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Production

From first read to final bow.

Get practical tips and resources to plan, organize, and run a successful school or classroom production.

Theatrefolk’s Top 10: Most Popular Plays
Production

Theatrefolk’s Top 10: Most Popular Plays

Time for a Tfolk Top Ten For…Our Most Popular Plays! Sometimes you want a sure thing. So this week we offer our most popular plays. These are the works that get done time and time again whether...
How to Build Community with Theatre
Production

How to Build Community with Theatre

We were lucky enough to speak with two teachers at Northwest Middle School in Flowood, MS – Emily Wright and Genifer Freeman – about how the entire school (even the Principal) got involved in a...
Shakespeare Set in Another Time
Acting

Shakespeare Set in Another Time

Since Shakespearean plays have been around for hundreds of years, we need to shake things up by trying new ideas in order to make these shows different and exciting. One of the most wonderful...
Exploring the Greek Chorus
Acting

Exploring the Greek Chorus

In Ancient Greek Theatre, there is an interesting similarity among the plays written during that time: there is always a chorus included. Nowadays most people would associate a chorus with...
Lighting and Sound = Ambiance
Production

Lighting and Sound = Ambiance

What is ambiance?Ambiance is the feel of your production, or the mood and tone of it. One way you can shape the mood of a show is with lighting and sound. They are your best tools to portray the...
6 Theatre Safety Rules for Drama Teachers
Production

6 Theatre Safety Rules for Drama Teachers

Kristi Ross-Clausen, Production Stage Manager at the University of Wisconsin – Madison is constantly thinking about theatre safety. She’s taught drama and been behind the scenes for both local and...
Measuring Up: Costume Measurements
Production

Measuring Up: Costume Measurements

Many modern teen plays can be easily costumed from the closets of the cast or (even more simply than that) jeans and show t-shirts. But if you’re moving into the realm of period pieces, musicals...
Props on a Budget: a Resource Guide
Production

Props on a Budget: a Resource Guide

Teachers often have the task of producing a school show with grand ideas but with little to no budget. Before you start organizing a fundraiser, digging into your own pockets (because who wants to...
Ensembles Are Characters Too!
Production

Ensembles Are Characters Too!

If you are working on a play or musical with a large ensemble, those actors can sometimes feel “less than” the named characters or the leads. I’m just in the ensemble. I don’t matter. You want to...
To Research or to Not Research?
Acting

To Research or to Not Research?

As an actor, character research is part of your job. Doing research gives you the foundation and background to help make your character believable to an audience. Research helps you understand a...
How Do You Promote Vocal Safety?
Production

How Do You Promote Vocal Safety?

When you’re rehearsing a musical close to performance week, the last thing you want to hear is that one of your students can’t sing. Promoting vocal health in young singers is crucial. Here’s how...
How to Write a Play Review
Production

How to Write a Play Review

We’ve all seen those reviews. The ones that rip the theatre production up one side and down the other. They criticize the scenery and the script. They suggest that the leads take up basket weaving,...
Ensemble: Is it time to dismantle the pyramid?
Production

Ensemble: Is it time to dismantle the pyramid?

Many productions are based on a pyramid structure : Stars at the top, supporting cast in the middle, chorus at the bottom. Even though there are more actors involved at the bottom of the pyramid,...
What Play Do I Do Now?
Production

What Play Do I Do Now?

Some drama teachers have their whole production year figured out before the first day of school. If you’re doing a big musical, you need to get that paperwork started way in advance. Or maybe you...
The Importance of Student Stage Managers
Production

The Importance of Student Stage Managers

Do you use student stage managers? Introduce your students to a skillset that not only benefits your productions but will also strengthen their analytical thinking, organization, teamwork, and...
Theatre and Technology
Production

Theatre and Technology

Awhile back, The Guardian compiled five of “the best video talks on theatre” and I wanted to share them with you as well. The article asks the question: “How can the performing arts compete against...