Afterpiece: A Podcast about Educational theatre

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

In this episode, Billy and Annie Share some things they learned at the SummerFest Theatre Conference and they share what they are reading this summer to prepare for the upcoming school year.    www. DragooTheatre.com

In this episode, Billy and Annie discuss how the personal journey of a heart transplant has affected their teaching and directing during the last school year.    www.DragooTheatre.com   https://feed.podbean.com/Afterpiece/feed.xml

This is an our Monthly Professional Development with Educational Theatre Consultants. We've had many requests to republish is for you. In this episode, Billy explains the process for cutting a play for contest.   Educational Theatre Consultants Get theatre related PD each month, a community of theatre educators with whom you can share, and access to our online classes. For $35 a month, tax fee, your school can invest in your Theatre professional development. https://educational-theatre-consultants.mn.co/  

Welcome back to our Redo of Season 3 of Afterpiece: A Podcast About Educational Theatre with Billy and Annie Dragoo.  We want to invite you to be part of our new online community. Annie and I have created an online Professional Learning Community just for theatre educators called EdTC. The Educational Theatre Community. This online PLC is so great. We offer the following: We post, answer polls and questions, write down ideas, join events, and direct message each other. These things make this community richer and more valuable for each of us. For $35 per month you will get Receive one professional development session each month. Receive access to a Health & Wellness for Theatre Educators Webinar each month. Receive access to our two most popular professional development courses. Find a little inspiration, thought-provoking conversations, and expert perspective each and every day. Get access to lesson plans, activities, and directing techniques. Weekly Live Q&A Online Happy Hours If you want to join us, you can take a trial fun for a few days. Check the Show notes for links! To join EdTC: https://educational-theatre-consultants.mn.co/   In this Episode, Billy and has an in-depth conversation with Kelly Russell about his 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teachers.    Episodes referenced:  https://educational-theatre-consultants.mn.co/

Welcome back to Season 3 of Afterpiece: A Podcast About Educational Theatre with Billy and Annie Dragoo.  We want to invite you to be part of our new online community. Annie and I have created an online Professional Learning Community just for theatre educators called EdTC. The Educational Theatre Community. This online PLC is so great. We offer the following: We post, answer polls and questions, write down ideas, join events, and direct message each other. These things make this community richer and more valuable for each of us. For $35 per month you will get Receive one professional development session each month. Receive access to a Health & Wellness for Theatre Educators Webinar each month. Receive access to our two most popular professional development courses. Find a little inspiration, thought-provoking conversations, and expert perspective each and every day. Get access to lesson plans, activities, and directing techniques. Weekly Live Q&A Online Happy Hours If you want to join us, you can take a trial fun for a few days. Check the Show notes for links! Today we are going to talk about four hybrid activities that we've developed for our students to do while online and in person. Theatre II Write an absurdist play Musical Playwriting Theatre III/IV Spoon River Audition Notebooks and Portfolios To join EdTC: https://educational-theatre-consultants.mn.co/share/tiGEdrfoXa7z-Ora?flow=facebook&utm_source=manual In this Episode, Billy and Annie discuss verbatim theatre and offer some ways it works in a theatre program.  Episodes referenced:  www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com www.theatrefolk.com    

This episode features our EdTC Professional Development on cutting a play for competition.    We hope you will join our Professional Learning Community. https://community.educationaltheatreconsultants.com/plans/107265?bundle_token=828293b2e81060592ec158f022abad0a&utm_source=manual    

Billy and Annie share how they began a summer theatre camp. Since 2005, Camp Red Dragon, have been a source of revenue and program building.  Use this google folder to access the documents referenced in the episode.  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1w8g2dQ-2VEo-jEgC1jix9H5Uc6OBDory?usp=sharing Join EdTC - a Professional Learning Community for Theatre Educators https://community.educationaltheatreconsultants.com/plans/107265?bundle_token=828293b2e81060592ec158f022abad0a&utm_source=manual www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com  

We want to invite you to be part of our new online community. Annie and I have created an online Professional Learning Community just for theatre educators called EdTC. The Educational Theatre Community. We post, answer polls and questions, write down ideas, join events, and direct message each other. These things make this community richer and more valuable for each of us. For $35 per month you will get Receive one professional development session each month. Receive access to a Health & Wellness for Theatre Educators Webinar each month. Receive access to our two most popular professional development courses. Find a little inspiration, thought-provoking conversations, and expert perspective each and every day. Get access to lesson plans, activities, and directing techniques. Weekly Live Q&A Online Happy Hours https://community.educationaltheatreconsultants.com/share/tiGEdrfoXa7z-Ora?utm_source=manual   Our February PD will be Sunday, February 21, at 7 pm CST. If you want to join us, you can take a trial fun for a few days. Check the Show notes for links! www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com    

