Only eight of my thirty-three plays have a world premiere credit in the back of script. I wish they all did.
Getting that production provides me feedback that can help make the script better. And the cast and crew get that world premiere credit in the script to immortalize all the hard work they put into the play.
But it's a luxury that I can't always afford. The only way to survive as a full-time playwright is to write--and publish--quickly. And hunting for a theater to premiere your play, then waiting for them to produce it, can delay the play's publication by a year or more.
So I'm thrilled that Caddo Parish Middle Magnet School in Shreveport, Louisiana, has agreed to give my newest, as-yet-unpublished play, A Fine-Feathered Murder, its world premiere in November.
How it happened is a story in itself.
Trey Jackson, the theater director at the school, was already involved in a production of The Butler Did It! at his church. He liked this mystery/comedy so much he wanted to do it with his middle school kids but was wondering if there was a shorter version. Apparently, he did an AI-based search online and it told him a middle school version existed.
It does not. Which just goes to show, AI is always more A than I.
When Trey emailed me about it, I gave him the bad news. But I offered to send him the script for A Fine-Feathered Murder, which has the same dry, British humor of The Butler Did It! but is a lot shorter and easier to produce.
He loved the script. The kids loved it too. And they really, really wanted to give the play its world premiere.
The only problem? They were planning to perform it as their spring play. I told Trey it was possible the play would already be published by then and, if so, they'd miss any chance to get a credit in the script.
So he pulled some strings and managed to get the play scheduled for November 6 and 7.
Trey's excited. The kids are excited. And I'm excited, in no small part because I'll be offering my input on the audition tapes the kids submit--a new experience for me.
Oh, and they'll also be performing it in the spring. Six times. With three more casts.
I guess they really do love the play.
I HATE that I am Just now seeing this wonderful article! Thank you for writing it!
ReplyDeleteThe set is in place! The students are rehearsed! The electric bill has been paid, so the lights are on!
Now, we await the Audience, and the laughter!
Thank you SO MUCH, Mr. Wallinger for all you have done to help ther students and me, and we hope we serve your Play well!
Trey Jackson
CMM
Talented Arts Theatre