Open Forum

On another recent thread an Evening of One Acts...themed short plays were suggested.  David Ives It's All In The Timing and some Greek ideas were given along with many one act suggestions.  (I love this Discussion Board!!!)

I am currently looking at doing a few from Timing and adding in Lindsey Price's Betweenity.  If you did a few short or 10 minute type pieces centered around a theme that would allow everyone to have a "good part" - whatever that really means.... and they could have some choice in what they do.

Have you looked at the show "Radium Girls"? Or perhaps do a gender-swapped "Robin Hood"?  You could do "Piece of My Heart" and expand the casting instead of having the central women play multiple roles.  "The Children's Hour" by Lillian Hellman would fit your needs.  Mary Zimmerman's "The Secret in the Wings" would fit as well.   I just finished Don Zolidis's "Monster" which is the story of how Mary Shelley wrote "Frankenstein."  It's a one-act, but very intensive with great ensemble opportunities.  There are incredible opportunities for dramaturgy (as the real story is fascinating!) and do inter-disciplinary connections with English and History.  I'd be happy to share my ideas/our production with you.

I can't remember how many females there were... but what about a version of Pride and Prejudice? Or something like An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe or Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play? They have several small story lines that allow for flexibility in casting.

Otherwise I'd also go with a night of one-acts. Separate the kids into groups and allow them to choose a script that fits the needs of their cast. You can even have the kids take on the direction and you just produce it. We do a variation on this each semester with the Adv kids. It's called a night of Student Directed Shorts. I have an application form for the directors if you want it. Good luck!

Check Please or Check Please 2 (or both!) come to mind.  Or a night of one acts, as Shira suggested.