community theater

How BookTix Turns Theatre Teachers into Confident Producers

October 18, 2024 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Every so often, I’m fortunate in having a company contact me and ask if I would be willing to recommend them to you. Today, I’m excited to blog about how BookTix turns theatre teachers into confident producers. I’ve directed, taught and produced for over thirty-eight years. As you might expect, I have many memories of box office fiascos. About twenty years ago, I administrated a summer theater camp in Missouri. They were a small company with a large theater venue. Like many of us at the time they were selling their tickets only at the door prior to performance time.

Their biggest problem wasn’t filling the seats. They had no lobby for the audience to wait prior to curtain or stand in a queue to pick up their tickets. Invariably, the ticket line snaked out the door and around the building. What a hassle!

How BookTix Turns Theatre Teachers into Confident Producers

Not only that, but with no box office purchasing system, selling in this manner makes for a late curtain. Consequently, audience members become anxious when they have to wait before a production begins. It can even discourage their applause. I’ve even heard an audience member say, “Why did we have to wait so long for the show to begin? This better be good!”

Additionally, when people see a line at the door, they often assume the event is sold out. I’ve personally seen attendees leave the theater, believing there were no tickets available, simply because we lacked a system to sell tickets in advance. Yikes!

How BookTix Turns Theatre Teachers into Confident Producers

BookTix is one of the first companies in the country (and the world) to address this issue.

Who is BookTix? From their owner, “BookTix helps theatre teachers see themselves as producers – they handle so many roles – fundraising, marketing, ticket sales, etc. We help solve those pieces that become headaches so they can focus on the fun stuff – making art. It’s all about making the lives of teachers easier. We attend many conferences to meet the educators and brainstorm solutions. We pride ourselves helping teachers find loyal audiences and fundraise options so they can have financial and artistic freedom to the work they want to do.”

All ready they sound great, huh?

With BookTix, you will receive access to your own customized selling platform. Your patrons (customers) will be able to click from your website directly to your BookTix portal. This portal is customized to match the branding of your website for a seamless experience for the end user. Your staff will have access to your administrative portal, where they can customize events, items, season passes, donation campaigns and so much more!

Seamless Support and Innovation: How BookTix Elevates Your Production Process

They also provide a platform for you to use and they provide a highly trained customer support team with tons of experience in the event industry. This team can assist you and your staff in setting up & running your portal. If you want to set it up yourself, they include a base of articles or a teacher can sign up for a Webinar to learn how to use the BookTix platform.

BookTix Provides: A state-of-the-art platform that is always updating based on customer feedback and current industry trends; a fully staffed customer support center available by online chat, email, submit a ticket or phone call. We are here for you every step of the way!

What am I expected to provide? As you might expect, you provide the computers, tablets, mobile devices for using the system – as an administrator, box office rep or usher. (We offer support on compatible equipment that is available to purchase.) You provide all staffing and internet for running the system on your end.

BookTix: Simplifying Ticketing with Innovation and Industry Expertise

BookTix is a turnkey system created for the performing arts, and quickly expanded to include all types of events, by individuals that have worked in the industry in various capacities. After building a system for a limited run of an Off-Broadway show, co-owners Jason Goldstein & Tim DiVito knew it was too good to keep to themselves. As producers, they know how complicated ticketing can be. The staff at BookTix is also passionate about the arts and brings many levels of understanding to the development and support offered by the company.

The primary goal of BookTix is to make ticketing easy and affordable. First, BookTix offers a positive patron and brand experience. They are always embracing new technologies to enhance our features. This allows for a diverse array of analytic capabilities and reporting functions. Anticipating the future of ticketing, recently they completely redesigned their system using 15 years of feedback. It is their forward thinking and new tech to deliver an unparalleled system that sets them apart from others.

New 2024 Rollout: Affordable, Feature-Rich System Favored Nationwide

This system began rolling out in early 2024. From the feedback that they gathered, the low cost & improved features make this system preferred to other systems on the market. Booktix works with many towns, cities, counties, school districts, performing arts centers. Additionally, they help athletic associations and other organizations that offer a myriad of events throughout the United States and Canada.

Their system utilizes a digital ticket which patrons can scan at the door when attending events. There is also an option for patrons to print at home, or for the box office to print physical tickets and hold at Will Call. BookTix offers easy to understand reporting and real-time updating of tickets purchased both online and at the box office. Plus, they offer general admission ticketing, reserved seating and even a combination of both!

I think this next asset is incredigle! Their team will create a customized seating chart based on your venue and patrons can select their seats with ease, automatically blocking those seats out for others purchasing concurrently. We offer the ability to include sponsors on your tickets and on your ticketing site. Most features are fully customizable based on your organization’s needs.

Comprehensive Support: Expert Guidance from Setup to Sales with BookTix

BookTix not only checks every box for the technical needs in ticketing, but also brings a team of passionate employees who are ready to assist with any issues that may arise. Additionally, their sales & onboarding teams are available for personalized and group demos to help walk your team through the system. They are happy to answer any questions as you begin your ticketing journey with BookTix, too. Do you need some assistance with logos, color selections, etc? Booktix will help you get set up & make sure your branding is en pointe and will double check that your initial events are all entered correctly and are ready for sales.

