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

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Is In the Heights The Next Big Thing in Movie Musicals

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

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

I loved it!

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

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

In the Heights

What is the story of In the Heights?

From Broadway.com:

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

What makes In the Heights so long awaited?

Where do I begin to answer this question.

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

Five Reasons to See In the Heights

 

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

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

The Next Big Thing in Movie Musicals

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

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

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

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

The Origin of In the Heights

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

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

The rest, as they say, is history….

In the Heights Broadway Musical Lesson

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

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

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

Wicked the Musical Broadway Musical Lesson

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

The lesson contains:

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

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

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

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

woman behind DramaMommaSpeaks

Wicked the Musical Broadway Musical Lesson

 

Three Ways to Memorize Lines for a Play or Musical

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Three Ways to Memorize Lines for a Play or Musical

Three Ways to Memorize Lines for a Play or Musical

Before you jump into all the fun stuff of participating in a production, we must address the elephant in the room–memorizing lines. For some people this can make or break their experience. Let’s talk about three ways to memorize lines for a play or musical.

Being part of a production can be a very rare life experience filled with exciting moments, making new friends and creating a project with other imaginative beings in the span of about six weeks.

“Really?” You say. “It will happen that quickly?”

Yup.

If you have ever tried to memorize lines, you know the anxiety that comes from trying to do so. I’m here to tell you that memorizing lines does not have to be stressful. In fact it can be fun and more like a game, so read on.

Three Ways to Memorize Lines for a Play or Musical

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

What is Memorizing by Rote?

Memorizing by rote is the act of practicing your lines many times in hopes that you will take them into your brain and the lines will be there when you need them.

Is memorizing lines difficult? It can be for some people.
⁣
It isn’t as difficult as you think.

Can a person be too old to memorize? Nope.

According to education.com: “Age can and often does negatively impact memory capacity, but aging doesn’t necessarily always affect memory. An older person who has an active lifestyle, including regular physical activity, mental activity, and social interaction, could have a short-term memory as sharp as someone several decades younger.”

So there! You can’t use your age as an excuse or reason you can’t memorize lines.

Three Ways to Memorize Lines

Three Ways to Memorize Lines for a Play or Musical

Method #1 Memorizing Lines

The first method is to walk the blocking and memorize lines as you do so.

“What?” you say, “It’s that easy?”⁣ Yup.

HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:
⁣
Step 1–Find a place in your home with some furniture pieces to use as stand ins for the set. ⁣
⁣
Step 2–Designate each furniture piece as parts of the set (the table and chair is the kitchen, for example)⁣
⁣
Step 3–Go through your lines reading your script saying the lines aloud.⁣
⁣
Step 4–Your second time through, WALK the first scene in which you speak, slowly memorizing the lines using the blocking to help you. Remember: take this slowly and don’t force it!)⁣
⁣
P.S. A good director will give you blocking and/or help you to find the right blocking for your character. ⁣

Three Ways to Memorize Lines for a Play or Musical

Method #2 Memorizing Lines

This method isn’t the one which works best for me, but some people prefer it.

Record your lines with your cues.

HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

Step 1–Go through your script and record the line(s) of the person right before you

Step 2–Leave some room on your recording for the amount of time if you said your line immediately.

Step 3–Record your line(s) right after the cue.

Step 4–Begin at the top of the show and learn your lines one by one.  Listen to the  cue, then say the line, then check it!

People who have a commute like this method because they can listen as they drive.

Method #3 (Best Method In My Opinion)

My daughter was an avid performer when she was a young person.  Usually, she had no problem memorizing lines, but one year I agreed to allow her to perform in two shows at once.  (Yeah, I know, I know…)

Needless to say, her life became very stressful trying to keep the two shows straight.  However, she used one of her favorite ways to study for tests to learn her lines–FLASHCARDS!

HERE’S WHAT YOU DO.
⁣
Step 1–purchase a bunch of notecards from someplace like Officedepot.com and number them ⁣
⁣
Step 2–write on the back of the card, write out our lines in LONG HAND ⁣
⁣
Step 3–notate on the front of the card, write out your cue lines in LONG HAND which are just before yours.⁣

Note: The mere action of writing out the cards in long hand helps your brain to remember them. Don’t try to memorize them as you are writing them–relax and just write out the lines focusing on writing them.⁣
⁣
Step 4–put the card in numerical order and read through them. Read the cue line and your line preceding it.⁣
⁣
Step 5–now we begin memorizing the lines. This is a building block method so don’t hurry. ⁣
⁣
Work with  a few flashcards at a time, building on the card pile as you go. ⁣

Three Ways to Memorize Lines for a Play or Musical

My Experience with Line Memorization

I portrayed Penny in You Can’t Take It With You and she spoke constantly.  When it was time to memorize lines, I used the flashcard method to run my lines. However, it was a little tricky to rehearse as I drove down through the mountains from Estes Park to work.  Just a little dangerous.  (Oops!)

