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How to Audition Children for a Play or Musical

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How to Audition Children for a Play or Musical

This is a subject near and dear to my heart.

I became a youth theater director by accident.  My college friends would say they thought that’s what I would end up doing with my theater degree.

I had no idea, really. But it stuck with me.  I really did enjoy it!

How to Audition Children for a Play or Musical

In thirty-eight years of teaching and directing, I directed over 250 plays and musicals with adults and children alike.

During that time, I started the careers of several child actors who have gone on to be Broadway performers or work in the industry.  That’s a really cool thing.

In addition, there are probably several hundred who are still involved in theater in their communities.  I love that even more!

If you think of all the people which I’ve auditioned– just crazy!

As a result of these experiences I’ve learned a thing or two about auditioning and directing children.

Of course, It depends upon the age of the child and the production, but here are some questions to ask yourself prior to auditions if you plan to direct them.

How to Audition Children for a Play or Musical

How to Audition Children for a Play or Musical

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

(I’m assuming you are working in a community theater or semi-professional.)

  • How young can a student be to audition for the production?
  • Is there anything in the production that would be too adult for a young child to comprehend?
  • Could an older student portray the role?
  • What is more important to me–to cast someone who is the essence of the character or someone who is the true age of the character?
  • How essential is it to me that the child’s parents are cooperative?
  • Are the parents allowed to sit in auditions?
  • Can parents sit in on rehearsals?
  • How many late evening rehearsals are planned?
  • Will I send the child home early?  Why or Why not?
  • How many conflicts will I accept from the child (school functions, sports games, etc.)
  • Some children don’t do well at cold readings.  Will I allow children to see the script beforehand?
  • Should the child bring in their own monologue for their audition?
  • If the show is a musical, do I expect them to sing a song from the show for their audition?
  • Will I hold callbacks for the child role?
  • How will I handle their callbacks?  Will I run them through a series of improvisations?
  • Should I cast two students in the role with one an understudy?
  • Would it be better to double cast the child role?
  • Do I expect the child to say any swear words written in the play or will I substitute something for them?

Tony Award-Winning Child Actors

How many child actors go on to make a career of it?  When I was researching this topic, I found several biographies on Wikipedia.com.  I remember seeing these four perform.

They were absolutely stellar.

Daisy Eagan started her early theatre training at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre’s Junior School where she had classes in acting, singing, and dancing in the early 1990s. She then went on to star on Broadway in “The Secret Garden” with Mandy Patinkin and Rebecca Luker. She became the youngest recipient to receive the TONY award for featured actress in a musical.

 

How to Audition Children for a Play or Musical

The Billy Elliott Boy Dancers

David Alvarez is one of the three boys originally cast to play Billy in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical, along with Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish. He needed to study tap, acrobatics, voice and acting for the role and spent July 2007 through March 2008 preparing. Billy Elliot the Musical began previews in New York on October 1 and officially opened on November 13, 2008. His first preview performance was on October 2, 2008. He played his final performance on January 3, 2010. Alvarez’s portrayal of Billy Elliot was highly praised by the critics.

Alvarez, jointly with Kiril Kulish and Trent Kowalik won Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical 

How to Audition Children for a Play or Musical

Kiril Kulish was born in San Diego, California on February 16, 1994. His parents, Raisa Kulish and Phil Axelrod, are Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. His older brother, Victor, is a singer/songwriter and recording engineer, and his older sister Beata is a TV/film producer. He grew up speaking Russian, Ukrainian, and English. He started studying ballet at age five and ballroom dancing at age 8. He studied at the San Diego Academy of Ballet and was the youngest male to be admitted to their junior company.

Kiril was the winner of the Junior division Grand Prix at the Youth America Grand Prix in 2006, 2007, and 2008  and won the Hope Award in the Pre-Competitive division in 2006. Kiril Kulish won first place in Latin Ballroom at the USA National Dance Championships in 2006 and 2007. In 2012 and 2013 Kiril Kulish became the Youth USA Champion in Latin DanceSport and will represent the USA in Beijing and Paris.

Trent Kowalik was born in Wantagh, New York, the son of Lauretta (née Splescia), an organist and pianist at St. Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church in East Meadow, New York, and Michael Kowalik, a surveyor. He has three older sisters. He started dance lessons at the age of three at Dorothy’s School of Dance in Bellmore, New York. At age four, he began instruction in Irish dancing. At age six, he was competing at the highest level, Open Championship. He danced with the Inish free School of Irish Dance.