Many of you know that we have a business called Educational Theatre Consultants. We teach professional development, do one-act play clinics, write lesson plans, and offer help to theatre educators. With this new development, we realized that it is time to take our business to the next level, so we are taking it all online.  Have you ever sat through an in-service or professional development workshop that didn’t help you at all? We all know that feeling, so we are creating an online Theatre Professional Learning Community, and we are calling it EdTC Community. We're really excited about it because at this point in our careers we find ourselves wanting to work with teachers. I mean, we love our students, but we have 59 years of experience, and we really enjoy sharing it with other educators. It will launch January 1, 2021. We are going online and want to give Afterpiece listeners the first chance to check it out with a free trial during the holiday break. With this community membership, you will get A professional development webinar each month A health & wellness session each month Access to lesson plans & guest speakers Q & A Happy Hours Access to our two most popular online classes And most importantly, A professional learning community for sharing ideas and asking advice   We hope you will click on the link below:  https://community.educationaltheatreconsultants.com/plans/107265?bundle_token=828293b2e81060592ec158f022abad0a&utm_source=manual    We know you're going to benefit greatly from being a part of the EdTC Community. You can learn from us, you can learn from other members, AND, most importantly, you can offer your stories, experiences, and ideas to help other theatre educators. AND YOUR SCHOOL AND PAY FOR IT; it's tax fee.  A few things you’ll see quickly that make Educational Theatre Consultants different:  It’s Ours. As we build this community together, we have some great features for creating exclusive content, deeper conversations, richer polls, and online or live events. Plus, by building this community of social media, you can have a more efficient and valuable experience with us and each other.  There are More Ways for You to Meet Each Other. There are more ways for you to meet people who are near you, who fall into the same categories, or who care about the same topics. You can’t get this in free groups or on a website elsewhere.   We Can Bring Together Content and Community. By merging content with community, we are able to provide fresh ideas and new practices that you can take into your daily life We hope you will join us while we all take a holiday break. We will be back with our next episode on January 3, 2021 If you have any comments or questions, please reach out. “Make sure to visit our website, for show notes and links. You can also subscribe to the show in iTunes Google Play, Stitcher, and Podbean. If you found value in this show we’d appreciate a rating on your favorite podcast app – or if you’d simply tell a friend about the show, that would help us out, too.  Thanks for listening. We’ll be back after the new year. Until then . . . excellencia consuetudo est

Rod Caspers: Creative Director, Stage Director, Producer, Writer, Teacher, Speaker Coach and Event Specialist Rod conducts directing and curriculum development workshops throughout the nation and on repeated occasions served as a guest artist/instructor for the Facing History and Ourselves Program in Switzerland, as well as in the Czech Republic. He has adjudicated the University of Texas Interscholastic League’s One-Act Play Contest for over twenty years, including the State Contests in Class 6-A, 4-A, 3-A and 1-A.   Today, our episode is brought to you by OneHope Wines. This holiday season we’re coming together to support families with special needs children. Due to the pandemic, children with special needs are facing both school closures and disruptions to their in-person therapy sessions, making this time even harder on them and their families. That’s why we’re creating holiday grants where select families will receive: Funding for special needs therapy resources A catered holiday dinner by a locally-owned restaurant A fulfilled holiday wish list A family holiday outdoor photoshoot with a local photographer Families who are interested in applying can share their story with us by filling out this link: https://onehopewine8.typeform.com/to/ciVeE5iF The ONEHOPE Foundation is funding 5 grants. If you’d like to help us fund even more, you can shop our fundraiser where 10% of every purchase supports this meaningful cause. Thank you for helping us give a little holiday magic to these deserving families in need. Annie & I are proud of the impact we’ve been able to make by purchasing our wine from OneHope. It’s really amazing to be part of a movement to make giving back part of what you do every day. To order wine for this cause CLICK HERE   This week, our episode is also sponsored by YogaClub.com. As a musical theatre teacher and movement coach, I wear a lot of yoga clothes. If you’re like me, you have to wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move. YogaClub is the premier active-wear subscription box that styles you for at least 50% off retail prices so you can look good and feel good for less. Complete your profile by taking our fun and interactive style quiz. Your answers let our stylists know your style, sizes, and favorite ways to sweat. Using your unique profile, our stylists will curate an outfit that matches your personality, body type, and is perfect for the activities you love! Enjoy your new outfit delivered for at least 50% off retail. You won’t find deals this good anywhere else!  Afterpiece listeners can have an extra $10 off when you use the code TEACH at checkout. YogaClub.com and use the code Teach at checkout. www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com    

    Today, our episode is brought to you by OneHope Wines. This holiday season we’re coming together to support families with special needs children. Due to the pandemic, children with special needs are facing both school closures and disruptions to their in-person therapy sessions, making this time even harder on them and their families. That’s why we’re creating holiday grants where select families will receive: Funding for special needs therapy resources A catered holiday dinner by a locally-owned restaurant A fulfilled holiday wish list A family holiday outdoor photoshoot with a local photographer Families who are interested in applying can share their story with us by filling out this link: https://onehopewine8.typeform.com/to/ciVeE5iF The ONEHOPE Foundation is funding 5 grants. If you’d like to help us fund even more, you can shop our fundraiser where 10% of every purchase supports this meaningful cause. Thank you for helping us give a little holiday magic to these deserving families in need. Annie & I are proud of the impact we’ve been able to make by purchasing our wine from OneHope. It’s really amazing to be part of a movement to make giving back part of what you do every day. To order wine for this cause CLICK HERE   This week, our episode is also sponsored by YogaClub.com. As a musical theatre teacher and movement coach, I wear a lot of yoga clothes. If you’re like me, you have to wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move. YogaClub is the premier active-wear subscription box that styles you for at least 50% off retail prices so you can look good and feel good for less. Complete your profile by taking our fun and interactive style quiz. Your answers let our stylists know your style, sizes, and favorite ways to sweat. Using your unique profile, our stylists will curate an outfit that matches your personality, body type, and is perfect for the activities you love! Enjoy your new outfit delivered for at least 50% off retail. You won’t find deals this good anywhere else!  Afterpiece listeners can have an extra $10 off when you use the code TEACH at checkout. YogaClub.com and use the code Teach at checkout.   Tell us what you are doing during Virtual learning. What is working for you? Email us at adagoo@me.com.   If you would like us to be a guest speaker, teacher, or clinician, please visit our website  www.EdcuationalTheatreConsultants.com  