There are other methods to memorize lines, but these three are the ones I am most familiar with and suggest to my actors.

Please Don’t Do this

Several years ago,  I directed On Golden Pond an unconfident and novice actor thought he could leave his lines on notecards around the stage and occasionally refer to them.

He never figured that my stage manager checked the set each night prior to the curtain and took off anything which looked like trash.  Hmmmm.  Guess whose notecards weren’t on stage when he needed them?

Maybe he should have used the flash card method?

If you’d like to learn more about my directing experiences, check out Eighteen Ways to Make Your Directing Experience Less Stressful or you’d like some production advice Critical Steps in Budget and Royalties

Everyone has their own way to memorize lines.  My advice?  Please don’t learn them numerically!  All you need to have happen is one person doesn’t say their line and your whole numbering sequence is off.  Yikes.

NEW PRODUCT:  There is a new app. for actors to help them with line memorization.  Go check it out:  LineBuddies

See ya next time!

Woman behind DramaMommaSpeaks

Deb

I’d love to hear about your acting/directing experiences.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or Deborah Baldwin.net.

Happy Super Hero Day!

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April 28 is Super Hero Day!

Who established Super Hero Day?

National Superhero Day was founded by Marvel Comics in 1995. Now, every year since its birth on April 28, 1995, people come together annually on this day to celebrate all their favorite heroes. No matter if your fav heroes are fictional or real, this is the day to be thankful for them.

Well, how fun!

When I was a child, Superman wasn’t near as popular as he is today.  Now super heroes are everywhere.

CHILD IN SUPER HERO COSTUME

Why should I teach about Super Heroes?

According to Brittanica.com, 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 first Super Hero ever was created in 1936? The superhero was named Phantom, and he started with his own comic strip in a U.S. newspaper. This was the first known beginnings of a published superhero, and now there are hundreds of well-known heroes that everyone loves.

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.

Many super heroes grouped together

Students love to design a Super Hero costume.  Here are a few pointers:

  • Figure out the color scheme of the costume. Usually, the whole costume should include 3 or fewer colors/shades only. This helps ensure that the costume does not distract from your superhero. It will also make it easier for you to replicate the look in a comic. Think of your superhero’s powers, motivations, and backstory. Lighter colors tend to indicate heroism, while darker colors indicate a conflicted nature; rich colors point toward sophistication, while bright colors tend to reveal youthful energy. If you’d like to read more about costume design, see my post: Your Secret Teaching Allies–Super Heroes
  • Classic superheroes tend to dress in some combination of red, blue, and yellow, which can denote energy and determination. A mix of black, grey, and green, though, could denote mysterious and naturalistic qualities.
  • Nail down the basic costume before accessorizing it.Design the actual outfit first, before figuring out the logo, or whether it will include a mask, cape, etc. Once you have designed your base costume, it gives you a blank slate to work with. Feel free to take cues from iconic superhero costumes, but be sure to refine them into your own creation. Skin-tight, full-coverage bodysuits tend to be the standard base layer for male superheroes, while female heroes often show a bit more skin. You don’t have to follow in this tradition, but body-hugging base layers do provide a clean palette for accessorizing.

What Color Scheme Should I Use?

  • Figure out the color scheme of the costume. Usually, the whole costume should include 3 or fewer colors/shades only. This helps ensure that the costume does not distract from your superhero. It will also make it easier for you to replicate the look in a comic. Think of your superhero’s powers, motivations, and backstory. Lighter colors tend to indicate heroism, while darker colors indicate a conflicted nature; rich colors point toward sophistication, while bright colors tend to reveal youthful energy.
  • Classic superheroes tend to dress in some combination of red, blue, and yellow, which can denote energy and determination. A mix of black, grey, and green, though, could denote mysterious and naturalistic qualities.

What About a Logo?

