Governors School for the Arts

Blog Closed

alexnahon — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:08:23 +0000

Thanks for continuing to read!
I will leave the blog running online.

Looking Back on Governor’s School

alexnahon — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:38:06 +0000

As I sit in my dorm room now, I begin to think, “Wow, what just hit me!”. For a group of high school students to produce a musical and a straight play, with every necessary prop, complete and moving sets (all built to tour, meaning that the platform, for example, was actually built to break into four pieces and travel as if the show were on tour), with lights (≈100 at the Tucker Theater, ≈150 at the Schermerhorn) being programmed (for a performance in one theatre and then again in another theatre) with nearly 100 cues per lighting operation (2 light board operators * ~100 cues each ≈ 200 cues for the Tucker Theater + ~200 cues for the Schermerhorn = more than 400 cues) by Bob Robins, costumes complete for every character and each one hand made by Jennine LaBate and Beverly Norcross, and every detail exactly how they should be IN LESS THAN A MONTH is an AMAZING task that seemed impossible at the beginning. But we did it!

This is an experience that I will remember for a lifetime and I will always have this blog to look back on to remember what I did, what we did, at this amazing school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Just as Meriwether Lewis kept a journal of his journey, I have kept this. I leave this journal as it is for GSFA Alumni, current students, future students, and parents to read. I will never forget the family that I had here at MTSU for nearly a month. We argued, we laughed, we cried (or at least I expect us to tomorrow morning when we say goodbye!), and I wouldn’t trade the world for this experience. I have become friends with some wonderful people and I have learned so much. I want to thank my counselors Brandon, Jonathan, Jeannine, & Sarah. I want to thank my amazing teachers and directors: Bob Robins (Lighting), Christe Lunsford (Scenic), Beverly Norcross (Costuming), Lee Blair (Instructor, Theatre Appreciation and Director, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), D. Richard Browder (Instructor, Dance and Choreography, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), John Mauldin (Theater Chair), Marc Cabus (Instructor, Acting Classes and Director, Beautiful in the Extreme. I also want to thank my technical colleagues Shane Martin, Mimi, Amber, Emily Miles, Tori, Ethan, Rachel Ramsey, and Wynnie; as well as all of my acting colleagues. Lastly, I want to thank my stage managers: Lighthall and Jesse. You have all made this experience so much fun and I will never forget what you have all given me.

There is not much else I can say, but thank you to these people, all of my readers, my parents, and Mrs. Deborah Penney (GSFA was her idea). Without Mrs. Penney I would not of had this opportunity and without my parents, well you get that picture. Thanks to everyone and…

I WILL NEVER FORGET GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS 2009!!!!

Yours,
Alexander Nahon
Theatre Tech 2009 GSFA

On the Road Again

alexnahon — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:07:09 +0000

Well, it’s 6 AM and we’re on our way to the Schermerhorn!

The Adventure Is Almost Over!

alexnahon — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:21:04 +0000

Well today we did our first technical rehersals for both Beautiful in the Extreme and A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum. They were fun and I am enjoying my position. Both shows look amazing and I cannot wait for you to see them.

Remember, click here‘ to find out how to buy tickets! Good seating is limited!

If you have any questions about ticketing, contact either myself (at 901-258-6631 and alex.nahon@me.com) or the Schermerhorn (at 615.687.6400).

———————————————————————————————————————

PLEASE DO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ONCE YOU HAVE PURCHASED/BOOKED YOUR TICKET(S)

OPTION A

Send a text message to (901)-258-6631 with the following information:

Name: YOUR NAME HERE

Number of tickets purchased: Your info here

Where the seats are located in the theatre: Your info here

People you are bringing: Your info here

Do you plan on seeing the entire event from 2 – 10 PM (its NOT required!): YES OR NO

OPTION B

Send an email to alex.nahon@me.com with the following information:

Name: YOUR NAME HERE

Number of tickets purchased: Your info here

Where the seats are located in the theatre: Your info here

People you are bringing: Your info here

Do you plan on seeing the entire event from 2 – 10 PM (its NOT required!): YES OR NO

An important note. The Schermerhorn is a very LARGE theatre, and its not really a theatre. If you are sitting more than 20 rows back (but it all depends on your eyesight), I HIGHLY recommend that you bring binoculars as you will not want to miss any of the action!

Thanks for reading!

-Alex

Buy Tickets Now!!!

alexnahon — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:38:36 +0000

That’s right! The time has come to buy tickets for the final performance!

The final performance will begin at 2:00 PM on July 2, 2009 at the Schermerhorn Nashville Symphony Center in the Laura Turner Concert Hall.

Click here to visit the home page of the center.

Click here to visit the information page for the event.

THIS IS WHERE TO BUY TICKETS:
Click here to buy tickets by visiting the (online) virtual box office.

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW OR YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE SHOW!!!!!!! I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!!!!!!! BUY THEM NOW!!!!!!!!! BUYING THEM TONIGHT WILL ENSURE THAT YOU GET YOUR SEAT!!!! I REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO IT NOW PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for reading and buy your tickets here

-Alex

Sunday

alexnahon — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:32:17 +0000

Things are starting to happen much faster here at GSFA! The rehearsals for “A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum” are now strictly run-through’s (meaning that the show is nearing ready for production, the set and lighting are not complete yet). Today we started focusing the lights for Beautiful in the Extreme and we also set the entire set for the show. Also we built the bridge that will link the two scaffolding pieces in the show (you’ll see what I mean when you see the show). During our time in the scene shop, after building the bridge, we began building another set of stairs. We have done a lot of work on both shows and I am having so much fun! I can’t wait ’till production! Hope all is well where you are (where ever that may be).