In April 2006, at age 11, Kowalik won the youngest male age group of the World Irish Dancing Championship (Irish: Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne) in Belfast. He is a five-time undefeated North American Champion and a World Champion. He holds multiple national titles in Scotland, England, and Ireland, and continues to study ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical dance.  He graduated from The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School–Pre-Professional Division American Ballet Theatre in 2013. He graduated from Princeton University in June 2018. He was a member of student dance groups Princeton University Ballet and BodyHype Dance Company.

Note:  Most child actors grow up to lead lives away from the stage.

However, if you have the chance to get them started take heed of my questions.  They will help you immensely.

If you’d like a lesson concerning Billy Elliott, check out Billy Elliott The Broadway Musical Lesson

How to Audition Children for a Play or Musical

For more information about working with children, check out these posts:

Double Casting a Show? Here’s Advice

How to Make Your Drama Class More Successful–Lessons Learned from 38 Years of Teaching Drama-Elementary

How to Make Your Drama Class More Successful –Lessons Learned from 38 Years of Teaching-Middle School

What child actors have you started?  I’d love to hear about them.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

 

Play Reading and Analysis–An Important Skill for Our Students

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Play Reading and Analysis–an Important Skill for Our Students

Deborah Baldwin teaching

I am a drama teacher.  Consequently, I eat, sleep and breath theater even now that I’m newly retired.

I listen to the Sirius Broadway station all day which keeps me abreast to upcoming productions and tours.

Because of my love for theater, I spend a lot of time on Pinterest.com pinning anything that pertains to theater–plays, musicals, set design, costume design, stage properties do it yourself creations, stage makeup, videos, lighting plots, show posters, etc.

I have A LOT of boards…………….:)

I see theater teachers in Facebook groups looking for play titles to read with their students, especially middle school.  If you are looking for a good one to study,  try Tim Kelly’s dramatization of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  Here is a study guide and set design unit for it:  Study Guide and Set Design Units Tom Sawyer

BUNDLE TOM SAWYER STUDY GUIDE AND SET DESIGN

Sorry, I digressed.

Strengthening Literacy through Play Reading

Back to literacy.

I looked for research concerning the reasons our students should read a play script and of course, ran on to balanced literacy.

“When students have a voice in the reading process, they’re learning to contribute to their own knowledge.  Because they can select the books (in my case, plays) they wish to read, they have greater control over what they want to learn. Students are much more likely to view reading as a priority when they have some ownership in the reading process.

However, this doesn’t mean students can make their independent reading choices willy-nilly.  There does have to be some structure involved. First of all, the independent reading selection must be at their reading level.  No “easy” books during independent reading. “At their reading level” means students should be able to read their selections with 95%-100% accuracy.”

I agree with everything mentioned above.

Reading a play can be an amazing, satisfying experience.  Once my students become accustom to reading a script aloud (which takes about one class period), they are invested.

woman reading book

Here are some of the reasons for our students to read a play:

  1.  The dialogue is terrific.  You can’t help but be engaged.  The playwright hones his script to be the most compelling experience he can create.  He certainly doesn’t want an audience member leaving the production.  When an audience members leaves, it’s not the same as turning off the television–EVERYONE sees the bored person leave.  Yikes! Also, if you are teaching students how to write dialogue, reading a script will help them immensely.
  2. There is no narration or superfluous information.  There might be someone who narrates, but again, the narration is short, concise and entices the audience.
  3. For many moments in the plot, stage directions are included.  If the play reader becomes lost, it is easy to find one’s place in the script merely by reading the directions.  The stage directions help a reader to visualize the action. They were either added to the script by the playwright or placed there in honor of the first company who produced it.
  4. Characters are well developed.  A well crafted play can be read without looking at each character’s printed name within the play.  A reader should be able to read down the middle of the script and know who is speaking and why.
  5. Each scene and act follows the traditional plot structure–a beginning (the conflict is unveiled), rising action and some sort of resolution.  Generally, an act is ended like a cliff hanger in a movie or book.  Or, it makes a thought provoking statement which enhances the theme and encourages the audience member to return after intermission.
  6. Generally, the plot concerns a short amount of time in the main character’s life.  If the script becomes too epic, the audience is lost and again they’ll quit listening.
  7. Everything that is published in the script is vitally important to its success on the stage. That means anything mentioned or used has been carefully chosen.
  8. I can’t think of a script I haven’t enjoyed reading.  Sure, I’d rather see the script in a live production but reading the script works for me almost as well.

