Professional Photos of Our Les Miserables Performance

Thanks to the Greenes' family friend, this is a link to some excellent shots of the show.


I'm told you are welcome to download any that you like. Enjoy!

Open Letter from Mr. Meece to Cast, Crew, Production Team and Volunteers

To the Cast, Crew, Orchestra, Production Team and Volunteers of Les Misérables:


The sound you hear throughout all three of our school’s buildings, and in the community, is the “buzz” created by Newark Charter School’s incredible performances of Les Misérables!


I’m a “fan” of theatre at all levels. Over the years I have probably attended more than 70 high school theatrical productions. In my opinion, and it’s not even close, the finest production I have ever seen is your outstanding performance of Les Mis.


The first thing that stands out is the depth of talent. Some of the cast members have blown me away for years with their singing and acting, which have soared to new levels this year. Equally impressive are the new voices and the voices that have matured so much. What’s really exciting is that there are many young students in the company of Les Mis, and in our Intermediate School productions, who have NCS theatre “stardom” in their near future.


The flawlessness of the performances proved that all the hard work and discipline of countless rehearsals paid off. The dramatic acting, from comic to tragic, connected on an emotional level with the audiences. I saw audience members sitting near me (even some dads!) with tears in their eyes at times. At other times, we were roused to where we felt like jumping on stage with you to “join in your crusade.”


The technical aspects of the show -- from lighting and sound to sets and props -- were most impressive for a high school production. The costumes were just perfect. Our Production Team, along with parent and student volunteers, deserves a round of applause. The work of our directors, choreographers, designers and builders was amazing. If one of us ever wins the lottery, an excellent use of the windfall would be to buy NCS a dedicated theatre with permanent seating to match the high quality of those who perform on its stage.


And then there was the music – so critical to the success of a show like Les Mis. Our orchestra, an incredible mix of students in band and orchestra, as well as professional musicians, performed magnificently. Wow!


Finally, a word to our seniors, most of whom who have graced our NCS stages since they were in middle school. Thank you for pioneering our plays and for setting the bar high for theatre at NCS. From Into the Woods and Castaways to Fiddler on the Roof and Beauty and the Beast – and to your magnum opus, Les Misérables, you have entertained us, you have inspired us, and you have made us very proud.


On behalf of our amazingly talented Director/Producer, Ms. Slease, and the entire NCS faculty and staff, please accept my heartfelt Bravo!


Gregory Meece
School Director

Senior Speech Video

Here is the video of the speeches seniors gave Saturday night.

SET STRIKE and CAST PARTY

It's hard to believe, but we are only hours away from finishing this production. 

Please take a moment and review what needs to be accomplished BEFORE we have our CAST PARTY. Also, parents, please consider HELPING DURING the CAST PARTY. Please bring a DRILL if you own one and can help dismantle large set pieces during the party. 

TO DO BEFORE the PARTY - PARENT/FAMILY HELP NEEDED: 

SCRIPTS - if you have not returned your scripts, please do so in the chorus room BEFORE the performance tonight. There is a $25 fee for any lost scripts.

All CAFETORIUM CHAIRS must be returned to racks EXCEPT those set up for CHURCH tomorrow night. We will defer to our custodial staff on how to help them arrange the chairs properly.

ORCHESTRA CHAIRS, STANDS, LIGHTS, etc. broken down and put away.

All SPIKE TAPE must be removed from stage floor.

LIGHTS and SOUND equipment will be struck by our ElectroSound Engineers and student crew. 

All SCAFFOLDING must but broken down and stacked neatly outside the building in the back to be returned to Home Depot tomorrow. (Please see or contact Mrs. DeLuca if you can help with this.)

All COSTUMES must be returned or stored as per Mrs. Henker's separate email.

All PROPS or FURNITURE you loaned us must be retrieved TONIGHT. They will be laid out on the stage. Anything left after tonight will either be kept if usable or disposed of.

PROP WEAPONS and FLAG - Ms. Slease will be sorting to return to Sanford School, DAST and others. The guns are labeled accordingly.

COSTUME ROOM and ALL HALLWAYS, BATHROOMS, etc. must be cleaned up. 

Once students have finished their clean up, the CAST PARTY will take place in the lobby area outside the school store. 

TO DO DURING THE PARTY - PARENT HELP NEEDED:

Large set pieces will need to be broken down. If you have a DRILL or other helpful tools, please bring them. Tom Way will be there to lead in this effort. Thank you for your help. We are hoping to get the majority of this accomplished during the party. 