As always, thanks for reading!

-Alex

P.S. This week we have lost some true characters:
-multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee, Farrah Fawcett
-American recording artist, entertainer and businessman, Michael Jackson
-television direct-response advertisement salesperson most notable for promoting OxiClean, Orange Glo, and other cleaning, home-based, and maintenance products, Billy Mays

An Amazing Acting Teacher, and I’ve Never Taken A Class From Him!

alexnahon — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 05:13:41 +0000

Here you will find a video of Mr. Marc Cabus, the director of Beautiful in the Extreme and an acting teacher here at GSFA!

This is his short film entitled, “All the Important Things”. I will only have it available for a limited time so hurry and watch!

P.S. This video will be available in a few minutes after this post is visible. Thanks
-Alex

UPDATE: Due to copyright restrictions, this video has been removed.

Let there Be Light!

alexnahon — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 05:05:52 +0000

Yes, today was a day of lighting and a lot of work!
This morning we went to warm up and dance and then to scenic where we removed a trapdoor so that we could get the premade stair cases out of storage. Then, Shane and I built the legs for the stairs. After that it was time for lunch and from 12 to 1 we ate. At 1 I went for my second fitting for my forum costume (sorry I forgot to take a picture) and then wen to lighting.
In lighting we worked on the lighting for the two shows. We removed almost every light from the fly system that works above the stage, then re-installed the lights that we would need for our shows. There were so many lights that we could not hoist the baton with the lights back up until we had added around 10 more weights (thats 22 pounds per weight) to the already 10 weights on the arbor of the baton! By the time we were finished with that, it was dinner time. From 5 to 6 we ate and at 6:15 we did even more lighting work. We build trees of lights (also called booms) with four lights each and used a special multi-plug electrical system because we had 4 booms on each side of the stage with four lights each (thats 4 booms x 4 lights per boom x 2 sides of the stage = 32 lights). After installing the booms with their lights, we installed the electrical components for the lighting system. Here are some photos:

Blury Booms:

Ethan with Booms:

The Board:

So after all of this it was 8:30 at night and we were finished (early)!

Today was really fun and I enjoyed it, even though I had to wash my hands 10 times to get off all of the muck from working (grease from the bolts, muck from the scaffolding, etc)!

Well that about sums up my day!

Thanks for reading,
Alex

Let’s Get To Buildin’!

alexnahon — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:18:28 +0000

Today was a day full of construction.
This morning we started off with dance class and warmups and at 11 the technical students went to Costuming. In Costuming we learned about using patterns, cutting fabrics, and terminology among many other things. However, this was our last formal Costuming class. I am going to miss this class so much!!!!!! After class, I stayed and got fitted for 1 of my 2 costumes because I am going to be “On Deck” for both shows! Therefore, I will need a costume so that I “blend in” with the characters.
Anyway, from 12-1 we had lunch and at 1 we went to Theatre Appreciation with Lee Blair. There we discussed the components of a play by means of a script. After, the tech students went to Open Labs, but today’s only option was Scenic… and I had a lot of fun.
After Labs, we went to dinner and at 6:15 we went back to Scenic class!
Here’s what we did in all of our Scenic classes today:
Scaffolding:

Emily and Shane Very Busy

Platform (Still Under Construction!)

Some Tech People!

Christe (the Scenic teacher) let us go early because Jonathan (Jo-si for short) went out and got Sonic for all the tech students!

Well that about sums up today!

Thanks for reading,
-Alex

P.S. THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONFUSION ABOUT THE WEBSITE CHANGE. governorschool.wordpress.com IS STILL THE URL OF THIS BLOG!
gsfa.alexandernahon.com IS THE URL OF MY GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS WEBSITE. I HOPE THIS CLEARS UP ANY CONFUSION.
THANKS
-ALEX

A Wednessday In Africa

alexnahon — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:35:43 +0000

On Wednessday everything began as normal, but Richard didn’t teach our dance class. Instead, Jackie Springfield taught us about African dance! It was really fun and we all enjoyed it. After dance class, the tech students went to lighting.

In lighting class we learned about drawing light plots, or top views of where each and every light is place, its type, the image it makes, the colors contained in it, the dimmer number, the channel number, and various other pieces of information. We also learned about resumes and vitas for technicians.

At 12 we went to lunch and from 1 to 2:30 we had “Real World Forum”, a class where the GSFA Theatre Staff answer questions and speak about what it takes to make it in the professional world, how to go about finding a college with the right “stuff” for you, what type of degree you should get, and various other aspects of being a professional (including when to join IATSI or Equity). After the forum, the tech students went to set up for Jackie Springfield’s one woman show about her experience of going to Africa. We finished this quickly and had free-time until dinner at 5.
At 7:30, the entire GSFA school saw the performance of Jackie Springfield’s on woman show.
Here’s Jackie and I:

After Jackie’s show we had free time and it was the end of a fun day at GSFA!

That’s all for Wednessday!

Thanks for reading,
-Alex

P.S. You can view the NEW link to my GSFA site by clicking “GSFA Website” to the right.