Creating a Booster Club Today, our episode is brought to you by OneHope Wines. For National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ONEHOPE wants to give moments of hope to families impacted by breast cancer. That’s why we’re partnering with Susan G. Komen to support their mission to find the cures for breast cancer. Shop our fundraiser and help us reach our goal of donating $50,000 to this incredible organization. insert link... Annie & I are proud of the impact we've been able to make buy purchasing our wine from OneHope. It’s really amazing to be part of a movement to make giving back part of what you do every day. Order from the link in our show notes, to get your wine and give back. This Week, our episode is also sponsored by YogaClub.com. As a musical theatre teacher and movement coach, I wear a lot of yoga clothes. If you’re like me, you have to wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move. YogaClub is the premier active-wear subscription box that styles you for at least 50% off retail prices so you can look good and feel good for less. Complete your profile by taking our fun and interactive style quiz. Your answers let our stylists know your style, sizes, and favorite ways to sweat. Using your unique profile, our stylists will curate an outfit that matches your personality, body type, and is perfect for the activities you love! Enjoy your new outfit delivered for at least 50% off retail. You won't find deals this good anywhere else! Afterpiece listeners can have an extra $10 off when you use the code TEACH at checkout. YogaClub.com and use the code Teach at checkout. For copy of Booster Club Bylaws email adragoo@me.com. www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com  

Our guest today is Brian O'Sullivan from Musical Theatre International. Brian is Director of Amateur Licensing and shares with us the ins and outs of copyright and streaming our production.  This Week, Our episode is also sponsored by YogaClub.com. As a musical theatre teacher and movement coach, I wear a lot of yoga clothes. If you’re like me, you have to wear comfortble clothes that allow you to move. YogaClub is the premier active-wear subscription box that styles you for at least 50% off retail prices so you can look good and feel good for less. Complete your profile by taking our fun and interactive style quiz. Your answers let our stylists know your style, sizes, and favorite ways to sweat.   Using your unique profile, our stylists will curate an outfit that matches your personality, body type, and is perfect for the activities you love! Enjoy your new outfit delivered for at least 50% off retail. You won't find deals this good anywhere else! Afterpiece listeners can have an extra $10 off when you use the code TEACH at checkout. YogaClub.com and use the code Teach at checkout.   This week OneHope Wines is also sponsoring Afterpiece. Annie & I are proud of the impact we've been able to make by purchasing our wine from OneHope. It’s really amazing to be part of a movement to make giving back part of what you do every day.This month, we encourage you to support a cause that is special to our lives. THE HEART FOUNDATION. The Heart Foundation’s mission is to save lives by educating the public about heart disease, promoting early detection, and supporting the research taking place under the direction of world-renowned cardiologist Dr. P.K. Shah in the quest to find more effective ways to prevent and treat the #1 cause of death in the U.S. Shop to support The Heart Foundation. 10% of every purchase benefits this incredible organization. Order here: https://www.onehopewine.com/event/e549df44-167b-41cb-8895-def6471c0aa6   www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com

In this episode, Billy and Annie discuss the streaming options for your productions. They speak indepth with Jeff Tiddwell and Steel Wallace of ShowTix4U.  www.ShowTix4u.com This Week, Our episode is also sponsored by YogaClub.com. As a musical theatre teacher and movement coach, I wear a lot of yoga clothes. If you’re like me, you have to wear comfortble clothes that allow you to move. YogaClub is the premier active-wear subscription box that styles you for at least 50% off retail prices so you can look good and feel good for less. Complete your profile by taking our fun and interactive style quiz. Your answers let our stylists know your style, sizes, and favorite ways to sweat. Using your unique profile, our stylists will curate an outfit that matches your personality, body type, and is perfect for the activities you love! Enjoy your new outfit delivered for at least 50% off retail. You won't find deals this good anywhere else! Afterpiece listeners can have an extra $10 off when you use the code TEACH at checkout. YogaClub.com and use the code Teach at checkout.   www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com  

Billy and Annie discuss directing from an actor's perspective and distance learning with Joe Reynolds, Yale Acting grad & Theatre Educator at Episopal School in Baton Rouge, Lourisanna.  Topics disccussed are: Directing from the actor perspective The actors' thought process Distance learning The perfect audition Today, our episode is brought to you by OneHope Wines and YogaClub.com ONEHOPE WINE Celebrates Pride Month It’s PRIDE month! This month marks the 50th Anniversary of Pride. While many may not be able to celebrate in person this year, there is still so much we can do to raise awareness from home. This June, OneHope Wine is helping The Trevor Project support 30,000 LGBTQ youth through their lifeline, text, and chat crisis services. Shop to support this cause on The Trevor Project’s fundraising page where 10% of every purchase benefits this incredible organization. You can find the link in our shownotes.  Annie & I are proud of the impact we've been able to make buy purchasing our wine from OneHope. It’s really amazing to be part of a movement to make giving back part of what you do every day. YOGA CLUB This Week, Our episode is also sponsored by YogaClub.com. As a musical theatre teacher and movement coach, I wear a lot of yoga clothes. If you’re like me, you have to wear comfortble clothes that allow you to move. YogaClub is the premier active-wear subscription box that styles you for at least 50% off retail prices so you can look good and feel good for less. Complete your profile by taking our fun and interactive style quiz. Your answers let our stylists know your style, sizes, and favorite ways to sweat. Using your unique profile, our stylists will curate an outfit that matches your personality, body type, and is perfect for the activities you love! Enjoy your new outfit delivered for at least 50% off retail. You won't find deals this good anywhere else! Afterpiece listeners can have an extra $10 off when you use the code TEACH at checkout. YogaClub.com and use the code Teach at checkout. www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com  

