Open Forum

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

Here's a short list I've written down for my students of color, albeit high school level, some of which may be used by most MS students while some may be for more advanced/mature MS students:

Deep Blue Funk Drama. By Arnold Aprill and Daniel B. Frank. Based on the book by Daniel B Frank. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Cay By Dr. Gayle Cornelison. From the book by Theodore Taylor. (Dramatic Publ.)
Truth (Harriet Tubman)
The Migrant Farmworker's Son Comedy/Drama. By Silvia Gonzalez S. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Theft--Luis Valdez
Maricela de la Luz Lights the World--Jose Rivera
Bocon!--Lisa Loomer
Home on the Mornin' Train Drama with songs. By Kim Hines. (Dramatic Publ.)

Disclosure: I haven't read all of these plays...yet!

-------------------------------------------
Jo Strom Lane
Theatre Teacher and Director
Portland Public Schools
Portland OR
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From: Morgan Cruse
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

Over many years as first a Middle and the a HS theatre teacher in a metro Atlanta suburb, I've made some observations about my  students.  The HS where I teach  has transitioned from predominately white to 85% African American in recent years.  I tried many approaches to find appropriate material for performance, and have learned that everyone loves folk tales, Commedia adaptations,  Shakespeare adaptations, and classic stories such as Alice in Wonderland because they require the process of creative story telling.  Taking the race factor out of casting is possible in these plays because it simply doesn't matter -  its about the character and the story.  I try to choose plays where we can find common ground or a way of celebrating our  diversity. At the high school level I have used the process of devising theatre  to create some very powerful student written plays on social issues that are common to everyone - body image, bullying, etc...  This might be a bit challenging for your MS students, but you could have the students write scenes about social issues as puppet shows or using animal characters. In looking for comedy, just choose shows that are universally funny.  

-------------------------------------------
Laurie Tyson
Theatre Director
Henry County Board of Education
McDonough GA
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-18-2014 01:09
From: Jo Lane
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

Here's a short list I've written down for my students of color, albeit high school level, some of which may be used by most MS students while some may be for more advanced/mature MS students:

Deep Blue Funk Drama. By Arnold Aprill and Daniel B. Frank. Based on the book by Daniel B Frank. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Cay By Dr. Gayle Cornelison. From the book by Theodore Taylor. (Dramatic Publ.)
Truth (Harriet Tubman)
The Migrant Farmworker's Son Comedy/Drama. By Silvia Gonzalez S. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Theft--Luis Valdez
Maricela de la Luz Lights the World--Jose Rivera
Bocon!--Lisa Loomer
Home on the Mornin' Train Drama with songs. By Kim Hines. (Dramatic Publ.)

Disclosure: I haven't read all of these plays...yet!

-------------------------------------------
Jo Strom Lane
Theatre Teacher and Director
Portland Public Schools
Portland OR
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From: Morgan Cruse
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

I love Lori's comments.  I have also directed Middle School drama for over twenty years.  It seems Cosby was the master of taking the race factor out of scripts. What a model.   Two shows that were great for Middle School have been Ramona Quimby and Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day.  I wonder how Sammy Carducci would work.  They are all typical of things all kids go through.  Cheaper By the Dozen could have been a Cosby episode.  You'll have to make a decision on that one because that was a historical family, but hardly anyone knows that these days.  Tell the story, that's the thing.  

-------------------------------------------
Valerie Scott - Perimeter School
Duluth GA
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-19-2014 09:03
From: Laurie Tyson
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

Over many years as first a Middle and the a HS theatre teacher in a metro Atlanta suburb, I've made some observations about my  students.  The HS where I teach  has transitioned from predominately white to 85% African American in recent years.  I tried many approaches to find appropriate material for performance, and have learned that everyone loves folk tales, Commedia adaptations,  Shakespeare adaptations, and classic stories such as Alice in Wonderland because they require the process of creative story telling.  Taking the race factor out of casting is possible in these plays because it simply doesn't matter -  its about the character and the story.  I try to choose plays where we can find common ground or a way of celebrating our  diversity. At the high school level I have used the process of devising theatre  to create some very powerful student written plays on social issues that are common to everyone - body image, bullying, etc...  This might be a bit challenging for your MS students, but you could have the students write scenes about social issues as puppet shows or using animal characters. In looking for comedy, just choose shows that are universally funny.  