Another plus is that their company is their customer support team. It is available 7 days a week and is actively online any time we have an event running in our system. We also have an emergency support line for urgent matters 24/7. Not only is someone available, but they are eager to help you understand the system and sell more tickets! New to teaching and directing on your own? This post is a must-read for you! Play Production for Newbie Theater Teachers: Expectations Versus Reality

Transparent, Flexible Pricing: BookTix Ensures Smooth, Fee-Free Ticketing

And that brings me to my next point about BookTix. They only make money when you sell tickets, so our goal is to ensure your ticketing process is always smooth. There are zero up front charges (unless you are purchasing equipment) and zero monthly or annual fees. We charge 3.75% plus 90¢ USD ($1.20CAD) per ticket. Cash & comp tickets are always FREE! This fee includes credit card fees processed by our partner, Stripe.

Most importantly, you never have to worry about any other fees. When you set up your tickets in the system, you will be able to see what their fees are and adjust your patron fees accordingly. This ensures you receive exactly what you need per ticket. BookTix is 100% cloud based and each organization is provided with their own customizable URL. Patrons use this URL to find information about the organization and all of the events for which they are selling tickets.

Flexible Ticketing and Packages: Simplifying Sales for Any Event or Venue

Do you require package deals for a production such as group rates? Not a problem. The site allows for the unlimited sale of tickets, packages, items and donations for multiple departments. If that isn’t enough for you, they can provide tickets for multiple events at multiple venues all simultaneously. Events can be scheduled for a single date/time or for a range of dates/times.

Introducing the Worry-Free Queue: Stress-Free Ticket Sales Management

One of their newest features is our Worry Free Queue! This new upgrade puts your buyers in a dynamic line to reduce stress on the system and give customers more effective seat selection. You will never have to worry about overloading the system when tickets go on sale!

Additionally, they’ve recently rolled out a new Fundraising Suite. Talk about stress free! You can stay on top of donations, track your goals and thank donors easily with their new array of features designed to make fundraising easier for your organization.

BookTix: A Trusted Leader in Ticketing for Schools and Theaters Across North America

BookTix operates remotely, primarily out of New Jersey, USA. They are pleased to be the de facto ticketing system for school and performing arts organizations across the US and Canada. I can tell they take a lot of pride in being the top choice for many schools and theaters. As you might expect, they have an international footprint and are endorsed and partnered with many industry organizations.

In 2024, BookTix was honored with the Organization of the Year award from the Virginia Thespians for our expertise in online ticketing for their annual event. Moreover, they continue to be a proud member and supporter of the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) as well as the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA). Lastly, they receive the American Association of Community Theater Corporate Award presented to businesses and corporations for significant financial support of community theatre on a regional or national basis.

In conclusion, because of my extensive personal experiences as producer, director and teacher I can recommend BookTix to you with my utmost support. In today’s world, it’s rare to find a company as excellent, helpful and trustworthy as BookTix.

Do you use a platform to handle your box office needs? Looking for something better? I’d love to hear about it. Email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

License Training Musicals: Why You Need to Know Them Now

July 24, 2024 By dhcbaldwin 1 Comment

License Training Musicals: Why You Need to Know Them Now

As a respectful product adopter, I try new products early but carefully. I’m thrilled to share License Training Musicals: Why You Need to Know Them Now. You are going to want to know more about them, too!

I keep up an active Instagram account through my Dramamommaspeaks page. Primarily, teachers follow me there but from time to time other groups join–play publishers, authors and youth theater companies. Recently, a new company joined me. Being the dutiful marketing person that I aspire to be, I checked them out. Simply put, once you learn about this company it is going to rock your world!

License Training Musicals: Why You Need to Know Them Now

License Training Musicals creates specially crafted scripts and resources designed to change the way actors are trained. They provide true equity in learning with equal lines of dialogue, singing solos, and dance opportunities. In addition, these training musicals are a truly unique and fun way to approach musical theater training for school drama teachers, community theaters, students and adults alike!

Are you understanding this yet? Here’s a scenario for you: You are a harried high school theater teacher. Additionally, you are half way through the school year and it is time to study musical theater. You all ready know that your students are wild about musical theater–they sing songs and quote lines from musicals every single day. Having their engagement to the subject isn’t the problem. The problem is everyone wants to be the lead! That’s a wonderful problem to have, but how do you accomplish this?

Of course, you can double cast the show. That’s one of my most favorite ways to give more students stage time. You can learn more about my double casting adventures at: Double Casting a Show? Here’s Advice. What do you do about the rest? More importantly, how do you encourage a student who may have the ability but needs to build their confidence so they feel comfortable singing louder or carrying a show? After searching exhaustively on the web, you discover a new company, License Training Musicals or LTM.com. You are ecstatic! Finally, someone that has solved this problem.

What Makes LTM special?

First, I appreciate their mission statement: “To revolutionize the way musical theater is taught, by eliminating inequity and empowering all students to train as leads on and off the stage!” Inequity is a big challenge theater teachers address every time they cast a show. Plus, inequity can ruin the cast’s chemistry.

Secondly, License Training Musicals creates one act musicals for casts of 1 to 8. Here’s the kicker–everyone has the same amount of lines and songs. What?! Yes, you read that correctly.

Thirdly, the music is just great! It isn’t preachy or juvenile as I find so many other places.

Their show kits contain:

Triple Threat Training Script .PDF
Lead Sheet Music .PDF
Demo Vocal Track .Wav
Piano Melody With Click Track For Rehearsal .Wav
Piano Melody With Instrumental For Rehearsal .Wav
Instrumental Performance Track .Wav

Fourth, and this is almost too good to be true–they really want to HELP your students.

