Publisher's Diary | Pioneer Drama

New Drama Textbooks

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:09:40 -0400

These books are great for elementary school.

Today I approved the offering of a number of theatre textbooks for elementary schools on our website. They’re specifically for elementary school drama programs or classroom use. We thought about this quite a bit and decided that our selection of drama textbooks needed more of these books. I’ve worked with quite a few elementary schools in Denver and I normally used Theatre Machine, one of our most popular books. However, we just didn’t have items targeted for younger kids.

Many people ask me how Pioneer Drama Service finds them. The main person who finds these books is Becca, an education specialist at Pioneer. She works with many publishing companies. They send her numerous books and she evaluates them. From there, when she has found a book that she thinks would be a tremendous resource for teachers, drama directors or actors, we offer them. Thanks to Becca, I think we have a great selection.

New Shows From Pioneer

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:23:13 -0400

It's been a long time....

I agree. It has been a long time. After working with dozens of people concerning blogs, it's not unusual for them to fizzle out. People get busy. Same with me. However, I'd like to share some of the things that have made Pioneer exciting. New plays. New writers. New catalogs.

Our latest catalog is full color with a selection of over 500 plays, musicals and textbooks. Awesome! As for the new plays and writers, take a look below. I'm excited and I urge you to take a look at how they are contributing to the world of theatre.

More From Craig Sodaro!

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 12:39:01 -0400

This playwright has incredible talent!

I’d like to personally congratulate Craig Sodaro on the publication of his new book MAKE IT MYSTERY. The book, which is now carried by Meriwether Publishing, contains twelve short royalty-free comedy-mystery plays. It’s workable for actors of all ages.

Craig has written many plays for Pioneer Drama Service. In fact, he and I have a special “brainstorming” relationship. Many plays that Craig writes are a “collaboration” of thoughts. For example, Craig will soon be sending me a melodrama. Craig has written the show, which has a golf theme. However, it has been a wonderful experience exchanging ideas with him.

Craig is a unique writer because he has a gift for writing different types of plays. Besides melodrama, he has ventured into mystery, comedy, musicals, and intense drama. I’m excited to see the golf melodrama. I’m even more excited to see what he writes next!

Fun Theatre Sites for Most Kids

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 12:26:20 -0400

Looking for interesting theatre sites to help theatre students learn about theatre?I often receive calls concerning teaching kids about drama. I constantly do research to find resources when working with elementary school children and middle school children. I have selected a number of intriguing sites to go to. Have fun!

Improvisation in the Drama Club

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 12:00:55 -0400

Improvisation is one of the greatest clubs a school can have. I have personally experienced this. Two years I started a club at our local middle school and it had over 40 students sign up. What made this experience interesting was the number of boys. I’m sure many middle school directors who are reading this have noticed that their drama clubs are flooded with girls. This had the opposite effect. Ninety-five percent of the middle school improvisation club actors were boys.

After heading the school’s drama club last year, I decided to switch to an improvisation club. The club: “Get in the Act Improvisation,” will focus in on having fun, yet learning unique acting skills. I have decided to limit the number of kids who can join. Working with a large number of children takes away from valuable acting time that the students seek. Thus, the first fifteen students who return their permission slips will get in.

Below are a number of resources that I will use. I urge you to take a look at their descriptions. They are perfect for school improvisation clubs and classroom use.

Sending Out the Royalty Checks

Mon, 08 May 2006 11:32:48 -0400

Playwrights Making Money With Their Published Plays

On May 1^st, I signed close to 300 checks. Pioneer Drama Service, Inc. was paying their playwrights their royalties. Checks ranged from only fifty-five cents to over one hundred fifty thousand dollars.

When a play is published, many playwrights have dreams of making millions of dollars. However, when writing for the amateur market, it’s difficult to tell what plays are going to be successful. I have been surprised at how well certain shows do. I am equally surprised at how some shows do not bring in any dollars.

