to kill a mockingbird Archives

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. Part of the reason this was uninspiring to students is as we know, theater is a visual art. Plus, it gives students a concrete example of the quality of work professionals turn out. Consequently, not many students enrolled in drama classes.

I was looking around for more reasons why teaching with video works. I ran on to www.nextthoughtsstudios.com I found this quote helpful: “Studies have shown that the use of short video clips allows for more efficient processing and memory recall. The visual and auditory nature of videos appeals to a wide audience and allows each user to process information in a way that’s natural to them. In a nutshell, videos are good teachers.”

Things are different now, huh?

Practically with the snap of a finger, a teacher can search for what she wants and show it in her classroom within a few minutes.

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Creating products gives me oppportunities to see many videos worth viewing in the theater classroom. I thought they might be of benefit to you, too!

Primarily, these videos are located on youtube.com. If your school allows you to use Youtube. com, you will be good to go. I’ve also mentioned several videos that you could rent or purchase for your classroom.

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Hamilton!

Let’s Look at Hamilton, first!

There are many videos of Hamilton. However one that I especially like is: Adam Savage Examines the Props of Hamilton.

Let’s begin with set design. Set Design for Hamilton is terrific. It’s only 3 minutes in length. Fascinating stuff here.

The lighting design for Hamilton is awesome! Behind the Scenes with a Hamilton Stagehand Who Told Stories with LightsThis one shows what its like for a stagehand. So interesting. (5:58 mins.)

The costume design for Hamilton is a Hamilton Designers Explain How Costumes are Made I think you’ll learn something new here. (29:42 mins.)

Hamilton is available on line through DisneyPlus only. Honestly, I’d sign up for DisneyPlus just to have the opportunity to show it to my students.

If you’d like more information about Hamilton, check out: Hamilton the Musical: A Drama Lesson with a Unique Perspective

Wicked!

Behind the Emerald Curtain is a series of videos which were created for the express purpose of education.

Wicked Behind the Emerald Curtain is a fascinating interview with the costume designer, Susan Hilferty. There is more information here than just costume design, so take a look at this! (5:35 mins.)

In this video, the choreographer for Wicked explains the difference between choreography and staging a musical. See how the entire world of Wicked the musical was choreographed. (4:47 mins.)

Who is an expert in stage smoke, fog and torches? This man is. You’ll want to check out the special effects of Wicked for certain. Wicked: Special Effects (3:37 mins.)

Good news! A movie version of Wicked is slated to begin productions in the summer of 2022. Cynthia Erivo will pay Elfaba and Arianna Grande will be Glenda. How wonderful will that be?

Considering teaching a whole unit on Wicked? Check out my post: Will Wicked The Musical Ever Rule the World?

Dear Evan Hansen

Now that the Dear Evan Hansen movie has been released, this would be a fantastic time to study the musical.

David Korins, Set Design of Dear Evan Hansen shares an incredible story about his creative process. (3:43 mins.)

Here is a short piece on the Genius Design of Lighting of Dear Evan Hansen you simply must show your students! In this video clip, the announcer explains the complexity and number of light cues used in one part of a song. Amazing. (3:13 mins.)

Maybe you need something physical for your students to do? You could use this as a warm-up of even lesson for the day. Check out Dear Evan Hansen Dance Combo (27:01 mins.)

You can rent Dear Evan Hansen through a variety of ways–Apple TV and Prime are two.

Here’s a blog post concerning Dear Evan Hansen which you may find useful and interesting. Like “Dear Evan Hansen”? Then You’ll Love This News

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Spongebob Squarepants

Oh my gosh, friends. Spongebob Squarepants is such fun and your younger students will really enjoy learning about it.

You’ll want to look at the interview of a set designer. Set Designer David Zinn ( 7:00 mins.) I enjoy how he explains his concept of the musical, but also explains how color, the use of unusual objects and looking at the story as a child would.

Davis Zinn is exceptionally talented! He designed the costumes for the production as well. Explore the Costumes of Spongebob Squarepants. (2:56 mins.) Your students will love what he uses for each costumes and the detail is immense.

Switching gears here. I think showing a rehearsal of a production. It’s very important for our students. It demonstrates that rehearsals should be done with high energy, full commitment and dedication. Get a Sneak Peak at New Broadway Musical Spongebob Squarepants (2:25 mins.)