Strengthening Literacy through Play Reading

So how do you find the scripts your students will enjoy?  I surveyed a group of drama teachers from all over the world and they helped me come up with a list of plays they think students should read.

For High School

  • Harvey
  • Arsenic and Old Lace
  • Still Life With Iris
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Oslo
  • Inherit the Wind
  • Diary of Anne Frank
  • The Giver
  • The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds
  • Anne of Green Gables
  • Fences
  • Vanities
  • Yellow Boat
  • The Giver
  • Dark Road
  • Children’s Hour
  • Our Town
  • The Crucible
  • Raisin in the Sun
  • Antigone
  • The Doll’s House
  • Glass Menagerie
  • Dancing at Lughnasa
  • Death of a Salesman
  • Doubt
  • Proof
  • Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
  • The Heidi Chronicles
  • Last Night at Ballyhoo
  • The Miracle Worker

Strengthening Literacy through Play Reading

Most of these scripts can be purchased through one of the various script publishers.  If you don’t know where to start, try searching the nae of the script, such as “The Giver, the play version.”

If that gets you nowhere, you can try findaplay.com  This site used to be my favorite, but I’ve noticed not every script is listed there anymore.

Your students may find on-line versions to read, especially of the classics (our Town, The Crucible, Raisin in the Sun, The Doll’s House, etc.)  or check out your school or public library.

Sometimes you’ll find them in anthologies, especially if they were Tony Award Winners.  I believe this list includes only Tony Award winners.

I have a unit (two actually) which can help you teach about play analysis.  It is:  Play Reading and Analysis (PDF) 

and Play Reading and Analysis Google Classroom

Packed with questions and a rubric it contains:

  • Letter to Teacher
  • Project Assignment–What is Expected in the Assignment
  • Play Analysis Questions–as a Producer, Director and Designer
  • Play Titles–Vetted and Compiled from Drama Teachers Around the World
  • Rubric (FULLY EDITABLE)
  • Exit Slip prompts for 5 days–Questions are Provided for Each Day
  • Source Page

I hope you’ll check it out and use it.  It’s very different.

 

Or, if you’d like to get a heck of a deal, look into this bundle:  Drama Units and Lessons for High School Students

Until next time.

Deborah Baldwin, author

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

My Number One Best Selling Product

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Here it is!  My number one best selling product is here– radio theater. Ta-da.

Radio Theater Unit

 

This is my number one most popular product in my store, Dramamommaspeaks on Teacherspayteachers.com. Check it out here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/RADIO-THEATRE-UNIT-I-3319922

Why?

Because everyone has heard of radio theatre, but few drama educators know much about teaching it!

Until now.

Enter me….

For twelve years, I taught in a middle school  each year instructing nearly 400 sixth graders each year.  All. about. theatre.

Now, if you are a creative person like I am, then you know this is going to drain you pretty quickly.  I taught everything to them:  tableau, sound effects, movement, storytelling, set and costume design, stage properties and acting.

Radio Theater Unit

At the end of every twenty-five days of the school year, we put present a short play for their parents.  (You have to perform something otherwise it’s not really theatre, right?)

After about five years and multitudes of different ways to teach theatre, I was exhausted creatively.

Then I discovered radio theatre.

I had some experience with it prior to the class.  In fact, when I was a high school girl while everyone else was studying or talking on the phones to their friends, I would stay up late at night and listen to old radio shows from a Chicago station.   It was terrific!

So, I got to thinking…..what if I taught the kids about radio theatre?

It had everything I needed–a script, no memorization of lines, plenty of parts and also non-threatening jobs like sound effects and running the music.  

Back then, the internet was pretty new.  It’s hard to believe, but we didn’t even have computers in our classrooms yet.  I ran upon the Museum of Television and Radio (now called the Paley Center for Media)  in California and discovered they had radio theatre workshops for families. Bingo!

Museum of Television and Radio

Desperate, I wrote them asking for help and as luck would have it, a very nice man Tony Palermo sent me six scripts to use with my students.

I had some experience with voice over work myself and I was familiar with many aspects of radio theater production. Over the next several years, I perfected the unit.

