Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Faith County?

Message

   Hi, I'm newly registered, but I've been lurking for a long time.  I direct plays for my high school, so I know I'm not really part of a community theatre, but this is the best forum I've found!  

I have heard people say that Faith County is a funny play.  When I researched it, I heard that there was a birth scene.  What's involved?  I was wondering if it was appropriate for a small-town high school in the Midwest, if you know what I mean.  If it's not too involved, I will go ahead and buy the play to read.

We are a newer program beginning our third year.  I am looking for something the community will enjoy that will not be too offensive, not only in language, but sexual situations or violence.   I would like to steer away from purely children's theatre.  I know, I placed a lot of stipulations on this--lol.

We did a melodrama last year, and the year before we did The Monkey's Paw as a One-Act.  I would welcome any suggestions.  We're not quite ready for a musical.  I would rather have a smaller cast, but I had 10 kids last year.  We are still growing, and it's difficult to get a lot of kids to make a commitment.  I would rather have a small cast of the dedicated kids who put their heart and soul into the program.

Thanks for reading.

Author	Message
StaceySue Walk-On Joined: 8/12/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Topic: Faith County? Posted: 8/12/08 at 3:02pm
	Hi, I'm newly registered, but I've been lurking for a long time. I direct plays for my high school, so I know I'm not really part of a community theatre, but this is the best forum I've found! I have heard people say that Faith County is a funny play. When I researched it, I heard that there was a birth scene. What's involved? I was wondering if it was appropriate for a small-town high school in the Midwest, if you know what I mean. If it's not too involved, I will go ahead and buy the play to read. We are a newer program beginning our third year. I am looking for something the community will enjoy that will not be too offensive, not only in language, but sexual situations or violence. I would like to steer away from purely children's theatre. I know, I placed a lot of stipulations on this--lol. We did a melodrama last year, and the year before we did The Monkey's Paw as a One-Act. I would welcome any suggestions. We're not quite ready for a musical. I would rather have a smaller cast, but I had 10 kids last year. We are still growing, and it's difficult to get a lot of kids to make a commitment. I would rather have a small cast of the dedicated kids who put their heart and soul into the program. Thanks for reading.

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chelserin Lead Joined: 3/02/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 47	Posted: 8/15/08 at 10:37am
	I haven't seen/read that one, but have seen the "Faith County Night of Culture", were they put on Romeo and Juliet. And also by the same author was a "Christmas Carol in Three Tumultous Acts" Both of those are absolutely hillarious, and as far as I can remember no vulgarity or anything. I think your kids would really enjoy doing any of the faith county shows. Good Luck!
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GoldCanyonLady Celebrity Joined: 2/05/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Posted: 8/15/08 at 1:39pm
	We are doing the original Faith County and there is nothing in there about a birth. The woman goes into labor but the play ends before she actually gives birth. There is a death but it is quite comical, really. The whole play is funny. We start rehearsals in September.
	Barb Hofmeister, MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.
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slicksister Celebrity Joined: 3/20/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 105	Posted: 8/16/08 at 3:37am
	I did Faith County a few years ago. One of the best shows we did. Hilarous. There isn't a "birth" scene so to speak but one of the characters goes into labour right at the end of the show. It's an over the top show and we did over the top labour pains. It was great fun.
	The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
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StaceySue Walk-On Joined: 8/12/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 8/18/08 at 9:27pm
	Thanks for the responses. I will definitely order these plays to read! Maybe the search is over and I can use one of these.
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Mark L Smith Walk-On Joined: 12/10/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 8/25/08 at 6:09pm
	The birth scene is comprised of the character of Violet being carried off in a lawn chair to an offstage ambulance waiting in the wings. There are a few screams, cluthing of the belly and she's gone. Nothing graphic by any stretch of the imagination. Good luck! Mark Landon Smith Playwright
	Mark Landon Smith
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Scott B Celebrity Joined: 12/08/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 239	Posted: 8/29/08 at 11:17pm
	Our community theatre is and always has been confined to a church, so we obviously have to go over every show with a fine tooth comb. Forever Plaid was our best show ever and we did have to remove the word damn. Since I've never seen Faith County can someone tell me if there would be any language or other issues that might keep this off the stage of a church? One other thing ... what is the running time of the entire show? Darn ... I've had to come back and edit this twice. Does it make a difference whether you do the Evening of Culture first or second? Thanks - Scott
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Unclepeter Lead Joined: 7/26/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 37	Posted: 10/07/08 at 10:48pm
	Having played Luther Carson in Faith County several years ago, I can highly recommend this play. Glad to see the author on the board...kudos for a great play. We haven't tried Evening of Culture but think it would need to follow Faith County for character development.
	"Good judgement comes from experience - and a lot of that comes from bad judgement." (Will Rogers) Uncle Peter
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MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 10/08/08 at 7:42am
	Mark. Love your plays. I am directing, for the third time, "...Traveling Travisty.." We just had auditions and read throughs and still, after all this exposure to the play, I still crack up as I read through it. To All: If you haven't read this play, do it... Its got to be one of the funniest things I've ever done and is a HUGE audience pleaser..
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
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MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 12/06/08 at 7:20am
	If Mark should check in to the thread... "A Dickens' Christmas Carol, A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuos Acts" opened on Thursday to very appreciative crowds.. Cast and Crew are doing a great job and having a blast.. As in the last two times I did this show, the audience loves it. For everyone looking for a Christmas show for next year, you really should consider this show... It's not your grandma's Christmas Carol!
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
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