Arts

My Theatre Vocabulary List for the Classroom

June 23, 2021 By dhcbaldwin 4 Comments

My Theatre Vocabulary List for the Classroom

Let’s talk about my theatre vocabulary list for the classroom. I apologize. It never occurred to me that teachers needed a list of vocabulary for their theatre classes.

Theatre is such a major part of my life, I’d forgotten not everyone comes into teaching theatre classes as knowledgeable as I was. However, as I think about it, I remember what it’s like getting started teaching a theatre class.

It’s tough to get started. Although there are colleagues who will advise you, sometimes you need someone sort of “at your finger tips” to help you. That’s me!

Why teach vocabulary words?

This seems this would have an obvious answer. But just as in every other subject students teach, theater students need to know the words and phrases you will use in your classroom. We can’t expect out students to be good communicators if we don’t help them, yes?

There are many processes students can use to learn these words. If you pick up my Word Wall product, I’ve included several different ways to learn the vocabulary words.

Teach by osmosis! What’s that, you say? Learning by proxy, or being exposed to someone, can naturally achieve an unconscious assimilation of ideas, vocabulary, knowledge and even technical skills. It’s called osmosis.

A teacher could share a vocabulary word each day. Start the day with the word and even demonstrate it. Honestly, you will be surprised how quickly the students will learn them using osmosis. Just by seeing, demonstrating themselves and writing them, they’ll learn many of these words as if by magic.

++++++++ I am sorry there aren’t more words and their definitions listed here. I think students were coming here and filling out their vocabulary and definition sheet list and not finding the words and their definitions on their own.

Tsk, tsk. So, I edited the list to give you a basic idea..

Actor to Choreography:

Actor A male person who performs a role in a play, work of theatre, or movie

Actress A female person who performers in a role in a play, work of theatre, or movie.

Apron The section of the stage floor which projects towards or into the auditorium. In proscenium theatres, it’s the part of the stage in front of the house tabs, or in front of the proscenium arch, above the orchestra pit

My Theatre Vocabulary List for the Classroom (Example)

Cast A set of actors in a play

Catharsis A moment of high tragedy at the emotional climax of a play is followed by an emotional cleansing for the characters and the audience

Chanting A word or phrase repeated for an effect

Character A person in a novel, play, or movie

Are you considering becoming a teacher? Check out this blog post Why is it Important to Create a Lesson Plan?

If you are a student, sorry. You are going to have to look up these words yourself to attain the rest of the defintions.

Looking for a lesson for tomorrow? Pick up this one about Lin Manuel Miranda.

My Theatre Vocabulary List for the Classroom

I was looking around the internet and found this great blog post about the reasons it is important to know how to spell.

Everything is provided for you. Check it out at: Word Wall

The Reasons It’s Important to Learn to Spell

It develops reading skills: Knowing how to spell correctly helps children become better readers. If they don’t know how to spell a word, they’re more likely to guess at its meaning, rather than understand its true meaning. Additionally, being able to accurately spell words helps to build fluency and allow kids to read faster.
It enhances writing skills: Knowing how to spell words correctly helps children become better writers as well. When they’re able to accurately spell words, they can express their thoughts and feelings more clearly, resulting in stronger writing overall.
It builds confidence: Being able to accurately spell words is a great confidence booster for primary school kids. Knowing that they can spell words correctly helps them become more confident readers and writers.
It improves vocabulary: Learning how to spell words correctly helps children learn the meanings of unfamiliar words and increase their vocabulary. This can be very beneficial for them in the future as they continue their education.
It helps with concentration: Spelling correctly requires focus and concentration, both of which are important skills for primary school children to learn. By mastering spelling, kids will be able to transfer these skills to other areas of their studies as well.
Ultimately, spelling is an essential skill for primary school children to learn. Not only does it help them become better readers and writers, but it also boosts their confidence, expands their vocabulary, and helps them develop concentration skills. Therefore, it’s important that primary school kids take the time to practice their spelling regularly.

Instead of copying all of these words and making printables for your students, there are 64 in this product! Check out this WORD WALL:

First African American to Win National Spelling Bee

Have you heard of Zaila Avant-garde? The multitalented teenage phenomenon Zaila Avant-garde, became an overnight sensation with her Scripps National Spelling Bee win at the age of fourteen, when she became the first African American contestant to win. Zaila Avant-garde, now sixteen, will add “author” to her already-impressive list of accolades that includes: 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, 2021 Sports Kid of the Year by Sports Illustrated Kids; and two-time Guinness World Record holder for feats related to her basketball prowess.

