List of Contributions

RE: Children's show

Posted By Susan Cortesi 09-25-2016 14:41
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As a former teacher, director who did tons of costumes, I think having students learn to properly measure the body is essential. This is a good one day activity. Lots of rental places have measurement sheets and instructions you can print off. My favorites are at costumeworld.com .

RE: Shipwrecked - An Entertainment

Posted By Susan Cortesi 08-16-2016 16:41
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I did this show a couple of years ago. We made the turtle from things around the set...the trunk etc and added the head and a pad to resemble the body. It was in keeping with the rest of the show since lots of it comes from his imagination. It really is more character driven rather than realistic. Projections ...

RE: Banquet Story

Posted By Susan Cortesi 05-20-2016 11:16
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Dear Bruce, I am sorry that this one student felt that he could publicly shame you at a banquet. I am sure that the audience saw it for what it was and reflected more on his immaturity than on you. The fact that his mother saw it and apologized speaks volumes. As for the student, he burned ...

RE: Drama Teacher Academy

Posted By Susan Cortesi 03-31-2016 09:28
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I agree, it is a ton of money, but the materials are top notch. I did join and then I got out because I am retiring. I am not sure I would pay $500 every year, but one year worth was helpful. THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED AND RESTRICTED FOR USE BY THE ABOVE ADDRESSEE ONLY. IT MAY CONTAIN CONFIDENTIAL ...

RE: Anne of Green Gables

Posted By Susan Cortesi 03-31-2016 09:27
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Try Wow Wigs.com or Paula Young.com THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED AND RESTRICTED FOR USE BY THE ABOVE ADDRESSEE ONLY. IT MAY CONTAIN CONFIDENTIAL AND/OR PRIVILEGED INFORMATION EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER FEDERAL OR STATE LAW. IN THE EVENT SOME OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY RECEIVES THIS TRANSMISSION, ...

RE: Little Mermaid Costumes

Posted By Susan Cortesi 03-26-2016 07:31
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Try Heartland Costumes in East Peoria, Illinois. They are very good to work with. Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone ________________________________ THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED AND RESTRICTED FOR USE BY THE ABOVE ADDRESSEE ONLY. IT MAY CONTAIN CONFIDENTIAL AND/OR PRIVILEGED ...

RE: Mary poppins vase with gingerbread stars

Posted By Susan Cortesi 03-02-2016 14:22
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Hello, This was a difficult prop to make, but my students finally figured it out. We took a minute maid orange juice bottle in plasticcould be a Pure Iced tea bottle as well. We made a straight cut on the front and a jagged one on the rest of the container. We covered the bottle in a paper ...

RE: Vintage wheelchair

Posted By Susan Cortesi 02-22-2016 08:43
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I was lucky that our local community theatre has one that we use from time to time, but I did look into buying one on Ebay. They are out there. You might also see if there is a prop shop in Ohio. I know that there is one in Chicago and they may be able to rent and ship one. Since it is essential to the ...

RE: Ursula Tentacles - The Little Mermaid

Posted By Susan Cortesi 02-09-2016 08:30
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Instead of stuffing, use tissue paper or newspaper. It will weigh so much less. It can crush more easily, but it is easier to handle and can be fluffed up quickly. I did this with a caterpillar for Alice in Wonderland. THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED AND RESTRICTED FOR USE BY THE ABOVE ADDRESSEE ...

RE: Radium Glow

Posted By Susan Cortesi 02-05-2016 10:38
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I just finished this show. We did a special green light on each of the girls for the glowing part. The show is actor driven so the green glowing light was enough to indicate radium. Tom turned off the light and the cue went immediately to green and then disappeared when Tom turned on the light. ...

RE: Rear Projector Rentals

Posted By Susan Cortesi 02-03-2016 08:30
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We just did rear projections using a regular projector, a large mirror of 4x5 feet and muslin on a frame. We hooked a laptop into the projector and ran all the slides from backstage. It worked very well. We only needed 4 feet between the screen which was about 9' by 9' and the projector. There are places ...

RE: Breakfast with Belle

Posted By Susan Cortesi 01-27-2016 09:51
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Hi Holly, We do a similar event at our school for fundraising for dramatea for Mary, Feast with the Beast, etc. Our goal is to keep the cost of the catering and swag to $3 per person. We do that by getting supplies donated by our parents. We did small tea sandwiches, cookies, fruit and an animal ...

RE: Les Mis Student Ed. Backing Tracks?

Posted By Susan Cortesi 01-27-2016 09:51
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We used the OrchEXTRA when we did it for our summer production. It is really well done, but it takes a certain skill level to run it. Our music director ran it for the show. THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED AND RESTRICTED FOR USE BY THE ABOVE ADDRESSEE ONLY. IT MAY CONTAIN CONFIDENTIAL AND/OR PRIVILEGED ...

RE: Beauty and the Beast head / costume

Posted By Susan Cortesi 01-12-2016 08:44
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I have done this show twice. We used costumes from Heartland Costumes in East Peoria, Illinois...awesome company and very workable. The beast is best if he doesn't have too much on his face due to all the singing. Ours wore a very curly long wig that had horns sewn into it and the rest we did with ...

RE: A quality one act play suggestion?

Posted By Susan Cortesi 12-06-2015 07:07
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I just finished These Shining Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich. It calls for 6 actors with doubling. I did not double but one part and cast 20 which included 6 additional factory girls. You do not need them, I just did it to get more students on stage. Great script, great drama, 75 minutes long. -- ...

RE: Duet Acting Competition Pieces

Posted By Susan Cortesi 11-26-2015 20:32
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This is the age old problem of all of us. Start with 10 minute play books and compilation scene books. You can order scripts of scenes that you like from there. Sent from my iPad THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED AND RESTRICTED FOR USE BY THE ABOVE ADDRESSEE ONLY. IT MAY CONTAIN CONFIDENTIAL AND/OR ...

RE: Cinderella costumes

Posted By Susan Cortesi 11-25-2015 06:02
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I just saw a production where all of the party goers were in ball type wedding gowns and the boys were in tuxes that were donated. It was beautiful. Cinderella was put in her iconic blue so she stood out. You might be able to thrift and borrow the gown that way. Sent from my iPad THIS TRANSMISSION ...

RE: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Posted By Susan Cortesi 11-25-2015 05:56
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The script has a section in the back that allows you to modify the questionable material. It becomes My Unfortunate Distraction. It is still a bit racy for some school, but with the right direction, it can work. I had little problem with it. I did it in a summer program and not school though. Sent ...

RE: New Drama Director Needs Suggestions and Advice on Musicals

Posted By Susan Cortesi 11-17-2015 10:54
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Welcome to the world of directing music theatre. For a first show, I would suggest You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. It can be done with a simple set, requires one costume per actor and can combine simple dance moves with approachable characters and music. The key to getting through your first show ...

RE: Halloween fun

Posted By Susan Cortesi 10-29-2015 10:54
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Add me to your list! Cortesis@district87.org Thanks! ------------------------------ Susan Cortesi Director of Theatre District 87 Bloomington IL

Susan Cortesi

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