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Michael Corliss

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RE: Knives on stage...

Posted By Michael Corliss 10-27-2023 09:08
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When I did "But Why Bump Off Barnaby?" I had this issue. Barnaby suddenly appears on stage, then keels over face down on a table, revealing a knife sticking out of his back. I started by open up the center seam in the back of Barnaby's suit jacket, about 1 inch. I then sewed a pocket into the ...

RE: A Christmas Carol - Which Script/Version?

Posted By Michael Corliss 10-27-2023 08:57
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I will send you my version for free. It fits your criteria. I put the Narrator down right, behind a podium. I have only slightly modified two or three scenes. ------------------------------ Michael Corliss MI ------------------------------

RE: Administrative Guidance for Performing Arts Facilities

Posted By Michael Corliss 10-27-2023 08:54
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I have responded. Thanks for the opportunity, and best of luck. Mike Corliss Stevenson H.S. Livonia, Mi ------------------------------ Michael Corliss ------------------------------

RE: Need good dramatic 1 man 1 woman scene. Help.

Posted By Michael Corliss 10-27-2023 08:49
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You could look at "Bang Bang, You're Dead." The scene between the protagonist and his one female friend (sorry, I've blocked out the names) is very powerful.

RE: Concord Theatricals

Posted By Michael Corliss 09-28-2023 08:02
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Without trying to turn this thread into a "list of grievances," I will say that I have experienced the exact same problems with Concord, and finally decided not to use them unless I had my heart set on a particular show that they carry. This was not from 1-2 bad experiences, but every time, at least ...

RE: Favorite Shows with Stage Combat?

Posted By Michael Corliss 12-13-2022 12:09
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If you're in a conservative community (so no "She Kills Monsters" and don't want to go classical, look at "Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys." It has a large cast, and there is an epic hand-to-hand fight scene. ------------------------------ Michael Corliss MI ------------------------------

RE: Favorite Shows with Stage Combat?

Posted By Michael Corliss 12-13-2022 10:39
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CJ, About the "ick factor" I would say that, as with all potentially sensitive subjects, it depends on how it is played. I mean after all, we are all of us adults who went back to school to hang out all day (and longer) with children. Nothing wrong with that, obviously. ------------------------------ ...

RE: Teaching responsibilities

Posted By Michael Corliss 12-13-2022 10:25
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Kristin, As others have said this is pretty typical. I taught 28 years, did three shows a year (including a musical) and taught 3-4 preps (mostly ELA, some theatre). This usually results in either teachers who learn how to manage time well, delegate to (and train) students, and find a good work/life ...

RE: MTI

Posted By Michael Corliss 05-04-2022 10:01
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That would be a deal breaker for me. Musicals are too expensive to rely on just the student body and parents for ticket sales. ------------------------------ Michael Corliss Adlai Stevenson High School MI ------------------------------

RE: One-acts

Posted By Michael Corliss 09-12-2019 12:44
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Heather, If all the plays you are reading are silly, it's probably your source. Many publishing houses are geared toward G-Rated, middle school plays. Try Playscripts, Dramatic Publishing, or Dramatists Play Service. They have a few silly plays, but they have many, many high quality ones as well. ...

RE: Chicago - High School Version

Posted By Michael Corliss 06-14-2019 13:05
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I could not, and from what I here from other schools (plus what I recall of the show) I would not do Chicago. I'm sure the students would love it, but the parents and grandparents would not. I have carefully cultivated a reputation of staying within certain boundaries. So much so that the admins, ...

RE: Beauty and the Beast Rose

Posted By Michael Corliss 02-17-2019 09:42
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Thanks, Valerie! I will contact them tomorrow morning. I am indebted! Sent from my Galaxy Tab(r) A

Beauty and the Beast Rose

Posted By Michael Corliss 02-15-2019 15:07
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Does anyone have a Magic Rose that will drop its last petal on cue and is available for rent or purchase? Thanks!

RE: Breakaway Chair

Posted By Michael Corliss 10-15-2018 15:42
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I used a chair I swiped from the library. It was wooden, and assembled with screws. I just took out the screws and replaced them with wooden pegs. Sturdy enough to sit on (very carefully), but when you banged it on the floor, it broke into pieces. The audience loved it. Like this, basically: ...

RE: Twelve Angry Jurors

Posted By Michael Corliss 10-15-2018 15:37
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I agree with Kerry. I have done this show twice, and each time I angled the table and the set itself. Acting out the stabbing and the old man walking, and son, were all done on the apron. Remind each actor to cheat, sit sideways, turn the chair around, etc. And each actor should be up at least half ...

RE: Bye Bye Birdie

Posted By Michael Corliss 10-15-2018 15:29
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I've directed it twice, in High School. I choreographed it to empower Rose. The men were all interested, but she turned them down flat ( giving her the control, and allowing her to remain true to Albert). Choreography is the province of the director, and I did not at all feel I was violating copyright ...

Beauty and the Beast

Posted By Michael Corliss 09-04-2018 13:03
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My choir and my pit orchestra director have their hearts set on Beauty and the Beast this year (It's ultimately my decision). I'm not concerned about costumes or anything else, except the sets. Although we have an excellent auditorium, I do not have a spectacular set building crew. Parents do not help ...

RE: Need A New Comedy Idea

Posted By Michael Corliss 06-05-2018 12:07
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"Proposals", by Neil Simon, is as good as "Rumors" but avoids the problem.  "Noises Off" would never fly in my conservative town without major rewrites (which of course you can't do). My favorite is "But Why Bump Off Barnaby", by Rick Abbott. Appropriate, right cast size, and screamingly funny. ...

RE: R&H Refund

Posted By Michael Corliss 06-05-2018 12:02
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In my experience, they are not very quick to do this. A month, at least. And they will deduct for missing or damaged materials. ------------------------------ Michael Corliss Livonia MI ------------------------------

RE: Joseph/Dreamcoat Question

Posted By Michael Corliss 06-04-2018 07:08
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We made the carriage for "Cinderella. It wasn't that difficult. I followed the designed (what I could see of it) from YouTube videos of the Broadway production. The visible wheels were ornamental (we had a dad with a scroll saw make them), and the weight was actually on casters. It's very doable. Mike ...