Play Suggestions: small cast small space

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small cast small space

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=5336
Printed Date: 11/22/24 at 10:22am
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Topic: small cast small space

Posted By: AnnetteLogue
Subject: small cast small space
Date Posted: 7/10/12 at 1:35pm

I'm in need of an inexpensive children's show performed by adults. It must have a small cast, utilize a small space with minimal set changes. Any suggestions??

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Annette Logue
McIntosh Theatre Arts Company
Darien, Georgia

Replies:

Posted By: jonplaywright
Date Posted: 7/11/12 at 5:01am

Not sure what running time you're looking for or exactly the age group, but you might consider several of the following from the YouthPLAYS site:
Tantrum on the Tracks (a musical) by Judy Freed and Marianne Kallen
The Story Club by Nicole Adkins
Anna's Perfect Party and the Magician's Marvelous Mistake by Karin Diann Williams
Johnny and Sally Ann and The Wild and Wacky Rhyming Stories of Miss Henrietta Humpledowning, both by Tom Smith
Secret Life Under the Stairs by Kris Knutsen
Princess Pigface by Tommy Jamerson
Silver, from the Wind by Evan Guilford-Blake

All could have a cast of 6 or fewer, can be done with relatively minimal technical requirements and are available at http://www.youthplays.com - www.youthplays.com . Feel free to email at mailto:info@youthplays.com - info@youthplays.com if you have any questions.

Cheers,
Jon

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Co-Chair, Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights
Resident Playwright, Final Draft

YouthPLAYS, plays for young actors and audiences
http://www.youthplays.com - www.youthplays.com

Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 7/24/12 at 1:06pm

I once saw a traveling show for kids based on fairy tales. Although I don't know the script, it was notable because it had a nominal cast of a dozen or so characters, played by 3-4 actors. It also had a 'set' with dozens of scenes, played in a creative way. The background was set on something like a shower curtain rod. There were rings across the top of painted backgrounds--or rather one continuous background. So as little red riding hood exited stage left, she pulled her wood background with her, revealing grannies house as the wolf and granny entered stage right. Once granny and the wolf finished, they exited stage left pulling the painting of grannies house with them. Costume changes occured behind the background (no wings needed!) and mostly consisted of costume notes like hats, or capes, or simple props. It was particularly effective for traveling shows.

Done this way, you could do almost any show for kids with a small adult cast and use a small venue.

A variation can be done with one 'background ' surface, which is really a projection surface.

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http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people

Posted By: fatdogmgk
Date Posted: 10/25/12 at 2:07pm

My students and I have had great success with a show called Wiley and the Hairy Man by Susan Zeder. I believe Anchorage Press has the rights. 4 named characters and any number of chorus/swamp people. It's great fun.
Peace
Marc