Prom Night

Welcome to "Playwright Spotlight" — your exclusive backstage pass to the creative minds crafting the incredible plays featured in our Theatrefolk catalogue. Discover the magic, quirks, and genius of the playwrights who help bring the stage to life. Let's meet one of these exceptional playwrights who offers the chance for your student performers to shine in their spotlight. What inspired you to start writing plays specifically for high school & middle school students?I taught high school theatre for 25 years and realized drama students needed more quality material. Can you share a bit about your creative process when developing plays that resonate with students?I put myself back in time, remembering the struggles I had in high school. From there, the characters emerge, and I "hear" their voices, and they create the story. Are there any challenges you face when writing for student performers, and how do you overcome them?My main challenge is disciplining myself to sit down and write. When a story starts working itself through my imagination, I feel the need to tell it. Then, I can sit down and write. What themes or messages do you aim to convey through your plays?I like to combine humor with poignancy. Finding one's way as a young person certainly has both its funny moments and its tender moments. Writing to include both laughter and tears, rings true to me. How do you balance education and fun in your scripts?In Prom Night, I incorporated some references to a Greek myth as well as a touch of history. The play is set after 9/11, and Dillon is going to join the military. Can you share a memorable experience or feedback from a student performance that left an impact on you?The first readings of Prom Night at Shiloh High School in Georgia were met with lots of excitement and enthusiasm from the students. They helped me shape the script into its final form. I was thrilled with the original cast members who brought Imena, Dillon, and Grace to life for the first time. It was thrilling! Any advice for teachers or directors looking to choose engaging and age-appropriate plays for their student performers?I would say that it is important to seek quality dialogue and stories. There are lots of scripts out there that really aren't engaging. If you do farce, find a good one. If you do a social message, find a script that is truthful and enriching. What is your favourite play you've written so far?Prom Night is my favorite play for young people. I have written quite a few plays for adult actors as well. Anything else you'd like students and/or directors to know about you as a playwright?It is never too late to start writing. For most of my theatre career, I was extremely busy with teaching, acting, directing, and running a high school theatre department. My opportunity to write came after I retired. If you have the time, don't wait.

March 8th is International Women’s Day – and what better time to highlight some amazing women within the Theatrefolk community. Join us in celebrating these phenomenal playwrights and authors and their incredible contributions to the world of student theatre. Plus, keep reading to see our Top 10 Plays for Female Casts at the end of the post! Rachel Atkins • Baalzebub (and One Act Version)

*Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight. * In Prom Night by Sylvia Davenport-Veith, an unlikely romance between the outcast and the linebacker brings prom night magic. Prom night has not been fun for Imena Hart. She fought off her date, tore her dress, broke her high heel, left her glasses at home and her mother won’t stop calling. Dillon McGinty’s not having a ball, either. His date wasn’t named Prom Queen, so she got drunk and accused Dillon of not being fun anymore. This unlikely pair meet in the woods on a moonlit night in their fancy clothes. They tell the truth, share secret wishes and find out what’s behind the “uncool” Catholic girl and the linebacker Prom King. Together, Dillon and Imena create their own prom night magic. Why did we publish this play? What drew us to the play was the clear characters that go beyond the stereotype of “Prom King” and “Geek Girl.” A sweet story without ever being cloying – this would be a showstopper of a competition piece. Let’s hear from the author!1. Why did you write this play? From first grade through senior year, I was an awkward, shy girl who lived on the outside of the social world of my peers. I had no problem getting up on stage and acting, but I could barely converse with others in real life. Of course, no one asked me to the Prom. Like Imena, I liked old music and old movies, and I was certain I had no appeal. Everything changed when I attended college and met many different types of people who found me interesting and attractive! I ended up teaching high school students for 25 years and chaperoned countless dances and Proms. I wanted to write a play about a girl who realizes her potential on Prom Night, instead of waiting for college. In order to do that, I had to create the right characters to surround this awkward girl and bring her out of herself. Grace shows her that being “cool” doesn’t always end well. Dillon shows her that what she thinks and feels make her a unique and fascinating person. She doesn’t have to feel bad about the books she reads or the music she likes or the way she looks. She just has to be herself. One final thing: I wrote this play with diversity in mind. 2. Describe the theme in one or two sentences. The play emphasizes the importance embracing one’s own individuality as well as summoning the courage to take a chance. 3. What’s the most important visual for you in this play? I have to say that the play is written to provide many visuals for the audience. Imena’s stumping around on a broken heel in a torn dress; Grace’s drunken antics; Dillon’s mocking dance moves; the romantic pantomime, ending in a kiss; Dillon’s lifting Imena onto the tree stump so he can dance with her better; their romantic slow dance as the lights go down. Directors should make every effort to make the play a series of memorable visuals. 4. If you could give one piece of advice for those producing the play, what would it be? Casting is the key. This is for actors who are mature enough to open themselves up and play for keeps. 5. Why is this play great for student performers? I directed the first production of Prom Night, and the student actors were completely immersed in the characters. Each had past stage experience and were masterful with the comic timing. Additionally, after Grace passes out, Imena and Dillon were able to move easily into the deeper parts of the play. Later, they were able to look into each other’s eyes and make the stage kisses tender and real. Nothing was artificial. The audience loved every moment, and the actors told me that had a ball!

