High School

9 Compelling Reasons Why You Need Lessons Using Super Heroes

April 18, 2023 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

9 Compelling Reasons Why You Need Lessons Using Super Heroes

Have you ever experienced a “Eureka” moment while teaching? You know those moments where everything just clicks and everyone is surprised, especially you? In this case it was super heroes. Let’s talk about 9 compelling reasons why you need lessons using super heroes.

I’ve shared several times that I taught a pre-elective drama class to sixth graders for thirteen years. If you’d like more information about that time, check out: How to Make Your Drama Class More Successful –Lessons Learned from 38 Years of Teaching-Middle School. One of the most exhausting parts of it was the constant lesson planning.

If you are at all like me, you know that the “lesson planning monkey” on your back is demanding. And relentless. Finally, in desperation one week, I took a stab and did something completely spontaneous with my students. I used super heroes in all my lessons for a week. The students were thrilled and I was, too!

Did you know that super heroes have been a part of our world for nearly one hundred years?

During the late 1930’s to 1950’s, the Golden Age of Comic Books were created. Modern comic books were first published and rapidly increased in popularity among the masses. The superhero archetype was created and many well-known characters were introduced, including Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Captain America, and Wonder Woman. Most superheroes served as a figure who inspired hope. This hero could save us all from dark and difficult times. Superhero stories promote the ideas of peace, safety and freedom. Some experts consider this message a necessary reassurance in difficult times. The message isn’t about a country succeeding, but recognition that there are others with similar hope for a peaceful future

If I’ve convinced you to consider utilizing super heroes in your teaching, read on!

9 Compelling Reasons Why You Need Lessons Using Super Heroes

When I began writing this blog post, I ran on to a wonderful website, Momjunction.com who stated:

Reason #1: Superhero play gives kids the chance to pretend to be strong and invincible,

Reason #2: They encourage students to make new friends and helps them develop an identity outside of real life.

Reason #3: Super heroes help children explore moral values and dilemmas and to establish what they and others perceive as right and wrong.

Reason #4: They help children build their confidence. Exposing students to the fantastic world of superheroes may help them come out of the shell and encourage them to face the world with renewed confidence.

Reason #5: Also, they act as role models. Superheroes can be good role models as they teach children various attributes such as courage, honesty, humility, fighting spirit, sense of responsibility, and leadership.

Reason #6: Super heroes instill compassion. Because they are aware of their superiority, it gives the a different perspective on others. They know that they could destroy most everything and everyone. Consequently, they understand their actions–both physical and emotional are not only necessary but need to be governed at all times.

What Superheroes Teach Us About Strength, Teamwork, and Joy

Reason #7: They teach willpower and courage. Super heroes don’t give up at the first failure. They keep trying until they read their goal.

Reason #8: As you might expect, they model teamwork. When super heroes work together they know they must share the burden of the challenge and employ the best in each other. All team members respect each other’s opinions and capabilities while collectively working towards the common goal.

Reasons #9 They are just plain fun. Super Heroes and their quests take us to a different place in our imaginations where anything is possible. Pick up some fun supplies for your super hero week here: Super Hero Teaching Supplies

Have I convinced you yet to use super heroes in your teaching?

This is How I Can Help You

Maybe you need some ready-made lessons? I have a brand new Dramamommaspeaks store where you can purchase a few lessons with a superhero theme.

Each lessons focuses on a different theme–playwriting (the monologue), tableau and movement, costume design and storytelling.

A teacher could use them as is in their drama classroom or a reading teacher could integrate them into a unit about super heroes. Usually students in grades 5 to 8 enjoy them the most, but you know your students the best so you decide. You can purchase them at Payhip.com or Teacherspayteacher.com.

My Teaching Style

You may find my lessons to be quite unique–there’s a reason. Since I taught theater classes for nearly forty years, I had the rare opportunity to watch theater subjects unfold and change over many years. I got to see first hand what worked and what wasn’t so successful. For instance, there was a time when we didn’t even try to teach technical theater, but now we have lots of units about them.

During this time, I noticed that middle and elementary teachers were using themed units to teach particular concepts or objectives. The students appeared very excited by them. Hence, when I was exhausted from planning I turned to using themes to teach theater concepts and it worked wonderfully. Here is one for Halloween: Halloween Drama Lessons and Units

If you want to learn more about how to integrate drama into your classroom, check out: How to Excite Students With Drama Integration

What are some themed units you’ve taught? I’d love to hear about them. Email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com and let’s chat!

How to Excite Students With Drama Integration

March 30, 2023 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Today, I want to blog about “How to Excite Students With Drama Integration”–one of my favorite subjects! I have an Instagram Profile which I maintain regularly. My followers are comprised of teachers who see the importance of drama but are unconfident using it. They are looking for a teaching method concerning how to excite students with drama integration.

