[Production History]
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| Student Directed Scenes | |
Student Directors Bring Plays to Life at SDS
by Eva Swanson '25
On January 26 and 27, students and faculty filled Gelb Theater to watch the annual production of Student Directed Scenes (SDS), a collection of short plays chosen and directed by members of the Honors Directing class.
SDS is the culminating project of the two-term-long course for developing student directors. With six members of the class staging a production, the Gelb saw the work of directors Ryder Rubenstein '25 with "The Art of the Duel," Leanne La '26 with "The Future of Sincerity," Andra Ionescu '24 with "Murder by Midnight," Qin Caldwell '24 with "Because the World Needs Unicorns," Nick Rubino '24 with "A Tale of Two Spectators," and Grace Walters '24 with "Midnight Cafe."
In the Honors Directing class, students directed excerpts of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and took a deep dive into the logistics of theater production and behind-the-scenes work. "The first term, which is the fall term, we work on just learning the craft of directing," acting teacher Ms. Deighna DeRiu said. "In the winter term, I'm just there to help the students or ... [keep them] on track with what they're supposed to do with their rehearsal schedules [for SDS]."
"The Art of the Duel," directed by Rubenstein, is a witty and amusing take on pistol duels in the modern era. Though it covers an intense confrontation about honor and character, the play portrays the subject matter comically.
"The Future of Sincerity" was directed by La. It "is essentially a romance scene set a little bit in the future, but it has a few twists and turns," actor Alexandros Antonopoulos '26 said.
Growing up in theater, La said she looked up to her directors, "who led the company with a vision." She enjoyed choosing and directing a short play, an opportunity that La would not have explored without the Honors Directing class.
"Murder by Midnight," directed by Ionescu, follows detective Dick Piston in New York City as he attempts to solve a murder in 10 minutes. Jordan Dodd '25, who played Piston, enjoyed the rehearsal process and working with his fellow peers. Namely, Dodd enjoyed working with his co-star, Valentina Askar '25. "We're very close, and it's been fun playing her love interest," he said.
Caldwell's "Because the World Needs Unicorns" details the story of a legendary creature attempting to board a boat and find refuge from an impending flood. A veteran "techie," or worker of the tech booth, Caldwell was familiar with the typical constraints of a stage production. He directed with the an idea of what other elements he could put on stage with his actors, and his experience allowed him to both articulate and execute his vision for lighting and setting.
"A Tale of Two Spectators," directed by Rubino, follows two strangers who spy on their partners, and they become unlikely friends.
Finally, Walters's "Midnight Cafe," a vintage horror and murder mystery, opens with a screaming girl running onto stage covered in blood. "A little mysterious and unsettling," described actor Friday Acuna '26, "Midnight Cafe" is a gripping thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
With a unique lineup of plays and talented students, this year's SDS treated the Choate community to an entertaining theatrical experience. "The whole point of SDS is for the audience to enjoy themselves," Dodd said. "I looked forward to the entire ensemble of SDS giving something to Choate."
Show = "dphd dp_10min"; Title = "Murder By Midnight" Featuring = "" Director = "Andra Ionescu"; Cast = "Jordan Dodd: Dick Piston; Valentina Askar"; Crew = "" Link = "pndphd24.htm#Wallingford" Theatre = "Choate Rosemary Hall" City = "Wallingford"; State = "CT" YearOpen = "2024"; MonthOpen = "Jan"; DayOpen = "26"; MonthClose = "Jan"; DayClose = "27" upcomingPlaysDisplay(style,matching)
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emote. 2 LOL an evening of elevated comedy | |
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Fridays, Saturdays @ 8:00 p.m. Sundays @ 6:30 p.m. |
featuring:
3/19/24
Good evening Mr. Goode,
We are a new non-profit theatre arts group in the Caribbean comprised of 10 community actors and hope to perform the piece 'Murder By Midnight' at a showcase on April 5-7, and 12-14 after an unpaid actors' workshop. Admission to raise funds would be equivalent to $15 USD in a very intimate 45-50 maximum seat venue in Trinidad, West Indies (Trinidad Theatre Workshop).
In this regard, we are seeking and hoping that you will agree to grant a royalty-fee license to perform the piece. Proof of our non-profit status is attached to this email. We look forward to hearing from you and truly hope that you consider our request favorably.
Kind regards,
Cindy F. Daniel
Chairman
Better Than We? Wey!
