well done, well done! Even the coffee was delicious.
We were drawn to the play because I was familiar with the story - I have read the book several times and seen the old movie. But, I have never before seen the play. You did a wonderful job . . . The story has special meaning to me. Thank you, the cast and crew again for an excellent performance.
Signed,
Satisfied patron
On behalf of my family, I want to thank you and congratulate you for such an outstanding production of Guys and Dolls. My husband (who is not much of a theatre person) and my 7 year old son LOVED it. I was deeply impressed by the quality of all the performances. |
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