Open Forum

I just received word that I can requisition a class set of a play script to use as a classroom text, but they need an order by Monday. I'm a little overwhelmed by choices. What plays do you like to have your students study and analyze in class that aren't Shakespeare or ancient Greek plays (I can borrow those from the school book room already)? Also if you care to share, what kinds of activities do you like to do revolving around your class text?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

------------------------------
Marah Davis
Theatre Teacher/Director
Leakesville MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-10-2017 11:27
From: Rachel Snow
Subject: Play Recommendations for In-Class Study

I just received word that I can requisition a class set of a play script to use as a classroom text, but they need an order by Monday. I'm a little overwhelmed by choices. What plays do you like to have your students study and analyze in class that aren't Shakespeare or ancient Greek plays (I can borrow those from the school book room already)? Also if you care to share, what kinds of activities do you like to do revolving around your class text?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

I teach an "Intro to Theatre" class where I use high interest plays and musicals to pull in kids who have no interest in theatre. These are kids who were dumped into the class against their will because they forgot to sign up for an elective or the one they wanted was full. Almost without exception, they all told me on the first day that they were dropping after school that day. I managed to keep about 90% of them.

We've studied the following so far this year: "Bang Bang, You're Dead," "Wicked," "The Poet and the Rent," "Hamilton," "Starting Monday," "Next to Normal," "The Laramie Project." We start "Rent" this week. Others that I bought for this year that are still an option for the rest of the year are "Love Letters," "The Miss Firecracker Contest," "The Miracle Worker," "Zooman and the Sign" and "The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later." I have study materials on everything we've done so far (study guides, review games and tests) if you'd like to look at them.

------------------------------
Jodi Disario
Director of Drama
Willow Glen High School
San Jose CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-11-2017 08:25
From: Marah Davis
Subject: Play Recommendations for In-Class Study

 This semester I'm using The Importance of Being Earnest and Pygmalion as my non-Shakespeare plays. The students loved Pygmalion last semester, but this is my first time using TIBE, using it as a replacement for "The Scottish Play." With Pygmalion, I do a character study mainly. While previously I had them write a short essay on a particular character, this time they will be compiling a PowerPoint to present on their favorite character. I also use this play to teach the audition process. Many of them loved being able to use the British and Cockney accents for their final audition grade and even when we were studying it! We live in DEEP South MS, so they were able to relate to Eliza and Mr. Doolittle and they're sometimes lack of acceptance because of the way they speak. I use a discussion on how people have reacted when they've traveled and others hear their strong southern accents as a jumping off point for the play. I haven't really planned everything for TIBE yet, though I think it will be a hit. Of course, we will be watching the film, as well, and who doesn't love Rupert Everett and Colin Firth??

------------------------------
Marah Davis
Theatre Teacher/Director
Leakesville MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-10-2017 11:27
From: Rachel Snow
Subject: Play Recommendations for In-Class Study

I just received word that I can requisition a class set of a play script to use as a classroom text, but they need an order by Monday. I'm a little overwhelmed by choices. What plays do you like to have your students study and analyze in class that aren't Shakespeare or ancient Greek plays (I can borrow those from the school book room already)? Also if you care to share, what kinds of activities do you like to do revolving around your class text?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

My question is how do you build a script library with no budget.  How many scripts do you read through in a year?  I get my students every other day, 90 minute classes for the full year... Another moment where I wish I could peek into other teacher's classrooms and see how they do what they do!

------------------------------
Charlotte Kauffman
English & Theatre Teacher
Chesapeake VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2017 11:28
From: Jodi Disario
Subject: Play Recommendations for In-Class Study

I teach an "Intro to Theatre" class where I use high interest plays and musicals to pull in kids who have no interest in theatre. These are kids who were dumped into the class against their will because they forgot to sign up for an elective or the one they wanted was full. Almost without exception, they all told me on the first day that they were dropping after school that day. I managed to keep about 90% of them.

We've studied the following so far this year: "Bang Bang, You're Dead," "Wicked," "The Poet and the Rent," "Hamilton," "Starting Monday," "Next to Normal," "The Laramie Project." We start "Rent" this week. Others that I bought for this year that are still an option for the rest of the year are "Love Letters," "The Miss Firecracker Contest," "The Miracle Worker," "Zooman and the Sign" and "The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later." I have study materials on everything we've done so far (study guides, review games and tests) if you'd like to look at them.