  • Nail down the basic costume before accessorizing it. Design the actual outfit first, before figuring out the logo, or whether it will include a mask, cape, etc. Once you have designed your base costume, it gives you a blank slate to work with. Feel free to take cues from iconic superhero costumes, but be sure to refine them into your own creation. Skin-tight, full-coverage bodysuits tend to be the standard base layer for male superheroes, while female heroes often show a bit more skin. You don’t have to follow in this tradition, but body-hugging base layers do provide a clean palette for accessorizing.
  • Consider if a cape is right for your hero. While capes are often considered synonymous with superheroes, plenty of famous ones — like Iron Man and Wolverine, for instance — go without them. Capes can help accentuate motion or indicate flight (think Superman), or add a layer of mystery (as with Batman). However, they can also be an unnecessary complication for a well-designed costume. If you can’t think of a good reason why your hero should have a cape — either for practical (e.g., concealment, protection) or expressive (e.g., flair, royalty) purposes — it may be best to exclude it.
  • Create a memorable logo or other distinctive element. Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man are arguably the three most famous superheroes, and each has a simple chest emblem — the ‘S’ shield, bat, and spider — that immediately identifies them. Don’t obsess over the small details of a totally-awesome costume before you’ve nailed down the iconic logo, symbol, color, etc. Make sure it’s easy to recognize and repeat, and that it can adapt to variations on your design. Brainstorm logo ideas based on the hero’s name, origins, or powers: in the last case, for instance, consider the lightning bolt used for the Flash.

My Super Hero Drama Lessons

If you’d like some drama lessons with super heroes as the focus, I have several here: DramaMommaSpeaks and also in my Payhip store at: Super Heroes

One lesson I developed focuses on storytelling.  Using postcards as a springboard for a story, students take elements from the postcards they randomly choose.  But, there is a secret requirement which is LOADS of Fun.  You can learn about Storytelling with Super Heroes here: Storytelling with Super Heroes Postcards

Another lesson students enjoy is Costume Design with Super Heroes.  In this lesson, students study costume design and learn a bit about the characteristics of a super hero costume.  Then they design one costume plus write a letter explaining their choices.  You can find this lesson here:  Costume Design with Super Heroes

Costume Design Product with Super Hero Assignments on the Front

If you want further study, try movement with Super Heroes! These movement exercises are a great way to begin or end your class celebrating national super hero day.  Word of warning–your student may leave class with a “zap” so if you are okay with that, you are good! Tableau and Movement with Super Heroes

I think Super Heroes  and Super Heroes Day is here to stay.  It does me good to see children imitating them, especially our girls.  Here are my two granddaughters having fun as Super Heroes.  I doubt either of them have seen many television shows or movies with Super Heroes in them since they are so young, but they know enough to understand super heroes protect people and try to make the world a better place.  At this point in their short lives, I think that’s a good start.

Two little girls dressed in super hero capes.

Have you taught with a super hero theme?  How did it go for you?  I’d love to hear about it.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

 

 

Will Wicked The Musical Ever Rule the World?

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Will Wicked The Musical Ever Rule the World?

I have a confession to make. I’ve wondered, will Wicked the Musical ever rule the world? Maybe so.

The first time I saw the musical Wicked, I didn’t care for it too much.

Can you believe it?

Let me explain.  Wicked opened in October of  2003. The first time I learned of it was while watching the Macy Thanksgiving  Day parade.  They presented a preview of it. All I noticed were the costumes and hats.

It just looked weird, like it was trying too hard.   A musical about the backstory about Glenda and Elphaba? In opinion (and aren’t we glad I was wrong) there wasn’t much way this musical would be popular and stick around for a long time.

Will Wicked The Musical Ever Rule the World?

“Times Square Fisheye” by Randy Le’Moine Photography 

The next year, we took a school group on spring break to see the production. I really enjoyed it.

Our youngest daughter, age 15 returned home from the trip starstruck. She wore out the CD as she listened and sang to it for probably a year.

A year went by and the show, became very popular and well, the rest is history!

Will Wicked the Musical Take Over the World?

What makes Wicked so popular?

Where do I begin to answer this question.

