EXPRESSIONS CLUB ACT COMPETITION

Each of the four social clubs performs an original musical comedy skit following the Expressions theme.  Scripts, costumes, music and choreography are designed by social club members.  All club members may participate in Expressions Club Acts.  Auditions may be held within a club in order to assign lead roles.

CLUB PARTICIPANTS

Expressions Coordinator

Elected in the spring

Must be present at the Brainstorm Kickoff and Club Act Theme Vote

Responsible for knowing the Expressions requirements

Communicate with Mrs. Hamm, club act leaders, club sponsors

Script Writers

Must be present at the Brainstorm Kickoff and Club Act Theme Vote

Write a script following the guidelines

Willing to revise script as requested by the Director

Music Coach

Music performance experience

Teach music to the club using recorded accompaniment

Choreographer

Performance experience

Design choreography and staging for the club act

Teach choreography to the club using recorded accompaniment

Costume & Prop Committee

Any club member; sewing ability helpful

Design and acquire costumes, makeup and props

Club Sponsors

Assist the club in any aspect of preparing for Expressions

Club Act Performers

Any and all club members

Up to 3 alumni may participate       

CLUB ACT BRAINSTORM KICKOFF

Mrs. Hamm will meet with all clubs and sponsors for the Brainstorm Kickoff.  Then club members will begin brainstorming ideas for a club act theme.  All club members are encouraged to contribute ideas for songs, characters, costumes and plots.

CLUB ACT THEME VOTE

The club act theme vote will occur in reverse order of last year’s winners: Theta, Delta, Kappa, Sigma.  Each club will meet with Mrs. Hamm for the vote in order to prevent duplication of choices by two or more clubs.  A list of ideas will be presented and the theme will be selected by club vote.  The club act theme will be selected by majority vote.

CLUB ACT SCRIPT WRITING

Each club’s script committee will write a musical skit based on the theme chosen by majority vote of the club.  After the final script is completed and approved by Mrs. Hamm, no major changes are allowed without loss of cooperation points.  Major changes include altering the theme, song selections and main characters. 

All content of a club act script must be approved by Mrs. Hamm before it can be performed on stage.  Men’s parts must be played by men, and women’s parts played by women.  The length of a club act must be no more than 12 minutes, including songs (usually a 4 page script).          

CLUB ACT MUSIC

Each club act must include the performance of at least two songs, but no more than three.  The entire cast must sing at least one song, preferably the final song.

Options include:

A vocal or instrumental soloist featured in one song. 

A small group of singers within the club featured in one song.

The entire cast may sing all songs.

Music will be the main feature of club acts, with scripts forming a story around the songs.  Every club act should end with music. Any background music used for sound effects does not count as part of the minimum two songs required.

Recorded accompaniments will provide the background for all songs sung in club acts.  Mrs. Hamm will order the recordings when the scripts are completed. 

IMPORTANT: If a song named in the script is not available as a recorded accompaniment, it cannot be used in the Club Act.  Visit www.karaoke.com to research songs. The use of religious songs in Expressions Club Acts is prohibited.

Sing the original lyrics of your chosen songs.  Copyright laws require that you ask the publisher’s permission before changing the lyrics to a song.  Also, many recorded accompaniment are not completely instrumental.  They often contain some of the lyrics sung as background harmony.

CLUB ACT CHOREOGRAPHY

Keep all choreography simple and modest.  Plan the staging of the characters to make the club act visually interesting even when no one is singing.  Watch the entire act, not just the musical numbers, to make sure characters aren’t simply standing still or turning their back to the audience.

CLUB ACT PROPS

No large set pieces will be allowed in club acts due to limited space backstage.  Prop size is strictly limited to pieces that can be carried easily by one person.  Clubs must be able to set the stage in 30 seconds.  No props may be set on the floor in front of the stage.

CLUB ACT COSTUMES

Creative, theme-related costumes are needed for Expressions.  Money will be provided to each club for costume expenses.  A source for inexpensive costumes is the Stepping Stones Variety Shop on Route 68 South in Lubeck, WV, next to the Church of Christ.  The Variety Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

CLUB ACT REHEARSALS

Club Act Coordinators will schedule rehearsals in cooperation with the Music Coach and Choreographer.  Clubs will be assigned time on the stage before dress rehearsal week.  Intramural sports will not be scheduled during the two weeks before Expressions.

CLUB ACT COOPERATION

Students who participate in Expressions Club Acts gain real-life experience in cooperation and planning.  Cooperating with the director and fellow club members leads to a successful performance and fond memories.  Earning points toward a cooperation award provides incentive for clubs to plan early and avoid last minute panic.  New students will benefit from the leadership of upperclassmen organizing their Expressions performance.