Cutoff period to be considered a contemporary play

[supportivemom]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 10:14pm

I don't mean to ask a stupid question- BUT, what period of time is actually considered when you have to find a play that is contemporary. Also, if the play was written in the 20th century but takes place hundreds of years earlier, is it not considered contemporary. I tried to google this but I didn't see a clear cut answer. Thanks to anyone who responses. mom

[erikaamato]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 10:26pm

Written in the latter part of the 20th century up until now is what I would consider contemporary. I'd go no earlier than Tennessee Williams/Eugene O'Neill. The time period in which the play occurs does not matter. For example, The Lark, by Jean Anouilh is a contemporary play. (About Joan of Arc, written 1953.) I'm afraid Shaw is not contemporary, however.

Updated On: 10/21/07 at 10:26 PM

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 10:29pm

Reaidng on college websites, some will consider a comtemporary play anything after or starting with Chekov. But, I may be confusing terms.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 10:32pm

Well, although that is a good point, and academically valid, I happen to know she's referring to an audition situation... And in my experience, if an audition notice requests a contemporary play, going in with Chekhov would be a bad idea.

[supportivemom]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 10:51pm

Thanks for the responses. Erika, I can still use the piece we PM'd about for an audition. However, my daughter just told me tonight (right before I started this thread) that she had to pick a contemporary monologue for her class. The teacher said if that was good, they could use it for the high school audition. I definitely want her to use the Shaw piece for her audition but now, I have to help her choose a contemporary piece for her class- ugh! I found a lovely piece from Anne Frank but she said because we are Jewish, everyone would expect that. It is so hard finding a piece that is appropriate for a middle school girl that is not overused. It is also difficult to find the more lesser used pieces in publication. I spent time this weekend at a used bookstore that has about a half a football field length aisle full of plays. I spent hours of searching. Most of the plays don't even have a cast list of the character ages. I'm not versed enough on playwrights to go directly to certain ones and then try to see if there is one that will fit my daughter's personality. This is SOO FRUSTRATING! mom

Updated On: 10/21/07 at 10:51 PM

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 11:04pm

Mom, you might take a look at THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING by Carson McCullers. It was originally produced on B'way in 1951 and would certainly be age appropriate for a middle schooler. And I have a feeling that it probably isn't done a whole lot.

[supportivemom]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 11:20pm

JustAGuy- you know, I had that play in my hand and then I put it back! I was going through the aisle so quickly so I didn't have time to be that thorough. When I looked at the play, it seemed like the characters were really southern and that Frankie was kind of a tomboy so I didn't think it would fit my daughter. I ended up getting a book called Scenes for Young Actors. It has a scene from wedding in it. I'll look more into it- unless you have some other insight. My daughter wanted to read the Bad Seed. I found one copy and bought it. Then when we got home, I realized the character was 8. My daughter is 13 but she looks 16, so I don't think that would work. Also saw a great scene from The Children's Hour-isn't that overdone? My daughter has to do a duet in class with To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday. The problem is that teacher uses that play over and over again and his students audition for the high school every year with that. The teachers must be getting tired of it! Please keep the suggestions coming because I really appreciate them!! I'm also pressed for time- but what else is new? THANKS, mom

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 11:38pm

Frankie definitely is southern and a tomboy, no doubt about it. But it might be a good stretch for her, if she's never played against type. There's also a young female character in FIFTH OF JULY by Lanford Wilson. Although I saw the original production back in 1980, I don't really recall how big a part it was or if there would be a suitable monologue.

[supportivemom]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 11:53pm

JustAGuy- That would definitely be a stretch for my daughter and so against type as my daughter is the opposite side of tomboy. I googled Fifth of July. Saw the character of Shirley is 13 but she thinks she is 19. Found a version of the play starring Richard Thomas on Amazon. This looks promising- I'll have to read the play- if I can find it. My kids do this to me all the time, they say they need to find a scene and they need it within couple of days. I always try to find something unique- that's the hard part. It makes me kind of mad that their drama teachers aren't introducing them to more plays- instead of recycling the same ones! mom