Open Forum

We have a good number of talented guys in our program, so our shows tend to focus on boys. Our last six shows (including our upcoming winter production) have been male-heavy, with male leads, so we feel we need to consider a play for the spring that gives our young ladies a chance to be the focus. We are looking for something serious/tragic, with a medium-sized cast (8-11 or thereabouts) and a strong central female. We'd like to avoid Greek tragedy. What are your favorite shows that fit these parameters? What shows have worked for you? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!

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Jeremy Williams
Adel GA
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Sent via Higher Logic Mobile

Two Lillian Hellman titles immediately came to mind-- The Little Foxes and The Children's Hour. Best of luck.

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Tom Lupfer
Director-Pascack Valley HS--Hillsdale, NJ
Drama Teacher/Director-Glenfield MS--Montclair, NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-29-2014 07:30
From: Jeremy Williams
Subject: Strong Female Lead?

We have a good number of talented guys in our program, so our shows tend to focus on boys. Our last six shows (including our upcoming winter production) have been male-heavy, with male leads, so we feel we need to consider a play for the spring that gives our young ladies a chance to be the focus. We are looking for something serious/tragic, with a medium-sized cast (8-11 or thereabouts) and a strong central female. We'd like to avoid Greek tragedy. What are your favorite shows that fit these parameters? What shows have worked for you? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!

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Jeremy Williams
Adel GA
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Sent via Higher Logic Mobile

I love the Crucible.  It still has plenty of male roles, but there are also lots of female roles and they have tons of depth.  Definitely fits the "serious/tragic" qualification.

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Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-29-2014 07:30
From: Jeremy Williams
Subject: Strong Female Lead?

We have a good number of talented guys in our program, so our shows tend to focus on boys. Our last six shows (including our upcoming winter production) have been male-heavy, with male leads, so we feel we need to consider a play for the spring that gives our young ladies a chance to be the focus. We are looking for something serious/tragic, with a medium-sized cast (8-11 or thereabouts) and a strong central female. We'd like to avoid Greek tragedy. What are your favorite shows that fit these parameters? What shows have worked for you? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!

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Jeremy Williams
Adel GA
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Sent via Higher Logic Mobile

I suggest The Children's Hour or perhaps Little Women, although I have yet to produce either.

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Rob Duval
Theatre Teacher/Director
'Iolani School
Kaneohe HI
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-29-2014 07:30
From: Jeremy Williams
Subject: Strong Female Lead?

We have a good number of talented guys in our program, so our shows tend to focus on boys. Our last six shows (including our upcoming winter production) have been male-heavy, with male leads, so we feel we need to consider a play for the spring that gives our young ladies a chance to be the focus. We are looking for something serious/tragic, with a medium-sized cast (8-11 or thereabouts) and a strong central female. We'd like to avoid Greek tragedy. What are your favorite shows that fit these parameters? What shows have worked for you? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!

-------------------------------------------
Jeremy Williams
Adel GA
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Sent via Higher Logic Mobile

The Diary of Anne Frank is the first that comes to mind. The Wendy Kesselman adaptation was really popular for us. I haven't produced it bu Jane Eyre is another option...

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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-30-2014 12:43
From: Rob Duval
Subject: Strong Female Lead?

I suggest The Children's Hour or perhaps Little Women, although I have yet to produce either.

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Rob Duval
Theatre Teacher/Director
'Iolani School
Kaneohe HI
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-29-2014 07:30
From: Jeremy Williams
Subject: Strong Female Lead?

We have a good number of talented guys in our program, so our shows tend to focus on boys. Our last six shows (including our upcoming winter production) have been male-heavy, with male leads, so we feel we need to consider a play for the spring that gives our young ladies a chance to be the focus. We are looking for something serious/tragic, with a medium-sized cast (8-11 or thereabouts) and a strong central female. We'd like to avoid Greek tragedy. What are your favorite shows that fit these parameters? What shows have worked for you? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!

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Jeremy Williams
Adel GA
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Sent via Higher Logic Mobile

CHILDREN'S HOUR has a large quantity of strong women's roles, not the least of which are the two female leads. You need two separate sets, or suggestions of two separate locations, however. 
Another quality show with a top-notch female lead is NIGHT WATCH, by Lucille Fletcher. It's a thriller with quite a twist at the end. Also, check out WAIT UNTIL DARK. It has a small cast-only 5-but you can't beat Suzy, the "#1 blind lady!"