Flexible for any cast type
Affordable for any budget
Includes ALL resources for rehearsals AND performances
Royalty Free FOREVER

If you’d like to learn more about License Training Musicals, watch this youtube video

Let’s Meet the Owners

Pamela Atkinson is the executive director and founder of the company. Among other things, Pam has a Masters in Educ. , Bachelors in Education and a B.S in Business. In addition, she is certified to teach theater. Pam has been on stage as a dancer, actress in print and television, and professional singer in Hawaii, California, Washington State, New York, and in Utah. Along with that, ask her to show you, “Body Language” music video (sort of a joke).

Pamela’s Creativity

She directed choirs, and orchestras, owned a big city dance studio, as well as produced shows and musicals. Pam created a public school dance program called A Step Ahead, and directed collegiate and community dance companies. Also, she danced/choreographed for the NBA Sacramento Kings Fastbreak Dance team. Currently, she is the tech theater teacher in the Nebo School district.

Through her 45 + years in the industry, License Training Musicals is the culmination of her effort to fulfill that mission. You can learn more about her here: LicenseTrainingMusicals

Katie D Higley

Katie Higley is the artistic director, music composer and curriculum creator of the company. At six months old Katie’s mom discovered her humming Silent Night. By age three, she belted out gibberish at the top of her lungs while holding aloft a Readers Digest magazine on the pot!

Since then, she has blossomed into an accomplished “triple threat” performer having been in 22 musicals before graduating high school. Interestingly, she’s a multi-instrumentalist who made it to Hollywood Week as an American Idol contestant not once, but twice!

Katie’s Accomplishments

Katie loves teaching the gifts of music to hundreds of students for the last 16 years as a professional artist development coach. She’s a motivational TEDx speaker, custom songwriter, author of the well loved “Uke Hymnbook”, a screen composer at Primer Chord Production Music in Australia and a self published producer with her music placed worldwide!

As you might expect, Katie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Commercial Music from BYU, she’s certified in Music Technology from RCC with an Honorary Chaplain of Spiritual Music Credential from the WSHO. She serves as the Head Chair of Spanish Fork’s Got Talent Show at Spanish Fork City’s Fiesta Days.

Jessica NS Blackhurst

Jessica NS Blackhurst’s self-proclaimed super power is her ability to find and create stories that remind our souls who we really are and the truth of what this life is all about.

As a youth Jessica coped with loss, financial hardship, and constantly moving for her father’s work by making the theater her home and diving deep into the sacred and uplifting power of storytelling. These passions set her on a course of leadership through storytelling.

Jessica’s Education

Jessica pursued education in every medium through which it is possible to enlighten and uplift with story. For example, she studied English literature, written novels. She trained in stage acting and public speaking, competed in playwriting competitions. Plus, Jessica studied the art of screenwriting and directing (receiving a bachelor’s in media arts from BYU). Jessica has an experienced and proficient hand in songwriting with an emphasis on lyricism. On a daily basis, she applies herself to mastering the particular crafts of a musical theater librettist and lyricist.

Jessica met Katie Higley at BYU in 2010. They have a long history of writing amazing songs and inspiring musicals together many of which they now bring to you here!

Join their Beta Program Now

Are you excited about the possibilities here? Here is where it gets really exciting–LTM is looking for partners who will take time to simply fill out a survey about the shows they finished. They would love feedback on the shows you think may need improvement. Hearing about your experiences helps us create the best possible musical theater resources for your classroom.

Furthermore, they also hope you’ll let us know if there is anything else we can include to make these tools more useful for you and your students!

For more information about the Beta program go to: LTM Beta Program

As an early adopter, I can say without a doubt–you NEED to check out this company now. You won’t regret it. Just think how much better your year will go knowing there is a company creating musical theater resources to better things for your students and you.

Are you all ready familiar with LTM? I’d love to hear your thoughts about them. Feel free to email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

Looking for a unique tool to boost student engagement? Check out my new book, now available as a PDF: We’re Live! Radio Theater #101

Timeless Triumphs: 8 Unforgettable High School Plays

April 28, 2024 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

It’s May and theater teachers are chatting about high school plays they are thinking of directing in the next school. Oh, gosh. I remember those times. Today let’s discuss timeless triumphs: 8 unforgettable high school plays.

As much as you consider and make predictions concerning your student body (how many males, how many females) for future productions, it’s still a crap shoot. For instance, students who have always been ardent theater lovers suddenly decide they want to play soccer in the fall and track in the spring. Sometimes it is difficult to keep a balanced perspective concerning our students’ choices. It is my opinion that a teacher must remind themself that primarily our job is to introduce theater to students who may not have ever considered it before. Hopefully those theater loving students will return to participate in the near future. Looking for the Stella Adler Acting Unit? Go here.

Timeless Triumphs: 8 Unforgettable High School Plays

Every high school drama department seeks that perfect play: the one that captivates audiences, challenges actors, and leaves a lasting impression long after the final curtain call. In the realm of high school theater, certain plays have stood the test of time, earning their place as perennial favorites. Let’s explore eight such masterpieces that continue to enchant audiences and inspire young actors around the world.

1. The Crucible by Arthur Miller:

Drama
Two hours
10 M, 10 F (plus extras)

Set during the Salem witch trials, The Crucible explores themes of hysteria, suspicion, and the consequences of unchecked power. This play tells the story of a village that becomes embroiled in a witch hunt. The people of Salem live in a constant state of fear as more and more people are accused of witchcraft. It is my belief that The Crucible is a perfect high school play, primarily because it offers many students an opportunity to participate. High school productions of Miller’s masterpiece often resonate deeply with audiences, sparking discussions about morality, justice, and the dangers of groupthink.