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

Four Reasons for Wicked the Broadway Musical’s Excellence 

1.Costumes--First, the show won a Tony award for Best Costume Design and it is easy to see why. Here’s a quote from the designer, Susan Hilferty concerning her concept: “The whole idea of the clothes of the citizens of Oz—I imagined that in 1911, basically when the book was written, as if a chunk of earth had been lifted off and sent out into the universe.The whole idea of the clothes of the citizens of Oz are their own distortion and changing of the Edwardian Era. When I was looking at all the clothes, I was looking at various clothes from the Edwardian time, and then twisting them on  their center. The twist actually has nothing to do with the tornado.” Check out this video about Hiferty’s costumes:  Threadbanger:  Interiew with Susan Hilferty, Costume Designer and/or pick up my new Costume Design with Wicked Characters Lesson

Will Wicked the Musical Take Over the World?

Will Wicked The Musical Ever Rule the World?

2.  Set–Set Designer Eugene Lee won the Tony for Best Set Design.  Concerning the set, “We opted to create an environment inspired by the inner workings of a clock.  The shapes, textures, colors, and functional aspects of clock  gears and mechanisms contributed to a permanent environmental structure, which defines the stage space.”  What of  the materials he used? We were interested in natural, realistic materials, not the newest industrial-strength polymers.

The wood we chose has  proven to be the perfect material and continues to improve with age and distress.  The show the deck, which is constructed  of natural maple, is equipped with seven automated tracks, all lined with steel for visual  interest.  To stay consistent with our concept of clock mechanisms, many of the automated deck units are designed to reveal the mechanics that operated them.” Amazing, huh?

Have you ever considered decorating your or your child’s bedrooms with a Wicked theme?  Check out this article for tips:  Wicked Room Decor: Channeling Your Inner Witch

Will Wicked the Musical Ever Rule the World?

Behind the Notes: The Musical Genius of Steven Schwartz

3.  Music--The very accomplished composer, Steven Schwartz wrote the music for Wicked.  The easiest song to write?               “Popular.”  The most complicated? His fifth try of the angry roommate song, “What is this feeling?”   The first song he wrote was (which is apparently not his usual way of beginning), “No One Mourns the Wicked.”  The music was   nominated for  a Tony award this time for Best Music.  I’m seeing a pattern here, are you? You can’t compare  Schwartz’s  music to  anyone else.  It is fabulous and something your students would enjoy studying.

4.  Book--The origin of the script of Wicked is an interesting one.  I won’t divulge it here, but suffice to say the writing of  the script changed this author’s life…for good.  Though the Tony award for Best Book of a Musical did not go to  Wicked, it was nominated.  That’s a tremendous accomplishment!

Will Wicked the Musical Ever Rule the World?

Drama Desk Awards for Wicked

Wicked won several awards from Drama Desk as well.  Maybe that’s why Wicked could take over the world. They include:  Outstanding Musical, Lyrics, Book of a Musical, Director, Orchestration, Set Design and Costume Design.  Drama Desks are the only awards that consider Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway shows in the same competitive categories.

What about its message?  At first glance, you may think it’s a revved up “Wizard of Oz”, but no. You need to look deeper than the flying monkeys and magic spells. This enchanting musical is really about friendship, identity, and standing up for one’s beliefs, even when it seems like the rest of the world doesn’t agree with them.

I see Wicked has just surpassed Cats to become the fourth longest running musical on Broadway.  Read here. 

Differentiation at its best

As I mentioned, I have a lesson about Wicked.  In fact, I have several–one is a PDF, one is digital, one is for the Google classroom and one teaches through  Boom cards.

Boom Cards

This two-day lesson focuses on the Tony award winning musical Wicked. When Dorothy famously triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West, we only ever heard one side of the story. Gregory Maguire‘s acclaimed 1995 novel, ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’, re-imagines the Land of Oz, creating a parallel universe to the familiar story written by L. Frank Baum and first published as ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ in 1900. storm. Students have an opportunity to study the musical’s journey to Broadway, composers, plot, trivia, etc.

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

Wicked the Musical Broadway Musical Lesson

How do I use this in my classroom? 

A drama, music, reading or a language arts class would enjoy this lesson. Study its music, story line, elements, cultural references–you name it!

