TFP - The Theatrefolk Podcast

Episode 154: Come With Us To Kabuki If you’re going to teach a Theatre History Unit, one of the areas you may include is Japanese Theatre: Kabuki, Noh or Bunraku. Theatrefolk co-owners Lindsay and Craig got a chance to see a Kabuki performance at the Kabukiza Theatre in Tokyo and share their fascinating experience with this art form on the podcast. Show Notes Kabuki Official Website Shakespeare In An Hour Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening! This is Episode 154 – one, five, four; one fifty-four; one hundred and fifty-four – all of the above. You can find any links to this episode in the show notes which are at theatrefolk.com/episode154. Today, we’re staying in-house. We have a conversation between myself – hello – and my Theatrefolk partner in crime, Craig Mason. Last year, we h

Episode 153:  Directing Mary Poppins Artistic Director of the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Todd Espeland directed the musical Mary Poppins last fall.  How did put his own stamp on the musical? How did he handle the flying? Todd talks about having a unique vision with the piece without ignoring the show’s iconic nature. Listen in to this one on one look at directing a specific piece. Show Notes Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Edward Gorey - The Gashlycrumb Tinies Images are courtesy of the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. All photos by Fred Western. Click on the large image to scroll through the gallery.   Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening! This is Episode 153. You can find any links to this episode in the show notes which are at theatrefolk.com/episode153. All righty. Today’s conversatio

Episode 152:  Reflecting Forward On Theatre School Grae Greer is in the middle of her last semester of her theatre program at Marshall University. Why did she choose Marshall?  What were her expectations and how were they met, or not met? What are her tips for high school students looking at programs? Where does she want to take her theatre degree next? All this and more in a look forward from theatre school into the real world. Show Notes Theatrefolk Conference Calendar Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening! This is Episode 152. You can find any links to this episode in the show notes which are at theatrefolk.com/episode152. In our last podcast episode – number 151, you can find all you need to know about that episode at theatrefolk.com/episode151, of course – we looked back at theatre

Episode 151:  Reflecting Back on Theatre School Jesse Wilson was born in LA, started acting at an early age and was accepted into Juilliard. He was on track to becoming a traditional professional actor, but twenty years later has found purpose in the education aspect of the arts. In this podcast Jesse reflects back on his time at Juilliard, his expectations of the experience and what really happened, and what do today’s students need to do to prepare for life after school. Show Notes Face the City promotional package Face the City Video Theatre Beyond the Stage podcast  Theatrefolk Blog Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening! This is Episode 151. You can find any links to this episode in the show notes which are at theatrefolk.com/episode151. All right. Today, we’re looking back. We’r

Episode 150:  Using Drama In Other Classes Today we have two playwrights who also happen to be two teachers: Amanda Murray Cutalo is an English teacher(Nice Girl, Typecast) and Taryn Temple is a Spanish Teacher (The Redemption of Gertie Green) Both Amanda and Taryn use drama in their classrooms and believe in the power of theatre for their students. There is a place for theatre everywhere. Show Notes Nice Girl  Typecast  The Redemption of Gertie Greene  Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening! This is Episode 150 – one, five, zero – that’s a nice number. You can find any links to this episode in the show notes which are at theatrefolk.com/episode150. So, today, we have a nice little combo. We have two little interviews here, both of these wonderful ladies are playwrights and they are al

Episode 149:  Do-it-All Directors Are you a do it all director? Today we talk to a number of teachers who have to do it all. We have high school and middle school teachers and teachers who are running both senior and junior programs! Listen to their experience and how they handle their situation. Hint: it’s all about the students. Show Notes Emergency Lesson Plans Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening! This is Episode 149. You can find… ooh, I really hit that nine, didn’t I? That was unexpected – 149. You can find any links to this episode in the show notes at theatrefolk.com – I slid into that one – episode149. So, how are you today? Apparently, I’m a little silly, but maybe you are feeling cool, calm, or overwhelmed, stressed. Are you looking at your day thinking, “How is this all

Episode 148:  Writing Across Genres Today we talk to Treanor Baring who has written poetry, plays, novels, and scripts for television. What’s her favourite form of writing? What are the important elements when writing for television? How do you write effective poetry? What’s the difference between the first draft and the second draft of a piece? Show Notes Almost History: the whole space time continuum thing Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening! This is Episode 148. You can find any links to this episode in the show notes at theatrefolk.com/episode148. Okay. So, today, I am talking to Treanor Baring. Treanor started out her career working in educational television for PBS and has hit a number of different writing forms along the way. I like this conversation and this is a great conve

