Hadestown Set and Costume Help - Needed ASAP!

If you have yet to hear, the musical for our Fall 2025 season is...... HADESTOWN!

We are exceptionally excited about this show and can't wait to get started.

That said, we are need of a parent or two with a truck to get some large barrels and costume boxes from Hillcrest High School.  I can only fit a few of the costume needs in my car, so it would help immensly to have a BIG truck or two medium trucks. We would schedule a time in the next two weeks that works for you and the teacher at Hillcrest and then you would bring them back to Alta High School and myself and some students can help with unload. 

If there is ANYONE who has a little time this OR next week, we can coordinate a time and make it happen.  Please email me (Struiks) ASAP: linze.struiksma@canyonsdistrict.org 

Let's make Hadestown happen! 

Hair/Makeup and Tight needs for Meta - Friday Announcements!

 Hello Meta cast!

Below are the characters you are going to represent on Friday's photo shoot and pictures of hair and makeup styles.  Please look over things and bring appropriate needs for Friday's pictures.  Remember, we ARE doing headshots before, so have normal hair and makeup ready by 12:40pm on Friday and a PLAIN colored shirt of your choice.  

You will then have until 1:30pm to be FULLY ready for pictures.  Shelby will guide y'all to what she would like and Mya/Kate may help with guiding and direction - please allow them to be the leaders and listen as they present ideas to try. We will take pictures for about an hour and then hang up costumes NEATLY and be fully ready for rehearsal time in the Little Theatre at 3pm. That is the Friday schedule! Those who are in Alta Idol rehearsal, bounce back and forth as needed and we will see you when done in the Little Theatre. 

Midas – Ethan Regan

Marigold – Kailyn Mortensen

Alcyone - Cara Barnes

Ceyx (bring stuff we discussed from home, please!)– Nate Coleman

Iris and Hermes (EITHER; choose) – Leah Memmott

Lucina – Kaylee Cannon

Sleep and Fear (EITHER; choose) – Maddy Jones

Erysichthon – Ainsley Cardall

Hunger (dreads are in the girl's dressing room for you!) – Hallee Wasden

Oread – Mercedes Nye

Orpheus – Taylor Fairbourn

Eurydice – Chloe Hinman

Eros – Niv Raz

Pomona – Kate Eberhardt

Vertumnus (See Struiks Thursday after school to try-on clothes) – Kason Seamans

Ceres – Alyssa Read

Philemon – Preston Smith

Psyche - Layna Johnson

Ensemble Dress -  Izzy Walbeck

Ensemble Dress – Remy Parker

Townsperson Outfit– Jacob Wilson

Ensemble Dress – Jett Smith

Ensemble Dress– Emiline Johnson

Ensemble Dress (see Struiks Thursday to try one on right after school)- Audrey Bluth

Narrator Dress – Aubree Hewlett

Narrator Dress – Shelby Betenson

Narrator Dress – Tessa Osborne

Narrator Dress – Ruby Swallow

Narrator Dress - Kendra Jones

** Extra gold gear for embellishments is in the dressing room for Gods to use on picture day! This day will also help us see what is still missing and we need to get. :)

Hair pictures for inspiration - ALL genders, choose a style that keeps your hair OUT of your face completely - practice before Friday to know you can do it, OR ask for help from someone in the cast:

Things you need to have at rehearsal with you by February 3rd:

Ladies - a modesty under-garment and footless tights for anyone in a skirt at any point.  Links are below for options if needed. 

Link to footless tights: http://bit.ly/3E0MSaK

Link to other footless tights: https://bit.ly/3Ck306u

Link to modesty leotard (my fave one): https://bit.ly/4g7gvnW 

Link to other leotard: https://bit.ly/42nmoKn 

Gentlemen - modesty undergarments

Links to Shorts: https://bit.ly/4jq05tK

Link to tops: https://tinyurl.com/msdw73tu 

** If you don't have this by Friday, bring nude, white, or light colors for under your white clothing 

Here are some links to videos for basic stage makeup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csosHts7IU8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA04MbwawUg 

If your character wants to do anything specialty with makeup, can you please check off your ideas with me by next Wednesday with some pictures to show me. 

Hunger, Cold, Fear - I'm thinking gorgeous zombie or like the pictures below in colors that show your character.... you just have to be able to put it on in time, so start thinking about that. 

