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Kristin Hall

Drama Director

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Drama Director
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Posted By Kristin Hall 03-23-2024 09:12
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If you are open to a different sort of solution ... We chose not to have Farquaad on knees (it just felt wrong, with a little person in our student body). Instead we played him as childlike - playing with toys (castle and knights), having temper tantrums, riding in on a little kid's scooter, and bouncing ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 03-09-2024 12:47
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Hi Betsy, I'm in a public middle school (2 actually), grades 5-8. I started just at one school, directing a play and a musical each year. Then added some classroom teaching at both schools (but still just shows at one). Still 0.8, not full time, which is 0.3 shows and 0.5 teaching. That means I'm 0.95 ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 01-29-2024 14:37
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We have a solid sound system (for a middle school), that is in good shape. Transmitters/receivers all doing fine (we have 24). But we do need to replace a few microphones that have suffered wear and tear (and breakage). The ones we have are Shure MX153 Subminiature Earset Microphones. They were purchased ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 09-21-2023 08:55
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One possibility would be to do a vignette play, or to devise your own vignette play. Theatrefolk has tons of options. My students have also had great fun with shows like Help Wanted (Eldridge), which is about teens and jobs. Some (many?) of these plays permit cutting of scenes if you need something ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 07-29-2023 11:24
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Of those already listed, Captain Bree and High School Musical were both enjoyed by schools I've worked in. I'd also add Newsies to the list! We just produced it last year, and it was a huge student/audience/director favorite. Jack has a lot of singing, but there also also many ensemble numbers, small ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 04-05-2023 06:41
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I've never done it, but I've always been very intrigued by Aunt Leaf (Dramatic Publishing). It's not Poe, but it has a decidedly creepy vibe. And it's written for 3, but could be done with 4, or more. ------------------------------ Kristin Hall Pronouns: she/her/hers Drama Director Lincoln MA - ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 01-12-2023 08:02
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My district is not particularly conservative, but I teach in a middle school, which brings age-appropriate restrictions. Some titles that we've done, which would provide good challenges for high school and might meet your requirements: Still Life with Iris, The Rememberer, To See the Stars, Charlotte's ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 12-14-2022 11:25
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It might be worth checking out Lockers, by Jeremy Kruse, available from Dramatic Publishing. It has a bunch of middle school appropriate scenes that are quite short, and fairly modern. Some good sibling and friend scenes that are great for classwork. Most are two person scenes, but there is also at least ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 08-29-2022 08:59
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By stage business/ensemble business, I mean any/all action that fits with the setting and characters, but isn't specifically required by the text. As simple as having Gabriella water plants when they are supposed to be in the greenhouse. But for the ensemble it is pretty much all their interactions with ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 08-28-2022 08:30
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We haven't ever done Addams Family, so I can only comment on HSM. It was our middle school musical last year, and we also did it nine years earlier. The students wanted to do it, and they loved it. In terms of ensemble, it has even more ensemble stage time than Beauty and the Beast. For us, having ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 08-24-2022 06:35
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Hi Sara, Having lots of time is one of the definite advantages of MTI Jr shows. You don't have to return any of the materials, they are all yours to keep (students keep their librettos, just as they get to keep their scripts for a non-musical). Although you tell MTI your performance dates, the license ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 06-27-2022 08:28
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Thanks, everyone. I really like the idea of a line run on a Google meet - it could be just the boost needed! The school principal is as flexible as can be within the restrictions set by admin. Admin is not flexible about meetings. Long story, but at least it is consistent for arts and sports. ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 06-24-2022 09:34
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Thanks, everyone. The 4 day break is due to it being a long weekend (Veterans Day). We avoid scheduling mandatory rehearsals on long weekends, as too many families go away. (We'll have our one weekend rehearsal the previous weekend.). Normally we don't rehearse on the afternoon that starts the long ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 06-23-2022 16:37
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Hello and happy summer, Our administrative team just sent out our meeting schedule for next year, and I'm faced with a dilemma. I am not allowed to miss any meetings for rehearsals, cannot have evening rehearsals, can't rehearse on a long weekend, and can have just one daytime (during the school day) ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 06-08-2022 10:20
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I teach grades 5-8, and have previously taught in a 6-12 school. A couple of shows Steven Dietz shows come to mind: The Rememberer and Still Life with Iris. Both would be certainly be challenging enough for high schoolers, but also have roles suitable for middle schoolers. Iris has a similar vibe to ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 05-24-2022 10:45
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Hi Carla, Our middle school did Grease about seven years ago (not sure how different the pricing was then). I think we essentially broke even, as it was a big hit with audiences and that covered the higher-than-MTI-Jr-prices. The kids loved doing it, and we did discuss the issues frequently. We also ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 02-11-2022 06:54
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A quick search on Dramatic Publishing with a middle school filter turned up 11 titles (though I'm not sure one really is bilingual): https://www.dramaticpublishing.com/browse/bilingual-titles/performing-group/middle-school?m-layered=1 The only one I've seen is ¡Bocón!, but I've also heard good things ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 11-23-2021 06:58
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I'm so excited at the prospect of actually being able to produce a middle school musical this year (still awaiting final COVID safety approval) ... but I am in a position I've not been in before.  I've worked with two music directors over a number of years, and developed strong working relationships ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 10-09-2021 07:55
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Cathy, I'd love to hear how this turns out and what you do with the students.  I'm very interested in doing something similar with my middle schoolers. Storytelling is still alive and well on "The Moth" on NPR.  The Moth | The Art and Craft of Storytelling  One project on my "to do" list is to listen ...
Posted By Kristin Hall 09-22-2021 06:57
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I can think of an option for two pairs, from Boal, the Three Irish Duals. "1.  In pairs facing each other, each actor tries to step on one of the feet of the opposing player (gently) without being stepped on himself; 2. in pairs facing each other with hands on knees, swapping from knee to knee - ...