2. A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare:

Comedy
Two hours
20 characters, equally male and female

Credit: Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh

Timeless Triumphs: 8 Unforgettable High School Plays

3. Our Town by Thornton Wilder:

Drama
Full-Length Play
7w, 17m

This Pulitzer Prize-winning play offers a poignant exploration of small-town life and the passage of time. Narrated by a stage manager, the production is performed with minimal props and sets. However, don’t be swayed by its simplicity. The play depicts the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry. The most poignant moment is eventually – in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre – death.

Thornton Wilder’s final word on how he wanted his play performed is an invaluable addition to the American stage and to the libraries of theatre lovers internationally. With its minimalist staging and universal themes, Our Town provides high school students with a profound theatrical experience that resonates with audiences of all ages.

How about a comedy?

4. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde:

Full-length Play
Comedy
5m., 4w. (1 extra.)

Wilde’s razor-sharp wit and biting satire take center stage in this delightful comedy of manners. Set in England during the late 19th century, the play follows the lives of two young men, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who adopt fictional identities to escape social obligations. Jack invents a brother named Ernest, while Algernon creates an invalid friend named Bunbury.

Not surprisingly, high school productions of The Importance of Being Earnest allow students to revel in the absurdities of Victorian society while honing their comedic timing and delivery. Note: This is a costume heavy show, but I still recommend it to directors because it’s worth the extra money to costume the students appropriately.

Dramatic Play, Anyone?

5. Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee:

Drama
Two Hours
21 men, 6 women, 2 boys, 1 girl, extras Many of the parts can be doubled

Inspired by the Scopes Monkey Trial, Inherit the Wind is a powerful courtroom drama that explores the clash between science and religion, freedom of thought, and the pursuit of truth. This story centers around a Tennessee teacher was tried for teaching the theory of evolution. As you might expect, two persuasive attorneys argue the case in an effort to determine the balance of church and state. High school productions of this play encourage critical thinking and foster discussions about education, censorship, and intellectual freedom.

6. The Giver adapted by Eric Coble from the novel by Lois Lowry:

Drama
4m., 4w., extras as desired or 4m., 2w. with doubling, extras as desired.
90 minutes

Based on Lois Lowry’s dystopian novel, The Giver offers a thought-provoking exploration of a society that suppresses individuality and emotion in pursuit of stability. To begin with, the story follows Jonas, a boy living in a community based on Sameness. During the Ceremony of Twelve, he is selected as the community’s new Receiver of Memory. The old Receiver, who Jonas calls The Giver, transmits generational memories to the young boy by placing his hands on Jonas’s bare back.

High school productions of The Giver allow students to delve into themes of identity, freedom, and the consequences of conformity, sparking important conversations about societal norms and individuality. I directed The Giver for a the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies community theater in Colorado. It was sensational having a mixed age cast, but high school students can excel with it as well. For more information about The Giver, check out: The Reasons I Love The Giver Play

Historical Plays Worth Producing

7. The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett:

Drama
Full Length
5 men, 5 women (3 extras)

Based on the real-life diary of Anne Frank, this powerful play chronicles the experiences of a Jewish family hiding from the Nazis during World War II. High school productions of The Diary of Anne Frank offer students the opportunity to explore themes of resilience, hope, and the human spirit in the face of adversity. I directed The Diary of Anne Frank with a community theater. It was an unforgettable experience for everyone concerned. However, one challenge for us was that the stage was the shape of an octagon. Looking for more information about this high school play? Check out: The Most Important Play I’ve Directed in My 38 Year Career

8. The Miracle Worker by William Gibson:

Drama
Two hours
7 M, 7F (with extras)

Inspired by the true story of Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan, “The Miracle Worker” is a compelling exploration of perseverance, communication, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. William Gibson’s drama chronicles the relationship between the real-life Helen Keller, a young girl from Alabama who was blind and deaf, and her teacher, the Irish, headstrong Annie Sullivan from Boston. It’s sensational theater.

Without a doubt, high school plays such as The Miracle Worker provide students with the opportunity to portray iconic historical figures while delving into themes of empathy, determination, and the transformative power of education.

Why do I select older plays to direct?

When you are a purist as I am concerning high school plays, you stick close to tried and true material. That doesn’t mean I haven’t done my share of more modern plays. I’ve directed a few. However, I think it’s important that our students broaden their knowledge base and ultimately, their resume by participating in the classics. You simply can’t go wrong with them.

In the world of high school theater, these eight high school plays stand out as enduring classics or at the very least of the classic nature.. They continue to captivate audiences and inspire young actors. From thought-provoking dramas to poignant historical narratives, each play offers students the opportunity to delve into complex characters.

These Plays are Winners for High School

As I stated previously, by exploring universal themes students can learn what it takes to create unforgettable theatrical experiences. In short, these high school plays demand it of them. As high school drama departments continue to stage these masterpieces, they ensure that the magic of theater lives on for generations to come.

Do you have a high school play which you would add to this list? I’d love to know about it. Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com.

Directing students in Aladdin, Jr.

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

April 23, 2024 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

Teachers often ask me for middle school play titles. So, let’s talk about this today, 8 middle school plays that work every time. I hope this list will help you as you consider what you’d like to direct in the next school year. Having directed hundreds of play and musical for over 38 years, I have a vast experience in this subject. It is my goal to provide all the details and links that lead you to purchasing a preview of the scripts.

