List of Contributions

RE: Plays to Teach Directing and Building a Pipeline Suggestions

Posted By James Mead 07-01-2016 21:34
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In the high school drama program I run we do a Shakespeare every other year and a large musical every other year The large musicals we cast from the middle school as well as the high school This tends to bring more audience because we have more parents and families to come see the shows and gets the ...

RE: Senior traditions?

Posted By James Mead 04-26-2016 12:52
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We do just what you do plus, like our sports teams, have a senior night, which directly after the last performance of our last show on the stage. Parents, family, friends, teachers get a formal invitation and we recognize each senior with personal stories and fanfare. Our last production is also senior ...

RE: Set Question

Posted By James Mead 02-08-2016 21:51
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Build flats because then you'll always have the stock scenery on hand. They're light, store easily, and can be recovered. BTW, use medium weight unbleached muslin, not canvas. Disclaimer Notice: This email and any attachments to it may be confidential and are intended solely for the use of the ...

RE: Gingy Puppets for SHREK

Posted By James Mead 05-28-2015 23:50
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We're already in summer mode here but I'll be at school tomorrow. No promises yet, but I can see if we still have our Gingy's and if we do, I'll send them to you for the cost of shipping. (They are the easiest thing to make with a sheet of closed cell foam brown felt and some simple adornments.) Ours ...

RE: Bully Parents

Posted By James Mead 05-04-2015 18:58
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Wow, I have one of those this year. She even had her sister, a lawyer call saying she was representing the family. I replied with "So you want to be the lawyer with the reputation of suing a high school over the casting of the school play?" Never heard from her again. The parent, on the other hand, ...

RE: Audrey II

Posted By James Mead 04-09-2015 13:18
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We built our out of a bunch of foam camping pads used under your sleeping bag and made ribbed reinforcements inside with pipe insulation and stiff welding wire. Using some PVC can also work in limited supply. I don't remember what glues we used, but I do remember we had to put just the right amount on ...

RE: How do I get around certain words?

Posted By James Mead 04-09-2015 13:04
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Frankly, in a show like WSS, if you want to cut the word Spic, then you have no business doing the show at all. Theatre is often by nature controversial as an expression of human spirit. That being said, there are some communities - especially at the public high school level - that are not yet ready ...

RE: Rights to Grease

Posted By James Mead 04-06-2015 16:00
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Grease rears it's ugly head every 6-8 years or so and someone is always doing it in one of the high schools every couple of years as it's so popular. I've done it three times myself (don't ask me why!) I didn't find it all that expensive - no more than Shrek or any other big musical. In fact, I last ...

RE: Fundraiser Ideas

Posted By James Mead 03-26-2015 20:19
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Unless you're restricted to what you can charge at the door, ticket sales should fund you. I've always said to my troupe that we have one fundraiser and that is to get butts in the seats. My kids work hard enough to put on our shows (and the myriad of other things they're involved in), that they don't ...

RE: Organizing Costume Sizes

Posted By James Mead 03-26-2015 20:15
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I don't typically mark sizes in our costumes as most of them are altered every time a different actor wears it, otherwise, just holding it up or trying it on is a good enough reference. Then again, we've often talked about cataloging them in some kind of database. If I could only find the time to ...

RE: Shakespeare scripts

Posted By James Mead 03-26-2015 20:08
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The best place I've found to get any Shakespeare script online is on the MIT website at http://shakespeare.mit.edu/romeo_juliet/full.html You can get the full text on one page or go scene by scene. Then just copy and past into your favorite word processor. Shakespeare is in the public domain and ...

RE: Programs

Posted By James Mead 03-26-2015 20:00
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InDesign is the best layout software out there and is what we use, but you can do equally as well with Microsoft's Publisher. There is a good online video class at Lynda.com to learn InDesign as it does have a high learning curve. Subscribe for just 1 month for $25 - or you might get hooked on it. We ...

RE: Shrek cowl

Posted By James Mead 03-25-2015 19:26
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I have two top quality cowls, one large, own small (well, not as large). You'll still need a prosthetic mask or the separate forehead, nose, cheek, and chin pieces. They are the durable latex over a spandex hood (not the light foam) and include shoulders and ears. I paid $250 for each one and will ...

RE: Parent Contracts

Posted By James Mead 03-24-2015 15:52
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Parent buy-in is absolutely a must. I make that very clear at the beginning of the season and each production. I've had parent meetings once a year (with moderate success) and parent contracts. On big productions I publish newsletters every week or two during rehearsals, reminding parents of the commitment ...

RE: Platform Construction

Posted By James Mead 03-22-2015 12:10
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Yes, I've been making platforms with 1x6 frames and three toggles and 3/4 play for 20 years. You used to be able to get a good 1x6 economically way back when. You can even go down to 1/2" or 5/8" ply and it still will hold up fine. Use wood glue on all joints and the plywood lid. I have had the same ...

James Mead

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