This is the last week Annie & Billy discuss what Billy calls his list of Random thoughts on directing and crap. Enjoy. It’s PRIDE month! This month marks the 50th Anniversary of Pride. While many may not be able to celebrate in person this year, there is still so much we can do to raise awareness from home. This June, OneHope Wine is helping The Trevor Project support 30,000 LGBTQ youth through their lifeline, text, and chat crisis services. Shop to support this where 10% of every purchase benefits this incredible organization. You can find the link in our shownotes. Annie & I are proud of the impact we've been able to make buy purchasing our wine from OneHope. It’s really amazing to be part of a movement to make giving back part of what you do every day. https://www.onehopewine.com/event/780e5217-4e1f-429f-b163-93a5ef11cd34 This Week, Our episode is also sponsored by YogaClub.com. As a musical theatre teacher and movement coach, I wear a lot of yoga clothes. If you’re like me, you have to wear comfortble clothes that allow you to move. YogaClub is the premier active-wear subscription box that styles you for at least 50% off retail prices so you can look good and feel good for less. Complete your profile by taking our fun and interactive style quiz. Your answers let our stylists know your style, sizes, and favorite ways to sweat. Using your unique profile, our stylists will curate an outfit that matches your personality, body type, and is perfect for the activities you love! Enjoy your new outfit delivered for at least 50% off retail. You won't find deals this good anywhere else! Afterpiece listeners can have an extra $10 off when you use the code TEACH at checkout. YogaClub.com and use the code Teach at checkout. www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com

This week Annie & Billy discuss what Billy calls his list of Random thoughts on directing and crap. Enjoy. It’s PRIDE month! This month marks the 50th Anniversary of Pride. While many may not be able to celebrate in person this year, there is still so much we can do to raise awareness from home. This June, OneHope Wine is helping The Trevor Project support 30,000 LGBTQ youth through their lifeline, text, and chat crisis services. Shop to support this where 10% of every purchase benefits this incredible organization. You can find the link in our shownotes.  Annie & I are proud of the impact we've been able to make buy purchasing our wine from OneHope. It’s really amazing to be part of a movement to make giving back part of what you do every day. https://www.onehopewine.com/event/780e5217-4e1f-429f-b163-93a5ef11cd34 This Week, Our episode is also sponsored by YogaClub.com. As a musical theatre teacher and movement coach, I wear a lot of yoga clothes. If you’re like me, you have to wear comfortble clothes that allow you to move. YogaClub is the premier active-wear subscription box that styles you for at least 50% off retail prices so you can look good and feel good for less. Complete your profile by taking our fun and interactive style quiz. Your answers let our stylists know your style, sizes, and favorite ways to sweat. Using your unique profile, our stylists will curate an outfit that matches your personality, body type, and is perfect for the activities you love! Enjoy your new outfit delivered for at least 50% off retail. You won't find deals this good anywhere else! Afterpiece listeners can have an extra $10 off when you use the code TEACH at checkout. YogaClub.com and use the code Teach at checkout. www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com

Annie & Billy discuss high school theatre at Floyd Central High School in Indiana with director, Robbie Steiner. The topics they discuss are: performing at the virtual ITF, directing, building a program, the best person gets the part, taking time for yourself, and the preforming educator. https://www.facebook.com/robbie.steiner1/videos/10219164033069260/ Today, our episode is brought to you by OneHope Wines & YogaClub. ONEHOPE was founded by eight friends with a lofty vision: to create exceptional products that inspire people to indulge while doing good. Their commitment to quality wine is as important as their commitment to the causes they support. To date OneHope has made nearly $5 million in donations, planted 105,172 trees, helped 65,267 pets to find a forever home, helped provide 2,758,428 meals for children, and delivered 190,802 vaccines to end Neglected Tropical Diseases. Annie & I are proud of the impact we've been able to make buy purchasing our wine from OneHope. It’s really amazing to be part of a movement to make giving back part of what you do every day. This week, 10% of your wine purchase will go to support the COVID Relief Response rund and 10% will go to the bottle’s caritable cause. The link to order is in our show notes. Order here: https://www.onehopewine.com/event/0a9dc312-dcfa-4f65-98ba-0f382c048c24 As a musical theatre teacher and movement coach, I wear a lot of yoga clothes. If you’re like me, you have to wear comfortble clothes that allow you to move. YogaClub is the premier active-wear subscription box that styles you for at least 50% off retail prices so you can look good and feel good for less. Complete your profile by taking our fun and interactive style quiz. Your answers let our stylists know your style, sizes, and favorite ways to sweat. Using your unique profile, our stylists will curate an outfit that matches your personality, body type, and is perfect for the activities you love! Enjoy your new outfit delivered for at least 50% off retail. You won't find deals this good anywhere else! Afterpiece listeners can have an extra $10 off when you use the code TEACH at checkout. www.YogaClub.com and use the code "TEACH" at checkout.