------------------------------
Jodi Disario
Director of Drama
Willow Glen High School
San Jose CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-11-2017 08:25
From: Marah Davis
Subject: Play Recommendations for In-Class Study

 This semester I'm using The Importance of Being Earnest and Pygmalion as my non-Shakespeare plays. The students loved Pygmalion last semester, but this is my first time using TIBE, using it as a replacement for "The Scottish Play." With Pygmalion, I do a character study mainly. While previously I had them write a short essay on a particular character, this time they will be compiling a PowerPoint to present on their favorite character. I also use this play to teach the audition process. Many of them loved being able to use the British and Cockney accents for their final audition grade and even when we were studying it! We live in DEEP South MS, so they were able to relate to Eliza and Mr. Doolittle and they're sometimes lack of acceptance because of the way they speak. I use a discussion on how people have reacted when they've traveled and others hear their strong southern accents as a jumping off point for the play. I haven't really planned everything for TIBE yet, though I think it will be a hit. Of course, we will be watching the film, as well, and who doesn't love Rupert Everett and Colin Firth??

------------------------------
Marah Davis
Theatre Teacher/Director
Leakesville MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-10-2017 11:27
From: Rachel Snow
Subject: Play Recommendations for In-Class Study

I just received word that I can requisition a class set of a play script to use as a classroom text, but they need an order by Monday. I'm a little overwhelmed by choices. What plays do you like to have your students study and analyze in class that aren't Shakespeare or ancient Greek plays (I can borrow those from the school book room already)? Also if you care to share, what kinds of activities do you like to do revolving around your class text?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

Some of my faves include:

Ordinary People
 -adapted from the novel by Judith Guest
 -suicide awareness, etc.
 -great film adaptation 

Lost in Yonkers  
 -Pulitzer Prize winner by Neil Simon
 -family dynamics
 -very good film adaptation 

A Rasin In The Sun
 -by Lorraine Hansberry  
 -endless possibilities 
 -I have a great study guide I would be happy to
  forward if you choose this one

Good Luck!

------------------------------
Garry Tiller
Theatre Arts Teaching Artist
Hawaii Independent Schools
Honolulu, HI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-10-2017 11:27
From: Rachel Snow
Subject: Play Recommendations for In-Class Study

I just received word that I can requisition a class set of a play script to use as a classroom text, but they need an order by Monday. I'm a little overwhelmed by choices. What plays do you like to have your students study and analyze in class that aren't Shakespeare or ancient Greek plays (I can borrow those from the school book room already)? Also if you care to share, what kinds of activities do you like to do revolving around your class text?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

My Theatre 3/4 students are currently exploring The Crucible through process drama activities. They are loving it. I played the role of Rev. Parris and called for a town meeting. The students immediately became townspeople and I informed them, "We have a witch in our community." This led to multiple accusations and a series of tableaus displaying where the accused were the night before. The process has engaged them more than ever. They love the content. For more information about process drama, you should check out the texts/artciles by Dorothy Heathcote or Cecily O'Neill. I attached a great Teaching Theatre article about the subject : )

Also, I second Pygmalion. I paired the unit with lessons on accents and dialects "Former English vs. Cockney." The kids loved reading the text in character and actually enjoyed contrasting the text to the musical, My Fair Lady.

FYI, Catholic University has great Masters in Theatre Education degree that is partially online. I am a veteran Theatre Arts teacher and have learned so much on how to expand upon literature and history. Even if you are not looking for a degree, I highly suggest the online courses Drama in Education 1 & 2 taught by Dr. Flynn. You can reach her at flynn@cua.edu 

BIG HUGS and Good luck!

------------------------------
Justin Daniel
Tuscarora High School, Leesburg, VA
www.stistaywatch.org
Huskiedrama@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-10-2017 11:27
From: Rachel Snow
Subject: Play Recommendations for In-Class Study

I just received word that I can requisition a class set of a play script to use as a classroom text, but they need an order by Monday. I'm a little overwhelmed by choices. What plays do you like to have your students study and analyze in class that aren't Shakespeare or ancient Greek plays (I can borrow those from the school book room already)? Also if you care to share, what kinds of activities do you like to do revolving around your class text?

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------