Open Forum

I am at a private school, grades 6-12 and we are changing the structure of our Middle School Theater Class for next year. I will have 15-20 kids (6th, 7th, & 8th grades mixed) three times a week for an hour each time - but just for a semester. A new group will rotate in for second semester. Some students elect to take the class, but others are placed into it and don't really want to be there. The expectation is that each semester will culminate in the performance of a short play, but I don't want to spend the entire semester just rehearsing. I would also like to find scripts that challenge those who want to be in the class and engage those who don't. In addition, because of the demands of our Upper School production schedule, the technical requirements of any performance I do need to be minimal. So, I am looking for script suggestions. Any and all ideas are appreciated. ------------------------------------------- Susan Speidel Chairman of the Performing Arts Department Morristown-Beard School Springfield NJ -------------------------------------------

Hi Susan,

I've doing doing the middle school theatre program (after school) for the past 18 years.  Here is a link to our production history.

http://www.flushingschools.org/webpages/theatredept/fmsdrama.cfm?subpage=570268

-------------------------------------------
Lynda Gibson
Jr. Troupe 88305
Flushing MI
-------------------------------------------

Have you done script-in-hand readings as a performance?  Seat the students in groups of two rows of chairs leaving an opening for students entering.  They stand to deliver their lines, maybe moving forward to form groups.  You need one or two students to read stage directions (where necessary for the audience to visualize, not all directions).  It would probably help the initial confusion if you practiced with some senior students when you are planning this, esp. if you are doing a comedy because middle school students can go a little crazy  (not that that isn't a good thing if you are writing a new play) .  You can use a few props, but it is not necessary to use all.  I used this cross between a simple reading and a staged reading when I used to visit a lot of schools.  You can do it in a week with middle school students.

-------------------------------------------
Vicki Bartholomew
Playwright
Sherwood OR
-------------------------------------------

Our Middle School theatre teacher can probably give you even more info, but...have you used Theatrefolk?  www.theatrefolk.com  Lindsay Price and company, create beautiful vignette plays that are perfect for middle school performers.  Since they are vignettes, you aren't asking kids to learn an entire show, but a portion.  They also have wonderful 10 minutes plays and much, much more!  Ones that have had a proven success at our middle school and high school  are
The Snow Show
Wait Wait Bo Bait (Middle school & High school version)
School Daze
Skid Marks
Hoodie
Hairball

There are more scripts from them...many more!  Lindsay and Craig are amazing to work with and so helpful!  Earlier this year, she sent a video message to our middle school cast of "hoodie" to wish them well on their production.  She is the best! 

Oh, even better...you could read a good portion of the script online and they are sent to you in PDF.  You get them almost instantly and then, when that kid (you know that kid,) loses his/her script, you can print another one.  I know this kid well, it is my son! 

Wishing you the best!
Carolyn
-------------------------------------------
Carolyn Greer
Kentucky Thespians
Owensboro HS #3161
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 05-11-2014 10:32
From: Vicki Bartholomew
Subject: Middle School Scripts?

Have you done script-in-hand readings as a performance?  Seat the students in groups of two rows of chairs leaving an opening for students entering.  They stand to deliver their lines, maybe moving forward to form groups.  You need one or two students to read stage directions (where necessary for the audience to visualize, not all directions).  It would probably help the initial confusion if you practiced with some senior students when you are planning this, esp. if you are doing a comedy because middle school students can go a little crazy  (not that that isn't a good thing if you are writing a new play) .  You can use a few props, but it is not necessary to use all.  I used this cross between a simple reading and a staged reading when I used to visit a lot of schools.  You can do it in a week with middle school students.

-------------------------------------------
Vicki Bartholomew
Playwright
Sherwood OR
-------------------------------------------

We are in the same situation, with the exception that my MS classes are 7th and 8th grade only.  I do teach 6th grade too, but separately.

I have my MS students for only one semester at a time.  They can repeat the class in the second semester if there is no waiting list.  Because of this, I have to have 4 separate semesters of curriculum in case students repeat the next semester or the next year with me.
I do two one-act plays per semester and I choose them from Plays Magazine.  I highly recommend subscribing!  They have classics shortened into one-acts, historical stories, etc.  I start each semester with some basics; stage terminology and directions, improvisation, theatre games, monologues, two person scenes, etc. to allow them to all be on a level playing field and to help them realize that they're all able to fail and fix what failed in front of one another. I change the monologues, scenes and even the games, again depending if I have repeat students.

