Open Forum

We've done a spring musical for the past five years. We offer it to schools all over our area for matinees to grades K-6, as well as our regular three public performances. It's our biggest crowdpleaser of the year and our best source of income for the program.

When we proposed our ideas for this spring's show, our proposal came back with a request that we pitch non-musical ideas. I'm less excited about that, because musicals tend to attract more interest both at auditions and at the box office.

That said, I need ideas for 'straight' shows that have K-6 appeal, name recognition, and large (15-30) cast. We've been looking, but I wanted to appeal to this community for suggestions in case there are 'perfect' options out there that we haven't thought of.

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Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
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"The Phantom Tollbooth"

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Janet Wood
Drama Director
[Columbia High School]
[Columbia] [PA]
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-15-2017 09:59
From: Josh Kauffman
Subject: Non-Musical Hits for Youth Audiences

We've done a spring musical for the past five years. We offer it to schools all over our area for matinees to grades K-6, as well as our regular three public performances. It's our biggest crowdpleaser of the year and our best source of income for the program.

When we proposed our ideas for this spring's show, our proposal came back with a request that we pitch non-musical ideas. I'm less excited about that, because musicals tend to attract more interest both at auditions and at the box office.

That said, I need ideas for 'straight' shows that have K-6 appeal, name recognition, and large (15-30) cast. We've been looking, but I wanted to appeal to this community for suggestions in case there are 'perfect' options out there that we haven't thought of.

------------------------------
Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------

Original Message------

"The Phantom Tollbooth"

------------------------------
Janet Wood
Drama Director
[Columbia High School]
[Columbia] [PA]
------------------------------

Hey, Josh.  Check out Looking Glass Land. It's by a guy you might have heard of. Jim Davita? He's pretty good. ;-) I think it hits all the points you're looking for.

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Rob Kimbro
Theatre Teacher
Duchesne Academy
Houston TX
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-15-2017 09:59
From: Josh Kauffman
Subject: Non-Musical Hits for Youth Audiences

We've done a spring musical for the past five years. We offer it to schools all over our area for matinees to grades K-6, as well as our regular three public performances. It's our biggest crowdpleaser of the year and our best source of income for the program.

When we proposed our ideas for this spring's show, our proposal came back with a request that we pitch non-musical ideas. I'm less excited about that, because musicals tend to attract more interest both at auditions and at the box office.

That said, I need ideas for 'straight' shows that have K-6 appeal, name recognition, and large (15-30) cast. We've been looking, but I wanted to appeal to this community for suggestions in case there are 'perfect' options out there that we haven't thought of.

------------------------------
Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------

Rob! Great to see you here.

Thanks for the suggestion - I have read it and love it.

------------------------------
Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-16-2017 08:32
From: Rob Kimbro
Subject: Non-Musical Hits for Youth Audiences

Hey, Josh.  Check out Looking Glass Land. It's by a guy you might have heard of. Jim Davita? He's pretty good. ;-) I think it hits all the points you're looking for.

------------------------------
Rob Kimbro
Theatre Teacher
Duchesne Academy
Houston TX

Original Message:
Sent: 11-15-2017 09:59
From: Josh Kauffman
Subject: Non-Musical Hits for Youth Audiences

We've done a spring musical for the past five years. We offer it to schools all over our area for matinees to grades K-6, as well as our regular three public performances. It's our biggest crowdpleaser of the year and our best source of income for the program.

When we proposed our ideas for this spring's show, our proposal came back with a request that we pitch non-musical ideas. I'm less excited about that, because musicals tend to attract more interest both at auditions and at the box office.

That said, I need ideas for 'straight' shows that have K-6 appeal, name recognition, and large (15-30) cast. We've been looking, but I wanted to appeal to this community for suggestions in case there are 'perfect' options out there that we haven't thought of.

------------------------------
Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------

We just did Charlotte's Web this fall and had a TON of kids in the audience.  We also contemplated (but couldn't pull it off in time) having a petting zoo in the parking lot before the audience came in.  We had a cast of 26 once we added spectators, fair goers, etc.  The kids had a blast with it, too.

------------------------------
Nicole Deckert
Theater Director
Northridge Middle School/Northridge High School
Middlebury, IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-15-2017 09:59
From: Josh Kauffman
Subject: Non-Musical Hits for Youth Audiences

We've done a spring musical for the past five years. We offer it to schools all over our area for matinees to grades K-6, as well as our regular three public performances. It's our biggest crowdpleaser of the year and our best source of income for the program.

When we proposed our ideas for this spring's show, our proposal came back with a request that we pitch non-musical ideas. I'm less excited about that, because musicals tend to attract more interest both at auditions and at the box office.

