Think about that one song that always takes you back to a fond memory and makes you feel something swell. Maybe it reminds you of a moment on the dance floor with your best friends when you felt invincible and like you were brimming with youth. Maybe it reminds you of a performance that made you feel like you were soaring and nothing in the auditorium could bring you down. Imagine what it would be like if every song you heard gave you this powerful, rousing sensation. A new sound that did just that is what made the fifties replete with rock and roll.
Rock and roll crash-boomed its way into the lives of teenagers in the fifties and it wasn't going anywhere. Its pervasive nature caused teenagers to huddle beside their radios so to hear the revolutionary music. Up until that point there were primarily just records produced for children and records that appealed to the adult ear. Never before was there as provocative of a sound that appealed so perfectly to the teenager audience than rock and roll. Elvis glued their eyes to the television set and a Little Richard concert drew forth earth-shattering shrieks from massive crowds. All of a sudden, rock and roll was everywhere and emphatically here to stay. This new passion united masses of people in song and dance which is what makes it perfect for the basis of our musical. Music is a hugely powerful and influential thing in so many of our lives and we have the boundary-testing rock stars and their teenage super fans from the fifties to thank for musical greatness. The landscape of the music as we know today has been forever changed thanks to talents like Elvis. Cast an eyeball on this playlist where I have compiled of the best songs that would have been piping through the jukeboxes at sock hops and diners everywhere in the fifties. Tie up your saddle shoes and lend your ear to these fantastic songs that make will make you want to jump from your seat and move your feet. play.spotify.com/user/allyknizner/playlist/5U6mBBxSqZlhln3FxHsYRI “Rock Around the Clock” Bill Haley and his Comets (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud_JZcC0tHI) “I Hear You Knocking” Dave Edmunds (www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTD5_FwdiBU) “Jailhouse Rock” Elvis Presley (www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpsUOOfb-vE) “Tutti Frutti” Little Richard (www.youtube.com/watch?v=F13JNjpNW6c) “Oh Boy” Buddy Holly (www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR4G6KUHixg) “Roll Over Beethoven” Chuck Berry (www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXQLyzeysGU) “Poison Ivy” The Coasters (www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG11rVMQxDU) “All Shook Up” Elvis Presley (www.youtube.com/watch?v=23zLefwiii4) “Good Golly Miss Molly” Little Richard (www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ6akiGRcL8) “Johnny B. Goode” Chuck Berry (www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFo8-JqzSCM) -Ally Knizner
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A how-to brought to you by Brendan Wells
Whether you are the boldest, loudest senior or you are the quietest, most introverted freshman; there are new friends for you waiting in McAuley Drama. Coming to McAuley Drama this fall was an extremely tough decision for me. I was a quiet sophomore that never had stepped foot on a stage; I knew only a small handful of people. I am an extremely introverted person when I am not around friends. If anyone remembers, I said no more than fifteen words every rehearsal during the beginning of production for Anne Frank. Now, when you think of me, I would like to think you consider me an outgoing, funny pal. I made many, many friends in a short amount of time. I'm ready to share with you all a fireproof (not really) guide as to how to make friends with at least one person during All Shook Up! Step One: Introducing Yourself Often, introducing yourself can be a very tough thing to do. Working up the nerve to talk to someone new can be a truly terrifying decision; however, talking someone new usually always pays off with a new friend. When introducing yourself to someone new, one can go the more traditional route of walking up to an unknown person and saying: “Hi there, I'm (insert name) and I don't believe we have met. What's your name?” This is not fun or original at all, BUT usually it works. Although as theatre persons, we should be a little more theatrical (ha) when introducing ourselves to someone new. (This confirms that DM’ing someone on Instagram is not a surefire way to become friends) I recommend two bulletproof ways to interest your to-be friend: 1. Tap dance your way over to them, then hand them a note with the word “Friends?” written on it. Then you can dance away and poof you have officially introduced yourself in the most awesome way ever. 2. Look up the lyrics to “Introducing Me” by Nick Jonas from Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. Then create a parody with things you enjoy and perform it for them. If they think this is creepy, you have just confirmed that you don't want to be friends. Step Two: Creating Conversation This step is usually, by far, the easiest. Since we are all taking part in the same musical, it is very easy to find common ground and discuss various things that you both are experiencing. (“Wow, this choreography is hard!”) After you have spoken to each other, you have to let the friendship incubate. Make small talk every time you see each other. Get comfortable with each other. Some small talk conversation starters I have compiled over time include: -Opinion on flannel sheets? -Favorite number from 1-17? -Favorite board game? -Is Brendan a chicken nugget or potato? -How do we save the bees? -What time did you eat last? -What is the capital of Brunei? (Bandar Seri Begawan) Step Three: Getting Closer Congratulations ! You are very close to gaining a great new friend. You two have been making small talk, you get along, and everything is sailing smoothly. Here comes an important step. Getting your new friend’s digits. Yes, digits; as in phone number. If you think it might be weird to ask your friend for their phone number straight up, make up a story that explains why you would need them. Say you need to ask a question about your latest costumes