Squash It!

Squash It! is a Non-Musical, but a Musical Version is Available

Performance Length: Variable, ideally 45-55 minutes. Recommended for Ages 12 and up. Target Age: Middle and High School

History:
Squash It! was first presented by the Wichita Children's Theatre Professional Touring Company. It opened Oct 3, 1995, and played for 21 performances, touring throughout a six-state region. It began its run as a musical, but by the end of the run all music was taken out of the show and used as recorded pre-show music.  It was directed by John (JB) Boldenow and Wayne Mitchell was the Tour Manager.

Original Cast: 5, Originally Produced with 3 Men, 2 Women but due to Improv format, cast size can be much larger.

Setting:
The action takes place on the stage of a school auditorium. Three functional flats: two (UR, UL) are painted as bulletin boards and the one in the center is a blackboard. Various newspaper clippings (very much enlarged) are attached to the bulletin boards and the blackboard displays words such as: Humor, Response-Ability, Improv, Squash It!, Communication, Violence, etc. A table and four chairs are CR and a prop box, containing various and sundry props for the improvs is on the table. A few wooden cubes of various sizes are arranged about the stage to be used as furniture or set pieces later in the improvs. A very actor-friendly set.

The Story:
"Violence is oftentimes a result of the breakdown of communication." An improvisation troupe visits a school to help the students learn the importance of communication skills. The show imparts the statistics and information within an exciting improvisation format. Plenty of audience participation--they may even join the actors in the improvs!

This show is perfect for a Drama class or group to use as an touring outreach production to local Middle- and High Schools. The improv format is challenging and fun for the actors as well as the audience. You should have very little problem getting a corporate sponsor (Mental Health Agencies, Police Dept, Hospitals, etc.) once they know it targets violence among teens.

THEME: "Talk it Out"

Special Note About the Script:

Music:
[The production originally had the following songs interspersed throughout the script. We just couldn't find a way to justify having material that was obviously well rehearsed in a production that relied on the principal of "the first time." We ended up cutting the songs and dances during the show and instead just recorded the songs to be played prior to the performance and as exit music after the show.] 

#1 Life's Too Short
#2 Work it Out
#3 Squash It!
#4 Squash It!  (finale)

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