-------------------------------------------
Laurie Tyson
Theatre Director
Henry County Board of Education
McDonough GA
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-18-2014 01:09
From: Jo Lane
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

Here's a short list I've written down for my students of color, albeit high school level, some of which may be used by most MS students while some may be for more advanced/mature MS students:

Deep Blue Funk Drama. By Arnold Aprill and Daniel B. Frank. Based on the book by Daniel B Frank. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Cay By Dr. Gayle Cornelison. From the book by Theodore Taylor. (Dramatic Publ.)
Truth (Harriet Tubman)
The Migrant Farmworker's Son Comedy/Drama. By Silvia Gonzalez S. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Theft--Luis Valdez
Maricela de la Luz Lights the World--Jose Rivera
Bocon!--Lisa Loomer
Home on the Mornin' Train Drama with songs. By Kim Hines. (Dramatic Publ.)

Disclosure: I haven't read all of these plays...yet!

-------------------------------------------
Jo Strom Lane
Theatre Teacher and Director
Portland Public Schools
Portland OR
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From: Morgan Cruse
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

------------------------------
Amelia khan
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-20-2014 08:02
From: Valerie Scott
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I love Lori's comments.  I have also directed Middle School drama for over twenty years.  It seems Cosby was the master of taking the race factor out of scripts. What a model.   Two shows that were great for Middle School have been Ramona Quimby and Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day.  I wonder how Sammy Carducci would work.  They are all typical of things all kids go through.  Cheaper By the Dozen could have been a Cosby episode.  You'll have to make a decision on that one because that was a historical family, but hardly anyone knows that these days.  Tell the story, that's the thing.  

-------------------------------------------
Valerie Scott - Perimeter School
Duluth GA

Original Message:
Sent: 09-19-2014 09:03
From: Laurie Tyson
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

Over many years as first a Middle and the a HS theatre teacher in a metro Atlanta suburb, I've made some observations about my  students.  The HS where I teach  has transitioned from predominately white to 85% African American in recent years.  I tried many approaches to find appropriate material for performance, and have learned that everyone loves folk tales, Commedia adaptations,  Shakespeare adaptations, and classic stories such as Alice in Wonderland because they require the process of creative story telling.  Taking the race factor out of casting is possible in these plays because it simply doesn't matter -  its about the character and the story.  I try to choose plays where we can find common ground or a way of celebrating our  diversity. At the high school level I have used the process of devising theatre  to create some very powerful student written plays on social issues that are common to everyone - body image, bullying, etc...  This might be a bit challenging for your MS students, but you could have the students write scenes about social issues as puppet shows or using animal characters. In looking for comedy, just choose shows that are universally funny.  

-------------------------------------------
Laurie Tyson
Theatre Director
Henry County Board of Education
McDonough GA

Original Message:
Sent: 09-18-2014 01:09
From: Jo Lane
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

Here's a short list I've written down for my students of color, albeit high school level, some of which may be used by most MS students while some may be for more advanced/mature MS students:

Deep Blue Funk Drama. By Arnold Aprill and Daniel B. Frank. Based on the book by Daniel B Frank. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Cay By Dr. Gayle Cornelison. From the book by Theodore Taylor. (Dramatic Publ.)
Truth (Harriet Tubman)
The Migrant Farmworker's Son Comedy/Drama. By Silvia Gonzalez S. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Theft--Luis Valdez
Maricela de la Luz Lights the World--Jose Rivera
Bocon!--Lisa Loomer
Home on the Mornin' Train Drama with songs. By Kim Hines. (Dramatic Publ.)

Disclosure: I haven't read all of these plays...yet!

-------------------------------------------
Jo Strom Lane
Theatre Teacher and Director
Portland Public Schools
Portland OR

Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From: Morgan Cruse
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

This has been one of my biggest searches since I began teaching at a school with a population with is 70% Latino.