The lesson contains:

  • Letter to Teacher
  • Warm Up–MY Version of a Popular Physical Warm Up
  • Teacher’s Script–what I say and how I say it!
  • Photos from the Broadway Production
  • Separate File of Slides for Teacher to Use to Lecture
  • Plot of the Musical
  • History about the Origination of the Production
  • Information concerning the composer, Steven Schwartz
  • Information about the playwright, Winnie Holzman
  • A Shortened Lesson on: What are the Tony Awards?
  • Tony Awards it Received
  • What are the Tony Awards
  • New York City Map with Competing Theaters Labeled
  • Student Note Page
  • Teacher Note Page Key
  • Trivia
  • Quotes from the Musical–Good for Discussions and Assignments
  • Extension Activities–One Pager Assignment, a Terrific Way to Secure the Learning and Enrich the Experience
  • One Pager Templates
  • Flip Book Template, Instructions and Assignment
  • Sources & Links to Film Clips from the Show

Will Wicked the Musical Ever Rule the World?

Here’s a two week resource about Wicked!

Will Wicked The Musical Ever Rule the World?

I can’t believe Wicked has been on Broadway since 2003!  Frankly, it just seems like yesterday when I was gob smacked by it the first time. Check out this blog post for more Broadway musical info: The Reasons to Teach Broadway Musicals to Your Students

If the musical Wicked could rule the world, that would be fine with me!  And the movie is now is a movie! Check it out here: Wicked the Musical movie. It’s full of wonderful elements, themes and messages which we all need to hear. What do you like most about the show?  You know, I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net.

Will Wicked the Musical Ever Rule the World?

Wicked the Musical Broadway Musical Lesson

 

Frequently Asked Questions the DramaMommaSpeaks List

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Frequently Asked Questions the DramaMommaspeaks List

Recently, I had a wonderful opportunity to chat with a first year teacher as he planned the rest of his school year.  He began the year with the students all learning from home, then his school went to hybrid (which means half were at home and half were in the classroom) and soon he’d have them all in the classroom together.

His questions were standard ones I receive which made me think of some other questions which are frequently asked.  Here are some:

1. Do you always warm-up your students? Why?  

Warming-up your students will help in two ways–it gives the student a minute to shake off whatever occurred in the hallway or last class and also helps him to focus on your lesson to come.

2.  What is a good musical for high school students to perform?

The first thing I need to know is how your administration looks at the theater program?  If they are very supportive and want the best for their students (and they TRUST you), then you can take some chances with more adult musicals–with musicals such as West Side Story and Les Mis’ (know that there are very few roles for females in LM, however.)

By and large, I suggest the classics–The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, Music Man and so forth.  Why?  They are guaranteed crowd pleasers and families will attend because they are familiar with them. Good for everyone’s ego and the box office sales.

3.  Can you recommend a good play for middle school students to perform? 

I like to produce adaptations of classic books such as Anne of Green Gables, Tom Sawyer, The Miracle Worker, Diary of Anne Frank, Bridge to Terabithia or Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Find out the reasons I suggest Anne of Green Gables here Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

4.  What do you think of improvisation exercises?

I was trained as a professional actress and at that time we did not merely improv. for the sake for fun.  Improvisation was used to develop characters or create new art pieces.  I don’t dispense improvistion like candy.  I like it to mean something (a theme) or practice some particular skill like voice and articulation, for instance.

Frequently Asked Questions the DramaMommaspeaks List

5.  My students are learning from home. Can your lessons be used in distance learning?

Yes, many of my lessons can be used in distance learning.  We have this new cool program on Teacherspayteachers.com called Eastl and it will make any lesson into a digital format.

6.  If you could only teach one musical theater unit, which one would you choose?

For obvious reasons, I would teach Hamilton.  I mean, how can you go wrong with it?  My Hamilton musical lesson is fifty pages and includes everything a teacher might need:  procedure, history of the musical, list of song titles, biographies over creative staff, questions and teacher’s key, trivia and ends with enrichment activities which can be done individually or in groups.

7.  If you could only teach one radio theater unit, which one would you choose?

It depends upon my mood, but I’m pleased with how all of them came out.  The most difficult one is The Frozen Pirate which is best for high school students.  It it set in two different ships and has a narrator who is sometimes a character in the story and sometimes merely narrates.

Another one which I’m proud of is my own–Bow Wow Blues.  BWB is about a group of bumbling bank robbers in the 1930’s who are outsmarted by some quick witted detectives and a couple of dogs who help them.  The characters are broad and easy for middle school students to convey.

8.  Do you charge royalties for your scripts?

No, I don’t.  I only ask that the person producing the script send me a recording and/or photos of their production for my personal uses in marketing. Bookeeping who is producing which script would be a nightmare for me to track at this point in my business.

