DAEDREAM THRILLS MASH (photos)

FROM RAYANIA

Brianna

FROM LEIGH ROBERTS:

Taryn (did her own makeup)

More Taryn

Our ZOMBIES

FROM NICOLE SWEET:

Costumes, Choreo and More Choreo!!!

This week, the team worked on SEVERAL PIECES of the production, "The Reel Stuff," and has accomplished quite a bit.

With a show of this magnitude, there are hundreds of dance combinations that have to be created, aside from the script, lighting work, sets and of course, costumes.

Lori Brigham, Costume Coordinator, says, "The difference between the confidence the cast members have that comes from wearing a costume on stage I believe changes their experience, and that leads to the whole participation ultimately changing their lives."   When asked what the biggest challenge for this year is, she states:  "Money.  If we had an unlimited or more extensive budget, we could be outfitting every cast member in elaborate, Broadway-style costumes.  The costumes are something that take a lot of creativity to keep expense down.  We focus on single pieces throughout to give the audience a picture of what we're trying to represent.  Changing something from Good Will into something that looks like a costume and works for the audience is not as much as a challenge as walking away from $25-a-yard beautiful fabric."  She adds, "The boy costumes are the most challenging.  How do we make them look special without looking feminine, etc."

Lori has been the Costume Coordinator since 2011, when she and other parents helped with the production, "Times of Your Life," and brought costumes into the Daedream experience.  Prior to this, Daedream used minimal, color-coordinated outfits and focused on the stage presentation.  With this change, the director believes that Daedream has moved to a higher level as far as audience reception.  "Of course, parents and community always loved the shows, but once the costumes became part of it, I slowly saw a different type of reception.  In short, people are starting seeing it as more professional since we have upgraded to full costumes."  For this she vehemently thanks Lori, Head Costume Designer/Seamstress Karina Burgos, Student Costume Mistress Kasandra Burgos, Wilhemena Criston, Nancy Todd, Simone Minichino, Jacqui Comshaw, teacher Crystal Solano, Mrs. Sullivan, Ellen Croll, Jene Flores, and her own mother, Connie Nucolo, plus MANY MORE teachers and parents along the way that have supported the costume drive in many different ways.

Be on the lookout for special costume pieces posted here that will give a hint as to this year's performance!

Shawn Jeffrey supports Daedream's "Reel Stuff"

Opera singer and talent manager Shawn Jeffrey raised some voices today when she came to Mauro-Sheridan to conduct a vocal rehearsal for ninety minutes this Friday afternoon.

"I can't see any reason why they can't do what you want them to," she said of the untrained singers who are volunteering to be part of a special segment of the Daedream Show slated for this June.  "They want to, and they will."

This was, of course, in response to the director Ms. Francis' concern that one of the selections for the show may be a bit too much.  The talented singer commented, "This music is no joke.  This is challenging stuff, but I know these young artists are up to it.  We're gonna rock it!"

Of course, the cast members were determined and worked very hard to get the arduous task underway.  And they succeeded, completing several parts at the very basic level...a perfect place to begin.

Soprano Maria Cervantes, a junior at Career High School is the Daedream lead vocalist.  She trains and works with student singers and has a beautiful voice with a lyric quality.  She first listened to the selection we are working on and said, "Ms. Francis!" as if in disbelief.  After our first session on Thursday, she was nodding in approval.  The boys really came through.  And, they showed their stuff on Friday with Ms. Jeffrey as well.

Following the vocal segment on Friday, the cast members remained another hour to work on the dance choreography for the same segment.  "It's a retro piece," Ms. Francis said, "which makes it a bit more tough.  I have faith in them, though.  They're the most amazing people I know."

More coming as we approach the 28th Season Production!

NO DAEDREAM on OCT. 13, 2015.

Teachers have a city-wide Curriculum meeting that day, so Daedream will not be held.  It will resume on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Break Dance Workshop

Some early video of the choreo team getting their break dance on!

Instructor:  Local area artist, Obsidian.