OCEAN K-12

Welcome to OCEAN’S Winter 2024 Theater Project!

The OCEAN School is excited to announce that it will be doing a full production of William Shakespeare’s, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in March 2024. Preparations are already underway and will involve many K-12 grade students, parents, as well as local community professionals. This production, directed by professional theatre director (and OCEAN parent), Marc Weinblatt, is set on the west coast of Ireland, and will be lifted by traditional Irish music, performed by a live Session band, under the guidance of Kristin Smith and featuring some OCEAN music students. The magical world of the Irish Fae will come alive with student actors, costumed by local pro, Libby Wennstrom, as well as puppetry, under the guidance of local Puppet Master, Thaddeus Jurczynski. Who knows, we might be lucky enough to see a Leprechaun!

This ambitious school/community project will provide the opportunity to make theatre not only fun and entertaining but also a powerful multi-generational educational experience. In prior OCEAN Shakespeare productions, Kindergarteners who couldn’t yet read, could be heard reciting large sections of verse they overheard and learned from their middle & high school cast-mates.

Kids and Theater Participation

There's a ton of data supporting K-12 theater participation and how it relates to positive social and academic outcomes. We look forward to sharing this information with OCEAN families and providing a free, professionally taught, theater education experience that we believe will give some of our students “the theater bug!”

Auditions

Open to all OCEAN K-12 students and required to act in the play.

Tues, Nov. 28th @ RAFT classroom in BHMS (see teachers for exact location)
9:00-10:30 AM - Elementary - K-5
12:00-2:00 PM - Middle & High School - 6-12

These will be low pressure group auditions and are required to be considered for the play. Physical theatre exercises, improv, and readings from the script, if appropriate, will be part of the audition process. Students will be excused from regular classes as needed in order to participate in auditions.

As cast size is limited, not all students who audition are guaranteed an acting role but everyone is welcome to help out in a variety of other ways (see OCEAN school webpage.) Most major (speaking) roles will likely be played by Middle & High School students. Most of the Faerie realm will likely be played by Elementary students. We will also be looking for a few puppeteers who will play a smaller role in the play, with less rehearsal commitment. Casting will, in part, be informed by actor availability. Please do not audition if you have significant non-negotiable schedule conflicts (see general rehearsal / performance schedule below.) Actors will NOT be required at all scheduled rehearsals in Jan & Feb as we will often be working individual scenes. Saturdays in Feb. plus the first 2 weeks of March, expect to be at all rehearsals.

All students interesting in acting must fill out and turn in an Audition Form:

The form asks for your schedule availability / conflicts in Jan, Feb, March (Parents please verify accuracy.)

Fill out online
Print PDF
Pick up form in OCEAN hallway

Turn in hand-written forms in the "TURN IN" box in the hallway of the classrrom portable.

**Please turn your form in as soon as possible - we'd really appreciate it!**

Note to Parents/Guardians - It is fine to encourage your perhaps uncertain child to try out for the play. Even if they are not sure now, they might enjoy it much more than they think. As educators (and parents), we also want the students to stretch their comfort zone and grow. This play is happening and designed, in part, for that purpose. However, please do not force them to do it. We want actors who want to be there, not resistant cast members. The project will be fun and hopefully amazing. And it’s a team effort - both for kids and the adults supporting the project. Let’s make this a profoundly joyful experience for all! Thanks for understanding.

General Rehearsal/Performance Schedule

(Specific actor calls TBD)

Mon, Dec. 4; 1:40 - 3:40 PM - First Rehearsal (get your scripts and instructions to prep for the play)
Project week - January 2-4 (Tues, Wed, Thurs): from 8:30am - 2:00pm. Details TBA
Jan & Feb Mondays: 1:40 - 5:30 PM
Jan & Feb Thursdays: 2:00 - 5:30 PM
Jan & Feb Fridays: 3:00 - 5:30 PM
Saturdays: Feb. 3, 10, 17 & March 9; 12:30 - 6 PM
Sundays: March 3, 10; 12:30 - 6 PM
March 4-8 & 11-15: 2-6 PM (Tech rehearsals / Runthroughs)
March 15-17 & 22-24: Performances

Students interested in acting in the play must commit to attending rehearsals (Jan through mid-March), when called, and ALL performances. We do our best to minimize the times we call actors to be at rehearsals. Rehearsals, especially early ones, will be broken out by scene so no actor will be required at all sessions until the Runthrough stage. Less time commitment will be required of the Elementary students, unless they are cast in a major role.

*There will be NO rehearsals during Feb. School Break - Feb. 19-23.

We can accommodate students participating in some other activities Jan-March, as long as they are mostly available to rehearse, within reason. * Please note: the Midsummer rehearsal schedule is NOT compatible with Middle & High School Wrestling or Basketball, which generally meet 5 afternoons/week during the winter.

Again, if the acting commitment does not work for you or your family, there are many other ways to be part of this awesome project including: Music (Irish Session band), Puppeteering, Costume construction, Puppet construction, Poster design, Stage Crew, Fundraising, Box Office & Ushers, Concessions, etc..

Any questions, call Marc Weinblatt (360) 301-5321.

5 Performances

(Tentative / Subject to change)
Fri, March 15; 7 PM
Sun, March 17; 2 PM
Fri, March 22; 7 PM
Sat, March 23; 4 PM
Sun, March 24; 2 PM (followed by Cast Party)

All performances are pay what you wish!

Volunteering – Get involved!

There will be plenty of parent help and volunteers needed, and we will define the roles as we progress. 

To become a volunteer in the School District you will need to first:

1. Complete a background check
2. Contact Carrie Baxter with any questions or problems you have along the way: [email protected]

If you know you’re interested in being a part of the project, please email Danny McEnerney to be put on our list at [email protected].

Fundraising & Sponsorship

Because this is the real deal, which means there is a real cost, we will be raising $10k in sponsorships, advertising sales, ticket sales, and individual donations.

Fundraising is the main goal for Fall 2023 and will be headed up by Danny McEnerney. Please contact Danny if you are interested in helping or have any connections that could be made for grants, sponsorships, company matching opportunities, individual donors or would like to help with a to be determined fundraising event.

[email protected]

Production Parents & Staff

“Midsummer” will be directed by Marc Weinblatt, a professional theatre director, educator, activist, and long-time OCEAN parent. Marc previously directed (with Rowen DeLuna) 5 OCEAN student productions from 2011-2015. Marc has also directed multiple plays locally for Key City Public Theatre, including acclaimed Shakespeare-in-the-Park productions of “The Tempest” and “Hamlet.”

Director / Project Coordinator:  Marc Weinblatt
Teacher Lead:  MB Armstrong
Producer:  Danny McEnerney
Tech Director:  Peter Sigmond
Costume Designer:  Libby Wennstrom
Music Director:  Kristin Smith
Puppet Master:  Thaddeus Jurczynski
Stage Manager:  Tobi McEnerney