Usually that’s not what they mention, however. It’s more implied by statements such as “I just can’t get my students to do anything.” Or “They are too busy being too cool for school.” Or, “They are completely checked out in my class.”

No one wants to say aloud what they are really thinking, “Help someone!” I can tell by the number of likes I receive and my checking out their own IG account posts, these teachers want to use this fabulous tool with their students. They aren’t convinced they can do it with success. I’m here to tell you that you can!

While we are on this subject….Did you know I have the secret to boosting student engagement? My new book, “We’re Live! Radio Theater #101” explains my journey to implementing this unique tool in the classroom. Check it out here

How to Excite Students with Drama Integration

I’m continually seeking the perfect magic words to get these teachers to cross the bridge from belief to action. Understanding these are very busy people with far too much on their plate, I know it’s difficult to take a few minutes and consider strategies for student engagement.

Here I sit smiling at them through my IG profile. Drama integration has been a part of my life since I was ten years old and in fourth grade when I played Queen Isabella. That was in 1966! My teacher engaged me right from the beginning by our class performing a short play about the meeting between Queen Isabella and Christopher Columbus. ( I always thought it was so funny because the boy who played Christopher was named Christopher himself!)

But I digress…

If you are someone searching for a way to integrate drama into your classroom, you came to the right blog. I could give you my opinion, but sometimes we learn better from people of which we are unfamiliar. Let’s see what other teachers and researchers discovered.

How does drama help in the classroom?

Drama encourages them to think and act creatively, thus developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can be applied in all areas of learning. Through drama, children are encouraged to take responsible roles and make choices – to participate in and guide their own learning.

How does drama help in the classroom?

Drama stimulates them to think and act creatively, thus developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can be applied in all areas of learning. Through drama, children are nurtured to take responsible roles and make choices – to participate in and guide their own learning. Check out this resource to use in your language arts class: You can find it on Teacherspayteachers.com at: The Cask of Amontillado radio play script. Don’t know how to teach radio theater? Check out my Made by Teachers Store: Radio Theater Unit or in my TPT store: Radio Theater Unit

Drama in the Reading Classroom

Plays inherently come with built-in strategies to help students read better. The acting out of play dialogue compels readers to work more closely with the text to interpret it and project meaning into the experience. As a result, students show improvement in vocabulary, comprehension, and retention.

Researching the drama integration subject, I ran on to Jane Udalla’s article, “The Effect of Drama Based Instruction on Reading Comprehension which states, “Drama-based activities can help struggling readers to “feel” the story, because students report being able to experience the emotions of the characters. Consequently, the students make personal connections to the text and characters while experiencing comparable emotions. As you would expect, this experience inside the story changed students’ ability to comprehend.” Because it is made real to them, the story reading stays with them.

Drama in the social studies classroom

Language Arts Teacher, Michelle Pieczura states in her article Decidedly Dramatic! The Power of Creative Drama in Social Studies, “Creative dramatics, a highly effective method for integrating arts education into core curriculum. It produces a positive and lasting impact on student learning, in terms of creative and critical thinking, language development, listening, comprehension, retention, cooperation, and empathy and awareness of others.

Creative dramatics not only has the power to bring curriculum to life, but also to stimulate active involvement in the development of conceptual understandings.” Personally, I think social studies is a fabulous place for a drama integration.

If you would like more information about how to integrate drama into social studies, check out my post: The Reasons Teaching Multiculturalism in the Classroom is Vitally Important or peruse my Teacherspayteachers.com product–Multicultural Readers Theater Units or check out The Magic Lake in my Payhip store.

Drama in the math classroom

How to Excite Students With Drama Integration

I know it’s difficult to believe, but drama can also make a math classroom sizzle with excitement! Here is one example. In the article, The Effects of Drama on At-Risk Students, by Patrick Kariuki and Steven G. Humphrey stating, “In a higher education classroom, a teacher used stories of mythology to help students understand statistical problems.

This teacher reasoned that storytelling is effective because it allowed him to share with students certain symbols– such as myths that everyone could understand. Furthermore, it also placed unfamiliar concepts in a more familiar setting. If you are intrigued by this idea, check out how to use Native American folk tales: 370 Million Indigenous People Want You to Know About Their Cultures

Outside help for your school

Maybe you would like to provide a full-scale musical production at your school as a way to engage students more fully? The Jump Start Theatre program is your answer.

The Jumpstart Theatre Program

The JumpStart Theatre program creates sustainable theatre arts programs in middle schools where there previously were none. Participating schools are chosen through a rigorous application process and receive training, materials. Plus there is budget support to produce their first full-scale musical production. The support continues for three years until the program becomes self-sustaining.