Later in the semester, we spend 4-6 weeks on a historical one-act play (some of the titles coordinate with what the English or History classes are doing or will do) and then 4-6 weeks on a classic one-act play.  I do Charles Dickens; A Christmas Carol in Dec., Oliver Twist or Nicholas Nickleby in the Spring, depending on what students may be repeating with me.  Again, the choices in Plays Magazine are wonderful; different levels of difficulty, different and educational topics, different cast sizes (and I can alter them depending on how many are in my class that semester.)

I've also used "Shakespeare in a Box," specifically "Taming of the Shrew." It's a shortened version, but still uses the original text.  I had a particularly gifted class that semester that I thought could handle it and they loved it!  I had one student direct it, another stage manage it, another two costume it, another did props and the rest acted.  I gave them the choice to use their script or try to memorize it.  Either was fine as long as they stayed in character and didn't sound like they were 'reading.'

Good luck to you!

-------------------------------------------
Gail Bartell
Drama teacher
Orangewood Christian School
Maitland, FL
-------------------------------------------

I teach 2 sections of 7/8 Grade Theatre classes that meet for a semester each. We spend the start of each semester on the basics, stage areas/movement, pantomime, improv and scene work and get them to where they can be a part of a one act which we begin the 2nd quarter (later for easier plays). I use Plays Magazine as well which gives you plenty of options, and new ones every month or so, many are academic or literary in nature. I also have 8 favorites from the mag that I use repeatedly--teaching 5 preps and 4 productions a year, these are produced as simply as possible. The students apply for tech roles when they audition and have a tech responsibility as well as a performance role. We have essentially no budget and only the props we have in the room. Makes for creative problem solving!

We then invite the parents to attend and LS teachers to bring their classes. Kids sit on the floor to watch the show and it has become a commercial for the program.

The shortened Shakespeare we use is "Shakespeare for Young People" published by Swan. Uses shortened original language, but I usually don't use the narrators.

Hi Gail! It makes me laugh how similar we are in programs & teaching style. :)

-------------------------------------------
Suzanne Livesay
7-12 Grade Theatre Director
The First Academy 
Orlando FL
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 05-11-2014 11:21
From: Gail Bartell
Subject: Middle School Scripts?

We are in the same situation, with the exception that my MS classes are 7th and 8th grade only.  I do teach 6th grade too, but separately.

I have my MS students for only one semester at a time.  They can repeat the class in the second semester if there is no waiting list.  Because of this, I have to have 4 separate semesters of curriculum in case students repeat the next semester or the next year with me.
I do two one-act plays per semester and I choose them from Plays Magazine.  I highly recommend subscribing!  They have classics shortened into one-acts, historical stories, etc.  I start each semester with some basics; stage terminology and directions, improvisation, theatre games, monologues, two person scenes, etc. to allow them to all be on a level playing field and to help them realize that they're all able to fail and fix what failed in front of one another. I change the monologues, scenes and even the games, again depending if I have repeat students.

Later in the semester, we spend 4-6 weeks on a historical one-act play (some of the titles coordinate with what the English or History classes are doing or will do) and then 4-6 weeks on a classic one-act play.  I do Charles Dickens; A Christmas Carol in Dec., Oliver Twist or Nicholas Nickleby in the Spring, depending on what students may be repeating with me.  Again, the choices in Plays Magazine are wonderful; different levels of difficulty, different and educational topics, different cast sizes (and I can alter them depending on how many are in my class that semester.)

I've also used "Shakespeare in a Box," specifically "Taming of the Shrew." It's a shortened version, but still uses the original text.  I had a particularly gifted class that semester that I thought could handle it and they loved it!  I had one student direct it, another stage manage it, another two costume it, another did props and the rest acted.  I gave them the choice to use their script or try to memorize it.  Either was fine as long as they stayed in character and didn't sound like they were 'reading.'

Good luck to you!

-------------------------------------------
Gail Bartell
Drama teacher
Orangewood Christian School
Maitland, FL
-------------------------------------------

