List of Contributions

Derek Pickens

Theatre Teacher,
Charleston County School of the Arts

Contact Details

Theatre Teacher,
Charleston County School of the Arts

My Content

1 to 20 of 23 total

RE: Anyone produced the following musicals?

Posted By Derek Pickens 01-28-2021 08:45
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Hey there Jane! I'll start by saying I have not produced either of these with high school students, however, Moby Dick has been on my radar for years. I was planning to do it this year, but then COVID put a stop to it. I will say that as much as I love it, I find the song "Primitive" to be quite problematic. ...

RE: Descendants

Posted By Derek Pickens 03-27-2020 08:54
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So I just checked their page on MTI and it looks like down below in the Community Comment that they ARE creating orchestrations, but there is no solid date. Comments are at the bottom of the MTI Show Page: https://www.mtishows.com/disneys-descendants-the-musical Also - it is truly a one act - I even ...

RE: Descendants

Posted By Derek Pickens 03-27-2020 08:23
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Since it's in the Disney One Act series, your options are the performance tracks or piano only. ------------------------------ Derek T. Pickens, MFA Theatre Teacher Charleston County School of the Arts North Charleston, SC ------------------------------

RE: Thinking ahead to next year...

Posted By Derek Pickens 03-21-2020 08:04
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You should look at Ken Ludwig's new adaptation of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. Concord has it. It’s not a one act but it’s great.  ------------------------------ Derek T. Pickens, MFA Theatre Teacher Charleston County School of the Arts North Charleston, SC ------------------------------ ...

RE: Grinch

Posted By Derek Pickens 01-28-2020 06:10
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Unfortunately the right are still not out, so any school doing the show would be doing an illegal version. ------------------------------ Derek T. Pickens, MFA Theatre Teacher Charleston County School of the Arts North Charleston, SC ------------------------------

RE: Light Up Wizard Wands

Posted By Derek Pickens 01-22-2020 18:20
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I mean, the only moments that really would have been better were Cedric showing Wayne the Lumos charm, and then the headmaster funeral. But I used other lighting effects and was happy with the results. Don't stress over the LED.  HOWEVER - if I did it all over again, I would have wands (or doofer ...

RE: Light Up Wizard Wands

Posted By Derek Pickens 01-22-2020 16:51
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Due to time and money constraints we ended up nixing the LED. I ended up doing a hot glue treatment on one end to make the handles and they looked great. Then just a few coats of spray paint, but could have used a sealant. ------------------------------ Derek T. Pickens, MFA Theatre Teacher Charleston ...

RE: Light Up Wizard Wands

Posted By Derek Pickens 10-02-2019 10:42
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And update for all - we've purchased 1/4" hollow plastic cake rods and will be wiring an LED with a press switch. We're hopeful that we can make it so the batteries can be replaces so we can rent or sell them to help out other groups with the issue. I lucked out with a facilities manager who likes to ...

RE: Light Up Wizard Wands

Posted By Derek Pickens 09-29-2019 12:43
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Awesome! I just had the idea this morning to 3D print the wands, so I'll keep you posted on how ours is going! Also, unrelated to wands, you may be interested in the fact that you can rent the music from the original production. It's been a game changer for me in making the sound design. https:// ...

RE: Light Up Wizard Wands

Posted By Derek Pickens 09-29-2019 12:41
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Surprisingly enough, we don't have a STEM program. We're an arts magnet school, so sometimes things like that fall though the cracks... However I did have a thought this morning along the same lines - I've asked one of our teachers with a 3D printer if they thought we could print hollow wands and ...

RE: Light Up Wizard Wands

Posted By Derek Pickens 09-29-2019 12:39
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I wish it was that simple for us Amanda, however we're in a blackbox with audience as little as 5 feet away. We also need thumb depression activation. Thanks though! ------------------------------ Derek T. Pickens, MFA Theatre Teacher Charleston County School of the Arts North Charleston, SC ...

Light Up Wizard Wands

Posted By Derek Pickens 09-28-2019 21:07
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Hello all, I know it's a rather new title, but has anyone had success either buying or building light up wants for PUFFS? Everything I've found on Amazon is either super expensive or makes a sound when it lights up, and I'm not having much luck other places. I should mention that as per our contract, ...

RE: Little Shop of Horrors Question

Posted By Derek Pickens 09-25-2019 09:20
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Just another bit I found from a musical theatre group I'm in: Biggest difference is the opening number which was originally half as long.  Also the opening of act 2 is massively shorter and the end of act one is pretty different. There are alternative keys for the dentist songs - the Broadway ...

RE: Little Shop of Horrors Question

Posted By Derek Pickens 09-25-2019 06:06
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The opening number ("Little Shop of Horrors") isnalso expanded, adding about a minute and a half. If you listen to the broadway revival you can hear the extra verses added. There are also a few other music changes, most in the underscore, and the act 1 finale is slightly expanded. ------------------------------ ...

RE: Ragtime school edition

Posted By Derek Pickens 09-17-2019 09:34
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According to the MTI site (you need to click on the blue "Version 1" to get the info): Version 1 This is the version of text and score used in the original Broadway production. The Broadway show featured a lavish physical production, but it has been successfully reimagined and scaled down scenically ...

RE: Copyright Infringement 'The Greatest Showman' in the UK

Posted By Derek Pickens 08-02-2019 12:42
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Just another example that things should be done legally. Don't try to mount your own productions of someone else's work without permission! ------------------------------ Derek Pickens Director of Drama Charleston SC ------------------------------

RE: Little Mermaid Jr with 3rd - 5th graders

Posted By Derek Pickens 07-31-2019 10:27
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It's definitely possible with that age, however be aware that there is a lot more music than Annie JR and it can be quite difficult. Plan accordingly. ------------------------------ Derek Pickens Director of Drama Charleston SC ------------------------------

RE: Twelve Angry Jurors - Cutting

Posted By Derek Pickens 07-31-2019 10:25
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I would recommend contacting Samuel French and asking About cutting it. They'll be able to tell you 1) if the playwright aloes cuttings, 2) can then give you permission to cut, and 3) they may have an approved cutting already. I always say go the legal route!! ------------------------------ Derek ...

RE: batteries?

Posted By Derek Pickens 02-17-2019 07:35
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We use amazon basics. They're very affordable, reliable, and even have a rechargeable version! ------------------------------ Derek Pickens Director of Drama Charleston SC ------------------------------

RE: Musicals with a Mystery theme

Posted By Derek Pickens 01-17-2019 06:18
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Mystery of Edwin Drood. Somethings Afoot the Musical.  ------------------------------ Derek Pickens Director of Drama Charleston SC ------------------------------