Afterpiece: A podcast about educational theatre

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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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?

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.

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Facebook Page: Dragoo Theatre Consultants

Billy and Annie discuss the importance of taking care of yourself. 

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Website: www.DragooTheatre.com

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:

1. 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.

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.

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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

Renaissance

• Hamlet by William Shakespeare

The Modern Era: Realism

•  A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen

The Modern Era: Experiential

• The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams

CONTEMPORARY: MILLENNIAL (POC & LBGTQIA)

• Angels in America:  A Gay Fantasia on National Themes by Tony Kushner

Sources

• Dramatic Magazine

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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.

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.

3. Facilitate Read-Aloud Sessions

• Assign Roles: Have students take on different characters and read their lines aloud to make the experience interactive.

4. Engage in Group Discussions

• Analyze Themes and Characters: Lead discussions on the play’s themes, characters, and conflicts to deepen students' understanding.

5. Incorporate Performance Elements

• Act Out Scenes: Assign small groups to rehearse and perform selected scenes, allowing students to physically engage with the text.

6. Connect to Writing Assignments

• Creative Responses: Have students write reflective essays, character analyses, or alternate endings based on the play.

7. Integrate Technology

• Digital Scripts: Use online resources to access digital versions of scripts and multimedia elements related to the play.

8. Encourage Critical Thinking

• Debate and Discuss: Facilitate debates on characters’ decisions, themes, and outcomes to promote critical thinking and articulate opinions.

9. Host Play Readings and Performances

• Classroom Play Readings: Organize informal readings where students can share their interpretations and discuss their perspectives.

10. Assessment and Feedback

• Evaluate Understanding: Use quizzes, essays, and presentations to assess students’ comprehension and interpretation of the play.

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.

By incorporating these strategies, play reading can become an engaging and educational experience that enhances students’ literary analysis, creativity, and appreciation for theater.

Website: www.DragooTheatre.com

Facebook: Dragoo Theatre Consultants

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.

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.

3. Facilitate Read-Aloud Sessions

• Assign Roles: Have students take on different characters and read their lines aloud to make the experience interactive.

4. Engage in Group Discussions

• Analyze Themes and Characters: Lead discussions on the play’s themes, characters, and conflicts to deepen students' understanding.

5. Incorporate Performance Elements

• Act Out Scenes: Assign small groups to rehearse and perform selected scenes, allowing students to physically engage with the text.

6. Connect to Writing Assignments

• Creative Responses: Have students write reflective essays, character analyses, or alternate endings based on the play.

7. Integrate Technology

• Digital Scripts: Use online resources to access digital versions of scripts and multimedia elements related to the play.

8. Encourage Critical Thinking

• Debate and Discuss: Facilitate debates on characters’ decisions, themes, and outcomes to promote critical thinking and articulate opinions.

9. Host Play Readings and Performances

• Classroom Play Readings: Organize informal readings where students can share their interpretations and discuss their perspectives.

10. Assessment and Feedback

• Evaluate Understanding: Use quizzes, essays, and presentations to assess students’ comprehension and interpretation of the play.

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.

By incorporating these strategies, play reading can become an engaging and educational experience that enhances students’ literary analysis, creativity, and appreciation for theater.

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.

Website: www.DragooTheatre.com

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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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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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