List of Contributions

RE: Antigone

Posted By Benjamin Sims 06-13-2018 12:14
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

I'll rephrase.... I intend to keep the classic story in tact, as well as the dialogue. I'm not going to try to tell the story of Antigone with Marvel characters. I only intend to use Marvel characters as inspiration to create the look of the play with the sets, props and costumes, and I want the strongest ...

Antigone

Posted By Benjamin Sims 06-11-2018 08:59
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

I've set Much Ado About Nothing in the Vaudeville/silent film era, and done The Tempest in Space in order to make classic works relevant. I would appreciate some input from those who have put a spin on a classic piece, as well as those who happen to be fans of both theatre and super heroes. I would ...

Attendance at ITS meetings

Posted By Benjamin Sims 04-18-2018 06:17
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

This year my officers and I have struggled with getting the attendance we want at meetings. We have general meetings every 2 weeks 30 minutes prior to school starting in my classroom. What attendance policies do you have in place? ------------------------------ Benjamin Sims Theatre Arts Teacher ...

RE: Female casting in the Tempest

Posted By Benjamin Sims 03-06-2018 11:42
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

We did The Tempest in Space last year. I had a female Caliban, which worked great. The other two clowns were also female. ------------------------------ Benjamin Sims Theatre Arts Teacher Union County Public Schools Indian Trail NC Author of Before Dorothy, based on the characters of L. Frank ...

RE: Flying illusion

Posted By Benjamin Sims 03-06-2018 11:38
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

I've seen it done effectively with lighting instead of actually flying s student. ------------------------------ Benjamin Sims Theatre Arts Teacher Union County Public Schools Indian Trail NC Author of Before Dorothy, based on the characters of L. Frank Baum. ----------------------------- ...

RE: Little Shop of Horrors set, props, Audrey II

Posted By Benjamin Sims 03-06-2018 11:35
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

We just closed Little Shop. I built the first two puppets fairly cheaply myself and had a female actor play Audrey II in costume for stages 3 and 4. She killed that role, especially the songs bc of the rock sound she has. When people were eaten we used clever staging and some rolling panels to mask the ...

RE: Charlotte's Web web ideas?

Posted By Benjamin Sims 09-03-2017 10:54
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

I directed CW about six years ago. I used a low grade rope, maybe the kind for a clothesline, and had students cut lengths and hot glue into a web shape. Then they braided other lengths to form the letters and tied them together so they were laid on top of the web. The idea was inspired by the paper ...

RE: One Act Play Suggestions

Posted By Benjamin Sims 07-30-2017 19:34
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

Once Upon a Playground is one I always suggest for mostly females (2 men). Great script about bullying. The Cagebirds is another fav of mine. Just directed The Last Illusion. Also great. The Children's Story! We do two one acts every spring. Usually a drama and a comedy. ------------------------------ ...

Question for those who rent props/costumes

Posted By Benjamin Sims 07-23-2017 09:43
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

If you have a stock of costumes, props or set pieces that are specific to a certain show (or shows), how do you go about renting them out to another group? Paperwork, shipping, scheduling, payment, etc. I recently acquired a set of professionally built puppets for Avenue Q and I would like to be able ...

Joseph....Dreamcoat props?

Posted By Benjamin Sims 05-01-2017 11:38
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

I need to make a goat that can be pulled apart. Suggestions on how I can do this? ------------------------------ Benjamin Sims Indian Trail NC ------------------------------

Joseph... prop?

Posted By Benjamin Sims 04-28-2017 06:12
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

I need a goat that can be torn apart for Joseph....Dreamcoat. How have you done this? Sent from my iPhone

RE: Student Directors

Posted By Benjamin Sims 10-26-2016 06:16
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

My students submit applications in May to be on the production team for shows in the next school year. They must justify what makes them right for a position. AD's pick sides for cold readings at auditions, they assist with casting, they attend rehearsals, help block, I usually give them a scene ...

RE: Show Selection

Posted By Benjamin Sims 07-21-2016 08:38
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

Sort of. I do two one acts as one production. Usually I pick something a little "out there" to go first. It usually has a message or makes you think. Act 2 is usually a comedy or something lighter. And act 3 is a performance by our improv troupe. I simply pick things that stand out to me for some reason. ...

RE: Plays to Teach Directing and Building a Pipeline Suggestions

Posted By Benjamin Sims 06-30-2016 07:52
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

In my directing unit in theatre 1, I use Andre's Mother. It's a great little piece for four actors. It's only 2.5 pages and takes place after the funeral of a young gay man who died of AIDS. The title character has no lines but is onstage the whole time. I have the class read the piece, then get the ...

RE: Giant Upper Body Puppet

Posted By Benjamin Sims 06-18-2016 08:19
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

Where to get one? No. However, you can make one pretty easily using an old book bag, PVC pipe, fabric foam and tape/zip ties. I made a couple several years ago for a play. ------------------------------ Benjamin Sims Indian Trail NC

RE: One Acts

Posted By Benjamin Sims 06-07-2016 07:37
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

I direct two one acts per year, and I've really enjoyed all of them over the past 7 years. The one acts are our time to experiment and sometimes push the envelope. We perform these in a 3/4 thrust. These are the pairings that I've done. The Lottery by Brainerd Duffield & Once Upon a Playground by ...

Have you every used recycled materials...?

Posted By Benjamin Sims 05-21-2016 10:48
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

... in your set designs??? I'm talking things like plastic bottles or plastic paint tarps or anything else cool like that? I'm interested in directing Seussical next year at school, and I recently bought four LED instruments that allow for lots of color. I'm wondering if I can build the show ...

RE: Play for 7 Women

Posted By Benjamin Sims 05-05-2016 06:12
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

I think The Wishin' Tree is for 7 women. ------------------------------ Benjamin Sims Indian Trail NC

RE: Fundraisers that make substantial money

Posted By Benjamin Sims 04-25-2016 06:14
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

The best idea I can offer is a theatre camp. My high school students hosted a camp last summer (last week of July), M-F, 8am to noon, for 2-7 grade students. $175 per for the week. My students taught the workshops and supervised the kids. Parent volunteers and i oversaw everything. There was a short ...

RE: On acting with my kids (you should too!)

Posted By Benjamin Sims 04-08-2016 06:16
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

I also perform in the community and encourage students to watch. My hope is that they see me practicing what j preach. I've also managed to put myself in a couple of things over the years. I sang On the Willows in Godspell, and was the King of the Dancing Jesters in Once Upon a Mattress. I like ...

Benjamin Sims

Contact Details