Open Forum

Hey all,

I have a conundrum. I was recently put in charge of the fall play, and there are a few challenges. We need:

A modern(ish) drama
Large cast with lots of girl parts
Not very controversial
Something with a mobile or minimal set since we won’t be in the auditorium until 2 weeks before the show


We have done in the last three years: Radium Girls, 12 Angry Jurors, Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Almost, Maine, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and Our Town was our last show, so my principal doesn’t want another small town piece.

I cannot do the Crucible or Arabian Nights, although I love the scripts.

Any suggestions?

THANK YOU,

David McGill

---------------------------------
David McGill
English Teacher

South Elgin IL
---------------------------------

The Good Fight? Or would that be considered too historical  or controversial?

Metamorphoses?

------------------------------
Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre Department Coordinator
Fishersville VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-08-2018 08:46
From: David McGill
Subject: Help! Principal Wants A Lot Of Say

Hey all,

I have a conundrum. I was recently put in charge of the fall play, and there are a few challenges. The principal wants:

A modern(ish) drama
Large cast with lots of girl parts
Not very controversial (I know)
Something with a mobile or minimal set since we won't be in the auditorium until 2 weeks before the show


We have done in the last three years: Radium Girls, 12 Angry Jurors, Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Almost, Maine, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and Our Town was our last show, so my principal doesn't want another small town piece.

I cannot do the Crucible or Arabian Nights, although I love the scripts.

Any suggestions?

THANK YOU,

David McGill

---------------------------------
David McGill
English Teacher

South Elgin IL
---------------------------------

Original Message------

The Good Fight? Or would that be considered too historical  or controversial?

Metamorphoses?

------------------------------
Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre Department Coordinator
Fishersville VA
------------------------------

Since you did a drama last year, you might want to try I Hate Shakespeare by Steph DeFerie (Playscripts). We did it last year. It was great fun, and the kids learned a lot about Shakespeare's plays. It is gender flexible, so Jerry Springer became Jenny Springer, and Jim Lange became Kim Lange.

------------------------------
Valerie Gargus
NJ Thespians Festival Director
Play & Thespian Troupe Director
Northern Burlington County Reg HS
Columbus, NJ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-08-2018 08:46
From: David McGill
Subject: Help! Principal Wants A Lot Of Say

Hey all,

I have a conundrum. I was recently put in charge of the fall play, and there are a few challenges. The principal wants:

A modern(ish) drama
Large cast with lots of girl parts
Not very controversial (I know)
Something with a mobile or minimal set since we won't be in the auditorium until 2 weeks before the show


We have done in the last three years: Radium Girls, 12 Angry Jurors, Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Almost, Maine, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and Our Town was our last show, so my principal doesn't want another small town piece.

I cannot do the Crucible or Arabian Nights, although I love the scripts.

Any suggestions?

THANK YOU,

David McGill

---------------------------------
David McGill
English Teacher

South Elgin IL
---------------------------------

​The Children's Hour

------------------------------
Crit Fisher
Lighting/Sound Designer
New Albany High School
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-08-2018 08:46
From: David McGill
Subject: Help! Principal Wants A Lot Of Say

Hey all,

I have a conundrum. I was recently put in charge of the fall play, and there are a few challenges. The principal wants:

A modern(ish) drama
Large cast with lots of girl parts
Not very controversial (I know)
Something with a mobile or minimal set since we won't be in the auditorium until 2 weeks before the show


We have done in the last three years: Radium Girls, 12 Angry Jurors, Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Almost, Maine, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and Our Town was our last show, so my principal doesn't want another small town piece.

I cannot do the Crucible or Arabian Nights, although I love the scripts.

Any suggestions?

THANK YOU,

David McGill

---------------------------------
David McGill
English Teacher

South Elgin IL
---------------------------------

Maybe "A Wrinkle in Time"? We had success with the adaptation by Tracy Young, but there are others too.

------------------------------
Cora Turlish
Metuchen NJ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-08-2018 08:46
From: David McGill
Subject: Help! Principal Wants A Lot Of Say

Hey all,

I have a conundrum. I was recently put in charge of the fall play, and there are a few challenges. The principal wants:

A modern(ish) drama
Large cast with lots of girl parts
Not very controversial (I know)
Something with a mobile or minimal set since we won't be in the auditorium until 2 weeks before the show


We have done in the last three years: Radium Girls, 12 Angry Jurors, Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Almost, Maine, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and Our Town was our last show, so my principal doesn't want another small town piece.