9.  Do you update your resources?

Yes, constantly!  For instance, let’s say it’s announced Lin Manuel Miranda will be performing in a new movie.  I go in to all the products where he is included and update the information to include a mentioned of the new movie.  Or, a link breaks or vanishes–I go in and find a new one.  Or I add a page to a resource which upon second thought makes the produce more useful to the teacher.

10.  On average, how many new lessons do you create a month?

I create about two new lessons a month and several new bundles.

Frequently Asked Questions the DramaMommaspeaks List

11.  I want to follow you. Do you have an email list I could join?

You bet!  I’m getting ready to glam up my newsletter in the near future and I think you’ll want to be a part of it.  You can join here on this page up above on the right.

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12.  Are you on Instagram?

Yes, I am very active on Instagram.  I speak about different topics there than on the blog.  You can find me at DramaMommaSpeaks on Instagram.

13.  How about Facebook?

Yes, I am.  I share various arts subjects there.  Check me out https://www.facebook.com/Dramamommaspeaks

14.  Are you ever interviewed on podcasts?

You can learn about them here The Top Reasons to Listen to Podcasts

15. I know Clubhouse is a big thing now.  Would I find you there?

Yup!  Just search Deb Baldwin.

16. Where could I see some reviews of your products?

You can find review of my products here Dramamommaspeaks

Frequently Asked Questions the DramaMommaspeaks List

17.  On average, how pages are your lessons?

Most lessons are around 15 pages in length.

18.  On average, how days’ long are your units?

Some units are three days in length and several are three weeks long.

19.  Do you have drama lessons for elementary students?

Yes, although not as many as I’d like.  I create lessons where the interest is–meaning if a lot of products which are purchased for the month seem to be for middle school, I will make another middle school lesson that month.

20.  Do you have drama integration units?

Yes, I have readers theater and play scripts which are perfect for drama integration. Here’s a blog post about drama integration, too.  How Do I Use Arts Integration in the Classroom?

21.  Who writes the music for your short plays?

My husband of thirty-eight years composes the music.  He is an award-winning instrumental music teacher, taught for forty years and composes as well.

22.  What is the price range of your materials?

Some products are $3.50.  The most expensive product I have are bundles which lasts a semester or even a year.  They are around $100.00

23.  Do accept suggestions?

For things to add to a product or if something needs more clarification?  Yes, but I’d rather the person emailed me than put it in a review.  It confuses the next buyer.

24.  If a teacher wants a particular lesson which you have not created, will you develop it for them?

Yes, I create lessons for teachers on occasion.  The lesson becomes my sole property, but I give the person acknowledgement in the lesson for their idea.

25.  How long does it take to create a radio theater script?

It takes about sixty-five hours to write a script. There is no playwriting template for a radio theater script, so I must set up every page by hand.

26.  Do you have any lessons about people of color?

My Famous Theater Artist Biographies and One Pager Assignment include many people of color–Denzel Washington, Audra McDonald, August Wilson, Camille A. Brown, etc. Here is a blog post concerning my thoughts

27.  Do you have lessons about technical theater?

Of course!  Everything from costume to set design. Here is one: Set Design Fairy Tales

28.  What’s next for you?

Oh…..I can’t tell you yet!  Just make sure you join my email list, look for my free products coming out soon and some other great plans.

I hope these answers help you.  Please feel free to contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or my website at DeborahBaldwin.net

Deborah Baldwin of DramaMommaSpeaks

 

 

Has Covid Ended the Broadway Theater?

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Has Covid Ended the Broadway Theater?

Recently, my husband and I caught a wonderful performance on BroadwayHD of “Slava’s Snow Show.”  It is quinessential circus theater and we nearly wept with joy while watching it..  Even though it was a filmed performance, it was the closest thing we’d gotten to live theater in nearly a year.

These are unprecendented times, yes?  Everyone in the world is in the same boat.

Will Broadway Theater Re-open?

Broadway, Font, Letters, Sign, Lights, Red, Yellow

It is hard to believe, but Broadway is coming back sooner than we think!

A time line has been drafted for the potential reopening of Broadway theaters and live entertainment venues.

As reported in Broadway News, New York state can reopen venues through a combination of quick Covid tests and socially distanced seating. Although audience numbers would be significantly lower than pre-lockdown levels, it’s the first step to Broadway being back open again.

Speaking about the framework, Governor Cuomo said: “The overall effort is headed towards reopening with testing. And we’re going to be smart, but also aggressive about it.” He also said that Broadway theatres could realistically open if everyone was proven to be Covid negative. As long as all safety protocols were signed off, “You can open a Broadway stage with a set percentage of occupants, where people have tested prior to walking into that Broadway theater.”