MEAN GIRLS: Reminders and Announcements

"Mean Girls" season is upon us!  We are at the point where things begin to be full steam ahead and we could not be more excited.  PLEASE READ THE WHOLE MESSAGE.  A few reminders and things to know:

1) Tomorrow, grade checks are due.  PRINT your grades and bring them to rehearsal after school tomorrow - if you are missing rehearsal bring them earlier or by the next day. You will fold them in half, hand them to Addi and she will give them to me once all collected.  No exceptions - I need to check everyone. 

2) If you have ANY donations - clothing, accessories, props - we need them ASAP!  I have some parents coming tomorrow to help sort through whatever we get so we can begin costuming and filling in the gaps. Please bring donations TOMORROW!  Anything that time period helps! 

3) If you are on this list below, our costume team would like to see you after school ON OCTOBER 10TH for a little mini-fitting at 2:45-3:45pm in the Green Room of the PAC; they might not need you the whole time, but please stop by for what you can: Abby Carpenter, Leah Memmott, Emma Sweat, Hallee Wasden, Kason Seamans, Ethan Regan, Niv Raz, Jakob Payne, Kennadee Hewlett, Aubree Hewlett, Madelynn Chatwin, Xylia Stennet Luke, Christian Holyfield, Izzy Walbeck, and Connor Lyon.  If this is NOT possible, send me an email. Please bring your jeans, shoes, and any costume pieces you want to use that you already own. 

Remember, EVERYONE ELSE will me checking off with Tamara the next day during rehearsal.  You need all of your pieces too with you on Wednesday OR a picture of you wearing them - not just the pieces.  A picture of you wearing them. 

4) This is the week to start having really clean dances and songs, so prepare to be tested as needed - you know what practice you need so be solid on your parts! Dance and songs checks are bound to happen! 

5) The #pinkwednesdayalta contest begins this week!  Please spread the word around and repost when it is put up on Instagram.  We want to start really getting people aware of the show and gearing up for the incredible run.  Wear Pink on Wednesdays and you should enter too!!!

6) Lastly, I will be reaching out to people this week to be our "Stupid with Love" dancers for next week - if you are not free on the 17th, please do not accept the role. :) I want to highlight people as much as we can, but also need you there on those rehearsal days. So excited - it's going to be a fun week!

P.S. Drama Club in Wednesday - it's a costume contest and halloween bash from 2:45-3:45pm; all are welcome and we'd love to have you there.  Join Drama Club! 

Mean Girls - UPDATED for all cast on costume needs and dances! CAST READ ALL!!!

 Hey Team! 

I am so proud of all of the work you have already put in so far.  These past two weeks you have had a lot thrown at you and your hard work is paying off!  This is going to be a great show. A couple of reminders...

READ THROUGH THIS WHOLE EMAIL!!!   IT IS IMPORTANT INFO! 

1)  You are responsible to know your music inside and out - if I feel singing isn't where it needs to be, we will have to add some extra hours for practice time and testing time.  I really would like to avoid that.  Thus, my request is that the time you have off the next two weeks you use to get solid on your music and feel ready to go in case testing DOES happen mid October. I want our audiences to be blown away this year with the epic choral sound and I think this is the show we can do that! 

2) WE WILL TALK ABOUT THIS IN DETAIL TODAY! You are responsible for getting a few things for your costume/makeup - those things are listed below:

 - Gentleman need a white or skin tone tank top and black or neutral shorts for under your costume; this is so modesty and appropriate attire is always taking place even with costume changes and will be worn each night of the show and tech weeks.  These are not in leu of other undergarments - they go on top. I would SUGGEST getting two so you can wash things as needed and not forget them. Here are some suggested links, but you can find your own too: 

White Undershirts

Black Under-Shorts

 - Ladies need a neutral undershirt to keep on at all times and black under shorts. I like wearing a snapping nude leotard with black shorts over it, but again, do what is best for you - an undershirt is fine. Here is what I use and they use at a lot of local community theatres. You also need Opaque Nude Tights - EVERYONE needs them! Make sure they aren't see through.  

Nude Leotard with Snaps

Nude Tank-Top

Black Shorts

Nude Tights

HAVE THESE THINGS ABOVE AT REHEARSAL ON OCTOBER 23rd!!!!!

