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[DanBuck]

A huge success!


The Play
A profuound and multi-leveled exploration of lots of issues of politics and character. An especially timely look at the depraved acts a human can commit under the wrong circumstances (I.E. the iraqi prisoners) The second act is too long compared to the first and the wrap-up is a bit clumsy, especially for live theatre where ever scene change requires more time than film. But otherwise, a strong show with some outstanding roles for men.

The Production
My best I've had yet. Lights, set, sound, costume, and make-up ranged from above average to excellent. The performances were VERY strong, especially from some of my male actors. A rarity in HS theatre. Some exciting new talent coming up. Funny moment: My set wasa series of black wooden boxes and platforms that were rearranged between scenes to depict a courtroom, judges' chambers, kitchen, prison, apartment, etc. Part of the set included two ten foot poles that had a long black fabric draped across them in different manners to represent windows, doors, decorations, etc, but the movement and adjustment of them was excruciatingly slow. So in my first dress rehearsal I cut them. One of my actors came to me and said, "Mr. Buck, you're just like the Nazis. Exterminating the poles!"

The Audience
The school has 200 in the high school and has never had a theatre dept. before I came in. Last year our first showhad 180 attendees and this show, (which is our third) had 280. They're buying tickets in advance, they're showing up on time or early. It's great! And they were with us in a very serious play all the way to the end. Good stuff. There is that handful of kids tha can't sit still to save their lives that I want to kick in the head, but overall, I'm training my audience and its quite exciting.

Well, thanks for your prayers.

God bless,

[BethR]

Congratulations, Dan!

Funny--I was just thinking about the Judgment at Nuremberg film this morning. I remember what a powerful effect it had on me when I saw it for the first time my freshmen year at college...and it came back to me as I keep hearing people say they were "just following orders"...