Treasure Island

J.L. Mann High School Academy presented its Spring 2007 play, Robert Louis Stevenson's TREASURE ISLAND adapted by Ara Watson: April 13 (7:30 PM), 14 (7:30 PM), 15 (3 PM), 19 (7:30 PM), & 20 (7:30 PM) in the J.L. Mann High School Auditorium. "One boy's thrilling adventure in search of buried treasure on a distant and mysterious island...complete with stolen map, pirates, swashbuckling battles, betrayal, and the infamous Long John Silver, who just may be the 'devil himself!'"

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Don't miss show photos! Download individual portraits for free, buy fine art-style poster collages designed by photographer Mark Lehner.

And should you want a video copy of the play, just get me (Coach White) a DVD-R or DVD-RW. I'll dub you a copy for free.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Sunday, April 22, 2007


1750 people saw TREASURE ISLAND. Here is what a few of them had to say:

"The students loved the play yesterday! We appreciate the invitation and hope to come again sometime. You did a fabulous job." PAT SANDZEN, 1st GRADE TEACHER, STONE ACADEMY

"There were so many things we loved, but we mostly loved how you all made the evening an experience, not just a performance." CRYSTAL JACKSON, DRAMA TEACHER, HILLCREST HIGH

"I thought that tonight's show was just remarkable. I wish everyone who sees it could know what a departure it is from traditional 'high school theatre.'" MARK ALLEN

"Thank you for letting my class come to the play of TREASURE ISLAND. I really enjoyed it. I think everyone did a really good job and they should be proud of themselves." JACQUELINE SEPPALA, 7th GRADE, BLUE RIDGE MIDDLE

"La pièce TREASURE ISLAND sera jouée par une troupe d'étudiants du lycée." ÉRIC DUMAIT, DIRECTEUR, FRENCH SCHOOL

"Just wanted to say again how much I enjoyed the play yesterday. It was the best high school play production that I have seen. " MARY ANN COLLINS, SCIENCE TEACHER, J.L. MANN HIGH

"It's the best drama I've seen on the J.L. Mann stage in the 12 years I've been here!!" STEVE GARNER, ART TEACHER, J.L. MANN HIGH

"AWESOME stuff!" JEFF DUNCAN, SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER, J.L. MANN HIGH

Monday, April 16, 2007

Sunday, we experienced "Technical Difficulties."

Long story-short, our lightboard suddenly stopped taking to the robot lights. Our 3:00 matinee ended up starting at 4.

Yeah.

It was kind of a drag. But get this: we only lost fifteen people. That means about 200 people waited out our technical difficulties to see TREASURE ISLAND.

What a great audience!

If YOU were one of the brave few who waited for us, we'd love to hear from you.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

We're open.

A couple of things...first, we want your comments. What did you think about TREASURE ISLAND?

If you are an audience member, we want to know what you liked, or didn't like, about our production. If you are a company member, we want to know how you feel about the entire experience--from initial press conference (December 13, 2006), through the run and strike of the show.

As director, I'll try to maintain daily updates and comments about specific performances. I'll also insert cool production photos (photographer: Mark Lehner).

THANKS! For all of you who chose to see and participate in MANN SHOW 2007's TREASURE ISLAND.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

I'm leaving you, TREASURE ISLAND...letting go, giving you to our cast and crew.

It's been a blast this last year and a half, thinking, planning, plotting...but I think you're in good hands. This company gets it...understands that believing that everything is really happening is the key to giving their audiences a most remarkable show.

I can't wait for Friday night...Saturday...Sunday...ALL the performances. It's going to be fun seeing what you become.

So...cast and crew. Are you ready to take the helm? Ready for TREASURE ISLAND to be yours?

Sunday, April 08, 2007

I really like our lights. They're going to look great. Eric Harrell of Productions Unlimited is just the greatest event sound/lighting guy I've ever worked with. He's smart, professional, kind...not at all the know-it-all tech geek who's more concerned with you knowing how much he/she knows than helping you make your show/event be the best it can be.

Eric brought in four super-cool robot lights for the show. These guys are massive...they look like upside down astromech droids, actually (now who's the tech geek, huh?). And each one can throw light and color all over the stage/Auditorium. I was able to light the show with these R2 units and about two dozen traditional lighting instruments--quite an acomplishment.

Hope you see the show...and if you're reading this post-performance, I hope you realized just how much a little bit of lighting technology can bring to a live event.