Open Forum

Good morning (or whatever time of day it happens to be as you read this),

My high school program will be presenting Radium Girls this spring. We have for a long time presented our spring show during the day for two matinees, with the whole high school field tripping to see it. This year, for the second year in a row, my principal has stated that the high school will not be seeing the show during school because there's too much going on in the schedule. I'm part time and not tenured - I do not argue or try to reason, I just try to present the news to the students in a way that they can accept. (It was hard.)

Last year, we presented to the middle school instead. And, last year we presented The Witch's Princess, a lighthearted fantasy comedy by the inimitable Don Zolidis.

The play's website states this is primarily a high-school-and-above presentation. Has anyone had success (or lack thereof) presenting to a 5th-8th grade audience? I think I know the answer, but I'm hoping I'm just caught up in the disappointment of high school's busy schedule and y'all can give me some unbiased perspective. Thanks.

HI

 I have not presented this play. I have seen it twice. I do not think it is going to hold the general fifth and sixth grade audience - I do think the seventh and eighth graders will find it engaging especially if they are involved in some pre-show learning and after performance talk backs. 

Just my two cents

Cathy

Good morning (or whatever time of day it happens to be as you read this),

My high school program will be presenting Radium Girls this spring. We have for a long time presented our spring show during the day for two matinees, with the whole high school field tripping to see it. This year, for the second year in a row, my principal has stated that the high school will not be seeing the show during school because there's too much going on in the schedule. I'm part time and not tenured - I do not argue or try to reason, I just try to present the news to the students in a way that they can accept. (It was hard.)

Last year, we presented to the middle school instead. And, last year we presented The Witch's Princess, a lighthearted fantasy comedy by the inimitable Don Zolidis.

The play's website states this is primarily a high-school-and-above presentation. Has anyone had success (or lack thereof) presenting to a 5th-8th grade audience? I think I know the answer, but I'm hoping I'm just caught up in the disappointment of high school's busy schedule and y'all can give me some unbiased perspective. Thanks.

I had another thought .. Could you talk to history teachers and get them on board for an in school performance? This is a true story and has many different aspects that could be explored in history or civics class. You might not get the whole school but  this might be a way in to performing for the school 

Cathy

HI

 I have not presented this play. I have seen it twice. I do not think it is going to hold the general fifth and sixth grade audience - I do think the seventh and eighth graders will find it engaging especially if they are involved in some pre-show learning and after performance talk backs. 

Just my two cents

Cathy

Good morning (or whatever time of day it happens to be as you read this),

My high school program will be presenting Radium Girls this spring. We have for a long time presented our spring show during the day for two matinees, with the whole high school field tripping to see it. This year, for the second year in a row, my principal has stated that the high school will not be seeing the show during school because there's too much going on in the schedule. I'm part time and not tenured - I do not argue or try to reason, I just try to present the news to the students in a way that they can accept. (It was hard.)

Last year, we presented to the middle school instead. And, last year we presented The Witch's Princess, a lighthearted fantasy comedy by the inimitable Don Zolidis.

The play's website states this is primarily a high-school-and-above presentation. Has anyone had success (or lack thereof) presenting to a 5th-8th grade audience? I think I know the answer, but I'm hoping I'm just caught up in the disappointment of high school's busy schedule and y'all can give me some unbiased perspective. Thanks.