A Little Cross-Promotion

A huge portion of last year's success was due to our incredibly talented Orphans and Pickpockets.  Since the Dickens Festival only takes up 3 months of the year, I thought I'd let all those talented kids know of a great off-season program to get them in shape for the 2012 show!

The Empress Theatre in Magna, Utah offers an incredible youth theatre program called EYT.  I am lucky enough to get to be the program coordinator and Director for this great program.  This year, we'll be rehearsing and producing Beauty and the Beast, Jr. during our 3 week workshop.  

Open Registration begins April 2nd, and the space is limited.  Head over here now to get all the information (including tuition, scholarships, workshop dates, etc.), and then mark your calendar to return on April 2nd (as early as you can to get your spot).

Of course I'm going to tell you it's the best program in the valley, considering I direct it.  But I'm telling you.  It's the best program in the valley.

I hope to see some of my Dickens crew over at EYT this summer!

Dickens 2011 Reunion

Alright, folks...

The replacement DVD's are ready and that sounds like a reason to have a party to me.

Saturday, February 11th
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Andrea's House
3266 Hunter Oak Way
West Valley City, UT

We're not doing anything fancy.  Just bring a snack, and we can all hang out and reminisce.  Come even if you don't need to exchange your video!

I have have an Xbox Kinect and a Wii.  If anyone has Karaoke or dance games, please bring them.  (I have Dance Central, Dance Central 2, and Just Dance 3 for the Kinect.)

Also, if you're dying to have access to the video files, you can actually download them here: http://www.chrisadzimaphotography.com/2012/01/dickens-festival/

The password is: dickens

And if you can't come (come on now, rearrange your schedules and just be there) and you need to exchange your DVD, they'll be at my house after that, so just contact me, and we can arrange a swap.

See you all in a few weeks!

(Don't forget to bring your old video to swap.)

DVD Information

What a bummer to have my first post-production post be this one.  


Many of you have commented on your DVD's... some are not working correctly and I have heard many comments regarding the overall quality.  Here is what I know so far, and I will continue to update as I get information:


According to Chris (the videographer), there was a problem in the copying process and he will replace all DVDs at no cost.  PLEASE KEEP YOUR DVD because they will be exchanged on a 1 for 1 basis.  (Jacqueline and I will work to put together a January get-together at which we can re-distribute.)  That's the good news.  


He adds: "The DVD issue will be fixed so it will play both Scrooge and Oliver, however, the other complaints (sound, not enough time on camera) are not something I can fix. If people with those complaints would like to contact me directly I can discuss their concerns with them. "  So please use the contact information included with your DVD if you'd like to address those other concerns directly with Chris.


I will continue to update as I receive more information.

An Addition to our Dickens Family

In case any of the parents of orphans wonder how they're getting along during the long Festival days, I assure you they are having a great time, thanks largely to this guy.  While the moms are doing a great job of keeping them safe, accounted for, and busy, Vince is working hard to make sure they get their fair share of fun.  Here are no less than eleven orphans lined up ready to be swung.  I actually had one little girl in tears when we lined up to do street theater because she "waited in line for that guy to swing me, and I didn't get a turn yet."

Thanks, Vince, for keeping our orphans smiling (when they aren't required to put on grouchy faces).

Channel 2 Morning News

Here are the links to our two spots on Channel 2's Morning News Show.  Thank you (very much...) to those who came this morning.  I hope you find time for a nap.  Enjoy!

Oliver Segment
Scrooge Segment

Adam Wilkins

A favorite moment for me this year was watching Adam (Fagin) grab Colton Jensen by the shirt and holler, "You lost Oliver?!" so loudly it nearly reduced the poor pickpocket to tears.  Adam is fully committed to his character, never once breaking on stage.  He thinks of clever ways to fill in empty spaces with characterization, and I like watching the little things like his evil fingers.  Then, of course, there's the tremendous respect I have for both his talent and his professionalism, and I love to steal his sayings.  "Run fast, bow slow."  It's mine now.

Hatch Family

Last, but in NO WAY least, the show just wouldn't be the same without the Hatch family.  Gary (Bill Skyes, Ghost of Christmas Present) has been with us since the beginning, intimidating pickpockets and loosening up a grouchy Scrooge.  His booming voice fills the stage, and watching him pick Oliver up by the arms and carry him kicking across the stage is a nightly favorite of mine.

Zack (Christmas Future) agreed to join us for what has sometimes been thought of as a bit of a throw-away role.  Not the way Zack does it!  There may not be any glory in being the man behind the mask, but the stilts sure do make it cool.

Eric (Narrator) arrived home from serving an LDS mission to find out his dad had volunteered him to be a part of our show.  Somehow I'm going to remember to let him do his job and actually read his narration before I start Scrooge.  Somehow.