Dawne Swearingen's choreography was flawless. Her teaching talents shone - I bet no one in the audience knew the majority of the cast had never tap danced before June. They all did well.
Singin’ in the Rain was my second show to ASM at ACU – but my first Homecoming Musical. Fellow asm, Nic Graves, and I were teamed up with Amanda Helland. It was her first homecoming musical as well, so we were all in it together. Since the three of us were all new to the “homecoming musical” is was a little nerve racking at first, but soon after that it was smooth sailing. With the three of us, Amanda divided us up as to not waste our time – Nic went to all the dance rehearsals with Amanda, and I went to the music and blocking rehearsals. Once we got to full runs we were all there, obviously, but it was nice system that other SMs started following after that show because it gave all of us a break once and a while.
This show was kind of a beast for the department because we honestly didn’t have very many strong tappers. The dance callbacks were the pure and simple basics of tap – and those who showed potential to learn were cast… And that was the case, the three leads had never done a tap show before and each of them learned over the summer before rehearsals started. Don, Kathy, and Cosmo all ended up with great reviews about their dancing, and “Good Mornin” was a hit number. The department is tapping again next year for their 2009 Homecoming musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie.
This show reminded me how much fun backstage running crew can be. It is a thrill all its own; getting set pieces in place and making smooth transitions. On top of those transitions, I was honored in being the one who was in charge of the rain during the iconic number at the end of act one. I would literally be bringin' in the rain. I would have to link a hose to the paint sink about 60 feet away, slowly loosen the knob that released the water over the stage that fell onto a special deck that caught the water, and then be sure to cut it off at the right time as to not create excess water. As soon as the number was over the curtain dropped and the entire crew got to work cleaning the stage. It was inevitable that the water leaked onto the main floor, so we were ready with mops, towels, and wet vacs. Until the floor was clean there was no setting up for the top of act two – and we had only ten minutes to do it all. That’s not to mention the poor actor playing Don, Jason Kennedy, who had to dry himself off, warm up, and get ready for the next act in ten minutes. I’m not sure who had it worse…him our us.
Dawne Swearingen's choreography was flawless. Her teaching talents shone - I bet no one in the audience knew the majority of the cast had never tap danced before June. They all did well.