ALL GENDERS: We need you to look through and bring a pair of jeans you could wear/pants of the 2000s... it's a lot of what is worn today and pants YOU are comfortable in are ridiculously hard to find for us.  So, you can use something you own and check it off with me (or our costume lady, Tamara) or buy something from Savers/DI and turn in the receipt for reimbursement - we will then keep what you buy if you turn in a receipt. We are also asking you to bring a pair of shoes that could work for your costumes.  Again, modern ones like Converse, Doc Martins, plain shoes are totally fine.  They are SO hard to find for individual's feet!  Again, you can buy from Savers/DI if needed, but if you turn in a receipt we will keep them.  If everyone can provide pants and shoes that might work - we can fill in the gaps!  Each person will have two outfits with layers, so if you have other skirts, shirts, jackets to share or you want to use yourself that look the time period, PLEASE bring them.  

ALSO, some people have been donating softly used clothing, backpacks, lunch sacks, etc. that are early 2000s style - THANK YOU!  IF you have anything to donate, please bring that in by October 3rd (our new favorite day!) so we can go through things and sort possibilities.  If you are passionate about your character dressing a certain style, you'll be the one finding things IF we don't have those options - otherwise, we will have some options for you and put you in what works best for our show vision.  

You will check off your ideas with Tamara on the 10th or 11th of October - bring them with you OR bring a CLEAR picture on your phone of all things to show.  IF you are someone who struggles to find things in your size (small, large, whatever) please plan to show us your things on OCTOBER 10TH!  We want to get a jump start on helping you! 

I will provide a clear bin for all accessories and shoes - you will label it with your name and stack them under your "getting ready space" in the makeup room.  If you need more than that bin for hair and makeup things - we will talk more about this in October - you will need to provide another box or shoebox. 

For hair and makeup I am going to offer a lot of freedom based on 2000s hairstyles.  I will post some ideas in two weeks you can experiment with over Fall Break.  Then, you will be prepared to show me those hairstyles and makeup choices that last week of October. I will provide butterfly clips and a few crimpers... :) 

** PLASTICS: You will need to start looking at what heels/platforms, etc. you may want to wear... we need to get them in the next two weeks to practice dancing in them! Think things that will match with pinks and whites predominantly.  

**Featured Dancers: You will need character shoes for the opening; please see me if this is an issue.   Susan prefers tan, but if that's not possible let me know.  Also, if you need tap shoes let me know and I know London has a chunk of extra ones.  I would like to use all of you in STOP if possible.  

** ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TAP: If you want to get taps and learn, you can try out for a spot in STOP.  We will use as many people as can keep up with the choreography and are willing to learn... so it's your call if you're in an ensemble and wanna give it a shot.  I say go for it, but if that's the case, get tap shoes NOW!  

ANIMAL COLORS: 

Lions – blacks; these are dancers need all blacks

Birds – blues

Gorillas – dark dark brown clothes

Gazelles – cream colors or light light brown 

Elephants – gray clothing

3) The link to the dances is below.  You will find all of them uploaded to that google drive as soon as possible from here on out - review them and know your part back and forth.  We do NOT have a lot of review days because time is crunched.... Therefore, YOU need to make the effort to practice in downtime and free-time and be solid.  We will be testing dances that last week of October and adjusting accordingly.  Please take that as motivation - if you want a spot in front during spacing time, you better work hard for it! If you need help, London (Susan's assistant), Miranda Stokes (Ensemble Dance Captain) and Ava Stagg (Featured Dance Captain) are great people to ask.  They will be reviewing and knowing dances to help you out, but is YOUR responsibility to ask for help and not at the last minute. 

Dance Videos Found Here!

4)  Lastly, start gearing up for a fun contest for the WHOLE SCHOOL.  The second week of October we will begin #pinkwednesdays where students can win prizes for uploading pictures to Instagram with that hashtag and having the best "Mean Girls" and Pink outfit!  Prizes will range from candy, stickers, other swag and even a grand prize of free tickets! Spread the word to get outfits ready for EVERY Wednesday starting October 11th! 

Here is the updated October calendar - please note changes on pink days and review needs:

Again, I am excited to share this incredible show with our community and come together these next few months.  The limit to how much fun we can have does not exist!  See what I did there?  Not sorry... 

REFERENCE PICTURES FOR CLOTHING: 

Pre-Tech Week Announcements! (Live tickets, time changes, etc.)

Pre-Tech Week is upon us and so are the late hours and wonderful memories to be made!  Thank you for the amazing efforts from all of the cast and crew on Saturday - we got SO much accomplished and I really am starting to see the show come together beautifully. 

