Coach White's INDY 4 comments on FILMSPOTTING!

Well, Whit and I got pretty upset with Adam and Matty's comments about INDIANA JONES AND THE CRYSTAL SKULL...so we wrote them, and they responded.

Download this week's podcast and forward to the 30 minute mark. It's pretty cool.

[FILMSPOTTING is a really terrific podcast about movies that is produced by Chicago Public Radio and hosted by two really smart guys, Adam Kempenaar and Matty Robinson. You should listen every week.]

Idea incubating for DRAMA III HONORS...

What if we make a digital feature film rather than a play next fall...and what if it has an accompanying website like this one?

MANN SHOW, COURSES OFFERED, 2008/9

We'll see the same schedule as this past year:

1st Period, DRAMA II. Next year's version of the class will feature a different sort of emphasis on acting than this past year's. The class will be a studio-style, acting workshop focusing on scene studies, voice, and movement.

3rd and 7th Period, FILM CRITICISM. Same tried and true format, with even fewer written quizzes...twenty never-before-used films (and fifteen or sixteen from years previous)...and a completely new final project.

5th Period, DRAMA III HONORS. The class will run much like this past year's class did. The first semester will focus on the production of a play (not unlike this year's THE DINING ROOM), the second on the Spring Production. ALL class members will participate in both productions. Oh yeah...and expect more SLINGS & ARROWS!

6th Period, DRAMA I. There will be Fall and Spring semesters of this introductory class built around a new edition of our textbook, THE STAGE AND THE SCHOOL. Students (mostly freshmen) will be exposed to all aspects of the theatre: performance, history, literature, and production.

Questions or suggestions? What are they? I want to know.

Congratulations to our Mann Show 2008 Award-Winners!

This year, MANN SHOW 2008 recognizes fifteen students for outstanding achievements in the arts.

"Rookie of the Year" is given to a freshman or sophomore who exhibits exceptional talent in the theatre arts. This year's "Rookie of the Year" award is shared by PAULEY FRANCISCO and GRACE MUSSER.

Several Creative Excellence Awards are being presented this year. For his work as writer and technical director for TEENAGE JONNY QUEST IN TOKYO, MANN SHOW 2008 recognizes PHILLIP CALVIN. For his stand-up comedy, improvisational skills and video production excellence, LUKE DOUGLAS is recognized. NOELLE LAI is recognized for her hard work designing, buying, and building costumes for two full length plays. ROSS OVINGTON is recognized for his writing and acting on TEENAGE JONNY QUEST IN TOKYO, but also for his art direction. As is ADAM SILER and MOOSE VONWALTER who made exceptional contributions to the sci-fi fantasy design of the play.

As the "Most Valuable Players" in this year's Spring Production, MANN SHOW 2008 awards its MVP Award to Stage Manager, BROOKE ALBERSON, Associate Producer, BRANDON BROWN, and all-around hard worker, JUSTIN SEAY.

And finally, MANN SHOW 2008 presents four Career Achievement Awards. To JAY BRIDGEMAN for his work as actor, master carpenter, and outstanding drama student. To JOCELIN LEHNER for her work as actor and outstanding drama student. To MICHAEL REALMUTO for his career work as an actor and drama student--and writer of TEENAGE JONNY QUEST IN TOKYO. And to KNOX WHITE for his work as writer on TEENAGE JONNY QUEST IN TOKYO, his career as an actor at Mann, and his consistently excellent work as a drama student.

Congratulations to these talented theatre students!


MANN SHOW 2007 AWARD WINNERS

MANN SHOW 2009

MANN SHOW 2009 President JOHN AWADALLA will be announcing his picks for President-Elect (must be a rising Junior) and Secretary here on the blog on Monday, May 19. Class representatives will be elected next fall.

Let him know if you have suggestions, posting here on the blog. The J.L. Mann drama club will be much more ambitious next year. John's looking for smart, hard-working, and creative individuals to make our plans come true.

Also, ideas for next spring's production may be posted here, too. What do you want to see us do?

STAND ON YOUR ART

OK, guys...what do you think? Let'r rip!

Show's Over...New Project?

Some of you folks helped me make an AMAZING treehouse earlier this school year.

Now I'm thinking of another backyard project...