Open Forum

I am looking for a small cast piece akin to "Shipwrecked...", "39 Steps ", or even the Abridged plays, fast paced, and funny. But I would like to find something written by a playwright of color. Not that these are not great pieces, but I think something else might ring truer for my actors. I loved The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, but that is too large... looking for only 3 or 4, even 2. There are many great playwrights I can think of, but small and funny is the difficult part. Point me in a direction!

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Korreen Ditschler
APO AP
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You might consider at Josefina Lopez' first play (written 30 years ago when she was 17), a one-act, titled Simply Maria, or, The American Dream.

It is a satire that examines Latina identity.

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Jo Beth Gonzalez
Teacher/Drama Director
Bowling Green City Schools
Bowling Green OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-15-2017 16:06
From: Korreen Ditschler
Subject: Multi-ethnic small cast farce or comedy?

I am looking for a small cast piece akin to "Shipwrecked...", "39 Steps ", or even the Abridged plays, fast paced, and funny. But I would like to find something written by a playwright of color. Not that these are not great pieces, but I think something else might ring truer for my actors. I loved The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, but that is too large... looking for only 3 or 4, even 2. There are many great playwrights I can think of, but small and funny is the difficult part. Point me in a direction!

------------------------------
Korreen Ditschler
APO AP
------------------------------

You might want to consider joining, and then searching, the National New Play Network's New Play Exchange. You can filter plays by a lot of different factors, including playwright ethnic identity, and then read them on the web site.

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Cora Turlish
Metuchen NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-15-2017 16:06
From: Korreen Ditschler
Subject: Multi-ethnic small cast farce or comedy?

I am looking for a small cast piece akin to "Shipwrecked...", "39 Steps ", or even the Abridged plays, fast paced, and funny. But I would like to find something written by a playwright of color. Not that these are not great pieces, but I think something else might ring truer for my actors. I loved The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, but that is too large... looking for only 3 or 4, even 2. There are many great playwrights I can think of, but small and funny is the difficult part. Point me in a direction!

------------------------------
Korreen Ditschler
APO AP
------------------------------

The title that jumps to my head is Woza, Albert! by Mbogeni Ngema & Percy Mtwa. It's a faced paced satire/farce/comedy from the Market Theatre in South Africa. Possibly not what you're looking for if you want to avoid politics from Apartheid-era Johannesburg, but a great piece of theatre.

The Trials of Brother Jero by Wole Soyina may have too many characters--I think it's around 6--but is funny and a good satire from a giant of Nigerian playwrighting whom I associate more with drama than with comedy.

This is a great question. I'm excited to see everyone's suggestions!

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Meg O'Connor
Teaching Artist
oconnormainstage.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-15-2017 16:06
From: Korreen Ditschler
Subject: Multi-ethnic small cast farce or comedy?

I am looking for a small cast piece akin to "Shipwrecked...", "39 Steps ", or even the Abridged plays, fast paced, and funny. But I would like to find something written by a playwright of color. Not that these are not great pieces, but I think something else might ring truer for my actors. I loved The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, but that is too large... looking for only 3 or 4, even 2. There are many great playwrights I can think of, but small and funny is the difficult part. Point me in a direction!

------------------------------
Korreen Ditschler
APO AP
------------------------------

I am not exactly sure what ethnic groups are represented in your program, but there is a lesser known, but very effective work by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage called By the Way, Meet Vera Stark. I saw this show Off Broadway years ago. I don't know if it would work for your department as a fill production, but could definitely work as a One-Act, or scene work. I have the same sentiments regarding Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris. They are definitely both worth checking out.

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Hugh Fletcher
Performing Arts Coordinator
IS 229 Dr. Roland Patterson Middle School
Roosevelt NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-15-2017 16:06
From: Korreen Ditschler
Subject: Multi-ethnic small cast farce or comedy?

I am looking for a small cast piece akin to "Shipwrecked...", "39 Steps ", or even the Abridged plays, fast paced, and funny. But I would like to find something written by a playwright of color. Not that these are not great pieces, but I think something else might ring truer for my actors. I loved The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, but that is too large... looking for only 3 or 4, even 2. There are many great playwrights I can think of, but small and funny is the difficult part. Point me in a direction!

------------------------------
Korreen Ditschler
APO AP
------------------------------