Need a scope and sequence for your middle school theater class? I can help here: Drama Units Scope and Sequence

Hadestown

Take a Tour Downtown of Hadestown with Rachel Hauk, set design and Rachel Chavkin, director. (4:09 mins.) For your students who can’t get enough of the creative process of designing a production, you’ll want to show this one.

Making the Music Anais Mitchell (3:50 mins.) talks about composing the music for Hadestown. In particular, she talks about the song, “Why Do We Build a Wall.: The lyrics to this song are not a political statement, but when Hadestown opened our former president was busy trying to keep immigrants out of the country. Talk about life imitating art and vice versa.

Broadway’s Hadestown is a Google Talk (55:31 mins.) which older students would appreciate. I think I would use it for a discussion and pick out certain parts which I wanted to point out–blocking, staging, etc. Members of the cast have an opportunity to share about the production. I especially appreciate Andre Shields’ interview. Although long, it’s worth the time.

You can find bootleg copies of Hadestown. That means someone recorded it illegally. I don’t recommend using these because it just perpetuates the idea that this activity is acceptable.

Here’s a blog post of mine about Hadestown and all its wonderfulness. What Can We Learn from Greek Mythology?

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Beetlejuice

Heres a fun one to study: Beetlejuice! The Cast of Beetlejuice Performed at medley at the Tony Awards. (3:48 mins.) Something interesting about this musical is that it was nominated for many Tony awards and didn’t win one. Strange, huh?

The set design is so imaginative–I’d show this for your gifted students. They’ll get a kick out of it! David Korns strikes again as the designer of the Beetlejuice set. It might be interesting to show the three video clips of his work and see if there are any similarities. That’s what I would do. Set Tour with Designer David Korin/ Beetlejuice the Musical. (7:22 mins.)

In How William Ivey Long Created the Beetlejuice and Tootsie Costumes (9:35 mins.) Long speaks about his process for the musical. Talk about talented! You’ll see that he spent over two years designing Beetlejuice. Amazing.

We can’t leave out plays. They are fabulous to teach with too

Teach with Plays

We can’t leave out plays. They are fabulous to teach with too.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Oh yes! To study a little bit of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play would be fabulous for middle grade students.

If your students are unfamiliar with the play, show them this montage first: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Exclusive Montage. (4:43 mins.)

This clip shares many things–the director, special effects, blocking, staging, lighting design, costume design–you name it. Behind the Scenes of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2:49 mins.) is a definite show on my list!

I think students will find this video Magic to Do: Harry Potter with James Snyder (9:51 mins.) demonstrates that actors are pretty much like the rest of us. Pretty goofy.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Let’s say you want to read a play in your high school theater class? I’d suggest To Kill a Mockingbird. I’d include these video clips while we read it. Maybe as a warm-up.

I’d begin with this video clip. It concerns how the play was reworked by the director, Aaron Sorkin. How Aaron Sorkin Reworked To Kill a Mockingbird for Broadway (7:19 mins.) It’s fascinating.

To Kill a Mockingbird Lessons for Today focuses on (7:10 mins.) the show’s star Jeff Daniels and playwright Aaron Sorkin about translating Lee’s characters to the stage, and with students who talk about “Mockingbird”‘s relevance to today’s audience.

Lastly, this video clip discusses the characters of the play. Citizens of To Kill a Mockingbird LaTanya Richards Jackson as Calpurnia (2:40 mins.)

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching With Videos

I hope these video links give you a lot of choice and ideas for your classroom use. If I were you, I’d teach a different musical or play each day–that’s 8 days or more of lessons for you. And….a substitute could use these as well.

Have you used video clips in your classroom? I’d love to hear about it. Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Want some help with your directing? Pick up my FREE checklists at: Director’s Helper Checklists

Let’s talk about the ten reasons why everyone produces Anne of Green Gables. Facebook groups are beginning to chat about suggestions of good plays and musicals to produce. I am even a member of a chat group which talks real details such as how to make Pinochio’s nose grow in Shrek or how to transform the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. Yes, that’s what we theater teachers discuss a lot.

