What is an Upstart Crow?

We had the good fortune to receive a grant to produce television commercials for the Crow. It has been a fun experience for the Stage Door team, who were the on air talent. The question that the commercial poses is "What is an Upstart Crow?"

Although we know the answer to the question, we had the opportunity to see it in action. Several of the kids in the theatre and dance program volunteered their time to produce a short cabaret show for a group of 3rd graders at Ridgeline Montessori School. They wrote the script, selected the music, directed and choreographed a musical theatre cavalcade of song and dance.

The show began as a gift from the teachers. They are moving and wanted to create a special gift for the class they were leaving behind. Their daughter contacted other theatre kids and presented the idea of putting together a show in 2 weeks. Reminiscent of the Little Rascal theatrical extravaganzas of my childhood, I watched these young people carry the torch.

This is an Upstart Crow. An individual who uses their talents and energy for the purpose of positive creative expression. The collaborative effort of these crows produced a powerful message for these 3rd graders - be the best that you can be.

The crow is not the most beautiful bird, quite common, ordinary if you will. Perhaps that is the best part of my job. To see these common birds find ways to give flight to their imaginations and become extraordinary through the process. And then to share that with other young people is exactly what every teacher hopes to inspire. As a teacher, I am always striving to work myself out of a job.

Ironically, the stage they performed on was the same one that Upstart Crow performed its first musical theatre production of Beauty and The Beast. We refurbished the stage area in a closed school cafeteria. We worked with a group of teenagers from the Lane County Juvenile Justice Department almost 10 years ago. Those teenagers worked long hard hours to make that theatre space accessible. More Upstart Crows.

Upstart Crow Studios is becoming a legacy. Something to truly crow about.

One Last Song and Dance

Stage Door Productions performed one last time at River Road/El Camino School today. The performance was a part of the winnings of a third grade teacher, Alison Bumstead, at the school for her winning dance number in Dance With The Stars, the annual fundraiser at Upstart Crow Studios.

Stage Door has performed several venues since September and each time has left the crowd wanting more. One little boy stopped me in the hall and said "this was the most awesome assembly we ever had!" Sure, getting out of school is fun but he was impressed with kids his own age performing live theatre.

I was impressed with the ability of these young people to ensure that the show go on. Several team members were unable to make it to the performance today. Quickly the team had to determine who would pick up the lines, change the choreography and vocal parts in a matter of about 10 minutes before the curtain literally went up. Though the audience had no idea how many cast members should have been performing, the Stage Door team made the performance a flawless execution. 

The theme of the show is about the unique qualities we all possess and how important it is to celebrate those unique talents rather than hide them or try to pretend we are other than who we truly are. The message came across loud and clear as these young thespians did their very best to communicate through song and dance with a dash of humor in the mix. 

The last show, yes, is always bittersweet. Done are the long rehearsals, the nagging directors, the lights, fatigue and dialogue you could say in your sleep. But so are the funny moments, the awkward pauses, the tripping over each other's lines or forgotten dance step. Hopefully in their place are confidence in tight situations, pride in accomplishment and friendships that will last a long time. Texts, tweets, emails and Facebook walls filled with a job well done and the anticipation of what next season will bring. 

Crows Have Heroes, Too

It was with great pride that I sat in a room filled with heroes on Thursday, April 23rd. In all, the United Way Volunteer luncheon had 25 tables making this a room of 250 people who volunteer in their community an extraordinary amount of hours. They came from all walks of life, some professionals, others were teenagers and young children, many were seniors. The oldest volunteer of the bunch was 93 years old! 

Their pictures went up on the screen as the emcee spoke briefly about the service these volunteers had done over the past year. The number of hours that some had volunteered was staggering. From 3 - 20 hours a week, for most and some were even higher. These are individuals who dedicated time from their busy lives to work for the greater good in their community. It really was an impressive event.

What made it even more special, was that our own Timothy Wilcox was nominated for the Arts and Culture Volunteer of the year. I don't know that many people know the amount of hours this young man gives to Upstart Crow. He works tirelessly to bring a level of music accompaniment that most youth performing arts programs do not have. He receives no pay for his countless hours of rehearsal with the orchestra, accompanying the cast at rehearsals and working with them on the their vocals as chorus and soloists. He is pretty handy with the tool box, not to mention the tech service to get the wireless up and running in the building and networking the printer in the office. And he has been seen in the hallways, vacuuming! Is there nothing this Super Hero can't do?

We have a wonderful organization, here at Upstart Crow Studios. But what makes it truly remarkable is the level of volunteerism that keeps us running. Thank you to all those who believe in the vision of keeping the arts alive and accessible to our community and especially to the children we serve. And a big round of applause for Timothy! 

Happy Birthday!

Today is a unique day in history and one that obviously speaks to all Crows. Happy Birthday, Shakespeare and oh by the way, bon voyage.