Her books, IT’S NOT BRAGGING IF IT’S TRUE: HOW TO BE AWESOME AT LIFE, a non-fiction middle-grade and a picture book, WORDS OF WONDER FROM Z TO A, a children’s picture book, will be published on June 27, 2023, by Doubleday Books for Young Readers and edited by VP, Editor-in-Chief Frances Gilbert.

Pick up my Drama Word Wall. Everything is provided for you. Check it out at: Word Wall or you can pick up posters (some are FREE) for your classroom, too! Growth Mindset Posters and Vocabulary

I hope this helps you. Please feel free to contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Want some more help in the classroom? Check out my FREE Guide and ten page lesson Here

Is In the Heights The Next Big Thing in Movie Musicals?

June 9, 2021 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Is In the Heights The Next Big Thing in Movie Musicals

The first time I saw In the Heights on the Tony awards I wasn’t sure I would relate to it and enjoy it.

However, when it toured through Denver we had a chance to grab some last minute tickets to see the production and wow!

I loved it!

Its fresh outlook, fabulous music, incredible dancing and story won me over right from the beginning.

I think we will all be thrilled with the new movie version. The reviewers are raving about it! Check out In the Heights on Broadway

What is the story of In the Heights?

From Broadway.com:

In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams, and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.

What makes In the Heights so long awaited?

Where do I begin to answer this question.

I create drama education lessons and In the Heights was one of the first Broadway musicals which I examined. Although I greatly enjoyed the musical, I never thought about the elements which would be terrific to teach in the classroom. Oh. my. gosh!

Five Reasons to See In the Heights

1.Family viewing--First, the show is suitable for your family, ages 11 and up. That’s a big plus because it means the family could have a special outing and see the film together. Hooray! (If you parents are okay with just a little language, then you can see it without any trepidations.)

2. Message–An important part of a play or musical is its message. In the Heights doesn’t disappoint in this manner with a message of hope and optimism. Don’t we all need hope?

The Next Big Thing in Movie Musicals

3. Setting–Many areas of New York City are hotbeds of cultural exchange and diffusion, and Washington Heights is no exception. This neighborhood has transformed drastically over the years as the majority ethnic group in the area changes. Today, the large majority of residents are hispanic, and thus, the neighborhood is sometimes referred to as “Quisqeya Heights,” referring to a municipality in the Dominican Republic. While traces of previous cultures remain such as the Jewish population and the Irish and Germans, the area is extremely rich in Latino food, religion, events, and languages.

4. Diversity--How refreshing to see a musical about a very vibrant and important culture in our country. The Latino people deserve some recognition for their presence here and I, for one, am thrilled to see this!

5. Music–How can you beat Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music? Clever, appropriate, spicey in all the good ways.

6. Dancing--Have you seen the dancing? Chris Scott’s choreography is spot on. If you aren’t familiar with him, Christopher Scott is a three-time Emmy-nominated choreographer whose bold routines and fearless creativity step beyond the traditional boundaries of dance. He is most recognized for his innovative hip-hop duets and signature group routines that fuse dance styles on Fox’s SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. Here’s an example of his work from the movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4CRPvel2Vc

The Origin of In the Heights

Miranda wrote the earliest draft of In the Heights in 1999 his freshman year of college. After the show was accepted by Wesleyan University’s student theater company Second Stage, Miranda added “freestyle rap … bodegas, and salsa numbers.”[

It played from April 27 to 29, 2000 as an 80-minute, one-act show that reportedly sounded like “A hip-hop version of Rent“. After seeing the play, two Wesleyan seniors and two alumni, John Buffalo Mailer, Neil Patrick Stewart, Anthony Veneziale and Thomas Kail, approached Miranda and asked if the play could be expanded with a view to a Broadway production. In 2002, Miranda worked with director Kail and wrote five separate drafts of In the Heights.Book writer Quiana Alegría Hudes joined the team in 2004.

The rest, as they say, is history….

In the Heights Broadway Musical Lesson

As I mentioned, I have a lesson about In the Heights. In fact, I have several–one is a PDF, one is digital and one is for the Google classroom.

This two-day lesson focuses on the Tony award winning In the Heights musical. In the Heights tells the story of a vibrant Hispanic community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood. Students have an opportunity to become very familiar with the production itself and its journey to Broadway.

The lesson can stand alone or be combined with one of my Famous Artist Biographies (Lin Manuel Miranda or Sarah Bareilles for example) or other musical lessons (Hamilton or The Wiz)

HOW DO I USE THIS LESSON IN MY CLASSROOM? A drama, music, reading or a language arts class would enjoy this lesson. Study its music, story line, elements, cultural references–you name it!

