Dear Families,
Good evening, hope everyone enjoyed the weekend!
Rehearsals are going SO well ~ our kids are working hard, learning harmonies, and singing their beautiful little hearts out ~ and with lovely attitudes too, in spite of the long, hot days we've had.
Actor bios and measurements due ASAP Important! Our wonderful volunteer crews are already busy at work creating costumes and programs, and we need information from you ASAP. With *104 COSTUMES *to create, and *68 BIOGRAPHIES *to type up, time is of the essence. Please enter your information here: http://www.theatreinthemountains.org/2015-lion-king-program-input Do it right now! NO wait, I mean, do it right after you read the rest of this email.
Grasslands, Pridelands, who belongs where? If you have been unsure of which animals belong in which scenes, don't dismay... The attached document will show you the path, unwound.
ZULU! The language used in many of the songs from The Lion King is a real language, called Zulu, and is spoken by more than 10 million African Zulu people. Without proper pronunciation, our beautiful songs could sound downright mush-mouthy. By example, the words to the chant in Circle of Life are NOT "Igloo Mama Hello I am Nala" Sooo, this is your chance to pick up an extra language! We urge, encourage (beg? insist?) all families to follow the link below to a video which will help sort through the pronunciations of such odd-looking phrases as: Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba [Here comes a lion, Father] Sithi uhm ingonyama [Oh yes, it's a lion] *Nants ingonyama bagithi baba Sithi uhhmm ingonyama Ingonyama Siyo Nqoba [We're going to conquer]* Ingonyama Ingonyama nengw' enamabala *[A lion and a leopard come to this open place]* http://www.theatreinthemountains.org/2015-lion-king-demo-videos Ngiyacela, (please), spend some time watching and practicing proper diction with your kids. And seriously, imagine how impressed your friends and colleagues will be when you can warn them about an approaching lion in ZULU!
Proper Footwear is Important! Unfortunately, none of our cast members have hooves, or paws, or feet that are otherwise adapted to jungle living. Quite a few children have come to rehearsals in sandals and flip flops. Please don't let them. Closed-toe shoes are required at rehearsals. It's been somewhat obnoxiously hot at Loma and so we understand this might not be ideal, but we really need ALL the kids' feet to stay intact for the big dance numbers ;) A pair of simple ballet slippers are easy to stash in a backpack and could be worn just for practice.
Practice makes Perfect Do YOU, the caregiver, know ALL the words to ALL the songs on the CD? Could you step in as an understudy for ANY character? If so, congratulations, and thank you for listening and listening and listening some more with your kids. The more familiar they are with the music, the more comfortable they will feel on stage, the better they will perform, and the happier everyone will be! In my personal experience with 8 TIM shows and counting, this method is tried and true for our family.
Thank you, thank you all so much for all of the support and encouragement. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Lahlani Kahle, Kate Dwyer Co-Producer, The Lion King 831.818.4232 <831.818.4232>
P.S. NOW you can submit your kid's bio & measurement information ~ http://www.theatreinthemountains.org/2015-lion-king-program-input
Rehearsal schedule can be found here http://www.theatreinthemountains.org/2015-lion-king-rehearsal-schedule