10 Spectacular Strategies to Grow Your Theater Program
Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week’s email:
BROADWAY BEAT- Once Upon a One More Time Announces Closing | Where Did All the Broadway Sets Go? | The Outsiders Musical Will Arrive on Broadway in Spring 2024 | A Beautiful Noise to Change Show Schedule | How does Broadway choreography today match up to the heyday of dance on the Main Stem?
HOT TOPICS - Grown-Up Theater Kids Run the World | An Arabic Adaptation of Chicago Razzle Dazzles Lebanon | Theater Camp Sets Hulu & Digital Release Date | Sweeney Todd, A History- Part 1: Murder, Meat Pies, Men and Myths | Ron Cephas Jones, Emmy Winner for ‘This Is Us,’ Dies at 66
THE BIG IDEA – 10 Spectacular Strategies to Grow Your Theater Program
PLAYSCRIPTS FREE READS - Free Reads for August 2023
The Broadway Beat
‘ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME’ ANNOUNCES CLOSING by Caitlin Hornik, Broadway News - A tour and international productions are in the works, according to producers James L. Nederlander and Hunter Arnold.
WHERE DID ALL THE BROADWAY SETS GO? by Isaac Butler, The New York Times - Elaborate theater backdrops are disappearing in favor of bare-bones productions.
‘THE OUTSIDERS’ MUSICAL WILL ARRIVE ON BROADWAY IN SPRING 2024 by Andrew Gans, Playbill - The musical adaptation of the novel and film made its world premiere earlier this year at the La Jolla Playhouse, directed by Danya Taymor.
A BEAUTIFUL NOISE TO CHANGE SHOW SCHEDULE by Caitlin Hornik, Broadway News - Producer Ken Davenport announced the change on his social media, citing audience research he conducted.
HOW DOES BROADWAY CHOREOGRAPHY TODAY MATCH UP TO THE HEYDAY OF DANCE ON THE MAIN STEM? by Ruthie Fierberg, Broadway News - Director-choreographers Andy Blankenbuehler and Wayne Cilento discuss how dance has evolved on Broadway in recent decades and the state of choreography today.
Hot Topics
GROWN-UP THEATER KIDS RUN THE WORLD by Madison Malone Kircher, The New York Times - A Supreme Court justice. The governor of New Jersey. Senator Ted Cruz. A prominent MSNBC host. Practically half the tech world. What’s behind this moment of thespian power?
AN ARABIC ADAPTATION OF ‘CHICAGO’ RAZZLE DAZZLES LEBANON by Sara Aridi, The New York Times - Reimagining the Broadway musical for audiences near Beirut meant new character names, choreography, and lyrics.
‘THEATER CAMP’ SETS HULU & DIGITAL RELEASE DATE by Michael Major, Broadway World- The film will be available to buy from all major digital retailers, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, with exclusive behind-the-scenes bonus content.
‘SWEENEY TODD,’ A HISTORY- PART 1: MURDER, MEAT PIES, MEN AND MYTHS by A.A. Cristi, Broadway World - Attend the true tale of Sweeney Todd as we delve into the history of how the story of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street came to haunt our nightmares.
RON CEPHAS JONES, EMMY WINNER FOR ‘THIS IS US,’ DIES AT 66 by Alex Traub, The New York Times -After facing homelessness in his youth, he became an admired theater and television actor, playing tough and weathered but vulnerable characters.
The Big Idea
10 Spectacular Strategies to Grow Your Theater Program
If you're a high school theater teacher on a mission to grow or transform your program into an electrifying hub of artistic expression, you've landed in the right place. Picture this: a theatre program where students shine, creativity knows no bounds, and the sense of community is as strong as any Broadway ensemble. With this in mind, here are 10 Spectacular Strategies to Grow Your Theater Program.
Dazzle with Diversity: Let's break out of the theatrical mold! Select shows that resonate with the eclectic tastes of your students. Find plays and musicals that mirror their interests, cultures, and stories. When the stage reflects their world, you've got a captive audience and a growing program.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Set the stage for collaboration. Imagine a place where the spotlight is shared and every voice matters. Ice-breakers, trust-building games, and workshops can turn a group of students into a tight-knit ensemble, ready to tackle the world – or at least the next scene.
Rising Stars Take the Lead: Pass the directorial baton to your students! Empower them to craft their own productions. You'll see their talents sparkle like never before. It can be scary to give away creative control, but your students will feel empowered, and students who feel empowered will become leaders and champions for your Theatre program. Plus, they'll be learning skills that extend far beyond the stage.
Lights, Camera, Education: Call in the pros! Theatre Professionals – actors, directors, playwrights, producers, stage managers, and others– can ignite the passion of budding thespians through workshops and masterclasses in person or over Zoom. Real-world insights, techniques, and stories from the trenches will not only light up their passion for theatre but will also help them discover the many different career paths available for working in the performing arts.
Mentorship Magic: Bridge the gap between seasoned performers and fresh-faced newcomers. Pairing mentors with mentees creates a support network as strong as the energy backstage before opening night. It's a win-win – the mentors learn leadership, and the mentees find guidance from the pros. If you don’t have connections to outside theatre pros, don’t worry; have your upper-class students mentor your younger students.