The lesson contains:

Letter to Teacher
Warm Up–MY Version of a Popular Acting Exercise
Teacher’s Script–What I Say and How I Say it!
Photos of Lin Manuel Miranda
Synopsis of the Musical
Plot of the Musical
Short Biography about Lin Manuel Miranda, book writer Quiara Alegria Hudes and choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler
Separate File of Photos for Teacher’s Use in Lecture
History about the Origination of the Production
AND a Mini Lesson on: What are the Tony Awards?
List of Tony Awards
New York City Map with Competing Theaters Labeled
Student Note Page
Teacher Note Page Key
Trivia about Broadway and In the Heights
Songs List
Pinterest Board Link Specifically about In the Heights
Extension Activities– NINE Terrific Suggestions of Ways to Secure the Learning and Enrich the Experience either Individual or Group
Sources & Links to Film Clips from the Show
And More!

I can’t believe In the Heights first opened on Broadway in 2008! It just seems like yesterday when my husband and I left singing and dancing our way to the parking lot afterward. (That’s a great memory for us.)

If you’d like more information about Lin-Manuel Miranda or my Hamilton lesson, check out these posts Hamilton the Musical: A Drama Lesson with a Unique Perspective or want to have your students create their own musical (at least the beginning steps), check out Create Your Own Musical

In the Heights opens in select theaters on June 4, 2021. It’s full of wonderful elements, themes and messages which we all need to hear. What do you like most about the show? You know, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net.

Five Engaging Drama Games to Grab Your Students’ Attention

May 26, 2021 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Five Engaging Drama Games to Grab Your Students’ Attention

Summer is such a wonderful time for our teachers. Time for them to rest, recuperate and have some fun! It is very richly deserved. But I often considered subjects such as drama games to grab your students’ attention. Here are five engaging drama games to grab your students’ attention.

But before you know it, it will be August and the first school bell for the 2021-2022 year will ring. Until then, SAVE THIS BLOG POST and check it out later.

Folks who are just beginning to teach often ask me what they might need for their classroom. Since I taught for thirty-eight years, I am very experienced with many materials and can recommend some to you which are dynamite to own.

A card game⁣ sharpening one’s imagination
#1 Nannoficitionary

Nannofictionary is a storytelling game in three rounds. ⁣
⁣
The first round involves the construction of the stories, in which players race to collect the four plot elements of setting, characters, problem, and resolution. ⁣In the next round, the players tell their stories. ⁣After that, the players vote on which were the best stories, with additional votes being added by judges on the sidelines.⁣

Nannofictionary is most suitable for grades 8 and up. ⁣
⁣
I would suggest you purchase several copies of this game for your classroom. It could be used most anytime–as a filler, cool down or warm-up for the day or for a lesson. ⁣
⁣⁣
I especially like its non-threatening nature (students select cards for their story.) The opportunities for differentiation are vast. ⁣Cost is $15.59

Something Physical

Check out my recent Facebook Live with Deb, the Storyteller to hear other exercises for engaging students. Facebook Live

#2 Body Sox

I learned about Body Sox while receiving my Masters in Arts Integration. Although somewhat expensive, Body Sox are a great addition to your classroom. Here’s what Amazon.com says about them:

“This stretchable body wrap carefully and comfortably covers your child’s arms, shoulders, legs, and feet in a calming fabric that provides deep pressure stimulation.

Ideal for kids with ADHD, autism, or other spatial sensory challenges, the Special Supplies sensory body socks can help your child regain a sense of balance and clarity when overwhelmed.

Superior to standard dynamic movement sensory body socks that feature Velcro that comes undone or pulls hair, ours features a safety snap that holds tight without discomfort.

Crafted with a cool Lycra material, these stretchy sensory sacks wraps come in three distinct sizes and three fun colors to better match adults, teens, boys and girls of all ages.” Cost is $15.00

My students have explored movement using Body Sox. We even included them as part of a play, portraying statues in Oji San and the Grateful Statues unit. You can check out the unit at: Oji San and the Grateful Statues.

Five Engaging Drama Games to Grab Your Students’ Attention

#3 Be a Broadway Star Board Game

Have a small class and want to do some quiet activity?

Again, from Amazon: “Be a Broadway Star – the brand new board game that puts YOU in the spotlight! This isn’t your typical board game.