Episode 147: Directing the School Musical Directing a musical is a daunting feat. Directing a musical with students can be overwhelming! In this podcast listen to three teachers talk about their experience directing musicals at the school level. How do they do it? Why do they do it over and over again? Show Notes Shout Theatrefolk Blog Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening! This is Episode 147. You can find any links for this episode in the show notes at theatrefolk.com/episode147. Happy New Year! Welcome to 2016! Are you ready for a brand new year? Personally, I feel that 2015 sped by really quickly, way too fast. But, you know, the older I get, that would be the general consensus I have of all of the years and all of the days. It’s kind of like a freight train and so we better enjoy e

Episode 146: A Gender conversation….and Pirates Steven is a long time Theatrefolk playwright, and in his latest play The Dread (Playwright) Pirate Sadie, the majority of characters are girl pirates. And in the world of the play, this is the norm. In this podcast we talk gender and how we can create a safe environment for students to own who they are, embrace who they are and stand up for who they are. Being human is challenging and uncomfortable at times. How do you create a communicative accepting community? Show Notes The Dread (Playwright) Pirate Sadie The Bottom of the Lake Ashland Falls She Wrote, Died, Then Wrote Some More   Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening! Ho ho ho! This is Episode 146! You can find any links for this episode in the show notes at theatrefolk.com/episode1

Episode 145: Theatre Beyond the Stage Jesse Wilson started life as an actor. Born in LA he started acting young and even went to Juilliard. But that traditional “actors” life is not the one he leads now. A one day novelty experience with at-risk teens turned into a two month monologue creation project. He frequently works with correctional facilities through arts rehabilitation programs.  How do you create theatre with non actors? What are the steps to creating a life inspired monologue? What was the end result? In this episode, we take Theatre beyond the stage. Show Notes Ted Talk Monologue Everything Scene Spurs  Emergency Lesson Plans  Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening. This is Episode 145. You can find any links to this episode in the show notes at theatrefolk.com/episode145 a

Episode 144: Looking At Theatre in a New Light In this episode we have two interviews that explore theatre in a new light. That’s the wonderful thing about theatre - it is malleable, it’s changeable. You can approach the act of theatre is so many different ways. It can happen in a theatre, it can happen in a parking lot. It can be realistic, absurd, intimate, epic, people can break into song at any moment. You can take a piece of theatre and put it in a different style. You can take something from another genre and apply it to a theatrical form. Clark Taylor took a podcast and turned it into a play with shadow puppetry, actors, and live music. The students at Shelby High School took a script and filmed it in locations around the school. Theatre can happen any time, anywhere. Show Notes Dead Men Don’t Do Radio Plays   Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwrigh

Episode 143: Student Stage Managers It’s important to remember that theatre is not just an onstage activity. There are many roles that have be fulfilled offstage that are just as vital to a successful show. A student stage management team can be your best production ally.  But what if you don’t have a lot of backstage experience? How do you encourage and develop student stage managers? Karen Loftus has spent time in the classroom and as a professional stage manager. She fully believes in the power of the student stage management team and she’ll tell you how. Show Notes Episode 142: Theatre Safety Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening. Welcome to Episode 143! You can find any links to this episode in the show notes at theatrefolk.com/episode143. We’re going backstage for this episode an

Episode 142: Theatre Safety How safe is your theatre? How safety conscious are you? Do you know how to properly use the power tools in your shop? Do you know how to properly secure flats? The theatre can be a world of the imagination with a bare stage, actors and words. But if you want to add lighting, sets, or any special effects, you’re going to have to start thinking about safety. Kristi Ross-Clausen is constantly thinking about your safety and in this podcast she’s going to give you the tips and tools you need. Show Notes Sapsis Rigging Entertainment Technician Certificate Program Example of Arbor Counterweight Systems Example of Arbor Counterweight Systems Rosco Flamex paint additive Saw stop Example of a steel toe slip on Theatrefolk Blog Theatre Shop Safety Poster   Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Th

