(SECOND PRINTING)

Have you tried everything you can think of and your students are still not engaged? I have a solution.

Turn your classroom into a live radio show—where every student finds their voice and imagination takes center stage.

What if you could learn this unique teaching method in just a few hours—and use it tomorrow?

Welcome to radio theater: a high-energy, low-prep way to spark imagination, build confidence, and get every student involved

We’re Live! Radio Theater #101 is your ready-to-use guide for bringing the magic of audio drama into grades 4–12. Written by veteran teacher and award-winning director Deborah Baldwin (40+ years, 300+ productions), this classroom-tested resource makes radio theater easy—even if you’ve never tried it before.

Inside you’ll find:

Step-by-step teaching guidance with 20 warm-up exercises to get students comfortable and engaged

Tips for voice work, sound effects, and performance prep, plus links to video demonstrations

3 sample AI-created radio scripts—designed as examples for core subject teachers (ELA, history, etc.) to adapt for their own classes

A complete three-week unit play written for classroom performance

Reflection pages in every chapter to help teachers personalize lessons for their students

Why teachers love it:

Engages shy or reluctant students

Builds reading fluency, collaboration, and confidence

Works in any space—no stage required

So turn down the lights, cue the sound effects, and let the magic begin.

Your classroom is about to go live!

About the Author

Deborah discovered her passion for writing at the tender age of five when she crafted a funny story featuring a pink pig. Since that early start, she has excelled in various creative endeavors, earning accolades as both a writer and a drama teacher and director.

In addition, she is a professional actress and youth theatre administrator for several companies in the Midwest. Many years ago, she co-developed a national playwriting contest for youth theatre plays which is still in existence today. Deborah has directed over 325 full length productions, plays, and musicals alike. She has created countless drama classes and taught for over thirty-eight years. Currently, she is a creator/author for her own store, Dramamommaspeaks on Teacherspayteachers.com. When she isn’t writing, teaching, or directing, she enjoys watching movies, traveling, and serves as personal assistant to her polydactyl cat. She and her husband, an instrumental music teacher, are both newly retired and grandparents to three perfect grandchildren. Check out her blog at Dramamommaspeakswordpress.com.

Book Review:

Five Stars Great Tool for the Teacher Toolbox "We're Live! Radio Theatre 101" is a valuable tool that has now been added to my teacher toolkit. As a Theatre and English teacher, I now have the knowledge to incorporate Radio Theatre into my classes. Baldwin includes many resources in her work to assist with getting teachers started using radio theatre. Her passion for this art shines through in her stories and writing and provided the motivation I needed to start planning out a unit and production for my classroom. Baldwin also provides ideas on how to incorporate radio theatre across the curriculum and embrace AI technology with this historical art form. Truly, a great tool that you won't regret taking a look at! Douglas Parks Reading Specialist. -- Douglas Sparks, Secondary ELA Reading and Theater Instructor Director