Most plays which are bilingual or feature Latino characters are too mature for our conservative town.  However, I have produced Maricela de la Luz Lights the World and Tomas and The Library Lady.  Both had adult members of our audiences in tears because they connected with the stories.

I am thinking of Bocon! for next year.

This year we are writing our own work featuring spoken word poetry and movement.  This way I can also include the Russian voices (modern and Old Believer) of our community as well.

I literally order almost every Latino/Spanish bilingual play I come across.  Some of them just aren't very good.

-------------------------------------------
Amy Sidwell
Director of Theatrical Arts
Woodburn Arts and Communications Academy
Canby OR
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-18-2014 01:09
From: Jo Lane
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

Here's a short list I've written down for my students of color, albeit high school level, some of which may be used by most MS students while some may be for more advanced/mature MS students:

Deep Blue Funk Drama. By Arnold Aprill and Daniel B. Frank. Based on the book by Daniel B Frank. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Cay By Dr. Gayle Cornelison. From the book by Theodore Taylor. (Dramatic Publ.)
Truth (Harriet Tubman)
The Migrant Farmworker's Son Comedy/Drama. By Silvia Gonzalez S. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Theft--Luis Valdez
Maricela de la Luz Lights the World--Jose Rivera
Bocon!--Lisa Loomer
Home on the Mornin' Train Drama with songs. By Kim Hines. (Dramatic Publ.)

Disclosure: I haven't read all of these plays...yet!

-------------------------------------------
Jo Strom Lane
Theatre Teacher and Director
Portland Public Schools
Portland OR
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From: Morgan Cruse
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

This IS why the community is so much fun. To see all of you reaching out TO each other and to see you HELPING each other. It's just great. This topic touches an area where we at the national office can use your help too.

We have a few items in the multicultural section of the resources catalog and store and it was hard to find those. I encourage everyone to share your suggestions. This is a category we'd really love to expand. Of course you can always look me up in the community directory and message me too.

-------------------------------------------
David LaFleche
Director Of Membership
Educational Theatre Association
Cincinnati OH
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-22-2014 10:23
From: Amy Sidwell
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

This has been one of my biggest searches since I began teaching at a school with a population with is 70% Latino.

Most plays which are bilingual or feature Latino characters are too mature for our conservative town.  However, I have produced Maricela de la Luz Lights the World and Tomas and The Library Lady.  Both had adult members of our audiences in tears because they connected with the stories.

I am thinking of Bocon! for next year.

This year we are writing our own work featuring spoken word poetry and movement.  This way I can also include the Russian voices (modern and Old Believer) of our community as well.

I literally order almost every Latino/Spanish bilingual play I come across.  Some of them just aren't very good.

-------------------------------------------
Amy Sidwell
Director of Theatrical Arts
Woodburn Arts and Communications Academy
Canby OR
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-18-2014 01:09
From: Jo Lane
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

Here's a short list I've written down for my students of color, albeit high school level, some of which may be used by most MS students while some may be for more advanced/mature MS students:

Deep Blue Funk Drama. By Arnold Aprill and Daniel B. Frank. Based on the book by Daniel B Frank. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Cay By Dr. Gayle Cornelison. From the book by Theodore Taylor. (Dramatic Publ.)
Truth (Harriet Tubman)
The Migrant Farmworker's Son Comedy/Drama. By Silvia Gonzalez S. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Theft--Luis Valdez
Maricela de la Luz Lights the World--Jose Rivera
Bocon!--Lisa Loomer
Home on the Mornin' Train Drama with songs. By Kim Hines. (Dramatic Publ.)

Disclosure: I haven't read all of these plays...yet!

-------------------------------------------
Jo Strom Lane
Theatre Teacher and Director
Portland Public Schools
Portland OR
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From: Morgan Cruse
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

Bocon and Home On the Mornin' Train are both great plays.  You can also check out  Jose Cruz Gonzalez, whose plays  ("magical realism and mature themes in theater for young audiences") are brilliant.  Also, Just Like Us, Looking For Roberte Clemente, Frida Libre, Cinderella Eats Rice and Beans- A Salsa Fairy Tale or any other plays by Karen Zacarias.  I think these plays/playwrights are great for all students (students of color and students who are white (who should be reading a variety of plays by a variety of playwrights.)

