Directing Youth Theater: 10 Dos and Don’ts

Vertical blog cover reading “Directing Youth Theater: 10 Dos and Don’ts” above a photo of smiling young actors in costume seated in a theater auditorium.

Directing Youth Theater: 10 Dos and Don’ts Directing youth theater is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have as an educator or theater arts person. It is also one of the most challenging. Over the years, I directed hundreds of productions and worked with students of all ages, personalities, and ability levels.  Along […]

Who Is Springboard to Action and Why It Matters

Every so often, someone reaches out to me and asks if I can help spread the word about an organization that’s making a real difference in theater education. I’m always willing to consider it.  That’s part of my mission statement.  When I see a program that opens doors for students and inspires teachers, I’m always […]

Beyond Acting: The Value of Other Art Forms in Theater Class

Beyond Acting: The Value of Other Art Forms in Theater Class When I was a young girl, I studied piano and played it for ten years (you’d never know it to hear me now, however). I wanted to perform in theater, but it was discouraged by my parents until they realized I was serious about […]

5 Affordable Set Pieces for Theater Departments

5 Affordable Set Pieces for Theater Departments

5 Affordable Set Pieces for Theater Departments Welcome! If you’ve arrived at my blog because you are building a theater program in your school, I’m glad you did so. Today,  let’s talk about 5 affordable set pieces for theater departments. Oh, gosh, I’ve been there.  Infact, I’ve created several programs for schools and community theaters […]

The Power of Play: Teaching Children Through Creative Dramatics

A little girl blowing on an imaginary star

  The Power of Play: Teaching Children Through Creative Dramatics When I was a young child, I spent many an hour playing in the forsythia bush on the side of our home.  To me, it was the perfect place to hide away–just close enough so my mother could see me from the kitchen window and […]

Exploring Modern Theaters: A Global Journey in Performance

photo from War Horse, the play

Exploring Modern Theaters: A Global Journey in Performance As you might expect, I’ve attended theater all around the world–from Marcel Marceau in 1961, Kabuki theater in 1973 to an Innuit play in 2001.  Additionally, I’m aware that most of our students are not as fortunate as I. However, I think there is one way we […]