We sincerely hope this production has been as wonderful for you as it has been for us. Thank you very much for being a part of this amazing show.

All the best,

Last Les Mis Schedule

Schedule Link

Dress Rehearsal Pictures

SCHEDULE REMINDER - PLEASE READ

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - CALL TIME is 5:00pm. 

Students should GO HOME and return at 5:00pm - with make up on; also please be well hydrated and fed. 

IF this is not possible, please REPLY to this email ASAP.

End time on Monday is 9:00pm (with the possibility if being finished a bit sooner if clean up happens quickly)

End time for Tuesday is tentatively 9:00 but may be shortened. TBD

End time for Wednesday is tentatively 10:30 but may be shortened. TBD

There is NO rehearsal on Thursday.

CALL TIMES for evening SHOWS:

FIGHT CALL: 5:00pm (Pat & Ben S; Tyler & Caroline, Brooke & Caroline)

ALL OTHER CAST & CREW CALL: 5:30pm

CALL TIME for Matinee SHOW:

FIGHT CALL: 11:00am (Pat & Ben S; Tyler & Caroline, Brooke & Caroline)

ALL OTHER CAST & CREW CALL: 11:30am

Wed., Feb 8 BRUSH UP REHEARSAL 2:30-5:30 ALL CAST and CREW

Cast Party and Set Strike:  Sat., Feb. 11 from 10:30-11:30pm

Thank you for your flexibility and support.

IMPORTANT Costume Message

We're so excited to see everyone's final costumes at the end of this week!  Some students will be bringing costumes for review on Friday.  Others (who aren't called Friday) will bring everything to Sunday's dress rehearsal. Here are a few final notes and instructions.

Everyone:

• If you are planning to buy a basket from me, bring $3 to rehearsal on Monday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday. I will give you a basket with your name on it.
• If you are bringing your basket, make sure your name is on the rim (or side), so that it's easily visible.
• Wear biker shorts, camisoles, leggings, tights, spanx - whatever you need for modesty with costume changes... and plan to wear these for our costume checks too.
• As of this weekend, your FULL costume will STAY at school. 
• Put your name inside every item - either use a sharpie or masking tape.

If you borrowed something from me that you DON'T need for your costume: Bring it back this weekend.

Marius: I made a white bandage for you to wear with your red robe. Please bring both your burgundy and blue cutaway coats (we may pick one for you to wear at the barricade).

Judge: We have a wig for you. You should have a black robe. If you don't have this, let me know.

Wedding girls & Mme Thenardier: Remember your gloves and shoes (ballet flats or low heels). We are borrowing petticoats for a few of you to wear with your gowns.

Sailors: We have sashes for all of you (I think), and floppy hats for the 3 who sing.

Bishop: Bring your cord-belt, a crucifix necklace, and a priest hat.

Enjolras: We hope to have your vest ready by this weekend.

Prisoners: Remember, bare feet for this scene... not boots.

Factory Workers: We have hats/aprons for all of you.

ABC, Gavroche, gang and barricade actors:  We will have red/white/blue rosettes for most (or maybe all) of you to wear.

Fantine & Cosette: From what I understand, Fantine's dress is done, and Cosette's wedding gown should be ready soon. Mrs. O'Neill will be bringing these to school.

Have a great week. Thanks again, everyone!  

Mrs. Henker

NO CAST CALLED Wednesday, Jan. 18. ONLY CREW until 5:00pm

Due to a recent increase illness as well as end-of-marking-period academic pressures, we are NOT having a cast rehearsal on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Cast, please REST, DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS and do ALL YOUR SCHOOL WORK on Wednesday. We will see you on Thursday.

Instead, only the CREW will be meeting until 5:00pm on Wednesday. Mrs. DeLuca will be notifying them separately about this.

Schedule for Costume Call Friday, Jan. 27

SCHEDULE of January 27, 2017 Costume Check with Mrs. Henker

LINK

Latest Schedule and Make Up information

MAKE UP information

Schedule beginning Jan. 17, 2017 thru Feb. 11, 2017

Week of Jan 9 schedule

Please see this week's schedule.

Please note Tuesday and Wednesday as they are not all cast all until 5:30. Read dismissal times and cast calls carefully.

Schedule Notice for January

Happy New Year!

Rehearsal END TIME is now 5:30pm.