 

This THREE WEEK unit suitable for middle and high school drama classes or gifted classes includes:

• a lesson on the history of radio theatre,
• information about Foley engineers
• three links to video clips of Foleys
• student created sound effect project
• five links to radio play performances (some vintage and some recent)
• a lesson in writing and producing radio commercials
• links to four commercials and two acting exercises focused on sound effects
• a FREE script of my adaptation of H.G. Welles’ The Invisible Man suitable for classroom use
• procedure plan to follow throughout the unit
• teacher’s questions
• a sound effects quiz
• a student group example of a radio commercial
• trivia about radio theater stars

What I like about the unit is the creativity of it as well as the production possibilities.  It gives students an opportunity to learn, write, produce and perform. What’s not to like about that?

Slide1

Now I have a second radio theater unit product!  I wanted to give teachers a script which was based on a classic book (Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost) and more scary thinking it might be good for Halloween but still be fun.  Check it out here:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/RADIO-THEATRE-UNIT-II-4018450

In the near future, I plan to have one for the elementary grade level, too.  That’s a promise!

Comprehensive? You bet! If you are looking for my number one most popular product in my store, this is it!

You will have a successful teaching and learning experience created by a veteran drama teacher of thirty-eight years. Can everyone say that?

Do you have any experiences with radio theater?  I’d love to hear about them.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

 

A Movie You Want to See This Weekend

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Eighth Grade Movie

There is a movie you want to see this weekend about an eighth grade girl. It is aptly titled, Eighth Grade.

I’m thrilled!

Eighth grade is probably one of the toughest times in a person’s life, don’t you agree?

I’m guessing most of you reading my blog have survived eighth grade, too.

That’s why I wrote my middle grade book Bumbling Bea.

If you’d like more information about Bumbling Bea, check it out here: Bumbling Bea

Here’s a trailer from the film:

In my book, Bumbling Bea the main character, Beatrice is a lot like Elsie.   Both are the epitome of an eighth grade girl and I’m glad someone has finally shone a light on this awkward age.

Why is this such a difficult time in a young person’s life?

Think about it–everything is changing.

Body

Emotions

Hormones (or as a friend of mine says, “their whores are a moanin'”)

Image result for teen bullying

They aren’t little kids protected by their elementary teachers anymore.  They are only a few months away from high school which for them feels like adulthood is looming right around the corner.

And it is looming around the corner…

Society thrusts them into young adult hood too fast or we hold them back too much trying to shield them from the world.

Man, what a balancing act for all of us.

I’m excited to see how someone else addresses what it is like for eighth grade girls.

I wrote Bumbling Bea because I think eighth grade girls are forgotten.  If you haven’t read my book, here is a quick synopsis just to whet your appetite.

Beatrice thinks she has no acting talent but that doesn’t stop her from auditioning for the annual middle school play. Easy! Except Michiko, a new girl from Japan, shows up and ruins everything! So begins Beatrice’s diabolical plan to scare away Michiko. But Michiko has goals of her own with no plans to leave soon. Then there’s that “other” girl who is such a blabber mouth.  What’s a girl to do?  Plenty.

Bumbling Bea

This isn’t your ordinary middle school experience either.  My story is full of conflict from Beatrice and Michiko, to Beatrice’s parents impending divorce and Michiko’s problems with her demanding mother, to a first cruch, poison ivy, flag dinners, paper airplanes and crazy antics during the play performance.

I’m hoping to see “Eighth Grade” this weekend, but until then I’ll think about my experiences in eighth grade.

I know my life wasn’t as fraught with drama as Beatrice’s.

Times were different from now of course.

We didn’t have cell phones are sexting, but we did have note writing and lots of telephone talking. I remember cheerleading (the closest thing I could get to performing), piano practicing, pimples, my hair on sponge curlers, makeup and panty hose.  I had a boy friend for an entire year and I felt so special because of it. (There was LOTS of making out which I’m sure my mother was aghast by but never said anything.)

I was a Girl Scout, too so I was trying to walk the very slim line of being a good girl AND trying to be part of the crowd.  Even now I can feel the angst of that.

So remember, if you have time this weekend a movie to see is “Eighth Grade”.  Give yourself a little treat or take a childhood friend with you.  I’d love to hear from you after you see it.

Until then.

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

 

Three Times a Charm: An Author Interview 

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Here is my author Interview from Three Times a Charm

Welcome to Three Times A Charm. I love to introduce readers to the people involved in children’s publishing.

 Today we welcome middle grade author, Deborah Baldwin. Deborah, we’d love for you to tell us a little about you.

