List of Contributions

A Few More Comedies I Wrote/Adapted That Have Lots of Parts

Posted By David Engel 06-16-2023 13:06
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Hey all, It seemed like there was a good amount of interest in new comedies from my last post. Therefore, I'm going to post two links to two commedias. One is an adaptation of The Servant of Two Masters (did this one several years ago), and the other is a play that I wrote with my students (Commedia ...

RE: Clue On Stage (non-musical): anyone have a complete props list?

Posted By David Engel 06-09-2023 09:55
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Great list! Doing this in fall of '23. This is a big help! Dave Engel, Troupe 98 Manlius, NY ------------------------------ David Engel Theater Department Head Fayetteville-Manlius High School NY facebook.com/fmthespians ------------------------------

RE: Student input on Play Selection

Posted By David Engel 06-07-2023 08:24
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I would simply explain to them what you just said; that is, you want to honor at least one of their choices, but you also have an obligation to them to choose shows that will benefit them intellectually and artistically. In the future, maybe tell them up front that you will look to them for one show ...

Anyone looking for a comedy with lots of parts?

Posted By David Engel 05-30-2023 13:03
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Hi there, Dave Engel here. I teach theater in Upstate New York for Thespian Troupe #98. I have written a play that I'm looking to get produced by other high schools. It's called The Fall Play. It's about a math teacher and an English teacher who get wrangled into putting on a high school version of ...

RE: Shakespeare question

Posted By David Engel 01-15-2020 09:28
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Hey there, I don't think having all girls is a problem at all, especially for Shakespeare, Commedia, lots of pieces that are less contemporary. Like most of us I have a ton more girls than boys in my dept., and when need be I give a girl a male part. I wrote a version of The Overcoat this year, and ...

RE: Fall show - Comedy

Posted By David Engel 08-16-2019 15:48
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Right, I did an evening of Ives and during one acts. Went over really well. No set, a few set pieces and props. ------------------------------ David Engel Theater Department Head Fayetteville-Manlius School District Manlius NY facebook.com/fmthespians ------------------------------

RE: What to Do With My Play...

Posted By David Engel 08-12-2019 10:21
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Thanks guys, lots of good feedback. I'll send it to those who offered to take a look. I agree about directing your own stuff to a large extent. Up to this point, it's been the easiest way to produce work; more importantly, I have been able to offer students plays that are then used to teach a great deal. ...

What to Do With My Play...

Posted By David Engel 08-09-2019 21:13
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Hey all, I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on how to proceed with a full-length play I've written. I wrote it for the fall play last year, but new administrative staff coming in insisted on a new policy of only producing previously-published material. I'm sitting on this work, and would like ...

Classic Text Cuts

Posted By David Engel 02-23-2017 14:36
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Hey everybody, I am looking for some feedback on a project. Whenever I produce classic plays at my high school that are out of copyright (Shakespeare mainly) I do my own cuts. I keep the essentials to the plot, the rhythm, any iambic pentameter that remains, etc. I take great care with it and I have ...

RE: Getting Paid and Paying Out

Posted By David Engel 01-04-2017 23:59
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Hey there, Teachers who work on productions (directors, assistant directors, set builders, choir directors, orchestra, etc.) receive a stipend at our school, which increases each year you participate in the same position. Our school has a pretty great setup in terms of funding. Each club in ...

RE: Need input on equipment/power for new drama space

Posted By David Engel 12-07-2016 08:56
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Hey there, I'm not an expert on such matters, but I can tell you this from my own experience and the experience of some of my peers: This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get it right. So exhaust yourself in order to get it right. Get the advice of anyone and everyone whom ...

RE: Language in Of Mice and Men

Posted By David Engel 12-02-2016 09:03
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When we read Fences by August Wilson, we change the N word to "fella". This works for that particular scenario. Performance is different, as you don't want to take the audience out of the moment, and you don't want the performers to experience a lack of authenticity. Therefore, see what compromise ...

RE: Do you know a great place to get 40s style costumes?

Posted By David Engel 11-30-2016 11:20
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Yes, thrift stores. Also, I have costumed both Alice in Wonderland and Hamlet from Ebay and Amazon. No joke. It's cheaper than rentals, more expensive than thrift stores (maybe, maybe not, actually). Hollywood Costumes in Chicago is great. I used them for The Servant of Two Masters. ...

Equipment for Web Series

Posted By David Engel 11-25-2016 11:35
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Hey there, I am going to do one or two episodes of a web series through our Thespian Troupe this winter and spring. This is fairly new to me in terms of the technology. Can anyone recommend the following: --a camera that will produce HD, TV quality. I don't want it to look amateurish. ...

RE: Department Favoritism and Struggles

Posted By David Engel 11-24-2016 12:00
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First of all, shout out to he 314. I'm originally from the area, on the Illinois side... I'm in my fifth year at a terrific high school where musicals are king. It's just how it is most places. I'm more of a straight theater guy, so I stuck to that instead, as the musical was already being ...

RE: Mime Play for Fall 2016

Posted By David Engel 03-04-2016 17:52
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Thanks so much! ------------------------------ David Engel Fayetteville-Manlius High School Manlius, NY

Mime Play for Fall 2016

Posted By David Engel 03-03-2016 11:35
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Hey there, I'm planning on creating a full-length mime play for the fall. Anyone out there with experience in doing this? What shows did you adapt, and/or what was your experience like? Dave Engel Fayetteville-Manlius High School Manlius, NY

David Engel

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