In putting together our 2019-2020 season, our FIFTH ANNIVERSARY SEASON, we really put a lot of thought into picking shows that would not only stretch our students as young artists but also shows that resonates with our community, our values and what’s going on in the world around us.
We’ve put together a very eclectic season that not only embodies our mission to ENGAGE, INSPIRE and EMPOWER but showcase the talents of our students and push each performer to the next level.
Under the leadership of some of the area’s hottest local musical theatre talent, OVATIONS upcoming season will push the envelope artistically and challenge our students and audiences to immerse themselves in and delve into thought-provoking theatre. We hope you will join us this coming season, one we believe the DMV area will remember for quite some time!
-Darnell, Morgan & Theresa
SENIOR COMPANY
Auditions September 2019 | Performances December 6, 7 & 8, 2019
Following the lives of young people in late nineteenth century German, Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with a poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable. Navigating the journey of teenage self-discovery of morality, sexuality, and coming of age anxiety; Spring Awakening is a powerful celebration of youth and rebellion in the most daring & remarkable ways.
MATILDA
JUNIOR COMPANY
Auditions September 2019 | Performances January 17, 18 & 19, 2020
The story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Inspired by a renown literary author, this Tony Award-winning musical revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life.
CABARET (1998 REVIVAL VERSION)
SENIOR COMPANY
Auditions December 2019 | Performances March 6, 7 & 8, 2020
In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920’s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With a distinctly Brechtian dose of provocation and a treasured score, Cabaret explores the dark, heady, and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich.
FROZEN JR
JUNIOR COMPANY
Auditions January 2020 | Performances April 24, 25 & 26, 2020
A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!
INTO THE WOODS JR
STANDING_O
Auditions January 202 | Performances May 16, 2020
Be careful what you wish for, as Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s cockeyed fairytale comes to life in this adaptation of their groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical. Into the Woods JR.features all of your favorite characters — Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk) and the Witch — in this lyrically rich retelling of classic Brothers Grimm fables.
RAGTIME
SENIOR COMPANY
Auditions March 2020 | Performances June 12, 13 & 14, 2020
At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing… and anything is possible. Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, three distinctly American tales are woven together and united by their courage, compassion, and belief in the promise of the future. Together, they confront history’s timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America in Flynn and Ahren’s Ragtime.
BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
TEEN SUMMER INTENSIVE
Auditions March 2020 | Performances July 2020
A.J. kicked British butt, shafted the Indians and smacked down the Spaniards, all in the name of these United States — who cares if he didn’t have permission? Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson creators, Michael Friedman (Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Fortress of Solitude) and Alex Timbers (Love’s Labour’s Lost, Peter and the Starcatcher), cook up an alternate universe (and draw parallels to today’s political/populist landscape) with their musical about the seventh U.S. president.
GET A SNEAK PEEK AT OUR 2020/2021 SENIOR COMPANY SEASON
Putting together our Senior Company’s 6th season we found ourselves looking for shows that not only pushed our young artists, but also that would allow them to create three very unique and very different productions.
We’ve put together what we think is a very thrilling season, that not only embodies our mission to ENGAGE, INSPIRE and EMPOWER but showcase the talents of our students and pushes each performer to the next level.
Under the leadership of some of the area’s hottest local musical theatre talent, OVATIONS’ upcoming season will push the envelope artistically and challenge our students and audiences, to delve into thought-provoking theatre. We hope you will join us this coming season, one we believe the DMV area will remember for quite some time!
-Darnell, Morgan & Theresa
AMERICAN IDIOT
SENIOR COMPANY
Auditions September 2020 | Performances December 2020
The two-time Tony Award-winning hit musical Green Day’s American Idiot, based on the Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album, boldly takes the American musical where it’s never gone before. Johnny, Tunny and Will struggle to find meaning in a post-9/11 world. When the three disgruntled men flee the constraints of their hometown for the thrills of city life, their paths are quickly estranged when Tunny enters the armed forces, Will is called back home to attend to familial responsibilities, and Johnny’s attention becomes divided by a seductive love interest and a hazardous new friendship. An energy-fueled rock opera, American Idiot, speaks to all those struggling to find their way through life.
