Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Out of ideas!

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chel
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Joined: 6/20/07
Location: United States
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Posts: 106

Posted: 1/22/10 at 12:24pm

Is Steel Magnolias too mature for your group?

chel

www.windhamtheaterguild.org

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johnmh
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Joined: 6/18/05
Location: United States
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Posted: 1/26/10 at 5:28pm

I just remembered a show that I directed with a group of Jr. High students. The show is Spirit! by Peg Kehret (Pioneer Drama Service). A comedy/drama with 5 women and 3 men. You can find it here: http://www.pioneerdrama.com/searchdetail.asp?pc=SPIRIT&id=199

I have done this show 3 times - the first with the Jr. High and twice with various community theatres using adults. It works both ways. Plays VERY well in an intimate, small theatre. One of the community productions was done in the round - 3 rows of seats surrounding a stage 18' x 18'. Best audience reaction of the three productions.

Edited by johnmh - 1/26/10 at 5:47pm

John Hardaway
Director for 3 theaters in Southern Indiana
"In the biz" since 1963

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Miss Sara
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Joined: 1/25/10
Location: United States
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Posted: 1/26/10 at 8:05pm

The subject matter could possibly be a little intense for a middle school / high school, but I would highly recommend The Children's Hour by Lillian Hellman. 4W, 1M, and at least 3 girls, although I believe in some points, the script calls for as many as seven - only 3 of these, however, are speaking parts if I remember correctly. The parts for women could easily be used for your older girls, the children's for the younger one. It's one of my absolute favorite plays.

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Nyria
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Joined: 1/20/05
Location: Canada
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Posted: 2/21/10 at 8:39pm

If you are struggling for guys I would suggest doing some comedies. Draw them in with this -- then when they find that they love theatre you can do more dramas.

I find guys are more willing to get silly than they are to get serious.

NYRIA

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Melvin
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Joined: 4/02/09
Location: United States
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Posts: 36

Posted: 2/24/10 at 9:45pm

Olivia Twist has about the right female to male ration (10 to 4, if I remember) but it's a musical. You can check it out here:

http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/Musicals/Olivia_Twist.htm

However, since you are not shopping for a musical this year, this probably won't help much. I know a lot of the publishers now let you cherry pick plays based on your cast requirements, but then you might end up with the right cast number but the wrong play. It's a dilemma, for sure. Best luck with finding something that works for you.

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ozzieparker
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Joined: 10/19/09
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 23

Posted: 6/17/10 at 2:27pm

How about Grass Widows? It's a one act with only one set and a cast of 3 women-1 guy (must be dead). I can send the script.

You never know what's comin' for you.

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Play Suggestions
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Play Suggestions

Author	Message
chel Celebrity Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 1/22/10 at 12:24pm
	Is Steel Magnolias too mature for your group?
	chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org
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johnmh Walk-On Joined: 6/18/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Posted: 1/26/10 at 5:28pm
	I just remembered a show that I directed with a group of Jr. High students. The show is Spirit! by Peg Kehret (Pioneer Drama Service). A comedy/drama with 5 women and 3 men. You can find it here: http://www.pioneerdrama.com/searchdetail.asp?pc=SPIRIT&id=199 I have done this show 3 times - the first with the Jr. High and twice with various community theatres using adults. It works both ways. Plays VERY well in an intimate, small theatre. One of the community productions was done in the round - 3 rows of seats surrounding a stage 18' x 18'. Best audience reaction of the three productions. Edited by johnmh - 1/26/10 at 5:47pm
	John Hardaway Director for 3 theaters in Southern Indiana "In the biz" since 1963
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Miss Sara Walk-On Joined: 1/25/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/26/10 at 8:05pm
	The subject matter could possibly be a little intense for a middle school / high school, but I would highly recommend The Children's Hour by Lillian Hellman. 4W, 1M, and at least 3 girls, although I believe in some points, the script calls for as many as seven - only 3 of these, however, are speaking parts if I remember correctly. The parts for women could easily be used for your older girls, the children's for the younger one. It's one of my absolute favorite plays.
	IP Logged

Nyria Celebrity Joined: 1/20/05 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 157	Posted: 2/21/10 at 8:39pm
	If you are struggling for guys I would suggest doing some comedies. Draw them in with this -- then when they find that they love theatre you can do more dramas. I find guys are more willing to get silly than they are to get serious.
	NYRIA
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Melvin Lead Joined: 4/02/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Posted: 2/24/10 at 9:45pm
	Olivia Twist has about the right female to male ration (10 to 4, if I remember) but it's a musical. You can check it out here: http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/Musicals/Olivia_Twist.htm However, since you are not shopping for a musical this year, this probably won't help much. I know a lot of the publishers now let you cherry pick plays based on your cast requirements, but then you might end up with the right cast number but the wrong play. It's a dilemma, for sure. Best luck with finding something that works for you.
	IP Logged

ozzieparker Player Joined: 10/19/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Posted: 6/17/10 at 2:27pm
	How about Grass Widows? It's a one act with only one set and a cast of 3 women-1 guy (must be dead). I can send the script.
	You never know what's comin' for you.
	IP Logged

Topic: Out of ideas!( Topic Closed)
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