Before you begin reading this post, please know that I am a purist. I don’t do direct cute bunny or zombie storis, if you know what I mean. Frankly, I think a teacher shouldn’t cater to the emotional level of the students but have high expectations of them. What could be better than a play based on a classic novel or one with historical significance?

Here are a few I recommend you read and consider. I’ve listed these scripts in no particular order.

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

Anne of Green Gables adapted by Sylvia Ashby.

Drama/Comedy
9 M and 7 F plus extras
120 minutes in length

Synopsis: A refreshing, contemporary telling of the classic story. Stern Marilla and her warm-hearted brother Matthew hoped to adopt a boy to work on their farm. But the orphanage sends young, befreckled Anne by mistake, and their lives will never be the same. Her warmth and wit affect everyone around her – even, eventually, the cold Marilla. We follow Anne through her rebellious years, her transformation into a young woman, and her romantic pairing with Gilbert. This play has been charming audiences around the world. Read more about this script here: Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

Tom Sawyer adapted by Tim Kelly

Drama/ Comedy
9 to 11M., 12F plus extras
90 minutes in length

The child in all of us never gets tired of reliving again and again the antics and adventures of Tom, Huck, Becky Thatcher and all the rest of Mark Twain’s beloved characters. All the familiar characters are here—Huckleberry Finn, Aunt Polly, Becky Thatcher, Widow Douglas, Muff Potter, Cousin Mary and menacing Injun Joe. The action flows well, and scenes fly by in a lively fashion: the classic “fence-painting” scene, the school lessons from strict Mr. Dobbins, the eerie murder of Doc Robinson in the graveyard at midnight, the pirate journey to Jackson’s Island where buried treasure proves very dangerous, Tom’s side-splitting “funeral,” Tom’s courtship of Becky and other scenes from the immortal classic. If you want a study guide for Tom Sawyer which includes a set design lesson, check out: Drama Lesson Tom Sawyer

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

Number the Stars adapted by Douglas Larche

Drama
7 M and 7 F, extras
80 minutes in length

During the German occupation of Denmark in World War II, the Nazis closed down Jewish-owned businesses and began to round up the Jews for relocation to concentration camps for the final solution. Danish freedom fighters of all ages risked everything in daring, hurried attempts to rescue the entire Jewish population. In this stirring play, young Annemarie and Kirsti Johansen face soldiers, interrogations, fierce dogs, personal danger, the loss of loved ones and their own fears as they try to help their friend Ellen Rosen escape across the ocean to Sweden and safely.

Courage, faith, ingenuity and even their fledgling acting skills eventually win the day. All the drama, pathos, adventure, terror and humor that have made Number the Stars a national best seller (and winner of the Newberry Award and the American Library Association Book of the Year Award) come to life in this powerful adaptation.

Bringing History to Life

If you are looking for a week’s worth of drama class lessons for the first week of school, check out: First Week of School Drama Lessons

Orphan Train by Aurand Harris

Drama/Comedy
6m., 7w., 6 boys, 6 girls, or 11 (1m., 1w., 3 boys, 6 girls) with doubling.
65 minutes in length

The play tells the story of nine orphans on an “orphan train” that left New York City on May 28, 1914. The train travels to Midwestern towns in search of homes, any homes, anywhere for the orphaned and unwanted children. There’s Mary, Evie, spunky Pegeen, Annie and Little Lucy, a quiet one. Other orphans include Frank (who later becomes Frankie, a small girl), Raymond, Lucky and Danny the song-and-dance boy. And there are the men and women hoping for children. The lonesome whistle wails as the train chugs between encounters of anxiety, laughter, wistfulness, rejection and acceptance. Eight stories unfold, each a memorable surprise. The Orphan Train is a charming heart-warmer and all we expect from one of legendary playwrights for children, Aurand Harris. The staging creates a highly theatrical story, moving, amusing and always tellingly human.

More Middle School Plays

The Princess Who Became King

Drama
6w, 14m, 5 any gender (youth)
90 minutes in length

From the author of the very popular Anne of Green Gables. Freely adapted from an Indian tale, this spritely comedy serves up a blend of love, adventure and intrigue. On the eve of their wedding, Ravi and Parijata flee from their homes because their fathers are feuding — due to the schemes of an ambitious Guru. Parijata’s father is the terrible tempered Raja; Ravi’s father is the foolishly superstitious Sultan. On a dangerous forest journey, the Princess loses her amazing performing monkey, Zmarti, and is kidnapped by Gumba, a cloddish thief. After numerous chases and mistaken identities, the play ends in happy reunion and reconciliation and a surprise coronation! This play can be produced with colorful, elaborate scenery, or with almost no scenery at all.

Story Theater stories from Grimm Brothers and Aesop adapted by Paul Sills.

Drama/Comedy
When I direct this play, I split up the stories and used as many students as I needed for each one.
90 minutes in length

Mr. Sills started in New Haven and wound up on Broadway with this group of famous fables from the Grimm Brothers and Aesop. Here you will meet again Henny Penny, the Golden Goose, Venus and the Cat, the Fisherman and His Wife, the Robber Baron, the Bremen Towson Musicians, and other favorites. The fables require talented actors with expressive bodies. And make no mistakes about the quality: this is top-drawer adult theatre.

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

The Little Princess adapted by June Walker Rogers

Drama
6m 13F
90 minutes in length

Sara Crewe is one of the most beloved fictional heroines, and June Walker Rogers has brought her to life in this funny, sad, wonderfully imaginative adaptation. Audiences will identify with Sara as she begins her adventures in “Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies”; laugh with her as she brings happiness to others; weep with her as her fortune changes from rich girl to poor orphan; and rejoice with her when strange events bring still another reversal of her destiny. This is a lovely play!

