ST Bulletins
ST2012 Memo #1 October 05, 2012
Hello, Sinag-tala Family. Much of our internal communications will now be in the form of memos, of which this is the first. Please don’t be surprised if you receive these frequently. So much goes on in a theater production and one of our biggest objectives is to make sure that because a large number of people are taking part in this effort, no one is left in the dark.
Please note the following:
1. Costumes. Most of the costumes to be used in the show will be provided by the company. But for certain numbers, the performers will be asked to provide certain items. Cast members are encouraged to avoid making expensive purchases if at all possible and to consider their existing wardrobes, family members willing to lend items, discount department stores, thrift shops, etc. as costume sources. To help in this regard we intentionally think of clothing and accessories that cast members may continue to use for other purposes and occasions even after the show. We will send out a costume list shortly that will outline our overall costuming needs this year. Later, we will also hold a costume workshop that the entire cast will be required to attend so that not only will everyone acquire knowledge about native Filipino attire and basic costuming theory but also some best practices for backstage costume management. .
2. Christmas Segment Costumes. The entire cast will be appearing onstage as a group in at least three segments of the show. One of them will be the Christmas segment. To ensure uniformity and compliance with show standards, all cast-provided costumes must be inspected and pre-approved before they may be worn onstage. For this reason, we recommend not waiting until the last minute to do a costume search. If your costume is not approved, you will be expected to resume your search. For the Christmas segment, please bring your costumes to the Studio for inspection either by Letty Alforque or me, or designated staff, no later than November 1.
Please begin your search for the following items immediately:
a. Girls and women: fuschia-colored blouses of any western contemporary style (no Filipino ethnic styles), either long- or short-sleeved, preferably but not necessarily collared; plus black dress slacks, leggings, or skirts (no mini-skirts or skinny jeans or baggy jeans); plus black dress shoes (no sneakers), either heeled or flat. Girls in children’s ensemble must wear plain white ankle dress socks. In all cases the attire must be in wholesome taste and appropriate for a Christmas theme; must allow for comfortable yet swift movement onstage; must be wearable WITHOUT jewelry of any kind; must not be overly revealing and must allow the performer to blend with the rest of the ensemble (not stand out). All costumes must be inspected and pre-approved. No exceptions. For fuschia color samples, visit any reliable website, including the following:
b. Men and boys: cobalt blue-colored long-sleeved dress shirts with collars; plus black neckties; black dress slacks (no jeans or sagging styles), black belts, black dress shoes (no sneakers) and black socks. All shirts will be worn tucked in neatly at the waistband for a cleancut, gentlemanly look (not loose or baggy at the waist). Consult any grownup men’s fashion magazine to see what we mean by this. The standards required of the women and girls regarding appropriateness also apply to the men and boys. For cobalt blue color samples, visit any reliable website including the following:
3. Housekeeping. Because we do not have paid staff, we rely on everyone who has access to the Sinag-tala Studio to assist with its upkeep and maintenance. Here are a few easy ways you may do that:
a. Avoid littering. This applies to trash, food and food containers, beverages and beverage containers, snacks and other items. Even if the litter isn’t yours, we would appreciate your helping us get rid of it. Receptacles may be found throughout the studio. Please remember to keep the parking lot clean as well.
b. Do not over-fill trash receptacles. Instead, find a less full receptacle. And for the intrepid who don’t mind emptying trash receptacles (it builds muscles and character and also burns calories), plastic replacement trash liners and garbage bags may be found on top of the refrigerator. Full bags that are not leaking may be placed outside beside either the front or warehouse entrances. Sine we do not have a budget for waste pickup, kind volunteers take them home and place them in their residential containers.
c. Help us prevent ant or other pest infestation. Lately, we have had ant infestations because ant-attracting items such as candy, cookies, syrupy beverages and other food products are left exposed for long periods of time on floors, tables, shelves and uncovered trash receptacles. Please avoid leaving such items exposed, or leaving them in the Studio in the first place. .
d. Avoid wasting drinking water. We appreciate those who support us by buying bottled water from us. But unconsumed bottles of water are left all over the Studio every day because their owners either forget where they leave them or, after having placed them near other people’s bottles, are no longer sure who owns which. A good practice is to write your initials on the bottle cap with a marking pen not only to help you identify your bottle but also to remember to take your bottle with you when you leave. We have marking pens at the Studio.
e. Avoid refrigerator over-crowding, food waste and end-of-the-day food mess. We cannot thank enough our many generous friends who take the time to prepare or otherwise bring food for us to share at the Studio. But we are also grateful to those who remember that perishable leftovers, even when stored in the refrigerator, usually remain unnoticed – and therefore uneaten - for days then soon spoil. They then create extra work for the few who are willing to do the thankless job of cleaning out the refrigerator. We also appreciate those who remember to take home leftovers and put away serving dishes and utensils rather than depend on those who lock up at the end of the day to worry about storage, cleanup and unwanted visits by mice and other pests.
f. Help the little ones to appreciate good housekeeping. It helps us a lot when playthings, crafts items, books and other articles that are provided for the enjoyment of kids, or that they bring themselves, are put away neatly or retrieved before they leave the Studio. Grownups (not just the parents) are asked to gently intervene once in a while.
g. Ask for permission before using Sinag-tala property that may require thoughtful treatment. Everyone is welcome to use whatever is in the Studio. But certain items that may seem unremarkable to most of us may be there either for very specialized uses or may require special handling or may be fragile, expensive to repair or replace, or may even be rare artifacts. Whether that item is a pair of “good” fabric scissors, a musical instrument, a costume accessory, a prop or carpentry tool, it could have unusual value that you may need to know about before you use it.
Thanks to everyone for working so hard and being so good to us.
Sonny Alforque
CEO & Artistic Director
Sinag-tala Filipino Theater and Performing Arts Association