That said, I need ideas for 'straight' shows that have K-6 appeal, name recognition, and large (15-30) cast. We've been looking, but I wanted to appeal to this community for suggestions in case there are 'perfect' options out there that we haven't thought of.

------------------------------
Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------

You probably have thought of it ... but Charlotte's Web is fabulous for K-6, and has an expandable cast (more animals, fairgoers, etc.).

It's a classic for a reason!

------------------------------
Kristin Hall
Drama Director
Lincoln Public Schools
Arlington MA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-15-2017 09:59
From: Josh Kauffman
Subject: Non-Musical Hits for Youth Audiences

We've done a spring musical for the past five years. We offer it to schools all over our area for matinees to grades K-6, as well as our regular three public performances. It's our biggest crowdpleaser of the year and our best source of income for the program.

When we proposed our ideas for this spring's show, our proposal came back with a request that we pitch non-musical ideas. I'm less excited about that, because musicals tend to attract more interest both at auditions and at the box office.

That said, I need ideas for 'straight' shows that have K-6 appeal, name recognition, and large (15-30) cast. We've been looking, but I wanted to appeal to this community for suggestions in case there are 'perfect' options out there that we haven't thought of.

------------------------------
Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------

Afternoon of the Elves by Y York,  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the BFG

------------------------------
Rebecca Holmes
Drama Teacher
Albuquerque NM
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-15-2017 09:59
From: Josh Kauffman
Subject: Non-Musical Hits for Youth Audiences

We've done a spring musical for the past five years. We offer it to schools all over our area for matinees to grades K-6, as well as our regular three public performances. It's our biggest crowdpleaser of the year and our best source of income for the program.

When we proposed our ideas for this spring's show, our proposal came back with a request that we pitch non-musical ideas. I'm less excited about that, because musicals tend to attract more interest both at auditions and at the box office.

That said, I need ideas for 'straight' shows that have K-6 appeal, name recognition, and large (15-30) cast. We've been looking, but I wanted to appeal to this community for suggestions in case there are 'perfect' options out there that we haven't thought of.

------------------------------
Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------

Charlotte's Web worked really well for us a few years ago. There is a non-musical version through Dramatic Publishing.

------------------------------
Rob Duval
Theatre Teacher/Director
'Iolani School
Kaneohe HI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-15-2017 09:59
From: Josh Kauffman
Subject: Non-Musical Hits for Youth Audiences

We've done a spring musical for the past five years. We offer it to schools all over our area for matinees to grades K-6, as well as our regular three public performances. It's our biggest crowdpleaser of the year and our best source of income for the program.

When we proposed our ideas for this spring's show, our proposal came back with a request that we pitch non-musical ideas. I'm less excited about that, because musicals tend to attract more interest both at auditions and at the box office.

That said, I need ideas for 'straight' shows that have K-6 appeal, name recognition, and large (15-30) cast. We've been looking, but I wanted to appeal to this community for suggestions in case there are 'perfect' options out there that we haven't thought of.

------------------------------
Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------

There is a great non-musical Peter Pan script. A Christmas Carol is good even if in the fall. The Miracle Worker (Helen Keller and her peers are close to the age of your student guests). Pygmalion (the original non-musical My Fair Lady) is wonderful. Anne of Green Gables has a lovely non-musical script. The House At Pooh Corner, The Wind in the Willows, Androcles and the Lion - classic stories all full length family plays. We are currently in production for The House At Pooh Corner and opened for our grade 2 students today. Having a wonderful time. (photo attached)

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Jill Campbell
Pine Grove Mills PA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-15-2017 09:59
From: Josh Kauffman
Subject: Non-Musical Hits for Youth Audiences

We've done a spring musical for the past five years. We offer it to schools all over our area for matinees to grades K-6, as well as our regular three public performances. It's our biggest crowdpleaser of the year and our best source of income for the program.

When we proposed our ideas for this spring's show, our proposal came back with a request that we pitch non-musical ideas. I'm less excited about that, because musicals tend to attract more interest both at auditions and at the box office.

That said, I need ideas for 'straight' shows that have K-6 appeal, name recognition, and large (15-30) cast. We've been looking, but I wanted to appeal to this community for suggestions in case there are 'perfect' options out there that we haven't thought of.

------------------------------
Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------

Original Message------

We've done a spring musical for the past five years. We offer it to schools all over our area for matinees to grades K-6, as well as our regular three public performances. It's our biggest crowdpleaser of the year and our best source of income for the program.

When we proposed our ideas for this spring's show, our proposal came back with a request that we pitch non-musical ideas. I'm less excited about that, because musicals tend to attract more interest both at auditions and at the box office.

That said, I need ideas for 'straight' shows that have K-6 appeal, name recognition, and large (15-30) cast. We've been looking, but I wanted to appeal to this community for suggestions in case there are 'perfect' options out there that we haven't thought of.

------------------------------
Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------