List of Contributions

RE: Stage blood that doesn't fade to pink?

Posted By Douglas Erwin 07-12-2023 14:15
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I've only used "homemade" blood after having issues with the purchased kind From a friend who has been in "B" horror movies as the "blonde scream queen": Hershey's chocolate syrup and red cake color (the gel stuff they sell in the jar at Walmart in the craft aisle). It's edible (and delicious). The ...

RE: New FB Group

Posted By Douglas Erwin 09-22-2022 10:24
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PLEASE add me. I've taught an improv based Theatre 1 curriculum for years but the book provided the missing pieces. Just wondering,: my class is small because the freshman class is small. I have 12 students out of the 37 in the freshman class (there's only 300 in our 7-12 independent school). I'm covering ...

RE: Instead of or In addition to Greek Theater?

Posted By Douglas Erwin 09-22-2022 10:20
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I taught in a 90% African American school for 29 years. I always started with a unit on African Storytelling and then discussed Egyptian theatre. Regarding Greek theatre, a performance focus changed my thoughts on it. I "borrowed" the unit from a friend and adapted it to suit my kids. They change a ...

RE: Musicals for everyone

Posted By Douglas Erwin 08-22-2022 08:20
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Ragtime Sent from my iPhone

Need Musical ideas in alternative spaces

Posted By Douglas Erwin 05-06-2022 19:23
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Hello Hivemind! I'm in a bit of a pickle. Our theatre is getting some MUCH needed upgrades. I had a season selected for next year but now, the major upgrades will occur during the time of the musical. I can't move the date since we are tied to winter sports (sports participation is required and the musical ...

RE: Need a comedy with some odd parameters

Posted By Douglas Erwin 03-25-2022 17:28
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Forgot! I also CAN'T do any Don Zolidis since I'll be doing one of Don's shows with my junior school boys! ------------------------------ Dr. Doug Erwin Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair--St Louis Priory School Thespian Troupe 4702 ------------------------------

Need a comedy with some odd parameters

Posted By Douglas Erwin 03-25-2022 12:52
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Hi I'm hoping for some suggestions. I need a very funny comedy for next fall. The challenge? I need something with a cast of 10-15. I teach at an all boys school (we do have girls come in for the shows) so it needs a male lead AND we have construction going on next year that may affect the theater so ...

RE: Zimmermann's Metamorphoses

Posted By Douglas Erwin 12-03-2021 07:00
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I used three "cattle troughs" which were made of plastic and colored blue. We drained and refilled after each performance. They were inexpensive and I was able to sell them afterwards. For costumes I bought a LARGE bolt of 100% polyester fabric and had the kids wear chitons over swimsuits. We then added/changed ...

Ideas for Middle School--all male cast

Posted By Douglas Erwin 05-24-2021 08:03
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Hello hive mind I'm hoping for some ideas for middle school plays that feature an all male cast. I teach at a boys' school and our middle school is grades 7 & 8. Many Thanks! Dr. Doug Erwin Theatre Instructor/Director Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair Mock Trial Moderator Saint Louis ...

RE: Casting

Posted By Douglas Erwin 09-24-2019 07:46
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The issue is that in that show, Lurch is what my students call , "a slave role". He's been offered two "servant" roles back to back. If you look at things historically, it can be a big issue. In this day and age of culturally responsive casting, we have to be aware of that. My question would be: are ...

RE: Zimmerman's Arabian Nights

Posted By Douglas Erwin 05-15-2019 12:23
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I did the show about 8 years ago. The "racier" stuff occurs during the "Confusion of stories" and the audience is hard pressed to follow the plots at that point--plus very few people knew the word "pederast". I had no issues with content I will caution you that the Confusion of Stories took almost ...

RE: Curious Incident

Posted By Douglas Erwin 04-23-2019 16:02
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Hi I just want to be clear for everyone that the main character in Curious Incident does NOT necessarily have autism. That is why it is never named in the play. When the St Louis Rep performed it, I was asked to do the preshow "Talk Theatre" since I am the parent of two kids on the spectrum. The ...

RE: Canceling a Show

Posted By Douglas Erwin 12-08-2018 11:05
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I've done it--Amadeus. I set a ten week rehearsal process. The kids had been used to doing very challenging theatre extremely well. The set and costumes were flawless, but all but four cast members were not even close to being off book. Lots of playing around in rehearsals and limited focus. Some newer ...

RE: scenes/plays for novice black actors

Posted By Douglas Erwin 06-26-2018 08:21
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Do NOT do Raisin in the Sun. It's overdone and dated for most kids of color. It also screams "I'm a white person with no knowledge of plays about the Black experience". If you want to contrast it with Clydborne Park, that's a bit different. Instead look at Lynn Nottage or Dael Orlandersmith. August Wilson ...

RE: The Secret in the Wings Performance Rights

Posted By Douglas Erwin 05-22-2018 08:59
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Literary Department Bret Adams, Ltd. 448 West 44th Street New York, NY 10036 +1 212-765-5630 ------------------------------ Dr, Doug Erwin Director of Theatre-McCluer Troupe 787 K-12 Fine Arts Coordinator Ferguson Florissant School ------------------------------

RE: Need for more Diversity in Program

Posted By Douglas Erwin 05-14-2018 10:15
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I have a large African American theatre program in the state of Missouri. There's been a LOT of discussion in St. Louis about this issue. The problem? Traditional theatre is 1. not an inherent part of the African American community and 2. not welcoming to students of color. So first: Announce ...

RE: 2018-19 Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program

Posted By Douglas Erwin 05-10-2018 09:58
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I did the Japan Memorial Fulbright in 2008--it's not as long, but has some similarities. I was one of three theatre teachers participating that year ------------------------------ Dr, Doug Erwin Director of Theatre-McCluer Troupe 787 K-12 Fine Arts Coordinator Ferguson Florissant School ---- ...

RE: Did you do the pool for Metamorphosis?

Posted By Douglas Erwin 04-30-2018 08:11
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I got three 8 foot by 3 foot round cattle troughs. Total cost was $600. They were already light blue and plastic. We built platforms around them and sealed them with enamel paint. I got water repellent fabric for the costumes. The only pain was that we did the show in early November in Missouri. The ...

Distance MFA?

Posted By Douglas Erwin 04-16-2018 10:54
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In response to the question of a PhD, does anyone know of an online MFA program? I have an MA in theatre and an EdD but would like the terminal degree in fine arts. The only place locally that offers an MFA requires full time attendance (so you cannot teach and take courses) Any ideas? ---- ...

RE: Chicago

Posted By Douglas Erwin 08-31-2017 11:46
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I did it and was given permission to edit by Samuel French ------------------------------ Douglas Erwin Ferguson, MO ------------------------------

Douglas Erwin

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