Afterpiece: A podcast about educational theatre

Coaching the Young Actor Part 1

Coaching the Young Actor - in this episode, Billy and Annie discuss effective techniques for teaching the process of teaching acting.
Use this link to see the presentation. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1BMKT2N56wUtWmm1il_1kOwAkkW7b_Ui2GaKeW52nd5A/edit?usp=sharing
 
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7 Habits of Highly Effective Directors with Kelly Russell

This weeks episode is an interview with Professor Kelly Russell. Kelly gives wisdom for directors...a guide to be a good director at your school. 
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Getting To Know Your Students & Actors

Billy & Annie Discuss some great ways to get to know your students & actors. 
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Questions for Discussion & Writing
1.Who is your hero?
2.If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
3.What is your biggest fear?
4.What is your favorite family vacation?
5.What would you change about yourself if you could?
6.What really makes you angry?
7.What motivates you to work hard?
8.What is your favorite thing about your career?
9.What is your biggest complaint about your job?
10.What is your proudest accomplishment?
11.What is your child's proudest accomplishment?
12.What is your favorite book to read?
13.What makes you laugh the most?
14.What was the last movie you went to? What did you think?
15.What did you want to be when you were small?
16.What does your child want to be when he/she grows up?
17.If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
18.What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
19.Would you rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car?
20.What would you sing at Karaoke night?
21.What two radio stations do you listen to in the car the most?
22.Which would you rather do: wash dishes, mow the lawn, clean
the bathroom, or vacuum the house?
23.If you could hire someone to help you, would it be with
cleaning, cooking, or yard work?
24.If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what
would it be?
25.Who is your favorite author?
26. Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?
27. Do you like or dislike surprises? Why or why not?28. In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative,
watch a movie, or read?
29. Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska, and why?
30. Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job?
And why?
31. Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted
island?
32. If money was no object, what would you do all day?
33. If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
34. How would your friends describe you?
35. What are your hobbies?
36. What is the best gift you have been given?
37. What is the worst gift you have received?
38. Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day
without?
39. List two pet peeves.
40. Where do you see yourself in five years?
41. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
42. If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have?
43. What would you do if you won the lottery?
44. What form of public transportation do you prefer? (air, boat,
train, bus, car, etc.)
45. What's your favorite zoo animal?
46. If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it
be?
47. If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or
dead, who would they be?
48. How many pillows do you sleep with?
49. What's the longest you've gone without sleep (and why)?
50. What's the tallest building you've been to the top in?
51. Would you rather trade intelligence for looks or looks for
intelligence?
52. How often do you buy clothes?
53. Have you ever had a secret admirer?54. What's your favorite holiday?
55. What's the most daring thing you've ever done?56. What was
the last thing you recorded on TV?
57. What was the last book you read?
58. What's your favorite type of foreign food?
59. Are you a clean or messy person?
60. Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
61. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
62. What kitchen appliance do you use every day?
63. What's your favorite fast food chain?
64. What's your favorite family recipe?
65. Do you love or hate rollercoasters?
66. What's your favorite family tradition?
67. What is your favorite childhood memory?
68. What's your favorite movie?
69. How old were you when you learned Santa wasn't real? How
did you find out?
70. Is your glass half full or half empty?
71. What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of love?
72. What three items would you take with you on a deserted
island?
73. What was your favorite subject in school?
74. What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?
75. Do you collect anything?
76. Is there anything you wished would come back into fashion?
77. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
78. Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
79. Have you ever had a surprise party? (that was an actual
surprise)
80. Are you related or distantly related to anyone famous?
81. What do you do to keep fit?82. Does your family have a "motto" - spoken or unspoken?
83. If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first
law you would introduce?
84. Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?
85. What three things do you think of the most each day?
86. If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
87. What song would you say best sums you up?
88. What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup
of coffee?
89. Who was your first crush?
90. What's the most interesting thing you can see out of your
office or kitchen window?
91. On a scale of 1-10 how funny would you say you are?
92. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
93. What was your first job?
94. If you could join any past or current music group which would
you want to join?
95. How many languages do you speak?
96. What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
97. Who is the most intelligent person you know?
98. If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which one would
it be?
99. What is one thing you will never do again?
100. Who knows you the best?

Advice for the New & Experienced Theatre Teacher

Billy & Annie discuss advice for new and experienced teachers that were given from a recent survey. These pieces of advice come from theatre educators around the country.
 
Website: www.DragooTheatre.com
Facebook Page: Dragoo Theatre Consultants

How to Take Care of Yourself as a Theatre Director

Billy and Annie discuss the importance of taking care of yourself. 
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Taking care of oneself as a teacher is crucial for maintaining well-being and effectiveness in the classroom. Here are several ways teachers can prioritize self-care:
Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Designate specific times for work and relaxation, and try to stick to them. Avoid bringing work home whenever possible.
Practice Stress Management: Develop and practice stress-relieving techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or exercise. These activities can help reduce stress levels and improve overall well-being.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Eat nutritious meals, stay hydrated, and get regular exercise. Physical health directly impacts mental and emotional well-being, so prioritize activities that promote overall health.
Seek Support: Build a support network of colleagues, friends, and family members whom you can turn to for encouragement and advice. It's important to have people who understand the challenges of teaching and can offer support.
Engage in Hobbies and Interests: Pursue hobbies and interests outside of teaching that bring joy and relaxation. Whether it's reading, gardening, painting, or playing a musical instrument, engaging in activities you love can help recharge your energy.
Reflect and Learn: Take time to reflect on your teaching practice and professional development. Continuous learning and self-reflection can enhance teaching effectiveness and job satisfaction.
Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable goals for yourself both personally and professionally. Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Take Breaks: Allow yourself regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Even short breaks can improve focus and productivity when you return to tasks.
Prioritize Sleep: Ensure you get enough sleep each night. Quality sleep is essential for cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall health.
Seek Professional Help if Needed: If stress or feelings of burnout persist despite efforts to manage them, consider seeking support from a mental health professional. Talking to a counselor or therapist can provide strategies for coping with stress and improving overall well-being.
By prioritizing self-care, teachers can better manage the demands of their profession while maintaining their health and happiness. Taking care of oneself isn't selfish; it's necessary for being able to effectively care for and educate students.