Episode 141: The Arts Don’t Need To Be Isolated At Northwest Middle School in Flowood, MS, Emily Wright and Genifer Freeman worked on a play to support the school’s summer reading book - A Long Walk To Water. But that was just the beginning. Every class from English, to art to music, to drama, to science and beyond incorporated the book into their lesson plans and they also used the project to raise money to build a well in South Sudan. This is arts integration and cross-curricular education at its finest! Listen in to learn how they accomplished this massive undertaking, and how got the principal on stage too. Show Notes The Walking Boys by Robert McDonough A Long Walk to Water Episode 107: Cross-Curricular in the Drama Classroom Writing Your Research Exercise Speeches From History Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I

Episode 140: These Kids Are Worth It Stacey Tirro works in a district with a negative reputation. There are threats of budget cuts all around her.  People ask her all the time “do you feel safe teaching there?” (She’s never felt safer by the way)  And none of this stopped her from doing one of musical theatre’s most difficult shows - West Side Story. Stacey thinks her kids are worth it. Listen in to hear her story. Show Notes American Theatre Article This American Life Episode Typecast Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening. Welcome to Episode 140! You can find any links for this episode in the show notes at theatrefolk.com/episode140. And we’ve got another podcast that makes you think – makes me think – about the question: “What motivates you for your students?” We’ve got Stacy Tirro

Episode 139: Talking About Issues Through Theatre What motivates you when it comes to your students? For Josh Adell, a teacher out of California, it was the time and time connection between teens, violence, and mental illness. Being a drama teacher, he wanted to theatricalize this issue. The result was an experience that sparked incredible conversation about an often silent issue with students, parents, administration and the community. Talking about issues through theatre is powerful. Show Notes Educational Theatre Association Blog The Butterfly Queen Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening. Welcome to Episode 139! You can find any links for this episode in the show notes at theatrefolk.com/episode139. And I’m going to start this episode with a question. What motivates you when it com

Episode 138: Successes and Challenges: Potpourri We continue talking to teachers in our Successes and Challenges Series. In this episode we hear from a teacher using students as leaders, a successful fundraiser, and everyone’s favourite challenge turned success: Shakespeare. Listen in and learn how your fellow teachers have taken on challenges and dealt with them head on. Show Notes Stand Alone: Monologues for Girls Stand Alone: Monologues for Guys Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening. Welcome to Episode 138! You can find any links to this episode in the show notes at theatrefolk.com/episode138. Today, we continue talking to teachers in our Successes and Challenges series. I love this! I love doing these interviews! It’s inspiring to me and I hope it’s inspiring to you too as the scho

Episode 137: Successes and Challenges: Firsts Every teacher in this podcast experienced a “first” this past year. Their first year in the classroom. The first time their school has had a drama program. The first time back in the classroom after a long break. Join us as we talk about the successes and challenges of dealing with “firsts.” Show Notes Vignette Plays Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening. Welcome to Episode 137! You can find any links for this episode in the show notes at theatrefolk.com/episode137. Today, I am talking to teachers and every teacher in this particular podcast has experienced a first – a first year in the classroom, the first time their school has had a drama program, the first time back in the classroom after a long break. This is part one of two in our “Suc

Episode 136: Top Ten Tips For Teaching Improv Improvisation! Every student loves it, but does every teacher? Improv is one of those things that looks so easy but the tide can turn easily. When you have students who do nothing but try to be funny, and others who refuse to join one scene, it can get frustrating quickly. Listen in to hear Second City performer and long time teacher Jennine Profeta shares her top ten tips for teaching Improv. Show Notes Drama Teacher Academy Course: Yes, And... How to Teach Improv Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening. Welcome to Episode 136! You can find any links for this episode in the show notes – theatrefolk.com/episode136. Okay. Today, we are talking improvisation which might be the highlight or the bane of your existence, right? I think that’s where i

Episode 135: Starting from Scratch Ruth Mirabella was asked to start a middle school drama program three years ago. They had the smallest stage imaginable and no sound equipment.  Since she began, Ruth has more than doubled student interest. How did she do it? What did she do? How do you start from scratch? Show Notes The Redemption of Gertie Green Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening. Welcome to Episode 135! You can find any links to the episode in the show notes at theatrefolk.com/episode135. Okay. So, today, we are talking about building – not buildings – building. How do you start from ground zero? Ruth Mirabella did it and she’s going to tell us how. It’s a tour de force kind of energy that Ruth has and, I have to say, I love hearing stories like this. It makes me feel like dram