History 101 – A collection of comedic history-themed scenes, monologues and songs


History101-Cayuga

History 101
By James C. Ferguson
Music for Hops and Circumstance! and End of Lesson by Steven Bergman

CATEGORY: Full-length play

GENRE: Comedy

DESCRIPTION: A collection of history-themed scenes, monologues and songs.  (Mature content.)

CAST: Minimum: 6 (m/f) Maximum: flexible

PRODUCTION HISTORY (full show):

– Triple Play Weekend – Argos Productions (workshop production) (Boston, MA) (2012)
– Harlequin Productions of Cayuga Community College (full production) (Auburn, NY) (November, 2012)
– ImprovBoston – (full productions) (MA) (Jan, 2014)

PRODUCTION HISTORY (individual scenes):

Alexander the Great
Plays and Poetry – The East Haddam Stage Company (full production, premiere) (CT) (November, 2010)
The 9th Annual Culture*Park Short Plays Marathon (reading) (New Bedford, MA) (November, 2010)
The One Act Play Festival – Hart County Community Theatre (full production) (Hartwell, GA) (June, 2011)
The Writer Speaks – Three Rose Players (full production) (Los Angeles) (2011) Winner: Best Play

33 AD
Summer Shorties – Turtle Shell Productions (full production, premiere) (NYC) (2009)
An Evening of Short Plays – Mountain Stage Company (reading) (Henderson, N.C.) (2010)

• The Oracle of Delphi
Moments of Play – The Salem Theatre Company (full production, premiere) (MA) (2011)

Tip for Tat
Notes Between Us – Between Us Productions (reading) (NYC) (2011)
Acme Theater New Works Winter Festival (full production) (MA) (2012)

• The Wright Brothers
The Provincetown Theater Company’s Fall Playwrights’ Festival – The Provincetown Theater (full production, premiere) (MA) (November, 2010)page2image13656page2image13816

REVIEWS (individual scenes)

33 A.D. (Summer Shorties – Turtle Shell Productions)

“Of all the moments in the Turtle Shell Productions’ “Summer Shorties” series, this was the one that gripped me the most … [The actors] make their way cheerfully through a quite sparkling dialogue from their perch atop Calvary. The idea of eavesdropping on Jesus’ last conversation with a chatty crucifixion neighbor almost can’t miss, and in James C. Ferguson’s 33 A.D. it doesn’t.”
— Joshua Tanzer, Offoffoff.com

RECOMMENDATIONS

To whom it may concern:

In the fall of 2013 it was my extreme pleasure to direct James C. Ferguson’s History 101. This collection of 17 short scenes taken from historical happenings had the audience laughing from beginning to end. My student actors had a blast creating the multiple characters that each played.

My program is at a community college and my student actors range from those who have numerous shows under their belts to some who are appearing on the stage for the first time. One of the things I liked best about the show is that it gave me opportunities to cast the actors to their abilities- some parts with great depth and challenge to create a believable character in the short 8 minute skit and many parts where a novice actor could simply learn the lines and experience being on stage. Now this doesn’t mean that every part would not benefit from an experienced actor because they certainly would!

Another benefit of this play is that many parts are gender neutral which gives the director great flexibility in how they cast the show; James was careful when creating these scenes to allow this director flexibility. His use of words is very deceptive – simple on the surface yet allowing great exploration to the meaning and import of the scenes.

In closing, I highly recommend History 101 by James C. Ferguson. If you choose to produce it you will not regret it, nor will your Production Company or audience!

Sincerely,

Robert M. Frame
Director of Theatre Operations
Harlequin Productions of Cayuga Community College Auburn Campus
197 Franklin Street
Auburn, NY 13021
www.cayuga-cc.edu