If you are published, never expect financial success. Be proud you’re your play was chosen out of hundred of submissions to be published. The royalty check is simply the icing on the cake. (Though some icings taste better than others.)

The Importance of the Drama Club

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 10:28:27 -0400

A Drama Club Video That Shows Friendship, Community and Creative GrowthThe Newton Middle School Drama Club is through for the year. However, I know many of my kids will go on to a high school and community theatre drama club. These videos tells it all.

The Performance of TWINDERELLA

Mon, 06 Mar 2006 12:29:52 -0500

Was it successful?

Was it a successful? Did it meet my expectations, the kid’s expectations? Did it meet the parent’s expectations?

The one performance of TWINDERELLA took place after a pizza dinner. Each time I have put on a play with the Newton Middle School Drama Club, I always have the “party” before the play. I bring in dinner and allow the kids to unwind and, hopefully, prepare for the show mentally.

Things went well at the party. As they munched on cheese pizza, many game impromptu speeches. Many were emotional. Others were silly. Overall, the spirit of the room was proof that 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders could work together on something special. What about the performance…

Well, I’m not sure how to describe it. The show had the spirit that I wanted. However, when they accidentally skipped two scenes, it drove me crazy. I always separate myself from the show and let them go on their own. Although I allowed someone to prompt the actors, she didn’t do a great job. Oh, well.

The show went on without the two scenes and ended in applause. After I accepted my gift and thanked the parents, one of the kids yelled, “Let’s do the scenes we missed.” Suddenly, I was watching the middle of a play. I wasn’t sure if I should stop them. In fact, I was wondering if they were going to do the entire show. After a few minutes, I politely stopped them and had happy kids and happy parents go home.

Was it a success? As a performance, it will never win any awards. However, it was a project that helped bring community to the school, brought self-confidence to students and it brought the understanding of theatre and putting on a play.

Directing Middle School Actors—They Always Come Through

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 13:20:05 -0500

It’s fun and exciting… yet often scary!

Directing a play with middle school kids can be a frightening experience. Many teachers often tell me, “I don’t know if the show will go through. I have middle schoolers!”

I love directing plays with middle school actors. It’s amazing how they always pull it together in the end. The dress rehearsal may be a disaster, but the production is filled with energy, excitement and everyone shines.

Young teens, of course, are interesting. They are in the midst of finding out who they are. Peer pressure is a huge factor. The drama club? It’s always filled with a million girls and three boys. It’s truly a balancing act.

In a month or so, Newton Middle School will be producing TWINDERELLA. I’m the director and I’m about to panic. But then I take a step back and realize that every play that I have directed at Newton has been incredible. The kids always come through.

Looking Back and Looking Forward

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 13:28:14 -0500

A wonderful year to look back on and a wonderful year to look forward to...

It’s a new year and it’s always a time for me to look back. I want to see where I have helped people put on a play, as well as understanding theater.

I have searched and found numerous theatre textbooks and put them in our catalog. I have directed plays at the local middle school. I have taken the time to work with directors and help them find the perfect play for their school or community theatre.

It’s been a good year. To all, I wish you a healthy and happy new year on stage and in your life.

Translations of Pioneer Drama Service Plays In the Netherlands

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 12:28:57 -0400

I am working with a company in the Netherlands to take Pioneer Drama Service Plays to Europe

A number of weeks ago, I was talking with Jack Welch who used to be with Baker's Plays. Jack left Bakers Plays and went on to take his plays to Europe. Jack called me up and said that a man by the name of Pieter Vink of Anco Entertainment B.V. would be calling.

Pieter has adapted numerous plays into Dutch. They include THE ODD COUPLE by Neil Simon. He also has adapted Piers Chater Robinson's adaptation of PETER PAN. The excitement at Pioneer Drama Service is that Anco Entertainment is looking to use many of our musicals! Of course, it's not just musicals... it's also full length plays. Our show, LARCENY AND OLD LACE, just came.

Something special is coming...

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 12:34:45 -0400

This is a fun creation of Pinoccio in a new fashion!

