Study guides come in a variety of forms, including guides to share with teachers and schools, study guides for inclusion in programs, and virtual or digital study guides. Below are some very basic tips for putting together a study guide in each form.
Study Guide - For distribution to teachers and/or schools.
Connect the content of the production to core standards
Create at least one complete lesson plan as part of the guide. Consider consulting with local teachers or secondary education students to build the lesson plans.
Include at least one "printable" worksheet or activity that teachers can easily print and use
Study Guide - For inclusion in the program/playbill.
Consider where you want the dramaturgical information within the playbill - grouped all together as a stand-alone guide? scattered throughout to break up bios, ads, etc?
Who is your audience? Include activities for younger audience members in a TYA study guide. Consider social media connections for young adult demographics.
Use design apps and websites like Canva to create visually engaging graphic design for your content when you don't have a design team to work with.
Study Guide - For digital distribution
Where will your digital content live online? Does your university or department have a public space? Use the free spaces available for sharing digital content, like google drive, google sites, blog websites, etc.
Consider how you might distribute the link to the digital study guide content - is the link on your department or university web pages? Can you post QR code images in/near the theatre? Can websites or QR codes be shared with season ticket holders?
Make use of the virtual space - create videos of the rehearsal process, share playlists and audio files, do live interviews, curate full color photographic records of your process, share behind-the-scenes design information in the form of 3D models and art renderings. Use a digital distribution to share the kinds of things that you can't share on paper.
Study Guide for Distribution to Schools and Teachers, by Samm Madsen
Study Guide for Inclusion in Paper (and Digital) programs, by Sydney Southwick