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MENLO US DRAMA’S 2020/2021 SEASON

 

Now Playing: The Virtual Premiere of the Winter Production 

Monologues & Dialogues

This never-before-seen original piece—filmed on our new Spieker Center stage—is a rich tapestry of selections from some of history’s greatest plays. Envisioned in the style of Masterpiece Theatre, it includes works ranging from classical to contemporary.  It runs 54 minutes and is set in two acts. There is no cost to view the show.

Arts are an invaluable and essential component in the triumvirate of Menlo’s academic and athletic curriculum.  Art connects the Menlo community in ways that no other discipline can.  When every student has a voice, our community is stronger.   We have a unique opportunity ahead of us to provide creative and expressive ways to realize both the importance of community and connection during this unprecedented time. 

“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” —Albert Einstein

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou

“Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected” —William Plomer

Upper School Spring Musical: Working 

Show performances will be Friday, April 30; Saturday, May 1; and Sunday, May 2; outdoors on the Upper School Quad.

 lBook by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers, and James Taylor, Susan Birkenhead

The characters of WORKING are everybody you know! The situations are everyday situations. But this musical is anything but ordinary. A different look at the lives of working people reveals a myriad variety of hopes, aspirations, and dreams. In the course of one 24-hour workday, the audience meets and hears stories of various workers including the schoolteacher, the parking lot attendant, the waitress, the mill worker, the mason, the trucker, the fireman, and the housewife. The characters in “Working” are non-fictional characters. Their names have been changed, but their words have not. Even in the ease of song lyrics, the writers have tried to remain as faithful as possible to the character’s original words. In a time where the essential workforce has carried our country on its shoulders, this musical seems to pay appropriate homage to the people that deserve ultimate recognition and praise.

NEW DATE! FEB 28: Audition Videos due by 5:00 pm
FEB 28: Crew Sign Ups due by 5:00 pm
MAR 2: Callbacks announced
MAR 3-5: Callbacks 4:00-6:30 pm via Zoom
MAR 8: Rehearsals begin!

 

Helpful infomation:
 Audition and Callback Information Flier
 Participation Form and Show Calendar
Synopsis and Characters 

Fall Show 2020: Dracula, A Comedy Of Terrors

Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct 31, 7:00 pm, via livestream

Along the treacherous Borgo Pass In the mountains of Transylvania, a meek English real estate agent is on a harrowing journey to meet a new and mysterious client…who also just happens to be the most terrifying and ferocious monster the world has ever known. COUNT DRACULA!!

The story follows the legendary Count Dracula as he travels to England to seduce the woman of his dreams, stirring up danger, magic, sensuality, and silliness.

Bram Stoker’s epic horror story reimagined with a dash of Mel Brooks and a pinch of Monty Python, presented as an old-time radio play. This lightning-fast, comedy is guaranteed to raise your pulse and emit blood-curdling screams of laughter!

We’ve got magic to do, just for you! 

Watch a little bit of Menlo’s Spring 2020 Virtual Pippin! 

 In the Spring of 2020, Menlo Upper School Drama produced their first Virtual Musical.  It was a herculean effort and the result was proof that ANYTHING is possible when we come togehter, stay open-minded and believe in ourselves.  Hat’s off to the cast of Pippin for an incredible (and lasting!) performance.  We’ve got magic to do! 

 

 

 

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Tartuffe Highlights…

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View pictures more here

Cabaret Highlights…

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The cast and crew of Cabaret extend a sincere thank you to all those who continue to support the arts at Menlo! 

View pictures more here

Menlo Drama Gives Back

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Menlo Drama Gives Back raised $2,400 for the Boys and Girls Club of the Pennisula. The Menlo Drama Department strives to ‘Give Back’ both on and off stage. Through donations during our productions, we encourage public support for both national and international programs benefitting people affected by health, wellness, and community issues. To date, Menlo Gives Back has raised and distributed over $45,000 to various charities globally.

The cast of Dracula! chose to support The Boys and Girls Club, Pennisula. BGCP partners with families, schools, and school districts to provide our students with expanded learning opportunities through after school, summer, and school day programming. Since March, we have expanded our services to offer dinners to our community every weeknight.

  Visit https://www.bgcp.org/ for more information.

 

Drama Courses

  • Drama

    Discover your individual voice through this introductory course on the fundamental elements and process of theatre including history and design. Explore today’s theatre through improvisation, observation, and performance. Through theatre games and daily exercises, build confidence and an understanding of what your unique perspective can bring to any material. Voice and movement within units includes musical theatre and scene work. By years end know the purpose of a scene, understand objective, character development and have a solid overview of theatre from a performance and business point of view.

  • Production - Page to Spieker Stage (1S)

    The first hands-on experience exploring and combining design, science, engineering, craftsmanship, art, and presentation inside the new Spieker Center for the Arts, this course is an opportunity to think big. It will cover digital theatrical LED lighting, live sound, production organization and management, set design, tools, construction, scenic painting, costume and prop design. Each student will be encouraged to find his/her own areas of interest. Learn how to safely use the diverse technology and tools of our new theater to take student projects from concept to completion. Students can also learn from working live events, concerts, dance, or theater. We will focus on collaboration, basic skill sets, and creativity.

    Semester 1 Class (but can be done 2nd Semester if needed)

About Menlo Drama

Menlo’s Upper School drama program includes courses in drama and musical theatre in addition to producing full-length plays each fall, winter, and spring. Past productions have included Heathers, Twelfth Night, Cabaret, The Laramie Project, Fiddler on the Roof, The Miracle Worker, Urinetown, The Diary of Anne Frank, and Avenue Q.

Steven Minning

Steven Minning is the Creative Arts and Upper School Drama Director. He has worked as a director and choreographer in New York, and around the world. As an Associate Director he has staged the Broadway, National and International tours of Billy Elliot, The Lion King, Show Boat, The Will Rogers Follies, and Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion. He has directed and choreographed for major events such as State Farm National Agency Convention in Las Vegas, the Coca-Cola Olympic reception in Atlanta and the World Cup opening ceremonies. He teaches drama and musical Theatre.