Open Forum

  • 1.  Desperatly looking for Middle School Play

    Posted 01-20-2016 09:21

    Hi everyone! I ahve been reading tons of plays for Middle School and nothing convinces me. 

    I need suggestions! No musicals, cast of about 20 kids. Thank you!!

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    Andrea Haeussler
    Drama Teacher and Theatre Manager
    Colegio Maya
    VIENNA VA
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  • 2.  RE: Desperatly looking for Middle School Play

    Posted 01-20-2016 12:13

    One act or two?  Ideal running time?  Tone?  What have your objections been to others you've read?

    Check out Ginny Butsch's google doc for ideas 

    Middle School Play recommendations

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    Ryan Moore
    Theatre Teacher and Forensics Coach
    Royal Oak MI

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Desperatly looking for Middle School Play

    Posted 01-21-2016 09:28

    Arabian Nights by Mary Zimmerman, Treasure Island, The Love of Three Oranges by Hillary DePiano!




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Desperatly looking for Middle School Play

    Posted 01-21-2016 11:08

    TheatreFolk.com (I would type that a million times if I could) - we just finished Lindsay Price's new play, "Box" and it was wonderful! Cast can be 18+ and you can EASILY cast 25 kids if you need to. We did her plays, "Hairball," "School Daze" last year, "Hoodie" two years ago, "Snow Show" four years ago, and I love "Cobweb Dreams" - both full length and one act - we did the full length two years ago - maybe three now?!?! So I'll vote for an LP show any day of the week! The kids love what she writes and can identify with it so fully. They have been a source of therapy and opportunity to understand one another - it truly creates a "whole child" atmosphere in the classroom. 


    Other plays I love from TheatreFolk - some are Lindsay Price's and some are other playwrights:

    Betweenity

    Shuddersome: Tales of Poe

    The Absolutely Insidious and Utterly Terrifying Truth About Cat Hair (we did this last year with all of my 5th-8th grade students - that's about 120 kids - it was SO much fun. 

    The Happiness Shop

    Christmas in July: Two Holiday One Act Plays - My 7th Graders did Christmas in July and my 6th graders did What do you do when the Elves have the Flu? 

    Hamlet, Zombie Killer of Denmark - So much fun! 

    The Redemption of Gertie Green

    The Merrie Christmas Show

    Epic Adventures in a Rinky-Dink Art Museum

    Jealousy Jane (smaller cast)


    I also have found that I have a fondness for PioneerDrama.com - We are currently working on Seusspeare: Romeo and Juliet: Restaurant Wars and last year, my 8th graders did Rumpelstiltskin, Private Eye. 


    Hope this helps! 


    Jessica Stafford 

    Owensboro Middle School 

    Jr. Thespian Troupe 89126







    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Desperatly looking for Middle School Play

    Posted 01-22-2016 12:56

    Afternoon

    I just did one---The Sleigh Team--link is below...cutesy--we added in supplemental characters w/o lines...

    they have other plays that are not long and larger casts...easy company to work with and royalties very reasonable

    http://www.blackboxtheatrepublishing.com/

    Best

    Ed Fitzgerald

    Bellefonte Area Middle School 

    Troup 89161

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    Ed Fitzgerald
    Bellefonte PA

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Desperatly looking for Middle School Play

    Posted 01-23-2016 15:27

    I am in a similar position, and I know it can be hard to find good plays for 20 Middle School actors, challenging for them but also appropriate for them.  My students help select the plays, resulting in us typically producing comedies.  You didn't mention if you were looking for "full-length" plays or not, but these are all 90 minute + plays.  Here are a few of the student and audience favorites:

    You Can't Take It With You by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman - the classic comedy, perfect for all ages; might have to make a lot of kids government agents to get to 20.

    Once in a Lifetime by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman - lesser known but still funny, about the transition from silent to talkie pictures; tons of roles, but you can double.

    The King Stag by Carlo Gozzi - commedia del'arte works for 18th century theatre buffs and 21st century MS students; had to cast some females in male parts, but it just added to the fun.

    Great Caesar’s Ghost by Craig Sodaro - I remember this mostly for some great acting performances, but I think it is a pretty strong script too.

    The Mouse That Roared by Christopher Sergel - some alums still quote their lines from this script, which I consider a good sign.

    Fair Exchange by Shirley McNichols - a kind of Freaky Friday plot, and MS actors seem to love it when adults and kids switch bodies.

    Chateau La Roach by Lauren Wilson - one of the funniest plays we've done, in the style of the television series Fawlty Towers.

    Promedy by Wade Bradford - MS kids love playing high school students; because it's a small school, we can't do big musicals, but this also allowed us to feature a few strong singers performing to karyoke tracks (the original script calls for lip syncing). 

    A Knight in My Locker by John Foster & Christopher Burruto - time travel, comedy, and romance; MS kids loved it.

    Spy School by Don Zolidis - 50s/60s spy movies go to high school; some juicy comedy roles that can be played to the hilt

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    Jeff Westbrook
    Downers Grove IL

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Desperatly looking for Middle School Play

    Posted 01-23-2016 17:34

    I loved directing Shuddersome: Tales of Poe by Lindsay Price (Theatrefolk) and my MS students still talk about what a positive experience it was for them. We just closed Orphan Trains by Deborah Price (Playscripts) and it was incredibly moving, powerful and well received. My MS students loved the historical topic. 

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    Juliette Beck
    Head of Theatre, Teacher, Troupe Director
    Albuquerque NM

    Original Message