Non-theatre teachers are equipped with skills and resources to produce their school’s first musical through a proven combination of bootcamp style training and hands-on mentoring. The Educational Theatre Foundation operates JumpStart Theatre through a national network of regional theatre company partners who are selected based on their track-record of success in running educational programs for children. In my opinion, this is just wonderful!

JumpStart Theatre partners are: Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Ga.; La Jolla Playhouse, La Jolla, Calif.; Mountain City Center for the Arts, Frostburg, MD; Stages St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; and The Children’s Theatre, Cincinnati, OH.

Drama Integration through Radio Theater

Here’s how I can help you. A fabulous way to use drama in your classroom is through radio theater. Now. hear. me. out! Radio theater, now in existence for 100 years, is the predecessor to podcasts. (Ask your students if they know what a podcast is–they will!) I understand the actress Amy Poehler is starting a podcast series, Say More with Dr? Sheila. It will feature 30 comedic episodes spread across three seasons, starring Poehler as a couples therapist with questionable methods and credentials. Each ten-episode season will focus on a central character and distinct theme; however, characters will make crossover appearances across stories and seasons.

The great part of that news is that if one actor does this, more will come!

Harry Potter is entering the podcast scene

Recently, it was announced a brand-new co-production of the original Harry Potter stories, will revisit the beloved listening experience for the first time ever. Scheduled for late 2025, these full-cast audio productions will bring these iconic stories to life as never heard before, offering immersive audio entertainment through high-quality sound design in Dolby Atmos, stunning scoring, a full range of character voices, and real-world sound capture.

Some people would rather just jump in to learn about this incredible tool by experiencing it on their feet. In that case, I have radio play scripts available (The Invisible Man, The Monkey’s Paw, Cask of Amontillado, Bow Wow Blues, The Frozen Pirate, It Could Always Be Worse, The Brave Little Tailor, etc.) You can find them here: Dramamommaspeaks Products

How to Excite Students with Drama Integration

As teachers we know that teaching strategies play an important role in classroom instruction. Without the use of a strategy, teachers would be aimlessly projecting information that doesn’t connect with learners or engage them. Luckily, these strategies help learners participate, connect, and add excitement to the content being delivered. That, my friend, is where drama integration comes in!

I hope you’ll consider integrating drama into your classroom. I am always here to help you should you need me or need a sympathetic ear. Just email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com Want to check out my new teacher guidebook, “We’re Live! Radio Theater #101? It’s available on Amazon and in my Dramamommaspeaks store.

Top Reasons Teachers Succeed With Teaching Radio Theater

March 2, 2023 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Top Reasons Teachers Succeed With Teaching Radio Theater

Let’s discuss the top reasons teachers succeed when teaching with radio theater. If you follow my blog, then you know this is a subject I speak about quite frequently. Why? First and foremost, teaching with radio theater is a marvelous teaching tool! When you really like something do you tell a lot of people? So let’s talk about the top reasons teachers succeed when teaching with radio theater!

The Top Reasons Teachers Succeed Teaching with Radio Theater Performing Arts — Temple Theater/Caroline’s Center for the Performing Arts

My Journey with Radio Theater

I taught a pre-elective drama class to 500 sixth graders every year for thirteen years. Ending the six weeks with a performance was a challenge for me. I’m a creative being and just can’t do the same thing over and over (as my good friend, a Home Economics teacher, could make cookies and sew pillow cases ad infinitum). Yikes! Consequently, after about a year I ran dry on ideas of short class plays. To solve the problem, I began adapting multicultural folk tales into short class plays. You can read about it here. The Reasons Teaching Multiculturalism in the Classroom is Vitally Important

Although this was a terrific answer to my problem and the students were happy, it wasn’t working enough for me. I remembered that I once participated in a radio theater performance. I loved the format! When the performance ended, I realized it would be a terrific unit to create for my class. Yet, I had questions. Could radio theater work in my classroom as well? Would the students enjoy it? Could I locate radio theater scripts for this purpose? Plato said, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” He was spot on, huh?

Me directing the radio play, It’s a Wonderful Life

Desperate to find scripts, I scoured the internet (which was brand new at the time BTW) and ran on to the Museum or Radio and Television website. They offered family workshops producing a radio play. Excitedly, I wrote them begging for guidance about my teaching plan and they were very generous sending me six radio theater scripts. I’ll never be able to repay them for helping me to start my program.

Did you know I have the secret to boosting student engagement? My new book, “We’re Live! Radio Theater #101” explains my journey to implementing this unique tool in the classroom. Check it out here

Immediate Success

The first time I directed a radio theater play, I noticed the students were immediately engaged! Even the reluctant students or those with severe learning challenges who were accompanied by an aid. Everyone talked about them outside of my class. Even their core teachers mentioned the students shared with them their excitement and anticipation of their public performance.

Had I run on to something which could make all of us happy?

