Open Forum

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

I would like to hear more about the app you mentioned. "Direct it"

What details can you share? I tried to find it on the Colorado EDTA site to no avail. 

------------------------------
Warren Kerr
Theatre Arts Teacher

Auburn High School
Auburn School District
Auburn WA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2015 15:33
From: Heather Brandon
Subject: Communication during play production

Google Classroom is a good way to go if your school is going that direction. It gives them the opportunity to ask questions, you can add attachments, links, etc. I also use the Direct It app from Colorado Thespians. Most of them give me their texting email address (your phone number has it's own email that you would send and receive as text messages). That way, I'm only sending out the info once, but it hits all of the kids that want texts (without them having my number), and the kids that don't have a phone get emails. My publicity chair also tweets everything to hit the social media side, but the vast majority of my kids prefer texts to any other means of communication.

-------------------------------------------
Heather Brandon
Bakersfield CA
-------------------------------------------



Sent via Higher Logic Mobile

I would like to hear more about the app you mentioned. "Direct it"

What details can you share? I tried to find it on the Colorado EDTA site to no avail. 

------------------------------
Warren Kerr
Theatre Arts Teacher

Auburn High School
Auburn School District
Auburn WA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2015 15:33
From: Heather Brandon
Subject: Communication during play production

Google Classroom is a good way to go if your school is going that direction. It gives them the opportunity to ask questions, you can add attachments, links, etc. I also use the Direct It app from Colorado Thespians. Most of them give me their texting email address (your phone number has it's own email that you would send and receive as text messages). That way, I'm only sending out the info once, but it hits all of the kids that want texts (without them having my number), and the kids that don't have a phone get emails. My publicity chair also tweets everything to hit the social media side, but the vast majority of my kids prefer texts to any other means of communication.

-------------------------------------------
Heather Brandon
Bakersfield CA
-------------------------------------------



Sent via Higher Logic Mobile

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

Online, I use Edmodo that has a place to file other useful information including ticket order forms, YouTube clips, practice music, and dramaturgy research,etc. However, with all of this technology my students have told me that they like me to post the paper calendar outside my classroom door; that way they can check it daily and take pictures of it for their own record. Many of my students don't have a computer at home and have limited data plans on their phones and unlike the paper calendar that I print, they never lose  their phones :)

------------------------------
Marla Blasko
Theatre Arts Director
Columbia MD
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2015 11:00
From: Janet Rhoads
Subject: Communication during play production

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

Online, I use Edmodo that has a place to file other useful information including ticket order forms, YouTube clips, practice music, and dramaturgy research,etc. However, with all of this technology my students have told me that they like me to post the paper calendar outside my classroom door; that way they can check it daily and take pictures of it for their own record. Many of my students don't have a computer at home and have limited data plans on their phones and unlike the paper calendar that I print, they never lose  their phones :)

------------------------------
Marla Blasko
Theatre Arts Director
Columbia MD
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2015 11:00
From: Janet Rhoads
Subject: Communication during play production

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

We use Teamwork (teamwork.com) for project management. We tried a whole bunch of other solutions (like Basecamp, Google Drive, etc.) before finally settling on this one. It allows us to easily send messages to all of our team members (and create an archive of communications for future reference), set deadlines and record when tasks are completed, and sync to our Google Drive where students can upload files (like design renderings). It's the best project management software we've used yet, and we're definitely going to stick with this one.

------------------------------
Victoria Chatfield
Executive Director, National Theatre for Student Artists
New York NY
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2015 11:00
From: Janet Rhoads
Subject: Communication during play production

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

We use Teamwork (teamwork.com) for project management. We tried a whole bunch of other solutions (like Basecamp, Google Drive, etc.) before finally settling on this one. It allows us to easily send messages to all of our team members (and create an archive of communications for future reference), set deadlines and record when tasks are completed, and sync to our Google Drive where students can upload files (like design renderings). It's the best project management software we've used yet, and we're definitely going to stick with this one.

------------------------------
Victoria Chatfield
Executive Director, National Theatre for Student Artists
New York NY
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2015 11:00
From: Janet Rhoads
Subject: Communication during play production

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

We use Schoology, which students use for all of their courses (so for extra-curricular theater, we add a course)

Our district has rolled out 1:1 iPads so our students all have access.  It is slick and has improved communication for us (as well as uploading documents, videos, notes, etc)

------------------------------
Tom Krueger
Minneapolis MN
------------------------------

-------------------------------------------We 
Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2015 11:00
From: Janet Rhoads
Subject: Communication during play production

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

I concur. There isn't a perfect answer. I provide a general schedule during auditions and a track list when we have a our first rehearsal. I also send any update info through my student production team. It's an extra benefit of having them there. My AD, SM, and Asst SM all get everyone's phone number and email. I have them in class everyday, so I can communicate with the entire cast and crew via them. It's worked really well. The kids all pretty much have each others' contact info so it's not a problem. It goes into a group message for either cast, crew, or everyone.