Social Media Spotlight: Say hello to the digital stage. Let your students capture and share behind-the-scenes snippets, rehearsal antics, and dazzling backstage moments. They'll be the kings and queens of content creation in no time, and it might even encourage other students to consider getting involved. You have also now created a Marketing team; what else could this team do to promote your season and grow your program?
Tech Talk: It is time to turn up the tech quotient. Merge classic theater with cutting-edge tech craft. Think projections, lighting effects, and even virtual reality surprises. Your students will be enthralled, and traditional theater will get a futuristic facelift.
All Together Now: Don’t just collaborate with the music, art, and dance departments. Get creative with your outreach. Ask a history teacher to give background on your play’s time and place. Ask the library to pull books that can inspire research in your title. This fusion of talents will leave your students spellbound, and they'll gain a newfound appreciation for the arts and how other subjects can inform and enhance the entire production.
Theater Expedition: Ready to explore? Pack your bags and head out for theater escapades. Local theaters, festivals, and professional productions await. These experiences will spark inspiration and ignite a lifelong passion for the stage. Reach out early and ask about group discounts, or see if you can do a talkback with the cast after the show. If they do it on Broadway (and they do), most theatres can also make this happen for a school group; make sure to reach out early. Plus, if there is one thing I’ve learned, most actors never get tired of talking about themselves and their work.
Applause for Achievements: Roll out the red carpet for your students. Celebrate their triumphs – big and small – with awards, certificates, and public recognition. Their dedication will shine even brighter when they feel the center of attention. This is also a great way to get parents involved. Parents will support activities they see their child is being successful at. Parent support turns into community support, which enhances your theatre program and how your school community and administration view you.
In the grand finale, remember this: the stage isn't just a platform; it's a world of endless possibilities. You're crafting a legacy of creativity, camaraderie, and captivating performances by unleashing these ten strategies. Every line learned, every friendship forged, and every curtain call is a testament to the magic of theater – and you're the maestro making it all happen. Break a Leg!
FREE READS
Read entire plays for free! These titles are perfect for your theatre, school, and competition performances. Scroll over the title, click the "READ NOW" button, and enjoy!
Santa Claus Might Not be Coming to Town
by Don Zolidis
THE STORY: Dipsy the Elf is fed up with the way Santa’s Workshop is run. And she’s not the only one—tired of an increasingly long Christmas season and the demand for more complicated toys, Santa Claus leaves the North Pole, escaping to a glacier with a legion of penguins who worship him. Now, it’s up to Dipsy and her misfit friends to find Santa and teach him the true meaning of Christmas: good working conditions for all.
One act | 35 - 45 minutes | 20 Any (16-24 actors possible) | Set: Flexible
A Wicked Christmas Carol
THE STORY: The Wicked Witch of the West wasn't always that way, and when a ghostly figure whisks her away on a journey through her past, present, and future, she may find a second chance on Christmas Eve. Can familiar faces help to melt the Witch's heart, or is she doomed to melt away herself? A Christmas classic gets a thrilling transformation, set in the magical world of L. Frank Baum's Oz books.
Holiday | 110 - 120 minutes | 14 W, 10 M, 7 Any (10-40 actors possible: 7-37 W, 3-33 M) | Set: Simple set pieces representing various locations in Oz.
World War II Radio Christmas Play
THE STORY: This moving holiday show recreates the experience of attending a recording of a 1940s radio show broadcast on Christmas Eve during World War II. Using period songs and stories inspired by actual veterans, World War II Radio Christmas transports the audience to another time, brought to you by such generous sponsors as Vaseline Hair Tonic and Ipana Toothpaste. An inspiring look at strength in the face of hardship, this play is a reminder of the importance of coming together for the holidays.
Live Radio Play with Music | 60 - 70 minutes | 4 W, 4 M, 1 Any (6-16 actors possible: 3-8 W, 3-8 M) |Set: A sound stage with two or three microphones, labeled with call letters of the radio station; "On The Air" and "Applause" signs; chairs for actors not in sketches; cart with sound effects props, outfitted with a microphone. Musical accompaniment can range from a simple piano to a full band.
Unbreakable Timmy Cratchit
by Tyler Dwiggins, Kathryn Funkhouser
THE STORY: There are people who are excited about Christmas, and then there's Tiny Tim Cratchit - he's never met a seasonal sweater he didn't love. When he discovers his overworked parents could use some extra cheer this year, the oddball optimist drafts his skeptical sister Belinda into a last-minute quest to make enough money to buy the perfect gifts. The entitled customers, pushy elves, and ruthless carolers shopping on Christmas Eve are enough to test the most festive soul, but generosity comes from unlikely places in this galloping, joyful reversal of A Christmas Carol.
Comedy | 30 - 35 minutes | 14 W, 9 M, 23 Any (9-40 actors possible: 0-40 W, 0-40 M) | Set: Flexible.
Polar Twilight
THE STORY: When three candidates are called to interview for a PR position at the North Pole, they expect to find a dream job gift-wrapped for them. But all that changes once they meet Big Red himself -- suddenly, everything they thought they knew about him is proven terrifyingly wrong. Even if this revelation has sucked all the life out of the legend for them, the alternative is worse: what would happen if everyone knew? Can they help Santa maintain his jolly public image, or could this be the end of Christmas as we know it?
Comedy | 20 - 25 minutes | 3 W, 3 M, (6 actors possible: 0-5 W, 1-6 M) | Set: Simple staging.