After several years of using those scripts and adapting other short stories I found, I took a chance and wrote my own. That’s when Bow Wow Blues was born. Check it out here: Bow Wow Blues Play Script and Unit

In 2017, at the encouragement of a good friend, I uploaded my script Bow Wow Blues in my TPT store. I guess teachers and students really like it– I’m flattered. To date I’ve sold over 500 copies. If you’d like to learn more about Bow Wow Blues, go to: Bow Wow Blues Script and Radio Theater Unit

Utilizing Radio Theater in the Classroom

Having ate, slept and breathed radio theater for over thirty years, it is very easy for me to defend its use in the classroom.

It’s creative–Talk about using your imagination! Admittedly, I’m a stickler for using live sound effects. It’s not enough to honk a bicycle horn. Sometimes the sounds are difficult to duplicate. That is where the creativity comes in. Supporting creativity and problem solving is a natural part of radio theater. Ever heard of “complicating the sound?”
It’s a perfect example of differentiated instruction–Because a teacher gives students choices as to where they’d like to serve in the cast or sound effects team, it gives them an opportunity to learn at the pace in which they are comfortable.
Listening skills are strengthened–Everyone’s listening becomes more attuned to one another. Plus, listening for one’s cues and creating sound effects teaches students to focus their attention.
Speaking skills are polished–There is nothing worse than a “mush mouth” actor. Radio theater reinforces one’s enunciation, rate of delivery, and diction which all come in to play when a student reads aloud. Additionally, a teacher can strengthen students’ intonation, vocal flexibility and breath support.
Reading skills are cultivated–Because a teacher spends many days rehearsing a radio theater script, and a reader reads something repeatedly, they can’t help but become a better reader!
Language skills are honed–Students become better communicators as they work together giving suggestions for the sound effects, discussing the play with their classmates as well as acting their role
Interpersonal Skills are buffed up. Verbal and nonverbal communication, the ability to handle conflict, teamwork, empathy, listening, and a positive attitude. Also, being flexible and positive, able to listen, and communicating well are important criteria for success at work.

Why Radio Theater Belongs in Your Classroom

8. Cooperative and collaborative learning are such a necessary part of this experience–This is a perfect example of working together to learn something. For example, everyone must put aside their differences and work together toward the performance.

9. Additionally, radio theater is adaptable. Many of the radio theater play scripts I taught with are from previous eras– what a super way for students to learn about the past? A history teacher could use a radio play in their classroom. I know that several Language Arts teachers have used several of my plays, in particular The Monkey’s Paw and The Frozen Pirate.

10. Learn marketable skills–Being proficient in speaking through a microphone and familiar with running sound equipment has valuable skill that makes them employable in the outside world. Ever wondered about sound design? Check out this post: There’s a Place for Everyone in Theater

11. Lastly, it’s just plain fun and engaging! I like to teach students in a manner which they don’t even know they are learning. I strive to make each lesson so enjoyable that students remember the experience and keep coming back for more!

These students performed radio theater during the Covid quarantine! Many teachers found radio theater to be a life saver during the quarantine. Maybe you want a collection of scripts to choose from? Check out this: Radio Theater Bundle

What’s holding you back?

Fear does frightening things to our psyche, yes? Sometimes we are anxious and we don’t even know what about!

If you are like me, you like to be well informed on something you teach. That’s understandable. If you’ve never even seen a radio play performed let alone a radio script, you will need to trust me on this. Do you trust me?

Essential Questions for Teaching Radio Theater

Do I need to be a teacher?
Is there a rationale in place before I teach radio theater?
Do I need to know what to say when I begin each lesson?
Do I present the information in a particular order?
Should I require the students to take notes as I teach them?
Would trivia about particular radio shows or famous movie stars who got their start on RT pique my students’ curiosity and urge them to dig deeper in their study?
Should my students make a sound effect and be required to share it with the class?
What about a cooperative learning assignment? Would that be helpful? Could they create a commercial for radio?
Would a group of theater games and exercises be helpful in teaching the concepts of radio theater?
Should I collect several audio clips of actual radio shows of which the students can listen and learn?
Should I include enrichment in the unit, such as history about a famous radio show broadcast like War of the Worlds?
Do I need to find a floor plan that shows me how to set up the stage or in my classroom for a performance?
What sound effects should I collect to use? Do I need to purchase any or would some everyday objects suffice to create the sounds?

The answer to these questions is resounding YES.

Pick up a FREE sample of my book, We’re Live! Radio Theater #101 here.

Save Yourself Time and Work

Would it be nice not to have to spend countless hours creating this unit? For instance, what if instead of spending your free time and weekends researching, collecting materials and organizing your lessons you could purchase a veteran theater teacher’s unit and to learn about it as you taught it to your students?

You’ve heard me say this before, but I’ll say it again–Remember, I’ve been you. As you would expect, I know the struggles and challenges, the sleepless nights, the knot in your stomach on Sunday night, the students who need a little extra “somethin’ somethin'” to tease their interests. Also, your worry to address their need for novelty in your lessons.

