It's genuinely exciting to come in to the office and see a Samuel French parcel on my desk as I know that its contents are going to be thrilling. I've spent many lunch breaks poring over its latest publications. Indeed, one such package was waiting for me after the festive break, which certainly made the transition back into work more pleasant. Beyond the company's output, I am also greatly impressed by the lengths to which it goes to in order to promote and enhance drama education.
For teachers
I asked Samuel French's schools licensing representative Hattie Cooke for more insight into how the company sees its relationship with educators. ‘We're committed to supporting drama leaders on a daily basis by helping educators find the best material for their young performers,’ she tells me. ‘Our catalogue is extensive, and we appreciate that choosing the right material can be an overwhelming process for time-poor teachers. So with our expert knowledge of shows for young performers, including older and lesser-known works, we can provide them with the greatest resources to educate future theatremakers.’
Indeed, even a cursory glance at the website will attest to the size of the store's offering – so vast in fact that there are a number of different options to sift through in the advanced search function. It's possible to filter scripts with expected options such as cast size and gender breakdown, alongside more unusual criteria like orchestra size, drug references and the American Civil War.
You're guaranteed to find something to suit your needs, with the catalogue being expanded regularly, and Cooke says that Samuel French are always keen to hear what educators think about the products being sold: ‘We encourage feedback from teachers to better understand the needs and successes of school drama, which means we can confidently offer advice and make recommendations. For example, we now better understand how ‘High School Editions’ range (including Chicago and Rock of Ages) work in practice across a range of educational organisations.’
Another exciting thing for teachers is Samuel French's perusal scheme, by which they offer a free copy of up to four plays: you just need to pay for postage. The plays in the scheme cover a vast range of time and genre, with an exciting selection that includes Top Girls, Rosencratz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Ernie's Incredible Illucinations (in which I made my high school debut!) among others. If you've never used a Samuel French text before, this is a great way for you to get a feel for the quality of the work they put out, and it might help you understand why I get so excited by their packages!
What happens once you have found the right play for your students? Well, Samuel French also understand that licensing can be complicated and has a number of ways of making sure that the process is handled as smoothly as possible. The website has a very robust FAQ that neatly breaks down all of the most important information that you have to know. If you're still unsure about a particular play's licensing needs then fear not, as Samuel French have a team that is ready to answer any questions via phone or live chat on the website.
For students
Of course, the other side of the teaching equation is those being taught. By simply signing up on the Samuel French website, students can receive a 10% discount on all online orders, plus an additional 15% on their first order. Purchases made at the Royal Court Theatre bookshop will also get a 10% discount on production of a valid student ID.
Anyone looking to audition can find a lot of great starting points on the website, helpfully divided by gender and genre. Each of the chosen monologues is refreshing in its own way, with some incredibly emotional roles being suggested. Even if you're not preparing anyone for auditions, these suggestions are a good resource to draw upon in class.
Beyond linking to their own publications, the Samuel French website also points students towards study guides, monologue books and core drama texts from other publishers – deeming them ‘Student Essentials’. This is testament to Samuel French's commitment to ensuring that students have access to the best resources available.
With regard to publishing, I'm curious as to how much emphasis Samuel French place on finding material to market to students. ‘At Samuel French, we're always on the lookout for plays and musicals that will specifically resonate with younger audiences,’ says Cook. ‘Theatre is such a valuable platform for building communities and inspiring both confidence and understanding, and so we're passionate about supporting young people to participate in live performance. We think it can be a lot of fun too!?
Samuel French will be exhibiting at the Music & Drama Education Expo | London and can be found at stand D17. http://www.samuelfrench.co.uk