The Emperor’s New Clothes

Comedy
11 actors, flexible (many of the roles can be played by men or women).
50 minutes

A bright, crisp, well-tailored dramatization of the Hans Christian Andersen tale. Snip and Tuck, two swindlers posing as tailors, weave a jolly trick on Emperor Velvet, who is willing to sacrifice his castle, friends—even his Empress Velveteen and their children, Prince Terry Cloth and Princess Polly Ester—to buy the most luxurious new clothes available. As you might expect, the “tailors” pull the wool over everybody’s eyes until a homespun boy has the courage to speak the unadorned truth, and all the fools are uncovered at last—and the swindlers are turned over to Shroud, keeper of the (shh-whisper) dungeon. The cleverly patterned characters and silky smooth plot will keep your audiences in stitches. Sharon A. Cole brought the characters to life with strong but humorous personalities that your cast members will love playing. Every role is a gem.

The Bridge to Terabithia Adapted by author, Katherine Patterson

Drama
3 Male 6 Female
90 minutes in length

This powerful adaptation, supported by a lyrical score, focuses the humor, warmth and emotional intensity of Katherine Paterson’s Newbery Award winning novel.

Jesse, alienated from the pragmatism of his family and rural Virginia culture, draws and dreams of becoming something special. Then the new girl, Leslie, who just moved in from the city and the ultimate outsider, opens a world of imagination, art and literature for him

Together they create Terabithia, a fantasy kingdom where they are safe from those who don’t understand them. Their friendship grows as Jesse’s world expands. However, when tragedy strikes, the strength gained in Terabithia takes Jesse forward on his own and lets him share the magic of his dreams

Lastly, I wanted to include one of my favorites to direct around Halloween. It’s just fun!

It’s a Howl! by Tim Kelly

Comedy
8 M and 14W
90 minutes in length

Teenager Jane Hastings inherits remote and creepy Wolfbane Abbey. It’s a combination school and clinic for students who have trouble “adjusting.” No wonder – they’re werewolves! To begin with, the doctor who runs the Abbey decides Jane must be driven out of her mind so he can be trustee. This isn’t as easy as it sounds – even though the place is filled with more horrors than a wax museum. With two friends, Jane does her best to sort out the Abbey’s problem and “curse.” The characters are great fun to play in this fast-paced spoof, including bewildered police, a werewolf hunter, weird students, a gypsy who spends most of her time in a scary laboratory, and a reporter from a scandal magazine. And that’s just for openers…don’t forget the vampire. Not surprisingly, laughs collide with screams and the ending has plenty of bite.

Looking for a few other plays that might be successful with your students? Check out: The Ten Reasons Everyone Produces The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Looking for bundles of drama lessons for middle school? You know I’ve got you covered. Bundle Volume 3 Middle School Drama Units

Whew! That’s quite a list. Have you directed any of these plays? I’d love to hear about your experiences. Email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

Click here: We’re Live! Radio Theater #101

Discovering Creativity: A Drama Camp Fairy Tale Adventure

April 16, 2024 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Discovering Creativity: A Drama Camp Fairy Tale Adventure

Today let’s talk about discovering creativity: a drama camp fairy tale adventure. I heartily love summer for many reasons, do you? Before I retired one of my favorite things to do in the summer, was to run a two week summer drama camp. Since I ran summer drama camps for thirty-eight years, this is one thing I really have down. Are you thinking of running a camp this summer?

Drama campers having a little coloring time break!

Summer is a perfect time for students to learn about subjects that they either do not have available to take in their school, or wish to learn more in depth. Enter my Summer Drama Fairy Tale Camp Curriculum!

Designed to ignite creativity and foster confidence, this immersive program offers eight dynamic lessons encompassing costume design, set creation, chanting, movement, storytelling, tableau theater, sound effects, and stage properties. Whether you’re planning a short spring break camp or a summer extravaganza, this comprehensive resource is your ticket to a stress-free and engaging experience for campers of all ages.

Summer Camp of Bye Bye Birdie

Discovering Creativity: A Drama Camp Fairy Tale Adventure

Tableau Theater:
Campers kick off their fairy tale adventure by delving into the art of tableau theater. Then, through group exercises and improvisation, they learn how to create striking frozen scenes. These poses cleverly convey emotion and narrative without words. This lesson sets the stage for exploring composition, expression, and storytelling through stillness.

Set Design Masterclass:
In this hands-on workshop, campers discover the magic of set design. From fantastical landscapes to royal castles, students brainstorm and sketch their own designs. At the same time, they learn how to bring their imaginative visions to life on stage. With the templates provided, they explore the intricacies of set pieces required for each setting, sparking their creativity and transport potential audiences to far-off lands.

Pick up my FREE Scope and Sequence Drama Curriculum here.

Lessons During Drama Camp

Chanting and Choral Performance:
Campers harness the power of voice and rhythm as they explore chanting and choral performance techniques. Through vocal warm-ups and group exercises, they develop their vocal skills and create captivating chants. These chants can be used to enhance the atmosphere of their fairy tale world in the play. As a result, this adds depth and authenticity to their performances.

Movement and Characterization:
Through movement exercises and character exploration, campers learn how to embody the personalities and traits of their favorite fairy tale characters. From graceful princesses to mischievous trolls, they discover the physicality and nuances that bring characters to life on stage. Ultimately, this fosters a deeper understanding of character development and expression.

