Student-Run Musical

[*brina-doll*]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 9:42pm

If anyone can help with this it would be grande...but a little background would probably help...(this will take a while to explain...so hold your horses)

So at the high-school I attend, more of the focus is on sports and academics, not the performing arts. And the other issue? The drama teacher. I shall nickname her "Ms.Devi-l" because literally, thats what she is. She is rude, overly-patriotic, tears people down to build them up, is an overly dramatic drama queen, and she must have everything "her way or the highway." I worked with her once last year for my first ever comedy play and it was extremely difficult. I mean, the show got really great reviews and all...but working with her just made me wince.

I mean, ok, I understand that there are bad directors out there and all; and you will sometime in your life have difficulties with co-workers. But her plans are awful! She's trying to take away the annual student run Shakespeare play (mind you, they earn so much money for doing these yearly plays that they get to rent costumes from the Gutherie theatre...and thats saying something) and have full control of the drama wing. To make matters worse, she chooses plays/musicals that all have the same concept..."Highschooler's trying to put on a play within a play". She's a firm beliver in not having her actors be adults or do adult shows. For the musical people were singing "Your A Yankee Doodle Dandee"...YIKES!!!

But there are some who are willing/wanting to fight back. There some amazingly talented actors/actresses/singers at my school, and I know they want there chance to shine. But with Ms. Devi-l on hand, no one will audtion. So here's the final lowdown...(thank you for your patience)

What we want to do is do a student-run musical. (Obvious by the subject.) But I need some advice. What shows would be good to do? Does anyone know how to obtain the rights for a show, and all the necessary requirements? We're going to start now and (crosses fingers) hopefully have something ready by perhaps late April/early May. For musical wise we're thinking something a little more adult, but sets need to be easy. (My Senior friend suggested RENT because of the easy sets...so that is in the consideration pile...although I believe that would be rather difficult to pull off). Any helpful hints, advice...just anything would be greatful. Thank You!

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 10:03pm

The rights for RENT are restricted. So good luck with that. That, and the material being what it is could make it hard for the school to approve.
Obtaining rights for a show can be difficult. There are licensing fees that have to be paid. Godspell requires minimum sets. And having the actors in regular street clothes is acceptable. Plus, it's just a super fun show.
www.mtishows.com

[maui_diver21]

Posted: 9/5/06 at 2:35am

I can sympathize with you. Our drama department is completely student driven. Our former advisor got too busy, and nobody else knows anything about drama, so it's ALL on us. Obtaining rights is usually just filling out papers, making phone calls, and paying. We are considering You're A Good Man Charlie Brown for our first musical, but getting an orchestra is our main hold back.

Good Luck!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/5/06 at 3:04am

wait... is her name Karen and do you go to school in Carson city, Nevada?

nevermind.... not even close! Updated On: 9/5/06 at 03:04 AM

[iridescent_bomb]

Posted: 9/5/06 at 4:43am

I can totally sympathize. I go to a school not too focused on the arts either, and last year... Oh man! We had this crazy lady as the musical theatre teacher, and she made us do all her own plays, which were terribly written.

About her making you guys sing "Yankee Doodle Dandee" pfft! That's nothing. We had to go out and perform a little something called "Rudolph is Alive: 2005" Yes. We had to wear antlers.

[*brina-doll*]

Posted: 9/5/06 at 8:35am

Ouch is all I have to say...ouch. That was another one I was thinking about, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown. That be cute. But are there any other musical's anyone would suggest?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/5/06 at 4:06pm

you're a good man charlie brown would be very good.

Anything with a small cast being student run you dont want to have a huge cast running around, its a little hard to do.

Good luck!

[smilinggiggle]

Posted: 9/5/06 at 5:25pm

how about The Fantasticks. Of course that doesn't work to well if its mainly girls...

[*brina-doll*]

Posted: 9/5/06 at 8:37pm

keep the suggestions coming please!! Lol

And yes, defiantly NOT looking for any musicals like Les Mis' or Wicked...certianly can't do that with a low budget. But Charlie Brown would be fabulous (i'm thinking of the revival one instead of the olde...though the orchestra thing might be a challenge). And The Fantasticks...i've heard of this musical but don't really know alot about it. Hmmmmm...what do you guys think of The Last Five Years, could that work? It be more adult and you'd need an orchestra...any thoughts? and PRETTY PLEASE more suggestions!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/7/06 at 1:01am

Seussical, Footloose? Are you looking for something fun like that or something more mature? I wouldn't recommend the last five years as only two people are in the entire cast...Maybe songs for a new world? or pippin?

[chick_singer]

Posted: 9/10/06 at 9:02pm

Hi brina,

Hope you don't mind a response post from an old fogey. I direct school musicals and hopefully am NOT Ms. Devi-l (please god!).. but I do have a little perspective for you fwiw.

I think you should consider forming a power group of students and parents and going to the administration with your concerns, before attempting to end-run this dragon lady.

a. First of all, the rights companies keep records of every school. At my school the new drama advisor had to fax Sam French a note from the principal before they would send him perusal copies, because they had the old drama teacher's name on the account.

b. Ms. D is failing to engage students in a best practice learning environment (that's a phrase your principal will sit bolt upright and take notice of), by each of the actions you described. Refusing to provide meaningful exposure to the great musicals due to a personal aversion to students playing adult roles is failing to align her program to national and state standards for the content area. She's starving you all of opportunities you should have, if your school has never done an Oklahoma, a My Fair Lady, a Pippin.

c. If kids won't work with her, she's wrong for the position even if she's another Hal Prince. Parents need to get angry and cause meetings and go to the principal.. or beyond, if the principal won't help. They need to tell the higher-ups WHY the students won't audition for her productions... the reasons you outlined are 100% educationally sound reasons (she is verbally abusive, restrictive, and chooses material that is not developmentally appropriate for the high school grade level).

d. Scheduling space usage in a secondary school always involves the heirarchy anyway. The Athletic Director (or some other faculty member or support staff) coordinates all the extracurricular activities, and they are not likely to let you use the space without Ms. D's authorization.

I mean, I got SO mad just reading your post. Get your parents mad. Really. Don't think of it as being for yourselves, even - think of it as a service you can do for the students who will come through this school *after* you. That way even if, worst-case scenario, you aren't able to make any meaningful changes to THIS year's program, you can pave the way for next year's, and know you've done your community and your fellow performers a great service.

This whole thing is broke, and it needs your passion and vision to fix it.

Having said that, some shows that occur to me that might be good out-of-the-gate shows:
Little Shop (if you can build the plant);
Grease (if you can find/build the car);
Godspell (tread lightly around the religion, tho').
Lucky Stiff.
Dear Edwina.
Ruthless.
Once.. Island.
Footloose and Pippin are true dance shows so if you have real depth of talent there (and a great choreographer) those might work.

At the very least, you could do scenes from the great musicals that you have all been denied - with minimal sets; a staged cabaret. I'm thinking of Maria's mountaintop scene from SOM followed by the Fugue for Tinhorns, the Cell Block Tango, etc. - whatever people know and have worked on, and might be wanting to perfect for auditions.

Good luck and keep us posted!