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Nancy Bernhard
Salinas CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-29-2014 07:30
From: Jeremy Williams
Subject: Strong Female Lead?

We have a good number of talented guys in our program, so our shows tend to focus on boys. Our last six shows (including our upcoming winter production) have been male-heavy, with male leads, so we feel we need to consider a play for the spring that gives our young ladies a chance to be the focus. We are looking for something serious/tragic, with a medium-sized cast (8-11 or thereabouts) and a strong central female. We'd like to avoid Greek tragedy. What are your favorite shows that fit these parameters? What shows have worked for you? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!

-------------------------------------------
Jeremy Williams
Adel GA
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Sent via Higher Logic Mobile

Take a look at Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory.  Originally written for at least 4 men and 5 women.  There are many good male and female roles, some can be doubled.  I plan to cast about 20 students but casting is very flexible and sounds like it might work for your program.  Fascinating story--based on real life events.  Great dramaturgical opportunity as well. 

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Cindy Skelton
Drama Teacher
San Mateo Union High School District
Burlingame CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-12-2014 19:21
From: Nancy Bernhard
Subject: Strong Female Lead?

CHILDREN'S HOUR has a large quantity of strong women's roles, not the least of which are the two female leads. You need two separate sets, or suggestions of two separate locations, however. 
Another quality show with a top-notch female lead is NIGHT WATCH, by Lucille Fletcher. It's a thriller with quite a twist at the end. Also, check out WAIT UNTIL DARK. It has a small cast-only 5-but you can't beat Suzy, the "#1 blind lady!"

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Nancy Bernhard
Salinas CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-29-2014 07:30
From: Jeremy Williams
Subject: Strong Female Lead?

We have a good number of talented guys in our program, so our shows tend to focus on boys. Our last six shows (including our upcoming winter production) have been male-heavy, with male leads, so we feel we need to consider a play for the spring that gives our young ladies a chance to be the focus. We are looking for something serious/tragic, with a medium-sized cast (8-11 or thereabouts) and a strong central female. We'd like to avoid Greek tragedy. What are your favorite shows that fit these parameters? What shows have worked for you? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!

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Jeremy Williams
Adel GA
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Sent via Higher Logic Mobile

If you are interested in a mystery, you might look at "Night Must Fall" by Emlyn Williams.  I loved directing it.  Written in 1937, it has become public domain, so you can format and print your own scripts and not have to pay royalties.  (I don't mind paying royalties to living playwrights.)

http://archive.org/stream/nightmustfallapl000840mbp/nightmustfallapl000840mbp_djvu.txt

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C. J. Breland
Asheville NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-29-2014 07:30
From: Jeremy Williams
Subject: Strong Female Lead?

We have a good number of talented guys in our program, so our shows tend to focus on boys. Our last six shows (including our upcoming winter production) have been male-heavy, with male leads, so we feel we need to consider a play for the spring that gives our young ladies a chance to be the focus. We are looking for something serious/tragic, with a medium-sized cast (8-11 or thereabouts) and a strong central female. We'd like to avoid Greek tragedy. What are your favorite shows that fit these parameters? What shows have worked for you? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!

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Jeremy Williams
Adel GA
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Sent via Higher Logic Mobile

Wit. It's written for for 3w, 3m and 4 flex, but we did it with 8 girls and 1 boy (it was for our one act, and we ended up taking out the father scene - if you keep it, you would want at least 2 boys). Just make certain you have a brilliant female lead who can carry a show, since she will be on stage the entire time. It was a very powerful experience for all involved, and all of us fell in love with Margaret Edison's writing and ideas. 

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Kenneth Buswell
Drama Teacher
Fayetteville GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-29-2014 07:30
From: Jeremy Williams
Subject: Strong Female Lead?

We have a good number of talented guys in our program, so our shows tend to focus on boys. Our last six shows (including our upcoming winter production) have been male-heavy, with male leads, so we feel we need to consider a play for the spring that gives our young ladies a chance to be the focus. We are looking for something serious/tragic, with a medium-sized cast (8-11 or thereabouts) and a strong central female. We'd like to avoid Greek tragedy. What are your favorite shows that fit these parameters? What shows have worked for you? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!

-------------------------------------------
Jeremy Williams
Adel GA
-------------------------------------------



Sent via Higher Logic Mobile