Linked here is the schedule for this week. Overview listed below:

Tuesday, Jan. 3: ALL CAST

Wednesday, Jan. 4: SELECT CAST

Thursday, Jan. 5: ALL CAST

Saturday, Jan. 7 ALL CAST
Please note: DIFFERENT CALL TIMES and END TIMES- Review carefully and ask us if you have any questions.

Please prepare for your scenes PRIOR to rehearsal each day. Only 14 rehearsals left before TECH begins!

NCS Alums Help with Stage Combat and Rifles

These videos are for Caroline, Brooke, Tyler and barricade soldiers. Ben Walker and Luke Moran helped with stage combat and rifle handling today. They enjoyed their visit, by the way, and were very impressed with everyone!

Rifle props Video

Fantine Assault at Docks

Fantine fight at factory

Latest Schedule plus special guests!

Schedule for Monday, Dec. 19 and Tuesday, Dec. 20.

Detailed Plans for Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016

SCHEDULE

Here's the schedule for tomorrow. Looking forward to getting a lot accomplished.

COSTUME Message- Please read

This is a copy of the email sent out Sunday, Dec. 11.

For sake of time, we have decided to streamline the costume process to include some digital sharing via email. Please identify EVERY costume/role that defines you and adhere to the following plans:

First, these roles need to SUBMIT a FULL BODY PICTURE of your costume INSTEAD of wearing it on Saturday, Dec. 17 to rehearsal. Deadline is still next Saturday, however if you have it sooner, send it along when you can. Email: DianeHenker@gmail.com. You DO NOT need to bring or wear the following things on Saturday unless noted further down the message below.

DIGITAL PICS via EMAIL ONLY:

Townsperson/Beggars

Nuns

Bishop

Old Woman

Javert (we'd like to see what you have so far)

Thenardier (we'd like to see what you have so far)

SATURDAY, Dec. 17:

These roles need to COME wearing your costume, but either have other clothes underneath or bring casual clothes to change into after costume check. The sequence here is our plan beginning right at 9:00am.  We hope to conclude within one hour so please be ready to go on time.

STAGE COSTUMES:

1. Convicts & guards (guards, your jackets are coming)

*Laborers, we will add newsies-style caps & vests. We may have some vests and hats backstage. If you have something that might work, please bring. Otherwise, we'll send you back to look on Saturday. Gwen Ryan, can you help with this?

2. Thenardier’s Gang & Eponine in dress, then switch into pants

3. Gavroche’s Gang & Gavroche (Annie, we have some pieces for you. Bring what you have)

4. ABC Society & Enjolras

5. Factory Women (this is your townsperson outfit, girls) & Foreman

6. then keep ABC women on stage (we may ask you girls to modify your costume somehow, like with a new headscarf or something...)

7. Marius, Cosette, and Valjean in day costumes from Act One

8. Young Cosette and Young Eponine

AFTER STAGE COSTUME TIME - FITTINGS in Band Room:

9. Women’s wedding dresses & Mme. Thenardier * GIRLS, PLEASE wear Spanx or something similar if you have them. These dresses may be snug.

10. Constables try on jackets we borrowed

11. Ben Strong- please bring in everything you have to meet with Mrs. Henker during lunch

12. Lovely Ladies- bring what you have gathered. Sewing work will be in the afternoon on Saturday. Please refer to the following schedule for more details.

Following the stage costume time, rehearsal will formally begin. The people in fittings will join rehearsal when they are finished. 

If your costume was not mentioned in this message, we have probably already talked to you and have plans underway. If you have any other questions pertaining to Saturday's plans please reply to this email. 

If you have questions pertaining to costumes in general, please email Mrs. Henker DianeHenker@gmail.com.

Thanks!

Blast From the Past..It's Splurge-tastic!

This is a little video I made during our production of "Bugsy Malone."

Rehearsal Schedule from Nov. 28 thru end of December

Here's the SCHEDULE link. Keep in mind it's a live doc so if we need to change things, we may. We will always notify you of any changes. Feel free to print this schedule out but be aware that changes may happen.

Thanks!

Dec 17 Schedule and Sewing Group Details

Please review this schedule carefully. You'll see that some of you are only called from 9:00am until 12:00 noon. Also, we are hoping some of you and your family will help Mrs. Henker with a Sewing Group during that afternoon. Please ask your family and friends if they'd like to help. Maybe you have friends not in the show but they'd be interested in helping with this. That's fine. Just RSVP to Mrs. Henker. Details inside the schedule document.