I am an award winning drama teacher and director, professional actress and youth theatre administrator. I graduated from Stephens College with a BFA in theatre performance and a MED from Lesley College certified to teach drama, speech and English/language arts in Colorado and Missouri. I  created seven youth theatre programs and have served as a consultant to several theatre companies in the mid-west.

Many years ago I co-developed a national playwriting contest for youth theatre plays which is still in existence today. I have directed over 250 full length productions, plays and musicals alike and have inspired many of my students to become professional actors, dancers, directors, playwrights and teachers. My husband and I recently retired from our teaching positions and reside in Kansas to be nearer to our family. I have two daughters who are the best of friends, a wonderful step son and two quirky cats, Spats and Lala.

Let’s hear more about Bumbling Bea.  

Purple Dragonfly Award Winner for Excellence in Writing and Publishing:

Beatrice thinks she has no acting talent but that doesn’t stop her from auditioning for the annual middle school play. Easy! Except Michiko, a new girl from Japan, shows up and ruins everything. So begins Beatrice’s diabolical plan to scare away Michiko. But Michiko has goals of her own with no plans to leave soon. And then there’s that “other” girl—what a blabbermouth. What’s a girl to do? Plenty.

“Hilarious! Entertaining! Extremely true! A great read for anyone who enjoys theater!” RM Amazon reviewer

“In addition to being a fun read, this book does what so much fine literature does— helps us to see we are not alone.” MM Amazon reviewer

“Bumbling Bea by Deborah Baldwin cannot fail to become a favorite with pre-teen readers, and very likely teenagers too, because the mixture of pathos and humor is so realistic.” SS Readers Favorite reviewer

I recommend my book to readers who like:

5,6,7, Nate by Tim Federle

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Now let’s move on to the threes. Give us your top 3 responses to the following to help us get to know you better.

· Top 3 books you recommend reading and why you recommend them.  



To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee I have beloved this book for many years as have many other readers. The plot is terrific and I enjoy that the story is told from a girl’s point of view.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrick Backman I picked up Backman’s book earlier this year and appreciated every part of it. If you haven’t read any of Backman’s books, I’d suggest you do so. I enjoy stories that are heavy on characterization, because my background is in theatre and when I direct plays, I help actors create characters all the time.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Hmmm. I’m seeing a trend here—I’ve chosen all books about girls told from their point of view. Ha! This book writing is poetic and it’s a wonderful story. It’s an interesting perspective to read a story about the average German citizen living through WWII.

· Top 3 tools of the trade you couldn’t live without.  

I think indie publishing is a fabulous tool for any writer and it suits me perfectly. It isn’t necessary to have a publisher in order to be successful in this business. One can publish her book herself! I’ve always been a trail blazer—the kind of person that takes matters in her own hands when she sees a need or problem.

I noticed that we have a dearth of books on whatever subject is popular the time, but stories about the arts (especially theatre) are very few in number. When I share my story’s plot with readers of various ages, they were so appreciative. “Oh good. Not another book about Zombies or wizards. Bumbling Bea is something unique!” they say.

There are countless sources writers can utilize to attract readers. I particularly like Litpick.com which is a student book review website. They give student readers an opportunity to learn how to review under the tutelage of an adult. And the books are free to any student who would like to learn to review. What a deal!
Bookworks.com is an excellent, and very useful website for indie publishers. They have a monthly newsletter with many helpful articles concerning self publishing, lists of book reviewers who are seeking books to peruse, etc. If you complete your personal page and profile with Bookworks, you have the opportunity to be featured by them which is great exposure for you and your book.

·Top 3 professions you wanted to be when you grew up.

My aunts, mother and sister were teachers so becoming a teacher was a natural choice for me as well. It’s one of my greatest gifts. Kids energize me and fulfill my need to share my knowledge of the dramatic arts. Even after thirty-eight years of teaching, my students continue to teach me something about myself that I didn’t know. It’s very humbling.
Early on in my life, I wanted to become a professional actress. I didn’t really know what that meant at the time. When I graduated from college in the seventies, there weren’t as many opportunities for young actors to be employed as there are now. My choices were pretty much limited to moving to New York or Los Angeles. I wasn’t ready for that jump. Over time, I found that I wasn’t willing to struggle as much as the occupation required. I was just as happy acting or directing in community theatre, occasionally working as a voice over actress, etc.

