What is Quora Digest? How did it Inspire Me as a Drama Teacher
How does it relate to musical theater? (In my world, everything relates to theatre somehow.)
According to their website, “Quora Digest is the method, Where Quora sends a daily email containing a set of questions with one answer that is deemed the best answer given a certain ranking requirements. In simple words, In Quora, the answer which is the best gets registered in Quora Digest.”
Pretty cool, huh?
Thanks to Quora, I have a new product line of lessons, Page to Stage.
I created the Page to Stage lessons about Broadway musicals, but they’re more than just the plot!
I sort of fell into Quora a few years ago.
I’m a Quora expert. Aren’t you impressed? Ha!
All that means is I answer questions which people send to me through Quora which pertain to theatre. Questions range anywhere from “What is the best Broadway musical?” to “I want to be on Broadway. How can I make that happen?”
It’s interesting answering the questions because the answers seem so obvious to me. I think there are people in the world who require a more personal touch rather than searching on the internet for the answer.
When I read the questions, they feel a little like we are sitting at a coffee shop and we just met.
Recently, a fellow asked me if I thought getting a theatre degree in college would make him employable. He enjoys working in lighting design in high school.
My answer was a resounding Yes!
Some of the most secure jobs in the theatre world are in the technical aspects. I advise students that if they truly want to be involved in theatre any way they can, once they graduate from college, look into technical theatre.
These are:
- set design
- costume design
- lighting design
- sound design
- stage properties
- stage management
Had I known then what I know now, I might have pursued stage management because it’s an all encompassing job, involving all areas of the production.
I have a bundle of units about technical theater for high school students. Check them out at: Bundle High School Units
Plus, once the show is up the SM takes over after the director moves on and keeps the show ticking away until it closes.
As a theatre goer, teacher, director and so on, I know the many occupations which come from having a theatre degree. But our students don’t know there is more than performing.
That’s where I come in.
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What is Quora Digest?
I have answered the most questions about musicals. So, I got to thinking……
Introducing: Page to Stage Lessons
Page to Stage is a new Dramamommaspeaks product line of lessons concerning Broadway musicals and plays! They are available through my Teacherspayteachers store: Dramamommaspeaks
This one or two-day lesson can stand alone or be combined with one of my Famous Artist biographies. They are here: Bundle Famous Artists
Need a quick emergency lesson plan? Or one for a substitute? Everything is provided for the busy teacher.
This Product includes:
- Letter to Teacher
- Warm Up–MY Version of a Popular Physical Warm-Up
- Teacher’s Script–what I say and how I say it!
- Photos from the Broadway Production
- Plot of the Musical
- History about the Origination of the Production
- Information concerning the composer, lyricist and playwright
- Tony Awards it Received
- What are the Tony Awards
- New York City Map with Competing Theatres Labeled
- Student Note Page
- Teacher Note Page Key
- Trivia
- Quotes from the Musical–Good for Discussions and Assignments
- Extension Activities–Terrific Suggestions of Ways to Secure the Learning and Enrich the Experience
- Sources & Links to Film Clips from the Show
- And More!
I have six lessons as of this writing.
It is my hope I can shed light on the creative process theatre artists go through when they are developing a new musical.
I want to answer questions such as:
- Who wrote the music?
- Where did the script come from?
- How long did it take to create the show?
- Did the person who wrote the music also write the lyrics?
In time, I will offer plays, too!
What is really exciting and fun about these lessons is how timely they can be. Whatever musical is most popular at the time will be turned into a lesson for students. No waiting for someone to create a newspaper article or video about it! I can take care of it for you.
If you aren’t following me, please do so then you can be first to use the newest lesson with your students.
Do you ask questions through Quora? What is your favorite Broadway musical?
I’d love to hear from you.
Contact me at dhcbalwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net