PARADE
SENIOR COMPANY
Auditions December 2020 | Performances March 2021
In 1913, Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-raised Jew living in Georgia, is put on trial for the murder of thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan, a factory worker under his employ. Already guilty in the eyes of everyone around him, a sensationalist publisher and a janitor’s false testimony seal Leo’s fate. His only defenders are a governor with a conscience and, eventually, his assimilated Southern wife who finds the strength and love to become his greatest champion. Daring, innovative and bold, Parade is filled with soaring music and a heart-wrenching story, offering a moral lesson about the dangers of prejudice and ignorance that should not be forgotten.
THE SECRET GARDEN
SENIOR COMPANY
Auditions March 2021 | Performances June 2021
This enchanting classic of children’s literature is reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of ‘Night Mother. Orphaned in India, 11 year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his invalid son Colin. The estate’s many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the “Dreamers”, spirits from Mary’s past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden’s compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal.
INTRODUCING OVATIONS JUNIOR & SENIOR COMPANIES
In putting together our 2017-2018 season, we reflected on our program and what would move us to the next level. We are thrilled to share with you our two new groups: OVATIONS SENIOR COMPANY (Grades 8-12) & OVATIONS JUNIOR COMPANY (Grades 3-9).
In creating these companies, we wanted to provide a clear overview of what we expect from our students and what our community can expect from OVATIONS programming. We believe these two programs embody our core objectives: ENGAGE, INSPIRE and EMPOWER.
At OVATIONS we always strive to create a professional yet enriching and supportive atmosphere. Our production teams are composed of DC and NYC professional theatre artists dedicated to bringing the next generation of artist to the next level. Through mentoring, exploration and encouraging self-discipline, we confidently feel that we prepare our students for performing and for life. To quote Mama Rose, “You’ll be swell, you’ll be great, gonna have the whole world on a plate..”
-Darnell Patrick Morris
Producing Artistic Director
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM OUR JUNIOR COMPANY
Before Moving Onto Our SENIOR COMPANY Students Are Able To:
- Create fully realized characters with the ability to answer such questions as: Who Am I? Where Am I Coming From? What do I want?
- Understanding character objectives and able to label whether in spoken dialogue or sung lyrics
- Act and emote songs
- Make songs and musical moments an extension of dialogue and scene
- Understand the basic process of script analysis
- Comfortable with the process of “marking up your script”
- Understands the principals of between the actually written text vs sub-text
- Comfortably acts using various and sometimes multiple emotions as characters dictate
What We Expect From Our Students:
- Students are expected to come to rehearsals familiar with scenes or musical numbers and are expected to be off book for the particular scene or number once they are staged
- Students come prepared to rehearsals with character descriptions
- To understand their character(s) objectives
- Students are expected to work outside of rehearsals on their staging, dialogue, and music whether on their own or with their voice and acting teachers
- Students come with a willingness to step outside their comfort zone
After Completing Our SENIOR COMPANY Students Are Able To:
- Create three-dimensional characters
- Understanding character objectives
- Act and emote songs: ability to “live in the moment” vs “showing the moment”
- Make songs and musical moments an extension of dialogue and scene
- Confident in the process of script analysis and able to “mark up their script” clearly labeling beats, objective, subtext
- Clearly understands the difference between text and sub-text
- Understands how to create and share complex emotions, objectives, and situations with their audiences
What We Expect From Our Students:
- Students are expected to be off book for every rehearsal
- Students come prepared to rehearsals with full character descriptions and clear understanding of their characters objectives
- Students are expected to work outside of rehearsals on their staging, dialogue, and music whether on their own or with their voice and acting teachers
- Students come with a willingness to step outside their comfort zone
WORKSHOPS, MASTERCLASSES AND MORE
Both the SENIOR and JUNIOR COMPANIES will take part in at least (2) Master Classes and Workshops tailored to each specific groups abilities and needs- always led by DC and NYC professional Theatre Artist.
Our 2019-2020 season will, once again, push the envelope artistically and challenge our students and audiences to immerse themselves in and delve into thought-provoking theatre. In a time where society is trying to silence art it is important to give our students not only a distraction from the tough circumstances around them but also empower them with a voice- a voice that is heard and celebrated.