Working with several casts of same show

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Submitted by Bunny S. on Tue, 08/02/2016 - 02:16
By Bunny S.
August 2, 2016
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Hello! My middle school wants me to produce a Broadway Jr. play without any after school rehearsals until the final week. Students would rehearse within their 45 minute theatre class and each class would have its own cast. Classes meet every other day. I know lots of schools do things this way, but I have limited experience with this sort of schedule and wonder if anyone can share with me how it works? Do you have students play the ensemble in all shows, or only their class's show? I'm told that the previous teacher had great success using this system. Thanks very much!
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Submitted by Bunny S. on Fri, 08/05/2016 - 17:29
By Bunny S.
August 5, 2016
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Thanks for your reply. I think the school wants three identical shows from each class. This just seems impossible to manage, though. How can one choose a show that is appropriate for three different classes? What if one class has many boys and one has few boys? One way I thought of going about it was to just randomly assign each class a group of roles in the show. In other words, make two classes the ensemble and one class the leads. But, I think that might draw some ire from parents who may not think it is fair that their child's class was not the "lead" class. I do think that may be the best way to manage the rehearsal process. Since I am doing the show all by myself, without the support of a music director or a choreographer, I think it would be easiest to manage this way. Any ideas how to proceed so that there are no parent complaints?

Submitted by Cindy Ripley on Thu, 08/04/2016 - 14:38
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By Cindy Ripley
August 4, 2016
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HI Bunny!  It is a challenge to schedule rehearsals this way but certainly can be done. Having all classes rehearse the ensemble parts works well and prepares kids for many roles as well.  Are your thoughts to have one set of leading characters for the final production or double casts? Students learning multiple roles in rehearsal is great, as long as students understand one cast of leading characters will perform.  You also can expand GROUPS of characters depending on the show so possibly one from each class can portray that character in performance, (15 orphans in ANNIE JR versus 6 etc.). Also adding a casual performance opportunity or dress rehearsal for each class, (possibly inviting another grade level) is an additional performance opportunity for all.  Keep me posted on your thoughts.