Planting Seeds for The Secret Garden – Focusing the Vision
It’s good to try new things. So for our upcoming production of The Secret Garden, I decided to try my hand at creating a vision board to organize my ideas, produce a visual representation of my approach to the material, and help me better communicate my vision with the cast and crew. Not knowing quite where to start, here are the 7 steps I took to create my Secret Garden Vision Board:
- Read the play: I read the play several times. I read it at first simply for enjoyment and to grasp the story’s arc and emotional impact. Then, every subsequent time I read it, I noted all the physical attributes required (set, costumes, props, etc.)
- Read the source: I read the book upon which the play is based. As I did, I highlighted sections that spoke to me and jotted down notes in the margins for future reference. I also noted what plot elements and characters the playwright kept and what they discarded from the original.
- Study the play: I watched and listened to as many different versions of the play and as many adaptations of the source material as possible to learn from other directors’ approaches.
- Research the eras: To provide context to my approach, I studied the period in which the story originated and when the play was written.
- Collect images: I cataloged pictures and videos of scenes from productions I liked, as well as those of similar plays and books. I also collect historical photos, videos, and samples from artists and architects of that era.
- Define the approach: I considered the “three Ts” – time, talent, and treasure – and asked myself, “What do we have available? What do we excel at? What are our limitations?”
- Lay it out: Finally, I spread out all the photos, notes, and articles I’d collected over the last several months and arranged them horizontally in order of the scenes in the play and vertically by the theatrical elements used. I tossed out photos that no longer fit the vision along the way and used post-it notes to describe what I liked about each image.
If done right, I’ve created a compelling vision board to communicate my inspiration to the cast and crew and motivate them to bring The Secret Garden to life at The PAC this fall!
Audience Survey Winners
Congratulations to SHANNON ATCHLEY, CARLA COFFING, JOYCE NEWTON & JESSICA TURLEY – each a lucky winner of a $20 PAC gift certificate for completing an Audience Survey last month.
PAC Spotlight – April 2023
This month, The PAC Spotlight shines on local prestidigitator Aaron Harp who will be performing on April 1, 2023, at the PAC.
What have you seen at the PAC?
Beauty and the Beast, The Nutcracker, Champions of Magic, Mike Super.
What have been your most rewarding PAC experiences?
Champions of Magic.
What did you learn from your PAC experiences?
Great production, overall show was outstanding.
How have you benefited from the PAC?
We have been entertained over the years. Such a beautiful theater.
Why is the PAC important to you?
As an entertainer a beautiful local theater makes The PAC important. I love what The PAC does with the youth.
Why should the PAC be important to others?
Theater in general should be important to others. Elizabethtown is lucky to have a theater as nice as The PAC
Why should the PAC be important to others?
I think making theatre accessible is necessary for society to foster young artists. The PAC allows anyone of any age to participate in theatre.
Now Showing – April 2023
April 1, 2023
Third-Party Event: Aaron Harp Magic presents “GRAND ILLUSION” featuring Master Magician Lance Burton
Saturday, April 1, 7 PM.
Tickets: Adults, $15 Children, $10 (fees included).
Tickets on Sale Now.
April 18, 2023
HCS Event: Hardin County Schools Gifted & Talented Musical Theatre Intensive.
Tuesday, April 18, 7 PM.
POC Monica Oliver 270-769-8800.
April 21, 2023
PAC Season Event: Kentucky Shakespeare presents HAMLET
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark!” Depressed over his father’s death and shocked to find his mother already remarried – to his uncle! – Hamlet suspects foul play in Shakespeare’s tragic tale of revenge.
Friday, April 21, School Time Performance 9:30 AM. Public Performance 7 PM.
Tickets: $11 – 22.25.
Tickets On Sale: Now
April 25, 2023
HCS Event: Hardin County Schools Volunteer Appreciation Banquet
Tuesday, April 25, 6 PM.
POC John Wright 270-769-8800.
April 26, 2023
CANCELED: HCS Event: Central Hardin High School Prism Band Concert
Wednesday, April 26, 7 PM.
Tickets:
Tickets Available:
Under the direction of Trevor Ervin 270-737-6800.
April 28, 29, 2023
Third-Party Event: Youth Theatre of Hardin County AUDITIONS for their summer production of OKLAHOMA.
Friday, April 28, 5 PM. Saturday, April 29, 11 AM
All 6th to 12th-grade students who reside in Hardin County may audition.
POC Greg Thompson, ythc.greg@gmail.com
Coming Soon – May 2023
May 2, 2023
HCS Event: John Hardin High School Fine Arts Spring Show.
Tuesday, May 2, 7 PM.
Tickets: Free
Tickets available: April 10
POC Phyllis Westfall 270-769-8906.
All seats reserved through the PAC at www.thepac.net.
May 3, 2023
HCS Event: Bluegrass Middle School Band Concert.
Wednesday, May 3, 7 PM.
Tickets: $5 including fees, Children 5th grade and below FREE
Tickets available: April 3.
POC Joshua Mitchell 270-765-2658.
All seats reserved through the PAC at www.thepac.net.
May 4, 2023
HCS Event: West Hardin Middle School Band Concert.
