Jaci de Villiers | Megan's Head

It has started

On May 26, 2009

Noah of Cape Town has begun. As I write this the cast of 16 magnificents, as they shall become known, are in their second day of rehearsals. When I called the Big Magnificent, or , yesterday afternoon to find out how it was all going I could hear the magnificents singing in the background. Omigod. This is the most exciting thing that I have ever been involved in. I am actually drooling. And I’m not even there. I can see what’s going to happen though. Sneak visits to the rehearsal venue. “I just thought I’d bring….”, “I was thinking that maybe…”,”don’t you guys need….?”.

I can’t wait. Literally. I am beyond excited.

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It’s the end of the world as we know it.

Noah is coming

By megan

On May 18, 2009

In theatre stuff, writing

TEST04 I can’t believe it but it’s true. In just over two months Noah of Cape Town, the most brilliant, original, local, never before done, futuristic, a capella musical opens at The Baxter. For me and Graham Weir, the writers of this magnum opus, it is the realisation of a dream long in the manifesting. We started writing it about eight years ago, when 2012 still seemed quite far into the future. (We’ve had to keep pushing that date forward!)

In 2005 the Cantata version was staged as part of Artscape‘s New Writings Programme, and that’s what gave us the kernel of possibility that the full, sixteen member version might, in this lifetime, still happen. And ‘strues bob, thanks to the belief, commitment and backing of Simon Cooper, Noah of Cape Town is in the final stages of getting the cast absolutely finalised. Graham and I are frantically doing rewrites. Jaci de Villiers our most awesome and visionary director is coming soon. Dicky Longhurst is wikkeling with set. Amanda Tiffin is transcribing and working on the music while Graham (who has composed and written all the music) is writing and composing some more. And naturally there is all sorts of stuff happening behind the scenes to get this monster up and running.

Rehearsals start on Monday, which means everybody will need to have a script by then.

Watch this space, and all the other spaces. Noah of Cape Town is coming.

It really is starting, and man, oh, man

By megan

On February 17, 2009

In deeply personal, Noah, theatre stuff

I am beyond exhausted, energy sapped, and jangling. I was at the Kalk Bay Theatre from 9 this morning and I got home literally ten minutes ago, after being there all day and night (it’s Tuesday and we play TheatreSports there on a Tuesday night). Today fab director of Noah, Jaci de Villiers, musical man and writer Graham Weir and MD Amanda Tiffin ran the Cape Town call backs for Noah, our original accapella musical. And it was kick-ass, massive and brilliant. All (nearly all) those actors I had complained about? Well, these weren’t them. I loved these call back guys. They were fantastic, focused, disciplined, humble, prepared, talented and dynamic. They worked in groups and on their own. They brought amazing energy and skill to the process. They listened, they gave, they responded. I sat and heard our dialogue be brought to life and become meaningful. I got very, very excited. I fell in love with about seventeen people. I saw the possibility.

Well done and thank you to all who gave their time, energy and, mostly, commitment to this gruelling process. Choosing a cast is going to be so hard and I am so glad that it’s not my job.

I also learn so much from this whole experience. I keep learning about music and singing, which is amazing. I can’t believe how hard it is to be both a brilliant singer and a brilliant actor. I am learning audition techniques. I am learning about performers and how they think and feel. I am learning how to be generous and warm to people who are nervous and anxious. I am learning how to read between the nerves. I am learning to be surprised by people. I am learning to let them change my mind, and heart.

Jozi artists rock

By megan

On February 16, 2009

In deeply personal, theatre stuff

I did that ridiculous one day Jozi thing. I flew up at the crack yesterday and then came back today, so I could be at Jozi call backs for Noah. Jaci de Villiers (fab director) organised for some of her favourite Jozi talent to come and meet Graham Weir (the writer, composer and voice guru) Amanda Tiffin (musical director) and me. I want to tell you; a whole new ball game. These guys were prepared. They were professional. They were keen. They looked good. They were organised. Most of them were even early. I was blown away by the talent. I was charmed and warmed and excited. Slaap Stad, we’ve got a lot to learn. Agents here in Slaap Stad, you are going to have to up your game. This is an amazing opportunity to be in a brand new, original, local, accapella musical. How is it possible that people don’t pitch, come late, are unprepared, can’t make call backs, don’t want to be in long runs? Slaap Stad actors, you are going to have to catch a wake up or else everything will have to be cast in Jozi. And I think that that is a huge pity.

What are They Thinking?

By megan

On February 7, 2009

In meg's moan in, theatre stuff

It’s 02h06am and I can’t sleep through the heat. Also, I keep getting really woes.

Yesterday was spent auditioning for Noah, which should be a fabulous opportunity to see who is out there and experience some of the amazing talent on offer, that is constantly talked about. Now the brilliant and amazing director Jaci de Villiers has been off the Cape Town circuit for about ten years; she has been living and making work in Jozi, and doesn’t know many of the CT players. This audition process should be the chance for her to get a sense of who is out there and what they can do. And before everyone gets their broekies in a twist, let me just say that this rant does NOT apply to everybody and that there were a couple of people who really did justice to themselves and what they have to offer.Â But, please can somebody explain to me, firstly, why so many people on the list (that had been revamped and updated and changed a million times) just didn’t pitch? Hey? Then, please can somebody also tell me which part of “prepare a song and a monologue'” should be ignored? Surely, if you are doing an audition you should…do the preparation? Obviously nerves kick in and words are forgotten and things planned don’t pan out. We know that. We appreciate that. But don’t try and bullshit your way through an audition that you are not prepared for. Finally, don’t the agents know what the people on their books can do? I mean, if the guy, or lady guy can’t sing, at all, even a little bit, then maybe they shouldn’t really be at an audition for an accapella musical? And if they’ve never acted before, in their lives, or had any training at all, surely they shouldn’t be there, taking up a slot and mauling beyond recognition the teeny monologue that they’ve chosen to do. I am sorry. It is just so plain rude to all involved.

Today we have the day off, but tomorrow it’s another full day of auditions. I really hope there can be a more genuine response in my glassy eyed smile tomorrow.

The Start of Something truly Special

By megan

On February 6, 2009

In me on stage, theatre stuff

I am off today, with Jaci de Villiers, the most fabulous director of Noah, to help her and be around as she holds the very first round of auditions. This is too exciting. it has been years in the planning, wishing and dreaming, and finally it is real. Watch this space.

Megan's Head

A place where Megan gets off her head.

Tag: Jaci de Villiers (Page 2 of 2)

It has started

Noah is coming

It really is starting, and man, oh, man

Jozi artists rock

What are They Thinking?

The Start of Something truly Special

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