Cut the Lights

By Karen Krossing

Briar has a vision for the one-act play she's been chosen to direct at her performing arts high school. She's going to create a masterpiece. If only everyone involved in the production shared her vision. Her leading lady is gifted but troubled, her leading man has a crush on the leading lady, her stage manager doesn't have a clue, and her best friend, who wrote the play, is worried that Briar's production is cursed. As Briar struggles to motivate her cast and crew, she learns some important truths about the fine art of directing—and about herself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
• Release date: Oct 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781459804142

Reviews for Cut the Lights

[cpom_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cut the Lights is a great read for a young adult or preteen. It is the story of a 10th grade student, Briar, who is looking to make her directorial debut by directing a High School play written by her friend.

[sweans · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It's not a bad story, but all of the characters are flat. Even Briar, the main character, is one dimensional. I received a copy via librarything.

[lms8esmith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Briar, an aspiring director, receives her first chance at directing a high school play. The one act play Briar directs seems to have everything going right. Briar is even able to score the most sought after actress in the school to be in the play. As practices begin, real life bleeds its way into the play and Briar has to figure out if it is worth continuing the play or just throwing it all away. Young adults will appreciate the quick read and the way the author uses stage directions in most of the chapters. The character development was decent, but I found myself wanting just a bit more.

[sandsing7 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It's cute. That's the best I can say about it. The characters are not very well developed, the plot is predictable, and the morals are spoon-fed. The book claims it's written for students 11-14, but I thought it leaned younger in terms of writing, but perhaps a bit older in terms of content. In any case, I wouldn't recommend it. There is way too much good young adult literature out there to bother with this title.

[ella6kennen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cut The Lights is a short, breezy novel from Orca Publisher's new "limelights" line of books about performing arts for tweens and young teens. Tenth grader Briar is desperate to ace her directorial debut, a one-act play written by a fellow friend. She's over the top when she gets her pick of starring roles, against some ultra-competitive 12th grade directors. But then rehearsals start going anything but smoothly. A diva, an infatuated co-star, an unmotivated actor... a cursed play? Does Briar have what it takes to bring it all together?This quick-paced books throws the reader into the world of directing. Each chapter opens up with a scene direction like you'd find in a play, and drama terms are strewn throughout. The characters and plot are all believable and the ride enjoyable. I couldn't help wishing the author would slow down and add a bit more shading to both the plot and the characters, though. On the plus side, I read this book in one sitting. On the minus, it left me hungry for detail. A good choice, however, for budding theater-types.

[lavermeer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Briar is about to make her directorial debut. She has a great script, two phenomenal leads, and a strong artistic vision. The only question now is whether she can put all these strengths together before the curtain goes up in four weeks.CUT THE LIGHTS provides a quick, accessible reading experience for its intended audience. Chapters and scenes are introduced as if they appeared in a screenplay, telling us how Briar frames what she perceives. These highly subjective directions change over the course of the book, as Briar discovers she has a broader vision than her own success. Readers may get caught up in the dynamics of the creative process, or may be hooked by the relational dynamics of the various personalities. And while Briar isn't entirely likeable as the novel opens, her character grows and deepens as the story advances. Simple, but satisfying.CUT THE LIGHTS is part of Orca Limelights, a new series for readers eleven to fourteen. Limelights builds on readers' interest in the performing arts, particularly as seen from behind the scenes of the production. Orca specializes in publishing materials for reluctant readers, and CUT THE LIGHTS is another solid choice, particularly for those reading below grade level. This short novel would complement the more typical sports and adventure texts often used with this group of readers.Nothing in the plot or the resolution will surprise more sophisticated readers, but CUT THE LIGHTS makes a fine addition to classroom and school libraries. I'm looking forward to watching this series evolve.

[kwrolsen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cut the Lights was a cute story for a young teen or preteen. If they’re interested in acting or producing, this would be an excellent read. I liked how this story was truly written for its audience including appropriate emotion and appropriate situations. I liked the development of Briar, and I know that young girls could relate to her. She was a great main character. I also thought the other characters were relatable. This is a great read for a preteen.

[lauraenos · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a very cute and leisurely satisfying young adult book about high school theater. Briar, a student director, feels like she is undervalued in her school's theater department. Once casting and production is underway, it feels like their play is cursed with all of the hiccups and obstacles they face before show time. In the midst of Briar feeling sorry for herself and trying to find solutions, she soon realizes that she's overlooking warning signs among her cast members and soon realizes that her peers she's working with are more important than a two hour show. This was a simple, fast, yet entertaining read.