------------------------------
Joanna Lewton
Arts Director
Capital City Public Charter School
Washington DC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-18-2014 01:09
From: Jo Lane
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

Here's a short list I've written down for my students of color, albeit high school level, some of which may be used by most MS students while some may be for more advanced/mature MS students:

Deep Blue Funk Drama. By Arnold Aprill and Daniel B. Frank. Based on the book by Daniel B Frank. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Cay By Dr. Gayle Cornelison. From the book by Theodore Taylor. (Dramatic Publ.)
Truth (Harriet Tubman)
The Migrant Farmworker's Son Comedy/Drama. By Silvia Gonzalez S. (Dramatic Publ.)
The Theft--Luis Valdez
Maricela de la Luz Lights the World--Jose Rivera
Bocon!--Lisa Loomer
Home on the Mornin' Train Drama with songs. By Kim Hines. (Dramatic Publ.)

Disclosure: I haven't read all of these plays...yet!

-------------------------------------------
Jo Strom Lane
Theatre Teacher and Director
Portland Public Schools
Portland OR

Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From: Morgan Cruse
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

Roxanne Schroeder-Arce and Jose Cruz Gonzalez have excellent plays featuring Latino characters and cultural themes.   I highly recommend you check out both of these playwrights (both publish with Dramatic).



-------------------------------------------
Abra Chusid
Theatre Director
Buffalo Grove IL
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From: Morgan Cruse
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

I had the same problem finding plays that my 99% African-American school could relate to, so I decided to just write them.  Check for Jamz's Christmas Carol on pioneerdrama.com.  It's about a self-centered rapper who's trying to forget the hood where he grew up, but the ghost of his old partner, Petey B, and three other ghosts show him that where he came from is a part of who he is and he has an obligation to the people there.  My students loved it!  I'm now at a 90% African-American school and we have read and performed scenes from the play in class.  The characters are relate-able and the situations are ones my students are familiar with.  Check it out!

-------------------------------------------
Chelsea Petty
Columbus MS
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2014 12:43
From: Abra Chusid
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

Roxanne Schroeder-Arce and Jose Cruz Gonzalez have excellent plays featuring Latino characters and cultural themes.   I highly recommend you check out both of these playwrights (both publish with Dramatic).



-------------------------------------------
Abra Chusid
Theatre Director
Buffalo Grove IL
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From: Morgan Cruse
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

Take a look at plays by Milcha Sanchez-Scott. Magical realism genre. I wanted to do "Evening Star" as a competition piece. It is beautifully written and has some adult content. I obtained permission to cut. My administration denied permission to produce the play because there was an unplanned pregnancy. They felt that it portrayed the Hispanic culture in a stereotypical way. I don't agree. I think it is authentically written with the authentic voice of a Hispanic playwright. Marissa Tomei was in the original production years ago.

I've never been censored in my career as a theatre arts teacher. It is scary to be an artist in 2014.

-------------------------------------------
Susan Choquette
Director of Theatre Arts
Andover High School
Haverhill MA
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From: Morgan Cruse
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

We have a handful of pieces at Uproar Theatrics that could work. Descriptions and links below, and please don't hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can do to help. All of our creators are really wonderful when it comes to supporting school programs.

------------------------------
Kyle Holmes
Director of Theatre Arts
Granite Bay High School
Granite Bay, CA

Check out Ranked, A New Musical at RankedMusical.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From:
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

For plays by and or about LaitnA playwrights I would recommend Josefina Lopez, Nilo Cruz, Quiara Alegria Hudes, or there is a really great collection by Karen Zacarias that includes her play "Destiny of Desire" that is a telanovela/epic theatre mash up. There is also an amazing two person play Fade by Tanya Saracho that explores the difference in socio-economics among Mexican-American/Mexican people, exploring the whole "monolith" concept. 

