We Open Tomorrow Night?! (One Act Version)

*Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight. * We Open Tomorrow Night?! by Michael Wehrli is a scripted talent show where you are the stars. Each production can insert their own acts (dance, comedy, singing – the choice is yours) for an hilarious and entertaining evening for all – available in full-length and one-act versions! It’s the dress rehearsal for the Belvedere student-run talent show and things aren’t running smoothly. The PTA mom is being very pushy. The British act can’t get a grip on the accent. Ian wants to air guitar on pogo sticks, and what happened to the lights? As they say, the show must go on! Why did we publish this play? We often get groups telling us they were so inspired by a play that they wanted to add their own material. While that’s not possible with published scripts, it’s always been in the back of our minds to have a piece where student input was not only welcome but encouraged! So when We Open Tomorrow Night?! came across our desks we were delighted. It’s a talent show inside of a scripted piece – the best of both worlds. Your students can develop pieces that showcase their talents, and at the same time develop interesting and full of life characters. If you like what you read, there’s also a one act version! Let’s hear from the author! 1. Why did you write this play? I was working with a group of middle school students at a local school here in Portland Oregon. For years they had done a yearly talent show as a way to give a nice “send off” to those going on to high school, and also to celebrate the school year. Parents and teachers let me know that in previous years, the talent show was incredibly long, very disorganized, and there wasn’t anything for those interested in acting to do. So, I worked with the group of students to come up with ideas for possible stories to tie everything together. It was decided that a dress rehearsal would work. Then, I worked with all of the actors doing a variety of games, exercises, and group discussion to get to know them really well–and thus somewhat base the characters in the play on their personalities and strengths/qualities. We also discussed school memories and decided that they should be shared as part of the play, but exaggerated. Lastly, they all shared at least one memory of something odd or difficult that had happened in previous year’s shows. With all this fabulous information, I went off and wrote the play, making sure to leave room for the actual “acts” in the “talent show”. 2. Describe the theme in one or two sentences. The power of overcoming obstacles by finding the strength & support of community and working together. 3. What’s the most important visual for you in this play? Two visuals: Most poignant – When Mrs. Whistlestop (a PTA mom) truly sees her daughter Katherine for who she is and hugs her. Most fun – Katherine’s wonderful Cart of many things. 4. If you could give one piece of advice for those producing the play, what would it be? Play it honestly! Yes, there are high-comedic moments in the play, but they must be played honestly and real. Also keeping in mind that all the characters want the best show possible. However, they all have a different idea of how to achieve this goal, and sometimes are too attached to the way they think things should be. 5. Why is this play great for student performers? We all know and/or have seen many talent shows over the years. The play is a fun way to explore what goes on to make such an event possible with all its challenges. It gives opportunities for actors to participate along with the talent “acts”. Having openings in the play to insert actual “acts” into the “talent show” gives a wide range of choices as to the size of the cast. Those who are not actors can still participate!

Time for a Tfolk Top Ten Plays For…Beginning Actors. Everybody has to start somewhere. Every drama student has to be in their first play. So here’s 10 to choose from! Every one of these scripts is a great place to start and a great first play for your beginning actors. 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! Circus Olympus A gleeful celebration of greek myth with excellent large cast expansion and parts for all abilities. Circus elements are optional and are suggested for each myth. Start here to introduce your students not only to greek myths but unique characters that are well within their wheelhouse. Rainbows vs Bunnies: Annihilation Aaron is failing history. Worse than that he’s been drawn into the epic battle between rainbows and bunnies. For centuries rainbows and bunnies have been locked into a bitter rivalry to make people happy. Easy to stage and costume so all your beginning actors have to focus on is the characters. Yes your students can play rainbows…. And bunnies. ths phne 2.0: the next generation Vignette plays are perfect for beginning actors. These plays are compiled of short scenes on a theme, so everyone can get their scene just right. What’s the theme? Communication has come a long way, baby. Are you 21st century savvy? We Open Tomorrow Night?! We Open Tomorrow Night?! is a scripted talent show where you are the stars. Each production can insert their own acts (dance, comedy, singing – the choice is yours) for an hilarious and entertaining evening for all. This type of script makes for a great transition to scripted stage work for beginning actors. Much Ado About High School Don’t just introduce your students to acting, throw in some Shakespeare too! What if Much Ado About Nothing took place at a high school dance? Mayhem ensues at Much Ado High School. Student Council president Don Pedro schemes to set up new student Claudio with Hero. Hero schemes to set up Beatrice with Benedick. And Don John schemes to mess up everything! An enjoyable introduction to this Shakespearean tale with lightning-fast pace, hilarious characters, and witty dialogue. Letters Readers Theatre is one way to introduce beginning actors to the stage. They have to bring a character to life, but they don’t need to worry about memorization or blocking. For many wars, letters home were the only form of communication between soldiers and their loved ones. Letters is thought-provoking and character-driven. It’s not hard to visualize these characters reaching out with pen and paper. Anne-Arky One of the best ways to get beginning actors started is to give them characters their own age. In Anne-Arky, a high school drama club prepares for opening night. Things start out normally but anarchy quickly ensues. Wigs fall off, ankles are sprained, and the stage manager sets fire to the prompt script. The Fried Kobassa Inspector Kapusta will leave no stone unturned to find the camp cook’s missing kobassa. Okay, maybe he’ll leave a couple of stones unturned. Okay, maybe he’s a pretty bad detective but that just makes the play all the more hilarious. A light-hearted romp with the funniest of all the red meats at its centre: FRIED KOBASSA! Hairball Another vignette play with a topic every person, let alone every student, can relate to – hair. Good hair makes your day. Bad hair gets you dumped. Good hair gets you to the prom. Bad hair makes you look like an eggplant. Good hair means you’re popular. Bad hair means hat head for the rest of your life. Christmas in July This collection of two one acts give beginning actors something smaller to work on. Lots of small parts where students put their best foot forward. In Christmas in July the calendar gets all mixed up so the holidays are not where they’re supposed to be. In What do you do when the Elves have the flu, Christmas could come to an screeching halt with elves out of commission with Elven Flu.