Ways to stage
Here at Playmarket, we understand many of the issues related to producing and staging a play in an educational environment.
Qualification standards must be adhered to, timelines need to be considered and content needs to be suitable as well as the more practical matters of being able to cast roles and finding a budget for the costumes and the set, let alone getting all the kids to turn up for rehearsals!
The main thing to remember is that we are here to help you, not to make life even more difficult!
With a view to making life easier we thought it might be useful to list some ideas for different ‘ways to stage' plays.
Performance Space
The performance space you use can make a huge impact on the piece you are presenting. Here are some options to consider:
- Site-Specific performance: try doing a performance outside in the school quad or on one of the playing fields (make sure there isn't a game scheduled!). Get your students to look for a suitable setting for the script - maybe by a stream or in a locker room, or even at the local museum or swimming pool.
- Take your play to other high schools, primary schools, kindergartens or day care centres - we have many plays for younger children and this is a strong community building exercise.
Technical Aspects
Often people will get hung up on having the right piece of set or the right prop or having the right lighting and sound - this is not conducive to getting theatre 'out there'.
Start with nothing and work your way up. Encourage students to make sound effects themselves with what is available at hand. There is no need for expensive technical equipment or staging materials.
Full costumes are not always necessary, imaginitve use of hints of clothing (scarves, hats) are often just as effective for evoking a style or period.
