Matt Curtis, Author at Dramatics Magazine Online

ITF Main Stage: Antigone in Munich

Matt Curtis — Mon, 01 May 2023 14:13:28 +0000

Troupe 2075 from Mount Carmel Academy, an all-female high school in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been garnering attention for their powerful production of Antigone in Munich by Claudia Haas. Drawing inspiration from Sophocles’ classic Greek tragedy, the play brings new life to the timeless themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice by recounting the story of a group of German university students who resist the Nazi regime during World War II. The production has been selected to perform at the International Thespian Festival in June 2023.

Kristi Jacobs-Stanley, director of the production and teacher at Mount Carmel Academy, shared, “We selected Antigone in Munich because of its relevance to the current world situation. The play is about moral courage and resistance, and it is an important reminder that we all have a responsibility to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.”

The story of Sophie Scholl and the White Rose Society is not as well-known as other World War II stories, but it is one that is so identifiable today. Sophie and her friends faced great danger as they spoke out against the Nazi regime, but their bravery and commitment to doing what was right continues to inspire people around the world. By updating the setting and reimagining the storyline of Sophocles’ Antigone, the play offers a fresh perspective on the original work, while still capturing its spirit and message. Through the character of Antigone, the play explores the importance of fighting for what is right, even when doing so comes at a great personal cost. Mount Carmel Academy’s talented cast and crew bring this powerful story to life, offering audiences a chance to reflect on the importance of courage, determination, and resilience.

Jacobs-Stanley also shared a fun fact about the production: “We had to get creative with our casting because we are an all-female school with limited access to male performers. So, some of our female actresses are playing male characters in the show!”

Finally, Jacobs-Stanley wanted readers to know that “theater offers us a great opportunity to tell important stories like Antigone in Munich and inspire audiences to take action. We hope that our production will encourage others to speak out against injustice and fight for what is right.”

If you’re attending the International Thespian Festival in June 2023, be sure to catch this inspiring production of Antigone in Munich and witness the power of theatre to tell important stories and inspire change.

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Annual Play Survey Results are In!

Matt Curtis — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 20:17:38 +0000

Sometimes the Educational Theatre Association‘s (EdTA) annual play survey results help a troupe choose which shows they’ll perform. Of course, that decision is based on a lot of other factors, too. For example, the number of students involved on stage, and off, is a big factor to consider.

If you’re unfamiliar with EdTA, it is the parent company that began the International Thespian Society way back in 1929! Here’s where you can find even more detail about the play survey results over the years.

However, without further ado, here are the 2023 Play Survey Results.

Most-Produced Full-Length Musicals

1. The Addams Family by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice, and Andrew Lippa (TRW)
2. Mamma Mia! by Catherine Johnson, Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus (MTI)
3. Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine (MTI)
4. Little Shop of Horrors by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (MTI)
5. (tie) Disney’s Beauty and the Beast by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, and Linda Woolverton (MTI)
5. (tie) Disney’s The Little Mermaid by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater, and Doug Wright (MTI)
7. The SpongeBob Musical by Kyle Jarrow, Tina Landau, and various composers (Concord Theatricals)
8. Chicago: Teen Edition by John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse (Concord Theatricals)
9. Legally Blonde: The Musical by Heather Hach, Laurence O’Keefe, and Nell Benjamin (MTI)
10. Mean Girls: High School Version by Tina Fey, Jeff Richmond, and Nell Benjamin (MTI)

Most-Produced Short Musicals

1. Disney’s Frozen JR. by Kristin Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, and Jennifer Lee (MTI)
2. Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical JR. by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin (MTI)
3. Disney’s Newsies JR. by Harvey Fierstein, Alan Menken, and Jack Feldman (MTI)
4. Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley (MTI)
5. Annie JR. by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, and Thomas Meehan (MTI)
6. Disney’s High School Musical JR. by David Simpatico and various composers (MTI)
7. (tie) Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. by Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater, Alan Menken, and Doug Wright (MTI)
7. (tie) Shrek: The Musical JR. by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori (MTI)
9. The Addams Family Young@Part by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice, and Andrew Lippa (TRW)
10. (tie) Disney’s The Lion King JR. by Elton John, Tim Rice, Will Van Dyke, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Roger Allers, and Irene Mecchi (MTI)
10. (tie) Seussical JR. by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle (MTI)

Most-Produced Plays

1. Clue by Jonathan Lynn, Hunter Foster, Eric Price, and Sandy Rustin (Broadway Licensing)
2. Puffs by Matt Cox (Concord Theatricals)
3. A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare (public domain)
4. (tie) The Play That Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields (Broadway Licensing)
4. (tie) Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory (Dramatic Publishing)
6. Almost, Maine by John Cariani (Broadway Licensing)
7. (tie) Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice and Wayne Barker (MTI)
7. (tie) She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition by Qui Nguyen (Concord Theatricals)
9. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (various licencing agencies)
10. 12 Angry Jurors by Reginald Rose, adapted by Sherman L. Sergel (Dramatic Publishing)

Most-Produced Short Plays

1. (tie) 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse by Don Zolidis (Broadway Licensing)
1. (tie) Check Please by Jonathan Rand (Broadway Licensing)
3. The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon (One-Act) by Don Zolidis (Broadway Licensing)
4. Bad Auditions by Bad Actors by Ian McWethy (Broadway Licensing)
5. The One-Act Play Disaster by Don Zolidis (Broadway Licensing)
6. Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind by Greg Allen (Broadway Licensing)
7. 13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview by Ian McWethy (Broadway Licensing)
8. (tie) Our Place by Terry Wayne Gabbard (Dramatic Publishing)
8. (tie) Tracks by Peter Tarsi (Dramatic Publishing)
10. (tie) 15 Reasons Not to Be in a Play by Alan Haehnel (Broadway Licensing)
10. (tie) Game of Tiaras (One-Act) by Don Zolidis (Broadway Licensing)
10. (tie) The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza (One-Act) by Don Zolidis (Broadway Licensing)
10. (tie) The 9 Worst Breakups of All Time by Ian McWethy (Broadway Licensing)

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Black History in Theatre Quiz

Matt Curtis — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 20:44:49 +0000

Celebrate Black History Month and test your knowledge!

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