Rake & Take 2015

 

Thanks to the generosity of the Hull community, we were able to raise about $4,000 this year. The students and parents had a lot of fun and worked very hard despite bad weather and chilly winds. Thank you to Lisa Jenkins for organizing, to Dumpster Depot for the dumpsters, to our supporters who hired us, and to all the parents and students who participated.

 

 

 

 

In Rehearsal

Act Three.  Our Town.

Student/Parent Meeting 9/30/15 Summary

Thank you to everyone who came and participated in our Student/Parent meeting to help us get organized for the fall production and its supporting activities.

Here is a summary of the topics at the meeting:

 Rehearsal Schedule is posted on the Theatre Arts page of the High School Website.  As you can see each rehearsal is segmented out in specific slots of time for each scene so that students' time and commitment will be kept to an effective amount.  Please be respectful of the time and care this took and avoid additional conflicts that may result in a casting change.  Should a student have to miss rehearsal, please give Mr. Sullivan as much notice as possible.

Fundraising:

Overview: Overall, I am committed to lowering the budgets for each production to eliminate wasteful spending and over taxing the students, parents and community with excessive fundraising.  A significant change already is occurring with the fall productions now being plays where royalties and production staff will be less of a cost.  It is also my goal to expand the program to include extensive tech training as well.  With students running lights, sound and stage managing we will lower our costs.  These are opportunities that should be provided to students first and foremost.  However, we have a number of capital expenses we need to keep in mind for the future.  We are in need of new wireless mics, new curtains, and a new sound board.

There are two main accounts that fundraising supports.  First, the stipend account (funds for production team and school contracted musicians) is fed through an allocation from the town for Mr. Sullivan's salary, Student User Fees and fundraising.  Second is the activity account (funds for scripts, royalties, paint, materials, and capital expenses- equipment, curtains, etc.) and is fed through student fundraisers, ticket sales, ad book.

Traditionally the Friends of HHSTA raise money for stipends and students raise money for operational.  The only restricted funds are allocation and Student User Fees.  Monies raised by parent booster clubs can be designated to either account if the need arises.  Starting with the first fundraising meeting this year, I will be presenting numbers to the "Friends" groups to clearly illustrate our overall needs for the year.  What we can raise directly effects what we will produce- but no matter what we will continue mounting productions.

Yankee Candle: Yankee Candle packets have gone out. The students are excited for this popular fundraiser.  Online sales are the way to go this year- they make our job a lot easier and we do not have to pay shipping fees.  The sales are already coming in, and Louise Hardison and Rebecca Rosenbaum are our leading students- so far!  Catalogue sales start Oct. 5 and all sales packets must be brought in by Friday Oct. 16th.  Online sales can be kept open through January 1st.  After the first of the year we will award our top three sellers with movie tickets and gift cards.  Please contact Mr. Sullivan if you need more information.

Rake & Take- This is our biggest fundraiser of the year!  This fall fundraiser has been organized by Lisa Jenkins for several successful years and our goal this year is $6k.  Students and parents are needed for this effort which requires drivers, rakes, rakers and large vehicles.  Student leaders talked about the hard work brings them closer as a team/family and can actually be a lot of fun.  Dates are Nov. 10th-15th.  There is no rehearsal this week to support this campaign!  We're asking parents and students alike to please use the handout to sign up for a shift and return to Mr. Sullivan by Monday, Oct. 5th.  Extra handouts are in the office. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Lisa Jenkins (hulloruby@comcast.net) or Mr. Sullivan. 

Hull of an Auction: Gina Froio is the chair of this exciting event coming in January.  Lots of great items are coming in, and ticket sales will have to begin soon.  More information will be available at the next Friends meeting near the end of October.  Watch for a email announcement. 

Baskets and Flower Leis of Money: Susan Jacobvitz has generously donated a money lei (worth over $100) for raffling during our fall production performances.  Also, folks are asked to consider buying extra Yankee Candles or think of creative items for raffle baskets for during the productions.

