Play Suggestions: Looking for a Play...newbie at this.

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Looking for a Play...newbie at this.

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Play Suggestions
Forum Discription: Need help finding a show that's right for your theater? Ask here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4188
Printed Date: 11/26/24 at 9:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Looking for a Play...newbie at this.

Posted By: tech_director
Subject: Looking for a Play...newbie at this.
Date Posted: 8/17/09 at 10:44pm

Replies:

Posted By: donzolidis
Date Posted: 8/18/09 at 1:18am

Your local library might be a good place to start looking at plays. There is usually a section of the library that has the old warhorses - that way you can check out Samuel French, Dramatists Play Service, and Dramatic Publishing without having to buy a whole bunch of perusal copies.

Your theatre department probably has a stash of scripts from directors who were there before you - check those out as well.

I'd also suggest trying to go see as many plays as possible. Plays aren't typically meant to be read, they're meant to be seen, so you might love a play live that you might not "get" reading it. Shakespeare is like this for a lot of people. Look into other schools near you or local community theatres.

As for what other people do, here's a list of the top 10 most produced plays in American high schools last year. This is as good a place as any to start.

http://www.edta.org/publications/annual_survey.aspx - http://www.edta.org/publications/annual_survey.aspx

And of course there's my publisher, playscripts, which does allow you to read the scripts online so you don't have to buy them. I'd recommend my play, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, which you can read here: (just click on "read sample" in the upper right-hand corner) it will make that top 10 list for 2008-09.

http://www.playscripts.com/play.php3?playid=1162 - http://www.playscripts.com/play.php3?playid=1162

Hope that helps!

Don

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www.donzolidis.com

Posted By: Melvin
Date Posted: 8/18/09 at 10:58am

Since you don't don't have much money to peruse stuff, you might just go to the online publishers who let you read all or most of shows you are interested in for free. Here are three. The first lets you read the whole show, the second two give you most of the shows to look at for free perusal. There might be other publishers who offer these free services, but this will at least give you a start.

http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/ - http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/

http://www.playscripts.com/ - http://www.playscripts.com/

http://www.histage.com/ - http://www.histage.com/

Good luck on directing. It isn't for everyone, but it can be very rewarding.

Posted By: kries13
Date Posted: 8/18/09 at 1:07pm

You could also check out your local community theatre scene and see if they have their own "library" of scripts they would be willing to let you check out.

I would also suggest looking at the major publishing house websites to narrow your search - such as Dramatist and Samuel French. They will give you a quick synopsis of the show, the setting required and the # of cast broken down by age, gender etc. This will enable you the ability to hone in on a specific script that you might then be able to borrow from a local theatre company or the library.

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kries
I art therefore I am.
www.artisrelative.com

Posted By: Theatrefolk
Date Posted: 8/18/09 at 2:38pm

Check Theatrefolk out as well, you can read a good chunk of our plays online to make sure they're right for you.

www.theatrefolk.com

Cheers
Lindsay Price

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Theatrefolk: Scripts for High Schools, Middle Schools, and Elementary Schools
http://www.theatrefolk.com - http://www.theatrefolk.com

Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 8/20/09 at 12:20am

The library of a nearby college or university is another place to look for plays.

Posted By: Jo Norland
Date Posted: 8/24/09 at 3:25am

If you're looking for an adaptation of a well known novel, I've just finished writing a full length adaptation of 'Pride & Prejudice' by Jane Austen, which would work well for high school students. Let me know if you'd like me to send you a copy. My previous work has been produced off Broadway and in London, England, and published by Samuel French. E-mail me if you'd like a copy of 'P&P' -- mailto:joanna.norland@gmail.com - joanna.norland@gmail.com