I cannot do the Crucible or Arabian Nights, although I love the scripts.

Any suggestions?

THANK YOU,

David McGill

---------------------------------
David McGill
English Teacher

South Elgin IL
---------------------------------

Peter Pan is a good one to do also. 

It has room for lots of extras as either Indians or Pirates, and can be done with a predominantly female cast.  We did it a few years ago and all of the Lost Boys were played by females.

If you perform the play as if it is kids playing make believe in their bedroom it is a simple set with just a few set pieces that the performers can move around to turn into the different set pieces, such as the pirate ship, the island, or the Lost Boys dwelling.

------------------------------
Andrew Kidd
Teacher
Levy County School Board
Chiefland FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-08-2018 08:46
From: David McGill
Subject: Help! Principal Wants A Lot Of Say

Hey all,

I have a conundrum. I was recently put in charge of the fall play, and there are a few challenges. The principal wants:

A modern(ish) drama
Large cast with lots of girl parts
Not very controversial (I know)
Something with a mobile or minimal set since we won't be in the auditorium until 2 weeks before the show


We have done in the last three years: Radium Girls, 12 Angry Jurors, Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Almost, Maine, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and Our Town was our last show, so my principal doesn't want another small town piece.

I cannot do the Crucible or Arabian Nights, although I love the scripts.

Any suggestions?

THANK YOU,

David McGill

---------------------------------
David McGill
English Teacher

South Elgin IL
---------------------------------

I have to give your principal a lot of credit. I don't think he's asking for too much and he's taking an interest. That is much better than a principal who doesn't take an interest and as soon as there's a problem it's your fault and he shuts the production down. My last principal read every script I gave him, commented on the script, and gave me a lot of feed back. He never rejected a script. His major concern was if there was controversy he was ready for it and had an answer for parent questions. CHA:  Cover His A.......

------------------------------
John Perry
Retired Theatre Teacher
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-10-2018 09:26
From: Andrew Kidd
Subject: Help! Principal Wants A Lot Of Say

Peter Pan is a good one to do also.

It has room for lots of extras as either Indians or Pirates, and can be done with a predominantly female cast.  We did it a few years ago and all of the Lost Boys were played by females.

If you perform the play as if it is kids playing make believe in their bedroom it is a simple set with just a few set pieces that the performers can move around to turn into the different set pieces, such as the pirate ship, the island, or the Lost Boys dwelling.

------------------------------
Andrew Kidd
Teacher
Levy County School Board
Chiefland FL

Original Message:
Sent: 08-08-2018 08:46
From: David McGill
Subject: Help! Principal Wants A Lot Of Say

Hey all,

I have a conundrum. I was recently put in charge of the fall play, and there are a few challenges. The principal wants:

A modern(ish) drama
Large cast with lots of girl parts
Not very controversial (I know)
Something with a mobile or minimal set since we won't be in the auditorium until 2 weeks before the show


We have done in the last three years: Radium Girls, 12 Angry Jurors, Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Almost, Maine, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and Our Town was our last show, so my principal doesn't want another small town piece.

I cannot do the Crucible or Arabian Nights, although I love the scripts.

Any suggestions?

THANK YOU,

David McGill

---------------------------------
David McGill
English Teacher

South Elgin IL
---------------------------------

Since someone suggested 'I Hate Shakespeare,' there's also the really rather excellent 'Postcards from Shakespeare,' by Allison Williams, which is admittedly a one act but can be done with minimal set (quite a few props, though the sillier, the better, still fairly cheap), and is absolutely hysterical. A toy baby does get thrown around, which might be the most controversial aspect of it. 

Were you looking for a full length suggestion?

------------------------------
Phillip Goodchild
Theatre Arts Instructor

Etobicoke ON
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-08-2018 08:46
From: David McGill
Subject: Help! Principal Wants A Lot Of Say

Hey all,

I have a conundrum. I was recently put in charge of the fall play, and there are a few challenges. We need:

A modern(ish) drama
Large cast with lots of girl parts
Not very controversial
Something with a mobile or minimal set since we won't be in the auditorium until 2 weeks before the show


We have done in the last three years: Radium Girls, 12 Angry Jurors, Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Almost, Maine, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and Our Town was our last show, so my principal doesn't want another small town piece.

I cannot do the Crucible or Arabian Nights, although I love the scripts.

Any suggestions?

THANK YOU,

David McGill

---------------------------------
David McGill
English Teacher

South Elgin IL
---------------------------------