I didn't get their names but these are two foreign exchange students from Japan and Australia. They were delightful and really seemed to be having a fun time in Gilbert High School's production of Alice in Wonderland.

Actors and directors are familiar with auditions and trying our for a show.  With that in mind, I  came up with the concept of giving a theatre company first hand experience as to what exactly Show Biz Photo is all about.  I show up, take photos and give the theatre a 20"x30" framed collage photo.  If my photos are better, in theory, I get the job. Well, at least that's how it's supposed to work. The reality is you can't begrudge someone for their loyalty to a particular photographer.  Even if their work is not near as good as mine.  I am still leaving this offer on the table for anyone who wants to check us out.  I may still show up when you least expect it.  If it's a school I'd like to work with or a show I've been wanting to see, I may be auditioning for a job.

As I've said many times before.  I photograph a lot of shows every year and I really do see the "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly".   However, I can honestly say, the vast majority of shows I see are quite good and a great value for the money. 
This past week I had the opportunity to add a new school to our list. For years I've heard about how good Mesa High School was and now I've finally got to see their theatre cast and crew in action.  I have to say, I was impressed with their production of Peter Pan.
Certainly, like all other schools, their primary actors were good.  What sets them apart in my mind is not what primary actors do but what the secondary actors and ensemble do.  On all of the large ensemble scenes, I never saw one person just going through the motions.  Everyone was giving 120 percent no matter how small their role.  Everyone had total and complete buy in for what directory Sandy Stones was trying to do. If I had to put this in one word I'd say it would be "discipline".  They never wavered one bit in performing their roles at the maximum level for the entire show.