Cleanup:  We have received a dumpster from admin to throw out old set pieces and damaged items from the trailers.  The first priority is cleaning up the back lot of the school.  We will have the trailers through Friday October 9th.  Anyone who can come after school Monday-Thursday to help clean up the lot and throw out any other items from the stage area is encouraged to come.  Please help us out with this effort!

That's all for now, folks.  Keep an eye out for more information.  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Blogger or watch for more emails. 

Thanks everyone!  Have a great weekend.

Mr. Sullivan

Announcing the Cast List for Our Town

First of all, thank you to everyone who came out and auditioned for our fall production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town.  I am really thrilled with this cast.  We are going to have an amazing show.  See you all on Monday for our first rehearsal.  Please bring a pencil with you.  Scripts will be distributed.

Please remind your parents to join us at 7:30pm on Wednesday, September 30th for a student-parent meeting to discuss the fall production and activities.

Cast List

Stage Manager: Christopher Martone
Emily Webb- Louise Hardison
George Gibbs- Shaun De Oliveira
Frank Gibbs- Cody Preston
Julia (Hersey) Gibbs- Jaime Froio
Charles Webb- James Rosado
Myrtle Webb- Vanessa Nelson
Joe Crowell- Marcus Kurciviez
Si Crowell- Olivia Whitman
Simon Stimson- Erin O’Donnell
Howie Newsome- Cali Mullen
Rebecca Gibbs- Gabrielle Tracy
Wally Webb- Aedan Shannon
Professor Willard- Brianna Bennett
Woman in Auditorium- Eileen Pearlman
Belligerent Man in Auditorium- Hunter O’Brien
Another Woman in Auditorium- Rebecca Rosenbaum
Mrs. Louella Soames- Melaney Jenkins
Constable Bill Warren- Aidan Leahy
Three Baseball Players- Daniel Kraus, Marcus Kurciviez, Hunter O’Brien
Joe Stoddard- Emily O’Donnell
Sam Craig- Brianna Bennett
Man Among The Dead- Olivia Whitman
Another Man Among the Dead- Alison Mitchell
Woman Among the Dead- Rebecca Rosenbaum
Another Woman Among the Dead- Alanna Christine Connors-Duffy
Mrs. Carter – Sophia Tremblay
Ensemble (Emily’s Friends)- Samantha Kraus, Madison McHenry, Emma Forcum

Choir: Vanessa Nelson, Jaime Froio, Melaney Jenkins, Olivia Whitman, Marcus Kurciviez, Eileen Pearlman, Erin O’Donnell, Rebecca Rosenbaum, Samantha Kraus, Madison McHenry, Emma Forcum

The Dead: Louise Hardison, Jaime Froio, Marcus Kurciviez, Erin O’Donnell, Aedan Shannon, Melaney Jenkins, Olivia Whitman, Alison Mitchell, Rebecca Rosenbaum, Alanna Christine Connors-Duffy, Sophia Tremblay, Eileen Pearlman, Madison Mc Henry, Samantha Kraus, Emma Forcum

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Thanks for your participation!

Benefit HHSTA With Your Stop & Shop Card

Go to Stop & Shop A+ Webpage.  On the right hand side where it says "For Customers", click on "register your card".

On the next page it will ask you to enter the first 3 letters of your last name, and also your 13 digit Stop & Shop card number. 

On the next page on the right you can enter our school ID in the box labeled "school 1".  If you are already supporting another program, you can add our ID in the box labeled "school 2".

Our School ID # is: 06155

Hull High School Theatre Arts will earn rewards every time you shop and receive and annual stipend in the spring based on the number of rewards earned that year.  Please share this with your family member or friends.  Already signed up?  No need to re-register.

THANK YOU.

Auditions! Auditions! Auditions!

This Friday at 5pm in the High School Auditorium will be auditions for the Fall production of Our Town by Thornton Wilder (presented by special agreement with Samuel French, Inc.). 

All roles are open.  Students will be asked to read from scenes selected from the play.  The audition is sure to be exciting and fun.

Please be sure to see the HHSTA Web Page for detailed information, including the required documents needed for participation. 

See you there!

HHSTA 15-16 Officers and New Values Statement

Congratulations to the new officers of Hull High School Theatre Arts for the 2015-16 school year.