Show = "dphd dp_10min"; Title = "Murder By Midnight" Featuring = "" Director = ""; Cast = ""; Crew = "" Link = "pndphd24.htm#PortofSpain" Theatre = "Better Than We? Wey! Productions" City = "Port of Spain"; State = "TRINIDAD & TOBAGO" YearOpen = "2024"; MonthOpen = "Apr"; DayOpen = "5"; MonthClose = "Apr"; DayClose = "14" upcomingPlaysDisplay(style,matching)
directed by Hannah Joy Whitson
Murder by Midnight 04/22/2024 (2) Organization: Nebraska Wesleyan University
Name: Laurelei Spilinek (Administrative Assistant in Theatre Department)
Email: lspiline@nebrwesleyan.edu Lincoln, NE, United States
Show = "dphd dp_10min"; Title = "Murder By Midnight" Featuring = "" Director = "Hannah Joy Whitson"; Cast = ""; Crew = "" Link = "pndphd24.htm#Lincoln" Theatre = "Nebraska Wesleyan University" City = "Lincoln"; State = "NE" YearOpen = "2024"; MonthOpen = "Apr"; DayOpen = "22"; MonthClose = ""; DayClose = "" upcomingPlaysDisplay(style,matching)
| Principles of Directing | |
directed by Fan Shiau
Hello Jeff Goode, My name is Fan Shiau. I am a drama minor student at the University of the Cumberlamds. My professor is Dr. Kim Miller, and I am taking a class that can be called Principles of Directing. I hope to direct your play "MURDER BY MIDNIGHT" at the end of the semester. It will be my semester project, and there will be an audience, but no charge. Is there a fee to use this play? If you need to contact my professor her e-mail is kim.miller@ucumberlands.edu Thank you! All the best, Fan
Show = "dphd dp_10min"; Title = "Murder By Midnight" Featuring = "" Director = "Fan Shiau"; Cast = ""; Crew = "" Link = "pndphd24.htm#Williamsburg" Theatre = "University of the Cumberlamds" City = "Williamsburg"; State = "KY" YearOpen = "2024"; MonthOpen = "Apr"; DayOpen = "25"; MonthClose = ""; DayClose = "" upcomingPlaysDisplay(style,matching)
|
Emerging Directors' Showcase | |
DIRECTORS' SHOWCASE: CALL FOR AUDITIONS!
The UFV SOCA Theatre Department is holding auditions for the 2024 Directors' Showcase!
The Directors' Showcase is a bi-annual showcase that is presented by the THEA451 Directing class. This season there will be performances on April 25th-26th and there are 19 roles that need to be filled!
Auditions will be held on February 26th. Come out and audition!
This year there are 6 directors looking for cast members to join their shows. Click on the links to learn more about the shows and characters.
Twitch by Stephen Gregg, directed by Sterling Kai Pollock (4 roles available)
Murder by Midnight by Jeff Goode, directed by Sarah Byers (3 roles available)
Trifles by Susan Glaspell, directed by Brian Cahill (4 roles available)
The Wedding Story by Julianne Homokay, directed by Doris Huang (4 roles available)
The Yellow Wallpaper by Bren McPhee, directed by Bren McPhee (1 role available)
Bringing Up Lester by Stephen Bittrich, directed by Taya Viger (4 roles available)
Please email giuseppe.condello@ufv.ca to sign up for an audition timeslot.
When: Monday, February 26th 10am-12:30pm & 2pm-5pm
Where: D104 (morning slot) & D115 (afternoon slot)
What: General auditions to be held in pairs. Actors will be asked to cold read from sides from one of the shows.
How: Contact giuseppe.condello@ufv.ca to sign up for an audition slot, or visit his office (D100).
Director's FaceBook:
https://www.facebook.com/sarah.byers.90834
Good day Jeff,I'm writing to enquire about a quote for the production rights of one of your plays.
I am the production manager at the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, and the students in the 4th year directing class are required to choose and direct short plays and present them in front of an audience.A student in the class, Sarah Byers, was searching 10-minute-plays.com and was drawn to your piece, Murder by Midnight.
The play would be presented twice (April 25th, and 26th) in front of a 40 person audience for free.If you'll let us produce this play, please let me know how much this would cost and how we would go about paying you.