Personally, I’m delighted to see the release of Pioneer’s newest musical, “No Strings Attached” this month. Though Pioneer already carries several different versions of Coloddi’s classic story of “Pinocchio,” this one has a freshness and boldness that makes it very special.

Why do we keep going back to the old stories? They tap into something universal, and they ask really important questions, like “What does it mean to be human?” and “How can I be free to be myself, and still fit into a community?” These stories not only grow ON us, they grow IN us.

I’m also glad to see Bill Francoeur and Patrick Dorn working together again. It’s been years since they collaborated on “Nutcracker.” They are both professionals in their fields, and they know what it takes to create a show that has a high level of excellence, yet is so well crafted that practically anyone can pick up the script and music CD and stage a quality production that is fun for the cast and entertaining for the audience.

I’m sure you’ll agree that “No Strings Attached” stands on its own as a remarkable achievement in teen-oriented musical theater, and a major contribution to the ongoing Pinocchio legacy.

And that’s no lie!

The New Pioneer Drama Service Website and Search Engine

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 11:04:09 -0400

If you have been wondering where I have been, come and take a look at it.

Okay. It’s been a long time since I wrote to you. However, you have got to see what has been created! We have the best website in the play publishing and licensing industry. It has taken years of planning, studying numerous websites, brainstorming and bring in the best technical minds from our company and a website design company.

The most incredible feature, in my opinion, is the “Search Engine.” Unlike many of the other Search Engines in the play publishing industry, it will help you find the right play. After using specific keywords, it will narrow down the shows, allowing to view specific descriptions. From these descriptions, you’ll find it simple to pick out specific plays you are interested in reading. Of course, from there, I know you’ll find a quality show that will bring a standing ovation to your theatre.

Okay. It’s been a long time since I’ve written to you. However, I think you’ll find it has been worth it.

Main Stage Plays Are Often Simple Scripts

Mon, 25 Apr 2005 14:46:27 -0400

Most people in theatre education are beginning to see that classroom drama can start with easy plays and go to the stageI am currently directing a main-stage play at my kids' middle school. The play is a one act stageplay that is not only great for child audiences, but family audiences, as well. I have found that the simple stageplay, Wooing Wed Widing Hood, not only makes an excellent school play but a play for our community. It is an excellent fund raising source because it has a lot of cast members and a lot of appeal to the community. The play, which started as a classroom theatre playscript, became a show that has been dozens of times. I suggest you check it out. I have!

Teacher looks for playwriting information concerning melodramas.

Thu, 03 Mar 2005 14:59:04 -0500

What does a teacher need to do to work with a grant given to her to have students write a play?

Today I spoke with a teacher from Texas. She wanted to know where the best resources were for writing melodramas. Though I have to admit I would be the best resource, I pointed to many that our company has. One is BETWEEN HISSES-THE BOOK and BEYOND THE BOOS AND HISSES, a video. These are excellent resources.

I have written a number of melodramas and I always like to look at some of the best as models. Melodramas by Billy St. John, Rachel Davidson and, of course, my father, are terrific. In fact, she had said that they were looking closely at RUN TO THE ROUNDHOUSE, NELLIE as a great model. Made me feel great since my father wrote that many years ago.

wahad

Publisher's Diary | Pioneer Drama

New Drama Textbooks

See Also

New Shows From Pioneer

See Also

More From Craig Sodaro!

See Also

Fun Theatre Sites for Most Kids

See Also

Improvisation in the Drama Club

See Also

Sending Out the Royalty Checks

The Importance of the Drama Club

See Also

The Performance of TWINDERELLA

Directing Middle School Actors—They Always Come Through

See Also

Looking Back and Looking Forward

Translations of Pioneer Drama Service Plays In the Netherlands

See Also

Something special is coming...

The New Pioneer Drama Service Website and Search Engine

See Also

Main Stage Plays Are Often Simple Scripts

See Also

Teacher looks for playwriting information concerning melodramas.

See Also