Open Forum

I have an "Intro to Theater Class" with only two freshmen girls in it.  Thus far this year, we've done a survey of theater history by exploring scenes and experimenting with conventions and performance styles from each major time period. Both are good actors and we have had fun with them switching roles back and forth and doing text analysis for each character. We just did the Tea Scene from The Importance of Being Earnest, before heading off on our holiday break, and I am now looking for 20th century scenes  that will explore different styles and will challenge these girls. I have a number of contemporary things, but am looking mostly for things from the first half of the 20th century.

Any suggestions you can share, between holiday celebrations, would be appreciated. And best wishes to everyone for a restful break and a productive new year!

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Susan Speidel
Chairman of the Performing Arts Department
Morristown-Beard School
Springfield NJ
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Trifles - Susan Glaspell (the entire script includes three men, but the bulk of the play centers on the two women)
Rosencranz & Gildestern are Dead - Stoppard (2nd half of the century, but can be done very effectively with two women)
A Doll's House - Ibsen (plenty of great scenes for two women)
Miracle Worker - (some great stuff with Annie Sullivan and the mother)

break a leg
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Josh Ruben
Fine Arts Head, Northwest Whitfield
Chattanooga TN
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-23-2014 17:16
From: Susan Speidel
Subject: 20th Century Scenes for Two Women

I have an "Intro to Theater Class" with only two freshmen girls in it.  Thus far this year, we've done a survey of theater history by exploring scenes and experimenting with conventions and performance styles from each major time period. Both are good actors and we have had fun with them switching roles back and forth and doing text analysis for each character. We just did the Tea Scene from The Importance of Being Earnest, before heading off on our holiday break, and I am now looking for 20th century scenes  that will explore different styles and will challenge these girls. I have a number of contemporary things, but am looking mostly for things from the first half of the 20th century.

Any suggestions you can share, between holiday celebrations, would be appreciated. And best wishes to everyone for a restful break and a productive new year!

-------------------------------------------
Susan Speidel
Chairman of the Performing Arts Department
Morristown-Beard School
Springfield NJ
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A small correction on A Doll's House:  that's from the 19th century (premiered in 1879).  In fact, the very last of Ibsen's plays, When We Dead Awaken, dates to 1899, so he is entirely a 19th century playwright.

Cheers,
Jon

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Jonathan Dorf
Playwright/ Co-founder of YouthPLAYS/ Co-chair of The Alliance Of Los Angeles Playwrights
Los Angeles CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-24-2014 09:13
From: Josh Ruben
Subject: 20th Century Scenes for Two Women

Trifles - Susan Glaspell (the entire script includes three men, but the bulk of the play centers on the two women)
Rosencranz & Gildestern are Dead - Stoppard (2nd half of the century, but can be done very effectively with two women)
A Doll's House - Ibsen (plenty of great scenes for two women)
Miracle Worker - (some great stuff with Annie Sullivan and the mother)

break a leg
-------------------------------------------
Josh Ruben
Fine Arts Head, Northwest Whitfield
Chattanooga TN
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 12-23-2014 17:16
From: Susan Speidel
Subject: 20th Century Scenes for Two Women

I have an "Intro to Theater Class" with only two freshmen girls in it.  Thus far this year, we've done a survey of theater history by exploring scenes and experimenting with conventions and performance styles from each major time period. Both are good actors and we have had fun with them switching roles back and forth and doing text analysis for each character. We just did the Tea Scene from The Importance of Being Earnest, before heading off on our holiday break, and I am now looking for 20th century scenes  that will explore different styles and will challenge these girls. I have a number of contemporary things, but am looking mostly for things from the first half of the 20th century.

Any suggestions you can share, between holiday celebrations, would be appreciated. And best wishes to everyone for a restful break and a productive new year!

-------------------------------------------
Susan Speidel
Chairman of the Performing Arts Department
Morristown-Beard School
Springfield NJ
-------------------------------------------

Some ood scenes for women, although a couple of these may be a bit beyond freshmen. Proof has two great scenes that are great acting exercises. The Childrn's Hour The Little Foxes Picnic Bus Stop--short scenes between Elma and Cherie Doubt Steel Magnolias Glass Menagerie Album by David Rimmer-- a little obscure but a good little show I hope this helps Ben ------------------------------------------- Ben Martin Past Board Of Trustees Missouri Aliiance for Arts Education Lee's Summit MO -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 12-23-2014 17:16 From: Susan Speidel Subject: 20th Century Scenes for Two Women I have an "Intro to Theater Class" with only two freshmen girls in it. Thus far this year, we've done a survey of theater history by exploring scenes and experimenting with conventions and performance styles from each major time period. Both are good actors and we have had fun with them switching roles back and forth and doing text analysis for each character. We just did the Tea Scene from The Importance of Being Earnest, before heading off on our holiday break, and I am now looking for 20th century scenes that will explore different styles and will challenge these girls. I have a number of contemporary things, but am looking mostly for things from the first half of the 20th century. Any suggestions you can share, between holiday celebrations, would be appreciated. And best wishes to everyone for a restful break and a productive new year! ------------------------------------------- Susan Speidel Chairman of the Performing Arts Department Morristown-Beard School Springfield NJ -------------------------------------------

Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds by Paul Zindel; scene where Ruth works on Tillie's hair
Social Life by Nancy Oliver; entire first scene is between two high school girls
Museum by Tina Howe; the Barbaras' scene
Flyin' West by Pearl Cleage

Students seem to like all of those.
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C. J. Breland
Asheville NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-25-2014 07:02
From: Ben Martin
Subject: 20th Century Scenes for Two Women


Some ood scenes for women, although a couple of these may be a bit beyond freshmen.
Proof has two great scenes that are great acting exercises.
The Childrn's Hour
The Little Foxes
Picnic
Bus Stop--short scenes between Elma and Cherie
Doubt
Steel Magnolias
Glass Menagerie
Album by David Rimmer-- a little obscure but a good little show

I hope this helps

Ben


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Ben Martin
Past Board Of Trustees
Missouri Aliiance for Arts Education
Lee's Summit MO
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Thank you all for the suggestions.  I hadn't thought of a number of the plays mentioned, so I appreciate it the assistance.

Happy New Year!

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Susan Speidel
Chairman of the Performing Arts Department
Morristown-Beard School
Springfield NJ
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 12-23-2014 17:16
From: Susan Speidel
Subject: 20th Century Scenes for Two Women

I have an "Intro to Theater Class" with only two freshmen girls in it.  Thus far this year, we've done a survey of theater history by exploring scenes and experimenting with conventions and performance styles from each major time period. Both are good actors and we have had fun with them switching roles back and forth and doing text analysis for each character. We just did the Tea Scene from The Importance of Being Earnest, before heading off on our holiday break, and I am now looking for 20th century scenes  that will explore different styles and will challenge these girls. I have a number of contemporary things, but am looking mostly for things from the first half of the 20th century.

Any suggestions you can share, between holiday celebrations, would be appreciated. And best wishes to everyone for a restful break and a productive new year!

-------------------------------------------
Susan Speidel
Chairman of the Performing Arts Department
Morristown-Beard School
Springfield NJ
-------------------------------------------