Thank you,
Giuseppe
Giuseppe Condello, BFA (he/him)
Production Manager, Theatre
School of Creative Arts (SoCA)
Show = "dphd dp_10min"; Title = "Murder By Midnight" Featuring = "" Director = "Sarah Byers"; Cast = ""; Crew = "" Link = "pndphd24.htm#Abbotsford" Theatre = "University of the Fraser Valley" City = "Abbotsford"; State = "British Columbia, CANADA" YearOpen = "2024"; MonthOpen = "Apr"; DayOpen = "25"; MonthClose = "Apr"; DayClose = "26" upcomingPlaysDisplay(style,matching)
| directing student final project | |
I have a directing student who would like to direct your play for a final project. The play would be presented April 25 & 26. Please let me know if this is acceptable and how much we owe you. Thank you! Best, Neena Neena McLain '91 Assistant Professor of Theatre; Department Chair
Show = "dphd dp_10min"; Title = "Murder By Midnight" Featuring = "" Director = ""; Cast = ""; Crew = "" Link = "pndphd24.htm#Abilene" Theatre = "McMurry University" City = "Abilene"; State = "TX" YearOpen = "2024"; MonthOpen = "Apr"; DayOpen = "25"; MonthClose = "Apr"; DayClose = "26" upcomingPlaysDisplay(style,matching)
directed by Christopher Barnes Locke
Good evening, I'm a student at Mississippi State University, and I'm interested in using your script - "Murder By Midnight" - to direct a 10-minute play as part of a course assignment. This project would not be a paid production. Would the royalties still apply? If so, what is the fee you typically charge for this script? Thank you, Christopher Barnes Locke
Show = "dphd dp_10min"; Title = "Murder By Midnight" Featuring = "" Director = "Christopher Barnes Locke"; Cast = ""; Crew = "" Link = "pndphd24.htm#Starkville" Theatre = "Mississippi State University" City = "Starkville"; State = "MS" YearOpen = "2024"; MonthOpen = "Apr"; DayOpen = "29"; MonthClose = ""; DayClose = "" upcomingPlaysDisplay(style,matching)
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directing class 10-minute play presentation | |
featuring:
facebook message 11/10/24:
I tried texting you last night, but I think I have an old number - I was at a 10-minute play presentation for our directing students here at Auburn University (an end-of-semester class thing), and one of them decided to do Murder by Midnight Dick Piston, Hotel Detective lives on! Hope you are doing well!
Show = "dphd dp_10min"; Title = "Murder By Midnight" Featuring = "" Director = ""; Cast = ""; Crew = "" Link = "pndphd24.htm#Auburn" Theatre = "Auburn University" City = "Auburn"; State = "AL" YearOpen = "2024"; MonthOpen = "Nov"; DayOpen = "9"; MonthClose = ""; DayClose = "" upcomingPlaysDisplay(style,matching)
| 10 Minute Play Festival | |
| Thursday & Saturday @ 7:30 p.m. |
NAU Theatre's Directing II and Acting Intensive classes are having their annual 10 minute play festival!! These student directed 10 minute shows, accompanied by student actors, consist of unique and exciting short plays! Join us in the Studio Theater on Dec 5th and 7th at 7:30PM for a fun night of short shows!
Directing II Class and
Acting Intensive Class
present
NAU Theatre
10 Minute Play Festival
In The Beginning
By Bruce Kane
Vinegar Syndrome
By Rachel Shope
But That's Not What We Ordered
By Kraig Kenworthy
Murder by Midnight
By Jeff Goode
Scrib's Paradox, or the Mechanical Rabbit
By Micheal Feingold
Death and Dignity
By Schyler Hope Martin
Rothko Room
By Stuart Spencer
directed by Spade Harrington
10/7/24
Hi again Mr. Goode!
I hope you are having a wonderful day. Great news, I will be directing Murder by Midnight! Our performance days are Thursday, December 5th, and Saturday, December 7th, both at 7:30 pm. The performances will be at Northern Arizona University in the Studio Theater, and we would love it if you could join us for one or both days! I'm very excited to work on this play, and I hope I can do your work justice. Let me know if you can join us!
Cheers,
--
Spade Harrington
Theatre, Bachelor of Science
CLIP Peer Supporter
Northern Arizona University
Hello Mr. Goode,
My name is Spade Harrington, and I am in an advanced Directing class at Northern Arizona University. Our current assignment is to direct a staged reading for class, which is conjoined with the Acting Intensive class. I love your work, and I would like to use your script, Murder by Midnight, for this assignment! There will not be an outside audience, and we are not selling tickets. Would you be willing to let me use your script for this classroom project?
Best regards,
--
Spade Harrington
Theatre, Bachelor of Science
CLIP Peer Supporter
Northern Arizona University
Hello Mr. Goode,
My name is Spade Harrington, and I am in an advanced Directing class at Northern Arizona University. I also sent you an email on Thursday from my school email which is kmh933@nau.edu, but I was not sure I would receive a response on that email. Our current assignment is to direct a staged reading for class, which is conjoined with the Acting Intensive class. I love your work, and I would like to use your script, Murder by Midnight, for this assignment! There will not be an outside audience, and we are not selling tickets. Would you be willing to let me use your script for this classroom project?
Best regards,
-- Spade Harrington
Show = "dphd dp_10min"; Title = "Murder By Midnight" Featuring = "" Director = "Spade Harrington"; Cast = ""; Crew = "" Link = "pndphd24.htm#Flagstaff" Theatre = "Northern Arizona University" City = "Flagstaff"; State = "AZ" YearOpen = "2024"; MonthOpen = "Dec"; DayOpen = "5"; MonthClose = "Dec"; DayClose = "7" upcomingPlaysDisplay(style,matching)