------------------------------
Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2015 10:36
From: Tom Krueger
Subject: Communication during play production

We use Schoology, which students use for all of their courses (so for extra-curricular theater, we add a course)

Our district has rolled out 1:1 iPads so our students all have access.  It is slick and has improved communication for us (as well as uploading documents, videos, notes, etc)

------------------------------
Tom Krueger
Minneapolis MN
------------------------------

-------------------------------------------We 
Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2015 11:00
From: Janet Rhoads
Subject: Communication during play production

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

Celly is a service like Remind BUT it is 2 way communication. We actually used it during the festival this year with our group and it worked GREAT! Our district is asking teachers to switch to this method simply because it is able to be archived unlike Remind. Just a tip. Celly customer service is also outstanding. We used the service with our peer tutors this year as well and it was a success. The student/parent numbers remain hidden but they have a user name. You create groups just like with remind but their ability to reply is very helpful - especially with things like festival and shows.

------------------------------
Suzanne Maguire
GEAR UP Coordinator
Spokane Public Schools
Spokane WA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2015 11:00
From: Janet Rhoads
Subject: Communication during play production

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

Remind does allow for two way communication but it has to be turned on.  The big issue I'm finding with my kids is that they all have unlimited texting but not unlimited data and Remind uses data (or wifi) so they're resisting it.  I'm trying to find an option that allows the messages to be sent via text without it actually being a text so that it can be recorded just in case it's ever needed.

Facebook is our most useful tool.  We have a facebook group for every show, to which students involved in the production and their parents are added.  It allows me to upload files, which is great for getting updated rehearsal schedules to everyone, and allows a platform for question/answers, suggestions, reminders, etc.

The majority of my kids don't use email much, so it's not a great choice from that aspect.  I'm going to check out Celly and see if it's a better option for us than Remind, and also see check out the one that was mentioned that allows an email to be sent as a text to phones.  That would be super useful for me.

------------------------------
Laura Steenson
Theatre Director
Reynolds High School
Troutdale OR
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 07-02-2015 23:15
From: Suzanne Maguire
Subject: Communication during play production

Celly is a service like Remind BUT it is 2 way communication. We actually used it during the festival this year with our group and it worked GREAT! Our district is asking teachers to switch to this method simply because it is able to be archived unlike Remind. Just a tip. Celly customer service is also outstanding. We used the service with our peer tutors this year as well and it was a success. The student/parent numbers remain hidden but they have a user name. You create groups just like with remind but their ability to reply is very helpful - especially with things like festival and shows.

------------------------------
Suzanne Maguire
GEAR UP Coordinator
Spokane Public Schools
Spokane WA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2015 11:00
From: Janet Rhoads
Subject: Communication during play production

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

Remind does allow for two way communication but it has to be turned on.  The big issue I'm finding with my kids is that they all have unlimited texting but not unlimited data and Remind uses data (or wifi) so they're resisting it.  I'm trying to find an option that allows the messages to be sent via text without it actually being a text so that it can be recorded just in case it's ever needed.

Facebook is our most useful tool.  We have a facebook group for every show, to which students involved in the production and their parents are added.  It allows me to upload files, which is great for getting updated rehearsal schedules to everyone, and allows a platform for question/answers, suggestions, reminders, etc.

The majority of my kids don't use email much, so it's not a great choice from that aspect.  I'm going to check out Celly and see if it's a better option for us than Remind, and also see check out the one that was mentioned that allows an email to be sent as a text to phones.  That would be super useful for me.

------------------------------
Laura Steenson
Theatre Director
Reynolds High School
Troutdale OR
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 07-02-2015 23:15
From: Suzanne Maguire
Subject: Communication during play production

Celly is a service like Remind BUT it is 2 way communication. We actually used it during the festival this year with our group and it worked GREAT! Our district is asking teachers to switch to this method simply because it is able to be archived unlike Remind. Just a tip. Celly customer service is also outstanding. We used the service with our peer tutors this year as well and it was a success. The student/parent numbers remain hidden but they have a user name. You create groups just like with remind but their ability to reply is very helpful - especially with things like festival and shows.

------------------------------
Suzanne Maguire
GEAR UP Coordinator
Spokane Public Schools
Spokane WA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2015 11:00
From: Janet Rhoads
Subject: Communication during play production

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

All of our students have Google accounts through our school, so we mostly use Google tools.

The Production Team has a shared Google folder. Each department has a folder within the shared folder where they can save important documents--designs, plans, contact information for crew members, schedules, inspiration, etc. My stage manager takes notes at each production meeting and saves them in the Shared folder. Also, when it came time for technical and dress rehearsals, I simply typed up my notes for the evening and saved them in the folder--everyone could access them, we didn't have to stay late afterward, and it created an instant to-do list for the next day.

My stage manager also created a Google Site for the actors with all of the relevant information--rehearsal schedule, contact information, etc. Whenever she needed to collect information from the cast or crew, she would send them a Google Form, which collected the info and automatically sorted it into a spreadsheet.

My SM also sent out daily reminders to the cast and crew using the Remind app. She would remind them of what was happening at rehearsal or build, who was called, if they needed to bring anything, etc. Remind also has a website, which is handy because you can schedule reminders to be sent at certain times.

Hope that helps! :) 

------------------------------
Jennifer Dinndorf
Plymouth MN
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2015 11:00
From: Janet Rhoads
Subject: Communication during play production

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------

I'm curious what effective forms of communication different teachers/directors have found for posting information about rehearsal schedules and other reminders to cast and crew members during a play's production.  I'm particularly interested in online options.

------------------------------
Janet Rhoads
Drama, Forensics, Public Speaking Instructor
Andale High School

Andale, KS

------------------------------