Step 1: CHOOSE A PLAY

Here are your choices. Click on a play title to read it.

1) DOUBLE TROUBLE by Alexa Schoffel

Cast of Characters: HAWK: female, forties SHREW: male, thirties SPENCER: male, thirty BECCA: female, thirty

Synopsis Two sets of robbers are robbing the same house, at the same time. However, neither set is aware that the other is present. One set is simply robbing the house due to its expensiveness, the other set is robbing their parents’ house to retrieve their old belongings. Through a series of twists, turns, and Ouija boards, the two sets run into each other and find out some uncanny information about one another.

2) THE BIG PICTURE By Alexa Schoffel

Cast of Characters: LUCAS: male, mid-teens GRANDMA: female, elderly MOM: female, mid-thirties DAD: male, late-thirties CHLOE: female, young child

Synopsis: When a category two hurricane hits the Baldwin household, the family realizes just how unhappy they all are. Sarah, the mother of the family, is entirely focused on making sure everyone is safe and therefore doesn’t allow the family much freedom. Paul, the father of the house, is extremely nonchalant and does not think twice about the consequences of his actions. And Lucas, their teenage son, is caught in the middle of their two contrasting lifestyles. The teen uses his Grandma and her puzzle as an outlet to take his mind off of all of the unspoken chaos ensuing in his family.

3) EVEN A SMILE WILL HELP By Alexa Schoffel

Cast of Characters: AARON: young businessman DENNIS: middle-aged homeless man OFFICER: in his/her fifties LILA: four year-old girl

Synopsis: A homeless man and a businessman continue to run into each other on a streetside in New York City. While at first, the two appear to have nothing in common, they eventually develop not only a sincere friendship, but a desire to help one another succeed at the game of life. The comrades discover that it only takes one person to bring the best out in you, and that appreciating the world around you is sometimes all you need.

STEP 2: MAKE YOUR COPY OF THE PLAY

Once you have chosen a play, make a copy of it in YOUR One-Drive and then you can use your copy to add in blocking for one scene (Prompt Book step), Lighting Cues, Sound Cues, and anything else you want to make note of in YOUR Director’s Script.

STEP 3: SET UP YOUR NOTEBOOK

Students will be expected to create a director’s notebook for an Alexa Schoffel play of their choice. The Notebook will contain sections each containing these items: general play analysis & vision, a director’s promptbook for one scene, a rehearsal schedule, a set design section, prop plot, costume plot, character makeup sketches/makeup plan, & other technical elements section.

The Notebook should be in a three-ring binder/folder. If you are using this option, you will TYPE UP & PRINT out all sections or neatly HANDWRITE all sections to go in your notebook. All the following steps will help you create each section.

OR it can be a completely digital document with all the following segments in ONE Document and uploaded and shared via your OneDrive account. Name your .doc YOUR NAME/PLAY TITLE

or create a folder in your One Drive with all these sections in that folder. Name your folder YOUR NAME/PLAY TITLE and each Document as YOUR NAME/PLAY ANALYSIS or YOUR NAME/COSTUME.

STEP 4: PUTTING YOUR NOTEBOOK TOGETHER

SECTION 1a: PLAY ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Play Analysis: The play analysis should be a thorough exploration of the plot, themes, and characters in the ENTIRE play. The play analysis should be a statement of the director’s vision/CONCEPT for the production, and should detail any changes the director is going to make to setting, casting, running time, etc. (25 points)

SECTION 1B: YOUR DIRECTOR’S VISION

Create your personal WHY do you want to tell this story. What drew you to this play, WHY do you think this will fulfill the vision of Leon Theatre? Remember: Leon Theatre exists to intentional, respectfully, & excellently tell a more beautiful story that informs, infuses, inspires, involves, & improves ourselves & our audience. (10 points)

SECTION 2: CAST ANALYSIS

Cast Analysis: A list of characters (double casting opportunities, any gender specific characters) and what you, as a director, are looking for in each character. (10 points)

SECTION 3: Director’s Promptbook

This should be a copy of ONE key scene with key lines highlighted for cues, blocking written in, and detailed information about scene and set changes. (10 points)

SECTION 4: Rehearsal Schedule

The rehearsal schedule is a calendar notated with specific rehearsal times for the entire show, and an explanation of rehearsal types. It should include due dates for being off script, and times for costume fittings, tech rehearsals, scenery completion, etc. (10 points)

SECTION 5a: Set Design Sketch/Front Elevation

ALL SET PIECES MUST FIT INTO A 6x9 FOOT SPACE & NOTHING OVER 8 FEET TALL. You must design this set AS IF we were taking it to Thespian Districts.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE THESPIAN ONE ACT DISTRICT RULES

This should be a rendering of the set(s) as it looks from the audience perspective, and contains notes about the colors, materials, and placement of scenery furniture. This is a global “artist’s conception” of the finished product, and does not need measurements. (10 points)

SECTION 5B: Set Ground Plan

This should be a stage “blueprint” as seen from above for ONE of your set design sketches. It needs to include the placement of scenery and furniture and approximate measurements. (5 points)

SECTION 6: Prop Plot

This is a detailed list of props needed, broken down by scene for the ENTIRE PLAY. This includes details about what the overall look is the director is trying to achieve, as well as specific requirements for the individual props. It may include pictures or sketches of what the director is looking for in individual props. (5 points)

SECTION 7: Costume Plot

The costume plot is a detailed list of costumes needed, broken down by scene for the ENTIRE PLAY. This includes details about what the overall look is the director is trying to achieve, as well as specific requirements for the individual costumes. It may include printed pictures or sketches of what the director is looking for in individual costumes. (5 points)

SECTION 8: Makeup Sketches/plans

This is the guide for the makeup designer. It includes “artist’s conception” ideas for the character’s makeup and hair needs for the show. (5 points)

SECTION 9.: Any other Technical Needs/Lights/Sound/Special Effects

A list of any other Technical Needs for the show, specific sound effects, lighting, or special effects needed. (5 points)

FINAL STEP: IF YOU WANT TO BE CONSIDERED AS A CHOICE FOR THE FALL ONE-ACTS STUDENT DIRECTORS…

NOW, make a 5 minute video presentation where you SELL us this play and your vision. This could be a powerpoint presentation using documents from your notebook and you telling YOUR story and why YOU want to direct this play next year for our Fall One-Act. Submit this to Mrs. Marshall via email or TEAMS or through One-Drive. Naomi Rose-Mock, Mike Mock, and Mrs. Marshall will choose from the videos and the Director’s Notebooks for the Fall “ALEXA, WRITE ME A PLAY” One-Acts Shows AND one of the One-Acts will go to Districts!