William Shakespeare's birth is not officially recorded but his baptism is dated on April 26th. It is commonly accepted that his birthday was April 23rd and that he was born in a house on Henley Street in Stratford, Englan. Much of what is known about the man remains in court documents and church records and most significantly from his rivals.

To be sure, that is how Upstart Crow Studios, gained its name. From the penned hand of one of Shakespeare's critics, Robert Greene, came these words, which seemed to fit our intent and mission at Upstart Crow.

Greene disparages Shakespeare, an actor who fancied himself a playwright. Greene writes this about Shakespeare.

"...for there is an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his tigers heart wrapped in a players hide, supposes he is well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of us.."

From these words, Robert Greene gained fame. Shakespeare, on the other hand, is legend. His final enigma was to die on the day he was born, 52 years later. 

We wear the term "upstart crow" with great pride. We are unique individuals with dynamic voices. All crows are welcome here. Let us celebrate the individual today in honor of this worthy playwright, Shakespeare. We all have something to crow about!

Wicked in Portland!

There is nothing better than taking your kids to Disneyland for the first time UNLESS it is taking your theatre kids to see Wicked! What a great show, great day and the joy of watching their faces as they saw the magic unfold on stage was the highlight of my week, month, year!

The powerful message and music in this touring Broadway production in Portland, OR is phenomenal. The sets are well used throughout the production with Galinda's bubble being used to levitate Elphaba is just a small example. The clock opening to reveal scenes at Shiz, the Emerald City and Monkey cages was brilliant. The costumes were stunning. They captured the magic of the Land of Oz from the stylish uniforms at Shiz to the stunning gowns of Emerald Citizens - every costume change was so integral to the sets and scenes to create an overall look and feel to the piece.

Vocals and choreography were outstanding. Since the Stage Door team is performing some of these numbers in their show, it was a wonderful opportunity for them to see the energy of the music on stage. From a flip of the wrist or foot movement or "Swish, swish" of the hair, it opened up a new perspective to their interpretation within their own characterization on stage. And of course, as they file away this extraordinary musical theatre production, they are looking ahead to the time when they will be performing this play on their home turf, Upstart Crow Studios.

Yes, much to crow about yesterday. How lucky am I to have such a great job - mentoring some of the greatest kids in the world! We Defy Gravity everyday!

The Cupcakes Are All Put Away

After two weeks of show shut down, the final cupcake was stacked along the wall, the floor was vacuumed and the benches arranged in a row in front of the costume racks. I have spent the last couple of weeks putting away the tea cart, packing away the Beast and his paws and trying to find a place big enough to store Mrs Potts hoop skirt...she was a VERY big woman!

There is always something bitter sweet about closing a show. By the time you get to the end of the run, everyone has nailed their part so well. They all begin to mesh as a cast and the stress of opening night is far behind them. Everyone is eager to go another weekend. The cast party and then its over. You are standing in the middle of a volcanic mass of costumes, shoes, props and scripts that need to sorted, cleaned and put away. The scripts have to be boxed up and shipped back to New York. I am never sure if it takes more time to put the show together or to put it all away.

I do enjoy the quiet. I like to take a day to sort through the costumes slowly, looking for tears, cleaning, finding the container they came from and a place to put the container back when you are done. We are getting quite the collection. With each show, I try to clean out unusable items and pull some for the next show. I remove the cast member's name and for a moment remember something unique or special about them. The little cupcake girls may have been costumed the same but each of them added their own brand of icing to the cake.

Cogsworth's cap and clearing the drawers of the Wardrobe. Babette's hat didn't make it, but Mrs Potts hat should go in the Upstart Crow Studios Hall of Fame. I was thinking how fun it would be to have a case where you could point to such things and remember the story behind it. Each show has its own memories, stories, inside jokes and energy. So putting it all away is time spent savoring the remnants of 60 kids who were beauties and at times, beasts, but were always something to crow about!

Beast, Beast, Where For Art Thou?

It never ceases to amaze me what talents lie in the hearts of our volunteers. Forrest Wilcox is an absolute genius craftsman and has once again outdone himself. From my crude drawing on the back of an envelope and awkward description of impossible scene changes, this master designed and built our balconies for Beast to cry out in despair, our battle to ensue and our townspeople to herald crazy old Maurice.

Add to this genius the set design and painting by our talented Alex D'Souza, Laura Emery, Noel McKern, Doug Fuerst, and Maya Curtinzupan and you will find a magical place to suspend not only your belief, but your worries.

Dr. Hoolala will bring his own brand of magic to the stage as he costumes the wardrobe and makes Cogsworth tick. Lumiere will shine and Cupcakes will giggle in the hands of Seamstress Extraordinaire, Mandi Bussell.

Beauty and her Beast, along with an enchanted castle filled with clattering objects will bedazzle, bewitch and befuddle you as to "how did they do that?"

Come see how we put all these pieces into "play" and create our own very special Upstart Crow Magic! Tickets are disappearing!