President: Louise Hardison '16
Vice President: Vanessa Nelson '16
Secretary: Cali Mullen '17
Treasurer: Melaney Jenkins '18

Also, the students tonight voted unanimously to adopt the following as their new values statement:

 "Hull High School Theatre Arts: We foster our collected talents and love of theatre with a disciplined work ethic, respect for our peers and by mentoring students in the lower grades.  We believe a strong collaboration is built on acceptance and non-judgment, a professional level of focus and a desire to always be learning while having fun."

What's that in the air? The scent of a Fall Fundraiser!

Yes!  It's that time again!  We know that many of you have been waiting for this much anticipated annual fundraiser.  Officially our catalog sales begin October 4th and run through October 16th.  This will get your candles in time for Thanksgiving.  However, WHY WAIT!?!  The air is getting a little crisper and why not accent it with some dramatic (see what I did there?) scents like Macintosh, Autumn Leaves, and Pumpkin Pie?  And it's never to early to be thinking ahead to the holidays! 

Here's how you can order online today (through January 1) and have your candles shipped directly to you!

Supporters: Go to: HHSTA Yankee Candle Fundraising Page   Be sure that the information on the page is for HHSTA, if not you can enter our group number: 99632436 and place your order. 

For our student and parent sellers: Go to Sign Up to be a Seller! On the right hand side of the page under SIGN UP fill in our group number: 99632436 and verify your birthdate.  Follow the prompts to create your seller profile so you get the credit for your sales!  Also, you can download the mobile app on the iPhone AppStore or Google Play for Android- lots of fun.  Manage your contacts, post to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and link to your specific selling page! 

Please help Hull High School Theatre Arts make this the most "scent-sational" fundraiser!

Final Car Wash of the Season!

Car Wash to benefit Hull High School Theatre Arts!
Is you car ready for a "dramatic" cleanup?
This Saturday, September 12th from 9am-12pm in Hull at the Divito Realty Parking Lot near A Street, (the same entrance as the School Busses).

$5.00 per car, donations also welcome! Please share with your friends.

Student and parent volunteers are asked to come @8:30am.

Special Meeting for the Election of Officers

A special meeting of the Hull High School Theatre Arts will take place on September 17th from 5-7pm- just before the High School Open House.

Students will be asked to cast their votes on the 2015-16 ballot for officers after hearing speeches from each candidate.  Here is the list of candidates for each office:

President:
Louise Hardison '16
Christopher Martone '16

Vice President:
Sinead McDonagh '16
Vanessa Nelson '16

Secretary:
Jamie Froio '17
Marcus Kurciviez '19
Cali Mullen '17

Treasurer:
Melaney Jenkins '18

Students will also be asked to approve the new values statement for the department.  This statement was drafted based on the results of a facilitated discussion at the first meeting of the year.  Students were asked for specific values that they would like to see remain as lasting traditions within the group to be carried over year to year.  Here is a draft of the new statement:

“Hull High School Theatre Arts: We foster our collected talents and love of theatre with a disciplined work ethic, respect for our peers, and by mentoring students in the lower grades.  We believe a strong collaboration is built on acceptance and non-judgment, a professional level of focus and a desire to always be learning while having fun."

Fall Production Announced

Students were really excited with this years 2015 fall production selection: Thornton Wilder's Our Town. 

Our Town tells the story of the fictional American small town of Grover's Corners between 1901 and 1913 through the everyday lives of its citizens. It was performed on Broadway in 1938 after opening in New Jersey and enjoying a successful run at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston.  The show was a huge success and won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama that same year. 

Our Town has been an extremely popular show for colleges and high schools and is one of the most widely produced show even to this day.  It's universal theme of embracing the present moment and enjoying even the simplest things in everyday life.

Cleanup of HHSTA Inventory and Stock

It has been a long and hot summer for us here at HHSTA.  We have been busy reorganizing the stage, backstage, storage rooms and trailers.  Fortunately a lot of students have participated and are excited for this new era of organization and function for our facilities. 

The work is far from over, however.  Please look forward to more posts for future cleanup and organization nights. 

Welcome!

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