During the seven-month Pop Up Festival announced recently, small crowd sizes will be introduced for live performances. This will be the next step since the outdoor Bills Stadium reopened its doors, with up to 7,000 fans attending games.

Here’s the deal, though.  On February 23, venues with a seating capacity of over 10,000 will be allowed to reopen. Of course, this doesn’t include Broadway theater which are much smaller, but hey that’s a start!

Outdoor, Street, Road, City, View, Night, Evening, Time

Not everyone is excited about this plan. From the newyorktheatreguide.com, ” … Broadway leaders previously stated theatres can’t open until Coronavirus levels are low enough to sustain full houses in auditorium.”

Theater is expensive! My personal experiences with administrating theater companies taught me it is not cost effective without a full house. According to nytix.com, “Some may say that any attendance is better than no attendance, but operating costs for Broadway plays are often so steep that they need to sell at least 80% of tickets (or more!) just to break even.

Spending the producers’ money to put on Broadway shows for just 10-25% capacity, could very well create even more losses than having no shows at all. It seems like a real world skit of the famous Nathan Lane show The Producers, but with real consequences for art and people. Broadway Theatres could increase ticket prices but they would have to be 2-3 times the normal cost and they would soon run out of patrons with pockets that deep to buy them.”

At present, Broadway theaters are closed until May 30.

Broadway and West 34th St.

Which Shows Will Re-open?

If you think about it–we are talking about over 97,000 people returning to their jobs and/or be cast.  Unfortunately, they can’t just iron the costumes, turn on the lights and open the grand curtain.  It will take several months for a production to open again.

I looked around to see if I could discern which shows would re-open first. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack. According to Broadwayworld.com  productions are slated to open sometime in the fall.

Productions included are:

  • The Music Man by December 20, 21l.
  • Caroline or Change
  • David Byrne’s America Utopia
  • MJ the Musical

Many productions (Dear Evan Hansen, Aladdin, Book of Mormon, Aint Too Proud, etc.) haven’t made an announcement yet.  I’ll update this list as news becomes available.

Who will open first?

Who will open first?  According to the newyorktheatreguide.com website, there are rumors that Hamilton will be the first Broadway show to re-open, with potential performances from Jul. 4, 2021. Yippee!

Speaking to Variety, Lin-Manuel Miranda said: “I think when theater comes back it’s going to be in conversation with technology in an entirely different way. I don’t think we go back to a world where a show premieres on Broadway, and then no one can see it unless they have two hundred bucks. I think producers are going to have to start thinking about how they’re going to capture [their work] because in capturing it they can actually capture a much larger audience for their live show.”

I’m intrigued by this comment.  Does Lin-Manuel mean covid precautions? Or recorded music?

Is Theater Dead? 

As a theater lover, director, producer, actress and teacher I worry about theater even without the pandemic.

It’s easily misunderstood and not everyone understands the power of the performing arts.  I didn’t know it at the time, but this post has come to pass: How Fulfilling is Life Without Theatre? 

I’m always reminded of this quote by John Steinbeck, “The theater is the only institution in the world which has been dying for four thousand years and has never succumbed.  It requires tough and devoted people to keep it alive.”

It does require grit from us in theater arts.  All around you right now there are people working to bring back theater for all of us. Feel comforted by that thought–theater people are a harty bunch!

In the meantime, while we wait to see live theater I can help a little. Here are some lessons which might be of interest to you.

They are quite popular with other teachers. I’ll tell you a secret. (Most of my lessons come with a teacher’s script so a teacher doesn’t have to think what to say to begin the lesson.  I’ve provided it for them.) I have lessons for grades two to twelve. If you don’t know about me, I am a retired drama teacher now selling drama resources. You can find them at Dramamommaspeaks Store

 

Hamilton
Boom Cards
Costume Design
Wicked
Come From Away
Costume Design
Storytelling
High School
Radio Theater
Readers Theater
Drama Vocabulary
Theater will live through this time.  I’m certain it will take several months before we see packed theaters. How exciting will it be to see happy people roaming around Times Square before a performance. I plan to be there, don’t you?

If you could pick which musical and play you’d like to open first, which would you select?  I’d love to hear from you.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail. com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Deborah Baldwin of DramaMommaSpeaks