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John Rutherford

Wylie E. Groves High School

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Wylie E. Groves High School
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Little Mermaid set pieces available

Posted By John Rutherford 07-17-2023 11:58
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Anyone near Birmingham, Michigan interested in the boat or some reeds for The Little Mermaid? Free to anyone who can pick them up by Friday, July 21, 2023. ------------------------------ John Rutherford Groves Performing Arts Company W.E. Groves High School Beverly Hills MI ----------------- ...

RE: Traverse or Alley Staging

Posted By John Rutherford 12-30-2022 08:57
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I don't know of any books or articles, but I really like this type of staging. I think it provides so much intimacy and immediacy for the audience. The key thing I think about is how much the audience is part of the action. You cannot help but look at what is happening on stage and see the reaction from ...

RE: Great Plays for Women's History Month - for high school actors

Posted By John Rutherford 12-29-2022 14:44
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This is a great question. I love plays about woman. I am always drawn to telling the stories of woman and particularly through the social-historical lens. 1. Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson 2. Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale 3. Sarafina! by Mbongeni Ngema [I do not know why it has never been published ...

Medieval Fantasy Adventure play?

Posted By John Rutherford 12-20-2022 14:56
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I am looking to direct what I think in my head is a medieval fantasy adventure play during the spring of 2024. I want a forest, ruins covered in moss, maybe some capes, sprinkled with a little magic...large cast, strong female roles, no narrators I am not looking for: She Kills Monsters The Hobbit Puffs ...

RE: So, what are you doing?

Posted By John Rutherford 08-09-2022 18:45
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Fall-Chicago (High School Edition) One Act-Short plays by Thornton Wilder Spring- Clue (High School Edition) ------------------------------ John Rutherford Groves Performing Arts Company W.E. Groves High School Beverly Hills MI ------------------------------

Theatre Awards Night

Posted By John Rutherford 06-03-2022 17:23
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Last night we celebrated the end of our theatre season with our annual awards night. For over 20 years we have pretty much followed the awards of the Tony's for acting. But today I decided, no more. I don't want to separate acting categories by gender. Why has it taken me so long?! I do, however, still ...

Matilda production

Posted By John Rutherford 01-11-2022 12:11
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I have 9 student desks and the "magic" chalkboard I would love to offer to someone who might be producing Matilda close to Michigan. Anyone interested please let me know. ------------------------------ John Rutherford Groves Performing Arts Company W.E. Groves High School Beverly Hills MI ------- ...

RE: New College level Class

Posted By John Rutherford 01-10-2022 11:24
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Hi Jen, I've taught a 1 semester directing class for about 20 years. I have lots of "stuff" I can share with you. I will send you my syllabus and my day-by-day plans. Maybe it will help you. In general I break things down into: Directing terminology Theatrical styles Staging Casting Script analysis ...

RE: Halloween Play recommendations

Posted By John Rutherford 08-17-2021 23:10
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Last year I did three evenings of three different 60 minute plays that we title "Fright Fest" which each night a different performance with a different cast and we did it outside. It was a lot of fun. We sold cider and doughnuts for concessions. The cast carved pumpkins and we used them as markers ...

RE: Wizard of Oz Questions

Posted By John Rutherford 08-17-2021 22:57
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Looks like Theatre Ave has wonderful projections for The Wizard of Oz RCS. I inserted the link for you. Best of luck! John https://theatreave.com/collections/wizard-of-oz ------------------------------ John Rutherford Groves Performing Arts Company W.E. Groves High School Beverly Hills ...

Matilda production

Posted By John Rutherford 06-22-2021 09:07
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Happy summer! (Gosh it could not have come soon enough) As of today we are moving full steam ahead with the fall production of Matilda. I am looking for costumes, props, projections, scenic elements, etc.. If you have anything that would be available please message me directly. Thanks to ...

Futuristic/Space...dystopian play

Posted By John Rutherford 02-13-2021 12:00
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I am looking to produce a spring play. I would like it to be set in the future, maybe involve outer space or something, basically a time and place that can justify the masks. Thinking like Tron or Starlight Express in style and concept. Cast of about 15-18 (mix of male/female) Not concerned ...

RE: Makeup in Stock and Covid - Now What?

Posted By John Rutherford 12-17-2020 08:56
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I do not keep any stock makeup. I haven't for 20 years. I require students to purchase individual makeup kits as part of their commitment to be in the production. If I need specific makeup for the show I purchase it for that show only. I just don't think it's a good practice to keep makeup in stock. ...

RE: Play You Think Should Exist

Posted By John Rutherford 10-03-2020 19:05
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Oh wow...this is an exciting thread! I am always drawn to a story that is heavy on plot and have vital and important characters who have real stakes. I think high school actors crave meaty roles. Much of the literature that is geared for high school is what I call "over the top characters doing over ...

RE: A Note to Publishing Companies

Posted By John Rutherford 07-02-2020 09:55
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This is a very real issue and a topic that I am so happy to see is getting a lot of conversation. For a publishing company to simply say, "this is the only online ticketing company we will allow you to use" seems like a monopoly. There are several online ticket companies that exist and basically if ...

RE: Plays Made of Monologues?

Posted By John Rutherford 07-02-2020 09:44
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I think TALKING WITH by Jane Martin could work if you have 11 female students you want to showcase. 26 PEBBLES is another play that could work. The topic is about the Shandy Hook school shooting, so it is a drama, but it probably would translate well into a performance for this type. I am definitely ...

Technology to assist with teaching from home

Posted By John Rutherford 04-24-2020 17:37
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The Parent Teacher Association at my school is offering teachers funding to help them teach more effectively from home during this pandemic. I have a Dell laptop. What additional technology do you have that has helped you teach from home that I should consider? ------------------------------ ...

RE: Sword Fighting Play

Posted By John Rutherford 12-08-2019 14:26
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I directed The Adventures of Robin Hood that was published by Classics on Stage 5 years ago and had so much fun with it. It provided lots of casting options, the playwright has two versions, expanded cast and smaller cast. I liked the opportunity to showcase my female actor's in stage combat as well ...

RE: These Shining Lives vs Radium Girls

Posted By John Rutherford 07-26-2019 12:11
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I know you are getting lots of feedback about the two shows. I did not direct These Shiny Lives, but we did use a cutting from it for a competition once and it was a good experience. I directed Radium Girls and really found it to be a wonderful script. I loved the dialogue and the character development. ...

Mamma Mia costumes

Posted By John Rutherford 07-26-2019 12:00
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Anyone have costumes for Mamma Mia (the ABBA-esque one's) available for purchase? I have all of the other costumes secured, but before we begin constructing the costumes for the 6 main characters to wear for the finale I thought I would see if anyone has anything available for purchase. ------ ...