Photos, Photos, Photos

Play in a Day finally gets under way and here are some team pics...


Kerry
(the photo girl)

Play has been cast

WOW! The 24 hours has started!! The play has been cast. The Designers and crew know their jobs and work has begun.

We are calling it a night and heading home. Back in here for 8:30 AM photos, breakfast and back to work.

I can't wait ... but then I am not on stage or doing al the work back stage!

Gwen

The Excitement Builds!

As I write this, Play in a Day is only a few hours away. here in the Legal Information Society's office we have boxes of "stuff" piled up and ready to ship to Neptune Theatre....... The top secret scripts, snacks, participant Swag Bags, extra performance tickets, banners, coffee, tea and of course the 3-course meal for 4 people, including wine service from Chef Richard Julien at ChefLive.ca for the team that raised the most money!! (well OK .... we don't actually have the MEAL there.... but we do have the prize!)

It's hard to believe that after months of planning and team fundraising, we will throw open the doors to participants at 7PM tonight. We will get to know each other..... and our expert producer (Jeremy Webb) will be watching over things and starting to get an inkling about who will do what.

By 9:30 or so tonight, the play will be cast and the crew will be working on breaking the script down to figure out what needs to be done. Be prepared for anything .... Jeremy always has surprises up his sleeve!!!

I look forward to seeing everyone tonight! You are going to have a blast!
Gwen
Legal Information Society of NS
Manager, Fund Development

Team Announcments

We have just about got a FULL slate of participants for Play in a Day. (There are a couple spots left if you are reading this and REALLY want to join us ... just be prepared to cut a fast cheque!)

Here are your teams for Play in a Day 2008:
Patterson Players (Patterson Law)
The Three J's
Court Jesters (Dal Law Students)
Counsellors Behind Curtains
Stewart McKelvey Stand-inS (SMSS)
Burchell Hayman Parish (Burchells)
The Terminal Thespians (NS-DOJ)
Boyne Clarke Broadway Babies
1 Brave Soul

Welcome everyone ... I am sure you have been working hard at your fundraising.
We are looking forward to meeting everyone as you all gather at the Participant's Reception on Friday, Sept 5th at 7PM at Neptune Theatre. Once we are all at that reception - you are all one BIG team, working together to put on a great, top secret, original, full scale play.

Tickets are now on sale - most of you already have them. Make sure your family, friends, co-workers, fellow students and neighbours all come to see what you have accomplished in a 24 hour time frame. They will be astounded. Contact Gwen Atkinson at development@legalinfo.org to get yours.

Tell your friends to keep an eye on this blog through out the 24 hours. There will be many additions .... see the posts from last year below!

Again... Welcome!
Gwen Atkinson
Manager, Fund Development

Thank you Play in a Day Sponsors!!

Can you believe there are only two and a half weeks to go till the 24 hours begin?

The Legal Information Society of NS is putting the final touches on that "top secret" completely original script, packing swag bags for participants and ordering all the yummy food for the receptions and throughout the 24 hours.

A HUGE thanks must go out to the Event Sponsors:

McKellar Structured Settlements Inc.
Drake Recording Services Ltd.
Stephen Kennedy's Bailiff Services
Deli Green Bakery & Catering

If you would like to see the play on Sept. 6th. contact development@legalinfo.org for tickets. Adults are $30 and kids $15 (both include the "Deli Green Opening Night Gala" and the "Deli Green Closing Night Wrap Party" which are all on the same night of course!)

Last chance to sign up to participate

Play in a Day is only 4 weeks away!! And it's going to be another fabulous event. There are some changes from last year's play ... but one thing remains the same..... the script is an original and it is top secret!!

If you have ever dreamed of being a part of the theatre world... this is your chance. And you don't have to spend years facing the auditions and rejections. All it takes is a bit of fundraising and 24 hours.

There are a very few spots left to get in on the event. Go to legalinfo.org and click on the Events Calendar to find out how you can get involved.

Oh! And tickets to see the full scale, top secret play are now on sale. Email development@legalinfo.org to order yours!

Play in a Day 2008 is gearing up!

Can you believe it? Play in a Day 2008 is underway. right now there are 22 people busy getting their fundraising completed (so if you happen to see someone selling tickets on a raffle or doing a BBQ or a yard sale .... please support their efforts!)

