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Plays suitable for small baptist schools

  • 1.  Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-26-2017 10:46
    After retiring from a 40 year experience in large theatre high schools, I managed to get involved in a small Baptist Middle/High School. So far we have performed 12 Angry Jurors, You Can't Take It With You and Arsenic and Old Lace. Can you share any titles or experiences in 1.) small cast (7-14); 2.) squeaky clean; 3.) and one-setting productions that are composed of 11-18 year olds?
    Our performance area is tiny (one setting) and we have to rent lights each time we do a play (no spotting other areas).
    I have very talented students. In doing research, I came out shy of finding anything of a challenge for them that has audience interest (mostly children's plays or lesser MS comedies). We do not do musicals due to both curriculum and extra-curricular hurdles. 
    We want a play with teeth without any content and space/tech problems. ADVICE? Thanks.

    ------------------------------
    Joseph DiCicco
    Educator: Theatre 6-12
    Whitefield Academy
    Louisville KY
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-26-2017 14:37

    The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a great holiday option.
    You could do some cutting and do Almost Maine. 

    Mrs. Nelson is Missing, anything Junie B Jones (there is a christmas musical and a straight show based off the books).

    The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

    There is a play called The Audition that could be great for you. Lots of middle schools also do Hoodie, Wiley and The Hairy Man, Raggedy Anne and Andy, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Anne of Green Gables.  



    ------------------------------
    Jennifer Finlayson
    Director of MS Theatre
    Atlanta GA
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-28-2017 02:59
    I totally understand - been there, done that! Look at Dear Edwina - one simple setting in the front or back yard of a house, adorable songs, performed off-Broadway I believe. Can be as simple or elaborate as you want. 
    Also check out HONK! It's the story of the Ugly Duckling. My kids loved it! 
    If you have any questions, I'm happy to help! 
    Good luck!

    ------------------------------
    Connie Sandoz
    Waxahachie, TX
    Retired Theatre Director
    Henderson, NV
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-28-2017 07:40
    I don't think you can do Almost, Maine unless you do all of it. I was in a workshop with the playwright and someone asked if they could do it without the "gay play" and John said the "gay play" was part of the play. If you do the play you do the "gay play".

    ------------------------------
    John Perry
    Drama Instructor
    Atherton High School
    Louisville KY
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-26-2017 15:02
    We have similar limitations, and were able to do "Harvey" despite its having two locations, with some ingenuity in the set design. Definite crowd pleaser.

    You could also look at "And Then There Were None," which is an eleven-character one-room piece by Agatha Christie.

    ------------------------------
    Josh Kauffman
    Teacher
    Winfield AL
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-26-2017 22:43
    Ramona Quimby, Wind in the Willows - Graham, Charlottes Web, Little Princess. Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day - musical, Winnie The Pooh - Milne.  I suggest using levels onstage with minimal setting to suggest other settings.  With the Little Princess we set 3 stage areas on the stage.  Charlotte's Web can be done the same way.  We typically do a large show, usually a musical and then a smaller cast classic story show.

    ------------------------------
    Valerie Scott
    Drama Teacher/Director
    Perimeter School
    Johns Creek, Ga
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-27-2017 07:58
    A Little Piece of Heaven by Matthew Carlin
    16 person cast (some doubling possible), great roles, one set, squeaky clean, and a wonderful script with an uplifting message about life.  One of my absolute favorites to direct.

    ------------------------------
    Susan Draus
    teacher & theater advisor
    Downingtown Area School District
    Downingtown PA
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-27-2017 09:58

    The Women of Lockerbie

    The Dining Room

     

     

    Jenny Brotherton

    Director of Theater

    Scranton High

    Knight Players

     



    ------Original Message------

    After retiring from a 40 year experience in large theatre high schools, I managed to get involved in a small Baptist Middle/High School. So far we have performed 12 Angry Jurors, You Can't Take It With You and Arsenic and Old Lace. Can you share any titles or experiences in 1.) small cast (7-14); 2.) squeaky clean; 3.) and one-setting productions that are composed of 11-18 year olds?
    Our performance area is tiny (one setting) and we have to rent lights each time we do a play (no spotting other areas).
    I have very talented students. In doing research, I came out shy of finding anything of a challenge for them that has audience interest (mostly children's plays or lesser MS comedies). We do not do musicals due to both curriculum and extra-curricular hurdles. 
    We want a play with teeth without any content and space/tech problems. ADVICE? Thanks.

