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Amazing Photos: What Actors See the Audience Does Not

October 27, 2017 By dhcbaldwin 2 Comments

backstage of theatre

Amazing Photos: What Actors See the Audience Does Not

I thought it might be a good idea to blog about this subject since most people never see backstage. So, that’s why I blogged today concerning amazing photos: what actors see the audience does not.

I have a little story for you which complements this post.

When I was in college, my college had its own summer stock theatre.  It was built out of an old airplane hangar way up in near Okoboji, Iowa. I spent two summers there–one as an actress playing several leading roles and one as the properties mistress.  I learned lots both summers.  I’m not big on defacing property, but we were invited to leave our autograph backstage somewhere.

Amazing Photos: What Actors See the Audience Does Not

Backstage at the Kennedy Center

What goes around comes around

Fast forward thirty years and guess what?  Our youngest daughter, Izzie,  attended the same college and performed at the same summer stock theatre.  When we went to visit her at the end of the season, she took me aside and told me she had a little gift for me.  We walked backstage and she showed me her autograph which she wrote on the wall backstage right. over. mine.

Amazing Photos: What Actors See the Audience Does Not

Izzie directs musicals just like I do!

It’s a special memory between us and one I will not forget!

So when I saw this photo of backstage, I was immediately reminded of my own experiences backstage during a play.

I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do.

Architectural photographer Klaus Frahm wanted to take people through the “fourth wall” that separates actors from their audience. To do this he photographed some of Germany’s most beautiful theatres from the perspective of the actors, looking out into the auditorium.

Theaters backstage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing Photos: What Actors See the Audience Does Not

This is so cool to see the theaters from the view point of the actors.

If you haven’t visited backstage of a professional theater, you are missing out. They are fascinating architecture.

Do check it out!  Here’s another blog post I think you’ll like: Arts Quote We Love #4–Civilizations Remembered for Their Arts

Have you worked backstage for a production?  Do you remember watching the audience from backstage?  I’d love to hear about it.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

Amazing Photos: What Actors See the Audience Does Not

 

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Filed Under: acting, community theater, community theatre, drama education, performing arts, theatre Tagged With: actor’s viewpoint, backstage in theaters, famous theaters, mother/daughter relationships

The Drama Exercise to Jazz Up Your Class and Impress Your Parents

October 10, 2017 By dhcbaldwin 2 Comments

How to impress your parents

Here is a Drama Exercise to Jazz Up Your Class and Impress Your Parents

Do you need an exercise for your students and parents to participate together? Something which isn’t threatening for any other the parties involved?

How about tableau in a unique way?

Your dramamomma has you covered!  Here’s a new lesson plan for your drama classroom using tableau as the springboard.

How to Impress Your Parents

If you are like me, you are always looking for ways to encourage your parents to be involved whenever they visit class.  This exercise is a sure fire winner.  I have used it at the beginning of the school year and also when parents visit to see a class play.

It’s a sneaky wayto get your parents to perform with their child.  In many ways, it helps everyone.  The students get to “play” with their parent and receive their full attention; the parents are given permission to “play” as well.  Together they have a shared experience, too.

How to impress your parents

 

Generally, parents really enjoy this little ice breaker.  It certainly engages everyone.

The exercise takes about fifteen minutes in length.  You can also lengthen the exercise by asking two student/parent groups to work together and perform a larger memory they might have–say, seeing a baseball games (two are the players and two are the baseball fans in the bleachers, etc.)

Tableau Parent/Student Exercise

How to impress your parents

Another fun one is Super Hero Tableau

How to Impress Your Parents

Tableau and movement are components of theater any student can learn and perform successfully, especially grades 4-7. This lesson integrates super heroes into the learning which makes it fun, unique and engaging! This was created as a one day lesson, but can easily be extended another day.

Product includes:

  • the reasons to teach tableau and movement
  • the history of tableau
  • the reasons to teach about super heroes
  • teacher’s questions and script to help you be successful!
  • a flyer listing the qualities of a super hero–great way to begin class!
  • sources and links
  • extensive warm up exercise
  • evaluation and alternative activities

How to Impress Your Parents

I have found most parents are good sports when given half the chance to participate.  When I taught musical theatre, my co-teacher and I invited our parents to join the kids while they learned a quick dance.  My favorite memories are of the dads jumping up and dazzling us with their dance steps.  Of course, their children were mortified, but I thought it was great to see parents in a different life.  Also, I discovered it helps to invest them in the whole experience.

I hope you are participating in your classroom, too.  It’s important for the students to see you in a vulnerable position.  My students loved it when I warmed up with them, too.  You can model and teach at the same time.

So, give these exercises a look.

I’d love to hear how about your experiences involving parent participation.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

 

 

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Filed Under: creative dramatics, drama education, Education, performing arts, teaching strategies, theater, youth theatre Tagged With: drama component, drama exercise, parents day, teachers pay teachers

Like “Dear Evan Hansen”? Then You’ll Love This News

July 12, 2017 By dhcbaldwin 1 Comment

Dear Evan Hansen

Like “Dear Evan Hansen”? Then You’ll Love This News

In the fall, a behind-the-scenes book of the making of the Tony award winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen is being published.  This is wonderful!   The title character, Evan Hansen, is a high school senior with a social anxiety disorder who finds himself amid the turmoil that follows a classmate’s death. Based on a true story which inspired the plot of the musical, Dear Evan Hansen is timely and spot on.

awkward boy

Read on from Playbill.com:

“Grand Central Publishing told The Associated Press that it will release a new book titled Dear Evan Hansen: Through the Window November 21.

The new book is billed as a “behind-the-scenes” account of the making of the Tony-winning musical, written by the creative team of Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul, and will include personal memories, photographs, unreleased lyrics, and the Dear Evan Hansen libretto.

Dear Evan Hansen: Through the Window is available for pre-order here DearEvanHansenBook.com

Like “Dear Evan Hansen”? Then You’ll Love This News

The announcement follows the musical’s success at the 71st Annual Tony Awards in June, where it was the most-awarded production of the evening. The show, about a high school student longing for acceptance, was nominated for nine Tonys and won in six categories, including Best Musical.

Ben Platt took home the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his emotional performance in the show’s title role, while Rachel Bay Jones won for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for her performance as his mother Heidi. Oscar winners Pasek and Paul also took home their first Tony Award for Best Original Score, along with playwright Levenson, who won for Best Book of a Musical. Alex Lacamoire won his third Tony for Best Orchestrations, having previously won for Hamilton and In the Heights.”

awkward boy

This is such a terrific source for all of us. Especially those of us who simply love Broadway musicals.  I look forward to seeing this book, don’t you?

If you are a drama or music teacher, you might enjoy a lesson I’ve created about the show which is part of my new Page to Stage product line.

If you like Dear Evan Hansen, you'll love this!

Here’s new news about the film version!  Dear Evan Hansen Film Cast

Dear Evan Hansen is at the forefront of popular musicals with themes which relate with our teens. This one or two day lesson can stand alone or be combined with one of my Famous Artist biographies.

Need a quick emergency lesson plan? Or one for a substitute? Everything is provided for the busy teacher.

This Product includes:

  • Letter to Teacher
  • Warm Up–MY Version of a Popular Physical Warm Up
  • Teacher’s Script–what I say and how I say it!
  • Photos from the Broadway Production
  • Plot of the Musical
  • History about the Origination of the Production
  • Information concerning the composers, Pacek and Paul
  • Tony Awards it Received
  • What are the Tony Awards
  • New York City Map with Competing Theatres Labeled
  • Student Note Page
  • Teacher Note Page Key
  • Trivia
  • Quotes from the Musical–Good for Discussions and Assignments
  • Extension Activities–Terrific Suggestions of Ways to Secure the Learning and Enrich the Experience
  • Sources & Links to Film Clips from the Show
  • And More!

Comprehensive? You bet.

Check back often, because there are more Page to Stage lessons planned for the near future.

Dear Evan Hansen

Here is one for the songwriting team of the musical:  Pasek and Paul
Like Dear Evan Hansen?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You might also enjoy the Lin Manuel Miranda Famous Artist Biography, too.

Lin Manuel Miranda

Lin Manuel Miranda cover

Are you a fan of Dear Evan Hansen?  I’d love to hear from you.

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or my website DeborahBaldwin.net

http://www.playbill.com/article/steven-levenson-benj-pasek-and-justin-paul-writing-dear-evan-hansen-book

 

 

 

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Filed Under: arts education, Broadway, drama education, Musical Theatre, performing arts, Teacherspayteachers Tagged With: Dear Evan Hansen, musical theater song writing team, Pasek and Paul, school social issue, suicide issue, Tony award winning musical

Happy April Fool’s Day–Theatre Jokes to Make You Laugh

March 31, 2017 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Theater Jokes for April Fools Day
 
Happy April Fools Day! Theatre Jokes to Make you Laugh
I created this blog post, Happy April Fool’s Day: Theatre Jokes to Make you Laugh, because who doesn’t like to laugh? These jokes are not mine.  Credit goes to Whatsonstage.com and Goldenbeardrama.com.
I only compiled them from several sources, but for those in theatre…well, we get them. Enjoy!

Happy April Fool’s Day–Theatre Jokes to Make You Laugh


  • Two neighbors in Stratford claim that their home is the true birthplace of Shakespeare. Officials in Stratford proposed to solve the dispute by putting a plaque on both their houses.
  • Two deceased actors meet in heaven. One says: “Good grief, is that Trevor Nunn over there? I didn’t realize he was dead.” His acquaintance, who had a slightly longer experience of the afterlife, replied: “Oh no, that’s God- he just thinks he’s Trevor Nunn.” (I’ve known many an actor who thinks he’s God, trust me.  Not only are they obnoxious, but hacks, too.)

Happy April Fool's Day

Happy April Fool’s Day–Theatre Jokes to Make You Laugh

  • Q: How do you drown an actress?
    A: Put a mirror at the bottom of the pool.
  • Q: How many actors does it take to change a lightbulb?
    A: Ten – one to hold the bulb and nine to say “it should be me up there”. OR…
    A: One – the actor holds the lightbulb and the world revolves around him.
  • Q: How many directors does it take to change a lightbulb?
    A: Hmmm… Lightbulb… Allow me to ponder the changing of the bulb.

(My daughter was in a Greek play while in college.  The director read 38 adaptations of a play before he directed hers.  It was horrible. Moral of the story:  You can read 1,000 adaptations but if you aint’ got the talent to direct it, it doesn’t matter.)

  • Q: How many producers does it take to change a lightbulb?
    A: Sorry, a new lamp isn’t in the budget.
  • (I know of one company who threw a very elaborate, expensive cast party, but denied a very dedicated, always responsible volunteer a complimentary ticket saying, “It was too expensive to give you one.” ????
  • Q: How many lighting designers does is take to change a lightbulb?
    A: None. It’s a carefully orchestrated blackout.

(Never, never make the lighting designer or crew angry.  They can easily put you in                  the dark because of it.)

Happy April Fool's Day

April Fools Day Theater Jokes for Theater People

  • An actor without technicians is a naked person, standing on a bare stage, in the dark, trying to emote. A technician without actors is a person with saleable skills.
  • A stage manager, a sound technician and a lighting designer find a bottle in a corner of the theatre. One of them rubs it and a genie pops out. “Since you all found me,” he says “you each get one wish.” The sound technician steps up and says, “I’d like a million pounds and three beautiful women.” POOF! The sound tech is gone. The lighting designer steps up and says, “Well, if he can have that, I’d like TEN million pounds, and my own personal island with 15 beautiful women!” POOF! The lighting designer is gone. The stage manager steps up and says, “I’d like them both back in ten minutes.”
  • If “All the world’s a stage, and all the people merely players”… who the **** has my script?

This one is spot on…

19 Jokes That Only True Theatre Nerds Will Understand

More Theatre Jokes for April Fool’s Day

(There is no one more hysterical or dramatic (pun intended) than an actor who can’t  find  his script, unless they are the overly confident actor who paraphrases anyway.)

Theatrical Logic

In is down, down is front

Out is up, up is back

Off is out, on is in

And of course-

Left is right and right is left

A drop shouldn’t and a

Block and fall does neither

A prop doesn’t and

A cove has no water

Tripping is OK

A running crew rarely gets anywhere

A purchase line buys you nothing

A trap will not catch anything

A gridiron has nothing to do with football

Strike is work (In fact a lot of work)

And a green room, thank god, usually isn’t

Now that you’re fully versed in Theatrical terms,

Break a leg.

But not really.

Child laughing
THE ACTOR’S LESSONS of DESTRUCTION

1. Compromise your principles early and get it over with.

2. Memorize all of the songs from “Cats.”

3. Wear as much spandex as possible to auditions.

4. Wear lots of “comedy and tragedy” accessories.

5. Take your art WAY too seriously.

6. Misquote Shakespeare.

7. If a director doesn’t invite you to callbacks, assume it’s a mistake and go anyway.

8. When you get to callbacks, ask the director “Will this take long?”

9. No matter how many conflicts you have, reply “none.” Hey, it can all be worked out in the end.

10. Overemphasize the lines they laugh at.

11. Mistreat props. Lose them. Take them home with you.

12. Tip the director.

13. Repeatedly ask techies, “Will this be ready by the opening?”

14. Assume the stage manager is there to clean up after you..

15. Stay up late power drinking before early morning calls.

16. Pause for so long after your monologue that they can’t tell if you are done or not.

17. Remember, although you can always be replaced, they can’t replace you until you’ve done a LOT of damage.

18. When your character isn’t talking, mug.

19. Why be onstage when you can upstage?

20. For a touch of realism, upstage yourself.

21. Give fellow actors advice on how to do their characters.

22. If you can’t get a grasp of your character, just do Jack Nicholson.

23. Blocking is for amateurs.

24. Eye contact is for actors afraid to stand on their own.

25. It’s not the quality of the role, it’s what you get to wear.

26. Wear all black and hang out in coffee houses.

27. Change your blocking on opening night.

28. Remember: frontal nudity gets you noticed faster.

29. Use your tongue to make stage kisses look “real.” Blech!

30. Break a leg. Literally.

Happy April Fool's Day

Theatre Jokes: The Actor’s Vocabulary (Edited)

 

ETERNITY:   The time passes between a dropped cue and the next line.

PROP:  A hand-carried object small enough to be lost by an actor exactly 30 seconds before it is needed on stage.

DIRECTOR:  An individual who suffers from the delusion that they are responsible for every moment of brilliance cited by the critic in the local review.

BLOCKING:  The art of moving actors on the stage in such a manner so as to have them not collide with the walls, furniture, or each other, nor descend precipitously into the orchestra pit. Similar to playing chess, with the exception that, here, the pawns want to argue with you.

BLOCKING REHEARSAL:  A rehearsal taking place early in the production schedule where actors frantically write down movements which will be nowhere in evidence by opening night.

QUALITY THEATRE:  Any show with which one was directly involved.

TURKEY: Any show with which one was NOT directly involved.

DRESS REHEARSAL:   The final rehearsal during which actors forget everything learned in the two previous weeks as they attempt to navigate the 49 new objects and set pieces that the set designer/director has added to the set at just prior to the DRESS REHEARSAL.

TECH WEEK: The last week of rehearsal when everything that was supposed to be done weeks before finally comes together at the last minute. This week reaches its grand climax on DRESS REHEARSAL NIGHT when costumes rip, a dimmer pack catches fire and the director has a nervous breakdown.

SET:  An obstacle course which, throughout the rehearsal period, defies the laws of physics by growing smaller week by week while continuing to occupy the same amount of space.

MONOLOGUE: That shining moment when all eyes are focused on a single actor who is desperately aware that if they forget a line, no one can save them.

More Theatre Joke Definitions

BIT PART: An opportunity for the actor with the smallest role to count everybody else’s lines and mention repeatedly that they have the smallest part in the show.

GREEN ROOM:  Room shared by nervous actors waiting to go on stage and the precocious children whose actor parents couldn’t get a baby-sitter that night, a situation which can result in justifiable homicide.

STAGE MANAGER: Individual responsible for overseeing the crew, supervising the set changes, baby-sitting the actors and putting the director in a hammerlock to keep him from killing the actor who just decided to turn their walk-on part into a major role by doing magic tricks while they serve the tea.  

LIGHTING DIRECTOR:  Individual who, from the only vantage point offering a full view of the stage, gives the stage manager a heart attack by announcing a play-by-play of everything that’s going wrong.

ACTOR [as defined by a set designer]:  That person who stands between the audience and the set designer’s art, blocking the view.

STAGE RIGHT/STAGE LEFT:  Two simple directions actors pretend not to understand in order to drive directors batty. (e.g. “…No, no, your OTHER stage right!!!!”)

MAKE-UP KIT:  (1) [among experienced Theater actors]: a  battered tackle box loaded with at least 10 shades of greasepaint in various stages of desiccation, tubes of lipstick and blush, assorted  pencils, bobby pins, braids of crepe hair, liquid latex, old programs, jewelry, break-a-leg greeting cards from past shows, brushes and a handful of half-melted cough drops; (2) [for first-time  male actors]: a helpless look and anything they can borrow.

CREW:  Group of individuals who spend their evenings coping with 50-minute stretches of total boredom interspersed with 30-second  bursts of  mindless panic.

MESSAGE PLAY:  Any play which its director describes as “worthwhile,” “a challenge to actors and audience alike,” or “designed to make the audience think.” Critics will be impressed both by the daring material and the roomy accommodations, since they’re likely to have the house all to themselves.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:  Individual willing to undertake special projects that nobody else would take on a bet, such as working one-on-one with the brain-dead actor whom the rest of the cast and crew (including the director) has threatened to take out a contract one.

And finally, remember this: “It’s only theater until it offends someone…then it’s ART!”

Happy April Fool’s Day!Happy April Fool's Day

 

Do you know any funny theatre jokes good for April Fool’s Day or any day, really? ?  I’d love to learn them.

I have quite a sense of humor myself.  If you’d like to see any evidence of it.  Check out this lesson:  

The Brave Little Tailor

Theatre Jokes to Make You Laugh

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net


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Filed Under: community theatre, performing arts, plays, Production Questions, Professional Theatre, theater, theatre Tagged With: actors, directors, funny theater jokes, funny theatre jokes, playwrights, producers, stage manager, theater jokes for drama class, theatre jokes for theatre class

Bumbling Bea: The First Chapter

November 24, 2016 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

BB chapter 16

Bumbling Bea:  The First Chapter 

There has been a lot of traffic on the blog lately and I can’t help but wonder if folks are curious about my award winning book, Bumbling Bea. So, here is chapter one:

Bumbling Bea

Chapter One

It was Peter’s fault.

“P!” I yelled to get his attention, “do I look like old Macdonald on the farm to you?”

I was splattered all over with the gross stuff. I swear it was already curdling and the entire cafeteria of students could see it. I smelled putrid–like yucky old, blackened, moldy cheese long forgotten in the back of the refrigerator. It made me wretch a little but I still managed to get in his face.

“Why don’t you drink juice or water? Now I smell like I’ve been working in a cheese factory. You’re such a dweeb, P.”

When I was mad at Peter, I called him “P.” He’d been P. ever since we were in kindergarten when he stuck a couple of peas up his nose and had to go to the hospital to get them out. And like those peas, the name stuck. And he was clumsy, BUT only with me. He defended himself like he always did which irritated me.

“Jeez, sorry Beatrice. I didn’t mean to nearly flip over your backpack and spill two miniscule drops of lactose on your precious jacket. It was blocking the aisle between the tables like always. You are so mean these days.” Peter huffed, stomping away from the lunch room.

It wasn’t me speaking to Peter. It was Bumbling Bea. I’ve discovered I have an alter ego who I call Bumbling Bea. Strange and mean thoughts come flying out of my mouth. They didn’t even sound like something I’d think or say! Bumbling Bea hadn’t been around for long, but when she did rear her scary head, it was at the worst times.

One of the most memorable of times Bumbling Bea showed up was when we gave our choir director a tennis racket as a going away present. He was getting married and leaving our school. He was obsessed with tennis and was a pretty decent player. I thought it was neat, even though he had knobby knees and skinny, hairy, Minnie Mouse legs which looked kinda’ weird in his way too short tennis shorts.

I thought of the present when I saw him hitting tennis balls on the tennis court after school one day. He was mumbling something and from seeing his temper in class, I figured it was about his students.

            It was the first time Bumbling Bea arrived. I was class secretary for him (which made me feel super important even though he had a class secretary for every other class, too.) I thought I had power and the other kids listened to me. Bumbling Bea liked that a lot! At lunch one day I was sitting by myself, as usual. I turned to the table with the popular kids sitting behind me. “I think we should buy our music teacher a going away present since he’s getting married and leaving us. How about we give him a tennis racket since he loves the game so much?”

Everyone agreed with me (which was a first) and those who didn’t, gave me a dollar per student donation anyway. If giving money for a teacher’s going away present kept you in or near the popular kids, you gave it. And they did!

I was so excited. I checked out tennis racket prices on the internet, Dave’s Discount and the hardware supply store. Dave’s had the best price. Most everything was less expensive at Dave’s Discount. My Dad told me it was because Dave bought up all the things other businesses couldn’t sell. Dad thought Dave’s had good deals even though sometimes their stuff fell apart after one use. Their price for the tennis racket was awesome and one my class could afford.

Since I found the tennis racket right away, I had a little bit of time left over before Dad picked me up so I looked around at the girls’ clothes. Normally, I didn’t look at your typical girls’ clothes because they were always way too pink and way too fluffy. Not at Dave’s, though! I found a black and white polka dotted bikini swimming suit, matching flip flops and a package of panties—things were so cheap.

“You want me to put them in a Dave’s Discount box, honey?” wondered the clerk lady who smelled like cigarettes and chewing gum.

I heard about the Dave’s Discount boxes before. People used them to store about anything in them after they got them home: extra cat litter, broken toys, a bed for a puppy and so forth. They were sturdy, kind of a brownish tan color with black stripes printed on one side of them and the words “Dave’s Discount” plastered over the stripes.

Being so proud of myself for a. finding the tennis racket and b. buying the bikini, flip flops and panties all by myself, I accepted two boxes instead of one. I mean, they were free, you know? Dad said not to turn away free stuff if anyone at a store ever offered you anything free. I thought Dave’s Discount box was one of those free things he was talking about.

“Mom, we got a deal. The racket only cost thirty-six dollars.” I announced as I arrived home.

“Don’t forget to take off the price tag before you wrap it, Beatrice,” my mom reminded me as she whisked off to teach her art classes.

Mom! Sheesh. Sometimes she thinks I’m a baby…

My brother, Edmund, helped me wrap the box rolling it two or three times in wrapping paper and tying it with gobs of ribbons and a bunch of bows on it. We put the box in another box which went in another box. We thought it was so fun to unwrap when you received one of those sort of presents. Edmund laughed and laughed each time we played the trick on him.

This is so awesome. I said to myself. And when I tell him I chose the present, he will think I’m one of his coolest students for doing this for him.

That was Bumbling Bea talking. You see? Why would it matter whether my teacher thought I was the coolest student he had ever taught during his teaching career? He had thousands of kids he’d taught already and I was a lousy singer.

It was finally time to give the present. On the last day of classes before summer vacation, we usually sang through the year’s music one more time. The whole choir was singing happily, but they kept turning and looking at me. I was singing loud the way I never do because I was so excited about our present. Well, Bumbling Bea was singing exceedingly loud because she thought I was a better singer since I thought up the present.

Bumbling Bea

It was the second time Bumbling Bea appeared.

Finally, the end of the hour came and it was time for the present. I stood lifting my head proudly, “We are sad you are leaving Oak Grove Middle School. We wanted to give you something to remember us when you are off in your new life.” I gave him the big box saying, “So, here is a little something to use to take out your frustrations on your new wife.”

Huh? What was that I said?

I was kinda’ nervous which was unusual for me and it freaked me out. So I tried again. “I meant, here’s a little something to use to take out your frustrations in your new life.”

Oh man. That wasn’t right either.

I tried one more time, “Oh, you know when you have a bad day at your new school and want to strangle your students, you can use this instead.” I cringed.

My teacher stared at me. “I don’t know what you are talking about, Beatrice. I’m never frustrated with my students.” He smiled at the rest of the class and ignored me.

I felt different on the inside of myself. Kinda’ smart aleck-y, but I didn’t know why. Maybe I was way too excited or nervous or awkward? When I am, I do dumb things to cover. It was how I felt that day. I wanted to sound grown up and cool and in charge, but I said three super dumb things to my teacher.

But I did more than say three dumb things.

Way more.

When Edmund and I were wrapping the tennis racket, Edmund’s pet ferret, Bernie, got loose from Edmund’s clutches and darted around my room. We were so busy screaming at Bernie that while trying to catch him, I guess my big fat foot accidentally pushed the box with the tennis racket under my bed. I picked up the other identical box with my new swimming suit, matching flip flops and the package of new panties and wrapped it instead.

Yes, you read it right: it was the box containing my new bikini swimming suit, matching flip flops and the new panties.

NEW PANTIES! NEW PANTIES!

But see, I didn’t know it was the wrong box because I wasn’t looking at my teacher when he finally opened the last box. I was busy picking up the left over wrapping paper.

Somebody whispered, “Beatrice, you left the price tag on the box.”

“Embarrassing,” another snickered.

THE PRICE TAG WAS SHOWING. THE STUPID PRICE TAG WAS STILL ON THE PRESENT.

I looked up and before I knew it, Bumbling Bea quipped, “There’s the price tag. It shows you how much we like you and I wanted you to know all us chipped in for it.”

Again with the dumb statements!

My teacher opened the box and there was no tennis racket.

BUT, there they were: the panties. Oh, the swimming suit and flip flops were there too, but all I saw were the PANTIES. It was as if they grew from a regular size to the size of a goal post on a football field. HUGE.

I stammered, “What? How did those get in there?”

My confused teacher said something to me, but the whole class was laughing so loudly I couldn’t hear him. I grabbed back the box and ran out of class and hid in the girls’ bathroom.

People called me “Panties” for days afterward until my mother heard them one too many times and threatened to call their parents.

Later I got the right present to my teacher but by then every kind of damage had already been done and I still forgot to take the price tag off the stupid present. I gave up.

Peter said later in the summer he saw my teacher hitting balls with our present tennis racket out on the court. He was back in town visiting his mother or something. I guess he hit one ball a little too hard, because the tennis racket’s webbing unraveled and when it fell to the ground, the handle fell apart, too.

Yup. Bumbling Bea steps into my skin right at the wrong time. Lately, there are more times she appears than I have until a crazy girl who wore cat ears visited from Japan. She made me see what I was doing by taking on my bumble-bea-ness herself. It’s all a little scary when you think about it.

I hope you enjoyed it.  If you are interested in buying the book, check it out at:  Bumbling Bea

Here are a few reviews about Bumbling Bea:  New Book reviews on Bumbling Bea

If you’d like more information about me, go to:  About Me

 

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Filed Under: Book Reviews, Book Talks, Bumbling Bea, Indie books, Indie Publishing, middle grades, performing arts, Readers Favorite, Uncategorized Tagged With: 'tweens, bullying, Bumbling Bea, chapter one, Family, family time, friendships, growing up, Middle school, school, singing

Dear Music Student, I Recognize You a Mile Away

November 20, 2016 By dhcbaldwin 1 Comment

This is a four part series of posts (this is the fourth). Click here for the other posts:

https://dramamommaspeaks.com/2016/11/15/dear-drama-student-i-recognize-you-a-mile-away/

https://dramamommaspeaks.com/2016/11/17/dear-dance-student-i-recognize-you-from-a-mile-away/

https://dramamommaspeaks.com/2016/11/12/dear-art-student-i-recognize-you-a-mile-away/

I love arts students. They are fun to be around and never fail to entertain you, that’s for sure.  Honestly, they are pretty easy to spot.

These are generalizations and just for fun, to be honest. I asked for a little help from the people who know–teachers, artists, dancers, musicians and directors. This post describes a music student in a tongue in cheek manner. Let’s see if you agree with us.

choir.png

Music students: (thanks to Tim Baldwin, instrumental music teacher)

  • sing all the time, maybe in harmony with others, maybe not but they sing all.the.time

  • play their instrument or if nothing else, they air play their instrument

  • wear ear buds and listen to music all.the.time (are we seeing a pattern here?)

  • if they are in marching band, they walk  heel/toe, heel/toe  in a rolling step

  • they practice constantly (I think some of that is just to hear themselves.)

  • they own band shirts or the trendiest show shirt (right now it would be Hamilton) or don their most favorite musical show shirt (a lot of the girls love Wicked)

  • love Math (which is said to have a strong correlation to music)

  • certain personalities play certain instruments for instance, trumpet players are self assured and cocky, while drummers are raucous, flutes are the sorority girls of the group

  • orchestra students tend to be quiet and very intelligent, but they also love Anime

  • sopranos  can be a little snobbish, altos are more down to earth, tenors are flirtatious and basses are masculine.

    music-kids

Generally, if you are an arts student you are involved in one of the other arts as well.  These kids are very busy and like it that way.

What is most interesting about arts students is their popularity hierarchy within themselves.  If a guy is a tenor and he can sing as high as a female, that makes points for him.

The same goes for a girl who can climb a tall ladder and focus a light on a set.  If you are first chair violinist, you are popular, too or at the very least, respected. If a guy is a bass singer and he can dance, that’s another biggie.  If a girl can tap the heck out of a combination, you are considered “cool”.

However, if you are too serious about your art, the opposite is true.  Although revered, your friends may not even think to invite you to social events because they assume you are more interested in dancing or rehearsing than a pizza.

And anyone who is comical or can make everyone laugh automatically accrues popularity points no matter which art form they love.

Like most interests, there is a fine line to balance.  What is too much and what is not enough?

I appreciate this hierarchy somewhat, because it makes room for everyone in the arts. This popularity has nothing to do with beauty or brawn.  It’s all about talent and hard work. Everyone is an artist if they allow themselves to be.  Look for them. You’ll see.

Which art do you enjoy the most?  I’d love to hear from you.

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or Bumblingbea.com

 

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Filed Under: arts education, Musical Theatre, performing arts Tagged With: arts students, friendship, high school, music student, orchestra student, orchestra students, school

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