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Circus Olympus

Production Tips for
Circus Olympus

by Lindsay Price

The circus has come to town! Well… sort of. There's no elephant on a bicycle but there are the Greek Geeks and have they got a story or two to tell. More specifically, a myth or two: Pandora's Box, Persephone and the Underworld, King Midas, Athena and Arachne, and don't forget the Mythapalooza Slam Jam!

A gleeful celebration with excellent large cast expansion and parts for all abilities. Circus elements are optional and are suggested for each myth.

THREE different lengths are included: Two Acts, One Act, or a 20 minute Competition Piece.

Comedy Classical Adaptation Movement-based

Average Producer Rating:

Tips from the Author

Have your actors research the original Greek myths that each of these stories is based on. It will act as a great discussion point for the entire cast - what are the similarities and differences between the source material and the theatrical adaptations? How are the myths brought to life? What’s the difference between showing a story and telling a story? Ask students this very question - why is it important to “show” and not “tell” a story in a production? This will be something you can come back to time and time again throughout rehearsasl. Remind students they must show their story and not merely stand and tell it. Always think about the visuals!

Tips from past Producers

Have fun with it!
Don't be afraid to cast gender blind. I was worried when we didn't have enough boys show up to audition that it was going to be weird to have Hades be a girl or to have all the narrators be girls and have one say the other was cute. Truth is, no one cared whether a role was played by boys or girls.
I incorporated a lot of percussion instruments like boomwhackers, rhythm sticks, and maracas. That made it easy to add in sound effects and make more students feel involved.
Rehearsing the scenes in order at first isn’t necessary because the transition scenes allow you to connect it all. It makes it easier so you can have those students in the scene there for rehearsals. It makes it easy to schedule around other activities.
Plan ahead for collecting props and costumes for this piece! Otherwise, just have fun.
We did a very bare staged, simple costumes production, but there is room to go big with all of the spectacle if you so choose!

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