------------------------------
Tori Scoles
Theatre Director
Tigard High School
OR
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-05-2024 09:59
From: Kyle Holmes
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

We have a handful of pieces at Uproar Theatrics that could work. Descriptions and links below, and please don't hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can do to help. All of our creators are really wonderful when it comes to supporting school programs.

Once Upon a Rhyme (full length musical)

The hip hop coming-of-age musical has arrived, and it's a journey of swagger, survival, and the search for self. It's Once Upon a Rhyme. Jaw-dropping dance breaks. An infectious score that fuses hip-hop, soul, R&B, gospel and classic Broadway. A story of a man's search for identity, acceptance from community, and a truly authentic voice. It's ballet. It's rap. Formerly known as iLLA! A Hip Hop Musical, the New York Musical Theatre Festival "Award for Excellence" recipient has been developed at the O'Neill, Goodspeed, and TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Read and listen for free here.

Beautiful Hair (one act musical)

W-W-M-D: What would Michelle do? How are you supposed to survive high school, get accepted into Princeton, and convince your crush that you are not, in fact, "just like a sister" to him?? As Marcus says, "we all know good and well Michelle would walk out there in full black girl magic with a dope fit, hair laid, and them arms and she would turn this whole situation around quicker than you can say Obama!" But for Jamila, it's not that easy. Read and listen for free here.

Prospect High: Brooklyn (full length play)

It begins with the nightly news reporting on a horrific, violent crime. The next 90 minutes rip through a high school in real time, where we witness how life-changing actions culminate in one disturbing act. Inspired by real events and co-written by New York City teenagers, Prospect High: Brooklyn wrestles with gun violence, deep friendships, self-harm, casual racism, and trans identity through the lens of (at least) four highly-charged students and their teacher(s).  Is there a way the violence could have been prevented? In 2015-16, Prospect High: Brooklyn became the first play in history to experience a coordinated Rolling World Premiere in high school theatres. With the support of Roundabout Theatre Company, the play was independently produced in 23 cities across the country and overseas. Read for free.

------------------------------
Kyle Holmes
Director of Theatre Arts
Granite Bay High School
Granite Bay, CA

Check out Ranked, A New Musical at RankedMusical.com

Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From:
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

My musical, Albert Porter/Boy Explorer, features a Latino boy, and explores his identity as well as others' who are part of the history and culture of southern Colorado. Could be produced by/for middle schoolers. Currently unpublished, but toured with Creede Rep in 2017. Details at https://www.lojosimon.com/albertporter. You will also find other TYA plays on my website, many of which may meet your needs. Feel free to reach out anytime, as I'm also available for commissions and have experience writing characters of color. Thanks!

------------------------------
Lojo Simon
Playwright/dramaturg
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From:
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

I produce Alvaro Saar Rios' "Luchadora!" last year, and had amazing results. It does include a lot of combat, but if you just want to do scenes from it for class purposes, it would be an excellent resources.

------------------------------
Andrew Walker
Osceola High School
FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From:
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

Guys, Dante Wellman has a newish play framed around Black History Month. One-act, about 15-20 minutes, and it has a few possible musician roles. Please message me if interested. "The Spirits of Black History." 

------------------------------
John Glass
Playwright, co-founder of Student Plays
Student Plays
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From:
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------

YouthPLAYS has a great collection of BIPOC short (10-15 minutes) plays, All of Us. While originally it was intended as a high school-focused collection, most titles work for middle school as well. (A few might work best for more advanced middle schoolers.) What's great about the collection is the diversity of the subject matter--not just the authorship.

https://www.youthplays.com/play/all-of-us-a-celebration-of-bipoc-voices-637

Best,
Jonathan

------------------------------
Playwright/Managing Partner of YouthPLAYS
Los Angeles, CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2014 09:20
From:
Subject: Plays for African American and Hispanic students

I am struggling to find plays (one acts specifically) for my minority students.  I don't want plays for African American students that are about race, I simply want plays they can identify with, especially comedies. Tyler Perry's Medea plays are too "grown up" for our school. And I have no ideas for plays for my Hispanic students.  Please help.

-------------------------------------------
Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
-------------------------------------------