CAST: Flexible cast of 24
SET: Interior mansion set
TIME: About 80 minutes
Script:
$9.00 each Director’s book: $27.50 each
ROYALTY:
$70 First Performance
$70 Each Additional Performance
SET: Interior mansion set
TIME: About 80 minutes
Script:
$9.00 each Director’s book: $27.50 each
ROYALTY:
$70 First Performance
$70 Each Additional Performance
The works of Edgar Allan Poe are bone-chilling, dark, depressing — nevermore, quoth the raven! This skillful adaptation takes a grand mix of Poe’s writing and characters and weaves them together into a teen-savvy comedy loosely based on “The Fall of the House of Usher” but with more laughs and a much brighter ending.
After the bus breaks down on a dark and stormy night, a bunch of high school students on a field trip are forced to spend the night in the spooky house of Usher. But they’re not alone! The spirits of Usher ancestors haunt the halls, cursed to stay trapped in the house forever, unless someone helps the last surviving Usher find the will to truly live life. Along with a healthy dose of entertaining teen drama, Usher touches on some weighty issues that haunt the nightmares of most teens — isolation, loneliness, suicide, and peer pressure.
But lighten up, it’s a comedy after all! With characters drawn from classics such as “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Tell Tale Heart,” “Annabel Lee,” and some lesser-known works, there are countless winks, nudges, and nods to the Master of Horror. The House of Usher doesn’t fall at the end in this show, but Usher will bring down yours!
After the bus breaks down on a dark and stormy night, a bunch of high school students on a field trip are forced to spend the night in the spooky house of Usher. But they’re not alone! The spirits of Usher ancestors haunt the halls, cursed to stay trapped in the house forever, unless someone helps the last surviving Usher find the will to truly live life. Along with a healthy dose of entertaining teen drama, Usher touches on some weighty issues that haunt the nightmares of most teens — isolation, loneliness, suicide, and peer pressure.
But lighten up, it’s a comedy after all! With characters drawn from classics such as “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Tell Tale Heart,” “Annabel Lee,” and some lesser-known works, there are countless winks, nudges, and nods to the Master of Horror. The House of Usher doesn’t fall at the end in this show, but Usher will bring down yours!
Additional products available:
Director’s book: $27.50 each
Director’s book: $27.50 each
Usher — A Totally Teen Comedy
Production Photos
Video Clips
ROMOLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
HOMELAND, CA
HOMELAND, CA
KRIS GARRETT
UNIVERSITY PLACE, WA
UNIVERSITY PLACE, WA
REVELSTOKE SECONDARY SCHOOL
REVELSTOKE, BC CANADA
REVELSTOKE, BC CANADA
WEYBURN COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL
WEYBURN, SK CANADA
WEYBURN, SK CANADA
MCLOUGHLIN HIGH SCHOOL
MILTON FREEWATER, OR
MILTON FREEWATER, OR
AMI CLOUATRE
ST. AMANT, LA
ST. AMANT, LA
IOWA VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
MARENGO, IA
MARENGO, IA
ELIOT ARTS MAGNET
ALTADENA, CA
ALTADENA, CA
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The Drama Teacher’s Survival Guide
Written specifically for the middle school or high school drama director, this book this book tells everything you need to know to produce a play.
Written specifically for the middle school or high school drama director, this book this book tells everything you need to know to produce a play.
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Actors need never again be confused about where to begin when developing a Shakespearean role! Clear stepping stones have been laid out before them... by Shakespeare himself!
Actors need never again be confused about where to begin when developing a Shakespearean role! Clear stepping stones have been laid out before them... by Shakespeare himself!
Clever teen farce.... Michael Pulliam, Maui News, Maui, HI
My middle school students have loved Usher: A Totally Teen Comedy! They’ve gone out of their way to research the Poe references, and they are asking their teachers to assign E. A. Poe works in reading classes. The script allows for students of all acting levels to have parts that are appropriate for them. It’s a delightful directing experience, too! Rebecca Rush, Northwood School, Northwood, NH
I loved the subtle (and not) references to Poe/his works. It was a joy to see my cast figure things out along the way!