With this week a few reminders:

1 - Student, do homework in your downtime and stay on top of school assignments.  Do them in down time and advisory so you can get rest and sleep when you get home each night.  This week times are listed as TBD - this will likely be around 8:30-9pm.  [Parents: I will NEVER keep you kids past nine.  If they are getting home way later, this is NOT because of rehearsal.] Be prepared, but getting rest when you are home.  Also, drink lots of water and don't just eat halloween candy... :) 

2 - Parents, we NEED your help to make dinner nights work for your students.  Remember I do this so the kids can bond and spend time together, it ends up being cheaper to split up meals, and then kids aren't rushing in their 45 minutes for dinner to drive and eat.  We can ONLY make these dinners work if everyone pitches in and helps.  If you need to submit receipts, you can - I just physically don't have the time to get/make food.  I really do value and appreciate all of the help you give and the students really love that time together to chat and just be together.  

3 - Tickets go on sale tomorrow on ShoVation.com!  I am SOOOOO excited to announce that ALL tickets are on sale tomorrow.  Gala tickets can still be purchased until the 14th, so if you decide later to go or have a neighbor/friend who wants to join, we would LOVE to pack the Gala so all the students have family and/or friends there. Plus, you get to interact with your actors in character... which is pretty awesome.  Regardless, get on and purchase tickets for all nights tomorrow!  Remember the 18th is a special treat in that it's our understudy night.  Come then and another night and it's like seeing two whole new shows! Oh, and if you're willing to hang up a poster or two at work, have your student grab some as we have some extras and want to advertise. 

4 - Start bringing makeup, hair stuff, and ALL costume pieces every day now -this includes all shoes needed.  You CAN store them at school and I will lock the makeup room and dressing rooms. 

5 - If anyone has a power-washer (for an old fridge), power inflater (for a zillion balls/big balloons) we would REALLY love to borrow them for a day or two.... anyone?  Let me know! 

6 - Lastly and VERY important... The company who is hired to take off the pit top so we can actually use the orchestra pit can only do this on November 6th and it takes ALL day.  That said, I would like to get some dance cleaning in AND a full run on Friday as we will need to NOT have rehearsal on November 6th.  This will ONLY work if we can come in few hours earlier on the 5th.  What makes this perfect is that it is a remote learning day and we can fill in some time then.  I'll trade you 6 hours on Saturday for 2 extra hours on Friday.  Please plan on Friday, November 5th to be there by 12:30pm and then stay till our normal evening time.  This schedule change is not only necessary, but congrats, you get this next Saturday off and are free to rest and recoop before final tech week and the show! 

STUDENTS - please tell your parents to read through this whole things.

PARENTS - please tell your kiddos to read through this whole thing. :)

Y'all are amazing - super stoked to share the BEST NIGHT EVER with you and the cast soon!!!

Musical Updates (Mandatory Read!)

 Hey all!

Here's a few things to be mindful of over the break:

1 - Please practice dances and songs; we will check off parts on Tuesday and Friday and I need to know y'all are solid moving forward.  Solid doesn't mean perfect - it means you know it and are working hard - it WAS clear yesterday who had practiced and who had not since we learned the dances/songs.  Please make this a priority at least two days over break for a little while to ensure we are solid moving forward.  33 days!

2 - Those in the tap number you NEED to have your shoes ASAP for this to work.  Please work to get them here this NEXT WEEK so we can clean the dance if you don't already have them.  If needed you can buy some shoes in that sytle and order taps to attach - I just know tap shoes are easier.  Here's a link if you haven't ordered them yet, but I'm hoping you have....

https://www.amazon.com/Linodes-Leather-Dance-Shoes-Shoes-Black-5-5M/dp/B08395Z46Q/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=tap%2Bshoes&qid=1634184267&sr=8-13&th=1&psc=1

If you need help, reach out.

3 - Remember you need your other clothing items and makeup by the 30th, but this weekend with down time may be a good time to go shopping. :) 

4 - Irey sent out a signup for T-shirt sizes today.  Please get on and fill that out with your name and size so we get you the correct one.  I would like to order shirts next Monday night, so take time to do that this weekend. 

