I need some suggestions for our very first production.  Because of our funding we must have a cast and crew that includes both students and adults (the students will be generally grades 6-12).  No musicals--at least not yet.  With minimal costume and sets--or ones that could be easily constructed with minimal cost.  I MUST order a play or plays before DECEMBER 31--'cause of grant funding must be expended.  Any suggestions would be great---I can even order more than one play.

A melodrama is a good choice, the sets are intentionally simple (and not all that realistic, ala cardboard cutout trees), plus melodramas tend to be so blunt about emotions that it would be much easier than trying to direct a bunch of 6-12th graders thru a subtle comedy. As far as doing the show graduation weekend, all I can say is this, in our town (very small) it NEVER pays to go up against a high school event. We don't bother scheduling any shows at the same time as the schools yearly musical and if there is a football game on opening night your ticket sales are likely to show it. Just part of working with the community in these here parts.

Our group has done the two mentioned in my post above -- but they are all fairly standard, I think.  Although you can find some bad ones, too.  Go to the website for almost any theatrical publishing comany - Samuel French, Dramatists Play Service, Dramatic Publishing are a few -- and search for melodramas.  There are a lot of them.