This is a Broadway board game! And that means you’ll have lots of chances to show off your stuff along the way, with interactive “make or break” cards that just might have you singing and dancing on your turn! Just remember, at the end of the game, whoever has the most fans wins! Can you make it all the way to the Broadway Hall of Fame? Find out today when you play Be A Broadway Star, the brand new board game for Broadway theater lovers of all ages. ” Cost is $39.99

At the time, I had several small classes in a home school enrichment program through St. Vrain School District. This game was perfect for a day after a big project or performance. Students learn value information from the game, how an actor hustles for performing gig, etc.

#4 Uberplay Shakespeare “The Bard” Game

If you teach middle and high school students, this is a wonderful board game for them to play. It’s just fascinating.

As a Elizabethan theater entrepreneur in the early 1600’s, your goal is to “pack the house”. In particular, the chase is on to acquire scripts from the greatest living playwright of the time, Will Shakespeare.

To stage these extraordinary dramas, you will need to form a company of actors, acquire all the props that the play requires, find a patron, and acquire large sums of money to enable these productions to go ahead. Every step of the way, the Fates will either help or hinder! * Board * Player Markers (5) * Player Acclaim Markers (5) * Fate Cards (80) * Question Cards and Speech Cards (300) * Tiles: o Scripts (40 large tiles) o Actors (48 square tiles) o Props/Wardrobe (40 circular tiles) o Patrons (10 hexagonal tiles) * Money (30 x 1 shilling, 50 x 5 shillings, 30 x 10 shillings) * 2 Six Sided Dice with Fate Symbol * Rules Booklet

This game ranges in cost of $25.00 on Ebay to $100 elsewhere. I don’t know why there is such a discrepancy in the price, but my guess is it is no longer published.

If you can get your hands on a copy of this game, it is worth the price. My students LOVED it!

Five Engaging Drama Games to Grab Your Students’ Attention

#4 Brain Box Shakespeare 10 Minute Brain Challenge

I have not played this game, but I have a feeling it would be very helpful in an Language Arts class studying Shakespeare’s plays. It is called Brain Box Shakespeare 10 Minute Brain Challenge.

According to the publisher, Shakespeare Brain Box game is:

Each of these stunningly illustrated cards includes a quotation as well as a caption explaining the scene. Put in order, the captions tell the outline of each story.
The plays included are A Midsummers Night’s Dream, Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest and Twelfth Night.
Fun and Learning
Visual Memory Game
1 or more players

Cost is $27.98.

#5 101 Drama Games for Children: Fun and Learning with Acting and Make-Believe.

I don’t own this book at the moment, but I know I’ll be purchasing it again soon. It’s terrific help!

From the publisher, “Drama games are not staged plays but a dynamic form in which children explore their minds and the world around them. They can use their play-acting in sensory games, pantomimes, story games with puppets, in creating masks and costumes, and much more.

Drama games allow children to get more in touch with themselves and what they want to be, and are a delightful way to discover the freedom, creativity, and expression of acting- and living.

The SmartFunActivity series encourage imagination, social interaction, and self-expression in children. “

Cost is $13.79

Have you used these games in your classroom? You know, you don’t need to be a drama teacher to use these. Every student will appreciate them. If not, they wouldn’t still be out there to purchase after all these years. Remember, I told you I’ve been teaching forever. If you’d like some free warm up games, check out DramaMommaSpeaks Theatre Guide

Here is free stuff for you: Free Stuff!

I hope you’ll try these games and book. If you do, please contact me with your thoughts about them at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Five Reasons You Shouldn’t See The Prom Musical on Your Own

December 9, 2020 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Five Reasons You Shouldn’t See The Prom Musical on Your Own

I know this blog title sounds like I’m going to talk about something scary in The Prom–it’s quite the opposite! It’s wonderful.

Did you know Netflix is streaming The Prom musical?

It’s available to stream beginning December 11. I’m looking forward to seeing it.

Here are five reasons you shouldn’t see The Prom musical on Your Own:

Reason #1–Movies are meant to be seen with someone, in my opinion. How much fun is it to see a musical all by yourself? You need someone to sing with you!

A Synopsis of The Prom

Emma becomes an instant outcast and a national headline when her high school cancels the prom rather than let her attend with her girlfriend. Sensing a chance to correct an injustice and maybe get some good publicity along the way a group of fading celebrities takes up the cause, and invades Emma’s small Indiana town. But their bumbling attempts at social activism make the situation far worse than they or Emma could have ever imagined. Cultures clash and the town erupts in chaos. The community’s reputation, Emma’s future, and the celebrities’ careers, all hang in the balance, until a true hero emerges to save the day. Uproarious and ultimately uplifting, this musical proves that standing up for yourself and inspiring others to accept their differences can make you the star you were always meant to be.

An All Star Cast

Reason #2–The Cast is exceptional! Having someone to chat with about the direction makes the viewing all the more worthwhile.