5 - Next grade checks are due on October 26th (PRINTED and brought with you).  Please do what you need to do to be solid on grades at the end of quarter - that determines if you continue with the musical or I have to ask you to step out and focus on academics.  That will be a painful conversation, so those of you behind, grades are you NUMBER ONE priority over this weekend.  Well, all of you - academics are number one, so be sure and get those grades up! :)

6 - Memorize! For those required to memorize lines, those are to be SOLID by Tuesday.  I understand calling line here or there, but we really do need to be fairly solid on spoken lines and lyrics in songs this next week to make the show work.  If you need help, have a parent or friend run lines with you and make it fun!  I want you to be successful so take time to practice over break with lines.

7 - THANK YOU.  Thank you for all of the hard work you're putting in and effort in rehearsals.  I know we push you, but you rise to the occasion again and again and I feel so thankful to have each of you on the "team." I really do have the best job... keep up the good work, push yourself, and know it's all for a good cause and amazing result in the end.  I am PROUD of you!  Also, THANK YOU for the kindness I am seeing.... so many of you are reaching out to the person sitting on the side or inviting someone to chat.  So many of you are complimenting each other or cheering after each dance... I am beyond impressed and THAT is the best thing you can learn from this show - KINDNESS is King.  SO PROUD! 

8 - Last, enjoy the break!  Take time for you!  I am going to sign off from my email and the blog, etc. until Sunday because I need some mental health and me time - I'll check in at that time, but before that, please be understanding and patient with my responses.  Take care of yourself, stay hydrated, have some fun, and get some sleep. Love y'all appropriately! :) 

Spongebob Cast Supply Needs - What to donate for set and what to buy for makeup/costuming!

Below are the thing you will need to pick up to wear under or with your costumes.  I have attached OPTIONS, but you can find your own in a very similar or the same style.  I just looked for well-priced options.  Read through the WHOLE post as multiple parts may apply to you and you will need all the items for YOUR characters!

Please have all costume pieces and shoes by October 30th!

Women in Skirts, Bikini Bottom Boogie people, and Electric Skates – You need to purchase tights in a color that looks good with your outfit. Please be sure they are thick enough to not rip and hold up through the run. I would get two pairs just in case you want to wash them between days. If you do, please get them in the same color. 

Tights

Bikini Bottom Citizens (whole cast) you will need to purchase a NUDE-COLORED camisole/tank-top leotard. If you are more comfortable, you can purchase NUDE-COLORED compression tank-top or camisole and NUDE-COLORED compression shorts in leu of a leotard. I would also grab loose shorts to wear over your compression pants/leotard when not in costume.  This will keep modesty in changing and sweat from coming through your costume. 

Tan Leotard

All Bikini Bottom Citizens - You will also need to get TAN OR BLACK jazz shoes to wear throughout the show.  A few scenes have specific shoes, but on other scenes, we want you in jazz shoes to dance with safety.  Here are some options of ones to get:

Jazz Shoes

Sea Anemones - You need to get black tap shoes that will work for you and we CAN buy these back at the end if you have an itemized receipt and they're in good quality (not perfect) condition.  Up to you if you want to keep them or get reimbursed!  You will also need to get black NOT see-through leggings/tighter pants, a black shirt, and black socks/tights to wear under your costume. 

Simple Sponge Dancers and BFF Dancers- You need a long sleeve black shirt, long black pants, black socks, and dark shoes. 

If anyone has pirate looking gear or costumes you're willing to lend, we would GREATLY appreciate it!  We also need two Pirates Baseballl Jerseys if anyone has them?! 

Makeup-wise all need to have foundation and powder that match your face, eye liner (black or brown), and blush or contour. Ladies you need mascara as well, and boys it’s an option for you. You will need makeup by October 30th!  I did NOT provide links for makeup because it's going to store and matching it to your skin.  Ask for help if you need it! 

For this show everyone has normal stage makeup - heavier than normal makeup in everyday life. I think it would be fun to add your own color highlights, eyeshadow, and sparkles that are specialized to YOUR character.... I will be having you bring your makeup on October 30th and doing your makeup design so it can be checked off, so have the fun colors and ideas ready by then.  Those who are gone that day will need to take time on your OWN to complete your makeup, take a few pictures and submit them BY the 30th for check-off.

I do have some makeup sparkles to add to people, but if you want specific things, you can get those. If you don't know HOW to do basic stage makeup watch THIS video and practice before the 30th!!!

Basic Stage Makeup Video

We will talk hair later and you won't need much on your own for this... I think that's it!  Excited to see everything come together on the 30th! 

LASTLY, we are still looking for some old buckets 2 more water barrels if anyone has some.  Thanks!