Today, Billy and Annie Discuss a the big push to end the school year with distance learning and random thoughts on directing.  Today, our episode is brought to you by OneHope Wines. ONEHOPE was founded by eight friends with a lofty vision: to create exceptional products that inspire people to indulge while doing good. Our commitment to quality wine is as important as our commitment to the causes we support. To date we have made nearly $5 million in donations, planted 105,172 trees, helped 65,267 pets to find a forever home, helped provide 2,758,428 meals for children, and delivered 190,802 vaccines to end Neglected Tropical Diseases. Billy and I are proud of the impact we've been able to make buy purchasing our wine from OneHope. It’s really amazing to be part of a movement to make giving back part of what you do every day. This week, 10% of your wine purchase will go to support the COVID Relief Response rund and 10% will go to the bottle’s caritable cause. Click this llink to order: https://www.onehopewine.com/event/ca74ab9e-c8d9-4cd2-9268-cf0fb9d0ba92    

Billy and Annie discuss what it's like to build a thaetre program an teach theatre online with seven theatre educators. This is part 2 of 2.  Mike Powell from Gary  Craig Hertel from Lindsay  Jacki Maenius from Mason  Michelle McIlvain from De Leon  Travis Walker from Abbott Kim & John Fryman from Mt.Enterprise Chris Rector from Sabine pass  www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com

Annie and Billy discuss an article from October 27, 2011 by Howard Shalwitz called  " 7 Reasons Why Theatre Makes Our Lives Better" Check out the artcile here:  http://theatrewashington.org/content/7-reasons-why-theatre-makes-our-lives-better&favtitle=7%20Reasons%20Why%20Theatre%20Makes%20Our%20Lives%20Better Afterpiece is now a member of the Audry Community, a new pocast network. We would like to recommend two podcasts that will help you with your students:  1. ALL THINGS VOCAL with Judy Roman 2. RESPECTING DIVERSITY IN CLASS with Jenny Licko   www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com  

Billy and Annie Discuss what it's like to build a thaetre program with seven theatre educators. This is part 1 of 2.  Mike Powell from Gary  Craig Hertel from Lindsay  Jacki Maenius from Mason  Michelle McIlvain from De Leon  Travis Walker from Abbott Kim & John Fryman from Mt. Enterprise Chris Rector from Sabine pass Please excuse the background noise & echo in the beginning. We were experiencing technical difficulties.

Annie spends some time talking about how different schools and school districts are approaching teaching theatre online. They may help you gain ideas and perspective on what seems to be a daunting task.  The discussion took place with the following people: Jeanie De Leon Catherine Kelly Rebecca Phillips  

Annie & Billy discuss the ways they approach teaching students use their voice. They also answer a question about directing from a listener.    www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com

Billy and Annie share some ideas that students have about the types of things the would like to do during distance learning. Most students are desiring connections so as you plan you online lessons for theatre arts, consider some of the things these students and your students want.    www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com    

This is the first in a series of interviews with Educational Theatre Legends around the country. Today's episode interview is with Craig Hertel Craig Hertel has directed over 25 UIL one-act plays in high school, including six State Champions, has served as chair of UIL's OAP Advisory Committee, been on the Board of Texas Thespians, and is currently the Chair-Elect of TTAO. He has been a Contest Manager and judge many times, including the State Contest. He has directed many times at the college level (including ACTF), for summer camps and for community theatre. He has also been an Academic Coordinator, guiding his school to 15 State Academic Championships. Topics in our discussion include: advice to teachers distance learning directing tips and much more  

Billy and Annie discuss grief, normalcy, play reading and teaching theatre during quarantine. Call in TONIGHT:  Topic: Afterpiece Call InTime: Mar 29, 2020 08:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meetinghttps://zoom.us/j/345958501 Meeting ID: 345 958 501   Submit a lesson plan to Texas Educational Theatre Association's Database  To submit an instructional video:Click the link below to submit a video...https://www.dropbox.com/request/ve0KptEMKTP06HyMeZLVTo submit a slideshow lesson:The lesson you submit may or may not include the following:1. Lesson Plans, Rubrics, Forms, Handouts, Resources, Tools, Video, Images, Quizzes, Tests.2. All materials must be royalty free!3. All slideshows must use the attached templates for the first three pages.Template Page 1.pdf Template Page 2.png Template Page 3.pdfClick the link below to submit a slideshow...https://www.dropbox.com/request/tVBILvAkWLGMEArKzty9   wwww.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com  

Billy and Annie talk to Jacki Maenius about what it is like to teach and direct in a small school.    www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com    

Annie and Billy share the crazy excuses that students give for missing a rehearsal. Many school districts are considering closing school for the rest of the school year and are going to use online/distance learning. This is a totally new concept for many theatre educators because theatre arts is a performance based class, but Annie has some ideas about how to being planning and for online learning.  The key for theatre educators is to keep your online content exciting Focus on 'Active' Learning  Plan the Lessons in 10 minute chunks.  Group Discussions and projects should be done with small groups. Be Present & but use your time effectively Embrace Multi-media Assignments Sources Sharon O'Malley - Author https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2017/07/12/7-guidelines-effective-teaching-online www.Dragmatics.org www.schooltheatre.org www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com  

This week, Billy and Annie discuss a successful PBL project for an upper level class called, "The Living Newspaper." The unit takes 6-7 weeks, and our version of the unit lesson plan can be found at our website, www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com Living Newspaper https://www.britannica.com/art/Living-Newspaper They also discuss rehearsing your rehearsal when preparing for your one-act play contest.  Theatre in Our Schools Month info can be found at  www.SchoolTheatre.org Please send us an audio recoring of the craziest or silly excuss for missing a rehearsal that you have every received. You can email us the audio file/voice memor to adragoo@me.com.    