First day of camp read through

Storytelling:
Campers delve into the art of storytelling, learning how to captivate audiences with their words and imagination. Through interactive games and exercises. In addition, they explore narrative structure, character development, and audience engagement. They hone their storytelling skills and unleashing their creativity in the process. Plus, there is a whole day set aside for everyone to tell a story of their own life!

Wind machine

Creating Sound Effects and Beginning Playwriting:
In this interactive workshop, campers explore the world of sound effects. They do so by learning how to use everyday objects to create magical sounds and immersive audio environments. Working in small groups, the campers experiment with creating sound scenes by incorporating them into a short scene. The student write their own scene and performing them for their peers. Consequently, they discover how sound can enhance the atmosphere and drama of their performances.

Costume Design Workshop:
Campers unleash their creativity as they explore the art of costume design. From princess gowns to wizard robes, they conceptualize, sketch, and create costumes design. The campers discover how they can bring their own fairy tale character to life. With four design templates provided, they have the freedom to customize their designs and express their unique vision.

Playing a game during camp

Stage Properties:
Campers get hands-on experience studying stage properties and learning how to categorize props through fun activities. They discover the magic of stage properties, from magical wands to treasure chests, unleashing their creativity and attention to detail in bringing the world of fairy tales to life. If time allows, they can even make a few props for your production!

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning

I’m a student of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning. Bloom’s Taxonomy focuses on cognitive development of intellectual abilities and skills. The cognitive learning domain can be classified in declarative and intellectual skills. Intellectual skills include concepts, principles, procedures and rules which are applied in instances beyond instruction. In other words, it isn’t enough for a student to merely learn about something. They need to apply it for the students to retain the learning.

Culminating in a Captivating Performance:
As the grand finale of the fairy tale adventure, campers bring the beloved classic “The Brave Little Tailor” to life on stage. With roles for 25+ students, this enchanting one-act play showcases the talents and creativity of young actors, transporting audiences to a world of adventure, courage, and magic.

Synopsis: “The Brave Little Tailor” follows the journey of a humble tailor who, through his wit and bravery, embarks on a series of daring adventures. From a outsmarting giant to overcoming posses of flies, the tailor’s courage knows no bounds as he proves that even the smallest individual can achieve great things. In the end, even the King and Queen of the kingdom get involved. And let’s not forget that fun song that’s included. (optional)

Throughout the camp, DramaMommaSpeaks’ resources help directors foster a supportive and inclusive environment where campers can express themselves creatively, build confidence, and forge lasting friendships. With a treasure trove of lessons and a captivating finale, the Fairy Tale Adventure curriculum promises to ignite the spark of imagination and leave a lasting impression on all who participate.

Would you like a preview of the resource? Click SUMMER CAMP UNIT EBOOK PREVIEW YDP PDF-min.

This unit is valued at $50.00, but you will be paying much less.

Group hug at end of camp cast party

Life Lessons Learned at Summer Camp

One website, Simplelocalbillings.com had a nice article about the value of summer camp, “In the safe surroundings of summer camp, you can push yourself past your comfort zones and release your inner child in a judge-free environment. You learn to have faith in both yourself and the people around you, so that whatever seems scary, different, or impossible is often achievable at camp.”

Making New Friends at Camp

Another asset of summer camp is that students make new friends outside of their school. This is important! These experience demonstrate to the students that they are more than just the school they attend. By doing so, it gives them a new and different perspective on themselves and how they fit into the world.

In conclusion, I hope you’ll consider purchasing this 136 page resource. You’ll find it here. It will not only give you everything you need to be successful in your camp, but help to provide opportunities for students to learn as well as be joyful.

What camps have you created? I’d love to hear about them. Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

The Art and Impact of Stage Readings

December 6, 2023 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Let’s consider the art and impact of stage readings. Last weekend, I had a very rare opportunity-performing! Not only did I act, but I was directed by a former student of mine, Melissa Trieweiller. Plus, I was the first person to play the role of Olga, an old nun held against her will in the Russian Gulag. This was a stage reading of a up-and-coming new play, The Gulag Girls by Shea Ketchum sponsored by Kansas City Public Theatre’s Theater Lab.

In the vast and captivating realm of theater, stage readings stand as a unique and powerful form of artistic expression. Unlike traditional plays with elaborate sets and full-fledged productions, stage readings bring scripts to life through the spoken word, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the raw and unadorned essence of the story.

The Essence of Stage Readings

At its core, a stage reading is a live performance where actors read from a script, typically without costumes, sets, or extensive rehearsals. The primary focus is on the text itself. The actors’ voices become the vehicles for conveying the story, emotions, and character dynamics. This minimalistic approach places a spotlight on the narrative and the nuances of the dialogue. Additionally, stage readings allow the audience to engage more deeply with the words and the subtleties of the language.

The Creative Process

While the absence of elaborate staging may make stage readings seem straightforward, the creative process is intricate and demands a keen understanding of the script. In our case, we only performed/read the first act of Gulag Girls, because the second act was yet unfinished. In many ways, this made it more of a challenge for us actors.

In this particular circumstance, our job is to breathe life into our characters without knowing the whole story of the play. As you might expect, there was no blocking. Consequently, we were relying solely on our vocal delivery and emotional expression. Our director, a former student of mine, did a wonderful job guiding us and ensuring that the essence of the narrative was communicated effectively.

