Best seller being adapted for ACHS performance
Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher's 2007 young adult novel that has spent 44 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller List, is coming to ACHS in November in the form of an original adaptation for the stage. Teachers Wanda Teddy and Audrey Nagel worked to write a script this summer along with a group of students.
The story follows high school student Clay Jensen as he listens to a series of recordings sent to him by classmate Hannah Baker, who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's messages take him on a journey through the people and events she describes.
Asher not only has given his permission for his book's adaptation, according to Teddy he is enthusiastic about students bringing his characters to life on stage. "He's looking forward to seeing what we're able to do," Teddy said.
The fine arts department plans to use the play as its entry in the Illinois High School Theatre Festival to be held in January. It hopes that this and future educational theater pieces will get audience members talking about the important issues the characters confront.
Teddy explained that the script is nearly complete and will take the audience past the novel's final chapter. Its 13 acts are expected to run 90 minutes in length. Auditions for the play's 21 characters begin next week, and the curtain goes up on November 12.
20 comments:
Great news! I'd loooove to see a stage version of your book, but Illinois is a little too far away for me. I hope there'll be lots and lots of pictures! I assume you'll be in the audience?
How exciting, Jay!
Awesome! Congrats! :)
That is justt TOO awesome.
That is really cool - I'll be it'll be surreal watching it come to life...
Thats awesome-congrats! I'd love to see a stage performance of this!!! And a movie too some day...
Wow! Congratulations! I wish I could see it. Maybe the next step is the big screen?
=]
Wow, that is so freaking cool. Do you think they'll let you post a video of it afterward?
Yay for 13 Reasons!
Those kids are awesome. They loved your book so much they had to make it real. Must feel amazing.
Congratulations!
hey is this based on a true story?
Keep checking back, everyone! Over the next couple of months I'll be posting photos as they build the sets and start rehearsing. I have no idea what this production will look like, but I'm very excited to find out!
Nemo, if you're asking about the book, no, it isn't based on a true story...but the play is based on a real book!
That will be FASCINATING...
wow!
I guess a book, once it's out there in the world, really is its OWN thing...
You should be really proud you inspired such passion!
Namaste,
Lee
Ooh, wow that is so exciting! Congrats!
Darn, and I was hoping is was in Antioch, California - almost my back door.
Anyway - hope they do a video and we can get a copy. Great event - as another post said - Broadway or a movie is next.
Congratulations
Aaron
That is so cool! It would be so great to see how they interpret your book.
That's excellent. Good for you!
Wow. That's stellar. That's just . . .
wow.
Love it!!
If it was Antioch, CA I would have taken the 1.5 hr drive to check it out.
Crossing my fingers they'll send you a video of the production and you'll share it w/us :)
Woweeee Congratulations!!
I am so excited, going to see the play tonight!
I can't wait to meet you jay. :)
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