Thanks everyone, for the great suggestions. I am excited to check out all the resources you shared!!!! ------------------------------------------- Susan Speidel Chairman of the Performing Arts Department Morristown-Beard School Springfield NJ -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 05-12-2014 09:00 From: Suzanne Livesay Subject: Middle School Scripts? I teach 2 sections of 7/8 Grade Theatre classes that meet for a semester each. We spend the start of each semester on the basics, stage areas/movement, pantomime, improv and scene work and get them to where they can be a part of a one act which we begin the 2nd quarter (later for easier plays). I use Plays Magazine as well which gives you plenty of options, and new ones every month or so, many are academic or literary in nature. I also have 8 favorites from the mag that I use repeatedly--teaching 5 preps and 4 productions a year, these are produced as simply as possible. The students apply for tech roles when they audition and have a tech responsibility as well as a performance role. We have essentially no budget and only the props we have in the room. Makes for creative problem solving! We then invite the parents to attend and LS teachers to bring their classes. Kids sit on the floor to watch the show and it has become a commercial for the program. The shortened Shakespeare we use is "Shakespeare for Young People" published by Swan. Uses shortened original language, but I usually don't use the narrators. Hi Gail! It makes me laugh how similar we are in programs & teaching style. :) ------------------------------------------- Suzanne Livesay 7-12 Grade Theatre Director The First Academy Orlando FL -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 05-11-2014 11:21 From: Gail Bartell Subject: Middle School Scripts? We are in the same situation, with the exception that my MS classes are 7th and 8th grade only. I do teach 6th grade too, but separately. I have my MS students for only one semester at a time. They can repeat the class in the second semester if there is no waiting list. Because of this, I have to have 4 separate semesters of curriculum in case students repeat the next semester or the next year with me. I do two one-act plays per semester and I choose them from Plays Magazine. I highly recommend subscribing! They have classics shortened into one-acts, historical stories, etc. I start each semester with some basics; stage terminology and directions, improvisation, theatre games, monologues, two person scenes, etc. to allow them to all be on a level playing field and to help them realize that they're all able to fail and fix what failed in front of one another. I change the monologues, scenes and even the games, again depending if I have repeat students. Later in the semester, we spend 4-6 weeks on a historical one-act play (some of the titles coordinate with what the English or History classes are doing or will do) and then 4-6 weeks on a classic one-act play. I do Charles Dickens; A Christmas Carol in Dec., Oliver Twist or Nicholas Nickleby in the Spring, depending on what students may be repeating with me. Again, the choices in Plays Magazine are wonderful; different levels of difficulty, different and educational topics, different cast sizes (and I can alter them depending on how many are in my class that semester.) I've also used "Shakespeare in a Box," specifically "Taming of the Shrew." It's a shortened version, but still uses the original text. I had a particularly gifted class that semester that I thought could handle it and they loved it! I had one student direct it, another stage manage it, another two costume it, another did props and the rest acted. I gave them the choice to use their script or try to memorize it. Either was fine as long as they stayed in character and didn't sound like they were 'reading.' Good luck to you! ------------------------------------------- Gail Bartell Drama teacher Orangewood Christian School Maitland, FL -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 05-10-2014 07:22 From: Susan Speidel Subject: Middle School Scripts? I am at a private school, grades 6-12 and we are changing the structure of our Middle School Theater Class for next year. I will have 15-20 kids (6th, 7th, & 8th grades mixed) three times a week for an hour each time - but just for a semester. A new group will rotate in for second semester. Some students elect to take the class, but others are placed into it and don't really want to be there. The expectation is that each semester will culminate in the performance of a short play, but I don't want to spend the entire semester just rehearsing. I would also like to find scripts that challenge those who want to be in the class and engage those who don't. In addition, because of the demands of our Upper School production schedule, the technical requirements of any performance I do need to be minimal. So, I am looking for script suggestions. Any and all ideas are appreciated. ------------------------------------------- Susan Speidel Chairman of the Performing Arts Department Morristown-Beard School Springfield NJ -------------------------------------------

If you can find a script that supports something the students are reading in English class, more ot them might be motivated to be in the program. A large cast, low tech option is The Outsiders, There are also a lot of scripts that feature short skits within a whole play, like Boo! 13 stories for Halloween. Good luck!

-------------------------------------------
Leslie Weinstein
Monongahela PA
-------------------------------------------

I taught middle school for 6 years and had a situation very similar to what you're describing. Our "final" was to write and produce a play in class, so we actually did our own shows that we wrote - it meant no royalties, no scripts to buy, and I could write it so every kid who wanted a part got one, and they all got the type of part they wanted.  The unit went something like this:

Day 1 - brainstorming, pitches, vote to narrow down to 1
Day 2 - outline the story, volunteer for the size/type of role you want, sign up for tech (everyone who didn't want to be on stage)

Then I'd spend time writing the script, usually took me 1-2 hours per class.  I generally tried to time it so Day 2 was the last day of the week and then I had the weekend to write.

Day 3 - Read script aloud in class, begin assigning and/or auditioning for parts
Day 4 - begin rehearsal and tech

Usually this was about a 3 week project (I saw the kids 5 days a week).  Plays were around 10 minutes, which meant we had time for classes to come to the theatre, get seated, I did a quick etiquette lesson, introduced the play, then we began.  Afterward I'd dismiss classes one by one to go back to their own room and  then we'd celebrate a successful performance.

youthplays has a lot of good scripts for the age.

http://goodschoolplays.com/ also has nice simple bare stage type shows

and of course theatrefolk

happy hunting and playing!

------------------------------
John Pszyk
TX
------------------------------