List of Contributions

Abra Chusid

Theatre Teacher and Director,
A. E. Stevenson High School

Contact Details

Theatre Teacher and Director,
A. E. Stevenson High School

My Content

1 to 18 of 18 total

Intro to MT Lesson

Posted By Abra Chusid 10-15-2018 13:35
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Hi!  Looking to change things up...I have one period to introduce Musical Theatre, before diving into West Side Story.  Does anyone have an active and engaging lesson that you use to introduce the genre? TIA! ------------------------------ Abra Chusid Theatre Director Lincolnshire IL ---- ...

West Side Story Simplified Score?

Posted By Abra Chusid 03-09-2017 23:00
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Hi, I am considering doing West Side Story next year for many reasons, primarily that it suits our current students and is an incredibly poignant way to talk about race and the current tensions in our country without being political. However, my pit conductor, who has been conducting a full and talented ...

RE: Wigs

Posted By Abra Chusid 09-29-2016 09:19
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I've had quite a bit of success on Amazon and Ebay. You have to be picky with your search, but you can find some great items. Especially the cosplay items on Ebay - high quality and variable prices to meet different budgets. ------------------------------ Abra Chusid Theatre Director ...

RE: Mary Poppins Costumes

Posted By Abra Chusid 08-13-2016 13:00
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I rented the show from Mardi Gras Costumes in Arizona. Even with 2 way shipping, they were among the lowest cost, best quality I found. Most costumes were around $50 each. Break a leg! ------------------------------ Abra Chusid Theatre Director Buffalo Grove IL

RE: Interested in doing a 24 Hour Play Project, would like some info!

Posted By Abra Chusid 08-06-2016 10:57
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I too run a 24 Hour Play Festival, but it is a bit different than the others described here. Our festival's goal is to unite all student in the theatre department in a celebration of their work; it was inspired by watching choir and band concerts, wondering how I could get all the students collaborating ...

RE: Interested in doing a 24 Hour Play Project, would like some info!

Posted By Abra Chusid 08-06-2016 10:56
Found In Library: Open Forum

RE: Looking for a Great One Act

Posted By Abra Chusid 03-31-2016 09:15
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Look at titles by Jose Cruz Gonzalez, Jose Casas, and Roxanne Schroeder-Arce. Wonderful contemporary playwrights writing Latino/a themes and characters. They all have many wonderful scripts on Dramatic Publishing's website - while they are labeled full length, many of their titles run 35 - 55 min. You ...

Conversations surrounding racist portrayals in Thoroughly Modern Millie

Posted By Abra Chusid 03-17-2016 18:25
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Hello, I am strongly considering performin Thoroughly Modern Millie next year as the music is phenomenal and the roles suit my students well. However, I cannot seem to find an appropriate way to have conversations with the students and audience about the insensitive portrayals of Bun Foo and Ching Ho. ...

Mary Poppins Orchestrations

Posted By Abra Chusid 11-20-2015 16:29
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Hello! I am putting together a pit for Mary Poppins, and I am wondering if anyone has found a way to expand the strings roles? There is one cello part in the standard orchestration, but we have a few talented violins we'd like to be able to include in the show. Has anyone found any doubling or woodwind ...

Edinburgh Fringe

Posted By Abra Chusid 10-06-2015 11:09
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Hello, has anyone taken students to Edinburgh with a company other than AHSTF? I'm looking for something more cost effective and individualized. Hopefully I can find a tour guide or student trip company that can work with me to build a specific trip, so I don't have to do all the legwork myself. Any ...

RE: Looking for a diverse play with strong women leads

Posted By Abra Chusid 08-31-2015 14:00
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The Sins of Sor Juana Trojan Women (various versions) ------------------------------ Abra Chusid Theatre Director Buffalo Grove IL ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 08-31-2015 10:24 From: Susan Cortesi Subject: ...

RE: Renting Costumes?

Posted By Abra Chusid 05-16-2015 11:41
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I rented from Mardi Gras in Scottsdale AZ for Beauty and the Beast. I found their designs to be comparable in cost to Nortcostco and The Costumer, but more detailed and interesting (from the pictures at least). The costumes were beautiful, the company was helpful, and I'm already working with them to ...

AATE Conference Session Proposals

Posted By Abra Chusid 11-30-2014 16:53
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As the co-chair of the high school network for the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, I'm writing to let you know that the deadline for conference proposals for the 2015 conference in August in Milwaukee is tomorrow. AATE is a great partner with the EdTA, and we're always eager to create new ...

RE: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

Posted By Abra Chusid 09-21-2014 12:44
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Roxanne Schroeder-Arce and Jose Cruz Gonzalez have excellent plays featuring Latino characters and cultural themes. I highly recommend you check out both of these playwrights (both publish with Dramatic). ------------------------------------------- Abra Chusid Theatre Director Buffalo Grove ...

RE: Need tech theatre ideas

Posted By Abra Chusid 09-11-2014 19:32
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One of the goals of my tech class, in addition to learning about construction and theatrical design, is to create art from uncommon items, influencing students to observe their surroundings. So, here are a few non-tool oriented projects that are safe and effective with large classes: 1) We just completed ...

RE: Short plays with strong avaunt guard blocking possibilities

Posted By Abra Chusid 08-17-2014 19:42
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Check out the collection of Beckett shorts. So many possibilities! ------------------------------------------- Abra Chusid Theatre Director Buffalo Grove IL -------------------------------------------

RE: Blocking Activities or Games

Posted By Abra Chusid 08-17-2014 19:42
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In my second level performance class, we do a "block through" of Our Town. After the students read and analyze the play on their own and in groups, we spend 2 weeks blocking through the entire show - I set up traditional parameters of the houses, and leave it to the students to decide how and when they ...

The Laramie Project Community Engagement

Posted By Abra Chusid 08-17-2014 19:42
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I am directing The Laramie Project this fall. This is a bold play for my largely conservative community. I received approval from my Superintendant and Board of Directors in the spring, and have been transparent with my entire admin team the entire process thus far. I'm looking to strengthen the ...