As a director of Middle School Theatre I had found it very difficult to find material, until I came across Pioneer Drama. Usher was a great play, the large size of the cast allowed me to give many of my students the opportunity to perform on stage and both the students and the audience loved the show and had a lot of fun! Julia Becker, Kiddozer Productions, Houston, TX
Electronic Script Information
For preview: E-Views
E-Views deliver a non-printable, complete preview script to your Pioneer library for reading anytime. Click on ORDER THIS TITLE, then select ELECTRONIC PREVIEW SCRIPT. Learn more about creating an E-view library here.
For production: E-Scripts
E-Scripts allow organizations to receive an emailed, printable PDF of the script within one business day without needing to prepay for scripts or royalties. This option requires the purchase of a sufficient number of distribution rights for your entire cast.
To choose this option, place your PRODUCTION ORDER normally, including the total number of scripts you need for your production. As with all production orders, you must order a minimum of one script per cast member. Then, select “Emailed E-script” as your DELIVERY OPTION during checkout.
IMPORTANT:
NOTE: If you wish to receive a downloadable script immediately, take advantage of our Get It Now! option. Prepayment required.
E-Views deliver a non-printable, complete preview script to your Pioneer library for reading anytime. Click on ORDER THIS TITLE, then select ELECTRONIC PREVIEW SCRIPT. Learn more about creating an E-view library here.
For production: E-Scripts
E-Scripts allow organizations to receive an emailed, printable PDF of the script within one business day without needing to prepay for scripts or royalties. This option requires the purchase of a sufficient number of distribution rights for your entire cast.
To choose this option, place your PRODUCTION ORDER normally, including the total number of scripts you need for your production. As with all production orders, you must order a minimum of one script per cast member. Then, select “Emailed E-script” as your DELIVERY OPTION during checkout.
IMPORTANT:
- You will receive your emailed script within one business day.
- Only scripts can be emailed. Director’s books and music parts must be shipped at regular cost.
- A $6 e-delivery fee will be added to each order.
- All script prices are the same, whether paper, digital, or photocopied.
- There are no returns, exchanges, or refunds on e-scripts or distribution rights.
NOTE: If you wish to receive a downloadable script immediately, take advantage of our Get It Now! option. Prepayment required.
Get It Now! Immediate Downloads
Get It Now! allows you to immediately download PDFs of the script, director’s book, and music scores for our shows. Production/rehearsal CDs sets are also available for immediate download. You will not receive physical versions of anything you select for Get It Now! delivery. This option requires the purchase of a sufficient number of scripts (distribution rights) for your entire cast and pre-payment of your entire order, including royalties.
To choose this option, place your PRODUCTION ORDER normally, including the total number of scripts you need to make for your production. As with all production orders, you must order a minimum of one script per cast member. Then, select “Get It Now!” as your DELIVERY OPTION during checkout, indicate which materials you would like sent electronically, and enter your credit card information in the appropriate space. Make sure you’ve specified the exact number of performances and selected “Bill Now” for your royalties.
IMPORTANT:
NOTE: If you do not wish to prepay for your entire production, you can still take advantage of E-Scripts and receive your emailed PDF within one business day.
To choose this option, place your PRODUCTION ORDER normally, including the total number of scripts you need to make for your production. As with all production orders, you must order a minimum of one script per cast member. Then, select “Get It Now!” as your DELIVERY OPTION during checkout, indicate which materials you would like sent electronically, and enter your credit card information in the appropriate space. Make sure you’ve specified the exact number of performances and selected “Bill Now” for your royalties.
IMPORTANT:
- You will be able to download the available parts immediately after your credit card transaction is approved. A valid email address is required.
- Parts not available for download will be shipped at regular cost.
- A $6 e-delivery fee will be added to each order.
- All material prices are the same, whether paper, digital, or photocopied.
- There are NO RETURNS, EXCHANGES, OR REFUNDS on downloaded materials or distribution rights.
NOTE: If you do not wish to prepay for your entire production, you can still take advantage of E-Scripts and receive your emailed PDF within one business day.