There are only a few spots left... and there still is time if you would like to gather 3 (or 4 or 5) of your best (or craziest) friend together to have some fun and support a great charity.

Here's how this works. You raise at LEAST the minimum amount of money and then you show up at Neptune Theatre's Fountain Hall on Friday, Sept 5th at 7PM to meet everyone else who will be participating (and our expert producer, technical staff and assistants who will teach you everything you know). After a bit of a "get to know you" party ... you are all given the top secret script for the very first time.

Yep ... that's right! You and all your new friends will be producing a full scale play, from lights, sound and set...to cast, costumes and props in the following 24 hours (We DO give you time to go home and get some sleep).

In a week or two, tickets to the grand performance will be available for you to sell to your family, friends and coworkers. (Just in case your wondering .... those ticket sales will be calculated in to the total amount of money your team raised) And speaking of fundraising ..... the team that raises the most amount of money wins a three course meal, cooked at your house (4 people) including wine service with Chef Richard Julien from ChefLive.ca. This personal chef package is worth $500!!!!! So don't stop at that minimum amount of money raised.

Speaking of fundraising - all proceeds go to the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia a charity that helps people get their lives straightened out when they are in the middle of a legal situation, by giving them easy to understand information about the law. If you want to learn more about this 26 year old charity go to www.legalinfo.org

The Monday after Blues

Why does so much fun have to come to an end ....WHYYYYYYY????

The Opening Night Reception was a hit. The food was plentiful and amazing! The cast saw friends and family for the first time, in what seemed like weeks (even though it was just 24 hours). And then they were given their 1/2 hour call and they all disappeared.

The audience was called into Fountain Hall and treated to a 10 minute video (from Pink Dog Productions) giving everyone a thumbnail of what the participants had been going through in the last day.

And then - it started....... The Gizard of Id...... What an amazing performance! What fabulous sets and props! What tremendous sound effects and music! What remarkable lighting effects and follow spot! What an astonshing set design! What an incredible job of directing!

The audience laughed ......they cried .... but only because they were laughing so hard.

Then the Wrap Party. Participant faces were MUCH more relaxed as they mingled with family and friends and relived the play with other participants.

And then everyone wandered off for some much needed sleep.... and it was all over. Now - on Monday morning - I want to go back and do it all again! I loved every minute of it. All the participants were wonderful and so much fun. The Neptune tech staff were marvelous and so patient ......and the front of house staff were some of the best I have ever worked with. Neptune Theatre's got a great bunch of people there.

But sadly it is done ........for this year.

If you want to see more pictures go to the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia's website (http://www.legalinfo.org/) or - find the Play in a Day group on Facebook.

If you would like to be a part of this event next year .... contact me (development@legalinfo.org) to be placed on the email list for notification.

Well, when I signed up to be a part of all of this, I really wanted to be an actor--but then I was given a chance to use power tools! Building scenery has been really fun . . . in the span of about two hours, Alex F. and I built both an entire condo and a castle! Steve had better watch out cause if this whole law thing doesn't work out, we are taking his job! Your job is next, Jeremy! :)

Melanie Perry

A moochkin scorned?

Moochkin Leader- Greg Collins......someone call my agent....who wrote this crap. "Ding dong diddly"???? That Rick Woodburn needs to be punished severely. I may never recover.

Thanks for the memories everyone.....with counselling, I'll be okay.

Wish you were here!

I just watched the first stagger through of the Gizard of ID ...on stage..... stagger is a good word... (JUST KIDDING ...the bar hasn't opened..... yet...... much to the dismay of many). I was going to say something witty or cutting here - but actually I am amazed at what is shaping up!

The actors have their act together.... it's pretty funny ....

And what I have seen of the sets and props so far - I can't believe this much stuff has been done!!! It looks really professional -

Although I must say ... the sound crew seems a bit smug .... laying back reading the newspaper while everyone else is swirling about them.

And the lighting folks .... they're a little spacey... almost like they still have their heads in the clouds (or up on the catwalks)

All in all the best part of the day............... is the food ....MAN! That SoHo Bar and Grill .... they make GREAT food! I am stuffed.

Staff

Director's 'Whim'

After receiving Play in a Day's original and top-secret script in the late hours of September 7, our actors surely pulled all-nighters to familiarize with their roles and memorize their lines...