I’m a doer—I like to “do” and not sit around waiting for life to happen to me. Because of this particular gift, I have had opportunities to create many projects I don’t think I would have been able to otherwise. I’ve formed youth theatre programs, co-developed a national playwriting contest, presided over the construction of a theater, written winning grants, introduced companies to radio theatre, directed just about any play or musical I wanted and guided two programs concerning diversity for Martin Luther King celebrations. And, I’m not even finished yet!

I was created to be a theatre artist, period. I knew it as a young girl when I’d play dress up on our east front porch of our home. It took about ten years for me to admit my interest to my parents. My father understood immediately. Although he chose to be a physician, he acted in plays in college and loved it. I think my mother and siblings thought I was crazy or at least “unusual”, but they tried their best to understand or merely tolerated me. However, my immediate family is heavily involved in the arts and appreciate my creativity.

 Top 3 personal mantras or inspirational phrases.   

“People of integrity expect to be believed. When they are not, time proves them right.” –Unknown

“Never give in–never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” ― Winston Churchill

“Eighty percent of all choices are based on fear. Most people don’t choose what they want; they choose what they think is safe.” –Phil McGraw

Wow – that last one! Finally, please share with us where our tech savvy readers can find out more about you and your book.    

Dramamommaspeaks.com

https://www.facebook.com/BumblingBea

https://twitter.com/dhcbaldwin  and/or Deborah@DeborahHBaldwin

https://www.instagram.com/bumblingbeabook

Thanks for joining us today, Deborah. It was great to get to know more about you and Bumbling Bea.
Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmal.com  or DeborahBaldwin.net


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

I’d love to help and hear from you!

Get to Know Indie Author Deborah Baldwin

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Hello there!

I hope you wanted to find me.  Well, here I am.

Get to Know Indie Author Deborah Baldwin is today’s post.

Find my award winning book at: Bumbling Bea book

Get to Know Indie Author Deborah Baldwin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you interested in my post, Get to Know Indie Author Deborah Baldwin?Hello!
Who is this Dramamomma?

I live in Kansas in the vibrant university town of Lawrence. I am a happily married wife of thirty-four years and a mother to our two grown daughters and wonderful step son.

We moved to Kansas last summer to be near our family and our grandchildren. I was born and raised in Kansas, although I have never lived in the state as an adult until now. In some respects, I feel very at home here but that’s the mid-west for you. 😊

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m an award winning veteran drama teacher and very experienced and successful youth theater and community theater director doing both for over thirty-five years.

I have a Teacherspayteachers store where I offer drama education products for every grade level and many subjects a part of the drama (costume design, radio theater, elements of drama, storytelling, acting, set design, etc.  For more information about my TpT products, go to:  Dramamommaspeaks Teacherpayteachers Store

Dramamommaspeaks is about teaching drama at all levels, directing, the arts and drawing wisdom from my experiences. Every so often I will blog about other subjects such as parenting, my life, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am an indie author of Bumbling Bea, an award winning middle grade book concerning an unusual friendship between two girls.

Lastly, I am a featured writer for Litpick.com an international award winning website for student book reviewers, parents and librarians. Check out my articles here the Facebook page for Litpick.com.

Get to KNow Indie Author Deborah Baldwin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my firsts– a “fan” of Bumbling Bea–she made TWO book reports on it!

Here’s a post concerning my advice when teaching high school students.  Lessons Learned from 38 Years of Teaching High School

Please take your time and peruse the blog and follow me!  It would mean a great deal to me to know  you read my posts.
This blog, like teaching, performing and directing, makes me feel connected to the world. In these times, don’t we all need that?

Talk with you soon.

Having fun in Colorado, one of my favorite places!

One of my better outfits, I must say…My husband would tell you I cut up all the time.  I love to make people laugh and he is my best audience. We have been married 36 years. (Who’d ever put up with me that long, I’ll never know…) How can you beat that?

Tim and I

Tim and I on my 60th birthday.

 

 

Grandaughter

The newest member of our family!

Our first grandchild loves books, too!

You may enjoy this blog post about my post, “Nine Reasons to Teach Radio Theatre”.  Nine Reasons to Teacher Radio Theatre

I’ve adapted Bumbling Bea into a play version.  Here is a post about that: Announcing Bumbling Bea the Play

Contact me at Dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or check out my website at DeborahBaldwin.net. You can follow me on Facebook at BumblingBea. Or follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DeborahHBaldwin

I hope you’ll peruse my blog and find something which is helpful to you.  That’s my goal.  I know what it is like to be a teacher and an indie author.  Thanks!

Deborah Baldwin, author

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