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faqs and MELODRAMA resourceS

Here's a slew of questions and answers and resources for your next Melodrama

Can I print out as many copies of your script that I need? Really?

That's right. With our plays you get to print out copies of as many scripts you might need for your cast and crew. Other publishers seriously frown on this and prohibit even the thought of it. Perhaps you have lots of paper, a free copier and lots of time on your hands ... When you pay royalties you get access to a downloadable and printable version of the script and music score. So, if you need to print out another copy for someone who misplaces their script ... no problem ... you can stay in the "Hero" category and make extra copies so you have a great Melodrama.

What is your Twitter link ? ... I want to post a melodrama video.

Here you go ... https://twitter.com/GotMelodrama .


What is Piano "underscoring"?

If you are lucky enough to hae a talented Piano player providing constant underscoring during your Melodrama ... that is amazing. In case you had forgotten ... "underscoring" is simply the playing of music quietly under spoken dialogue or a visual scene in between actual songs. It is done to establish a mood or theme, to recall and/or foreshadow a character or plot point in your Melodrama ... which adds so much to tie the entire play together. In the scores provided as part of HeroAndVIllain Melodrama packages ... musical vamps precede many of the songs and these vamps can easily be used as character theme music. Some plays even have an overture included that helps with underscoring or use variations on the curtain call song. Another advantage of a piano playing is that it has a tendency to discourage hecklers. I guess they feel fine interrupting someone delivering lines ... but not a piano player. Interesting.

What is the best place to perform a Melodrama?

While Hero and Villain plays are available for Theatres and Playhouses, they also work great as fund raisers for civic organizations, clubs, church groups, community centers, mountain retreats or dinner theaters. These family-oriented melodramas are now provided for a flat royalty fee based upon how many performance you need.

If you haven't done so already ... take a few minutes to view video highlights for several of our Melodramas and afterwards ... go ahead and click on Links to get rights to produce a Melodramas in your community. There is almost no bad place to perform a Melodrama. I remember one that occured during a wedding. Really! The bride and groom asked me (in the guise of Presessor Mack) to opbject to their wedding. You know the opportunity is given to anyone to object, but no one ever does. Well not long after my objection and a friend shows up to cart me off from the wedding with a shotgun (loaded with blanks) ... I allowed them to continue with the wedding. How Melodramatic.

Where do I get all those 1800's old west costumes for our melodrama?

Here are a couple of Unfunded Shameless Plugs (these are not affiliate links - just suggestions)
Our favorite place for Old West clothing https://www.historicalemporium.com/victorian.php

Another place for great Melodramatic clothing https://www.wwmerc.com/cgi-bin/Category.cgi?category=home&type=store

I suppose that the internet is today's version of the wild west and websites come and go like the train. So ... if you happen to find a link on our directory or somewhere else on our website that has turned into a ghost town ... please let us know.

 

What about Hecklers? 

If you have been on stage enough times ... there is always someone in the crowd that decides that their jokes are more funny than yours on stage. Melodrama has enough similarities to a comedy night or improv theatre ... that you can help from getting a heckle or two. The term heckler apparently originates from the textile trade, where to "heckle" was to tease or comb out flax fibres. The modern meaning was coined in Dundee in the early 19th century. Staff who combed flax in the city were considered some of the most radical workers in the business. As the hecklers toiled in the factory, one of the team would read out the day's news - and the others would butt in with constant interruptions and a stream of furious debate whiole they were doing their tedious jobs. Below you will find a few heckler responses to memorize just in case the need ever arises. It is usually the Villains in the play that need to worry about dealing with hecklers ... so this page is dedicated to those unsung heroes ... the Villains of Melodramas.

 

A random list of Witty Put-Downs for Hecklers

https://heroandvillain.com/pdf/PutDowns1.pdf

A non-credited list of insults and Put Downs

https://heroandvillain.com/pdf/PutDowns3.pdf

 Even more Random Put-Downs about the rich and famous and not so famous

  https://heroandvillain.com/pdf/PutDowns4.pdf

 A List of "Never Die" Quotations

  https://heroandvillain.com/pdf/NeverDie.pdf

 Professor Mack’s Traveling Medicine Show Spiel (great for an audition piece or party monologue)

  https://heroandvillain.com/pdf/MedicineShow2.pdf

 Audience - Emotions “check off” list (print these off for yoru audience and give awards)

  https://heroandvillain.com/pdf/EmotionsCheckList.pdf