    ------------------------------
    Joseph DiCicco
    Educator: Theatre 6-12
    Whitefield Academy
    Louisville KY
    ------------------------------


  • 9.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-28-2017 07:03
    Most of the fairytales from Eldridge ( histage.com ) are fun and squeaky clean. I teach at a Christian school as well and we've done several from there: Aladdin, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and most recently, Rescuing Dreanwood, a compilation of many fairytales.

    ------------------------------
    Sheryl Davis
    Secondary Language Arts/Drama Director
    Sanford NC
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-27-2017 10:05
    Joseph,

    i know now you don't want to do a musical, but folks following this thread might want to.  I've just released a new jukebox style musical designed specifically for your situation. A  Family friendly script and engaging accompaniment tracks.  Check out DO YOU WANNA DANCE, available thru MTI. Jukebox shows.com

    ------------------------------
    Mark Brymer
    Principle
    Jukebox Musicals LLC
    Dallas TX
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-27-2017 14:13
    I am always on the look-out for plays to add to my reading library, especially those that I can hand to devout 9th graders.  All of these are published by Samuel French, where you can read the blurbs about each.  I have put an asterisk beside the ones I've produced and really enjoyed doing with high school kids.

    The Man in 316 by Don A. Mueller, one-act, Samuel French

    The Jesus Trip by David Muschell, Samuel French

    Fair Exchange by Kurtz Gordon, Samuel French

    And Never Been Kissed by Aurand Harris, Samuel French*

    Painted Face by Molly Bass and Sylvia Bryant Hoffmire

    Anatomy of Gray by Jim Leonard

    Play On! by Rick Abbot*

    Stardust by Walter Kerr*

    ------------------------------
    C. J. Breland
    Asheville High School
    Asheville NC
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-27-2017 14:31
    Once Upon A Pandora's Box
    Over the River and Through the Woods (A /little/ language, but easily edited)
    All in the Timing
    With Their Eyes
    The Uninvited

    ------------------------------
    Heather Cribbs
    Theatre Director
    New Smyrna Beach High School
    New Smyrna Beach, FL
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-28-2017 11:19
    Thank you all for the brilliant suggestions.
    Summer time reading will keep me busy!
    You guys are awesome for responding.
    Thanks again.
    Sincerely,
    Joe

    ------------------------------
    Dr. Joseph DiCicco
    Educator: Theatre 6-12
    Whitefield Academy
    Louisville KY
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-28-2017 03:06
    Now I have to apologize! I got so excited to share my ideas for squeaky clean that I didn't finish the original post - thus I shared musicals and not straight plays. I just did what I told my children and my students not to do - not read it in its entirety! Always read to the end first before answering! 
    Shame on me :) LOL

    ------------------------------
    Connie Sandoz
    Waxahachie, TX
    Retired Theatre Director
    Henderson, NV
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 04-28-2017 13:58
    Great Ideas! 
    I also teach at a Christian High School and here are some plays with a slightly larger cast that have been wonderful experiences for us.
    I Never Saw Another Butterfly (Based on the true story of the children at Terazin in WW2)
    Murder at Crooked House (Squeaky clean murder mystery)
    You Can't Take it With You
    The Hiding Place (Story of Corrie ten Boom)
    In His Steps (based on the Charles Sheldon classic)
    Pilgrim's Progress

    ------------------------------
    Sheri Templeton
    Valley Christian High School
    Chandler, AZ
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 12-13-2024 11:10

    I'm in a very similar situation for my first year doing a play and I The Curious Savage.  I had two or three minor edits to she script.  We just omitted a line here or there with no interruption to the plot.  Our K-12 classical school community absolutely loved it!  It has a funny name, but it is a heart-warming comedy for all ages.  One setting, 11 characters.  I think it was the perfect play to do, since it is not well known, but charming as can be.  Can't recommend it enough!



    ------------------------------
    Nicole Greely
    CO
    ------------------------------



  • 17.  RE: Plays suitable for small baptist schools

    Posted 12-15-2024 19:16

    I've done Beware the Jabberwock multiple times, with both MS and HS, and it's great.

    https://www.concordtheatricals.com/p/8536/beware-the-jabberwock



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Shaw
    MVHS Theatre Arts Teacher & Director
    Mount Vernon High School
    VA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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