Proof That Radio Theater Works

Recently a theater teacher and I were chatting on Instagram about her use of radio theater in her classroom. You can read it here: Struggling with Your Students Engagement?

Furthermore, I’m not the only person who thinks radio theater is useful. Here is professor using radio theater in her college classroom. Theatre Students use Zoom to Create Old School Radio Drama

The Top Reasons Teachers Succeed Teaching with Radio Theater

In conclusion, I believe that having this work done for you means I’m paying it forward to a busy teacher who already has a lot on on their plate for a fraction of the price your precious time is worth.

Do you have any questions or concerns? Please feel free to email me atDhcBaldwin@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you.

A Foolproof Guide to Theater Teacher Facebook Groups

January 19, 2023 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Let’s be clear here. I’m here to help teachers. Generally, that means advising theater arts teachers, but it could also be Language Arts, Reading, Music and Social Studies teachers. However, I’ve guided elementary core subject teachers, too. This post focuses my foolproof guide to Facebook Groups.

Like many people, I’ve been on Facebook for several years. Actually, I don’t know how long, but I know it’s more than five years. In that time, I’ve seen Facebook groups come and go. During quarantine, there were numerous Facebook groups who sprung from business memberships. I understand many of those have wasted away.

As I have mentioned before, you do not have to create every single lesson yourself or solve every darn problem that occurs in your classroom or production. There are hundreds of people with good advice out there in the internet.

How do I find Facebook groups?

It’s really easy to join groups.

To discover new groups you might be interested in:

From your Feed, click Groups in the left menu.
Click Discover to see Suggested for You, Friends’ Groups, Categories, Popular Near You or More Suggestions.
Usually, you’ll hear from the group administrator within 24 hours.
They may have a couple of questions for you when you ask to join, but usually they accept everyone.

Why Should I Join a Facebook Group?

Teaching (and directing) can be a very lonely business. Not to mention both are exhausting both mentally and physically. Sometimes we just need a hand up, right? Think of these groups as your friends, because they are. All of these groups are friendly and besides their files section has GOBS of free lessons for you to download. You can’t beat that, huh?

Primary Drama Teacher

This group’s conversations waffle between elementary and middle school theater. They describes themselves as, “A group for drama teachers particularly those who teach the primary range (but not exclusively), or people interested in primary age drama, to learn from each others’ experience and share ideas.” Membership is around 3,000.

In the past, ‘ve noticed some of the questions concern even preschool drama, which should be termed creative dramatics. I always worry when people use the incorrect descriptor. If you are looking for creative dramatics lessons, go to: DramaMommaSpeaks Creative Dramatics

A Foolproof Guide to Theater Teacher Facebook Groups

Elementary Theatre Lesson Lending

I don’t know as much about this group, but they have 1,482 members which is a healthy amount. Members are fairly active and helpful.

Here was a recent question: “What are y’all’s emergency sub plans for elementary (grades 3-5)? I need something that can last for 45 minutes. I can’t have anything that involves videos or a ton of printing. We were just getting ready to start stage directions/parts of a stage but we haven’t started it yet.

I am sick and my mind is drawing a complete blank on what to do. Many thanks.

Edit: My elementary classes are large, loud, and can chaotic in our small space. I want something easy that won’t send my sub running the other direction. I need this for tomorrow, so preferably something that doesn’t require pulling a ton of resources.

My favorite part of this post is the teacher needed an answer for the next day classes. Haven’t we all been there? Want to know how to write a lesson plan? Go to: Why is it Important to Create a Lesson Plan?

Middle School Facebook Groups

Middle School Theater Teacher

I follow this group fairly closely because I taught middle school theater classes for most of my teaching career. Anyone is invited to join. There are 2,200 members. Their group description is similar to others, describing themselves as “This (smaller by design) group is to provide resources and support specific to middle school theatre educators. Elementary/high school teachers are welcome to join as well. Additionally, this group was founded on the premise of practicing collaboration, rather than competitiveness. Where hopefully teachers can come to feel celebrated, no matter how new or seasoned they are. Not knowing something is okay here.”

Remember, you know best what you need for your students. What works in one person’s class may not be as successful in yours. Also, (and this is a big one)–just because someone gives you a copy of their file does NOT mean the lesson is a good one. It’s just a copy. If you are looking for lessons for middle school students, check out this blog post: Striking a Balance with Students in Their Middle School Years

A Foolproof Guide to Theater Teacher Facebook Groups

Theatre Teachers

Their page states, “This is a place for theatre teachers to share lesson plans and ideas for their classrooms and programs. As a theatre teacher, we are often the only ones in the district. This is a place for us to share what works and what hasn’t worked, good moments, good fundraisers, fun shows, and generally a place for us to support each other and get feedback from other professionals in our content.” It has a membership of nearly 6,000.

