Can you can-can?

The 2023 State Festival Opening Number is a selection from Moulin Rouge! The Musical

 

Two of the most exciting moments of the California State Thespian Festival are the opening and closing performances. This is a great way to represent your school and show off your talent on the main stage.

The Opening Number is great for: 

  • Thespians who love to dance and perform. 
  • Thespians who want perform on the mainstage at festival. 
  • Thespians who want to collaborate and create with their peers in a fun up tempo number. 

2023 Opening Number Theme: Theater is about self expression. It’s something we do to feel good, to de-stress, somewhere we go to be ourselves. But how do you find yourself in a world so full of expectations and people telling you who you have to be? The answer is simple; you must truly embrace who you are, regardless of everyone else’s expectations. Every light is unique, the only person who can find your light is YOU.

What it is: The Opening Number is dance only (no vocals or dialogue) and we need all levels of dancers and movers. The Opening Number will include music from Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Each Thespian Troupe can have up to 6 students apply for the opening number; each troupe that applies is guaranteed 1 spot. Choreography will be sent out via video prior to festival, and there will be rehearsals the first day of festival in order to put the piece together.

Expectations:

  • Dancers are required to attend all rehearsals at festival. Rehearsals will be during Friday morning and afternoon. Dancers will not be able to attend Friday workshops. 
  • Dancers who are competing in Thespys, Scenefest, or auditioning for Playworks will be dismissed from rehearsal for their designated time slots. 
  • Dancers are expected to learn their choreography and behave in a professional manner backstage and while working with the artistic staff.
  • Dancers will need to bring dance shoes (black character heels, black jazz shoes, or solid black street shoes) to rehearsal and the final performance. Some costume pieces may be provided. A detailed mood board of what to wear for the performance will be provided two weeks prior to attending festival.
  • Schedule:
    • Rehearsals:
      • There will be one in-person rehearsal for any Thespians located in Northern California: on Saturday Feb 18th from 9am – 12 noon at Westmont High School in Campbell, CA. The address is: 4801 Westmont Ave, Campbell CA.  We strongly encourage you to attend this rehearsal, however we will send out a video if you miss it or if you live in Southern California.  
      • On site at Festival, Friday morning and afternoon.
    • Performance: The Opening Number will perform on Friday March 31st on the Upland stage. 

 

Fee: This event is free to participate in. 

To apply to this event please sign up here by January 31. This application includes a 1-minute self-tape.

Max 6 applicants per troupe. Each troupe is guaranteed 1 spot. 

 

For questions or inquiries, please reach out to Jerald Bolden at Jbolden@cathespians.org

 

California State Thespians is committed to promoting diversity on all levels. We embrace inclusive casting for every role, and fully support each student’s choice to select material that speaks to them. Race, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation should not influence the evaluation of student performances at California Thespian events and competitions.

(Special consideration may be taken where race is germane to the text.)

 

updated Jan 15, 2023