Annie talks about the symptoms of stress that theatre teachers have and enocourages you to manage the stress. If this is a topic that you think we could do more often and give indepth training in stress management, please let us know. Email Annie at adragoo@me.com Sources:  https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/what-is-stress-management http://changingminds.org/explanations/stress/stress_symptoms.htm   This week's Sponsor is Ludlam Dramatics! www.ludlamdramatics.com    

Playwright, Tom Dudzick, discusses the inspiration and process of playwriting. Tom Dudzick is one of those rare playwrights who makes a living at it. He lives in Nyack, NY and can be reached through his agent Jack Tantleff at the Paradigm Talent Agency (JTantleff@paradigmagency.com). Today's Sponsor Today our episode is sponsored by Ludlam Dramatics,  Creator of Educational Theatre Posters and other Dramatics Resources for the Dramatics Classroom. They are one of the only places you can get Theatre Specific Classroom posters. You can learn more about them and see some of their amazing products at www.LudlamDramatics.com You Can use the code Afterpiece15 to get 15% off of your entire order during checkout from www.LudlamDramatics.com   www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com

Annie and Billy share some ideas to help theatre educators avoid or overcome burnout. Read.  Go see theatre Shut Off the Electronics Learn to say no Priortize your health Spend time with friends outside of school Travel Observe the world and many more... Today's episode is sponsored by LUDLAM DRAMATICS.  Today our episode is sponsored by Ludlam Dramatics, Creator of Educational Theatre Posters and other Dramatics Resources for the Dramatics Classroom. They are one of the only places you can get Theatre Specific Classroom posters. You can learn more about them and see some of their amazing products at www.Ludlam Dramatics.com    You Can use the code Afterpiece15 to get 15% off of your entire order during checkout from LudlamDramatics .com   Sources for this espidoe.  https://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2010/mar/23/theatre-director-10-top-tips https://www.positivediscipline.com/articles/self-care-teachers https://www.theatricalrights.com/firsttimetheatreteachers/ https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/how-achieve-work-life-balance-teacher1807.html  

Today, Billy and Annie share their discussion with Gai Jones.  Gai, Founder of CA Youth in Theatre, entered educational theatre by way of a small liberal arts college for women in Oklahoma which offered a specialized degree, BA in Speech and Drama, an equivalent of a BFA. While teaching eighth grade Speech/Drama in Fullerton, CA, she completed an MA in Theatre as the first woman to receive the degree at CA State University, Fullerton in 1968. For her thesis she performed a one- woman show based on the evolution from Elocution to modern Oral Interpretation of Literature. She taught Theatre at El Dorado High School, Placentia, CA, for thirty-four years. Upon retirement, the Black Box Theater was named The Gai Jones Theater. Served on SCETA board, CETA SO and CETA boards as member-at-large, then President; Regional Director of Educational Theatre Association; CA State Thespian Director. Named to Who’s Who in Secondary Education, Young Leaders of Education, Who’s Who in Women Educators; Inductee into the ED TA and CA Thespian Hall of Fames; Recipient of CETA Outstanding Educator; Founder of CA Youth in Theatre, EdTA Presidents Award. www.GaiJones.com This Episode is sponsored by Ludlam Dramatics Today our episode is sponsored by Ludlam Dramatics,  Creator of Educational Theatre Posters and other Dramatics Resources for the Dramatics Classroom. They are one of the only places you can get Theatre Specific Classroom posters. You can learn more about them and see some of their amazing products at LudlamDramatics.com   That's LudlamDramatics.com You Can use the code Afterpiece15 to get 15% off of your entire order during checkout from www.LudlamDramatics.com   www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com  

Billy and Annie discuss ways to promote your productions in your school and community. Have you consider using more that the typical publicity poster and intercom announcements?    Devising Musical Theatre Curriculum Professional Development Online Course We are offering a professional development online class. It will be a fun and interactive way to build a musical theatre curriculum for your school. Click on the link below to register.  https://forms.gle/hwyXEKBpuygwp1Sv8   References  https://soldoutrun.com/promote-a-show-with-your-actors/ https://www.blog.print-print.co.uk/how-to-better-promote-a-theatre-production/ www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com   Today’s episode is sponsored by Dragaud Sojourns https://dragaudsojourns.com Michael@dragaudsojourns.com 1 (800) 554-7537    

Billy and Annie discuss 9 New Year's Resolution to implement in the new year/semester.  1. Stay positive 2. Spice up your classroom routine 3. Build fitness into your classroom 4.  Get Your Work/Life Balance in Order 5. Give Individual Time & Attention to Students 6. Get Organized – Work Smarter, Not Harder 7. Don’t Let Admin & School Policies Get You Down 8. Set Goals & Avoid Autopilot Mode 9. Get Students Involved/Empowered   Sources:  Think Happy. Be Happy. Art, Inspiration, Joy https://www.teachhub.com/top-12-new-school-year-resolutions-teachers By: Annie Condron

David LaFleche is Membership Director for the Educational Theatre Association. The Educational Theatre Association, founded in 1929, is the professional association for theatre education. EdTA is a national nonprofit organization with approximately 250,000 student and professional members. In this episode, Billy and Annie interview David to find out how EdTa can benefit your program. https://www.schooltheatre.org/home www.EducatioalTheatreConsultants.com  

Billy and Annie Discuss how they respond to students and parents who question casting.  Handbook Statement: The director will not discuss questions regarding casting. It is unprofessional to question the director. Production Contract: Director has right to change casting if it is needed.  Set expectations up by meeting with students & Parents www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com    

Today Billy and Annie talk Tim McDonald from iTheatrics in NYC.  https://itheatrics.com/ OUR MISSION: TO ENSURE YOUNG PEOPLE EVERYWHERE HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY MUSICAL THEATRE PROGRAMS BY… Adapting Broadway musicals for performance by elementary, middle, and high school students Building intuitive teaching resources that guarantee educators have a successful experience producing one of our shows Creating study guides and innovative educational programs for Broadway shows Creating new musicals for family audiences like The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, The Ant and the Elephant, and Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter Constantly researching and developing the absolute best practices that allow educators to create successful, cost-effective, and sustainable musical theatre programs   https://juniortheaterfestival.com/ https://juniortheaterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/JTF_2020_brochure.pdf   www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com

