List of Contributions

RE: Akeelah and the Bee Script

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 01-11-2022 15:44
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

I did not realize there was a theater adaptation of this and am beyond excited! I may end up producing it this Spring. Thank you for the reccomendation! Some other Middle School friendly scripts to look into: - Anon(ymous)by Naomi Iizuka - School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn ...

Using films for a small class

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 01-07-2022 09:03
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

Hi everyone, I am reaching out to see if anyone can help me troubleshoot curriculum for a small class. My theater class which began as a small group is getting even smaller as students are out with COVID. Scene work or performances has become nearly impossible. I am thinking of shifting second semester ...

Contemporary Radio Plays or Scenes

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 09-13-2021 12:13
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Hi everyone! My small intro class this year is particularly interested in radio/voice theater. I have a few old mysteries I have used in the past (Rattle Rattle, Night Owl Radio Mystery Theater, Bryce Beattie plays) but I am looking for newer voices and in particular women and BiPOC playwrights. ...

Mrs. Marvel Play

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 07-14-2021 13:27
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I see an older thread about these plays, but curious if anyone has any updates... Has anyone produced A Mirror of Most Value: A Ms. Marvel play? I love that it's a large and diverse cast and seems like it would be a lot of fun, but the messaging is much more "on the nose" than anything I've done ...

New play ideas for rebuilding a program next year

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 06-07-2021 18:26
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Hi everyone! I'm reaching out to see if anyone has any ideas for new plays that will excite students and help me to rebuild our program next year. I started the theater program at my school 4 years ago and we went from 10-65 students between our first and second season. Like many of you, those numbers ...

Contemporary Duo Scene Ideas

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 09-06-2019 11:14
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

Hi folks, I'm looking to make some updates on my duo scene unit and looking for very contemporary play/scene suggestions. I have a very diverse group of actors who are interested in both comedy and exploring social issues. I'm always lacking in quality 2m scenes as well. Any suggestions would be ...

RE: Clue on Stage

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 09-04-2019 10:58
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

I did this show in a proscenium, but it was all about the doors. There was a main door and 3 doors on wheels on each side. Actors would exit the stage through one door, the door would rotate (with different color paint on the other side) and we brought very minimal furniture on for each room. --- ...

RE: CLUE

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 06-03-2019 14:54
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

We did Clue in the Spring. Students love it and it drew a large audience for a straight show. It's actually quite a hard show to expand the cast, because one of the re-occurring lines, as they determine the culprits, is "Who else is in the house?" You can add as many agents as needed for the last scene. ...

Long Form Improv or Comedy Curriculum

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 12-29-2018 09:29
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

Hi folks, I am looking to fill 2-3 weeks in my intro to theater class before an artist in residence comes, and am thinking of doing a long form improv or comedy (stand up) mini-unit. I haven't taught either before, but my students are pretty versed in improv fundamentals. Does anyone have any curriculum ...

RE: How to hire and work with a music director (and "how to direct a musical 101"!)

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 12-29-2018 09:23
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I second reaching out to local churches. I am also a new theater teacher and have been posting our fundraising campaign a lot on different social media forums (nextdoor, Neighborhood association facebooks etc.) the number one response I get is "I'm unable to donate but am a former choir director/music ...

RE: Casting and Body Type

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 12-05-2018 14:44
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Why would a student feel uncomfortable in the role if they are expressing interest in it? Can the costume be tweaked to fit an actors comfort level? Why does Ariel need to be a thin student? Theater "types" are based on outdated sexist (and often racists) expectations. The entertainment industry is ...

RE: Clue

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 12-05-2018 14:10
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

We are performing the play in the Spring. I've seen one high school production of it. We read scripts at the beginning of the year and students across race and gender lines are in LOVE with this show. It's a high-energy show with a lot to teach in terms of comedic timing and movement. It offers a great ...

Comedy for students of color

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 10-25-2018 20:16
Found In Egroup: Open Forum \ view thread

Hello all, I am looking for a comedy (10+ roles) that will appeal to and showcase the talents of my students of color. I would to find a show by a playwrite of color as well. I can think of so many musicals / histories / dramas, but finding a comedy is proving to be more difficult than I imagined. ...

Play suggestions (Dance or social justice themes)

Posted By Ellie McIvor-Baker 08-21-2018 16:33
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I am rebuilding the theater program at my school and looking for suggestions for our second show. We put on 12 Angry Jurors with a lot of success last year and are looking forward to involving more students this year. The only things students have requested is that this show has more action :) I ...

Ellie McIvor-Baker

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