I can’t help but notice the teachers who work in conservatory school districts in small town America. Let’s face it–you can’t produce Chicago in those towns or even The Laramie Project. Theater is hard enough to sell to a community without it being any more contraversial than an innocuous theme such as bullies. I understand the need for something conservative.

Classics such as Tom Sawyer, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, the Disney franchise will go over well in a conservative community. I’ve directed all of the aforementioned. My favorite to direct? Anne of Green Gables, the play adaptation by Sylvia Ashby.

Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables is a perfect play for your company. Not only have I directed it, I’ve produced it as well. In fact, many schools and companies produce the play. As you can tell, I know its ins and outs.

There are certain shows that are guaranteed winners for a company. Anne of Green Gables ranks up there with The Diary of Anne Frank, The Miracle Worker, Alice in Wonderland, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever just to name a few.

Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

There are many reasons to include it in your season, but suffice to say you will make happy a lot of your potential audience members and your regulars. In particular, I recommend Sylvia Ashby‘s adaptation. It is published by Concord Theatricals.com Ashby understands the challenges most schools and community theaters face as far as budget, casting and theatrical space.

The strengths:

1. The cast is comprised of both males and females, BUT two of main characters are females. Hallelujah

2. There are roles for adults and children of many ages. Nine females and seven males. If you need to pad the cast a little, it’s easy to do with more children in the school scenes.

3. The costumes can be as easy or complicated as your costume budget allows. Simple long skirts, long sleeved high neck blouses and lace for the women work well. Males can wear long pants, boots, a button down shirt with no collar and a cap or hat. You can add bloomers for the girls (which is easy to do and just darling) and knickers for the boys (which again is just so cute), but that’s up to you and your budget. If you want some more advice about the critical steps in costume design, check out: Critical Steps in Producing a Play or Musical: Costumes

4. There are a couple of costume issues–Anne’s hair turns green at one point, but that’s not too difficult to accomplish. We’ve used wigs. She also falls into the stream, so you can get her wet or just imply it by spraying her arms with water and maybe her hair.

5. There are several scenes with many characters on stage at once which means more time for everyone to have fun. I’m all about keeping everyone busy–so the more I can get my cast on stage, the better!

6. It’s a good length, about 120 minutes. This is not too difficult for middle school students to accomplish as well as high school.

7. The set can be as elaborate are you require (I’ve seen it produced on a revolving stage.) or simple. I have directed it with the house up center and the other various locales down stage of it. If you need extra advice about set design, check out: Critical Steps in Producing a Play or Musical: Set Design

8. There is a need for a boat. One time a father went crazy on me and built an entire boat (yes, you read that right), but really, that’s not needed. You could do the scene with a bench on a small platform on casters.

9. In a school setting I directed it with two Marillas and three Annes (one for each age we see as she grows up). This plan was terrific for a number of obvious reasons. It gave more females the opportunity to perform leads and lessened the number of lines they had to memorize.

10. The themes of family and friendship which radiate throughout the plot. It is suitable for all audiences. If for no other reason, you should produce this play because an entire family will attend it. It’s a huge crowd pleaser!

There are no cons against producing the play, in my opinion.

Direct a Classic!

As we know, we are bombarded with everything which distracts us more than enriches us– the internet is the biggest culprir and all it holds. I think the more we can get our students and the community in general to see classic books adapted into plays and musicals the better. If you produce an adaptation of a classic novel such as Sense and Sensibility, you will be in like flint with your community.

If you think you can be a little less conservative, I always first suggest To Kill a Mockingbird or The Giver. If you are a community theater, find out which books the students study and produce play adaptation of those books. For instance in according to Edu.com, most high school students read these books.

In my opinion, we are losing the love of the written word. We are becoming habitual internet users. I’m just as much at fault with this one as anyone else, except I’ve found an answer to my problem.

I’m a member of the National Theater at Home streaming service. It has done wonders for my imagination. Whenever I view one of their productions, it feels like a vitamin has been injected into my brain. The classics are the best vitamins, I’ve found.

The next time you are looking for a play that will become a guaranteed winner for your audience, select Anne of Green Gables. You’ll be glad you did!

What is a play or musical which sells out every time you produce it? I’d love to hear about it. Email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com and let’s chat!

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos