Should Middle School Directors Cast Every Student?

Should Middle School Directors Cast Every Student?

Should Middle School Directors Cast Every Student? Part of my weekly activities is reading  various Facebook drama teachers group posts.  One subject is  mentioned at least once a month.  So let’s discuss Should Middle School Directors Cast Every Student? No matter the grade level, whenever you direct (and produce) a youth theater play, one of […]

Who Is Springboard to Action and Why It Matters

Every so often, someone reaches out to me and asks if I can help spread the word about an organization that’s making a real difference in theater education. I’m always willing to consider it.  That’s part of my mission statement.  When I see a program that opens doors for students and inspires teachers, I’m always […]

Scary Radio Plays for High School Students to Perform

Blog post cover with scary hands reaching for the camera.

Adapting spooky radio plays for high school students to perform is a skill in which I excel. I’ve adapted short stories, folk tales and even original works for over thirty-eight years. In that time, I found that high school love to scare themselves and others.  However, before we do so, let’s talk about royalties.  There […]

Ten Steps in a Play Rehearsal in Youth Theater

Ten Steps in a Play Rehearsal in Youth Theater is one of those subjects you figure anyone who has acted at least once will know. Not so. This is a two part post.  Next time, I’ll give you the rest of it, ok? Lately, I’ve read several posts from newbie teachers with no idea about […]

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

A girl listening with headphones to something important on her laptop

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos When I began teaching, we didn’t have videos to show students anything pertaining to theater. Friends, never underestimate the never underestimate the influence of teaching with videos! That was 1980 and the closest thing we had was an old projector which showed black and white films.  Yuck. […]

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

blue stick figure holding gold drama masks

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts Have you heard of Plays for New Audiences? No? They are terrific.  Here are the seven reasons I recommend plays for new audiences scripts. Plays for New Audiences is a division of Children’s Theatre Company. (Pictured above) Minneapolis, Minnesota. PNA offers contemporary works that are topical, […]