About.com Plays / Drama

Who's Your Favorite Christmas Character?

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:06:04 +0000

With Thanksgiving behind us, the holidays are in full swing. And since I've been working on a holiday show at my local community theater, I've been aware of the rapidly growing Christmas cheer -- and it's not even December yet!

In the past X-mas season I asked readers to share their opinions on the best holiday play. This year, I'd like you to vote for your favorite Christmas character. Share your thoughts -- and let's find out who wins in the battle between Scrooge and Kris Kringle!

Who's Your Favorite Christmas Character? originally appeared on About.com Plays / Drama on Sunday, November 29th, 2009 at 23:06:04.

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Dress Rehearsals

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:54:36 +0000

Well, I've got my make-up on, my costume ready, and I'm headed for the theater for the dress rehearsal of Miracle on 34th Street. Last night, during the final stages of the tech rehearsal, our director said, "I hope we have a good dress rehearsal, but not a great one. That way, we'll have a perfect opening night."

There has been a long-standing belief, some would call it a theater superstition, that a not-so-great dress rehearsal translates into a superb premiere. Assuming there is some validity to this, I wonder if the opposite is true. If you have a flawless dress rehearsal, do you have a bad opening night? Many actors believe that having a perfect dress rehearsal can make the cast and crew over-confident, resulting in a less-than-satisfying opening night.

But I'm not worried. After all, how often does a rehearsal run perfectly?

Are you in a show this holiday season? Share your thoughts about the rehearsal process in our Plays / Drama forum.

Dress Rehearsals originally appeared on About.com Plays / Drama on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 02:54:36.

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Teaching Activity: Write Additional Scenes

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:57:19 +0000

One of my favorite teaching tools involves creative analysis: using artistry to express ideas about literature. For example, my students have been studying such plays as A Raisin in the Sun and August: Osage County. In addition to lectures and lively class discussion, we also do group activities that involve the creation of an additional or alternative scene from the play.

The scene could take place before, after, or in-between the playwright's storyline. During the writing process, the students may remain true to the characters, or they may spoof them or modernized their language. When the new scenes are finished, the class can take turns reading or performing their work. If some groups would rather not stand in front of the class, they can read from their desks. Or, the instructor could verbally present the newly written scenes.

Discover more creative ways to analyze dramatic literature.

Teaching Activity: Write Additional Scenes originally appeared on About.com Plays / Drama on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 14:57:19.

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Ahrens and Flaherty's "Ragtime" Returns

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:48:40 +0000

It's hard to believe that The Lion King, Disney's predator of the musical world, has been prowling around Broadway for over ten years. And when I think of the other shows that have come and gone, I must suppress a roar of annoyance. (Sure, it's an imaginative, well-staged show -- but I'm just not interested in paying +150 bucks for a live-action version of a cartoon I've seen a dozen times.)

And whenever I think about the longevity of The Lion King, I simultaneously think of the fleeting run of Ragtime, the 11 million dollar musical that had high-hopes of sweeping the Tony Awards, only to have most of the trophies swiped away by Simba and his pride.

I've been a fan of Ragtime's song writing duo, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, ever since their musical comedy, Lucky Stiff. Like Sir Elton, they are no strangers to composing songs for cartoons themed shows. (In fact, if you hate Seussical the Musical, then you probably have a bone to pick with these two). But whether their shows have been embraced or rejected, they always take chances.

The ambitious production of Ragtime made its debut in 1998. The musical's book, penned renowned playwright Terrence McNally, weaves together the various story-lines from E. L. Dotorow's novel. Ragtime garnered mixed reviews, but had enough of a following to last for two years. Now, the show is returning to Broadway for a limited run. Based upon their website's video clips, this revival looks like a stylish, well-directed production. So, if you're visiting Broadway this winter, here's my advice: Drop the kids off at The Lion King so that the grown-ups can enjoy Ragtime!

Ahrens and Flaherty's "Ragtime" Returns originally appeared on About.com Plays / Drama on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 23:48:40.

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"Man and Superman" - Study Guide

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:44 +0000

Arguably George Bernard Shaw's most profound play, Man and Superman blends social satire with a fascinating philosophy. Today, the comedy continues to make readers and audiences laugh and think - sometimes simultaneously.

Man and Superman tells the story of two rivals: John Tanner (a wealthy, politically-minded intellectual who values his freedom) and Ann Whitefield (a charming, scheming hypocritical young woman who wants Tanner as a husband). Once Tanner realizes that Miss Whitefield is hunting for a spouse (and that he is the only target), he attempts to flee, only to find out that his attraction to Ann is too overwhelming to escape.

Explore the themes and characters of Man and Superman.

