Afterpiece: A Podcast About Educational Theatre

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. 
One Correction: our website is www.DragooTheatre.com
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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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Stupid Things People Say to Theatre Educators

Theatre educators are highly educated professionals. Most have the student loans and stacks of professional development training certificates to prove it. However, there are certain things that set theatre educators apart from other professionals. Billy and Annie discuss stupid things that people say to theatre educators. 
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A New Book: Here's an except of Excellence is Habit.

Billy even reads an excerpt of his new book, EXCELLENCE IS HABIT: Wisdom, Wit, and Advice from a Teacher.
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Dragaud Soujourns
https://dragaudsojourns.com/