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Middle School Musicals

  • 1.  Middle School Musicals

    Posted 06-16-2014 11:03
    I'm on the hunt for a middle school musical.  In the past seven years, we've done SEUSSICAL, JR., ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, JR., original versions of CINDERELLA and ALICE IN WONDERLAND, HOW TO EAT LIKE A CHILD, THE BIG BAD MUSICAL and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Pioneer Drama version).  This is a completely extra-curricular activity and I usually have about 15 to 20 kids audition. And, of course, the mix is usually more girls than boys. Any suggestions are appreciated.

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    Susan Speidel
    Chairman of the Performing Arts Department
    Morristown-Beard School
    Springfield NJ
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  • 2.  RE: Middle School Musicals

    Posted 06-16-2014 12:13
    MTI and Theatrical Rights both have good collections of Junior Musicals with great resources.  The Disney and TYA sections for MTI has a large selection of shows.  Theatrical Rights is a company I'm liking working with as well and some of there shows seem more geared for middle schools.  Takes a little time, but you should be able to find a show.

    http://www.mtishows.com/
    http://www.theatricalrights.com/

    Break a leg.
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    Alan Strait
    Teacher
    CCSD
    Henderson NV
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  • 3.  RE: Middle School Musicals

    Posted 06-17-2014 08:31
    Re TRW (Theatrical Rights Worldwide) - We used their How I Became A Pirate a couple of years ago as a class project. It was a lot of fun. Girls can be pirates, you know. ------------------------------------------- Ava Grimm Carrollton TX -------------------------------------------
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  • 4.  RE: Middle School Musicals

    Posted 06-18-2014 09:57
    I have to put in a plug for one of my own favorite pieces we've ever published in Dramatics, "The Christmas Doll" by Joan Cushing, which is available from Dramatic Publishing.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgEOgCRZccY 

    Here's a link to a narrated slide show of the original production at Children's Theatre of Charlotte (N.C.), where I used to write about theatre for the Charlotte Observer. It was one of those shows that stays with you, and I can't believe more schools haven't attempted it. Maybe the elaborate period setting is intimidating for some programs, but if you've done "A Christmas Carol" or "Oliver," you should be able to pull it off -- and I daresay audiences are ready for a show about girl orphans that isn't "Annie." Hope you'll consider it. 

    All best,
    Julie

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    Julie Coppens
    Juneau AK
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  • 5.  RE: Middle School Musicals

    Posted 06-17-2014 07:46
    Hi Susie!
      DEAR EDWINA is adorable with  tons of roles for girls. I am in the same boat next year with a ton of girls and maybe 3 boys.  I am leaning toward ANNIE JR. for next year.


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    Laurie Wood
    Drama Teacher
    Middlesex Board of Education
    Watchung NJ
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  • 6.  RE: Middle School Musicals

    Posted 06-18-2014 09:32
    Hi Susie,
    I usually have 5 -7 boys audition for my shows.  We have been very successful with Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. and Once Upon a Mattress Jr.  Take a MTI Jr. productions and Getting 2 Know Rogers and Hammerstein productions.  Both are great companies for middle school productions and come with a CD in the correct keys for middle school voices.
    Debby Shellard

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    Deborah Shellard
    Drama Teacher
    Attea Middle School
    Glenview IL
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  • 7.  RE: Middle School Musicals

    Posted 06-19-2014 12:53
    Coming of Age (A Musical About Being Thirteen) is published by the NASSP - The National Association of Secondary School Principals - and all scripts and resources can be ordered from them.

    Cheers,


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    William Jacobsen
    Red Deer AB
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  • 8.  RE: Middle School Musicals

    Posted 06-20-2014 10:41
    We do lots of MTI and G2K shows in our school.  They are wonderful and all the students involved have a great time.  I haven't seen one from either company that I wouldn't produce myself in the future.  However, I just saw Dora, The Explorer Live!  at one of the colleges.  I was told by the director that TRW (Theatre Rights Worldwide) will be pulling all their Nickelodeon shows by Christmas of this year due to a conflict of agreement with the copyright holders.  The show was great and I would love to do it with my middle schoolers, however, we have already chosen our next year line up.

    I hope this helps!

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    Toni Jarvis
    Valdosta GA
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  • 9.  RE: Middle School Musicals

    Posted 06-21-2014 15:51
    You may want to consider "Into the Woods, Jr.", which we produced this past Spring with 7/8 graders. It is essentially only the 1st act of the full length ending "happily ever after". Need guys for Mysterious Man/Narrator; Princes/Wolf & the Baker. It allowed for easy role doubling for the guys. No ensemble, but plenty of roles for your numbers. We also produced "Annie, Jr." a few years back. Both were a lot of fun and I'm excited my students now know a little about Sondheim. :) ------------------------------------------- Suzanne Livesay Orlando FL -------------------------------------------
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  • 10.  RE: Middle School Musicals

    Posted 06-22-2014 11:34
    I second the endorsement for Into the Woods, Jr. We did it at our middle school 4 years ago - GRREAT SHOW. The music is a bit difficult - Stephen Sondheim after all.

    We just closed The Wizard of Oz Young Performer's Edition, last year we did the School Version of Grease. Both are pricier than the Jr. musicals.

    I'm thinking of doing Captain Louie Jr. this year. Check it out on YouTube, lots of great examples. Casting is flexible for both size and gender.

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    Jeffrey Russell
    San Diego CA
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  • 11.  RE: Middle School Musicals

    Posted 06-23-2014 07:15
    Honk Jr. and Dear Edwina Jr. are both easy to produce and have great messages for middle school kids. A harder show to pull together but one that kids love is Little Mermaid Jr. We did it with the lead 10 characters on roller blades and the kids loved it. Way too much set for a ML show and way too many scenes but it was all worth it because the kids had so much fun! All are great for programs with mostly girls. ------------------------------------------- Maggie Ward Columbia MD -------------------------------------------
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