Nice, huh?

The movie cast is excellent and includes Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Renalls, Kevin Chamberlain, Ariana Grande, Keegan Michael-Key, Kerry Washington and a host of other great performers. Newcomer, Emma Pellman will portray the lead role of Emma and Arianna DeBose as Alyssa.

Wow!

The Creative Team

Reason #3–This is an excellent artistic staff at the helm. I mean, Casey Nicholaw? You can’t get someone much better than him. Just check out his biography. You might miss something in the direction if you watch by yourself and a friend might catch it. I understand the humor is spot on.

Casey Nicholaw, Director

Casey Nicholaw (born 1962) is an American theatre director, choreographer and performer. He has been nominated for Tony Awards for directing and choreographing The Drowsy Chaperone (2006), The Book of Mormon (2011), Something Rotten! (2015), and Mean Girls (2018) and for choreographing Monty Python’s Spamalot (2005) and Aladdin (2014), winning for his co-direction of The Book of Mormon. He also was nominated for the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Direction and Choreography for The Drowsy Chaperone (2006) and Something Rotten! (2015) and for Outstanding Choreography for Spamalot (2005).

Bob Martin, Co-Playwright

Bob Martin began his career acting and directing at The Second City in Toronto in 1996. He won a Tony award for Best Book for a Musical and Best Actor in a Musical category portraying “Man in Chair” in Drowsy Chaperone. In addition, Martin wrote the Urinetown music and lyrics. Among many of ventures, he returned to Broadway by co-writing the book for Elf with Thomas Meehan. He co-wrote Prom the Musical with

Like many artists, Martin’s resume is varied. It includes writing the book for a musical adaptation of the 1973 film The Sting and is currently writing the book for a sequel to The Drowsy Chaperone, a musical adaptation of The Princess Bride, a musical adaptation of A Night at the Museum, and a musical adaptation of Millions.

Chad Beugelin, Lyricist and Co-Playwright

Chad Beguelin (born September 24, 1969) is an American playwright and four-time Tony Award nominee. He wrote the book for Disney’s Aladdin, as well as additional lyrics for the score. He was nominated for Best Original Book and Best Original Score for Aladdin. He is also known for his collaborations with composer Matthew Sklar, having written the lyrics and co-written the book for the Broadway musical The Wedding Singer and the lyrics for the Broadway musical Elf the Musical. Beguelin was nominated for two Tony Awards for his work on The Wedding Singer, as well as a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics. He, too, graduated from New York University’s Tish School of the Arts.

What did the Reviewers Think of it When It Opened on Broadway?

Reason #4–Reviewers love the Broadway version. See if you agree with the reviewers. You can’t exactly discuss the pros and cons of the production with just yourself. When it opened on Broadway, the reviewers extol much praise on the show. That’s a good sign the musical will be well accepted, too.

The Prom was the first musical of the 2018–2019 Broadway season to be named a New York Times Critics Pick, with Jesse Green calling it “such a joyful hoot. With its kinetic dancing, broad mugging and belty anthems, it makes you believe in musical comedy again.”

Frank Rizzo, writing for Variety wrote that “with a tuneful score, a playful book, and performances that remind you what Broadway heart and chutzpah are all about, this cause celebre of a show turns out to be a joyous, funny, and sweet production that should appeal to several generations of musical fans.”

New York Magazine‘s Sara Holdren wrote: “There’s such genuine joy rolling off the stage in The Prom that you’re ready and willing to forgive it its minor misfires… Did I shed several real tears in The Prom’s final scene? Maybe I did… I also seldom stopped laughing. The show is full of witty delights.”^[16]

Adam Feldman of Time Out Magazine gave the show 4 out of 5 stars, saying “It is cheering to see a musical comedy that engages with modern questions, with a teenage lesbian romance at its center to boot… But while the issues are contemporary, there is a 1980s feel to the character types and the overall style of Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar’s score, which resembles their work in The Wedding Singer; a stronger dose of reality in the lyrics and the book (by Beguelin and Bob Martin) would better justify the show’s eventual turn to sentimental education. But Casey Nicholaw’s peppy direction helps give the show enough momentum to power past its narrative potholes and occasional bumps of heavy-handedness.”

In The Hollywood Reporter, David Rooney called the show “one part satire, packed with delicious theatrical in-jokes delivered with aplomb by game stage veterans playing caricatures of themselves; and one part inclusivity teaching moment, reminding us there’s a place for everyone beneath the Mylar balloons at a high school dance, even in conservative Indiana. If the two halves aren’t entirely seamless, especially in the uneven second act, the show has enough humor and heart to paper over the cracks.”