Episode 187: How to build a drama program When Sylvia Davenport-Veith started teaching drama she did everything by herself. Over the years she was able to build a program that supported three drama teachers. How did she do it? What was her vision for her classroom? What’s her advice? Listen in to learn how one teacher built a drama program.

Time for a Tfolk Top Ten Plays For…Small Casts. Sometimes you need something small. Not everyone needs the cast of thousands. Or maybe you have so many great students, you want to give a group something substantial to work on. All of these plays are one acts and call for a cast of 5 or less. Click the link and you’ll be taken to the webpage for each play. There you’ll get the details and read sample pages. All the best with your search! Better Than the Movie Cast Size: 3 First dates can be the worst or the best. Especially when you’re on a date with the guy or girl of your dreams. Will the giant soda cause bladder issues? Will the Heimlich manoeuvre be needed over a popcorn kernel? Will the guy in the back ruin everything? Ellenalicemonajune Cast Size: 4 Ellen, Alice, Mona, and June share those uncomfortable truths that only close friends can tell each other, particularly regarding a boyfriend who wears red leather pants. A great character piece for four actresses. Flaky Lips Cast Size: 2 Two young women live in separated societies. One skin colour on this side. One skin colour on that side. They have never seen what the other looks like, until circumstances throw them together. A small cast but a challenging acting opportunity. Carrying The Calf Cast Size: 4 A teenager fed-up with being bullied drags her reluctant friend to a self-defence class. But more important than the karate training, the instructor challenges the group to find self-confidence, independence, and to choose their own destiny. Diverse roles. Prom Night Cast Size: 3 An unlikely pair meet in the woods – the uncool Catholic girl and the linebacker Prom King. Neither wanted to go to prom and neither wanted to be with their dates. Truth and secrets come out in this gem of a small cast play. Power Play Cast Size: 5 A gunshot is heard. Which of the five characters did it and why? Was it the Goth girl? The football star? What are the realities and the stereotypes of high school violence? Violence is about power. So is high school. Stressed Cast Size: 4 Stress is driving this quartet of teen characters crazy – so much so they can’t stop talking about it. This play is a symphony of sound and character. Little Nell and the Mortgage Foreclosure Cast Size: 5 A delightful small cast melodrama replete with broad comedy, memorable characters, and plenty of booing and hissing for the stovepipe-hat-wearing villain! Master of Puppets Cast Size: 3 Mrs Slattimore speaks to teen couples about communication. She wants Joanie to see she wears bossy pants and Chuck already has a mom. Soom the big guns have to come out – Truth puppets. That’s right, puppets who tell all. Underneath Cast Size: 5 Brittany is depressed and can’t hide it. Echo is excited but doesn’t want anyone to know. Trina has a secret and she wants to tell the world. It’s hard to keep emotions clamped down, even in winter. The snow is piling up as secrets rise to the surface. Need more? Check out some of these additional options too!Mummu Cast Size: 4 Mummu is here to bring you a story. A good story with a great emotional landscape. Even deities who exist on an eternal plane don’t have time for bad theatre. Franz Kafka Cancels His Cell Phone Plan Cast Size: 5 A modern absurdist play that puts elements from three of Franz Kafka’s works into the context of the everyday absurdities of our 21st century lives. Hamlette Cast Size: 5 Hamlet is played by a girl in this twisty-turny comedic interpretation of the classic Danish tale. Sweep Under Rug Cast Size: 5 In the future the issue of poverty is solved through separation and subserviance. A teen causes trouble simply because she wants to better herself.

Lindsay and Craig spread the love for Prom Night by Sylvia Davenport-Veith.