Thursday, May 4, 7 PM.
Tickets: Free
Tickets available: April 17.
POC Laura Hedges. Laura.Hedges@hardin.kyschools.us.
All seats reserved through the PAC at www.thepac.net.
May 9, 2023
Third Party Event: Abound Credit Union Annual Membership Meeting.
Tuesday, May 9,
POC Marc Prasch meprasch@aboundcu.com
May 11, 2023
HCS Event: North Hardin High School Choral Concert.
Thursday, May 11, 7 PM.
Tickets:
Tickets available:
POC Cassie Lucas 270-369-3167.
All seats reserved through the PAC at www.thepac.net.
May 13, 2023
Third Party Event: Lawson School of Music Musical THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
Saturday May 13, 6 PM.
ickets: Adults: $18.25, Students, 17& under: $13 (fees included).
Tickets available now.
POC Heather Lawson heatherlawsonmusic@gmail.com.
May 17
HCS Event: Hardin County Schools Board of Education Meeting.
Wednesday, May 17, 6 PM. Student Recognitions.
Note Change in Date.
POC Kaycie Pawley 270-769-8817.
May 20, 2023
Third Party Event: The Dance Centre of Elizabethtown’s Spring Recitals “Seussical” and “Cakewalk.”
May 20, Saturday, 1 & 4 PM.
Tickets: $5 fees included
Tickets on Sale: April 3.
POC Sherry Barnard 270-765-5464.
All seats reserved through the PAC at www.thepac.net.
May 21, 2023
Third Party Event: Heather Lawson School of Music Recital.
Sunday, May 21, 3 & 6 PM.
Tickets:
Tickets available:
All seats reserved through the PAC at www.thepac.net.
POC Heather Lawson. heatherlawsonmusic@gmail.com.
May 23, 2023
Third Party Event: Studio One-Eleven Recital.
Tuesday, May 23, 6:30 PM.
Tickets: $10 including fees.
Tickets on Sale: May 1.
All seats reserved through the PAC at www.thepac.net.
POC Katie Bennett studiooneelevenky@gmail.com
May 27, 28, 2023
Third Party Event: Allegro Dance Theatre Spring Recitals.
Saturday, May 27 at 2:00-Singin In The Rain- Special Recital Edition
Saturday, May 27- 7:30pm- Recital including The Little Princess, Raymonda Variations and Broadway Rhythm
Sunday May 28- 3;00pm- Recital including The Little Princess, Raymonda Variations and Broadway Rhythm
Tickets: $7 (fees included)
Tickets on Sale:
Livestream: Hoping to be available.
All seats reserved through the PAC at www.thepac.net.
Under the direction of Carol Zagar 270-352-1333.
May 31, June 2, and 4, 2023
Third Party Event: Center Stage Dance Studio’s Spring Recitals.
Wednesday, May 31, 7 PM, Friday June 2, 7 PM & Sunday June 4, 3 PM. Tickets:
Tickets on Sale:
All seats reserved through the PAC at www.thepac.net
POC Yvonne Groves 270-769-5505.
In Review – March 2023
On March 3, 4, 30 students with Central Hardin High School Drama Club under the direction of Sarah Dakin, presented “Theatre Now: 10-Minute Musicals.” before a student audience of 60 and public audiences totaling 227.
On March 11, 49 area students with Youth Theatre of Hardin County presented the last of three Winter Workshops in prep for summer production of OKLAHOMA.
On March 7-12, 25 students with North Hardin High School Drama Club under the direction of Donna Thomas presented ALICE IN WONDERLAND to public audience of 247.
On March 14-18, 30 students with Allegro Dance Theatre under the direction of Carol Zagar presented 5 school day and 2 public performances of SINGING IN THE RAIN, JR to student audiences totalling 1,617 and public audiences of 401.
On March 21, 53 students with West Hardin Middle School Band under the direction of Laura Hedges presented a Pre-Festival Preview Concert featuring the Derby City Brass Band before an audience of 206.
On March 22, 38 students with Bluegrass Middle School Band under the direction of Joshua Mitchell presented a Pre-Festival Preview Concert.
On March 23, 94 students with Central Hardin High School Band under the direction of Trevor Ervin presented a Pre-Festival Preview Band Concert before an audience of 332.
On March 24, 187 students with East Hardin Middle School Band under the direction of Vanessa Lee presented a Pre-Festival Preview Band Concert.
On March 26, 65 members of Heartland Winds under the direction of David Coffing presented a free concert that included 15 students with Allegro Dance Theatre before an audience of 303.
On March 27-29, 45 bands from 16 counties including Hardin were adjudicated as part of the Kentucky Music Educators Association Band Assessment Festival. John Hardin High School band director Brian Ellis facilitated the festival that featured 538 HCS students and 1,475 Non-HCS students and audiences totaling 1,341.
Total Served in MARCH: 2,575 HCS Students, 2,151 Non-HCS Students, 289 Adults, and 3,239 Audience Members.
Total Served Year to Date: 13,382 HCS Students, 4,450 Non-HCS Students, 5,144 Adults, and 16,107 Public Audience Members.