Reason #5 Your Students will LOVE it! You will feel so trendy because you will know the newest scoop in the show. There’s nothing better than making them happy (it does wonders for your ego too.) The Prom is contemporary, fun, quick witted and entertaining.

I have a Broadway musical lesson for The Prom available at The Prom Broadway Musical Lesson

It 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!
History of Prom and How it Became an Important Event in a Young Person’s Life
Photos (1950’s & 2018)
Plot of the Musical
Separate File of Photos for Teacher’s Use in Lecture
History about the Origination of the Production
Information on the Director, Casey Nicholaw
Information on the composer and choreographer, Matthew Skylar
Information about the Co-Playwrights, Bob Martin & Chad Beugelin
Information about the lyricist, Chad Beugelin
A Shortened Lesson on : What are the Tony Awards?
List of Tony Awards
New York City Map with Competing Theatres Labeled
Student Note Page
Teacher Note Page Key
Trivia about The Prom, LGBTQ rights and Recent Data About Prom
Lyrics from “Just Breathe”–good for class discussions or as a jumping off point
Extension Activities–Terrific Suggestions of Ways to Secure the Learning and Enrich the Experience
Sources & Links to Film Clips from the Show
And More!

If hope you’ll check out The Prom soon. I know I will! What Broadway musical is your favorite? You know I’d love to know more about you. Don’t know much about me? Check out: The Top Reasons to Listen to Podcasts Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

The Top Reasons to Listen to Podcasts

October 13, 2020 By dhcbaldwin 6 Comments

The Top Reasons to Listen to Podcasts

Today, I want to discuss the top reasons to listen to podcasts. Recently, I bought a treadmill. It is my first exercise contraption of this kind. What with winter approaching, I think it’s a good idea to have one since the pandemic keeps our community’s recreation center ( and exercise equipment) closed. I’m enjoying it and the opportunity to learn while I exercise. For the first time, I’ve really gotten into podcasts!

The Top Reasons to Listen to Podcasts

My youngest daughter is an avid podcast listener. She likes them because not only does it keep her mind busy and focused, but helps her not feel isolated as she quarantines with our granddaughter with special needs.

I know podcasts work with learners of a certain kind (aural), but not every knows the value of them. When I was researching this topic, I found keepinspiriringme.com a website focused on personal development. One of the reasons I enjoy blogging is researching new topics to learn about and share with others. I’d never heard of Keepinspiringme.com Awesome.

Podcasting is a business avenue I’ve considered for myself, but as yet I haven’t taken it up. I have all the equipment necessary. I even have video trainings for podcasting, but that’s as far as I’ve reached in my journey. I guess I’m just not ready yet. Right now, I’m learning about marketing with Instagram (and that’s a different blog post all together.) Here’s my most recent podcast interview: “I have a big heart. I’m just intense.” with Jeff King of The Narrative Enneagram.

The Top Reasons to Listen to Podcasts

If you haven’t ever listened to a podcast, I highly recommend it! Here are reasons to listen to podcasts from keepinspiringme.com.

They are free entertainment–whoa! That’s enough reason for me to listen, how about you?
You can listen to them anywhere–while exercising like I do, driving, shopping or merely hanging out at home.
A person can become bored with their music library. Variety is the spice of life. Podcasts give you a breather from your go-to music which can become a little tired sometimes.
They are usually conversations instead of stories. Because podcasts are generally between several people and not just a story, the listener gets more off hand, spontaneous moments which make for lively discussions! If you like the non-fiction genre, podcasts are the place for you.
Podcasts are perfect for mindless chores–folding laundry? cleaning the bathroom? making dinner? You get my point.
A person can even learn about a subject or an industry. That’s cool! Sometimes I am interested in a particular education tip and I search the topic plus podcasts and learn about it through a podcast rather than taking the time to read yet another article or book. (I don’t know about you, but I read all day, every day.)

A Podcast Worth Following

A wonderful fellow named Dr. Jimmy Chrismon podcasts concerning drama education, Thedtalks.com. If you haven’t listened to him, I suggest you do. He has developed his podcast into something very useful to educators. Check it out at: https://thedtalks.com

Dr. Jimmy Chrismon is a theatre educator with 17 years of experience in the public schools of North and South Carolina. Mr. Chrismon currently teaches full time as an Assistant Professor of Theatre Teacher Education at Illinois State University. He was an adjunct theatre faculty member at Winthrop University and Central Piedmont Community College. In addition, he has acted, directed, designed, and produced professionally for 21 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Education from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow.

