Hi Adam,
I have had great success rehearsing our one act competitions, musicals, and other events during our class periods. I specifically cast the shows based on these groupings. For example: Several years ago we won several competitions with a one act adaptation of the Greek Classic, Antigone. I had my advanced acting class perform the principal roles, and my intermediate class performed as the chorus. I had several other actors in other classes perform as the "Gods" who primarily had short monologues. While challenging, this system works very well if you have "groups" of characters in the show and divide them accordingly.
When we were able to finally get together on Saturday's and a few afterschool rehearsals, it was like a sitzprobe: it all came together and the students were thrilled to experience the results.
The system works great for our Spring Musicals because I can rehearse small group scenes and solos in class. Full Disclosure: Large production numbers sometimes suffer in this system. I reserve those rehearsals for weekends and afterschool but attendance is an issue. Therefore, in auditions and parent meetings, everyone understands missing rehearsals means they may be moved to the back rows or eliminated from that number.
Here are some suggested titles:
1) There are several Shakespeare plays that lend themselves to this rehearsal plan. I've done one act adaptations of:
- Midsummer Night's Dream
- Romeo & Juliet
- Much Ado...
2) Antigone
3) The Dining Room - and any other episodic play like Almost Maine
4) The Complete Works of Shakespeare...Abridged
5) Our Town
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Josh Ruben, M. Ed.
Fine Arts Head
Northwest Whitfield HS (The Northwest Theatre Co. Troupe #7290)
Tunnel Hill, GA
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