Shortened Rehearsal Schedule

One of the reasons I agreed to be a part of this stage reading was its rehearsal schedule. We met twice last week for three hours each time and performed the reading once. The rehearsal process for a stage reading is often condensed compared to a full-scale production. Rehearsals for stage readings requires actors to quickly develop a profound understanding of their characters, their relationships, and the overall story arc. Got any budding playwrights in your classes? Check out: Creative Writing/Playwriting Dialogue

Ladies looking over their scripts double checking the material before we performed.’

One Challenge

In our case, we did not have a completed story arc. Consequently, I had to hypothesize what might happen in the second act which would color the first one. The challenge of a stage reading lies in creating a compelling performance that captivates the audience while working within the constraints of minimal visual elements. In other words, it takes actors who are excellent at their craft to make a stage reading exciting and worth attending.

Occasionally, some of the women (including myself) had moments when we were merely reading the script. Whenever I’d realize this about myself, I’d slow down. This forced me to concentrate on what I was saying, not what I was reading. In fact, I believe it takes just as much concentration and focus to portray a role in a stage reading as a full production–maybe more.

Impact on Performers

For actors, stage readings provide a unique and enriching experience. Stripped of the usual theatrical embellishments, performers are forced to rely on their vocal skills and emotional range to convey the depth of their characters. Probably most important is the emphasis on the spoken word. This fosters a deep connection between the actor and the audience. Furthermore, the nuances of language and delivery take center stage.

For several years, my husband and I attended the Denver Center for Performing Arts Play Summits. I remember we fully enjoyed them. However, we found ourselves to be mentally exhausted afterward. We worked hard imagining the plays as they unfolded, but that was part of the fun of the experience.

My Directing of Stage Readings

If you have never directed a stage reading, I highly recommend that you do! Stage readings offer actors the opportunity to engage with a wide range of scripts and characters without the intensive time commitment of a full production. I directed two of them at a middle school–Holes (which included several teachers in the cast) , A Christmas Story and Bridge to Terabithia. Our focus was not about reading a new play, but having extra opportunities for students to participate with very little friction for them to do so. These three plays are all ready published.

Additionally, stage readings are much less expensive to produce than a full production. Depending upon the playwright and how new the play is, you could pay them a stipend for the opportunity to introduce their show or give them a portion of your ticket sales. However, they may look at the opportunity to have their show heard as payment enough.

Where can you find these new scripts? They are everywhere. Join a few theater teacher Facebook groups and ask around. There are playwrights who frequent those groups. Luckily, they are looking for theaters to product their new plays–at little to no cost for you.

Stage Readings in the School Setting

My goal in directing stage readings was to give more students an opportunity to perform. We’d only rehearse for five weekdays, then put up the production. These extra productions gave performers additional opportunities to hone their craft. They could experiment with different genres. Definitely, it gave students an opportunity explore characters they might not have the chance to portray in a traditional play.

You can keep your expenses down by directing a stage reading, too. There is no set to build, only chairs and music stands are needed. Usually, my students would dress in some sort of costume of their choosing using street clothes. However, the costume was more of a suggestion to the character than anything else.

The Art and Impact of Stage Readings

In the photo above, you’ll see a backdrop was configured for this play. This is an option for you if you want to give the play a little more life, but it is not expected.

Impact on Audiences

For audiences, stage readings offer a unique and intimate experience. The absence of elaborate sets and costumes allows spectators to use their imagination. Consequently, this creates a more personal connection with the narrative. By focusing on the spoken word audiences are encouraged to actively listen. This cleverly draws the audience into the intricate layers of the script.

Moreover, stage readings often feature new or lesser-known works, providing audiences with a sneak peek into the creative process. There’s the potential for discovering hidden gems. Additionally, the simplicity of the presentation allows for a more immediate and unfiltered connection between the audience and the story being told. This fosters a shared experience of discovery.

A Full Circle Moment

This stage reading experience was a full circle for Melissa Trierweiler and I. I’ve directed Melissa several times since she was a student of mine when she was twelve years old. Now a grown woman, it is her turn to direct me. The experience was very special for both of us.

Have you ever considered teaching or directing radio theater? Check out this post. Top Reasons Teachers Succeed When Teaching With Radio Theater

PHCoffee was our theater for the evening.

In conclusion, I encourage you to consider adding a stage reading to your school season. In the tapestry of theatrical expression, stage readings weave a distinctive thread. They emphasize the power of the spoken word and the richness of storytelling. Stage readings open the door to a realm where language and emotion reign supreme. Not surprisingly, they captivate both performers and audiences alike.

As a form of artistic exploration, stage readings stand as a testament to the enduring potency of the written word. Moreover, they transcend the boundaries of traditional theatrical conventions. So, try producing a stage reading! You never know. Perhaps there are some hidden talents in your school who think this experience would be very cool. Maybe they’ll audition for you? Got reluctant students in your class, check out this post, Ten Ways to Teach Reluctant Students in Your Theater Class.

Have you directed any stage readings? What are your opinions of them? I’d love to hear from you. Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

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Discovering Creativity: A Drama Camp Fairy Tale Adventure

Discovering Creativity: A Drama Camp Fairy Tale Adventure

Lessons During Drama Camp

Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning

Life Lessons Learned at Summer Camp

Making New Friends at Camp

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The Essence of Stage Readings

The Creative Process

Shortened Rehearsal Schedule

One Challenge

Impact on Performers

My Directing of Stage Readings

Stage Readings in the School Setting

Impact on Audiences

A Full Circle Moment

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