Jimmy Chrismon Educator

Mr. Chrismon received his Master of Education Degree in Theatre Education from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and he most recently completed his Doctor of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University. In the past, he has also worked for The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and The Lake Norman School of the Arts. Mr. Chrismon currently resides in Bloomington, Illinois.

Here’s a recent podcast interview of m, LISTEN! Or this one, LISTEN

Want to know about my experience as a female entrepreneur who started her business after the age of sixty? LISTEN.

Dr. Chrismon’s Resume

Moreover, Dr. Chrismon’s acting credits include: Lonely Planet, Doubt: A Parable, Company, The History Boys, Godspell, Shadow Box, The Baltimore Waltz, Tick, tick…Boom!, The Little Shop of Horrors, The Odd Couple, Children of Eden, Candide, The Miser, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Crucible, Dracula, The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe, and others.

His directing credits include: Seussical: The Musical, Godspell, Miss Nelson Is Missing, Rent, Spring Awakening, The Importance of Being Earnest, Children of Eden, Tarzan, Aida, All Shook Up, Grease, The Odd Couple, Lonely Planet, Interrupting Vanessa, Medea, the Wizard of Oz, A Raisin in the Sun, A Very Common Procedure, Geography Club, You’re a Good Man, Charlie, Brown, The Laramie Project, and others.

He’s worth listening to, huh?

My Thedtalk podcast interview!

Since I’ve taught since 1979, I’ve been interviewed many times by people in the arts. Jimmy was very refreshing to speak to one hot day in August.

In light of the passing of George Floyd and a well justified focus on Black Lives Matter, many people are writing about the subject of white privilege. My interview with Jimmy includes discussion of a blog post I penned concerning my light bulb moment about white privilege on the stage. The blog post was inspired by this meme.

Check out the post here: Facts You Never Knew about White Theatrical Privilege on the Stage.

Second Podcast Interview

Also, I was interviewed a second time by Dr. Patricia Dickenson from Teacher Prep from Dr. D. She interviewed me about my TPT business. You can listen here: Teacher Side Hustle Turn Your Passion Into Profit. I am the second interview at about 22 minutes.

Here’s another one Drama Education with Deb Baldwin

Podcasting is here to stay. According to https://podcasthosting.org podcasting is a big business!

In the United States alone:

75% of the US population is familiar with the term “podcasting”
50% of all US homes are podcast fans
55% (155 million) of the US population has listened to a podcast
37% (104 million) listen to podcasts at least every month
24% (68 million) listen to podcasts weekly
16 million people in the US are “avid podcast fans”–WHAT?!?
Age of listeners:
- 12-34: 48%
- 35-54: 32%
- 55+: 20%

Okay friends, I had NO idea it was so popular.

In conclusion, I hope you’ll listen to http://www.Thedtalks.com and the October 14, 2020 broadcast about DramaMommaSpeaks. If you’d like to listen to another podcast interview of mine, go to: https://dramamommaspeaks.com/2018/04/06/10788 It focuses on my middle grade award winning book, Bumbling Bea.

Do you listen to podcasts? What are you top reasons to listen to podcasts? I’d love to know about it. Contact me at Dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

August 19, 2020 By dhcbaldwin 2 Comments

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

You’ve arrived at this blog post because you want an answer to– 7 reasons to relax: classroom decor made easy! I think I can help. Although this post was written several years ago, much of it is still as important as it was then. So, read on…

In my opinion, there is one thing about this pandemic which is/was good. Celebrities have been de-mystified. Since everyone is quarantined at home, suddenly we are all alike.

We see people we admire on television or movies or the stage in a whole different light. Gone is the lighting, makeup and hair stylist. When you’ve watched these folks day in and day out for years, you begin to think they are super humans with flawless skin, perfect hair and toned bodies. You expect their homes to be decorated with the latest style and elegantly.

That hasn’t always been the case now that the pandemic has kept most of us at home. I watch Good Morning America every day and I love seeing the newscasters who are televising from home. In particular, Ginger Zee and Robin Roberts appear to have rather normal homes. Ginger usually televises outside or near a window. Robin televises from her basement. The first week, the wall behind her was plain white. I think it’s painted blue now.

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

Robin trades out photos people have sent her after they appeared on GMA with her. Lara Spencer televises from home with her darling dog, Reba who has calmed down considerably since the pandemic began. Lara’s house is beautiful, but I think that’s to be expected since she has an interest in interior design It’s stylish, colorful and but not over the top. I appreciate that.

This is leading me somewhere, honest.

I appreciate finding famous people quotes. Just like watching all these celebrities in their homes as they televise, the quotes give me some insight into the real person, not their public image. Many times you can gather some insight into their growth mindset.