Questions today ranged from needing a lesson plan for a substitute to a request for a lesson on pantomime for grade six.

A Foolproof Guide to Theater Teacher Facebook Groups

Drama Teachers Sharing Group

This group has 12,390 members! Wow, that’s a lot. It’s description says, “This is a FRIENDLY support group for drama teachers. This is to ask for help, ask for resources and anything else appropriate. You may even wish to share your best resources or ask other members to check resources, lesson plans, SoW etc.”

This group is based in England so sometimes the teaching terms they use are different than a U.S. teacher might use. They are helpful, however. Also, I appreciate that England has compulsory theater classes until age 14! Consequently, their approach appears more thorough than ours.

High School Theatre Directors and Teachers

This group is huge, nearly 11,000 members! This group is private like others. Here is their description:

This group is for adults who are currently teaching and/ or directing Theatre in High School, College or Middle School.

Occasionally we also include students who are studying to become theatre teachers so that they may learn from our more seasoned teachers. This group is meant to be a support and resource to teachers and theatre artists.

Here you’ll find more college teachers asking questions, so they are usually seeking a lesson with a higher level of complexity for college age students.

Questions range from suggestions of plays to produce to how to handle irate parents over casting. (Yes, even in college.)

DramaMommaSpeaks Theater Teacher

This is my personal Facebook group! My description is, “This Facebook group is a place for like minded theater teachers to come together to discuss all things theater! It is administrated by Deb Baldwin of DramaMommaSpeaks.”

I share about anything arts related, my lessons, recent arts news or accept questions from members. I hope you’ll consider joining us!

A Foolproof Guide to Theater Teacher Facebook Groups

Drama Teachers and Those Interested in Drama Education

Coming in at 12,000 members this groups states, “Drama discussion, debate, challenge and support… A vibrant group of drama educators and those who appreciate the art.” I know for a fact there are playwrights, performing artists as well as teachers and directors in this group because I’d talked with them.

Their files section is quite extensive and of course that means those files are free to you.

Community Theater Directing Forum

This group contains 2,770 members. Anyone can join. This group is good if you are working with students and adults in a community theater setting. Their description states, ” A group for children’s theatre directors and producers from across the globe to share insight, feedback, and provide a community for networking.”

Questions are answered by one or many members and they are generally very helpful and useful. Here was a recent post:

“I am currently working on a production of Always Patsy Cline and we need two practical cigarettes. I’ve always used the vapor “Actor’s Cigarette” from New Rule FX they look great on stage but I went to order a fresh set of cartridges and apparently they are illegal to sell now according to the website.

Anyone have any good looking alternatives? We have a very up close and intimate space so it needs to look good. I can’t seem to find an any nicotine free e-cigs/vapes that look like actual cigarettes and I do not want to offer herbal cigarettes I’ve used them myself before and hated them.”

Some Parting Words

In conclusion, I want to remind you again that you are not alone. True, you have to discover what works best for your students or your cast but there are plenty of people who would love to help you. Starting with me.

Do you know of some other theater teachers Facebook groups I should add? I’d love to hear from you. Email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or comment here!

Twelve Best Theater Class Apps. in 2023

January 4, 2023 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Twelve Best Theater Class Apps. in 2023

Okay, I’ll admit it. I wanted to research the twelve best theater class apps. in 2023 for selfish reasons. I’m sitting here working with a bunch of apps., sites, software and whatever else I need. I learn new skills nearly everyday from blogging to product creation to social media marketing.

They say I’m “old school.” I chuckle when I hear this, because it reminds me of the school “marm” of the 1800s. My defense is that old school works. However, I’m aware of the fact that some teachers want to use technology in their classrooms as much as possible. Let’s face it–that’s where the students are most engaged.

Friends, this post took a lot of research and reading to find apps. which can assist the theater class teacher. Honestly, there aren’t many apps. specifically for a theater class. (Hmmmm. That gives me an idea.) I scoured the web and found around twelve apps. and websites which I think will be useful to you. See what you think and if you want something a little more “O.G.”, check out my Set Design with Fairy Tales Unit.

Twelve Best Theater Class Apps. in 2023

My Lines lets you have your script with you on a mobile device anytime, anywhere. You can rehearse and memorize your lines without a scene partner, by either looking at or listening to your lines. You can also see or hear cue lines when you’re ready to be off-book.
Rehearsal Pro is perhaps the most well-known of all the apps to help you learn your lines. You can record your lines and play them back, watching the script scroll by like a teleprompter, or you can even put your lines in “blackout mode” to test yourself. The app works with short audition sides and feature-length scripts and is useful for actors in theater, commercials, voiceover, television, and film.

