Student Matinees - the Teachers like them too!

Contributed by Donna Glick

Recently, the Huntington's Department of Education decided to try a "pay what you can" ticket offer for the student matinee of Prelude to a Kiss on Thursday, June, 3, 2010. We asked Bill Deschenes, a teacher from Pierce Middle School in Milton, to describe the student matinee experience for us, from the teacher's point of view. His enthusiasm really took us by surprise - thanks Bill!

I've been taking my kids to the Huntington's student matinees for many years now and am happy to report that the Huntington does it right! They are serious about exposing young people to the theater and providing an enriching experience for them.

Attending such high quality shows is a terrific opportunity for the kids. Most theaters, especially those of this caliber, do NOT offer morning performances at all, so to be able to take students to the theater during the school-day is a real treat. Plus, the Huntington does everything possible to make it affordable. A $12 ticket at the student matinee might cost about $70 for the same performance in the evening. An incredible and very generous deal.(Now with this new "pay what you can" offer, it is made even more affordable.)

If you do decide to take your students to see PRELUDE, however, take advantage of the other services the Huntington offers:

--Their curriculum guides are excellent--packed with information on the play including historical and cultural context, overarching themes, activities, lesson plans, vocabulary, theater etiquette, etc. It's a tremendous resource.

--The Huntington will help you prepare your students for the play by sending someone to your school to lead your students in pre-show activities. Or you may opt to take your kids to the theater before the matinee for a pre-show talk and tour.

--Another great resource is the Huntington's website, where blogs, interviews and video clips are posted. Visit the site with your students and click around.

--The Huntington's Teacher Preview Night allows you to see the production for free before you take your class. This allows you to enjoy the show as an audience member first so that you can better prepare your students for the matinee.

--After the performance, stay! The post-show Q&A session with the cast members is well worth attending and a wonderful way for your students to fully process the experience. Plus, it's terrific way for your kids to interact with real, working, professional actors.

And now for a non-Huntington related tip: After the show there's no need to rush back to school... Have your kids bring bag lunches and go enjoy them by the reflecting pool at the Christian Science Church Park--safe, peaceful, picturesque. A perfect way to wrap up the day!

Enjoy!

Bill Deschenes

Pierce Middle School, Milton

If you would like more information about our Student Matinees, or the June 3rd Pay What You Can offer,contact Meg Wieder at 617 273-1558 or mwieder@huntingtontheatre.bu.edu

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Prelude to a Kiss - Sneak Peek Photos

Photos from Thursday's Dress rehearsal. The play has 14 scenes in 9 different locations. We make good use of our automation equipment as well as a crew of five moving and flying things around back stage. The transitions are quick, cinematic, and with the character of Peter providing narration, they help move the show along nicely.

Cassie Beck (Rita) and Brian Sgambati (Peter) in Rita's apartment. After a whirlwind romance they decide to marry.

Brian Sgambati (Peter) and Cassie Beck (Rita). During their honeymoon, on a beach in Jamaica, Peter attempts to find the Rita he fell in love with.

MacIntyre Dixon (Old Man) and Brian Sgambati (Peter). After the honeymoon, Peter are Rita separate. The Old Man, who first appears at their wedding, returns and confirms that Rita is not who she once was.

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The Huntington Theatre Company production of Prelude to a Kiss by Craig Lucas plays May 14 through June 13, 2010 at the Huntington's Mainstage - The Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave Boston MA 02115. Tickets and information available online 24/7, by visiting our box office locations, or by calling 617 266-7900.

Getting Ready to Emerge

contributed by Anne Morgan

This weekend is the first annual Emerging America Festival. The festival is a unique collaboration between the Huntington, the A.R.T., and the I.C.A. The weekend will be filled with performances of all kinds all over Boston and Cambridge.

On Saturday, the Huntington will present “Two Emerging Voices/One Double Bill” at 1 and 4pm. The double bill features Love Song In Two Voices, a compelling one-woman show written and performed by Amy Herzog, and Seven Minutes in Heaven, a dynamic comedy by Steven Levenson about a middle school party.

Also join us on Sunday for the Join The Conversation! Brunch, where you can mix and mingle with brunch food (sponsored by Panera Bread) and drinks and see exciting theatre pieces from Huntington Playwriting Fellows Ryan Landry (The Gold Dust Orphans perform selections from Showgirls), John Kuntz (with Rick Park, The Superheroine Monologues), and Martha Jane Kaufman (dance theatre piece Are Now Friends) as well as performances from Company One’s ARTiculation and the music of the Cello Chix.

For more information about these or other festival events visit emergingamericafestival.org.

The thing about this project that has been the most exciting is the number of people who’re involved. At the Huntington, this festival is being supported by all departments – production is helping us gather the props, artistic is coordinating the performers, marketing is getting the word out any way they can. But outside the Huntington, exciting talents are joining together to make this happen. For each of us working in a department at the Huntington, we are supported by our counterparts hard at work at the ART and the ICA. Our artists too are crossing boundaries. Huntington Playwriting Fellow Ryan Landry wrote an iPlay, he and his troupe The Gold Dust Orphans will delight guests at the Join the Conversation! Brunch, and he will be appearing in the ART’s presentation of Mrs. Smith Presents… A Benefit For the Carlyle Foundation Empowerment School For People and Cats with Severe and Persistent Challenges.

These past few days have been very busy. We hope you’ll check out the Emerging America Festival and enjoy everything we’ve been working on.

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Prelude to a Kiss; Shop Photo Album

The back wall of the sets - with a base coat of paint

Do you miss the photos of our scenery, props and costumes under construction? We've moved them to our Facebook page. It's a much better interface for photos. And you don't need have a Facebook account or log in (only if you want to comment). See these photos and more! Enjoy.

The skeleton for a handmade paper lantern. Nice to have a props person with a degree from MIT!

The Huntington Theatre Company production of Prelude to a Kiss by Craig Lucas plays May 14 through June 13, 2010 at the Huntington's Mainstage - The Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave Boston MA 02115. Tickets and information available online 24/7, by visiting our box office locations, or by calling 617 266-7900.