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  • 1.  Play ideas needed

    Posted 04-04-2018 09:21
    I was just told by administration that I will no longer be allowed to do murder mystery plays or anything with killing or violent content. So I am looking for full length play ideas for next year. I have a relatively small cast (10-15). What are some good plays you can recommend?
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    Lisa Singleterry
    Portland Christian Schools
    Elementary Music & Band Teacher
    High School Drama Director
    Masters of Arts in Teaching


  • 2.  RE: Play ideas needed

    Posted 04-04-2018 10:59
    Did your administration define what they mean by "violent content"? Are you allowed to do historical pieces with violence (something like a holocaust play or a greek tragedy)? 

    We open Alice in Wonderland adapted by Eva Le Gallienne and Florida Friebus (Sam French) tomorrow and have had a great time with it. You'd definitely have to double and triple cast to make it work with a cast so small but it's been really fun. 

    You could also look at:

    - Robin Hood (so many fun versions to choose from)
    - Peter Pan and Wendy by Doug Rand (Playscripts)
    - a Jane Austin adaptation
    - The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) - or one of the other scripts like this (All The Great Books, Complete History of America, ect)
    - Beauty and the Beast by Timothy Mason (Playscripts)
    - a Sherlock Holmes script (again, lots of fun options for this)
    - A Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe or An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe (playscripts)

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    Shira Schwartz
    Chandler Unified School District
    Chandler AZ
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Play ideas needed

    Posted 04-10-2018 13:25
    THE Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood by Mary Lyn Dobson  - is a really fun romp.  Can be a cast of 10.Very funny and all violence is fun... swords are wooden spoons.  My students had a great time with it and the author was in Vermont and saw the show. She and the students bonded!  
    Cathy

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    Cathy Archer
    Rutland VT
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Play ideas needed

    Posted 04-05-2018 07:42
    Still Life With Iris (Stephen Dietz), or Anatomy of Gray by Jim Leonard might work for you. Love them both.

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    Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
    Theatre Department Coordinator
    Fishersville VA
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Play ideas needed

    Posted 04-05-2018 09:46
    Curious Savage by John Patrick

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    Holly Thompson
    Worthington OH
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Play ideas needed

    Posted 04-05-2018 12:47
    We just finished 'The Matchmaker'  (Samuel French)  and it was a hit!  The kids loved the era and the audience appreciated the clean, light-heartedness of the play.  There are 16 cast members, but 4 have very small roles.  2 could probably be doubled.

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    Karin Neal
    Forensics Coach and Theatre Director
    Trinity Catholic Jr. Sr. High School
    Hutchinson KS
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Play ideas needed

    Posted 04-05-2018 13:57
    Over the River and Through the Woods (6 people)
    Once Upon A Pandora's Box (16 people, I think?)
    All in the Timing (17 people)

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    Heather Cribbs
    Theatre Director
    New Smyrna Beach High School
    New Smyrna Beach, FL
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Play ideas needed

    Posted 04-10-2018 16:09
    I sense that your school is conservative.  I direct plays in a small, conservative, rural town, and have to consider my audience each time I choose a play.  Here is a list of plays that I have done or that I would consider.  (I might add that, if the plays contain anything about smoking, drinking, or sex, I write for permission to alter the script.  I don't love censorship, but it starts conversations with my students about having consideration for your audience.)  

    Classics with no violence:
    You Can't Take It With You
    Harvey
    Anne of Green Gables
    The Miracle Worker (my <g class="gr_ gr_1719 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="1719" data-gr-id="1719">favorite</g>)

    More Modern Plays:
    Fools
    Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon
    Flowers for Algernon
    Diary of Anne Frank
    Much Ado about Nothing
    Almost, Maine
    Steel Magnolias

    I also second the choices of The Curious Savage and The Matchmaker, & Robin Hood plays.  (We had success performing The Legend of Robin Hood...Sort of)

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    Janette Clark
    Drama Teacher
    Minneapolis KS
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    Original Message


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