project, but you forgot what it was right now. Ask for their phone number so you can ask later when you “remember your question.” Nice! You now have their phone number. Texting is an incredible way to create bonds. Texting allows us to stay connected when we are not together. You can learn a ton about one another through text, and in no time you will find yourself having long, friendly conversations about Moana’s character development in the critical smash-hit movie Moana. Step Four: Realization After you have texted and bonded, you will have become friends without even noticing. Congratulations! You now have a great, fantastic bud you did not have before! Time to celebrate! Grab some Welch’s Sparkling Grape Juice and go wild! Making new friends is hard work, but the reward is so great that you will want to do it again. Repeat these four easy steps and you will soon have an army of friends large enough to defeat the Huns. No matter how old, busy, talented, young, antisocial, or treat you think you are; there is always a friend for you you have not found yet in McDrama and life. I hope you found this instructional guide to be entertaining and informative, now go make some new friends! Challenge Here is a challenge for you all, at the next rehearsal you attend, go up to someone you do not know and begin to follow this easy four step guide to becoming friends. Tell me how it ends up! Another week has come and gone for us "All Shook Up" folks. Songs have been worked on under the careful guidance of Mrs. White. We are grateful that there are still plenty of vocal rehearsals left so we can get those stellar harmonies where they need to be. Dances have been fabricated but not without a fair share of cooperation, sweat, and focus. We've taken trips to Heartbreak Hotel and the Jailhouse where we rocked. Chad's magic touch (those roustabouts are always doing something wacky), fixed the jukebox and brought the town a new life of music and dance. Our costume crew has been trimming and sewing some lovely skirts that will make for an exciting surprise during the show. The props and run crew has been spotted working on what is shaping up to be a gas station. Progress forward is imperative, no matter how small the steps seem now. Each rehearsal brings the show and all who are involved together a little bit more. Thanks for reading, fellow theatre enthusiast!
-Ally Knizner This week is just the start of tons of rehearsals yet to come. Tuesday we started things off with group games because who doesn't love groups games? Actually, don't answer that. It was rhetorical and I think group games are splendiferous. Then the cast and crew circle converged on stage to read through the script. It was exciting to have everyone together and actually see all of the people who are dedicated to this show. With Wednesday came the time to sing each song of the show. I couldn't help but think ahead to how fantastic these songs are going to sound with a few weeks of rehearsing them. Musical talent is always one of the most impressive talents that a person can have and it means even more when he or she is able to share it with other people. It takes strong passion to bring something as personal and powerful as performing to the stage. That sentence has some alliteration action going on and I didn't plan it so that's cool. Thursday we begin to work on the dance for "Jailhouse Rock" much to my delight. Next week I am going to start talking to some crew members to find out what projects they are beginning on.
-Ally Knizner Have An Open Mind
The beginning of a new show is the perfect opportunity for great things to happen. We are pieces that come together with one another to make the show the best it can be. It's okay to be nervous now but don't let it hold you back from all that is yet to come. From here we just build up. Make New Friends There is no better place that McDrama to make new friends in my experience. We all are going to be around each other a lot these next few months, and I have found that it is much more pleasant when you are surrounded by people you care deeply about. If you want to be friends with someone, I challenge you to walk up and say hello. It will be okay, I promise, and I bet that you will become friends. Get Ready to Boogie Let's face it. We all get to dance a lot in All Shook Up. Don't be scared!!! Dancing is really just a bundle of good times once you get past the intimidating exterior. If you don't feel bold in your abilities, take a deep breath and know that there are like 14,000 people who want to help you learn and feel more confident in your abilities. Know you can do it. Be Nice Be abundant in your giving of hugs and compliments. It is okay to laugh as loudly and as frequently as your heart desires. Love lots of people, it doesn't cost a thing. That is all that needs to be said here. Make Yourself Proud And in doing so, everyone else will be proud, too. Be off-book on when scheduled. Take time outside of rehearsal to work on dances, songs, characters, and a combination of the three all at once. It will make you shine even more and you will feel better about the performance that you bring to the stage. GET HYPED!!! This is going to be such an exciting process and I am as excited as a kid on Christmas in Disney World eating ice cream. Think ahead to the moments when things start to slowly fall into place and just how satisfying those moments will be. There is lots of hard work and memory-making yet to come. -Ally Knizner Today the auditions for "All Shook Up," our long-awaited spring musical, and there is an excited, nervous buzz floating around McAuley. Miss Geckle is all smiles. She can't wait to see how the talented wave of people that walks through the doors will come together to form a wonderful cast. How many boys are going to audition? Maybe like a thousand? I guess we just will have to wait and see on that one since it is always a surprise. More lovely faces are going to be joining our McDrama family which is such an exciting prospect. It's especially grand when we get to sing, dance, create a story, and spend lots and lots of time together in these coming months.
-Ally Knizner |
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March 2018
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