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  • 1.  Ideas for thought-provoking theatre-related posts?

    Posted 03-13-2020 15:24
    Hi everyone,

    The responses I received from this community to my last post were immensely thoughtful and helpful, so I thought I'd throw this one out there. 

    Like many others, the high school where I teach and direct has decided to close down for at least a week, possibly (probably?) more.  My students were so sad at rehearsal yesterday, fearing that our May production will be cancelled like so many others. 

    In an effort to keep their spirits up, I'm hoping to keep our theatre community going online.  Any ideas for theatre-related questions, prompts, etc that might inspire contribution and connection?

    Thanks all!

    With gratitude,
    Melissa Charych

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    Melissa Charych
    Concord MA
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  • 2.  RE: Ideas for thought-provoking theatre-related posts?

    Posted 03-14-2020 09:00
    I am in the same situation and have told the students to script out a pantomime for a group of 6-7. I used the same guidelines as required by Thespian competition rules. They are familiar with the concept and are responsive to this as a new and “fun” activity to work on while out and then pitch to the class when we return. Then they can choose which ones to develop into performances.

    Sent from my iPhone




  • 3.  RE: Ideas for thought-provoking theatre-related posts?

    Posted 03-14-2020 15:07

    This is such an unfortunate situation, but as an online Community manager, I am so excited that you are exploring this! Here's what I would suggest (a good number of these are stolen from my friend, Fred, who posts a "Theatre Thursday" question on Facebook every week!):

    • What is your favorite theatre quote?
    • What was your favorite show that we have produced and why?
    • Name someone you did a show with a while ago who you would love to work with again.
    • Which two show tunes do you think would make a good mashup? How would you combine them?
    • What song from a musical always makes you cry no matter how many times you hear it?
    • What song from a musical inspires you or makes you feel motivated?
    • What is your favorite love song from a play or musical?
    • Who is the best villain in a play or musical?
    • If you were to build a new theater (the actual structure) and program the seasons, what kind of theater would you build and what kind of shows would you produce? Assuming unlimited funding, of course. Bonus points if you announce your first season.
    • What is something that you should NEVER do on a show day? Bonus points for lessons learned the hard way.
    • What is a lesser known or obscure show tune that you think everyone should know about? 
    • What is your favorite small cast play or musical?
    • What musical would you erase from existence?
    • Share a theatre tip you learned from someone else!
    • What is your favorite theatre story/memory?
    • What role are you dying to play?
    • Has anyone ever "saved" you on or offstage (covered a missed line or entrance, recovered a forgotten prop, helped you hide a wardrobe malfunction, etc.)? Tell us the story!
    • For a play, you need to create an ice cream cone filled with ice cream that is edible. There is not a fridge/freezer. How do you make it? What about if it doesn't have to be edible?
    • You need to make it snow onstage, but it has to be easy/fast to clean up and can't melt because it will ruin the set. What do you use?

     Let us know if you think of any more good ones!



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    Ginny Butsch
    Community Engagement Manager
    Educational Theatre Association
    Cincinnati OH
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  • 4.  RE: Ideas for thought-provoking theatre-related posts?

    Posted 03-15-2020 12:25
    Ginny,

    Thank you SO much!  This is exactly what I was hoping for.  I love that some are even focused specifically on tech.  

    With much gratitude,
    Melissa

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    Melissa Charych
    Concord MA
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  • 5.  RE: Ideas for thought-provoking theatre-related posts?

    Posted 04-09-2020 10:59
    Here are some I came up with to add to your great list:

    1. Share the title of the play or musical that first hooked you on theatre.
    2. Name your favorite musical theatre sidekick.
    3. If life around you suddenly turned into a musical, which one would you like it to be?
    4. What two plays or musicals would make an interesting mashup?
    5. Share a musical theatre lyric that inspires you.
    6. Comment with a string of emojis that captures a specific show.  (I gave an example for Sweeney Todd, but I'm on my computer so I can't easily use emojis)
    7. Share a time you "messed up" in theatre (a missed cue, a falling set piece, etc.)
    8. If I somehow managed to get through life never having seen a live musical until I met you, what show would you tell me to see FIRST?  Name the single most quintessential musical.
    9. Name your first role (character or tech) and title of show.
    10. Name the coolest tech feat you have witnessed in theatre.

    With much gratitude for your ideas!

    Melissa

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    Melissa Charych
    Concord MA
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  • 6.  RE: Ideas for thought-provoking theatre-related posts?

    Posted 04-10-2020 09:32
    Love these additions!! Specifically, "If life around you suddenly turned into a musical, which one would you like it to be?" Brilliant! How are your students reacting to these prompts?

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    Ginny Butsch
    Community Engagement Manager
    Educational Theatre Association
    Cincinnati OH
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  • 7.  RE: Ideas for thought-provoking theatre-related posts?

    Posted 04-06-2020 00:09
    #melissachatych

    We were 2 weeks from Production when we closed. I waited 2 weeks so the kids could get acclimated with their online school work. Then I ran a No-Scripts Read Thru. We laughed at the ridiculousness of the songs since it’s on a delay, group #’s were more like messy rounds.

    I keep up with my reminder emails, just without dates & I continue to ask for people to sign up for things we need & ads in our program. It makes things seem a little more normal.

    We will be participating in our State’s Jr. Thespian virtual Festival & our local Forensics Competition (now virtual). We were not planning to attend either when they were in-person but now my kids really need something to focus on so they don’t lose hope.

    Maria Stadtmueller
    St. Augustine School
    Kendall Park, NJ

    Sent from my iPhone