I have a blog post about growth mindset here: Growth Mindset in the Study of Famous Theater Artists

The easiest way to decorate your classroom is with posters. Here are seven reasons which you could use from famous stage actors.

These artists are in the spot light all the time, so it’s easy to find something new they can be quoted for saying.
Use their quotes in a class discussion.
Many are fabulous role models for our students (see Viola Davis and Lin Manuel Miranda, for example.)
They are timely–You can use them all year and they never have to be switched out for others.
If you find the quotes yourself, they are free to use. Check brainyquote.com for ideas.
This is a unique idea. No one else in your school will have them so students won’t see them repeated in anyone else’s room.
They can be used a variety of theater exercises or projects–Use a quote to devise a theater piece or in an improvisation. Wouldn’t that be neat?

Viola Davis

“Your ability to adapt to failure, and navigate your way out of it, absolutely 100 percent makes you who you are.”

Lin Manuel Miranda

“The fun for me in collaboration is, one, working with other people just makes you smarter; that’s proven.”

By the way, here’s a free poster for your use: Lin-Manuel Miranda Poster

Daveed Diggs

The act of being nice to somebody at Starbucks is actually a huge thing. It’s a real change you can effect in somebody’s life every day.”

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

Meryl Streep

“The gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.”

Benedict Cumberbatch

“If you have an over-preoccupation with perception and trying to please people’s expectations, then you can go mad.”

If you are looking for posters for your classroom, I’ve got several. (I could never find what I wanted for my classroom, so I made them myself.) Click HERE.

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

Idina Menzel

“I wish I had read more and majored in literature rather than theatre. I think I would have been a better artist for it. I am trying to play catch-up now.”

Denzel Washington

“I’d be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I’d been given. I’d be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.”

I think it’s a great hobby collecting quotes of all kinds from famous people or books. They lift your mood, help you to express your thoughts, inspire you, give you a different perspective, costs nothing and are tremendously interesting because you select the ones which speak to you. You should try collecting quotes. I have one friend who collects book passages that she loves and notates them in a journal. She’s done this for many years. I wonder how many journals she has filled?

In-depth Investigation of a Remarkable Person

I ran on to the website: technokids.com with an excellent reason to study people and use quotes as a stepping off point.

An in-depth investigation into a remarkable person can fit into almost all curriculum areas: language arts, history, social studies, science, art, or computer studies. Here are some ideas:

Write a Life Story: Practice expository writing. Write an engaging life story that offers insight into a person. Captivate reader’s attention.
Celebrate a Historical Figure: Develop a deeper understanding of a historical period. Research the contributions of a historical figure. Explain their importance to the past and influence on future events.
Acknowledge a Hero: Inspire others with the accomplishments of personal hero, role model, mentor, or newsmaker. Detail their successes and challenges. Outline reasons their efforts are admirable.
Investigate Scientific Contributions: Appreciate amazing research findings and inventions. Outline the path to discovery of a scientist. Explain how their work has improved the lives of others.
Appreciate the Arts: Learn about an art period or artistic style by studying a famous artist. Examine their artwork. Describe its meaning and how it influenced other artists.
Develop Word Processing Skills: Introduce advanced word processing skills in a computer studies course. Learn to customize styles, insert a table of contents, draw a graphic organizer, organize data using tables, adjust page layout, and add bookmarks.

If you are looking for more theater artist quotes, I have two products Growth Mindset Posters for this express purpose.

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

Here is a new set! Drama Class Posters

Each product includes:

This is a set of 24 growth mindset, the arts and character education posters which highlights the subject by quoting famous theater artists. In addition, the set includes suggested uses such as class discussion, improvisation or for an essay. These posters can be displayed all year long or along with a particular theme.

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

These quotes speak about being your authentic self, how to handle failure, what makes the arts and theater special, being versatile, loving yourself and resiliency.

Although these were created for secondary classes, an elementary class could use these as well. The teacher is the expert as to which posters their students should study. Check out: Growth Mindset Posters

I heartily suggest you or your students collect quotes which speak to them. One of my favorites by Ann Landers is, ” People of integrity expect to be believed. They also know time will prove them right and are willing to wait.” Boy, that’s me all over although I don’t like the waiting part….

I’ve just created pendants for the theater classroom! You can find them here: Posters and Pendants Theater Artists Quotes

What is a favorite quote of yours? I’d love to hear it. Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

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7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

The easiest way to decorate your classroom is with posters. Here are seven reasons which you could use from famous stage actors.

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

In-depth Investigation of a Remarkable Person

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

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