We are taking a break for Thanksgiving, but want to hear from you. We need two things. 1. We need to know what you would like us to discuss.  2. We need your stories for Billy's book. Please visit our website to give us your stories of how theatre has impacted your life.  Many people have asked how they can support us and this podcast. Please visit your favorite podcast app and give us a rating. If you share the podcast with a friend, that will help us, too.  Link to input stories for Billy's Book . https://forms.gle/mkrELeaGStmFd55i8 www.RedDragonPlayers.com 

As British professor Dylan Wiliam notes, “The amount of feedback we can give our students is limited. In the longer term, the most productive strategy is to develop our students’ ability to give themselves feedback.” When students are in charge of their own learning, they feel a sense of belonging—the classroom & stage becomes a space defined by them. And in providing greater autonomy for students, teachers are more important than ever because only a skilled teacher & director can set up the scaffolding for this kind of learning experience and thoughtfully guide students through each step of the process. Like adults, students feel valued and respected when an experience challenges them, reflects their interests, and allows their voices to be heard. And when they are the authors of their own stories, they attend to each moment because they care deeply about the rising action, the falling action, and the resolution—the triumphs and the lessons are their own. Billy and Annie discuss ways to keep your students engaged in their learning and performance. This episode offers several things to think about and do.    References www.EducationalTheatreConstultants.com https://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2013/12/24/ctq_powell_strengths.html  

Music has been used for millions of years to heal and to enhance theatrical productions. Billy and Annie discuss how music can be a stress management tool as well as a tool to use in the classroom.  References https://www.unr.edu/counseling/virtual-relaxation-room/releasing-stress-through-the-power-of-music https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0070156 www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com

In this episode, Billy discusses with Annie some of the most influential  one-act plays he has ever seen.  The Play That Changed My Life: America's Foremost Playwrights on the Plays That Influenced Them (Applause Books) Paperback – November 1, 2009   www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com  

Teamwork in an ensemble creates a sense of unity and enthusiasm for the common interests and a desire to share in fulfilling responsibilities assigned to the ensemble. These helps students recognize that People have different skills; People are different and have different talents. We each have varied life experiences that make us better at one thing more than another. You may have skills you didn't think you had – Students realize you have more in common with your character than you thought you did. Will make your production & your department stronger. True Colors Personality Inventory https://truecolorsintl.com/the-four-color-personalities/ https://my-personality-test.com/true-colours Graves Systems of Values https://mechanicsofwhy.com/tools/diagnostic-skills/values-and-value-systems/  

Annie and Billy share their Flipped model for lesson planning for the theatre classroom.  "Many of us were taught a specific way to write a lesson plan. I was taught the method of direct instruction, generally referred to as the Madeline Hunter Method. It includes seven elements: objectives; standards; anticipatory set; teaching; guided practice; closure; and independent practice. Teaching includes the acts of input, modeling, and checking for understanding." I love that model, but many scholars say it doesn’t work in the 21st century. I think it does and I say rather than reinvent the wheel, all we need to do is Flit it. My definition of blended learning is a type of learning where students are often given control over the pace of their learning while the teacher acts as a facilitator. This is blended with traditional styles of teaching like lecturing and note-taking in class. Think about it, Blended leaning is what we have been doing in theatre for years. Some instruction/some performance/some games/some reading.   Episode 13 is sponsored by Dragaud Soujourns Dragaud Custom Sojourns is dedicated to creating extraordinary educational experiences for you and your students. They will give you a unique opportunity to embrace the true culture of a city or region, and to immerse yourself in all its quirks and charms. It truly is a different way of traveling.  I’ve used them now for 17 years and I will never use anyone else.  They’re the best.  I know, because I grew up with the owner. If you have been considering taking your students to New York or  anywhere around the world, check them out at give them a call at (800) 554-7537 https://dragaudsojourns.com      

There are some topics that are so broad, so overwhelming that it’s hard to know where to begin. For theatre teachers, classroom management can be one of those topics. It is a critical skill; some say it’s more important than content knowledge. BUT there is no single method or protocol to follow to ensure success. All of our classes should be and usually involve student moving around…even working in the hallway, so how do we manage to keep control of what is happening? It can look different depending on which the age group you teach, how many students you have, and most importantly, your core personality. What works for you, a  highly organized, routine-loving teacher may not work for a more laid back, roll-with-the-punches kind of teacher, like me. The bottom line is this: Effective classroom management in a theatre classroom is an absolute must. It impacts your ability to be an effective educator and enjoy your job, and it impacts your students’ success as learners. If your classroom is out of control, it won’t matter how passionate you are about theatre or how much you are truly dedicated to students, learning will be negatively impacted. One of the most important things to teach in Theater is Audience Etiquette. It is a National Standard and a state standard. Critical Response and Evaluation **understand and demonstrate appropriate audience etiquette at various types of live performances; Consider Audience Etiquette as a grade: 30% for us Use a rubric Put it in handbook, syllabus, and hang in the classroom My high school friend, Brad Leake, who teaches math, shared this with me. Put the words last to leave at the top of the board. If there is a student who is talking too much or is disruptive, simply write his/her name at the top. That student has to be the last one to leave your classroom when the bell rings. If another student begins…add his/her name Essential to keep focus. Our administration purchased caddy’s for phones. They are numbered and each student is assigned a number. Start on First Day. Students put phones in caddy. Support literacy by having student write each day…even if it is simple and short. This will create a routine. 10 each grading period 10 points each. 20 at 5 points each. Completion grade. While they are writing, take role. After the allotted amount of time ask students to share with you what they wrote. I do it on Canvas. You could use a google form. You don’t have to grade them. I offer my students a reward for great behavior: Each day that the class as a whole: The rules: No one late No one tardy Everyone staying on task No interruptions or outbursts The class earns a letter to spell the the school’s mascot. When the mascot name is spelled out, the students get the reward. Our reward is that they can have a snack in class and watch Who’s Line Is It Anyway. You need equal amounts of working and breaks Begin class in seats Activity Give breaks for students to check their phone. Use a 20/5 rule. 20 minutes working/learning and 5 minute break. End the class in seats Problem-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered pedagogy in which students learn about a subject through the experience of solving an open-ended problem found in trigger material. The PBL process does not focus on problem solving with a defined solution, but it allows for the development of other desirable skills and attributes. This includes knowledge acquisition, enhanced group collaboration and communication. The PBL process was developed for medical education and has since been broadened in applications for other programs of learning. The process allows for learners to develop skills used for their future practice. It enhances critical appraisal, literature retrieval and encourages ongoing learning within a team environment. This is THEATRE!

