After Ever After
A group of familiar fairy tale characters find themselves in a class called "Get Real," trying to gain the skills and attitudes they'll need in order to cope successfully in the 'real' world. (9 characters)
The Case of the Mixed Metaphors
In this 1940's style detective yarn, a writer is in turmoil when she finds she can't compose a solid metaphor without hopelessly (and hilariously) mixing her tropes; as Detective Nick Sharp interviews an array of eccentric suspects, he discovers that the malady is contagious. (11 characters)
On Poseidon's Pride
Poseidon's Pride is a ship where sworn enemies unexpectedly meet on vacation and share even more unexpected adventures; it is also the fury of the God of the Sea, as he wrestles for supremacy with Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War. In alternating scenes, the Olympian drama plays out invisibly around the youthful rivalry, with surprises and consequences for all. (21 characters; for 10 actors doubly cast, or 21 actors each playing a single role)
Over Loki's Laughter
A companion piece to On Poseidon's Pride, dealing with the dual worlds of Norse myth and a modern ski resort. Two classmates, Monique and Ian (the protagonists of On Poseidon's Pride, above) face off on the slopes, as the Norse pantheon deals with the out-of-control mischief of the notorious God of Trickery. The mortals are unaware of the immortal conflict around them, even as their adolescent rivalry leads to potentially fatal outcomes. (33 characters; for 16 actors doubly cast, or 33 actors each playing a single role)
A Skunk's Tale
Saskia the Skunk arrives at a new school with a secret in her past, only to find that she is quickly shunned by the popular crowd - Destiny Deer and her friends. This musical fable, with three original songs, shines a mirror on the world of adolescence and contemplates how to deal with isolation, bullying, and acceptance. (14 characters)
The War Between the Kates
As their class studies the Civil War, two BFF's, Kate Grant and Kate Lee, have a slight misunderstanding that escalates into an all-out, very un-civil war - complete with all the historical trappings of the 186o's. History lesson meets lighthearted hilarity in this metaphorical look at friendship gone awry. (22 characters; for 14 actors with some double casting, or 22 actors each playing a single role).
Here are 3-page excerpts from the plays listed above, including cast lists and opening scenes.
"Invert the Divisor and Multiply" - a short article from Storytelling Magazine about creating stories from any curricular content. "Any noun can be character; any verb can be an event."
"3 Students" - an essay about three unique students I encountered in an urban classroom and the keys I found as a teaching artist to engage them in a challenging project.
Barry Stewart Mann
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