Open Forum

They can't use ANY props? I did Sure Thing in high school (in the show and at competition) and the bell was integral to the scene. I can't think of anything else that would have the same effect. ):

I wish you luck!

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Heather Cribbs
Theatre Director
New Smyrna Beach High School
New Smyrna Beach, FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-20-2017 06:48
From: Molly Chapman
Subject: Sure Thing bell help

I have 2 students who want to perform 'Sure Thing' by David Ives for a competition. In this competition, they're not allowed to have any props so they can't use a bell. We tried doing a clap, coughing, moving a chair, and a few other weird alternatives that don't work. Anyone ever have this issue? We're thinking they'll just have to find another scene, but I thought I'd check in here first.

I've seen plenty forensics duos where there the actors simply said "ding" or maybe accompanied that verbal ding with a finger snap and it's worked.

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Ryan Moore
Theatre Teacher and Forensics Coach
Royal Oak MI
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-20-2017 06:48
From: Molly Chapman
Subject: Sure Thing bell help

I have 2 students who want to perform 'Sure Thing' by David Ives for a competition. In this competition, they're not allowed to have any props so they can't use a bell. We tried doing a clap, coughing, moving a chair, and a few other weird alternatives that don't work. Anyone ever have this issue? We're thinking they'll just have to find another scene, but I thought I'd check in here first.

I would have them pantomime the bell and say "ding!" at the same time.  If that works, awesome.  If not, try a new scene,.

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Laura Steenson
Theatre Director
Reynolds High School
Troutdale OR
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-20-2017 08:01
From: Ryan Moore
Subject: Sure Thing bell help

I've seen plenty forensics duos where there the actors simply said "ding" or maybe accompanied that verbal ding with a finger snap and it's worked.

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Ryan Moore
Theatre Teacher and Forensics Coach
Royal Oak MI

Original Message:
Sent: 09-20-2017 06:48
From: Molly Chapman
Subject: Sure Thing bell help

I have 2 students who want to perform 'Sure Thing' by David Ives for a competition. In this competition, they're not allowed to have any props so they can't use a bell. We tried doing a clap, coughing, moving a chair, and a few other weird alternatives that don't work. Anyone ever have this issue? We're thinking they'll just have to find another scene, but I thought I'd check in here first.

I agree.  I've seen duos in speech do it many times with the person who doesn't say the cue line, simply saying "ding". It works.

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Mark Quinlan
teacher/director of theater/head speech coach
Centennial School District, ISD#12
Circle Pines MN
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-20-2017 08:01
From: Ryan Moore
Subject: Sure Thing bell help

I've seen plenty forensics duos where there the actors simply said "ding" or maybe accompanied that verbal ding with a finger snap and it's worked.

------------------------------
Ryan Moore
Theatre Teacher and Forensics Coach
Royal Oak MI

Original Message:
Sent: 09-20-2017 06:48
From: Molly Chapman
Subject: Sure Thing bell help

I have 2 students who want to perform 'Sure Thing' by David Ives for a competition. In this competition, they're not allowed to have any props so they can't use a bell. We tried doing a clap, coughing, moving a chair, and a few other weird alternatives that don't work. Anyone ever have this issue? We're thinking they'll just have to find another scene, but I thought I'd check in here first.

can you use someone offstage doing the bell sound effect?

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Emily Budd
Theatre Director
Fairburn GA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-20-2017 06:48
From: Molly Chapman
Subject: Sure Thing bell help

I have 2 students who want to perform 'Sure Thing' by David Ives for a competition. In this competition, they're not allowed to have any props so they can't use a bell. We tried doing a clap, coughing, moving a chair, and a few other weird alternatives that don't work. Anyone ever have this issue? We're thinking they'll just have to find another scene, but I thought I'd check in here first.

I like @Ryan Moore 's idea of the finger snap. I performed this scene for my HS senior showcase umpteen years ago and we made the choice to have one bell for each of us on stage, giving the timing of the bell to the actor to control, which makes for some fun choices of when they realize, want, or need the scene to "reset". I think the simple finger snap could have the same effect. Have fun!

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Hans Weichhart
Chief Relationship Officer
Educational Theatre Association
Cincinnati OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2017 08:25
From: Emily Budd
Subject: Sure Thing bell help

can you use someone offstage doing the bell sound effect?

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Emily Budd
Theatre Director
Fairburn GA

Original Message:
Sent: 09-20-2017 06:48
From: Molly Chapman
Subject: Sure Thing bell help

I have 2 students who want to perform 'Sure Thing' by David Ives for a competition. In this competition, they're not allowed to have any props so they can't use a bell. We tried doing a clap, coughing, moving a chair, and a few other weird alternatives that don't work. Anyone ever have this issue? We're thinking they'll just have to find another scene, but I thought I'd check in here first.

Original Message------

can you use someone offstage doing the bell sound effect?

------------------------------
Emily Budd
Theatre Director
Fairburn GA
------------------------------

Original Message------

I have 2 students who want to perform 'Sure Thing' by David Ives for a competition. In this competition, they're not allowed to have any props so they can't use a bell. We tried doing a clap, coughing, moving a chair, and a few other weird alternatives that don't work. Anyone ever have this issue? We're thinking they'll just have to find another scene, but I thought I'd check in here first.

Hmmm.  I suggest having a "bell" person say DING! every time the bell rings.  A clap just isn't the right sound.  In a student-directed one-act show years ago one of the directors chose this show and the bell is such an integral part of it that I would say either the word DING! or find another piece.  It's really fun though.  Good luck!

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Valerie O'Riordan
Drama Director, MFA, AEA, Russi House Provincial
Archbishop Riordan High School
San Francisco CA voriordan@riordanhs.org
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-20-2017 06:48
From: Molly Chapman
Subject: Sure Thing bell help

I have 2 students who want to perform 'Sure Thing' by David Ives for a competition. In this competition, they're not allowed to have any props so they can't use a bell. We tried doing a clap, coughing, moving a chair, and a few other weird alternatives that don't work. Anyone ever have this issue? We're thinking they'll just have to find another scene, but I thought I'd check in here first.

Have you checked with the competition about the use of a sound effect? May be someone could do it from off stage as a sound cue. Also, if the prop is integral to the scene and the audience's understanding of the play I'd check with the organizer to see if there are any exceptions to this rule.

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Christine Auxier
Theatre teacher
Providence RI
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-20-2017 06:48
From: Molly Chapman
Subject: Sure Thing bell help

I have 2 students who want to perform 'Sure Thing' by David Ives for a competition. In this competition, they're not allowed to have any props so they can't use a bell. We tried doing a clap, coughing, moving a chair, and a few other weird alternatives that don't work. Anyone ever have this issue? We're thinking they'll just have to find another scene, but I thought I'd check in here first.