Line Learner This app is a great way to learn lines for a play or speech. You simply speak each line into the iPhone (or iPod with microphone), pressing a button to specify whether it is another character’s line or one that you will speak. Once you have read a few lines you can start practicing. Simply switch to playback and you can hear the other characters’ lines to cue you in. . You can record each scene separately and have as many different scripts as you like. It is easy to edit or re-record lines if you need to.

Twelve Best Theater Class Apps. in 2023

Probably one of the most useful apps a theater person would appreciate is playwriting software! When I began writing plays, there was none (that’s how long ago I started writing). Without them, you nearly lose your mind trying to use the expected play form. However, here are several which I think are good.

Trelby is a free playwriting software program. It is basically a screenwriting software using which you can create theater plays, scripts, movie screenplays, etc. In it, you can find all necessary tools which ease out the process of writing a play. Let’s see what are the features you must look forward in this playwriting software.
Celtx is a free playwriting software program, too. Celtx is a media pre-production tool designed to ease the work of those who work in the media production industry by providing a simple desktop utility for organizing the project information and making stories come alive. The application comes with all the necessary tools for writing scripts, plays, novels without using the pen and the paper.

Sound Effects and Costume Design Apps.

FashionDesignFlatSketch–This app. is a great place to start if you don’t have time for students to design costumes, but you want them to go through the process.
Freeform–Create quick sketches, mockups, or diagrams with this powerful tool. Export your drawings via email in JPG, PNG, or PDF formats, or save to your photo library. Create new designs whenever or wherever inspiration strikes!There is nothing quite like the experience of interacting with your drawings with your fingers.
Belfry is an iPad sound effects player for schools, small scale theatre venues and small touring companies. It allows for the simultaneous playback of up to sixty sound effects stored in iTunes. This means a whole production can be run through the app. The interface is easy to use – just add tracks in the order that you want them. There are separate tabs for each act and you can save up to 60 cues as a film.
Index Card is great for scriptwriting, workshop planning, researching or for any creative task which requires organization. This works just as well as real index cards with the advantage that they look neat and can be exported to edit in a word processor. It is incredibly easy to use – just touch the cards to move them around or edit them. You can see a screenshot for a workshop that I am planning (above). It means you can concentrate on coming up with ideas then easily organize them. You can create as many different projects as you like and swap cards between them. This is one of those apps that does one thing, really well.

For Our Younger Students

Sock Puppet–How fun is this? Students can re-create a scene from history by scripting a play and recording their voice! This app allows students to make the actions with the characters they have chosen – record and play back, save their play or performance. It’s a fun way to evaluate their understanding of a concept! You can also have students give their book report using the sock puppets!
ToontastickjrPirates–This is a fun app which allows children to create an animated story based on the theme of Pirates. Students choose a beginning, middle and end and can then extend the story by moving the characters, adding voices and recording the animation.
Telestory–Children can choose to be a TV Reporter, Weather Presenter, Spy and more and can create and record their own TV clip. Children can choose from a variety of fun backgrounds and costumes and can read from pre-loaded prompt cards which can also be edited to suit the topic where necessary. This app could be used to share Weekend News, to engage in role play and for developing communication skills.

I hope these help you in your classroom. As I mentioned before I’m old school, but this old dog is always willing to learn new tricks! If you know of some apps. I should include, please comment here. Thanks!

Ten Ways to Teach Reluctant Students in Your Theater Class

October 5, 2022 By dhcbaldwin 1 Comment

At least once a week, I read of a teacher asking help with, “My beginning theater class is open to all students in the school. However, it has become a dumping ground with students completely disinterested in theater and the study of it. At the same time, I have students who are sincerely interested in the subject in the same class. What do I do?” Today, I’m going to talk about Ten Ways to Teach Reluctant Students in Your Theater Class.

I know this challenge all too well myself. Several times in my career, I had students placed in my classroom because the administration thought I demonstrated skill in reaching all students and could reach these students as well.

Do you have any idea how heavy the weight of responsibility for teaching to reluctant students is? Teaching is difficult enough and a theater class poses its own challenges that not everyone is aware of. For instance, when one acts they must share their feelings, real feelings. That’s can be scary for even the most ardent theater student.