Well...no, they probably didn't. Good thing too as our run-throughs today, mere hours before curtain call, resulted in dramatic script changes and cuts. Lines have been swapped for dances, handcuffs have been dropped, a whip has been added in...wait. What are we doing here??

Also, as you may have already found out from not-so-cryptic hints from our participants, our play these evening is entitled THE GIZARD OF ID!

Join us for a surely unforgettable (no matter how hard you try!) evening.

Director's Note

We had a bit of scare.

The morning run-through went well for the most part, but things almost took a turn for the worst over lunch.

Our "Dorothy" is allergic to curry and she unkowingly took a large bite of a chicken curry wrap. She seems to be fine. No signs of her throat closing over. She's such a trooper.

I take back all of the "Diva" comments I made before.

Paul Sampson
-Director

CREW

I was approached to participate n this event in "the final hour", and was unsure as to what to expect .
I, an employee Scotiabank (shameless plug), find myself among mostly members of the theatre and law communities.
We are having a great time while developing a new appreciation for all the fun, as well as hard work that is envolved in this entire process.....can hardly wait to see the finished product ... yet, hate to see today come to an end.

Ann Elizabeth

Wicked, Evil ... it fits!!

I thought it would be difficult playing a wicked barrister. I've seen so many that it is easier than I imagined. (Of course, I've seen nice ones in action, too). Great Day! Great Play!
Wicked Barrister

I suffer for my art

Up until 11:00pm last night. Up again at 8:00am this morning. No drinks. No breaks. People yelling at you. A smelly co-star (hint: it's Rick). I'm still not sure how I convinced myself to do this, but like all the greats, Will Ferrell, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Jeremy Webb?, I suffer for my art.

The Scarecrow

"Picasso's Crew"

Help me....I'm melting........fading fast...suffering for my art.
.....all funned out for one day....where is my agent?

Come to our show......
Laughing is good for you.
Marian

I need to know....!!!!!

Who Is.... the Giz????? I really need to know..... signed, the Good Lawyer.

A Question from a Tech

Am I allowed to f****** swear on this thing or what?

-Neptune Lighting Dept.

Paint everywhere

The paint is now flying on stage...sound department are boastful of being done...30 mins of rehearsing left.

Can they do it?

Who's crazy idea was this?

JW

Jeremy Webb: Slave-driver

The power has gone to his head...

More to come if we're allowed another break.

Please send help!

How can so few eat so much?

As the Legal Information Society staff person on site...part of my responsibility is to make sure everyone gets what they need/want to eat in between the meals that SoHo is supplying. Where the heck did it all go? We started the morning with a HUGE box of muffins and banana bread from Julien's and it's practically GONE ...and it's only 10AM. It's a good thing I brought along a BUNCH of candy. I have a feeling chocolate and sugar will be needed a little later on. And coffee. More coffee.....buckets and tubs of coffee!

It's a great group though! Just wait till you see all the photo's! - Gwen - LISNS staff

9.47am

Already, set is being constructed....spirits are high this morning, despite` 6 people being LATE for their 8.30am call time! Heads rolled...a little...

As I type, actor's are doing well in rehearsal under the direction of Paul Sampson....with facilitator Karen Bassett asisting... I popped backstage and` found Alex Filimon and and Melanie Perry screwing scenery together, boasting that they plan on taking Steve's (Neptune's Head Carpenter) job...we'll see, guys!

Bill (facilitator) has just left to take designer Michelle Fillimon up to Creighton Street to the Neptune scenery & prop storage unit, to choose props and stuff!

Our videographer is running around trying to catch al of this on tape for the Making Of doc!

Later

Jeremy Webb
The Producer

9:00 a.m.

Producer cracks whip

Alright,then!

Friday night was a crazy night of wide-eyes and surprises as the participants in the first ever PLAY IN A DAY event discovered what they were going to do. "Surely we can't be doin' it all!?" Oh, yes!

For some the Guided Tour of Neptune's facility was just too much! MUahahahahaha! That's the easy part. Today the participants are called at 8.30am...yes...a.m. and have to work until opening at 9pm...

Last night the play was cast, read and the lights were hung...this morning there is painting, building, prop-gathering and costume collecting...

By 11.30am the bulk of the work has to be done.

The sound department seems to be having fun.

Ok, more later...I need coffee....

Jeremy Webb
The Producer