This week we discuss our season with our new technical director. 

Billy and Annie Discuss their approach to helping students understand the script and create colorful believable characters.  The Table Work -- The development of character BEGINS with the script.  It EXPANDS via actor’s imagination Research.  Research.  Research. Learn to be an “Intellectual Detective”. 3 Things – learned from lines spoken by, learned from lines spoken about, learned from information given by playwright The Script -- The words are important!  The playwright carefully chose his words; it is incumbent upon the actor to take the same care when memorizing. It is fully expected that the actor will memorize the part verbatim.  The actor MUST finish all interrupted sentences, AND memorize the entire line. Ellipses . . . . why are they there?  Usually it’s a leaving off of thought.  Something is happening there; don’t run by them. Create a back story. The Dictionary is Your Friend -- You can’t say it believably until you know what it means. Actors are required to define all unknown words or phrases.  But the Thesaurus is Your Best Friend.  Why paint a room “red” when you can paint it “Firehouse Blaze”? Angry is not the same as annoyed is not the same as sore is not the same as violent is not the same as stormy.  “Happy” has 108 synonyms and each of them has a different connotation.  Develop an Emotional Palette. We’ve alluded to this before, but let’s get specific.   Painters are rarely content to use only one color.  Why are actors? Emotions make up the actor’s palette, like the colors on a painters palette.  But unlike painters, most actors have a very limited palette.  After all, it’s not as easy as mixing two colors to make a third. (If you ask a group of student to call out different emotions, chances are you will hear happy, sad, or mad rather than euphoric, miserable or incensed.)  How do you expand their emotional palette?  Well . . . you begin by making them do table work and then you expand on that when they get on their feet. In Rehearsal Preparation by the Director.  Don’t take a parka to the beach. It is vital that the director know what she wants to accomplish with the scene.  She must know the destination so that she ensures the actors pack appropriately. I have a saying:  “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.”  Although true, it’s not an axiom you want to adopt for your rehearsals.  You need a specific road! Blocking -- Be more concerned with moving the audience than with moving your actors. Pre-blocking Leads to Hollowness.  In my experience, if I begin by telling them where to go, the audience ends up telling me where to go!  (In other words, I end up with a slick, polished play that has no heart.)  I let the blocking grow out of actors’ desire to move.  (The trick here is to lead the horse to the trough of your choice!) Develop Character Through Blocking.  The second-by-second detailed analysis about alternative blocking results in examination of motivations. The actor will only arrive at her personal truth when she is allowed to explore WHY she moves.  Trust the student to make it natural, and then refine it directorially. www.EducationalTheatreConsultants.com  

In this episode, Annie shares stress management tips specifically for theatre teachers & directors. She address specific stressors, ways to identify if you are stressed, and stress management techniques.  American Heart Association https://www2.heart.org www.Health.org   This episode is sponsored by Dragaud Sojourns Dragaud Custom Sojourns is dedicated to creating extraordinary educational experiences for you and your students. I strive to offer you a unique opportunity to embrace the true culture of a city or region, to immerse yourself in all its quirks and charms, to consider a different way of traveling. Since 1995 I have worked with middle schools, high schools, and universities to share my passion for travel. My goal, as always, is to offer you the best possible value for money but, in the end, it’s not why we travel or even where we travel that distinguishes a truly unforgettable journey from a merely good one. It’s how we travel, and at Dragaud Custom Sojourns, that is everything. 800-554-7537 www.DragaudSoujouns.com    

Today is part one of a two-part series on coaching the student actor. Billy and Annie discuss specific ways to coach acting when working with students on stage. This episode is sponsored by Dragaud Sojourns Dragaud Custom Sojourns is dedicated to creating extraordinary educational experiences for you and your students. I strive to offer you a unique opportunity to embrace the true culture of a city or region, to immerse yourself in all its quirks and charms, to consider a different way of traveling. Since 1995 I have worked with middle schools, high schools, and universities to share my passion for travel. My goal, as always, is to offer you the best possible value for money but, in the end, it’s not why we travel or even where we travel that distinguishes a truly unforgettable journey from a merely good one. It’s how we travel, and at Dragaud Custom Sojourns, that is everything. 800-554-7537 www.DragaudSoujouns.com