Simply put, you need to outsmart your reluctant students. Remember, you are the professional here. You’ve got what it takes to be successful (albeit tiring). Wonder how I got to where I am today? Check out: How Theatre Saved My Life

Teach Reluctant Students

You need to survey each and every class to discover whether they are interested in theater or not. This is true of anyone who teaches any electives from industrial education to art as well as theater. By surveying the students (through a questionnaire on-line or hard copy) you’ll find out their interest level (because you will ask it) and what they hope to learn in the class.
After you’ve studied the students’ questionnaire, you can now shape your lessons accordingly. Does this take more time than what you would usually do? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes! It is better to know your audience (because that’s what they are, essentially) than not and spend most of the year frustrated with their lack of engagement.
Use a game as a warm-up. Most students love a game so I recommend playing one at the beginning of each class. For some students, it is the delight of their day (although they may never share this with you) and it lifts the burden for you always having to teach a concept. Let the game teach them. Also, playing a game makes class fun no matter the outcome. Start with something simple like the Ball Game (Don’t know it? pick it up here). The Ball Game can be played with students of any grade level. Games give students an opportunity to get to know one another without the stress of a face to face conversation. As the quarter progresses the games you can select games which are more difficult. By the last month of the semester, you should have no problem using an improvisation exercise as a warm-up.
Minimize your students’ worries. Through the questionnaire, you should have a better grasp about what they think theater is as opposed to what it actually is. They may think theater is standing on a stage, wearing a costume (the student may dislike), wearing makeup (even the boys), memorizing gobs of lines and speaking at a volume for the entire class to hear.

Let’s not start there if that’s the case. Let’s do some theater appreciation instead. Show them video clips of theaters around the world and either have a class discussion of each theater or give them questions to answer. Here is what I mean: Theaters Around the World.

Teaching Reluctant Students

Study technical theater with them--set, sound, stage properties, stage makeup or costume design. Many students just need a backdoor into the subject. Technical theater is nonthreatening. Most assignments are meant to be completed individually and not with a group. This helps those students who do not speak English as their first language, especially. I really enjoy teaching technical theater. Through its study, I usually find a student who no one knew very well that turns out to be a fabulous artist! Their creativity and talent can shine in technical theater and suddenly the other student take note of them. It’s awesome. Here are a few technical theater units which may help you: Technical Theater Units or begin with Set Design, the Rendering
Reader’s theater is a good choice for your class. Readers theater is successful in a class with various levels of interest, because there is no line memorization, no costumes, etc. Everyone sits together on the stage, so there’s that “safety in numbers” thing. Plus, if you wait until near the end of the second quarter, readers theater should not be difficult for your reluctant ones. (Read my article in One Classroom Over about reader’s theater) You’ve given them plenty of time to adjust to the class. Here’s a funny script for them: The Brave Little Tailor Unit. Great for grades 5 to 7.
Radio theater is a super choice, too. Personally, I think radio theater has everything a play does! That’s the reason I suggest it to teachers. Radio theater is highly imaginative from the many character voices actors create to the sound effects. Plus, it is a super tool for strengthening reading skills! It is easy to keep everyone involved, because they are on the stage the entire length of the piece. It can be as simple or as theatrical as you like. And yet again–no line memorization! This is another unit I would teach near the end of the semester or year. If you are interested in radio theater, check out: Radio Theater Units and Lessons Don’t know how to direct one? Go here and pick up all of the training you need: How to Direct Radio Theater
Use movement exercises instead of acting ones. Movement takes no sound and no verbal reaction. Students like the physical activity, too. The Magic Circle is a good exercise to use for movement. (Don’t know it? Pick it up here)
Turn down your classroom lights. You won’t believe how dimming the lights will ease students’ anxieties. You just want the classroom light to be dim–light enough you can everyone but no so dark you can’t keep an eye out for any inappropriate behavior.
Play some classical music in the background. Classical music works because there are no lyrics for the students to notice. It can express mood without anyone saying anything. I think of it like a comforting blanket. In those awkward moments in a game, acting exercise or lesson they can help ease any anxiety that rears its ugly head.

Want some additional tips from me? Check out Doub le Casting a Show? Here’s Advice

Advice for the Core Subject Teachers

Many of the suggestions I’ve made above work strictly in a theater classroom. Some of them will work for you as well.

Here are a couple of other suggestions for you:

Sometimes our students just need space away from others. Offer that space in your classroom if a student needs it. You want them to feel safe and accepted in your classroom. I say as long as they are focused on their work, this is acceptable.

Giving students choices is always a great idea, too. Remember you have worked out the choices ahead of time so you are comfortable with whether they select once choice over another. Choice Boards are super for this. Here are some of mine as an example. This bundle is very popular with teachers: Choice Boards

You can even pick up a sample of them right here.

Or pick up a technical theater unit for high school students here: Technical Theater Units, High School

So, there you have it! Teaching is a wonderful profession when everyone is treated with respect. Even the reluctant students can learn that respecting your art form is possible and believe it or not–enjoyable! I discovered that once my students knew I had their back and understood them feigning disinterest in theater, I could work with them. Lots of times, it’s just noise on their part. Remember that–it’s just noise.

I’d love to know what you’ve found is successful with reluctant students in your classroom? Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com.

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Twelve Best Theater Class Apps. in 2023

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Twelve Best Theater Class Apps. in 2023

Sound Effects and Costume Design Apps.

For Our Younger Students

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Teach Reluctant Students

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