"Man and Superman" - Study Guide originally appeared on About.com Plays / Drama on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 18:00:44.

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"Terri and the Turkey" - Thanksgiving Play

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:19:24 +0000

I've been receiving a lot of requests for links to Thanksgiving skits. There are a few good online resources for Thanksgiving scenes. However, since many of the plays run longer than ten minutes, I thought that I would create a short five minute script titled, "Terri and the Turkey."

It's the story of a young girl who saved the life of the family's Thanksgiving turkey. So, if your classroom is looking for a Turkey Day skit, or maybe your family is simply looking for a fun scene to perform, "Terri and the Turkey" is among our growing collection of free one-act plays and scenes.

"Terri and the Turkey" - Thanksgiving Play originally appeared on About.com Plays / Drama on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 20:19:24.

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Me and Orson Welles

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:47:27 +0000

Well, perhaps I can now forgive Zac Efron for his involvement with the High School Musical triology, the oh-so-cheerful Disney franchise with its infectious teeny-bopper tunes.

Efron stars in Richard Linklater's Me and Orson Welles, a movie provides a fictionalized account (based upon the novel by Robert Kaplow) of a young actor who becomes caught up in the mayhem and the creative genius of Orson Welles. The film focuses on the final rehearsals of Welles' ground-breaking production of Julius Ceasar.

So far, the reviews have been mixed -- mostly good, although some have criticized the film's like of excitement. However, most critics seem to agree that the movie captures the spirit of the New York theater scene of the late 1930s. Have you seen the movie? If so, leave a comment and tell us what you think!

Me and Orson Welles originally appeared on About.com Plays / Drama on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 15:47:27.

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"Hecklers" Improv Game

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:06:02 +0000

Last night, I attended a birthday party with an unusual theme: Mystery Science Theater 3000 -- one of my favorite 90s TV shows. Never heard of it? Every episode featured a human and two robots who poke fun of really bad movies. The party reminded me of a tricky but often rewarding improv game.

"Hecklers" is the stage equivalent to MST3K. This improvisational activity involves two performers who sit in the front row of the audience. Several other actors take the stage and begin an intentionally boring or an overly serious scene.

The humor ensues when the two hecklers begin to "Riff" on the melodramatic story that plays on the stage. They can make comments about the characters, add their own lines, or perhaps say what the characters are "really thinking."

For the scene to work, it is best if the two hecklers avoid talking over each other's lines. Also, the actors on stage should not react to any of the heckler lines. Instead, they should continue their performance, unabated. They should also allow long pauses between lines of dialogue, providing ample opportunity to those rascally hecklers.

Browse for more theater activities in our collection of Improv Games.

"Hecklers" Improv Game originally appeared on About.com Plays / Drama on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 22:06:02.

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Should You Learn the Other Guy's Lines?

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:23:54 +0000

I am busying learning a new batch of lines for my upcoming role in my local theater's Christmas play. I've got most of them down -- but I've still got a long way to go before I feel comfortable on stage.

Some actors have their own special way of memorizing lines. Some constantly listening to their own recording of the dialogue. Others get their willing friends and family members to run lines with them. My system is pretty simple: repetition, repetition, repetition.

But during rehearsals, I've noticed something. I know my lines pretty well. But I have no idea what my fellow actor is going to say. Sure, I know what my cue is -- but I haven't spent much time learning the rest of their dialogue.

Some actors want their reactions to stay fresh, so they don't want to memorize the lines of their co-stars. And of course, one can't help but learn most of the other actor's lines simply by osmosis. Yet some thespians purposefully learn every word of the play, so that if anything goes wrong they can save the day and keep the show on track.

What do you think? Should you learn the lines of your fellow actors?

Should You Learn the Other Guy's Lines? originally appeared on About.com Plays / Drama on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 21:23:54.

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Mrs. Alving from "Ghosts"

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:24:36 +0000

During the late 19th century, Henrik Ibsen created powerful female characters whose words defied convention and whose actions astounded audiences. This is evident in Nora Helmer from A Doll's House, not to mention the dangerous, gun-slinging socialite title character of Hedda Gabler.

Yet, the lead character in the family drama, Ghosts, differs from other female protagonists from Ibsen's work. Mrs. Helene Alving does have unorthodox views, but she does not have the courage to resist the pressures of society. And because she does not follow her own moral code, her life has become empty and unfulfilled. If that sounds depressing, that was probably Ibsen's point -- and like many of his plays it provides a stark lesson for audiences seeking seeking happiness.

Learn more about Mrs. Alving and her role in Ghosts.

Mrs. Alving from "Ghosts" originally appeared on About.com Plays / Drama on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 01:24:36.

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