Plays Every Student Should Read Before College

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For a theater student, reading a diverse selection of plays is essential to understanding the breadth of theatrical literature and the evolution of drama. Here are some seminal plays across different genres and periods that are considered crucial for theater students to read:
Greek
Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles
 Antigone by Sophocles
Renaissance
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Julius Cesar by William Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
The Modern Era: Realism
 A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
The Modern Era: Experiential
The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams
Our Townby Thornton Wilder
Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
The Bald Sopranoby Eugène Ionesco 
CONTEMPORARY: MILLENNIAL (POC & LBGTQIA)
Angels in America:  A Gay Fantasia on National Themes by Tony Kushner
How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel
Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl
Ruined by Lynn Nottage
Spring Awakening by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater
Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward,
The Laramie Project -Moisés Kaufman 
 The Wolves – Sarah Delappe
Sources
Dramatic Magazine
Performer Stuff
Stage Partners
 

Incorporating Play Reading in to Your Classroom

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Incorporating play reading into the classroom can enrich students' understanding of drama, literature, and performance.
1. Select Appropriate Plays
Choose Age-Appropriate Material: Select plays that are suitable for the students' age and reading level.
Diverse Voices: Include works from diverse playwrights and perspectives to broaden students' cultural and social understanding.
Varied Genres: Introduce different genres, such as classical, contemporary, comedy, and tragedy, to expose students to various styles and themes.
 
2. Create a Reading Schedule
Plan a Reading Calendar: Set aside regular time for reading plays, whether as a dedicated class period or integrated into the existing curriculum.
Balance: Incorporate play reading alongside other forms of literature and media.
 
3. Facilitate Read-Aloud Sessions
Assign Roles: Have students take on different characters and read their lines aloud to make the experience interactive.
Use Dramatic Reading Techniques: Encourage expressive reading and use vocal variations to bring characters and scenes to life.
 
4. Engage in Group Discussions
Analyze Themes and Characters: Lead discussions on the play’s themes, characters, and conflicts to deepen students' understanding.
Explore Historical and Cultural Context: Provide background information on the playwright, historical setting, and cultural influences.
 
5. Incorporate Performance Elements
Act Out Scenes: Assign small groups to rehearse and perform selected scenes, allowing students to physically engage with the text.
Use Improvisation: Encourage improvisation exercises based on the play to explore characters’ motivations and actions.
 
 
6. Connect to Writing Assignments
Creative Responses: Have students write reflective essays, character analyses, or alternate endings based on the play.
Scriptwriting: Encourage students to write their own short plays or scenes inspired by the plays they’ve read.
 
7. Integrate Technology
Digital Scripts: Use online resources to access digital versions of scripts and multimedia elements related to the play.
Virtual Tours and Interviews: Utilize online resources for virtual tours of theaters or interviews with playwrights to enhance understanding.
 
8. Encourage Critical Thinking
Debate and Discuss: Facilitate debates on characters’ decisions, themes, and outcomes to promote critical thinking and articulate opinions.
Compare and Contrast: Compare the play with other works by the same playwright or within the same genre to identify common themes and stylistic elements.
 
 
9. Host Play Readings and Performances
Classroom Play Readings: Organize informal readings where students can share their interpretations and discuss their perspectives.
Invite Guest Speakers: Bring in local actors, directors, or playwrights to discuss the play and provide professional insights.
 
10. Assessment and Feedback
Evaluate Understanding: Use quizzes, essays, and presentations to assess students’ comprehension and interpretation of the play.
Provide Constructive Feedback: Offer feedback on their participation in readings, performances, and discussions to help them improve.
 
12. Foster a Love for Theater
Field Trips: If possible, take students to see live theater productions to experience plays in a real-world setting.
Theater Club: Encourage students to join or start a theater club to continue exploring drama outside the classroom
By incorporating these strategies, play reading can become an engaging and educational experience that enhances students’ literary analysis, creativity, and appreciation for theater.

Theatre Superstitions and Traditions

In this episode, we discuss the intriguing world of superstitions and traditions in the theatre world.
Theater is full of superstitions and traditions, many of which have fascinating origins. The theater is rich with superstitions, many of which are steeped in tradition and lore.
These superstitions add a layer of mystique and tradition to the theatrical world, reflecting its rich history and the deep-seated belief in the magic and mystery of live performance.
 
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Cutting a One-Act Play

This week's episode is about cutting a play for competition. This is a recording of a webinar that Billy led with theatre educators in Texas. 
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Coaching Acting with Joe Reynolds

Billy discusses coaching the student actor with Joe Reynolds. Joe earned is BFA in Acting from University of Texas and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. 
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