“…But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
      All losses are restored, and sorrows end.”
    – Sonnet 30, by William Shakespeare

Dear friends,

We hope this email finds you well during this time of “social distancing.”

The Monroe County Civic Theater (MCCT) would like to announce The MCCT Podcast; an opportunity for our community members to stay active in theater (while at home) and celebrate the works of poets, authors, and playwrights.

We’d like YOU to create a vocal recording of one of your favorite poems, sonnets, or monologues to share on our podcast. You can also record famous speeches, short stories, essays, or excerpts from books if you’d like!

We’re accepting audio recordings only.  If you need help selecting something to read and record, please let us know, and we can provide you with our recommendations.

At the beginning of the recording, please introduce your reading with a “lead-in” before you recite the text… 
Here is an example of a lead-in for a poem or sonnet:  “Sonnet 18, by William Shakespeare…”
Here is an example of a lead-in for a monologue:  “A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare, Act 3 Scene 1, Titania…”

We will be sure to attribute the reading to you in our introduction.

When you’re happy with your recording, just send the audio file to this email:  monroecountycivictheatre@gmail.com

Please let us know what reading you choose, as soon as you can, so that we can add it to our list so nobody else chooses the same one!

Here’s a list of readings that have already been chosen by other people:

• Sonnet 8
• Sonnet 18
• Sonnet 29
• Sonnet 37
• Sonnet 98
• The Tempest – Iris’ Monologue
• Macbeth – Act 3, Scene 5 – Hecate “Have I not reason”
• Macbeth – Act 5, Scene – Macbeth “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow”
• Hamlet – Act 3, Scene 2 – Hamlet “Speak the speech”
• Hamlet – Act 4, Scene 7 – Gertrude “There is a willow”
• Antony and Cleopatra – Act 4, Scene 15 – Cleopatra “No more but e’en a woman”
• Edwin Arlington Robinson – Richard Cory
• William Earnest Henley – Invictus
• The Merchant of Venice – Act 3, Scene 1 – Shylock “To bait fish withal”
• All’s Well that Ends Well – Act 1, Scene 2 – King “I would I had”
• All’s Well that Ends Well – Act 2, Scene 3 – King “T’is only title”
• All’s Well that Ends Well – Act 1, Scene 3 – Steward “May it please you”
• All’s Well that Ends Well – Act 1, Scene 3 – Helena “Then I confess”
• Othello – Act 5, Scene 2 – Othello “A word or two before you go”
• Romeo and Juliet – Act 2 Scene 2 – Romeo “But, soft!”
• Henry V – Act 4 Scene 6 – Exeter “In which array, brave soldier, doth he lie”
• Julius Caesar – Act 4 Scene 3 – Brutus “You have done that you should”
• King Lear – Act 4, Scene 2 – Duke of Albany “Goneril, you are not worth”
• A Winter’s Tale – Act 5, Scene 3 – Pauline “Music, Awake her”
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Act 1, Scene 1 – Egeus “Full of vexation”
• Langston Hughes – Dreams
• Langston Hughes – Mother to Son
• Langston Hughes – I, Too
• Langston Hughes – Let America Be America Again
• Langston Hughes – Love Again Blues
• Maya Angelou – Still I Rise
• Nikki Giovanni – The Women Gather
• James Wheldon Johnson – Lift Every Voice and Sing
• John Patrick Shanley – Doubt: A Parable – Sermon
• Gwendolyn Brooks – We Real Cool

Here’s a link to all of our episodes: www.mcct.org/podcast

We’d like to give you a few more directions before you start recording…

Remember to take your time while you’re speaking/recording, speak clearly, and enunciate.  Convey the meaning of the text by emoting.  Express the words with feeling.  Also, try your best to follow the meter (basic rhythmic structure) of the text.  For example, Shakespeare’s sonnets are in Iambic Pentameter.  His monologues can vary between types of verse and prose.

Practice before recording.  You’ll get the hang of it!  If you need help, please let us know.  If we notice anything that we think you can improve, we’ll let you know.  

A few more things…

It’s NOT necessary to go out and buy a new microphone for this.  Most cell phones, Ipads/tablets, laptops, and computers are equipped with microphones that have sufficient audio recording capabilities, and, if necessary, our audio software can help to improve the sound quality of your recording.

You should still try your best to minimize background noise by recording in a quiet space.  A few tips for creating better sound quality in vocal recordings are recording in a small to medium-sized room with some furniture like a bed, couches, curtains, rugs, clothing, or blankets around to absorb any echo. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your recording space or microphone, or anything else, please let us know, and we’ll be happy to assist you: monroecountycivictheatre@gmail.com

Have fun!

We’re looking forward to hearing your readings! Thank you for participating!